​Though Jesus visited Jerusalem several times, this was the only day when Jesus did something unexpected during his earthly life, entering into the city riding on the donkey.

Opening Prayer :
Loving God, we thank you for the special season of lent and the reminders of events that happened in Jesus’ life when he entered Jerusalem. May our time of worship reflect our gratitude and love for you. Amen

Let us pray together
Lord Jesus,
you journeyed to Jerusalem many times,
as a child and as a man,
touching many lives along the way as you taught and healed and challenged.
Thank you for inviting us 
to journey with you today,
for showing us the depth of your courage and the power of your love.
Thank you, Lord, for being our King and Saviour – and our friend. 
You are worthy of all our praise. Amen.

We are sorry, Lord Jesus, for the moments
when our hosannas are loud 
but lacking in love, 
when we chase the lure of worldly power, 
but miss the signs of heavenly glory,
when we choose popularity over integrity,
when we would silence those who speak the truth and are silent when we could speak out.
Forgive us, and inspire our steps as we follow you to the Cross…and beyond. Amen.
Prayers from Roots worship, 10th April 2022

A time of prayer
As Jesus wept over Jerusalem and cleansed its Temple, let us pray for our cities and our churches today.
Help us know what will bring us peace, O Lord.
We pray to you for cities in conflict, where dictators hold on to power and oppress their own citizens, and the voice of the people is not heard. Especially for Ukraine…
Help us know what will bring us peace, O Lord.
We pray to you for cities in economic trouble 
where the current Covid crisis has put many out of work, new businesses cannot get loans to start, and people do not feel they are all in it together. 
Help us know what will bring us peace, O Lord.
We pray to you for cities suffering natural disaster, where storms, tsunamis, flooding or fire have destroyed the infrastructure and rebuilding has been slow and inefficient. 
Help us know what will bring us peace, O Lord.
We pray to you for all those suffering poor health, personal disaster, or the death of a loved one. Make us faithful in praying, visiting and caring for those in difficulties. 
Help us know what will bring us peace, O Lord.
We pray to you for churches of all denominations, as what unites us this week is so much bigger than what divides us.
May we love one another, so the world may know you are among us. 
Help us know what will bring us peace, O Lord. Amen.
 Prayers adapted from Roots Worship, 10th April 2013 

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father ……

A prayer of blessing
May God grant us
exuberance of the Palm Sunday crowd,
and the humility of Jesus riding a donkey;
the energy and excitement of the crowd, 
and the calm holiness of Jesus;
the expectation of the crowd, 
and the understanding heart of Jesus
who journeyed to Jerusalem for love of us all. Amen.
Prayer from Roots Worship, 10th April 2022
Original Materials by Rev. Nutan Sandhya Joseph Suray

You may be at home or travelling, the members of Kingswood Methodist Church, hope you can join in and sing along (quietly if you are on a bus or train!) with this special Worship at Home Service which has been prepared for you by Revd Christine Fox and Jessica Bullett celebrating 52 years of the Toddlers group at Kingswood.

A Children's Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God, we pray for peace in Ukraine.
Help keep people safe and protect them from being hurt.
Please care for children separated from their families,
Please help people who have had to leave their homes.
We pray for love and peace, everywhere.
In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace,
Amen.

Bible reading ‘storytime’ let the children come...selected from Luke 18:15-17 

 The Lord’s prayer  
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever.
Amen

Toddlers Prayers at the Service
Christine sharing the prayers written for the Toddlers.  The table in the front of the image has photos over the years at Toddlers.

Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you, and give you peace.  Amen

This Mothering Sunday Worship at Home Service has been prepared for you by Revd Ruth Simpson with prayers by ​Revd Phillip Warrey.

A Children's Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God, we pray for peace in Ukraine.
Help keep people safe and protect them from being hurt.
Please care for children separated from their families,
Please help people who have had to leave their homes.
We pray for love and peace, everywhere.
In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace,
Amen.

*Prayers
Lord we pray on this Mothering Sunday for Mothers all over the world including our own. We pray for mothers where life is difficult, trying to protect their children in places of strife, famine, and war, for mothers despairing in poverty, for mothers facing illness or bereavement. We give thanks for mothers and all their love and care. We give thanks for new mothers and pray for strength and grace in caring for their children. We grieve for those who have not known their mothers, have had difficult relationships with their mother, or lost their mother. We pray for those who have been unable to be mothers or had opportunities to mother snatched from them. 
Lord we pray your love and grace, comfort, and healing into all the places and situations it is needed. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father ……

StF 594 Lord Jesus Christ

*​Blessing
May God Almighty, Father and Mother to us all, make her face shine upon us all. May Jesus, our high priest, and brother, walk with us always. May the Holy Spirit of God fill us and help us to minister to others to his praise and glory. Amen.

*Prayers by Revd Phillip Warrey 

​Our Gospel reading on this day, the third Sunday of Lent, is Luke chapter 13, verses 1 to 9 that contains the parable of the fig tree. Now, to understand this parable, we need to know two things:-  
We need to know that all parables are about us and the way that we live.  
We also need to know something about the importance of the fig tree in the Promised Land.

Prayer
God, you welcome us as, with all your people, we come to worship.
You welcome us each day, calling us out of darkness into your marvellous light. You rejoice in our vitality and excitement, and you delight to see us reaching out to you, responding to your love. Our hearts are full of praise as we consider the work of your hands.  And we are moved to silence when we consider the work of Jesus.  
We praise you for all you have given through Jesus. He has shepherded us and guided us.  He is our prophet, opening our eyes to the truth about ourselves – and about the hope we have in you. He is our King, leading us as we battle it out with life, as we seek to be faithful despite temptations, and the times when we do not know what the right thing to do is.  
We confess that we do not always live in the light of Christ. We should be generous and welcoming, but we shut the doors of our homes or our church to keep the cries of the world away. Jesus calls us to live for others, but sometimes we find that too costly. Yet, Jesus has the last word – and Jesus says, your sins are forgiven.  Amen. Thanks be to God.

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever.
Amen

Bible Readings
Psalm 63; 1-8
Longing for God
Luke 13; 1-9
Parable of the Fig Tree

Prayers for Ukraine 
Loving God, your Son Jesus Christ, wept over Jerusalem.
Today, we weep over Ukraine.
We weep for those uprooted from their homes and lives.
We weep for those cowering in basements.
We weep for those who have witnessed death and destruction on their streets.
We weep for those separated from parents, from children, from spouses and siblings.
We are amazed at the resilience of people seeking to comfort those in need and so we pray for Governments opening up borders so that Ukrainians can have safe passage.
We pray for churches and individuals providing food, clothing and shelter.
We pray for medical workers ensuring that shattered bodies are put back together again.
We pray for ordinary Russians demonstrating and voicing their disapproval of the military actions in Ukraine.
May the Holy Spirit give us the willpower to turn our tears into action also.
May we, through our words, prayers and example pursue the things that make for a just peace in the world today and especially in Ukraine.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen

Blessing
May the Jesus who suffered bless you with strength. May the Jesus who rose from the dead bless you with hope. May the Jesus who endured the cross bless you with joy. Amen.

​Prayer
Today we come to worship you all creating God. Be with us now as we come to you in prayer. 
We thank you for your presence with us in the week that has passed and we are sorry for the times when we have not heard you speaking to us. 
We thank you for the gifts we have received from you so many and bounteous that we can not name them all. We are sorry for the times when we have not acknowledged your generosity to us. 
We offer you the week ahead with all that is holds may we be more aware or you speaking to us and be aware of all your wonderful gifts that you bless us with each day. May we more closely follow the path you would have us follow. In Jesus name we pray.  Amen. 

Introduction to the theme – do you have a Lent focus this year? Giving up some of your time for God or others (eg…? - pray for Ukraine, attend a study course,).  Jesus set his face towards Jerusalem – he wouldn’t be distracted from what he had set his mind on – not things of earthly importance but that which was of heavenly significance.

​Today we come to worship you all creating God. Be with us now as we come to you in prayer. 
We thank you for your presence with us in the week that has passed and we are sorry for the times when we have not heard you speaking to us. 
We thank you for the gifts we have received from you so many and bounteous that we can not name them all. We are sorry for the times when we have not acknowledged your generosity to us. 
We offer you the week ahead with all that is holds may we be more aware or you speaking to us and be aware of all your wonderful gifts that you bless us with each day. May we more closely follow the path you would have us follow. In Jesus name we pray.  Amen. 

​Readings
Philippians 3:17 – 4:1
Luke 13:31-35

StF 466 have faith in God my heart 
 Bryn Austin Rees's hymn which was written following an air raid on Ipswich during the Second World War.​

Prayers for others
​We bring before God those who we wish to prayer for at this time- they may include the ill and bereaved, the homeless, those who are afraid, those suffering from the war in Ukraine…. 
Offer them all to God’s loving protection. 
Loving God as we have brought before you in pray those people, places and situations that we are aware of we ask you will gather all under your protection. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father ……

Blessing
We have come together in to worship you in song, words, and prayers. Now as we go our separate ways may we know your constant presence with us whatever the week ahead might hold for us.
And the blessing of God, Father Son and Holy Spirit be with us and remain with us for evermore. Amen

Call to Worship
God of the mountains and the sky,
of our minds and our hearts:
we look up to you in awe;
we reach out to you in longing;
we worship you in gratitude;
we sing to you in joy.
For you are our God,
and we are your people –
today and always. Amen.

StF409 – Let us build a house where love can dwell

Statement on Ukraine from the Methodist Presidency
We are horrified and heartbroken as we witness the violent assault on Ukraine by the Russian military. This devastating action and ensuing loss of life have rightly been condemned across the world. It is a very clear violation of the UN Charter and as such imperils the foundation upon which international security is built and on which we all depend. We regret the failure to build an understanding with Russia and we pray for the Ukrainian and Russian peoples, including the Methodist church leaders in the region and the Methodist communities across Ukraine. Christians are called to ‘pursue peace with everyone’ (Hebrews 12:14); this mandate is clear and requires courage, perseverance and understanding. We ask you to pray for all politicians, that there may be an end to aggression and that dialogue, justice and peace may be established. 

Prayer of Adoration
Lord, you are the source of all that is good, right and true.
Without you nothing will ever really make sense.
Without you there will always be an emptiness
and a sense of incompleteness to life.
We come to you to find meaning and purpose for our lives.
We come to you so that in finding you we may find ourselves;
so that in knowing you we may know ourselves,
and in opening our lives to you we may have the peace and joy that only you can give.   
We have come to worship you 
because you are worthy of all our praise. Amen.

Prayer of Confession 
Loving God, we come to you aware that so often we fail to see your glory, taking for granted the beauty and wonder of creation.
Forgive us and open our eyes.

Loving God, so often we fail to recognise your presence, taking for granted the love and care of others.
Forgive us and open our hearts.

Loving God, so often we fail to acknowledge your gifts, taking for granted all that you offer.
Forgive us and open our minds.

Loving God, so often we fail to see you in those around us, in those suffering, in situations of injustice.
Forgive us and challenge us to action.

Loving God, so often we fail to speak of your love, keeping silent when we should have spoken.
Forgive us, loosen our tongues and give us the words.

Loving God, in Jesus Christ you forgive us. Help us to accept that forgiveness, forgiving ourselves as we forgive others. By the power of your Spirit, strengthen and enable us to live in your love and glory.
Amen.

​The context for our gospel reading is that Jesus has been baptised in the River Jordan by his cousin, John when the voice of God had declared him to be ‘My Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’. Luke then tells us that Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit which leads him into the desert, where he encounters the devil.  

There’s a couple of things to think about as we hear of this encounter. Firstly, what might it be like to be in a desert for a long period of time on your own? Secondly, what was Jesus’ state of mind like? What thoughts, feelings and emotions might have been going through his mind at that time?

We can read this account as Jesus struggling to come to terms with his power and find the wisest way to use it. Luke’s account, which we must assume is based on what Jesus said after the event, indicates that he had many days of difficult debate. The three temptations are a summary of the ways that Jesus worked through the challenges of having such power.

The temptations are about using his power for instant reward. They are really a testing of his vocation. Should he perform miracles to prove his identity? Will he seek easy popularity by turning stones into bread? Is he seeking respect? Does he want to be seen as a powerful ruler?

Ultimately, Jesus’ position is clear. He responds to the testing by quoting scripture that gives him a clear sense of priority. He is not deceived by the attractive options that are offered to him - popularity and an easy life. He seeks followers through faith rather than trickery. He chooses the way of suffering, death and ultimately of resurrection, rather than celebrity.

So how do we reflect on this? – here is a question to ponder:​

What power do you have as an individual and do we have as a community? How do you/we use that power - for ourselves or for the benefit of others? 

Glorious God, we bring to you our prayers for all the world, and all the situations where your peace is needed. May your peace and glory transform the world.

We bring you our prayers for the leaders of all nations, whose actions govern the lives of many. May your love and Spirit guide their actions and transform the world.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

We bring you our prayers for the Church, the worldwide body of Jesus Christ. We think of areas where there is apathy about your word, areas where there is persecution. We think of the church here at Kingswood and pray for Christine as she leads us, and for our witness to the community that we serve in Jesus’ name. May your peace, glory and love transform the world.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

We bring you our prayers for those in need of your love, those who are bereaved, those who are the victims of injustice. Those in need of healing, those in hospital, those who are the victims of violence and war. We think of any known to us ….. May they know your glory and healing power and be transformed.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

We bring you our prayers for ourselves, for your Spirit to fill us and enable us to see your glory in others and in all situations (silence).

May we know your love and peace, that they may transform your world in the name of Christ. 

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Amen.

We Pray for Peace by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, sung and guitar Casey Carbone. Tune ​FINLANDIA 11.10.11.10.11.10

A prayer of blessing
God of plenty,
be with us as we journey into the world.
Sustain us, that we may always walk
in your way and follow your example of
justice, peace and love for all.
We ask this through your Son,
who resisted the temptations of the world. Amen.

Our text for this Mornings Sermon comes from 2Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 6 " The God who said " Out of darkness the light shall shine”, is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts to bring us  the  knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of Christ".

​Prayers of intercession
God’s presence makes the face shine, the spirit soar, the heart beat.
God’s presence breaks the stony rules, the hard heart,
the silent grief.
Lord In your mercy, hear our prayer
God’s presence fills the mountain top, the earth below the waiting crowd. God’s presence changes the old ways, the trodden paths, the wasted lives. .
Lord In your mercy, hear our prayer
Make your presence felt where the darkness is too deep, the grief too sore, the divisions too wide, the sorrow too long, the pain too harsh, for mere mortal hands to make whole and well.
Lord In your mercy, hear our prayer
Make your presence felt where the thirst is so great, the hunger so rooted, the spirit so afflicted, the heart so weary, the mind so distracted, that earthly things cannot soothe or console. .
Lord In your mercy, hear our prayer
In a moment of silence we bring to you those on our hearts and minds that need your loving care.
In your mercy, hear our prayer
Make your presence felt in us and through us, that lives be transformed, faces be transfigured, by the glorious grace of the father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
A special prayer for Ukraine from the Methodist website
We pray for our governments and political leaders – for wise counsel and sound initiative to defuse tension -for diplomats – that they may have space to negotiate for the people of Ukraine – that their close ties with the people of Russia and other neighbours will remain strong even in the face of military threat. We pray that all governments commit time to dialogue and understanding, respect the will and freedom of all peoples, invest in welfare and alleviation of poverty and reject militarism and the threat of violence.
May Christ’s teaching and example be our inspiration, may hearts and minds be changed, and may your holy spirit be at work transforming each of us day by day, Through your everlasting grace and mercy
Amen

​Gathering.
…we have this treasure in clay pots to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from ourselves” 2 Cor 4:7
Let us draw near to God.

Prayer
Almighty God, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below,
Heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; 
how much less this house which we have built.

And yet to us as we gather here
this is indeed your house and the gate of heaven.
And we worship you.

Almighty God, to whose glory we celebrate the anniversary of this 
church,
we give you thanks for the fellowship
of those who have worshipped in this place,                                                                                                            and for the fellowship we share today. 
We come this afternoon as into the courts of a King, 
with awe and reverence; 
and yet we come also as your children, 
with love and confidence.

.. and as we come before you remembering 
Your faithfulness – your Constant love and the dependability of your grace,
We are mindful of our own faithlessness our inconstancy and our undependable faith.
For the times when we have failed to live as your people… Lord forgive us.

Help us by your grace to draw closer to you, to grow to maturity in Christ and may we worship you now in spirit and in truth. Amen.

StF 513  Take this moment time and space. ​Performance © 2020 Ruth and Joy Everingham

StF 395 Spirit of the living God.  WMTV Music

Prayers of Intercession
In lives that are cracked and broken - may the glory of Christ’s resurrection burst forth.
Thank You, Father, that You have poured into our hearts the light of your gospel, which is from Jesus Christ our Saviour. It is through His sacrifice that we have been so blessed, for without the shining Light of the Spirit of Christ within, we would continue to live in the darkness of the world. 
… and so we come before you now with our prayers for those feeling cracked or broken this day
We pray for the world - those living in oppression and fear - world leaders and governments – peoples living in war torn places
Silence. 
In lives that are cracked and broken - may the glory of Christ’s resurrection burst forth.
We pray for our local community – the care homes, those who live in the neighbourhood, the groups that utilise the building here 
Silence.
In lives that are cracked and broken - may the glory of Christ’s resurrection burst forth.
We pray for this church giving thanks for all those who have been part of this family over many years – for the circuit and for the wider Methodist church family of which we are a part.
Silence
In lives that are cracked and broken - may the glory of Christ’s resurrection burst forth.
We pray for ourselves – Lord you know each of us by name – you know the cracks that we carry, our strengths and our weaknesses – our joys and our sadness. May each of us know your love this day and may the light of your truth, love, and compassion, shine in us, and reflect from us the glories of Christ in all we say and do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

StF 67 This, this is the God we adore

Blessing
Go out boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and as we go may the blessing of God Father son and holy spirit be with us and those for whom we pray,

The reading is from Luke's Gospel ' Blessed are you poor for yours is the Kingdom of God.'  Blessed are you poor when you are wondering whether you will be able to heat your home this winter.  Blessed are you poor when you are going to a foodbank to get food for your family. Is this really what Jesus is saying?

STF 681 Community of Christ​ sung by Rev Pete Brazier and set to video by Rev Rach Ward

*Prayers of Intersession
In faith let us pray to God our Father’
in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

God of love we pray for the life of your Church throughout the world….May every congregation be a community of love and every Christian a witness to your grace.  Renew all who worship that we may be a living fellowship in your Spirit and serve our neighbourhood.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done.

God of mercy, we pray for the life of the world...and for those who exercise power…  Show us how to live as members of the human family; to reject the ways of war; to bear each other’s burdens and to work together for justice and peace.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done.

God of compassion, we pray for those who are ill or anxious at home or in hospital….  We pray for those whose lives are fill with fear and despair… Draw near with your saving love and bring healing and hope.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done.

God of glory, we rejoice in the communion of saints, we remember all who have faithfully lived and all who have died in Christian hope, especially….  Help us to follow their example and bring us with them into the fullness of your eternal joy.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done.

Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding;
pour into our hearts such love towards you
that we, loving you above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all we can desire;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever.
Amen

*Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord look on you with kindness and give you peace.  Amen

Go in peace to to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ.  Amen

* Prayers from the Methodist Worship Book published by the Methodist Publishing House

​StF 272 from heaven you came. Sung by New Horizon Choir.  Lyrics written by Graham Kendrick. Copyright © 1983 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music.

Bible reading
​Luke 5:1-11

​StF 462 Come with me come wander sung by Frodsham Methodist Church Cloud Choir. Written by John L. Bell (b. 1949) and Graham Maule (b. 1958) Reproduced from Singing the Faith Electronic Words Edition, number 462 Words and Music: From Heaven Shall Not Wait © 1987, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland. www.wgrg.co.uk

StF 476 one more step along the world I go sung by members of Grangewood Methodist Church.  Written by Sydney Carter. Words and Music: © 1971, Stainer & Bell Ltd, 23 Gruneisen Road, London N3 1DZ  www.stainer.co.uk