Weoley Hill Order of service with communion
Sunday 8 March 2026 led by Ann Evans
Welcome and notices given by Elder on duty
Call to Worship
Let us come together, each of us known and loved as a child of God.
We come to worship him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Lord Jesus, thank you that, as we come to you, you are always waiting to welcome us and draw us closer to you and deeper into your love.
Amen.
Hymn 114 Let all the world in every corner sing
Opening prayers
Almighty God, whose arms are open to all, we gather to meet with you and hear your word for us today; for you know us, all we have done and all that we are. You offer us ‘living water’, all that we need for our lives today. God, all-seeing, all-knowing, and everywhere-present, we bow in humble adoration of your perfect wisdom. Jesus, love of the Father made flesh to dwell among us, we come to adore your divinity wrapped in humanity. Holy Spirit, messenger, comforter and counsellor, imparting Christ’s teaching to our waiting, thirsting hearts; be present with us now.
A prayer of confession
We confess, O Lord, that we see ourselves in the woman Jesus met at the well –blinkered by the toil of everyday life; dragged down by the past and what it has made us. We confess that we are slow to recognise your presence – the shaft of light that shines upon our darkness and shifts our perspective on who we are and who we might become. Thirsting, we ask you to refresh the dry landscapes of our lives and unburden us of the weight of past deeds, so we may begin again.
Amen.
Assurance of forgiveness
O Lord, you forgive us on so many levels: for being bound by convention; for being bound by unconfessed sins; for caring too much about our physical wants and needs; for ignoring the drought in our spirits. Thank you for your forgiveness when we open ourselves to your presence
and pledge to do better.
Amen.
Sharing Good News
LYCIG Prayer said together
God of Mission,
Who alone brings growth to your Church,
Send your Holy Spirit to give,
Vision to our planning,
Wisdom to our actions,
Joy to our worship
And power to our witness.
Help our church to grow in numbers,
In spiritual commitment to you,
And in service to our local community,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings Exodus 17:1-7; John 4:5-42
Hymn 340 I have no bucket and the well is deep
Reflection
Hymn 349 I heard the voice of Jesus say
Prayers for the people
Lord, as you sat by the well and asked for a drink you broke some of the taboos of society. You led your disciples in a new way of living. So we pray for the leaders of the nations, particularly the leader of our country…
And Lord, we pray particularly for the Middle East, where war is raging…
We pray for those who have lost loved ones…
We pray for all those who have had their homes destroyed…
Lord, give our leaders wisdom. May they be people of integrity and people who lead with humility and justice. Reveal yourself to them, Lord, so that they may follow where YOU lead. Speak peace into their hearts and minds, Lord, and thus bring a swift end to the conflict, we pray.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
You are invited to join in the following response:
God of transformation, pour out your living water
God we come before you today to pray for our imperfect world, a world often convinced its ways are better than yours.
We pray for all those still affected by war and conflict, we pray especially today for Ukraine, Sudan, Middle East an d those places which are not in the media
We pray that our leaders and politicians may employ wisdom and discernment
rather than self-aggrandisement and territorial gains.
We pray that aid is able to reach those who need it and that settlements are negotiated to allow justice and dignity for all.
God of transformation, pour out your living water
We pray for your Church, your body on earth; give us the energy and discipline
to let us still teach your Word to those who need to hear it. Give us the strength to continue when attitudes harden and when prayers seem unanswered. Give us the encouragement not to become disillusioned when change is happening more slowly that we would like. We pray for Naomi and her family as they prepare to move to the UK and we pray her visa can be arranged smoothly.
God of transformation, pour out your living water
We pray for our families and community; for those who are ill in mind, body or spirit,
for those who are lonely, anxious or worried, and for those who are grieving.
In a moment of silence we name these people before you
Silence
God of transformation, pour out your living water
Amen
Offertory prayer
Loving God, Our creator, who gives us life and meaning, Our Saviour, who gives us wholeness and hope, Our comforter, who gives us peace and joy, We make our gifts to you: The things we have, the time we spend, the people we are. Use us to show your love to all in the world. In Christ’s name.
Invitation to Communion
Sharing the peace
Communion Hymn 480 The church I like a table
Celebration of Communion including the Lord’s Prayer
Hymn 289 To God be the glory
Blessing
Lord, thank you that you choose to reveal yourself to us and that you know us, love us, and sustain us. Help us to return to you, again and again, to be refreshed and renewed by your living water.
Amen.