Liturgical Resources for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games London, 2012

Liturgical Resources for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games London, 2012

Scripture Readings The following are suitable for use in worship in preparation for and during the London Games: Offering hospitality Genesis 18.1-8; I Kings 17.8-16; Mark 6.34-44; John 6.1-14; 3 John5-8 Parable about treasure Matthew 13.44-53 Running the race 1 Corinthians 9.24-27 Verses from Psalm 8 (with optional refrain) Lord our God, the whole world tells the greatness of your name. Your glory reaches beyond the stars. Even the babble of infants declares your strength, your power to halt the enemy and avenger. Your glory reaches beyond the stars. I see your handiwork in the heavens: the moon and the stars you set in place. Your glory reaches beyond the stars. What is humankind that you remember them, the human race that you care for them? Your glory reaches beyond the stars.

You treat them like gods, dressing them in glory and splendour. Your glory reaches beyond the stars. You give them charge of the earth, laying all at their feet: cattle and sheep, wild beasts, birds of the sky, fish of the sea, every swimming creature. Your glory reaches beyond the stars. Lord our God, the whole world tells the greatness of your name. Your glory reaches beyond the stars. The ICEL (International Commission on English in the Liturgy) translation, with a response [D1] taken from Psalm and Canticles, p.124 New Patterns for Worship, copyright, The Archbishops Council 2002 An Act of Praise (based on Psalm 145) The following may be used as a dialogue between minister and congregation Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised: there is no end to his greatness. One generation shall praise your works to another, and shall declare your power. All creation praises you, Lord, and your faithful servants bless you. They declare the glory of your kingdom and tell of your mighty power. My mouth shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. Let every living thing bless his holy name for ever and ever. [D18] taken from Psalm and Canticles, p.124 New Patterns for Worship, copyright, The Archbishops Council 2002 Other suitable biblical texts may be used.

Prayers A prayer in preparation for the 2012 Games Eternal God, Giver of joy and source of all strength, we pray for those who prepare for the London Olympic and Paralympic games. For the competitors training for the Games and their loved ones, For the many thousands who will support them, For the Churches and others who are organising special events and who will welcome many people from many nations. In a world where many are rejected and abused, we pray for a spirit of tolerance and acceptance, of humility and respect and for the health and safety of all. May we at the last be led towards the love of Christ who is more than gold, today and for ever. A prayer for use during the London Games God our Creator, we pray for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We give thanks for the privilege of hosting them and the thrill of watching them; and we pray for all who are taking part. Give them courage and strength, wisdom and generosity. Make us warm in our welcome and generous in our hospitality. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our teacher and our friend.

A prayer for people who will travel God, our Protector, whose Son travelled as a refugee and walked the streets of Jerusalem as a pilgrim, we pray for all who travel to the London Games: for competitors and coaches, cleaners and caterers; for umpires and judges, city guides and security guards; for audiences and volunteers. Grant them safe travel and journeys filled enriching encounter. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our teacher, guide and friend. A prayer for London Gracious God, we pray for London,* welcoming the people of the world to the Games. We give thanks for its long history and dazzling diversity offering a warm embrace to many. Grant enrichment and friendship to all who visit and receive hospitality here, that the world may be sustained in its journey towards tolerance, understanding and peace. *if used in London, the word London may be replaced with our city

A prayer before a competitive event Almighty God, you created humanity in your image and delight in our talent, skill and flair: give us grace to celebrate the achievements of our fellow men and women. Give determination and equity to competitors, gratitude and charm to winners, grace and mercy to those who do not come first, and thankfulness and admiration to observers; that in all our best efforts your creation may be glorified. A prayer written by a serving Metropolitan Police officer Lord, let us serve with grace, humility, compassion, integrity and love for all. Grant us wisdom, patience and fortitude, that by serving others we may serve you, until our duty is done and we may rest in your loving arms. Be with those who are afraid, isolated and for whom this is a time of grief, regret and disappointment. While the world watches us, watch over the lands and peoples where injustice, disease and violence compete. Protect those who strive for the common good, especially the military, police and the security services; that these lands may be seen as a beacon of hope and an ambassador of peace and justice, now, tomorrow and for all time. In communion with Saint Michael and the saints of these islands we commit ourselves, one another, and our work, to you, Christ our Lord.

The following Collects are also suitable for use at any time: A collect for the sixth Sunday after Trinity Creator God, you made us all in your image: may we discern you in all that we see, and serve you in all that we do; through Jesus Christ our Lord. A collect for the thirteenth Sunday after Trinity Almighty God, you search us and know us: may we rely on you in strength and rest on you in weakness, now and in all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Common Worship: Collects and Post Communion Prayers,, The Archbishops Council 2004 A Litany at the time of the London Olympic Games [Let us pray to the Lord. ] For the peace that comes from God alone, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord. For the nations of the world, and for all its leaders, let us pray to the Lord. Litanies

For every athlete, for each team and for all who train and support them, let us pray to the Lord. For the city of London, and for all venues that will host events, let us pray to the Lord. For all who have planned the games, visionaries and constructors, financiers and funders, let us pray to the Lord. For all who will support the Games, for those with public roles and all those who will work unseen, let us pray to the Lord. For all visitors, travelers and tourists, let us pray to the Lord. For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord. Let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to God. Silence is kept. For yours is the majesty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and for ever.

The following is suitable for use as an ending to The Prayers or as a liturgical ending to A Service of the Word. Though many, we form one body in Christ. We belong to one another. By God's grace we have different gifts. We will use them in faith. Rejoice in hope, stand firm in trouble, be constant in prayer. Filled with his Spirit we will serve the Lord. [I4] taken from Action and movement, Words for dedication p.285 New Patterns for Worship, copyright, The Archbishops Council 2002 A Service of the Word with Holy Communion follows overleaf.

A Service of the Word with Holy Communion for the London Games 2012 The Gathering The Lord be with you and also with you. Gathering as the people of God The president introduces the service. We stand before the throne of God with countless crowds rom every nation and race, tribe and language. Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honour, power and might be to our God for ever and ever. A hymn is sung. Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off the sin that so easily entangles and approach our loving God in repentance and faith. You have called us to stand up for what is right, but we have avoided the conflict. You have called us to run with perseverance, but we have given up in the race. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Confessing our sins

You have called us to keep the faith, but we have suppressed the truth. The priest says May God who loved the world so much that he sent his Son to be our Saviour forgive you your sins and make you holy to serve him in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Gloria in excelsis may be used here. The Collect of the day or of the week is said here. The Liturgy of the Word Suggested readings: The Word of God Genesis 32.22-30; Joshua 1.1-9 Psalm 124; Psalm 133 1 Corinthians 9.24-27; Philippians 3.12-21 Mark 9.33-37; Luke 12.22-34 The Sermon Declaring our Faith An authorized translation of the Nicene Creed, or another authorized affirmation of faith, is used.

Prayers In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father. God of the nations, you have given your Son to die and to be raised for the salvation of the whole world. Have mercy on the worldʼs leaders, on our Queen and those who serve in this land. [Especially we pray for...] Give to those in authority a love of your truth, that all people may live without fear. Your kingdom come: your will be done. God of the Church, you have called us into a worldwide family of believers. Look with compassion on your Church in every place. [Especially we pray for...] Give to your people the strength to live in obedience to your will, that when your Son returns in glory we may receive from you the crown of righteousness. Your kingdom come: your will be done. God of the poor, we pray for those who are ignored while the rest of the world celebrates. [Especially we pray for...] Give to those on the margins the eyes of faith, that with courage they may rejoice in your unfailing love. Your kingdom come: your will be done.

God of all life, we rejoice in your presence with us. Hear our prayers for those who live in pain, for those whose ambitions have been thwarted, and for who have no hope; have compassion on those who live for worldly glory; and lead many from darkness into your marvellous light, that, in communion with [N and] all your saints, the world may give you praise in the name of Jesus, who has won for us the victory. Merciful Father, accept these prayers, for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Liturgy of the Sacrament The president says Sharing the Peace We are the ambassadors of God who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation. The peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you. All may exchange the sign of peace. A hymn may be sung.

The Eucharistic Prayer An authorized Eucharistic Prayer is used This short proper preface may be used in Eucharistic Prayers A, B and C And now we give you thanks because in Christ you have called men and women in every place to live for your glory and to declare your praise, so that, trained in righteousness, your people may look forward with confidence to the heavenly glory This Extended Preface may be used in Eucharistic Prayers A, B and E Father, we give you thanks and praise through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of your throne. Through him you have filled us with your Spirit, uniting us with those you have chosen in every place to rejoice in your unending love for your world. You delight in the worship of your people, and so, looking forward with confidence to the heavenly prize, we join our praises with those of your faithful people in every age, for ever praising you and saying: As our Saviour taught us, so we pray, 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. The Lord s Prayer

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread. Breaking of the Bread An authorized invitation to Communion is used. Authorized words of distribution are used. During the distribution hymns and anthems may be sung. The Giving of Communion If either or both of the consecrated elements are likely to prove insufficient, the president returns to the holy table and adds more, saying authorized words. Any consecrated bread and wine which is not required for purposes of communion is consumed at the end of the distribution or after the service.

Prayer after Communion Heavenly Father, in this sacrament you have given us the sure hope of the new creation, where people from north and south and east and west will feast at your table: give us the courage to witness and to serve in the name of Jesus Christ, your risen Son, that he may be adored in all the earth, to the praise of your holy name. The Dismissal Going out into the world God has called us to be faithful to him, trusting in his Sonʼs triumph over evil and rejoicing in the power of his life-giving Spirit. Will you fight the good fight? With the help of God, we will. Will you finish the race? With the help of God, we will. Will you keep the faith? With the help of God, we will. God give you the strength to run with perseverence the race marked out for you, fixing your eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ.

Suggested Hymns and Songs: Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart (Common Praise 386) Beauty for brokenness (Sing Glory 263) Come to be our hope, Lord Jesus (Sing Glory 273) Fight the good fight (Common Praise 423) Here from all nations, all tongues and all peoples (Common Praise 462) In Christ there is no east or west (Common Praise 477) Jesus Christ is waiting (Sing Glory 624) Jesus, good above all other (Common Praise 487) Let us run with perseverance (Spring Harvest Praise 1997 83) Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided (Common Praise 81) Lord, the light of your love is shining (Common Praise 513) O Lord, the clouds are gathering (Sing Glory 255) Tell all the world of Jesus (Sing Glory 608) We are called to stand together (Sing Glory 607) We bring you, Lord, our prayer and praise (Common Praise 611) We'll walk the land (Sing Glory 617) compiled by Mrs Gill Ambrose, the Reverend Liam Beadle and edited by the Reverend Christopher Woods with thanks also to the Diocese of London texts from this compilation include Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, The Archbishops Council 2000 Church of England Liturgical Commission 2011