The Diocese of Liverpool
A Prayer Vigil for Use at Epiphany
to support the process of discernment
in the appointment of our new Bishop
Parish Resources
(You are encouraged to use this brief liturgy to open an hour of prayer,
and to spend the remaining time in forms of prayer which are
appropriate to your particular situation. In using this set form, you will
be uniting with your brothers and sisters in Christ from across the
Diocese in this vital shared task.)
¶ The Blessing of the Light
A candle is lit and silence is kept.
The minister says
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
All
a light no darkness can quench.
All
The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you.
and also with you.
This prayer of thanksgiving is said
All
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
our light and our salvation,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
You gave your Christ as a light to the nations,
and through the anointing of the Spirit
you established us as a royal priesthood.
As you call us into your marvellous light,
may our lives bear witness to your truth
and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
¶ The Word of God
Old Testament Reading
Ezekiel 34. 11 – 16, 23
Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.
As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will
seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been
scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples
and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed
them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the
land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their
pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture
on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make
them lie down, says the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed,
and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I
will destroy. I will feed them with justice.
I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and
he shall feed them and be their shepherd.
Silence is kept.
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he shall feed them:
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me out of the roaring pit,
out of the mire and clay;
he set my feet upon a rock and made my footing sure.
He has put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God;
many shall see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
who does not turn to the proud that follow a lie.
Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
How great your designs for us!
There is none that can be compared with you.
If I were to proclaim them and tell of them
they would be more than I am able to express.
Verses from Psalm 40
(read by a single voice)
Silence is kept, after which we say together
Faithful shepherd of your people,
as we tell of your love,
anoint us with your Spirit,
that we may praise your faithfulness
and proclaim your truth from age to age;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
New Testament Reading
John 21. 15 – 19
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
‘Simon son of John,
do you love me more than these?’ He said
to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of
John,
do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him,
‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter
felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord,
you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. Very
truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go
wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and
someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’
(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this
he said to him, ‘Follow me.’
Silence is kept.
A song or hymn may be sung.
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¶ The Prayers
Jesus calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
We pray that we may live the life to which he has called us.
Lord Jesus, eternal Word,
proclaimed as the Christ by John the Baptist,
hear us as we pray for all who proclaim your word……….
Silence is kept.
Lord Jesus, bringing forgiveness to all who repent,
teach your Church dependence on your grace……..
Silence is kept.
Lord Jesus, anoint us with the gifts of your Holy Spirit…..
Silence is kept.
Lord Jesus, bringer of hope,
share with all your people the riches of eternal life…….
Silence is kept.
Heavenly Father, whose risen Son
gives gifts of service and leadership to his Church:
grant the wisdom of your Holy Spirit
to all who will discern and choose the next Bishop of Liverpool.
Lead us, Lord, in your righteousness
and make your way plain to us all.
Grant strength to your servant
called to serve you as Bishop in this place,
that he may be a faithful and wise steward of your grace.
We ask this through him who came
not to be served but to serve,
and give his life as a ransom for many,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The Lord’s Prayer is said
Believing the promises of God,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray
All 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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
¶ The Conclusion
All
Glory to God
whose power, at work among us,
can do infinitely more
than all we can ask or conceive;
to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Notes
It is suggested that all remain seated throughout this service.
Silence is an integral part of the service, and should not be omitted.
The psalm and readings are chosen from those appointed in Common Worship for the
ordination of a bishop.
The prayers of intercession may be extended to include more specific biddings, but care
should be taken that the prayers are not made unduly long, nor that the silence during
them is neglected.
Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included in this service, is
copyright The Archbishops’ Council 2006. Scripture Quotations are from New Revised
Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright 1989, 1995. National Council of the
Churches of Christ in the United States of America
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