A Cathedral Service Celebrating the Work of a County

This Sample Service is part of "Work in Worship," a collection of material for work-themed services compiled by David Welbourn. For more services, prayers, songs, readings and sermons, click on the table of contents to the right.

A CATHEDRAL SERVICE CELEBRATING THE WORK OF A COUNTY

PROCESSIONAL HYMN

(Praise the Lord, ye heavens adore him)

WELCOME AND BIDDING

We have gathered here this day to give thanks and praise to Almighty God for his love and gifts given to us day by day. We praise him for the gifts of creation and the work we are called to do, and we offer in thanksgiving all the work of our County.

We remember those without work; and it is our hope for them that, in God's love and in our dedication and service, they may find support and opportunity to use their skills.

So as we give our thanks and praise, we join in the prayer our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ taught us saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven....

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Almighty God, we praise you for all your gifts to us in creation. We acknowledge the skills with which we have been endowed, the materials available for our use and the opportunities to meet the needs of others. We thank you for what agriculture, industry, commerce and local government have achieved and for their contribution to our lives. May our gratitude to you be plain in all we do. Help us to use all your gifts wisely and for the good of all, in the knowledge that through our daily work we contribute to your loving purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FIRST LESSON

Exodus 31: 1-11
(The Dedication of Skilled Work)

HYMN

(God is his love for us lent us this planet)

SECOND LESSON

Philippians 2: 1-11
(The Call to Service)

ANTHEM

THE PRAYERS

Let us pray:

Eternal God, to whom belong all power and dominion, we seek the guidance of your Spirit for all on whom is laid the responsibility of government. We pray for Members of Parliament and all others in authority in our land, that they may have wisdom to order the affairs of our nation in accordance with your will. Especially we pray for those wrestling with the economic difficulties we currently face, that through their endeavours there may be created a just and loving society to which all may feel they belong.

Lord hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

Almighty God, from whom all good gifts come, grant to those who hold office in our county the spirit of justice and truth, of wisdom and charity; that, mindful of their responsibility and the needs of those they serve, they may promote the true welfare of all our people. May they have skill in dealing with the oftenconflicting demands made on them, and wisdom in allocating the limited resources at their disposal. May they at all times give protection and help to those in special need.

Lord hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

O God our Father, as we acknowledge our dependence on your bounty for our daily food, so we also seek your blessing on those engaged in agriculture. We pray that you will so prosper their work that the earth may yield to us its full harvest. At this time of great change and uncertainty for those who work on the land, we ask you to guide all who are planning the future shape of the agricultural industry.

Lord hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

We pray too, Lord, for all who work in industry and commerce. We thank you for creating women and men in your own image, giving them the ability to turn raw material into objects of use and beauty. May they not forget their indebtedness to you, nor that their creative efforts are performed to your honour, the enrichment of humankind and the benefit of the earth.

Lord hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

In you, Lord, are hidden the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We pray for all engaged in the work of education and training. Bless the work of our universities, colleges, schools and training institutions, that in them your name may be honoured and from them may come men, women and young people who seek and love the truth as it is revealed in your Son Jesus Christ.

Lord hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

We thank you, O God, for all who work in the social services, caring professions, and in voluntary work. Help them combine sympathy with firmness and love with understanding. Uphold them when they grow weary, guard them from despair when human problems seems intractable, and renew them daily in your love.

Lord hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

Father, we pray for the casualties of our economic life:
for those whose work is monotonous or stressful
for the low-paid and those struggling to make ends meet
for the unemployed and those threatened with redundancy
for failed businesses and all victims of the recent recession
for those in debt, those who are ill, those who are homeless
for those who are anxious or in despair.

May we all work together to strengthen the weak and empower the powerless.

Lord hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

Let us say together the words of the Grace:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.

HYMN

(Praise God for the harvest of farm and of field)

SERMON

(Suggested sermon: All Work in His Service)

A LITANY

O Son of Mary:
Consecrate our homes.

Son of David:
Cleanse our politics.

Son of Man:
Rule the affairs of nations.

Son of God
Give us eternal life.

Jesus the carpenter
Hallow our daily work.

Jesus the Christ:
Deliver a world which waits for you.

Jesus the Saviour:
Save us from ourselves.

Jesus the life-giver:
Renew your Church.

Word of God:
Perfect your creation.

Lord exalted at the Father's side:
Raise us to live with you in God.
(SCM 1924)

CLOSING PRAYER

Into your hands, Lord, we commit our lives, our work and the tasks that await us, our homes and families, all our loved ones, and especially those in need. Bless all who work in our county, in whatever capacity or occupation, and may we all, through your grace, play our part in building your kingdom on earth. We offer these prayers in the name of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

HYMN

(All my hope on God is founded)

BLESSING

May God, the giver of all good gifts, fill you with his wisdom and the understanding of his will.
May he fulfil your just desire for the prosperity of our county.
May his Spirit reign in our cities, towns and villages and in all places of your employment.
And may he give peace in our time.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be upon you and all you seek to do in his name, now and always. Amen.

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