thanksgiving
THE PREPARATION
Grace mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you
All and also with you
WELCOME
by Reverend Peter Ellis – Mission to Seafarers
Alleluia! Christ has proclaimed his gospel in all the lands
All O come, let us worship, Alleluia!
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
We have come to together to offer our praise
and thanksgiving for the life and work of seafarers
and their families of every nation,
to hear and receive God’s Holy Word
to pray for the needs of the world
and to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may give ourselves to the service of God
Therefore, let us sit in silence and remember God’s presence with us now.
Most merciful God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed.
we have not loved you with our whole heart.
we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
in your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be;
that we may do justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.
ABSOLUTION
Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent
have mercy upon you.
(+) pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen
Blessed is the Lord
All For he has heard the voice of our prayer.
Therefore shall our hearts dance for joy.
All And in our song will we praise our God.
HYMN
Lead us, heavenly Father lead us
through this world’s tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us,
keep us, feed us,
now and in eternity:
here possessing every blessing
if our God our Father be.
Saviour, by your grace restore us
all our weaknesses are plain;
you have lived on earth before us,
you have felt our grief and pain:
tempted, taunted, yet undaunted,
from the depths you rose again.
Spirit of our God descending,
fill our hearts with holy peace;
love with every passion blending,
pleasure that can never cease;
thus provided, pardoned, guided,
ever shall our joys increase.
THE WORD OF GOD
Please sit
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON READING
Isaiah 55 verses 8 – 13
Read by Colin Shaftesley Hon Secretary
The Sailors’ Home andMission to Seafarers Committee
Reader This is the word of the Lord
All Thanks be to God.
Please remain seated for the psalm
PSALM
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good
his love endures for ever.
Repeat these words in praise to the LORD
all those he has redeemed
Some sailed the ocean in ships:
they earned their way on the seas.
They saw what the Lord can do:
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
For he spoke and stirred up a storm:
and lifted high the waves.
Their ships were thrown in the air:
and plunged into the depths.
Their courage melted away:
they reeled like drunken men.
They came to the end of themselves:
and cried to the Lord in their trouble.
He brought them out of distress:
and stilled the raging storm.
They were glad because of the calm:
he brought them safely to harbour.
Let them give thanks to the Lord:
for his unfailing love. Amen (from PSALM 1O7)
THE NEW TESTAMENT READING
Mark 4 verses 35 – 41
Read by Roger Tupper J.P. Director of Marine
Reader This is the Word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
THE SERMON
Preacher The Most Reverend Dr Paul Kwong
Archbishop of H.K.Sheng Kung Hui
HYMN
For the fruits of his creation, thanks be to God;
For his gifts to every nation, thanks be to God;
For those sailing and those fishing
Silent move while we are sleeping.
Future needs in earth’s safe keeping, thanks be to God!
In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done;
In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done
In our worldwide task of caring
For the hungry and despairing
In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done,
For the harvests of His Spirit, thanks be to God;
For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God;
For the wonders that astound us,
For the truths that still confound us,
Most of all, that love has found us, thanks be to God
Please sit
THE PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
led by Father Valan Arockiaswamy,
Apostleship of the Sea Chaplain
Let us offer our prayers to God for the life of the world
and for all God’s people in their daily life and work
God, the beginning and end of all things,
you watch unceasingly over all creation;
we offer our prayers
that in us in all your people your will may be done,
according to your wise and loving purpose in Christ our Lord
Lord of all life
hear our prayer.
We pray for all seafarers in their daily work;
For their safety as they face the dangers of their profession;
And for their families and loved ones,
Especially during periods of separation, loneliness and anxiety
Lord of all creation
hear our prayer
We pray for those in positions in the leadership
of the shipping industry
For awareness throughout the maritime world
of the sanctity of human life;
For those responsible for safety at sea;
For care and respect of the marine environment;
And for those involved in the training and welfare of seafarers
Lord of all wisdom:
hear our prayer
We pray for governments and aid agencies
and those areas in the world where there is disaster,
drought and starvation.
We pray for all seafarers in hospital in ports around the world
and for those held hostage by pirates inSomalia
Give skill and understanding
to all who work for their well-being.
Lord of all compassion:
hear our prayer.
Almighty God,
Creator of land and sea and all life,
We give thanks for all the blessings
you bestow upon the church’s ministry to seafarers.
Make us responsive to the many changes
and developments within the shipping industry
that we may serve more worthily
in your Name those who sail upon the seas
Lord of all faithfulness
hear our prayer.
Be with us, Lord, in all our prayers,
and direct our ways toward the attainment of salvation
that among the changes and chances of this mortal life,
we may always be defended by your gracious help;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
All God grant us the strength to voyage beyond the
next horizon. Give us the courage to believe in
your kingdom, your light in our darkness,an your
love in our lives for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray with confidence
in the words Jesus taught us:
All Our Father in heaven
Hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us our sin
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.
HYMN
Eternal Father strong to save,
Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
It’s own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Saviour whose almighty word
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep,
And calm amid its rage didst sleep
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O sacred Spirit who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
Who bad’s its angry tumult cease,
And gavest light and life and peace:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them whereso’er they go:
And ever let there rise to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
THE BLESSING
Pronounced by the Reverend Pierre Lam Mihn, MEP, VG
The Catholic Diocese ofHong Kong