Eucharistic Special Material

CELEBRATION

FAITH AT WORK

Eucharistic Special Material for use in Parishes HYMN

INTRODUCTORY SENTENCE

May the goodness of the Lord be upon us; may he prosper the work of our hands

Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

PRIEST: The Lord be with you ALL: And also with you

Welcome and introduction to the theme of the day. Introduction to confession:

As we set aside our daily work and seek rest and refreshment in God’s presence, let us call to mind those things in our daily lives that grieve him and separate us from one another.

We have failed to do the works of God …or… I call with my whole heart Lord have mercy Lord have mercy

We have laid up treasure for ourselves and not been rich towards you …or … Plead my cause and set me free Christ have mercy Christ have mercy

We have not employed our gifts for the sake of each other….or…. Let my soul live that I may praise you Lord have mercy Lord have mercy

ABSOLUTION

May God who loved the world so much that he sent his Son to be our Saviour forgive your sins, and make you holy to serve him in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN COLLECT either

Almighty God you have provided the resources of the world to maintain the life of your children, and have so ordered our life that we are dependent upon each other. Bless us all in our daily work, and as you have given us the knowledge to produce plenty, so give us the will to bring it within the reach of all: Through Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. AMEN

God our Father through human labour you govern and guide the work of creation. Hear the prayers of your people, and give to them work that enhances human dignity and draws them closer to each other in the service of their brothers and sisters. Through Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. AMEN

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

The intercessor, or group of intercessors, will make a selection from the following as time and resources allow. i) For our own work as we offer it to God: particularly in the light of the ministry of the word, and including prayer for the person interviewed.

Issue everyone with a piece of paper, and ask them to write on it the place where they work, or worked, any colleagues they pray for, and any issues relating specifically to their work. The pieces of paper are then collected and brought, or people bring them to the alter. (This could be the basis of a faith in work prayer requests bulletin, for use by clergy at the Offices or general use. This would need to be made clear).

Almighty God you give us new life, new hope and new chances each day. Help us to use these blessings in our work, so that in all that we do we serve you and seek the welfare of our neighbours and colleagues; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN ii) For particular institutions or places of work in the Parish:

simply named by the intercessor, or named and candles lit next to signs or pictures placed around the church. iii) For support for those in particular occupations, or for particular people facing demanding responsibility.

A particular occupation could be focused upon e.g. Health care, education, manufacturing industry, office work, retirement.

We pay for all those who work in the field of …………………………. Send your spirit to strengthen them

Other prayer may be added. In some churches those concerned may be asked to stand to assist the focus of prayer for them. iv) For those without work, those who are made redundant:

Period of silence, for the offering of our lament, for this experience of loss, and/or sing the Taize chant ‘O Lord hear my prayer’ v) For the grace to put things right:

Lord, your kingdom is justice and joy and peace; and you have taught us to pray for it in causing your will to be done here on earth Lord

ALL: Your kingdom come

In the places where we work, Lord, …. Through the service we offer, Lord, …. In the sharing of the wealth we generate, Lord, …. In harnessing human motivation and skill, Lord, …. In dealing with all that is dehumanising or unjust, Lord,…. In bringing about good working relationships, Lord, …. In carrying our stress and giving us peace, Lord, ….

(brief silence)

In the work places of our parish, Lord, …. Through the colleges, schools and playgroups, Lord, … Through the surgeries, hospitals and care centres, Lord, … Through offices, shops and factories, Lord, … In the work of our homes, in our routine and our caring, Lord, … For all who are unable to find work, Lord, …

(brief silence)

When we are bored and under-used, Lord, … When we are stretched and overworked, Lord, … When we are got at, bullied or laughed at, Lord,… When we are powerless to do good, Lord, … When we are ill, but cannot afford to take time off, Lord, … When our work has become our god, Lord, …

(brief silence)

If this is the end of the intercession time: Merciful Father

ALL: Accept these prayers For the sake of Your Son Our Saviour Jesus Christ AMEN vi) For all human creativity, endeavour and labour:

celebrating all that we make and achieve and contribute to the common good.

Several voices (a group of people who have worked together on this section of the prayers) name occupation, profession, trades, vocation, to celebrate the richness, diversity, interdependence and giftedness of the world of work.

a presentation through slides and music of the same (again a group could be asked to work together and produce this) vii) For all God’s creativity:

celebrating all that God has made and promise of a new creation

A brief introduction by the leader, followed by all standing to sing either ‘Praise God from whom all blessings flow’ or ‘You are worthy/thou art worthy’ or ‘Jesus is Lord’.

We are the body of Christ, by the one Spirit we were all baptised into one body. Let us them pursue all that makes for peace and builds up our common life.

PRIEST: The peace of the Lord by always with you ALL: And also with you.

This Offertory Prayer may be said by the Priest

Lord receive the gifts of your Church, And by the fruit of human labour which we offer you, Join us to the saving work of Christ, Who is Lord forever and ever.

ALL: Lord God you give us food to strength us, and seed for us to sow. Help us to offer ourselves in your service and for your work, and bless our labour with a fruitful harvest.

Proper preface

And now we give thanks, for your work in making all that is, for calling humanity to share in creation’s endeavour, for every skill and gift, and hand and heart well employed. As your Son worked in teaching, healing and caring for your people, so send us your Holy Spirit to enable us to continue that work today. Therefore …………….

And now we give you thanks, that as your Son shared in the craft of the carpenters shop and performed the works of your kingdom, so you call us to offer the work of our hands and hearts and minds as a service to you.

SPECIAL POST COMMUNION PRAYER

ALL: Eternal God Our beginning and our end, be our starting point and our haven. Accompany us on our journey, and in the work to which we are sent. Open our eyes to see the purpose you set before us in it, and bring us at the end to our promised rest, For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN APPENDIX 1

QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW IN ‘FAITH AT WORK’ EUCHARIST

A list of possible questions that might be asked in the interview section of the Eucharist. The questions can be adapted and edited to suit the needs of the interviewee and congregation. Please add any questions that might be particularly applicable to your situation. This list is by no means exhaustive, but please remember that three or four questions might well be sufficient for a three minute interview!

1. What work do you do? (This might be stated by the interviewer in the introduction)

2. How does your own work contribute to the well being of society?

3. Are you fulfilled as a person in your work, or does it restrict you a lot and leave many of your skills unused?

4. Where is the pressure? Is that something you have control over, or is it something that is forced upon you?

5. How does Christian faith help you to see God’s purpose in your work? Do you see God’s purpose in the job itself, or is it in the way you do it? Does it affect the way you conduct relationships with your colleagues?

6. How do you find your colleagues feeling about the workplace, the morale, the security of work and the pressures that they find themselves under?

7. How do you think that things in the workplace have changed over the last few years, in terms of security and the morale of the work force, and levels of stress at work?

8. How much opportunity do you find that there is at work to apply your Christian faith and bear witness to it? Is there opportunity for Christian ministry amongst your colleagues?

9. What could ‘the Church’ do to help support you in your primary occupation? 10. How far does ‘the Church’ understand the plight of those in the workplace? How could we better integrate our faith and work? APPENDIX 2

READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT Genesis 1: 26-28 (Creative development of God’s world) Exodus 20: 8 – 11 (Work and rest) Exodus 35: 30-36:1 (Artists and creation) Job 28: 1-13 & 23-24 (We develop the earth but wisdom comes from God) Ecclesiastes 2: 4-11 (The pleasure of work and its futility) Ecclesiastes 2: 20-26 (Only God gives employment in work) Ecclesiastes 5: 18-20 (Only God gives space to enjoy the fruit of work)

NEW TESTAMENT 1 Corinthians 3: 6-9 (Working together with God) Colossians 3: 23-24 (Do everything for the Lord) 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-12 (Avoid idleness and earn a living) 1 Peter 4: 10-11 (All to the glory of God)

GOSPEL Matthew 6: 28-34 (Do not worry, seek the kingdom) Matthew 20: 1-16 (Unemployment, justice and work relations) Matthew 22: 15-22 (Taxation and giving authority its due) Matthew 25: 14-30 (Stewards of God’s riches) Luke 12: 16-21 (The fool whose life is in earthly success) Luke 12: 22-31 (Do not worry seek the Kingdom) John 6: 25-29 (Work is believing in Christ) APPENDIX 3

Hymns suitable for a service with a ‘Faith at Work’ theme All people that on earth do dwell Almighty Father of all things All for Jesus Awake my soul and with the sun Be thou my vision Behold us Lord Bind us together Lord Christ be beside me Come, labour on Come workers for the Lord Father hear the prayer we offer Fight the good fight Father I place into your hands Fill thou my life For the fruits of his creation Forth in thy name From thee all skill and science flow Go, labour on God’s spirit is in my heart He who would valiant be Humbly in your sight I serve a risen Saviour Jesus’ hands were kind hands Jubilate, everyone King of Glory, King of Peace Look forward in faith Lord, as the day deigns Lord God in whom all worlds Lord of all hopefulness Make me a channel My God, accept my heart New every morning is the love O Jesus, I have promised O, loving Lord Servant of all Take my life Teach me my God and King Welcome to another day What does the Lord require? When morning gilds the skies Work is sweet Ye holy angels bright Ye servants of the Lord