Eternal God,
you have taught us that the night is far spent
and the day is at hand:
keep us awake and alert,
watching for your kingdom,
so that when Christ, the bridegroom, comes
we may go out joyfully to meet him,
and with him enter into the marriage feast
that you have prepared for all who truly love you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things
in your beloved Son, the king of all:
Govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,
and bring the families of the nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to his just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

God of peace,
whose Son Jesus Christ proclaimed the kingdom
and restored the broken to wholeness of life:
Look with compassion on the anguish of the world,
and by your healing power
make whole both people and nations;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

(c) 1st Reading Ruth 3: 1–5 & 4: 13–17
43* [Holy is the seed–time, when the buried grain]
545* Sing of Eve and sing of Adam

(c) Psalm Psalm 127
63* All praise to thee, my God, this night
481* God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year
543* Lord of the home, your only Son
288* Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son

(p) 1st Reading 1 Kings 17: 8–16 [Pr5C]
517* Brother, sister, let me serve you
647* Guide me, O thou great Jehovah

(p) Psalm Psalm 146 [Pr5C/Pr18B*/Pr21C*/Pr26B]
4* God, who made the earth
125* Hail to the Lord’s anointed
92* How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
357 I’ll praise my maker while I’ve breath
97* Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
99* Jesus, the name high over all
535* Judge eternal, throned in splendour
363* O Lord of heaven and earth and sea
708* O praise ye the Lord! Praise him in the height
712* Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
8* The Lord is King! Lift up your voice
376* Ye holy angels bright


2nd Reading Hebrews 9: 24–28
400* And now, O Father, mindful of the love
258* [Christ the Lord is risen again]
266* [Hail the day that sees him rise]
268* Hail, thou once–despisèd Jesus
132* [Lo! He comes with clouds descending]
431* Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour
439* Once, only once, and once for all
140 The Lord will come and not be slow


The Gospel Mark 12: 38–44
218* And can it be that I should gain
219* From heav’n you came, helpless babe
580 I want to walk with Jesus Christ
591* O happy day that fixed my choice
593* O Jesus, I have promised
639* O thou who camest from above
597* Take my life, and let it be
605 Will you come and follow me