L: In the name of our Creator, of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and of the gift that is the Holy Spirit in our daily lives

C: Amen.

Opening Hymn         Some hymn such as , ‘The Church’s One Foundation’

Prayer of praise from the Syriac liturgy 1 In your light we shall see light, Jesus full of light; you are the true light which illumines the whole creation; enlighten us with your joyous light, splendour of the Father in heaven. Pure and holy one who dwells in the habitations of light, keep us from evil passions and thoughts of hatred and grant that we may do deeds of justice with purity of heart. On this day we implore you to grant unity to your church: keep us in the fullness of your peace.

ALL Let us thank God, the Father/Mother of all, let us adore Jesus the only Son and glorify the Holy Spirit, who gives us into God’s keeping and mercy.

2 For all our petitions, we ask you to show forth to us your graciousness, O you who are the friend of all, grant that we may go forward this day and all the days of our life in peace and fear of God. Take away from us, from all your people and your church all jealousy, all temptation, all diabolical works. Deliver us from the plotting of the wicked, from visible and invisible enemies. And grant us in abundance good and profitable deeds, for you have given us the power to crush the snakes, scorpions and all enemy powers. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil through your grace, your goodness and your love for all shown forth in your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory, honour, power and praise, and also to the Holy Spirit who is of the same substance, who gives life, now and always and forever and ever.

ALL Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.

2 May we receive from God the forgiveness of our faults and sins, now and for ever.

ALL Have mercy on us Lord God, forgive our faults and their faults, our negligence and their negligence, errors committed wilfully or not, consciously or unconsciously. Amen.

Peace to the far-off, peace to the near--at-hand," says GOD- "and yes, I will heal them. But the wicked are storm-battered seas that can't quiet down. The waves stir up garbage and mud. There's no peace," God says, "for the wicked.

I'll give you only the best--no more hand-me--downs! Gold instead of bronze, silver instead of iron, bronze instead of wood, iron instead of stones. I'll install Peace to run your country, make Righteousness your boss. There'll be no more stories of crime in your land, no more robberies, no more vandalism. You'll name your main street Salvation Way, and install Praise Park at the centre of town. You'll have no more need of the sun by day nor the brightness of the moon at night. GOD will be your eternal light, your God will bathe you in splendour.

Your sun will never go down, your moon will never fade. I will be your eternal light. Your days of grieving are over. All your people will live right and well, in permanent possession of the land. They're the green shoot that I planted, planted with my own hands to display my glory. The runt will become a great tribe, the weakling become a strong nation. I am GOD. At the right time I'll make it happen."

4 Gospel reading:         John 14: 23-31

"Because a loveless world," said Jesus, "is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him--we'll move right into the neighbourhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn't mine. It's the message of the Father who sent me. "I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left--feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught. "You've heard me tell you, "I'm going away, and I'm coming back.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I'm on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life. "I've told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me. I'll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don't worry--he has nothing on me, no claim on me. But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father's instructions right down to the last detail. "Get up. Let's go. It's time to leave here.

L. Make us worthy, Lord our God to refresh our souls and to fill our hearts with the new wine of your Paraclete.

Response: Fulfil our prayer, Lord.

L. Make us worthy, Lord our God to refresh our souls and to fill our hearts with the daily bread that nourished your people in the desert, and your Son has given to us.

Response: Fulfil our prayer, Lord.

L. As we prepare ourselves through these simple offerings of bread and wine, awaken our hearts with the light of your grace and free them from the shadows of sin; lighten our spirits with the spiritual rays of your Holy Spirit.

Response: Fulfil our prayer, Lord.

5 Have mercy upon us, omnipotent God. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you. We beseech you, Lord God, be favourable unto us. O bountiful God, friend of all, have mercy upon us.

Bless all your children spread from one end of the world to the other. May your peace come down from the heavens into all hearts, bring peace to this generation, and fulfil us with your grace. Our government, the army, the chiefs of state and the peoples, our neighbours, the immigrants and the expatriates, clothe them with all peace, O King of Peace. Give us your peace, for all things come from you. May we belong to you O God our Lord, for we know only you. Your holy Name is that which we proclaim. May our souls live in your Holy Spirit. May the deathly power of sin not prevail upon your servants nor upon any people of the earth.

Response: Fulfil our prayer, Lord.

L. We remember especially as we gather here this morning the event of your death, Lord Jesus. We remember how you took these elements of the Passover meal - simple gifts of bread and wine - and you transformed them into life-giving gifts of yourself. We proclaim your resurrection, we await your coming in glory. Be merciful to all Lord, as we share in this simple meal of your simple gifts to remind us of our calling among your people of every belief and faith to live in peace and harmony.

L. Having shared this gift you have given us, Lord, make us worthy, to exchange a sign of peace with each other, through the love of our Lord and our God.

ALL. Bless, O Lord, the peace of your church, all your people and all your creatures. Pacify and reconcile all enemies and warring peoples, that their spears may be transformed into pruning hooks and their lances to plowshares and that they may learn war no more. And keep them all in your name.

L. Lord save your people and bless your inheritance, watch over and keep it for ever. Maintain it in the true faith in glory and dignity all its days: establish it in the love and peace which surpasses all things.

Lord, as you have taught us, we bow down before you in all humility, gentleness and patience, supporting each other with love and trying to keep the unity of the spirit by the bonds of peace, that we may become ‘one body and one spirit’, according to our common calling and vocation. With one voice, repenting of our divisions, we commit ourselves to working together for reconciliation, peace and justice, and we stand together in imploring you: help us to live as your disciples, overcoming selfishness and arrogance, hatred and violence; give us the strength to forgive. Inspire our witness in the world, that we might foster a culture of dialogue, and be bearers of the hope which your gospel has implanted in us. Make us instruments of your peace, so that our communities, our churches and nations might resonate more fully with the peace you have long desired to bestow upon us. Amen.

Closing Hymn (An appropriate hymn)