Psalm 23, Eph 5

All-Age Pack

Did you remember a while ago there was a lock-down and no-one could go our or see anyone? During that time I produced all-age resource packs called ‘Together Apart’. Here’s the one for Psalm 23. Click on the link below for a printable 10-page PDF, and remember that ‘All-Age’ does not mean ‘just for kids’

Together Apart – Psalm 23

And in case you’re here on one of the other days when Psalm 23 comes up in the RCL, or any of the other ovine readings, here’s a bundle of other sheep-based resources

And the ultimate guide to this most famous of psalms, Bert is My Shepherd, a script most hilarious, if I do say so myself. Click for script and video.

Liturgy Resources for Lent 4

Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14

Confession and Absolution

Once you were darkness,
but now in the Lord you are light.
Live as children of light.

O Lord, we confess that we have not lived as children of light,
but have loved in darkness.
Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on us.

We have not taken your light to the world,
but have kept it for ourselves.
Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on us.

We have loved the deeds of darkness
and hidden ourselves in secret.
Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on us.

Have mercy, O Lord, according to your unfailing love.
According to your compassion, blot out our transgressions.
Bring us out from darkness into your marvellous light.
Amen.

God, who forgives all who truly repent,
shines the light of Christ into our hearts
and washes us clean of all sin.

For once we were darkness,
but now in the Lord we are light.
We will live as children of light.
Amen.

Blessing and Dismissal

May the Lord be our shepherd; may we not want.
May he lay us down in green pastures and lead us beside still waters.
May he restore our souls and lead us in right paths for his name’s sake.

And when we walk through the valley of shadow, we need fear no evil;
for the Lord is with us; his rod and his staff to comfort us.

May the Lord prepare a table before us;
may he anoint our heads with oil;
may our cups overflow.

And surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives,
and we will dwell in the house of our Lord,
forever.
Amen.

In the name of Christ and in the power of the Spirit,
take the Father’s love to the world.
And the blessing of our triune God be with us and those we love,
this day and forever.

Amen.