Church of England home page Common Worship   Publications Site Map
  Opening Sentences
   
    Seasonal Sentences  
     
General                   
    O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
   
Psalm 96.9
     
    God is Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
   
John 4.24
     
Advent  
    The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
   
Romans 13.12
     
Christmas  
    Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people: for unto you is born in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.   
   
Luke 2.10,11
     
Epiphany  
    From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name is great among the nations; and in every place incense is offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name is great among the nations, saith the Lord.
   
Malachi 1.11
     
Lent  
    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
   
Psalm 51.17
     
Passiontide  
    Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.
   
Lamentations 1.12
     
Good Friday
    God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
   
Romans 5.8
     
Easter Eve  
    Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him; and he shall give thee thy heart's desire.
   
Psalm 37.7,4
     
Easter  
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
   
1 Peter 1.3
     
Ascension Day
    Seeing that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
   
Hebrews 4.14,16
     
Pentecost  
    The love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.
   
Romans 5.5
     
Trinity  
    God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God and God in him.
   
1 John 4.16
     
Harvest  
    The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.
   
Psalm 24.1
     
All Saints  
    Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
   
Hebrews 12.1,2
     
Saints' Days
    The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance; the memory of the just is blessed.
   
Psalm 112.6; Proverbs 10.7
     
Time of Trouble
    God is our hope and strength: a very present help in trouble.         
   
Psalm 46.1
     
    Penitential Sentences  
     
    I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.   
   
Luke 15.18,19
     
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us: but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1.8,9
     
    To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him: neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he set before us.
   
Daniel 9.9,10
     
    Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
   
Psalm 143.2
     
    When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
   
Ezekiel 18.27
     
    I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.   
   
Psalm 51.3
     
    Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
   
Psalm 51.9
     
    O Lord, correct me, but with judgement; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
   
Jeremiah 10.24;  Psalm 6.1
     
    Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
   
Matthew 3.2
     
    Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.  
   
Joel 2.13
     
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.