For the Ministry of the Church 
and Ordinands [Ember Days]
Weekdays following the Day of Pentecost and the week preceding St Andrew’s Day.
On these days prayer is offered for all who serve the church in various ministries, ordained and lay, and for all to be ordained or commissioned to these ministries.
Sentence
Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to harvest the crop.	Luke 10:2 (adapted)
Collects
(For deacons, priests and those to be ordained)
Holy Spirit, 
we pray you, comfort and encourage 
all deacons and priests 
and the men and women soon to find themselves ordained;
may they bring joy and comfort from the Scriptures;
may they bring strength 
through the risen body and the saving blood of Jesus.

Gracious God,
the giver of all good gifts, 
by your Holy Spirit you have appointed
various orders of ministry in your church; 
hear our prayers for all deacons and priests 
and for those to be ordained to those offices; 
maintain them in truth 
and renew them in holiness, 
that they may faithfully serve you 
to the glory of your name 
and the good of your church; 
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
(For lay ministers with particular responsibilities in the church)
Everloving God, 
your Son entrusted his followers 
with a ministry of love and healing in the world;
inspire the hearts of many 
to give themselves to the exercise 
of responsible leadership in your church, 
that we may witness to your grace 
and bring all people within your commonwealth of love; 
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. 

Praise to you, 
God of the eternal promise,
for the caring men and women 
who dedicate themselves, 
with and through your church, 
to bring the gospel to those around them;
may the people hear; 
may they hear good news.
Psalms	40:1-14	145:1-7
Readings
Exodus 19:3-8		Promise of a covenant
Or Numbers 27:15-23	A shepherd for the congregation
Or 1 Samuel 3:1-10		The call of Samuel
Acts 20:20-35		The work of an apostle
Or 1 Corinthians 3:3-11	Fellow workers for God
Or 1 Peter 4:7-11		Stewards of God’s gifts
Matthew 9:35-38		The harvest
Or Luke 12:35-43		Faithful servants
Or John 4:31-38		Sent to reap
Post Communion Sentence
Jesus said, “I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.”	John 15:16