SUNDAY PRAYERS JANUARY 5TH 2025

EPIPHANY

Call to Worship

We gather wondering, 'Where will we find the Babe born in Bethlehem?'                  We will find the Babe in the laughter of children, in the wisdom of grandparents.

We gather asking, 'where will we find the Child of Christmas?'                                  We will find the Child where the needy are gifted with hope,
where the oppressed are set free.

We gather wanting to know, 'where will we find the Christ

who has come for us?'                                                                                          We will find our Hope where fear is overwhelmed by grace,
where hatred is overwhelmed by love,
where all people are overwhelmed by joy.

Prayers of Approach and Confession

We have heard of your grace, Shaper of stars;                                                        from those set free from injustice;
from our children who whisper of your joy;
from greeters of dawn's fresh start;
from late risers who listen to the stories of the needy.

We have heard of your Light, Bright Star of the morning:                                        which can illumine the shadows of our lives;
which can show the path to God's heart;
which can point the way to where we become servants of the gospel.

We have heard of your promised peace, Wisdom's Radiance:
that peace which can end war, as well as heal our hearts;
that peace which can conquer our fears, and flood us with faith;
that peace which can enter our lives and overwhelm us with hope.

We search for your light, Star Caster, but too often end up settling for the dimness of temptation. Our motives for seeking to find Christ are not always pure, for we expect him to fulfil our desires, rather than your hopes for us.                                We want the gifts of wealth, health, success, fulfilment, rather than those of servanthood, of compassion, of peace.                                                                  Forgive us, Shaper of our lives, that we are so foolish to put our needs ahead of your grace. Help us to be like those wise people of so long ago, who found hope, instead of a destination; who found grace, instead of gratitude; who found salvation, instead of a sign. As we journey with your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, fill us with the light of your joy and love.

Assurance of Pardon

Up, on your feet! Grace has been poured into our hearts,                                      love has flooded our souls, the light of hope shines in us.
This is the light which has come to all,                                                                  the light we will carry and give to everyone we meet.                                              Thanks be to God.                                                                                                Amen.

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

God of wonder and mystery,
God of the stars and the universe,
God of winding ways and straight paths,
we gather today with gratitude for the gift of your constant presence,
your trustworthy guidance,
and your daring risk-taking with us.
You dare to love us despite our inability to respond fully.
You dare to care for us, despite our challenge in caring for others.
You dare to walk with us, despite our fickleness.

On our own journeys toward the stars and guiding points you put before us,
you continue to lead us forward,
guiding us by the teachings of Jesus
to seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly in your loving shadow.

As we struggle with the political wrangling of this world,
the wars waged for both justice and greed,
the violence committed daily against the innocent,
let alone the pain of broken relationships and loss,
you remain steadfast in your care and devotion
for your entire creation throughout the universe.
It is almost too much to take in sometimes.
And even in our doubts and disbelief,
our struggle to understand and constant misunderstanding,
and our flat-out ignorance about your ways,
you remain constantly present to us.

We pray for peace in this world, Lord,
the kind of peace in which we celebrate diversity,
are joyfully challenged by adversity,
and share in the joy that is to be found everywhere.

We pray for those who are lonely,
that you might lead us to reach out and be friends.

We pray for those who are hungry,
that you might lead us to offer sustenance.

We pray for those who are lost,
that you might lead us to give hope and direction.

We pray for the countries of the world,
that we might find a way to work together to lift one another up.

We pray for our leaders,
that your Spirit might guide them to set an example for our country and the world
to work together rather than against one another.

We pray for the Congregational Federation,
that we may seek to build up the Body of Christ.
We pray for ministers, deacons and members
that they may continually seek your Spirit                                                            in their lives and their daily decisions
as they serve their congregations.

And we pray for ourselves,
that we might continue on this journey,
learning the lessons you offer,
seeking the fullness of your perfection,
and live as you would have us live.

These prayers and hopes we offer in confidence                                                      and gratitude for your love and presence,                                                              Amen.

The Dismissal

God sends you out by a different road.
May you find those who have been left by the side of the world.
Jesus walks with you down a different road.
May you serve those who are lonely and frightened.
The Spirit illumines a different road.
May take you take our sisters and brothers by the hand
to walk in wonder and grace.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS JANUARY 12TH

THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST

Call to Worship

Come, all who seek a deeper understanding of God's presence in our world.
Come with open hearts, seeking the Spirit that moves among us.

As Jesus was baptised in the Jordan, He stood alongside all humanity.
Let us seek to live lives of compassion, justice, and love.

Let us worship the God of love, who calls us all beloved.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Confession

We thank you that when we baptize ourselves
in the frigid waters of fear, you come to gather us up,
drying us off with grace, wrapping us in the warm and comforting towel                  of your Spirit.

We thank you that when our faith becomes
as threadbare as the carpet beneath our feet,
you come, your work boots on, your tool belt around your waist,
building a new foundation for us, whistling, 'my hope is built
on nothing less . . .'

We thank you that when we worry that someone
else has taken our place in your heart,
you show us where our name is etched,
so you can always feel us with every beat.

God in Community, Holy in One,
we lift our prayers of thanksgiving to you,

as we bring also our prayers of confession.

We know what it is like to be singed by the flames of our lives, Holy God.           

We look for ourselves in all the wrong places - success, power, adulation.                We carve our names in the granite walls of work,                                                    hoping we will be remembered when we are gone.                                                  We have gone through the waters of baptism,                                                        but live as if they have not changed us.                                                                We need to hear your sure word, 'do not fear,' .

Our failures do not cause you to stop loving us, for you continue to claim us, gathering us up in your compassionate arms.

In our baptism, we discover not the end, but the first step of our journey

with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Assurance of Pardon

God's words of comfort and restoration are more powerful than any foolishness,

any mistakes, any sins we commit.

This is good news: we are God's people!
By water and word, by the Spirit of God's redeeming grace,                                    we are marked and sealed as God's beloved children.                                              Thanks be to God!                                                                                                Amen.

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

Loving God,
as we reflect on Jesus' baptism and the blessing of Your Spirit,
we lift up our prayers for the world,
trusting that You are with us in our hopes, needs, and challenges.

We pray for Your Church across the world,
that it may be a source of hope, compassion, and justice.
May we, as Your people, remember our baptismal calling                                        to be a light in the world,
sharing Your love with humility and courage.                                                          Empower us to follow Jesus' example of radical compassion,
reaching out to those in need and advocating for justice in our communities.

We pray for leaders of all nations,
that they may seek wisdom, integrity, and a commitment to peace.
May they govern with justice,
and may their decisions bring life, safety, and hope to all people.
Strengthen them to care for the vulnerable,
the poor, and those who seek refuge and freedom.

God of Comfort, we lift up all who suffer today,
those who are burdened by illness, loss, or isolation.

We pray for those facing oppression or hardship,
that they may feel Your strength beside them.

Grant healing to the sick, peace to the grieving,
and community to the lonely.
Help us to be Your hands and feet,
bringing comfort and love wherever there is pain.

Creator God, we pray for the earth,
Your beautiful creation.
Guide us to be responsible caretakers,
tending to the planet with respect and wisdom.
May we work together to protect it,
ensuring a future for generations to come.

Finally, Lord, we lift up our own lives,
asking that You would renew our faith and open our hearts to Your Spirit.

Help us to live as Your beloved children,
caring for others, standing up for what is right,
and offering compassion to all we meet.
In Jesus' name, we pray.                                                                                      Amen.

The Dismissal

May you go forth with the assurance
that you are deeply loved and cherished by God.

May you find your true identity in God's unending love,
just as Jesus was called the beloved Son at His baptism.

May the Holy Spirit rest upon you,
filling you with peace, joy, and a sense of belonging.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS JANUARY 19TH
SECOND SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY

Opening Prayer

O God of steadfast love,
at the wedding in Cana
your Son Jesus turned water into wine,
delighting all who were there.
In our worship today                                                                                            transform our hearts by your Spirit,
that we may use our varied gifts
to show forth the light of your love
as one body in Christ.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Confession

We thank you Lord,

that you bring us rest for our weary hearts,

peace for our troubled minds,

and joy at seeing your face.

We anticipate the wedding feast,

the celebration of your presence

and our connection forever with you.

We thank you Lord,                                                                                              that when our lives run dry,

we rest in the hope that you will replenish us.

We await the hour when you come and reinvent the world.

We trust you Lord,                                                                                                to take the emptiness of religion

and fill us with the richness of new creation in you.                                                We confess before you Lord,                                                                                those things which separate us from you and from one another.

We submit ourselves to your transforming power

and your wisdom to make us into our true selves,

the people you made us to be.

With joy, we praise you Lord,                                                                                for your wonderful power and grace,

coming once to give us what we needed

and coming again to make all things complete.

 We place our trust in you.

Help us also to believe in the glory you have revealed

as we look expectantly toward the fullness of the future you bring.

Come, Lord Jesus.                                                                                                Amen.

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

God of wedding parties and new wine,

of love and laughter, dancing and singing,

we pause to pray for those among your worldwide family

who today may be feeling left out in the cold. 

Bless the many people who must toil for such long hours

that there is no time or energy to laugh or sing.

Bless your children who feel so demeaned and exploited

that they view even angels of mercy with suspicion and fear.

Bless the many folk who are caught in vicious circles of evil

and can see no way to escape.

Bless those among your children whose every waking hour is spent in pain,

and whose sleep is at the best fitful.

Bless those people who are drawn to Christ and new life,

yet who fear the scorn of family, friends or workmates.

Bless your children who once tasted the new wine of Christ

but have now slipped away into indifference, or maybe despair.

Bless those folk who with much trembling,

hand their lives over to you this day.

May they find faith and courage for the days to come.

Bless the people of your church,

that abundant love may flow in our prayers

and our prayers flow into generous words and deeds.

In the name of the Christ who makes all things new.                                              Amen!

The Dismissal

Go now, with your trust in Christ 
who has quenched your thirst with the wine of God’s love.
Do not be silent about God’s faithful love,
but shelter in the warmth of God’s wings
and keep your hearts honest.

May God rejoice over you and call you “My Delight;”
May Christ Jesus bring out the best in you, to his glory;
And may the Spirit equip you all with gifts for the common good.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
in the name of Christ.                                                                                          Amen.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS JANUARY 26TH

THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Lord Jesus, preaching good tidings to the people,

proclaiming release to captives,

setting at liberty those who are bound:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, friend of the outcast and the poor,

feeder of the hungry,

healer of the sick:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus,

denouncing the oppressor,

exposing the hypocrite,

overcoming evil with good:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus,

pattern of gentleness,

teacher of holiness,

prophet of the kingdom:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus,

dying to save us from our sin,

rising to give us eternal life,

ascending to prepare our heavenly home:
We adore you.

Waiting God, you know us all too well. We listen to this episode in the life of Jesus. We hear the astonishment of the people gathered in worship                                  as Jesus proclaims the mandate and scope of his ministry.

It is what they had hoped for and also what they have feared.

Change and challenge are always difficult.

We are more inclined to turn our backs on opportunities of service

than pitch in to affect the needed changes that will promote healing and wholeness.

Forgive us when we give lip service to you and then slip into inaction.                      Give us courage to be willing disciples.                                                                  Help us to be people of promise and hope.                                                            In Jesus' Name, we offer this prayer. 

Assurance of Pardon

Jesus has opened the doors for service to each one of us.                                        We have been freed from our fears and doubts.                                                      Rejoice, dear fiends!                                                                                            In Jesus' Name, we are forgiven and healed.                                                          Thanks be to God.

Amen.

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

As the prophet Isaiah rang out, “Arise, shine; for your light has come;”

empower your Church, O God,

to ring out the Good News of the Light of your son Jesus,

which pierces even the deepest darkness.

As a star rose high into the nighttime sky

to draw the nations to the Christ-child;

send your blessing, O God, on this nation, and every nation,

and draw the whole world to your peace and truth.

As John the Baptist guided throngs of people to the edge of the wilderness

and baptized Jesus in the River Jordan,

we pray that you would guide our country and our leaders

to the ways of justice and righteousness.

Like the Magi who travelled from afar

to bring gifts and celebrate the Savior’s birth;

we pray for this community,

and for those who celebrate their own birthdays and anniversaries;

As Jesus climbed the mountaintop,

and proclaimed blessings on the people of the world;

we pray for the sick and the distressed, the poor and the lame.

We especially pray for those near and dear to us.

As Jesus called his disciples to leave their nets and boats, and follow him;

we pray for those we love and who have answered your call

to follow Jesus to your Heavenly Kingdom. Give them your peace.

Lord Jesus, Light of the World,

hear our prayers, and make us reflections of your Light,

that the places of darkness in our world would be pierced by your Light,

and that all nations would be drawn to you and be overwhelmed with joy.            Amen.

The Dismissal

The Spirit of the Lord is upon you!
You have been called,

You have been anointed,

You have been given a task.
So go out from this place

into the mission field that is the world.
Go carrying Good News to the world:

news about freedom from oppression

and healing for the afflicted.
The time of the Lord's favour is now!

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS FEBRUARY 2ND

CANDLEMAS

Scripture Sentences

In the beginning God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light, and God saw that the light was very good, and he separated light from darkness.”

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me shall never walk in darkness

but shall have the light of life.”  

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Lord God, you are the source of everlasting light.                                                    Your son was presented in the temple forty days after his birth.                              He was recognised by Simeon and Anna and welcomed as the promised Messiah. May we like them, behold the glory of Christ.                                                    Grant that we may stand before you with hearts cleansed by your forgiving love.

We worship you, loving, listening God.                                                                  We offer you our prayers and praises                                                                  drawn to your light and seeking your way.

Father eternal, giver of light and grace,                                                                  we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,                                          in what we have thought, in what we have said and done,                                      through ignorance, through weakness,                                                              through our own deliberate fault.                                                                          We have wounded your love and marred your image in us.                                      We are sorry and ashamed, and repent of all our sins.                                            For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past; and lead us out from darkness to walk as children of light.

Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon us,

pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in life eternal.

Like Simeon, may we grow old in hope and wonder.                                                Like Anna, may we be in love with you all our days.                                                May we be open to truth, open to surprises.                                                          May we let your spirit into our lives.                                                                      May we let your justice change our behaviour.                                                      May we live in the brightness of your joy.                                                              Amen.     

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

Almighty God, we give thanks for the welcome given to the child, Jesus,                by Simeon and Anna, seeing that in his life there would be joy,                              sorrow and suffering, and for the example they have set us.

As we remember the older and retired people in our churches,                           

we thank you and pray for their work with children, young people

and families in our communities.

We pray your Holy Spirit may inspire them to use and share their experiences of life with wisdom, humility and gladness. We pray for the work and service of all homes and day centres for the elderly and those in need.

Jesus Light of the world, shine in our darkness.

Lord, we pray that churches across the world                                                        may always be ready to travel along your way and in your direction.
Bless and guide our ministers and leaders
Help us to be alive to your Spirit, who searches all our hearts                                  and renews our lives as we offer our faith and obedience.

Jesus Light of the world, shine in our darkness

We pray for nations and leaders as they live through conflicts and struggle with identity. We think of Ukraine and the Middle East
We remember those suffering in natural disasters and extreme weather both at home and abroad, whether it be floods or famines.
We pray for all those people sacrificially working to bring aid and help                      where it is most needed.

Jesus Light of the world, shine in our darkness.

We pray for the families and communities we represent                                          asking that we may have a spirit of generous love,

understanding and respect for those who are different from us.

Jesus Light of the world, shine in our darkness.

We pray for all finding their life-journey tedious, lonely or uncertain,
those who are ill or vulnerable.                                                                              Be their strong comfort in times of need.                                                              Bless and protect their families and their careers.

Jesus Light of the world, shine in our darkness.

Lord, we remember for those who have died                                                          and pray for those who miss and grieve for them.

Christ is the light of the world,                                                                              a light which no darkness can quench.                                                                  May our candles today be a symbol of your love and warmth and hope.
You turn our darkness into light, in your light shall we see light.
Grant us and all who have known you in their hearts                                              a share in your eternal kingdom.

Jesus Light of the world, shine in our darkness

In a moment of silence                                                                                        we make our particular concerns known to God.

Open our eyes, Father
To the light of your glory
In the world you have made
In the people around us
And in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.                                                               

Jesus Light of the world, shine in our darkness

Merciful Father, accept these prayers                                                                      for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.                                                  Amen.

Nunc Dimittis

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace                                          according to thy word.                                                                                      For mine eyes have seen thy salvation;                                                              Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;                                        To be a light to lighten the Gentiles                                                                        and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

The Dismissal

The Lord Jesus give light to your eyes,       

light to your minds,                                                                                          light to your hearts,                                                                                            light to your whole lives,                                                                                    That you may witness to Christ Today and forever

Turn from the crib to the cross.                                                                            May you go to carry the light of Christ.                                                                  May you shine with the light of Christ`s love.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS FEBRUARY 9TH

FOURTH SUNDAY BEFORE LENT

Call to Worship

Jesus calls us
to praise and prayer,

to song and silence;
Jesus calls us to worship.  

Jesus calls us
to hearing and healing,

to service and solidarity;
Jesus calls us to love.

Jesus calls us
to advocacy and action,

to protest and provision;
Jesus calls us to justice.
Let us heed the call of Christ.
Let us worship together with joy.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Confession

Holy God, you are the God above and beyond all things!  

With trust, hope and humility in our hearts and minds, we gather to praise and worship you, the God who always hears and answers our prayers.

God’s promises are trustworthy and honourable, and so with thankful hearts and minds, we praise and worship our God who understands and guides us.

Ever-loving and Faithful God, you are utterly to be trusted! God’s mercy and love does not discriminate between the rich and the poor, the powerful or the humble, but instead, God pours blessings and grace upon all people who respond to God’s gracious and generous acts of love and compassion.

Awesome God, we come in reverent wonder before our God!  

Every day and night, we have been blessed by the wonders of our God,

whose ways are beyond our understanding, but whose mercy never fails;

and whose gentle powers are shown through God’s unfailing kindness

to people who are weak and in need of strength, encouragement

and hope for the future.

Ever-present God, your faithful love endures for ever, and ever and so we give thanks with all our hearts.

You Son called the disciples from their everyday lives to a life of faith in action, forgive us when we fail to respond to your call with faith.                                     

Forgive us when we are shackled by our narrow understandings of discipleship and our clouded sense of purpose.

Forgive us when we are frightened of the future                                                      or pull back from the demand of your calling.

Forgive us when we fail to sense your presence in our past,                                    to acknowledge your grace in the present moment,                                                and to trust you for our future.

Through your Spirit, we offer ourselves in discipleship.

We stand together as your disciples.

We seek renewed and renewing faith.

Touch us now with your Spirit, Lord                                                                      and grant forgiveness and the assurance of your pardon.                                        Amen

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession   

As the prophet Isaiah rang out, “Arise, shine; for your light has come;”

empower your Church, O God,

to ring out the Good News of the Light of your son Jesus,

which pierces even the deepest darkness. 

As a star rose high into the nighttime sky

to draw the nations to the Christ-child;

send your blessing, O God, on this nation, and every nation,

and draw the whole world to your peace and truth.

As John the Baptist guided throngs of people to the edge of the wilderness

and baptized Jesus in the River Jordan,

we pray that you would guide our country and our leaders

to the ways of justice and righteousness.

Like the Magi who travelled from afar

to bring gifts and celebrate the Savior’s birth;

we pray for this community,

and for those who celebrate their own birthdays and anniversaries.

As Jesus climbed the mountaintop,

and proclaimed blessings on the people of the world;

we pray for the sick and the distressed, the poor and the lame.

We especially pray for _____.

As Jesus called his disciples to leave their nets and boats, and follow him;

we pray for those we love and who have answered your call

to follow Jesus to your Heavenly Kingdom. Give them your peace.

Lord Jesus, Light of the World,

hear our prayers, and make us reflections of your Light,

that the places of darkness in our world would be pierced by your Light,

and that all nations would be drawn to you and be overwhelmed with joy.              Amen.

The Dismissal

You call us,

Wanderer of seashores and sideroads,

inviting us to sail out of our smug harbours

into the uncharted waters of faith

to wander off from our predictable paths to follow You

into the unpredictable footsteps of the kingdom;

to leave the comfort of our homes and accompany

You into the uncomfortable neighbourhoods we usually avoid.

As we face this coming week in our simple, sometimes complex,

constantly uncertain lives,

speak to us:

of that hope which is our anchor;

of that peace which is our rock;

of that grace which is our refuge.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS FEBRUARY 16TH

THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE LENT

Call to Worship

Jesus declared, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”

May we learn to depend on God’s abundant provision instead of the world’s grasping for wealth as we worship today.

Jesus declared, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.”

May we learn to follow Christ’s call to provide for the hungry as co-creators of God’s kingdom as we worship today.

Jesus declared, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”

May we learn to pay attention to those who suffer and mourn and to extend God’s comfort and hope to those who need it as we worship today.

Jesus declared, “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.”

May our worship teach us to rejoice in that day and every day as we live out the good news in our families, neighbourhoods, community, and world!

Prayers of Approach and Confession

God of the Universe,
God of our lives,
You know us better than we know ourselves.
You see beyond the façade we present to the world – and You love us to the core.

Today, as we gather in Your marvellous presence
may we know that we are welcomed with the open arms of love.
May that knowledge inspire us to live more fully for You.

Forgive us when we fail to live into the wonderful potential that You lay before us,
for the times when we begrudge others their joy and blessing,
for the times we fail to notice – or ignore –
those who suffer and whose suffering we might begin to address.

Forgive us when our vision is narrow and our hope is restricted
Especially when Your imagination knows no bounds
and Your capacity to love is beyond measure.

Lord, forgive us
and, as Your beloved, renew us to live into the freedom and the bounty You set before us, enable us to make a difference by sharing Your love and blessing in all that we do.

God, present here,
transform the worship that we bring until it reflects Your glory and majesty,
transforming our everyday lives to reflect our Creator in all that we do,
here in this place and in the places You lead us for Your glory.
Amen

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

God of light and truth,
as Your blessing rests upon us
may we be open to Your word that lives in us, written on our hearts,
may we be open to Your light and truth
that guides us in every part of our daily journey with you,
may we be open to Your light and truth
that lead us in ways we do not yet know, with companions we may not choose.

May Your light and truth enable us to see Your unpredictable Spirit alongside us,
giving us courage to venture into unknown territory with You.

Spirit of God, we pray for peace.
Not only the cessation of war, but that peace that is beyond our understanding.
Peace that is forged when closed fists are opened in sharing,
when closed hearts are opened in caring
and when closed minds are opened to possibility for all to share
in the rich resources of the earth and of all creation.

God, You have equipped Your Church with all the gifts that are needed
to build Your kingdom.                                                                                          May we be willing to change the narrative from one of scarcity                              to one of abundance.
May each of us seek to discern Your purpose for our lives
and offer ourselves willingly in service.
May we harness the gifts and know the power of Your Spirit
as He weaves his way in and around us,
changing us and enabling us together to bring good news for every generation.
May we nurture one another in faith,
learn from one another and work together with You, Creator, Redeemer, Spirit.

God, You have blessed us with every good thing,
may we be a blessing to others, here and everywhere, now and forever.
Amen

The Dismissal

The Spirit of God is upon you and has anointed you.

You are the salt of the earth and you bring light to the world.

You are not too young or too old,

you are not too rich or too needy

to bring good news to the impoverished,

to give a hand to the broken-hearted,

and to live out freedom and pardon

through the gifts you have been given.

Do not be frightened, for you are never alone.

The God in whose image you are made

will walk with you and guide you today, tomorrow, and every day.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS FEBRUARY 23RD

SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT

Call to Worship

Strength is commanding

the wind and sea to obey,

Strength is wielding

a slingshot in the face of a raging giant.

Strength is accepting vulnerability

from inside the boat,

Strength is standing in solidarity

with the powerless.

Strength is turning a cheek,

Strength is loving an enemy.

We come to worship

a God who redefines our vision of strength.

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Creator God,
This is the day that You have made!
This is the day you have called Holy:
Sabbath day, a rest day, a time-out,
out of the world and into the presence of God: a day for rejoicing.

Make us glad this morning in the House of the Lord.
Remove from us our distractions, our heart-worries,
our to-dos and should-haves and all the constant stress & strain.
And in its place, O God, give us more of You.
Here in your House, our hearts are filled with peace
our mouths with laughter,
our tongues with shouts of joy.

Fill us to brimming and overflowing with the joy of the Lord:
A good measure of God, pressed down,
shaken together and running over.
We are glad, yes, we are glad indeed,
to be together in the House of the Lord!

Holy God,

we confess that we do not always love our neighbour.

We confess that we have despised others,

even to the point of hatred.

We confess that we have been hurt by others.

We confess that forgiveness and reconciliation at times

are just impossible for us.

We know that nothing is impossible in You.

We come to You, seeking healing and wholeness for us.

Help us, whenever possible, to live in peace with others,

to seek reconciliation, healing, and forgiveness.

For Your Son came and lived among us,

was betrayed and denied,

abused and put to death.

He rose again,

and came with the message of peace to those

who had denied him and abandoned him.

May we walk in his ways.

Assurance of Pardon

For nothing is impossible with God.

There is no place you can go,

no end of the earth you can run,

where God cannot find you.

There is nothing on earth or beyond death

that can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You are forgiven.

You are loved.

You are reconciled to God.

Go and live with the love of God.                                                                          Amen.

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

God our Father, in whose eyes all life is precious,

help us to value the worth of every individual,

whom you have created in your image.

We pray for victims of violence or hatred,

especially people who have suffered innocently.

May they find the healing of body, mind or spirit which they need.

We ask that the causes of division and hatred may be brought down.

Where there is prejudice because of colour, language, religion or culture,

help us to see things through the eyes of others,

and act towards them as we would like to be treated ourselves.

We also pray for people who have been the cause of hurts to others.

Enable them not only to admit their mistakes,

but also to use their time and energy for the benefit of others

and the welfare of society.

We pray for family relationships in our society.

Thank you for those who are our own families,

or who have been like family to us.

Bless them with the love in return which they themselves have shown.

We ask for your healing and reconciling love

in family disputes or misunderstandings.

We especially pray for children and young people

caught up in problems not of their making,

and for the anxiety and tensions this may cause.

Give them good friends and wise counsellors,

and support from their peer group and schools.

Loving God,

as we have promised you our devoted service in words and prayer,

give us the strength of your Holy Spirit

to enable us to keep our promises,

for you are the source of our lives and our strength.                                              Amen.

The Dismissal

You have sung the songs of faith.

You have heard the challenges of scripture.

Go now,

continuing your sacred journey

in an attitude of service and grace.

Love your enemies

and pray for those who do you harm.

Care for those who are evil

as well as for those who are good,

knowing how to set boundaries.

And the presence of your God goes with you.

The Grace 

SUNDAY PRAYERS MARCH 2ND

THE SUNDAY BEFORE LENT

Call to Worship

Beyond our busyness,
above the cold winter floor, there is a glory rising born of heaven
and reaching out to each one of us, a light that shines through the clouds,
an invitation seeking all of who we are
that transfigures the world,
that transforms darkness into hope,
that brings life from a cross
where old life end and new life is born.

In glory Jesus meets us here,
raising us from depths of valley to the height of the mountain,
carrying the weight of our humanity to the heights of heavens glory.

Let us worship from the mountain and hear again
“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

Prayers of Approach and Confession

We worship you, O God, with songs of praise.

We worship you with words of prayer

and with ears that listen for you to speak                                                              your saving truth into our lives.

We worship you in the silent spaces

where we struggle for hope and for courage.

We long for a glimpse of your glory:

the glory that shines in the darkness

and the darkness cannot overcome it;

the glory that touches lives with a beauty so holy

that it heals the wounded soul;

the glory that gives strength to the weary.

Holy God, you call us to faith, but so often we walk by sight:

We want fact to be truth and truth to be obvious.

We seek answers that resemble what already lies in our field of vision.

We value clarity more than reality, what we can see more than what may be,            what conforms to our picture more than what shocks, surprises,                              challenges or confounds us.

Light of the world, forgive us when we privilege our own sight                                and thus become blind.

Open our eyes to you – your deeper truth and your life within us,

so that we might look around us and within us and see anew.

In faith, may we come to know you more fully, love more deeply,

and see the world and everyone it as you do, according to your grace. 

Assurance of Pardon

Brothers and sisters, regardless of how you see, you are loved by Christ,

who came to bring sight to the blind in mind and spirit,

who knows your blind spots and gives you new vision.

In His name, know that your sins are forgiven.                                                      Thanks be to God!                                                                                                Amen.

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

God of Glory,

as you once revealed yourself to Moses face to face,

so you have shown yourself to the world in the glory of your Son.

Help us by your Spirit to know him by faith,

to love him with all our heart,

and to serve him with all of our being.

Help us to hold fast our confidence in your saving glory.

God of Glory,

your disciples once saw Moses and Elijah point to Jesus

as the fulfilment of the covenant of Sinai and all the prophets’ words.

Reveal yourself now to us in your Scriptures

that we may behold him whose suffering and death

give life to the whole world.

Help us to hold fast our confidence in your saving glory.

God of Glory,

you once came to a world lonely and afraid

and showed to us the face of love and hope.

Use us to reflect your glory and grace in our world

and so represent you here to those who are alone,

those troubled by fears and sins,

and those whose hearts are grieved by their own faulty decisions

or the harm of others.

Help us to hold fast our confidence in your saving glory.

God of Glory,

your Son came to reveal your kingdom

through words and works of mercy.

Give to the sick your healing and to the suffering your hope, especially…

May your saving will and the glory of your steadfast love

support all who call upon you in the day of trouble.

Help us to hold fast our confidence in your saving glory.

God of Glory,

you once spoke through a cloud to your disciples of old

that they might see Jesus by faith even when earthly eyes cannot see.

Grant to us this bold and courageous faith

that we may see Jesus,

trust in him for our salvation,

and be ready to receive him when he comes again in clouds of glory.

We are your house, O Lord, and the people of your promise;

Help us to hold fast our confidence in your saving glory.                                          Amen.

The Dismissal

Go now, and speak of what you have seen of God’s glory.
Do not cling to the holy moments
when heaven overshadows you,
but as the Lord lives, listen to Christ and follow him
from the places of revelation
to the places of mission.

May God shine the light of glory into your hearts.
May Christ be with you and never leave you.
May the Spirit renew the image of God within you.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
In the name of Christ.                                                                                          Amen.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS MARCH 9TH

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Call to Worship

Lent calls us to journey, this and every day,
following Jesus wherever he leads us.

Lent calls us to journey:
to the place where God covenants with us,
to receive the new names we are given.

Lent calls us to worship together,
to tell future generations the good news.

Lent calls us to practice justice,
to bring God's hope to all people.

Lent calls us to faithful living,
to trust the One who gives us life.

Lent calls each of us to take up our cross,
to trust the One who bears it with us.

Lent calls us to journey with God.

Let us worship God, who walks with us,
this and every day.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Confession

Jesus, you came that we might have life, and have it abundantly
You poured living water into lives that were parched and thirsty
You fed souls that were hungry with the bread of life
Lord, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You brought healing through a touch that knew no prejudice or barrier
You brought Salvation through the cross,
You brought a means through which humanity could be made right again                with its Creator
Lord, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You brought comfort to the sorrowing, liberty to the poor
You accept us as we are,                                                                                      and mould us into the people we were meant to be.
You enable broken lives and relationships to be made whole again
Lord, we offer you our praise and thanks.

Hidden God,

we bring to this sanctuary

and place on this table,

our burdens and brokenness,

our self-image bruised and hurting,

our fears, shame, doubts and anxieties,

the raw materials we ask You to bless and change,

that in our dark tunnels

we may begin to see light

and in our desert experiences

we may find You. 

In the blazing light of your love
our failings are illuminated;
our failure to give,
our failure to love,
our failure to follow,
our failure to serve,
our failure to be the people
you would have us be.

Forgive us and renew us.
You know our nature,
know our failings.

Enfold us in your arms
that we might daily know
your forgiveness and healing love.

Assurance of Pardon

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness.

Our sins are forgiven in Christ`s name.

Thanks be to God!                                                                                                Amen.

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

God of the blessed
we praise you,
for mercy shown, grace given,
living water, Spirit’s power.

God of the oppressed
we bring to you
the broken ones, forgotten ones,
exploited and abused ones.
Bring freedom and release,
love and compassion
to damaged hearts and souls.   

God of the distressed,
we bring to you
the grieving ones, hurting ones,
suffering and wounded ones.
Bring wholeness and healing
comfort and relief,
to broken bodies and minds.          

God of the dispossessed
we bring to you
the lonely ones, the homeless ones,
thirsty, tired and penniless ones.
Bring hope and sustenance
physical and spiritual food,
to hungry bodies and souls.                          

The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
May the peace, love and compassion of the Lord
Be with you now and always
Amen.

The Dismissal

Friends,

As you go from here,

rid yourselves of every weight that slows you down,

especially the sin that so easily impedes your progress.

Run the race that God has set before you,

keeping your eyes on Jesus Christ,

on whom your faith depends, from start to finish.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS MARCH 16TH

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT 

Call to Worship

Return to the Lord your God, for God is gracious.

Confess to the Lord your God, for God is merciful.

Repent to the Lord your God, for God is slow to anger.

Praise the Lord your God, for God abounds in steadfast love.

Worship the Lord your God.

Together, let us worship God!

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Confession

Lord, we thank you that as a mother you gather your people to you:
You are gentle with us as a mother with her children;
you weep over our sins and our pride:
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement.
We thank you that you comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds:
in sickness you nurse us,
and with pure milk you feed us.
Lord we thank you that by your dying we are born to new life:
By your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness:
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead:
your touch makes sinners righteous.
We thank you Lord, that in your mercy heal us:
in your love and tenderness you remake us.
In your compassion you bring grace and forgiveness.

Jesus, you call us to deny ourselves.
Yet we trust in our own works                                                                              rather than in God’s grace.                                                                                    Jesus, you call each of us to take up our cross.
Yet rather than allow our selfishness and sin to be put to death,                              we cling to what we know.

Jesus, you call us to follow you.
Yet we fear where faith will lead                                                                            and what it might change in our lives.

We confess the sin that separates us                                                                      from one another and from God.

Assurance of Pardon

People of God, hear this good news.                                                                      God’s covenant with us is true.                                                                              God is faithful even when we fail.                                                                          Through the Holy Spirit,                                                                                        God gives us the gift of faith and makes us righteous.                                          Believe in the good news                                                                                      that you are set free to live as children of God.
Thanks be to God!                                                                                                Amen. 

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

Lord God, in your holy word today we heard that you ask us to come to you—and that more—you seek us out like hen seeks out her chicks; that you offer us the protection and the safety of your strong wings. Help us O God to stop each day and to listen for your call; to pause and allow you to overtake us; to wait and to have your warmth and your wisdom overwhelm us:                                                       

Lord, hear our prayer.

Father and Mother of us all, you have given us many images of what you are like in the law and the prophets and through the ministry of Christ Jesus our Lord. 

You have been compared to hen seeking out her chicks,

to a rock which cannot be moved,

to a mother suckling her child,

to a wind which cannot be controlled and a fire which cannot be quenched,

to a woman seeking out a lost coin,

to a king who invites everyone to his wedding feast,

to an eagle who stirs up her wings and shields the young in her nest,

and in each of these images we learn more about you.  

Grant us, O Lord, a personal image of your presence— an image which will sustain us we seek to love you with all our heart and soul mind and strength and as we seek to love one another as Jesus loves us:                                                         

Lord, hear our prayer.

Loving God, we stop here today to think not only of ourselves and our needs. 

We pause not just to have our cups filled by your love; we stop as well on behalf of others.  We hold before you those whose cups are filled with bitterness and anger, those who have lost their way and who worship success and the idols of our world, we name them before you and ask that you give them new hearts,                          hearts that are filled with goodness and with faith.                                             

Lord, hear our prayer.

Lift too we pray, O God, the burdens that are upon us for those around us: here in our church, our community, and our world.  We name these burdens and we hold these people before you now in the silence of our hearts.                                       

Lord, hear our prayer.

All these our prayers, both spoken and unspoken,                                                  we offer in the name of Jesus.

Amen

Sending Prayer

God of mystery,

we journey with Jesus during this Lenten season

with the certain hope that you will recreate our world

so that all people will live in peace and justice. 

Call us out of the wilderness of apathy

and help us to reach out to those who do not know hope or love. 

Hear the longings of our hearts

and the cries of those who yearn to live in peace and justice.                                  Let Easter burst into a world waiting to be recreated.                                              Amen.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS MARCH 23RD

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Call to Worship

The season of Lent can be barren and lonely,
but God goes with us

through the wild wilderness.
Our lives are lived

in seasons of transitions and transformations.
Lent is a time to ponder

God's providence and persistence.
Together, we seek fruitfulness,

for it has been promised to us;
the barrenness of Lent

will give way to the fruitfulness of Easter.
In this season of penitence and pondering,

let us gather before God.
We come, as a family,

to wait for the Lord with strength and courage.
Come, let us worship God!

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Confession

O God, You are our God, the One in whom we trust.

We’ve gathered together today to worship You—

to open our hearts and minds to Your presence.

We long to meet You here, and to hear Your voice.

We come with confidence,

because we’ve met You here before;

we’ve been awed and inspired by Your glory and Your power.

We come with gratitude,

because we’ve known Your steadfast love—

a love which is better than life itself.

And so we praise You,

lifting our voices, lifting our hands

in joy and expectation.

Come among us in Your power.

Pour out Your spirit on our thirsty souls,

that we may be filled with Your goodness and love. 

God of abundance, you have promised to provide us with more than mere survival; in seeking to satisfy our deepest hungers, we shall find an even more profound sustenance than human imagination could envision.

In your holy love, you have given us so much: talents and treasure in unlimited supply.  But often, we spend these on superficial needs.                              

We throw away our plenty on little hungers and petty desires. 

We seek the fleeting delight of novelty, of prettiness, and of veneer. 

We follow the urges to momentary importance; to the notice of a fickle society more interested in noise and sparkle than in mundane sturdiness. 

We chase after happiness while neglecting joy; we chase after romance while neglecting love; we skim the surface while fearing the depths. 

Forgive us, we pray, for our fearfulness, as we rely more upon our own human illusions of control and satisfaction, even though we know that these illusions separate us from you. 

Forgive us for not trusting in your grace, in your abundance, in the covenant promises that you have renewed with every generation. 

In Christ, may we learn to love you more than we love ourselves. 

Assurance of Pardon

Come, all you who are thirsty.  If you take the first step, if you are willing to plunge once again into the waters and to emerge into new life,

you will receive a love beyond all you can envision. 
We turn our hearts to God, and by grace our hungers are satisfied,                          our thirsts are sated;                                                                                            through Christ we are made whole;                                                                      by the Spirit we are led forth as God's people.                                                        Thanks be to God!                                                                                                Amen.

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

Holy God, Healer and Liberator, we lift up before you those people who are at this very moment suffer from either accident, disease, their own folly, or the cruelty of others.

At this moment, many fellow humans beings are crying out against the cruelty of captivity: Hostages and abducted children, prisoners of war and political detainees, and many mistakenly convicted.

At this moment many of our fellows are suffering physical and mental abuse: Battered wives and children, others beaten up by robbers, tortured for information, verbally abused and denigrated, left with untended wounds, threatened with the injury of loved ones, molested or slowly killed.

At this moment there are people who are traumatised by sudden injury: victims of industry or road accidents, soldiers wounded in battle, civilians bombed or terrorised, those maimed by the carelessness of others, and some who for personal thrills have taken big risks and lost.

At this moment there are thousands who are in terror or despair because of natural disasters: flood and house fire, cyclone and earthquake, avalanche, drought or lightning strike, storm waves or volcanic eruption.

Holy God, help your Church to do whatever we can to lessen the many sufferings of humanity. Encourage each of us to rest our own pain and grief in your infinite mercy, and to not cease from righteous anger, prayer and appropriate action while injustice and neglect exist anywhere on this planet.

Please have mercy on our Church, O God.

Through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen!

A Blessing

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord

and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

and they go right on producing delicious fruit.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS MARCH 30TH

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

MOTHERING SUNDAY

Call to Worship

We gather together to worship

our loving, nurturing God,

who, like a mother,

knows us intimately,

loves us unconditionally,

teaches us the way we should go,

and comforts us in times of need.

Praise be to God,

the Source and Sustainer of life!

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Confession

We join our hands in this family circle, Lord,

and raise our voices in thanks to You.

Because of Your great love, we know the love

of parents, child, brothers, sister.

You have done great wonders in the world,

yet You hear the prayers of each of us,

small as we are.

Your understanding is beyond our imagination,

but You care enough to listen to us,

and You understand our hurts and fears.

Your hand created the heavens, the stars, the moon,

and Your power keeps them in their places,

yet You still have time to touch our lives.

When our enemies threaten us,

when our selfish natures lead us into sin,

You are there to shield and guide us back to You.

When we are hungry, tired, or lonely,

you provide us with food, rest and comfort.

You have even provided a wonderful future for us,

a future free from fear or pain or worry

where we will live with You forever,

together in the oneness of Your love.

We give thanks to You, the God of heaven,

our Abba whose love endures forever.

Lord, many of us read Your Holy Word
And are inspired, encouraged, and grateful.
But some of us are tempted to doubt
That Your grace could ever produce
these kinds of virtues mentioned there in our lives.

Some of us are tempted by resentment and unforgiveness
because of those who have let us down.
Some of us are tempted to condemn ourselves for past failings,
and all of us remember times when we have fallen short.

Forgive us for doubt, resentment,
unforgiving hearts, self-condemning attitudes.
Remind us of your forgiveness, always available in Jesus Christ.

In spite of our failures and sin,
We trust in Your power to transform our lives.
Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus,
so that our lives may bring Joy to Your world
and praise to Your Name.

Amen.

The Lords` Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

Holy One,

we gather in your presence to give you thanks

and to celebrate the gift of your motherly love,

both gentle and fierce,

both strong and humble,

both kind and true.

Your love has given birth to the whole of creation,

supports and nurtures us,

cares enough to correct us,

and challenges us in ways that strengthen and transform us.

We offer you praise and thanksgiving

for your unfailing presence in our lives

and all of the blessings you so generously offer us.

Lord in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Loving God, we thank you for the gift of motherhood and for the many

examples of faithful mothers in scripture, like Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth,

Mary, and Lois. We give thanks for mothers the world over. We celebrate

all those who have nurtured and cared for us, remembering especially,

birth mothers, adoptive mothers, surrogate mothers, aunts, grandmothers,

teachers, neighbours, and all women who have mothered us.

Lord in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of generations,

thank you for the gift of faith.

kindled and rekindled in us through the years.

And thank you for those what have taught us the Faith

in sincerity and love.

Today, we give special thanks and praise for our church mothers,

the women who, like Timothy’s mother and grandmother,

steadily and without much recognition

teach a new generation of children about the love of Jesus.

And we celebrate the matriarchs

who build up with compassion and strong shoulders

young women and girls,

revealing a deep spiritual life and love

woven into the fabric of our church family.

Lord in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of compassion and joy,

we know motherhood is a wide spectrum

and our life together is big enough to stand in solidarity with all mothers.

For the seen and unseen grief and struggles of women and mothers,

we ache with you.

For the seen and unseen joys of motherhood,

we rejoice and celebrate with you.

May God bless all women on this special day;

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit,

One God, the Mother of us all.                                                 

Amen.

The Dismissal

Go into your week,
knowing that you are embraced by the love of God;
a love that is sweeter and more tender
than any you have ever known.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS APRIL 6TH

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Call to Worship

We come to this place
because we want to know God,
who helps us set aside the past,
to walk the path to new life.
We come in these moments
because we want to know Jesus,
who anoints us with the resurrection,
who shares our lives with us.
We come with these people
because we want to know the Spirit,
who shapes us for life with God,
so we may praise God forever!

Prayers of Approach and Confession

You have done great things
for us, God of great love.
You make a way through our brokenness,
so hope might be restored;
you loosen our grip on fear,
so we might take hold of the One
who cradles us in the palms of grace.

You are doing great things
through us, Brother of the poor.
You make a way through our doubt,
so we may have the faith to follow,
as well as to serve by your side;
you gather up our tears,
turning them into fountains of joy.

You will do great things
in us, Anointer of our hearts.
You make a way through
our hardened hearts, melting them
into rivers of wonder for all;
you touch our tongues so
they tingle with delights, and
laughter tumbles out of our mouths.
Continue to make a way through us,                                                                      God in Community, Holy in One,

Like Judas, God of new things, we like to complain about your generous ways, rather than living in your grace.  The poor are always with us, we believe, which justifies our ignoring them.  In our memories, we see a perceived golden past and so close our eyes to the new things you do in our midst.  

We are so enamoured with our achievements that we are not willing to throw them away in order to follow Jesus.

Forgive us, Restoring God, and help us to notice the kingdom springing forth in our midst.  By your grace, may our fears turn to faith, our seeds of grief produce a bumper crop of joy, and our tears turn into torrents of tenderness as we journey with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, to Jerusalem.

Assurance of Pardon

Making a way through all the foolishness and mistakes of our lives,                          God leads us into new life, where we are restored to grace, to hope, and to peace.
Do we notice what God has done for us, what God is doing in us?                         This is good news for everyone.                                                                    Thanks be to God, we are forgiven!                                                                    Amen.  

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

Our Lord received Mary's offering. Let us come before God our Father               

and offer our prayers for the world, knowing that he will hear us for Jesus' sake.

Your Son accepted the service of Martha, the friendship of Lazarus, and the devotion of Mary: bless your people everywhere who serve you in all kinds of different ways:

for those who serve in the church; pastors, church workers and lay people.

for those who serve in the home; parents and caregivers and home-makers.

for those who serve in the workplace; employers and employees.

for students and school children who serve by learning for the future.

for those who volunteer their services in the community.

for those who offer friendship.

for those who pray, fast, or give generously of their time and money.

for those who befriend the disadvantaged.

for those who whose work is dangerous.

Bless the service of all your people and assure them                                              that you are well pleased with their work.

Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer

Show your kindness to those who serve in similar ways, but do not yet know you, or that they serve you. Reward them with your grace, open their eyes to see you, and grant them true faith, hope and love.

Lord in your mercy:  hear our prayer

Speak to the consciences of those who plan some evil – show them that honesty is better than falsehood, and that peace is better than violence. Give to our political leaders and citizens alike a deep commitment to goodness and mutual well-being. Keep us all from the greed and false compassion of Judas.

Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer

Your Son drew close to Lazarus and raised him from the dead: be near all people who are close to death and grant them faith in you. Strengthen all who are preparing for the death of a loved one, that they may make the most of the time left to them. And help all who work among the dying: the doctors, nursing staff, chaplains and volunteers who work in hospices and nursing homes.

Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer

Heavenly Father, Mary honoured the Lord with her gift of perfume.

May we honour you in our lives by honouring all who are in need;

through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.                                                                                    Amen.

The Dismissal

And now, God sends you out into your communities,
not to cling to a faded past,
but to share all the new things God is doing.

And now, Jesus calls you to notice those around you,
to shower them with hope,
to feed them from our deep pantries,
to welcome them as family.

And now, the Spirit anoints you with grace,
to make a way through the injustices around you
so you might walk with your sisters and brothers
into the kingdom springing forth in your midst.

The Grace

SUNDAY PARYERS APRIL 13TH

PALM SUNDAY

Call to Worship

Like the crowds so long ago we will praise God joyfully, saying

Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
           

If these disciples were silent the stones would shout aloud.

Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Prayers of Praise & Confession

Lord Jesus, on this day the people went out with palms to meet you,

and we meet you now with our prayers and our praise.

Blessed are you, for you come to us in God’s name!

Blessed are you, for you inspire the deepest joy within us!

Blessed are you, for the whole company of angels                                                  and all creation sings your praise!

With the children who praised you on Palm Sunday,
with all who cried Hosanna,

with the crowds who welcomed you
and with those who danced beside you,
we offer today our joyful praise!

We offer too our prayer of confession.

We live in world suspicious of joy,

where violence too often breaks out
and in which truth can be stifled by lies.

We confess that our communities do not always welcome strangers,
provide safety for children, or peace for all the people.

We are sorry for our own sins
and for the sinfulness of the world in which we share.

We ask your forgiveness,
we hope for the grace to forgive those who sin against us,
and for the courage to forgive ourselves so that we can begin again.

Christ, who entered the city in peace and in joy,

bring your peace to us that forgiven and free,

we may cry Hosanna with a pure heart.

Assurance of Pardon

Jesus came to welcome and to forgive,
to bring new life and the joy of the Kingdom.

Let us receive these holy gifts with gladness!                                                          Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Blessing of the Palm Crosses

O God, may these crosses be signs of good news for us this week,
and bring blessing to our homes and our lives.

Let them reveal to us the joy of Palm Sunday,
remind us of the mystery of the cross,

and lead us on to the celebration of Easter,

in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,                                                                    Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

O God, we thank you for the joy, deeper than any sorrow,
which you bring to us and with which you bless us.

Help us to find this joy and to live it as a blessing for the world.

May there be times for all of us when we can let go
of the things that bind us to sorrow and fear,
so that we can praise you and let our hearts may dance.

Let us be bearers of true joy to the world.

We pray for those who are sad or suffering.
We pray for those for whom depression or anxiety brings a denial of joy,

that they may find healing and release.

We pray for those made sad by loss and death,
that they may grieve honestly and freely

and find even in grief true comfort and hope.

We pray for those saddened by disappointment,

by betrayal, or by the failure of something important to them.
May they find healing and hope again.

We pray for all who are ill,
and who for those who love them,
for those who have heard fearful news from the doctor
or who worry about their own state of mind.

Bring them peace and the certain comfort of love.

We pray for places scourged by violence and war,
for lands where there is poverty and hunger for the powerless,
and for nations where hubris and wealth bring blindness to the needs of others.

O Christ, who entered the city in peace and was greeted with joy,
bring your peace and your joy to our world and to your Church,
this day and every day.

Silence

O God, hear our prayers, spoken and offered in silence.

Show us where we may begin to answer them ourselves

or persuade others to answer them.
And where we can do little, help us to trust in your unfailing love.

In Christ’s name,                                                                                                  Amen.

The Dismissal

May the Christ who came to the city and who provoked a carnival of hosannas

come to your heart, your life, this church and our world, to bring joy and hope.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS APRIL 20TH

EASTER DAY

Opening Acclamation

Christ is risen!                                                                                                    He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Confession

This is the day that you have made, life-giving God.
Joining with angels and archangels
and with the chorus that is rising throughout all the earth,
we will rejoice and be glad this day.
You take our endings
and you make your new beginnings.
Your surprise and astound us
in places where we expected
that you were absent.
You challenge us to reconsider what is possible.
We give thanks for the gift of Easter
that runs beyond our expectations,
beyond our categories of reason,
even more, beyond the sinking sense of our own lives.

Living Lord,
Saviour Christ,
we praise you,
for you are raised by the power of God and there is a new creation
and, by your grace, we are in it!

Loving God, we confess that at times we do not share in the joy of the resurrection but are caught in the worries of the world. We confess that we do not always live in the spirit of new life but remain discontent, grumbling and anxious.

Forgive us for not sharing in the Good News.

Forgive us when we find it more comfortable to worry and complain than to risk the joy and encouragement of new life in Christ.                                                      Call us back to Your ways, O God,

to seek hope and reconciliation,

restoration and peace.

Assurance of Pardon

Christ is Risen! The stone is rolled away, the tomb found empty.

Mary calls out, “I have seen the Lord!”

We have seen Christ, too, in every helping hand, in every heartfelt gift,

in every choice to restore life in this world.

We are called to this new life, a life of forgiveness and reconciliation.

You are forgiven; accept your forgiveness and know that God loves you

and desires great joy for your life.

Walk forward on this journey of faith,

knowing your brothers and sisters are with you.

Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

O God, with faces touched by the light of a new day,

and hearts warmed by our prayers and praises,

we come before you to pray

for the needs of our world.

Into the light of Easter morning

we raise those who are struggling with illness,

with despair over their lives, or with

the breakdown of relationships.

May the light of Christ shine upon them.

May the light of Christ shine upon them.

Into the light of Easter morning,

we bring those places in our world

where war, violence, poverty and need

are the experiences of everyday life. (These places may be named)

May the light of Christ shine upon them.

May the light of Christ shine upon them.

Into the light of Easter morning,

we bring the headline news of this weekend:

we hold in our hearts the pain

of those suffering violence, bereavement or conflict.

May the light of Christ shine upon them.

May the light of Christ shine upon them.

And into the light of Easter morning

we bring ourselves, the private struggles,

the heart’s yearnings, the hidden dreams,

the unfulfilled potential.

May the light of Christ shine upon us.

May the light of Christ shine upon us.                                                                    Amen.

Sending Out and Blessing

We have eaten together with the risen Christ.
Go out then, as witnesses of these things.
Attend to your heart,
worship with integrity,
trust in the Lord.
Proclaim forgiveness and healing in his name to all.

May God raise you from death to life,
from brokenness to perfect health;
May Christ Jesus cast out your fear and doubt;
And may the Holy Spirit give your heart joy,
even as the bread and wine give your body life.                                      

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, 

In the name of Christ.                                                                                          Amen.

The Grace

SUNDAY PRAYERS APRIL 27TH

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER - LOW SUNDAY

Call to Worship

Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed.                                                                    God is alive, new birth is given.                                                                            Hope is alive, a new age is dawning.                                                                    Joy is alive, redemption is here.

Love is alive, death cannot harm us.

We are alive, new life is within us.

The church is alive, God’s spirit is within us.

God of life, we worship you.

God of creation, we praise you.

God of revelation, we learn from you.

God of resurrection, we come to celebrate you.

Prayers of Approach and Confession

For the gift of faith
which sees beyond the present moment
and looks to an eternity, we thank you.
For the gift of faith
small as a mustard seed, which has power
within its simplicity, we thank you.
For the gift of faith
bestowed on those who would simply come,
hearts open in humility, we thank you.

Creator God,

we confess that at times we are sceptics.

At times we doubt that You exist

because of the evil we have seen in the world.

Oppression, marginalization, and plain hate still plague our world,

and it is hard to see Your love and light.

Sometimes, even those who bear Your name.

do not walk in Your ways.

Help us to see Your goodness in this world.

Help us to know Your love.

Fill us with Your love and goodness,

so that we might love one another,

and lift up one another in faith.

Assurance of Pardon

The psalmist says,

“I am sure I shall see the goodness of our God

in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong,

and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!”

Know that you do not wait alone.

God has given us one another for this journey of faith,

to help one another.

Know that you do not wait alone;

Christ is with us.

Be encouraged and encourage one another.

Go and share the Good News.                                                                              Amen.

The Lord`s Prayer

Prayers of Intercession

In the evening when the disciples meet frightened behind locked doors

You come to them with words of peace.

For wicked plots have failed, and the cruelty of the world has come to nothing,

and the betrayal and the denial of friends have not prevailed.

Life-giving God, we give you thanks for Jesus has risen.

He comes to us with words of peace.

Come to us today.

In government rooms where politicians meet,

in city board rooms where executives plan,

in court rooms where lawyers debate,

Come with words of peace.

In hospital rooms where people are waiting,

in prison cells where people are afraid

in homes where people struggle to make ends meet,

Come with words of peace.

Come to us whenever we are afraid,

whenever we are grieving.

Come to us now as we pray in silence

for those we care for and are worried about.

Despite the strong and solid doors we lock

to protect ourselves,

to shut out the world,

Come to us with words of peace.

This Easter breathe on us again

with your Spirit for you have overcome evil

and wicked plots fail and the cruelty of the world comes to nothing

and the betrayal and denial of friends do not prevail.

Renew us in the power of your Spirit

that we may open the doors

and go out into the world

to bring words of peace to the people we meet.

Renew us in the power of your Spirit

that we may have life in your name

and go wherever you send us

in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

The Dismissal

Jesus says;

Peace be with you,"
"As the Father sent me, so I send you."

No doubt or fear can lock God out of your lives.
Remember that as you leave this place,
sent forward to live by faith.
And may these words echo through your mind, as well:

"Blessed are those who have not seen
and yet have come to believe."

And all God’s people said, "Amen!"

The Grace

Minister ~ Rev Alan Kennedy 07733153203 01612703296 alanrk1690@gmail.com