Invocation
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pause for reflection
Good morning, heavenly Father.
We worship you, the creator and sustainer of the universe.
Good morning, Lord Jesus.
We worship you, Saviour and Lord of the world.
Good morning, Holy Spirit.
We worship you, sanctifier of the people of God.
Opening sentences
One thing I have asked of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life;
to behold the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
Who is it that you seek?
We seek the Lord our God.
Do you seek him with all your heart?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek him with all your soul?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek him with all your mind?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek him with all your strength?
Amen. Christ, have mercy.
Declaration of faith
To whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life,
and we have believed and have come to know
that you are the Holy One of God.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ,
King of endless glory.
Hebrew Bible reading
Psalm 102:1-17
1 Lord, hear my prayer;
let my cry for help come before you.
2 Do not hide your face from me in my day of trouble.
Listen closely to me;
answer me quickly when I call.
3 For my days vanish like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
4 My heart is suffering, withered like grass;
I even forget to eat my food.
5 Because of the sound of my groaning,
my flesh sticks to my bones.
6 I am like an eagle owl,
like a little owl among the ruins.
7 I stay awake;
I am like a solitary bird on a roof.
8 My enemies taunt me all day long;
they ridicule and use my name as a curse.
9 I eat ashes like bread
and mingle my drinks with tears
10 because of your indignation and wrath;
for you have picked me up and thrown me aside.
11 My days are like a lengthening shadow,
and I wither away like grass.
12 But you, Lord, are enthroned for ever;
your fame endures to all generations.
13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to show favour to her –
the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants take delight in its stones
and favour its dust.
15 Then the nations will fear the name of the Lord,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
16 for the Lord will rebuild Zion;
he will appear in his glory.
17 He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute
and will not despise their prayer.
New Testament Reading
John 8:31-38
31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’
33 ‘We are descendants of Abraham,’ they answered him, ‘and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, “You will become free”? ’
34 Jesus responded, ‘Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 A slave does not remain in the household for ever, but a son does remain for ever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. 37 I know you are descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill me because my word has no place among you. 38 I speak what I have seen in the presence of the Father; so then, you do what you have heard from your father.’
Pause for reflection
Prayer of Confession
Mighty and strong God,
watchful, listening, loving:
we have wandered through this week
in the shadow of your care,
and we are grateful.
We are grateful for those times
when we sensed your presence with us,
lighting our path,
bringing your life into our spirits,
giving us strength beyond our own.
We are grateful for those times
when praise came easily,
when we were able to rest in your faithfulness.
Now, as we gather together at your throne,
we bring to you also those times
when we wandered far from you
and lost sight of your creative workings
in our lives and in our world.
We bring those times
when we could not hear your Word
or feel your love
or trust your resurrection power.
We are grateful that
whatever time we are in,
you still gather all that we are,
all that we have done,
all that we have failed to do
into your mercy and grace.
We are grateful that you forgive us,
redeem us,
that your Spirit is at work,
forming us more fully in the Way of Jesus,
drawing us further and further into your love.
We submit ourselves to your holy work
so that all that we do and say brings your peace
in our lives and to your world.
In Jesus’ name we pray
through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Today, we are praying for Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
We are thankful for:
- the magnificent expanse of mountains, grasslands and deserts in these Central Asian countries
- the rich natural resources
- the incredible ethnic diversity
- cultural traditions and practices that have been preserved for centuries amid the challenges of modernization
- Christians who, although they are a tiny minority, have courage to witness to the gospel and find the strength to live according to God’s word
- those who in spite of danger dedicate their lives to serving others.
We pray for:
- the people in these lands who suffer from poverty and repressive rule
- an end to clashes related to tribalism, traditionalism, and modernization
- the land, air and water that have been damaged by human abuse
- good relations between Muslims and Christians
- an end to oppression and violence.
In our own place in the world, we pray for:
- all whose decisions involve questions of justice, mercy and peace
- federal, state and local politicians
- church leaders, ministers, pastors, teachers, and missionaries
- all the churches of our city or region
- our local community, businesses, and schools
- our local congregation and its ministries
- opportunities to experience meaningful worship and fellowship
- opportunities for discipleship and learning to be more like Jesus
- opportunities for service to others and sharing the good news
- the needs of our families and friends
- our personal needs
Pause for reflection
Classic Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, give us a measure of your Spirit
that we may be enabled to obey your teaching to pacify anger,
to take part in pity, to moderate desire, to increase love,
to put away sorrow, to cast away vainglory, not to be vindictive,
not to fear death, ever entrusting our spirit to immortal God,
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.
– Apollonius of Rome (2nd century)
Contemporary Prayer
We thank you, O God for your love for us.
Love that reaches out to accept us, wherever we are, whoever we are.
Love that demands a lot, but at the same time, somehow, amazingly, enables us to meet those demands.
Love that reassures, affirms, prompts, challenges, and overwhelms us with the completeness of its response.
Help us, your people, held within the security of your love, to risk showing that same love to others.
May our love, too, be known for its abundance, its readiness to speak out, and its healing power.
– Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13, NIV
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
Pause for reflection
Sending Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray
that we may live this day in your presence
and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus, we pray that this day
we may take up our cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, we pray that this day
you will fill us with yourself
and cause your fruit to ripen in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity,
three persons in one God,
have mercy upon us. Amen.
Canticle
Christ, as a light,
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield,
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever he may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
iDigress 