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
Exodus 17:1-7
17 The entire Israelite community left the Wilderness of Sin, moving from one place to the next according to the Lord’s command. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So the people complained to Moses, ‘Give us water to drink.’
‘Why are you complaining to me? ’ Moses replied to them. ‘Why are you testing the Lord? ’
3 But the people thirsted there for water and grumbled against Moses. They said, ‘Why did you ever bring us up from Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst? ’
4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What should I do with these people? In a little while they will stone me! ’
5 The Lord answered Moses, ‘Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take the staff you struck the Nile with in your hand and go. 6 I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.’ Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites complained, and because they tested the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not? ’
New Testament Reading
Philippians 2:1-13
2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.
Christ’s Humility and Exaltation
5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
6Â who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.
7Â Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
8Â he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death –
even to death on a cross.
9Â For this reason God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10Â so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow –
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth –
11 and every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Lights in the World
12 Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.
Pause for reflection
Prayer of Confession
Search me, O God, and know my heart today
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray
See if there be some wicked way in me
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.
Search me, O God, and know my heart today
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray
Listen, see if there be some wicked way in me
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.
Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride
I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.
—J. Edwin Orr (1912-1987)
Prayers of Intercession
Today, we are praying for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
We are thankful for:
- individuals, churches and other organizations who remain committed to seeking healing, justice and truthÂ
- the furthering of human rights and democratic institutionsÂ
- the ways in which those of different faiths and ethnicities are working together for the common good and for the needs of people and creation
- how churches, from out of what people are experiencing, have led global ecumenical work for an economy that serves life.
We pray for:
- greater respect for Indigenous people and greater acceptance of all peoples across bounds of ethnicity and religion
- The protection of children from violence and abuse, and recognition of their rights and dignity
- effective help and empowerment for those who live in poverty and other marginalizing situations
- those who protect and care for the region’s threatened soil, forests, waters, glaciers
- truth and justice in continuing investigations to find those responsible for crimes against humanity, and continued healing for those affected
- economic development that benefits all and effectively addresses the systemic factors that impede it.
In our own place in the world, we pray for:
- all whose decisions involve questions of justice, mercy and peace
- our federal, state and local politicians
- all the churches of our city and those who lead them
- our local community, businesses, and schools
- our congregation and its ministries
- opportunities for meaningful worship and fellowship
- opportunities for practicing the way of Jesus
- opportunities for outreach and service to others
- the needs of our families and friends
- our personal needs
Pause for reflection
Classic Prayer
I arise today
Through a mighty strength:
God’s power to guide me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s eyes to watch over me;
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to give me speech,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to shelter me,
God’s host to secure me. Amen.
—Brigid of Gael (c.451-c.525)
Contemporary Prayer
Lord, when I am uncertain about what I should do, show me your ways.
When I don’t know which way to turn, teach me and show me.
In everything I do, I ask you to guide me. I want to trust you
and I ask that you would protect me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
—Mission Australia
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
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 evil.
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.
All Told 