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Confession
Lord, our insight into ourselves is dim;
we often do not realise how our behaviour
is affecting other people, nor how our daily decisions
make a difference to the lives of others,
even around the world.
Too often we only consider ourselves
and our own needs,
and we don’t reflect enough
on what might be your will
or what would help your kingdom of love
to be established.And yet, we know ourselves to be loved by you;
we even expect to be loved by you……
because that is what you have told us………
by your Spirit……..
through your Word.Forgive us for being self absorbed……..
release us into freedom that empowers us
to think of others.
Cure the insecurity that imprisons us
and curbs our generosity,
so that we don’t reflect the generosity
that you display
in your dealings with us.Generous and patient God,
even in the face of our sinful blindness,
deal with us gently
and win us by love;
grow insight within us
that makes us free for others
because we are free in ourselves.In the quiet we make our own confession to almighty God……………
……….. and we hear again the words of the gospel,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.So to all who confess, and repent and turn to Christ, we declare that God forgives our sins……..God, forgives your sins……
……….. In the quiet we receive our forgiveness and know ourselves to be re-made.And we offer thanks to God as we say the prayer that Jesus taught us
Our Father etc…….
Intercessions
Father and Mother of us all
you tell us we are a holy people,
a royal priesthood,
brought into being as the fruit of your self giving love.
Through your love, active in our lives,
we are made able
to declare your praises in word and deed.Hear our words, then,
as we bring the Church and the world into your presence.Where there is war and famine, injustice and oppression
bring the light of freedom, peace and plenty.Take a moment to remember the last news you saw on television or in the paper or heard on the radio…….and pray for those war torn, starving and unjust places of the world.
Where the leaders of the nations forget
that they will give account of their leadership at your throne of grace,
speak your word powerfully.Pray for our political leaders at home and abroad and bring them into God’s presence for his blessing into right action for others.
As the leaders of industry throughout the world fight the effects of economic turndown, remind them of the fragility of our world systems and of our continuing dependence upon your mercy.
Pray for the leaders of international conglomerates who need to take responsibility for the human costs of their business policies.
And as your church seeks the way through this complicated and increasingly interdependent world
keep pushing us into corners, by your love,
so that we will listen and look for your active word in us and through us into the world.Bring to God the many projects running in the Church today, in our own denomination and in others.
Mother and Father of us all, hear our prayers
for we offer them in Jesus’ name.
Grant that, together and individually,
we will increasingly become
a part of your answer. AMEN
Prayers from Holy Island
When we remember your love
and recall your sacrifice;
when we know to the depths of us
that your love knows no bounds;
when life is good
and the way seems bright and easyJesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us. *
When we remember our brothers and sisters
in war torn lands
and all those who suffer for their belief in your love;
when children are hurt and degraded by cruel adults
or other children
and we ourselves can see no rhyme nor reasonJesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us.
When the very creation rises up against us
and people are burnt to death in forest fires
or drowned in rising storms and the surge of maddened sea tides;
when the earth itself goes mad around usJesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us.
In times of confusion and pain,
when we ourselves,
and the leaders of world and church,
seem not to know which way to turn,
nor how to hear your voice of love againJesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us.
In darkness and in light
when energy runs high
or spirits run low;
when goodness and love
are obvious and attainable
and when meanness triumphs over generosityJesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us.
Our Father etc………..
* from ‘Come all you People’ ©Wild Goose Worship Group 1994 ISBN 0 947988 68 8
(Another chant may be preferred but it should be short, sharp and easy to learn)
Barry Hutchinson 2007
Patient God,
we praise you for your direction in our lives.
Forgive us when we run about aimlessly,
expending our energy in needless effort
instead of working together towards our goal
of showing your star player, Jesus,
to those who stand on the sidelines,
unable or unwilling to get involved.
Help us to co-ordinate our actions as a team
to bring about the result
you would wish for the world,
focussed on the task in hand,
in the strength and spirit
of Christ, our captain,
so that you get all the glory. Amen.Carol Dixon 2006
Words and Music by Mary Jordan 2006
I never knew his name;
But each day I walked past
On my way from work
He was there, in the doorway,
Huddled with his old dog.Sometimes I gave him my apple
Left over from lunch
And felt good because I'd given up
A tiny morsel of a meal
When I had so much.And if I did, he smiled up at me
Through the scruffy growth of his beard,
And the dog tried to wag its tired tail
As it chewed on scraps thrown out
By benevolent butchers.One day he wasn't there and I heard
He'd been found dead that morning
After a particularly cold night.
The dog was taken into a shelter.
On a string round its neck
He'd hung its name, Fido – ‘Faithful'.And his name?
From a paper in his pocket
It seems his name was Josh,
short for Joshua –
another name for Jesus.
A prayer
Lord God,
How kind we are to animals –
They are so easy to deal with.
They don't ask awkward questions
Or demand more of us
Than we are prepared to give.But when it comes to human beings,
Created in your own image,
Often we turn away, unable to cope
With facing up to others' needs,
Even if, in so doing we are rejecting you.Help us to know how we can help the homeless
to help themselves, preserving their dignity,
giving them hope, for the sake of Jesus, your son,
who brought us home, into your kingdom
where all are accepted and loved.Carol Dixon 2006
All heaven weeps
|
When greed prevails
|
Carol Dixon passed these on:
they came from one of the ecumenical Lent Groups in Morpeth who were studying the Lent Course ‘Life's attitudes'
Blessed are those who have a low opinion of themselves,
God will raise them up.Blessed are those who can see no way out of their problems,
God will open their eyes to the wonders of his world.Blessed are those who are weighed down by life's worries,
God will carry their load when it becomes too much to bear.Blessed are the prisoners of debt,
God will release them to live in freedom.Blessed are the failures in life,
They know how to encourage others.Blessed are those who refuse to revile those who hurt them,
They will live in God's peace.Blessed are those who love unconditionally,
They are close to God's heart.[based on Jesus' sermon at Nazareth] 2006
Words and music (calypso style) by Mary Jordan 2005
(400KB)
He set a child in the midst of them,
elevating child from chattel, slave,
to the heart of his kingdom.'Unless you become like one of these ......'
'Like one of this lot, Lord - grubby, noisy, exasperating?'
'Yes, Peter, just like them ..... cheerful, lively, exuberant.'
'They're demanding, Lord, always asking questions.... Who? Why? Where?'
'Yes, Peter, seeking, searching, always wanting to know, to explore.'
'But they cost so much, Lord, food, clothing, outings. '
'Yes, Peter, they're costly, they're precious, they're worth dying for.
'Oh, Jesus, get real, get a life, they're nothing but a nuisance. Send them away.
'Oh, Peter. Unless you change your tune and become like one of these
...... loving, trusting, vulnerable ......
you're gonna have a tough old job being part of my Father's kingdom.'Daphne Clarke 2005
This piece has previously appeared in URCHIN
God we come to you as followers of the Way.
When the road diverges and we are faced with a difficult choice
help us to take the road less travelled,
the road of love and sacrifice.
Forgive us if we have taken the easy road,
following the crowd
instead of making our own decision, standing by our own conviction.
Help us to resist the temptations
that come to us from the worldly wise
pointing out the folly of following the hard way.
Bring us back to the Way of Jesus Christ,
and give us the courage to remain in it.
In His name. Amen.Rodney Ward 2004
God our father and mother,
Like wilful children,
restlessly we wriggle
out of your firm hold,
only to find ourselves
worn out and weary
from demanding our own way.How often your eyes
must grow tired
from scanning the horizon,
looking for the lost,
eagerly awaiting
the return of the wayward.Thank you for your patient love.
When our world fails apart
and we run for the cover
of your loving protection
and wise counsel,
welcome us home again
into your outstretched arms.Then, reconciled and made new,
in Jesus, who gave his life
that all may become
members of your family,
we will learn to celebrate
your love in the world.Carol Dixon 2004
based on Ephesians 3.14-19
Grow in God, be grounded in God's love,
Grow in God, strong in your inner selves.Grow in God, and rooted in your faith
Grow in God, abounding in Christ's joy.Grow in God, God's presence fill your life,
Grow in God, Christ's peace within your hearts.Carol Dixon 2004
There's a time for everything, the old man said;
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance.This is a time to laugh with joy
from the depth of your soul.
This is a time to dance in the deeps of your heart;
a time to clap and jump and shout;
a time to stomp your feet with the man who turned water into wine -
and that after many days of eating and drinking,
like Christmas gone mad.Take heart tonight, for God is good,
and he'll join us in our singing and our dancing and our stomping;
and when we drink the cup he'll share with us in delight of his creation.Barry Hutchinson 2003
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