Opening Song: Goodness of God (Meredith James)
Leader From the rising of the sun
till its setting in the west
ALL: God’s Holy Name be praised
Leader: One the lips of children
by babies at the breast
ALL: God’s Holy Name be praised
Leader: In the visions of the old
and the dreaming of the young
ALL: God’s Holy Name be praised
Leader: In the banquet hall of heaven
and the forgotten corners of our hearts
ALL: God’s Holy Name be praised
Leader: Let all that has life and breath
Praise the Lord.
ALL: Amen, we praise the Lord.
Song: We believe (Life Worship)
Word of God
Prayer: O God our Creator
Your kindness has brought us
this gift of a new morning.
Help us to leave yesterday
and not to covet tomorrow
but to accept the uniqueness of today.
(silence)
By your love celebrated in your Word
seen in your Son
brought near by your Spirit,
take from us what we need to carry no longer
so that we may be free again
to choose to serve you
and to be served by each other.
(silence)
Prayer for Mothering Sunday:
Loving God,
Thank you for mums and children
and for all the joy of family life.
Be with those who are grieving because they have no mother;
Be close to those who are struggling because they have no children;
Be near to those who are sad because they are far apart from those they love. Let your love be present in every home,
And help your church to have eyes to see and ears to hear the needs of all who come. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Leader: Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us.
ALL: We believe that God forgives and sets us free
and at the day’s beginning we commit ourselves
to follow where Christ calls
and to loving one another.
Leader: Lord, in these times
when we fear we are losing hope
or feel that our efforts are futile
let us see in our hearts and minds
the image of your resurrection,
and let that be our source of courage and strength.
With that, and in your company
help us to face the challenges and struggles
that lie ahead for our church, community and land.
(adapted from a prayer of The Church in the Philippines)
Blessing
Leader: Lord, set your blessing on us
as we begin this day together.
Confirm in us the truth
by which we rightly live;
confront us with the truth
from which we wrongly turn.
We ask not for what we want
but for what you know we need,
as we offer this day and ourselves
for you and to you
through Jesus Christ our Saviour
ALL: Amen
Leader: The peace of the Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
Song: Raise a hallelujah (Bethel Music)
Some material from Morning Prayer Liturgy E (from a Wee Worship Book, ©Wild Goose Worship).