for use this week
Coming to worship
Come and worship the resurrection God,
the Lord of all creation,
who is always present, no matter what.
Worship him today in spirit and in truth.
the Lord of all creation,
who is always present, no matter what.
Worship him today in spirit and in truth.
A gathering prayer across our community
God of new life, God of risen hope,
as we gather today, may we know your resurrection power in our lives.
May our spirits be renewed.
May our bodies be restored. Amen.
as we gather today, may we know your resurrection power in our lives.
May our spirits be renewed.
May our bodies be restored. Amen.
A time of confession
Lord, forgive us when we don’t always trust you, when we don’t always trust that you know best.
Forgive us when we think our timing is better than yours, when we think that we know best.
Forgive us when we demand things from you,
when we want everything now, and stamp our feet when we don’t get it.
Forgive us when we turn away from you,
when we don’t understand why things have gone wrong, when we feel let down and hurt,
thinking that you have rejected us and abandoned us.
For you never reject or abandon us.
Forgive us, Lord, and give us renewed hope.
Forgive us when we think our timing is better than yours, when we think that we know best.
Forgive us when we demand things from you,
when we want everything now, and stamp our feet when we don’t get it.
Forgive us when we turn away from you,
when we don’t understand why things have gone wrong, when we feel let down and hurt,
thinking that you have rejected us and abandoned us.
For you never reject or abandon us.
Forgive us, Lord, and give us renewed hope.
Amen.
Readings to reflect on for Sunday
Sunday: Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45
Readings for during the week
Monday: Exodus 8:1-19
Hebrews 11:17-31
Tuesday: Exodus 8:20-end
Hebrews 11:32-12:2
Wednesday: Exodus 9:1-12
Hebrews 12:3-13
Thursday: Exodus 9:13-end
Hebrews 12:14-end
Friday: Exodus 10
Hebrews 13:1-16
Saturday: Exodus 11
Hebrews 13:17-end
Prayers of intercession
We pray for all who are affected by coronavirus, through illness or isolation or anxiety, that they may find relief and recovery:
We pray for those who are guiding our nation at this time, and shaping national policies,
that they may make wise decisions:
that they may make wise decisions:
We pray for doctors, nurses and medical researchers, that through their skill and insights many will be restored to health:
We pray for the vulnerable and the fearful,
for the gravely ill and the dying, that they may know your comfort and peace:
for the gravely ill and the dying, that they may know your comfort and peace:
We pray for all who weep today: for those who grieve and mourn for the loss of loved ones – husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, friends
We pray For those who care for people at the end of their earthly lives: chaplains, hospice workers, nurses, doctors, carers, pastors, undertakers. Give them strength, courage, empathy and love as they walk with those who weep.
We pray for broken relationships where there seems to be no hope; for families destroyed by death, poverty, war, violence, or abuse;
for those who feel let down by society;
and for those who feel let down by you –
may all know your presence in those dark times. As they wait on you, comfort them, Lord, we pray.
Lord, weep with us and bring fresh hope. Amen.
We pray For those who care for people at the end of their earthly lives: chaplains, hospice workers, nurses, doctors, carers, pastors, undertakers. Give them strength, courage, empathy and love as they walk with those who weep.
We pray for broken relationships where there seems to be no hope; for families destroyed by death, poverty, war, violence, or abuse;
for those who feel let down by society;
and for those who feel let down by you –
may all know your presence in those dark times. As they wait on you, comfort them, Lord, we pray.
Lord, weep with us and bring fresh hope. Amen.
Closing prayer
As we wait on you, Lord God,
renew our strength, our hope, and our vision
to be your arms in this world,
reaching out and enfolding with love
all those we hold dear in our hearts. Amen.
renew our strength, our hope, and our vision
to be your arms in this world,
reaching out and enfolding with love
all those we hold dear in our hearts. Amen.
Pause to reflect
Cut out a teardrop shape from thin card or paper. Think of a person or a place that weeps with sadness and needs fresh hope and God’s resurrection power. Be still and quiet for a few moments, then offer a prayer for them holding your teardrop before God.