We publish and retain recent services in our
On Line section.
We also include seasonal prayers and other material here.
For Lent
Because
temptation is woven into the fabric of our lives,
and we know the weariness of forty days in the desert,
and the beckoning power of sweet fruit,
and the vain promises of the world,
we need you, God.
We need you, God.
Because
we see the broken before the whole,
and the half empty cup, and the unfinished task,
and the thirst in freedom's quest,
we need you, God.
We need you, God.
Because
we trust in what we can see,
and we are blinded by our prejudices,
and we do not know what we do not know,
we need you, God.
We need you, God.
Because
our need for correctness exceeds our need for truth,
and our excuses preempt the cry of the wounded,
and our celebration of blessing is mindless of those displaced,
we need you, God.
We need you, God.
Because
you came among us,
and breathed into our sinewy souls,
and healed our pain and let us wound you,
and loved us to the end,
and triumphed over all our hatred,
we need you, God.
We need you, God.
(Catherine Hawker –
Outside the Box -http://liturgyoutside.net/LentA.html – based on an Iona prayer
– easily adaptable to the day)
Lord God you have called us here
And we have come to worship in wonder
and love.
Let us enter the presence of grace and
mercy with praise on our lips
For all you have accomplished for us
In the wonder of creation
And the joy of recreation
In the power of compassion
And the healing of mercy given
Open our eyes to see you near
Our ears to hear your calling
Our hearts to respond with mercy given
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Today we will hear of your mercy
towards your people
and a call for our response.
We must own all we have left undone
Words of forgiveness that choked in
our craw
The fuelling of bitter thoughts in our
hearts
The sustaining of disputes
And the fist, shaken, when open palm
was required.
In the myriad of ways we have not
shown mercy
We seek pardon and in that grace of
forgiveness
May we earnestly seek renewal
that we may become fountains of your
mercy
and so may your will be done.
This day we come in praise of
Motherhood
Rejoicing that you chose to be born
amongst us
By the assent of Mary.
So may our worship praise and honour
all we owe
To mothers for the life we own, the
nurture we have received
And the wisdom imparted
So we seek to be faithful to them and
to you
And seek those gifts of the spririt
that will
Allow us to strive for the right
Have sympathy and care for the outcast
And have such faith in you that we
have no fear of heart
And may live as those of whom Mother
and brother in Christ
May never be ashamed.
Grant these our prayers of praise and
confession
Along with the unspoken prayers of
every heart through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen