PRAYER OF APPROACH:

God of mercy and grace,

we come into your presence

full of expectancy and praise.

We thank you for your committed faithfulness

to your creation and humanity.

Joyfully we recall your message through the angel

to the shepherds, Do not be afraid!

Grant us a commitment to you and your way

which arises from our recognition

of your love and care towards us;

May we within our worship and living,

though our constant joy, and thanksgiving in all things,

remain a people at prayer without ceasing,

revelling in the joy of your glory

through which we gain our strength

to continue our hope for the establishment of your kingdom,

the kingdom for which we pray,

in the words of Jesus:

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.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:

We gather as your people, O LORD

conscious of all that which diminishes us

and which attempt to rob us of our joy in you,

that joy which flows from your gifted grace towards us;

Lord have mercy LORD HAVE MERCY

We come as your people, O Christ,

conscious of all that which interferes

with your desire for us to watch and pray,

to be praying without ceasing

thereby opening ourselves to your gifted enlightenment;

Christ have mercy  CHRIST HAVE MERCY

We gather as your people, O Spirit,

conscious of how little we, even collectively,

manage to be endowed heralds of the good news;

we fail so often: to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty and release;
² to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour,
        to comfort all who mourn;
³  to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
Spirit have mercy  SPIRIT HAVE MERCY

Holy God: Father, Son and Spirit,

may we who sow in tears,  reap with shouts of joy,

we who go out weeping, come home with shouts of joy!

DECLARATION OF RECONCILIATION:

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, God’s word to us states:

²³ May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept soundand blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

In Christ all is forgiven us, so we say with joy in our hearts,  

THANKS BE TO GOD

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:

Gracious God of all peoples,

we pray that throughout, and all around the world

people will find your joy

in the everyday moments of their living,

in their daily bread provided,

their bodies clothed,

and shelter from the elements and predators;

in unexpected delights and insights,

in lives of integrity

and service to others…

Lord hear us LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

Gracious God of all peoples,

we pray that throughout, and all around the world

people will find your joy

in the wise and caring decisions towards a common good

by our leaders of whatever ilk,

in the generous sharing of your gifted bounty

for the benefit of all,

in water and food security so that none go thirsty or hungry,

Lord hear us LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

Gracious God of all peoples,

we pray that throughout, and all around the world

people will find your joy

in the care they offer as health professionals, family members,

friends and neighbours,

and in any care they receive themselves…

Lord hear us LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

Gracious God of all peoples,

we pray that throughout, and all around the world

people will find your joy

by being part of a community, family, neigbourhood

congregation, group, workplace even

where each receives affirmation as to their human worth…

Lord hear us LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

Gracious God of all peoples,

we pray that throughout, and all around the world

people will find your joy

in unexpected places, and from unexpected people;

in prison or other situations of social stigma,

from persons thought to be hostile,

from total strangers so different to them;

endow us with your Spirit to offer such joy

through acts of ordinary kindness…

Lord hear us LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

Finally, Gracious God of all peoples,

we pray that amongst your people here at Bald Hills

your joy may be manifest

even amidst the presence of grief and pain and suffering,

worry and anxieties…

•  we pause to name specific people-

Lord hear us LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER,  AMEN