Opening Prayer: –

Our hearts overflow in praise because of His Grace towards us. God of grace, you know our weaknesses,
and how we let you, ourselves and others down
by the things we say and do or fail to do.
As we come to worship, open our hearts and minds,
to learn from our mistakes,
to know more of your ways,
and live and love as Christ loves us.
Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Almighty God, we read the stories of old, of psalmists and prophets, of disciples and apostles, of followers and onlookers, and ask ourselves ‘Why did they do that, why did they make so many mistakes, why did they do bad things, wrong things?’

Help us to see that we too do things that are wrong, that are not good or right. Help us to see that we make mistakes, take wrong decisions because they somehow seemed the easiest things to do at the time.

As you have forgiven those of old, so too, when we confess our failings, when we look at what we have really done and seen what we could have done better, you forgive us, you cleanse us and set us free. 

Assurance of forgiveness

Almighty God, we have confessed to you and faced our failings, let us now in penitence hear your forgiving words that assure us of your love, your forgiveness and your patience with us.

Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven.”

And we can say,

Our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Holy Spirit of God, we thank you for dwelling within us. For your comforting presence, your assurance that the path to righteousness and goodness is with you.

 We thank you for that spark that you ignite within us that assures us of our faith, of our belief in God’s being.

Servant Jesus, Son of God, we thank you that when you walked the earth, you served those around you. You blessed them, you healed them, you cleansed them, you guided them, you washed their feet and, in accepting their hospitality, you acknowledged their worth.

Loving God, we thank you that you gave us birth, that you have nurtured and guided, loved and protected us.
Our thanks and praise never can fully express the gratitude we owe, but here and now accept our thanks and praise. To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Prayers for Others

 Let us bring before God:

those who have never known the transformative power of love:

We pray to you, O Lord.

those who live in fear of what others may do to them:

We pray to you, O Lord.

those who have the strength to stand up to that which is wrong:

We pray to you, O Lord.

those who have the courage and the opportunity to speak out against injustice:

We pray to you, O Lord.

those who give of themselves to help those in need:

We pray to you, O Lord.

those who work to make this world a better place:

We pray to you, O Lord.

those known personally to us who need our prayers at this time (allow time for personal reflection and prayer)

We pray to you, O Lord.

Amen.

Our Lord’s prayer

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.