GATHERING PRAYER: –
Lord Jesus Christ, we come to you,
burdened by our insecurities and responsibilities.
Sometimes we are not valued for what we are,
but for what other people want to make us.
But we know you love us for what and who we are,
and this sets us free to be our fullest selves,
disciples, following your way, and learning from you.
May we listen and learn together today.
Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Blessed, Holy God, your Word has been spoken,
your voice heard, your desire known.
You speak to our every moment,
our every breath, our every deed, and yet
so often even if we hear, we do not listen,
and, even when we do listen, we do not always follow.
Blessed, Holy God, forgive us for being inattentive,
deaf to your word and your ways.
Forgive us, Holy God.
Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

The God of creation,
the God of Word and deed,
the God of all that has been and all that will be,
calls us to confess and assure us that our sins,
our failings, our falterings, our stammerings are forgiven.
If we listen, we will hear God’s promise:
‘My child, your sins are forgiven, go in peace, go in love.’

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS

Spend some quiet moments praying for those who are on your hearts.

Lord Jesus, you see all that goes on
within the created world you hold.
Hear our prayers for the needs we see.
We lift up to you:

  the alienated 

the hostile 

   the confused 

those desiring to belong and be accepted 

  the persecuted 

and those we know personally who have yet to accept you as Lord of their lives.

Generous and gracious God, in Jesus Christ you desire to embrace all,

Grant us of your own generous Spirit

That we might speak words of invitation

And practise actions of welcome

In a Spirit of hospitality, to bring all within your embrace.

May they and we enjoy feasting at you table,

Revelling in you gracious gift of abundant life,

To the praise and glory of your name.

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the one
who can make whole the broken of this world.
We trust our prayers into your hands.
Amen.

THE 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.