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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 16)

L: Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
P: I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
L: The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
P: I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
L: You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
 

Invocation

The grace of eternal God, the holy and living One, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray. Lord God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that, always keeping in mind the end of all things and the day of judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of life here and may live with you forever in the world to come, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Prayer of Intercession

In communion with all the saints, let us pray to God who is our eternal home.

Almighty God, keep your church expectant and ready for that day when you will bring to completion your plan for earth and heaven, making all things new. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Lord of the nations, violence and war threaten to devour the well-being of your people throughout the world. Come to the assistance of all who seek to bring an end to fighting and unrest. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of the lowly, draw near to all who are imprisoned in body or mind. Restore them to wholeness, and bring to health all who struggle with sickness (especially). Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of grace, help the worship of this congregation to provide nourishment to all, that we might serve you together in the confession of our faith without wavering. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Holy God, give us joy as we remember the loved ones who are now at rest in your blessed peace (especially). Bring us one day to be reunited with them in your new Jerusalem. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Your reign, O God, endures forever, and in Christ we are free to be your saints and servants. Hear our prayers for the sake of him who died and rose again, and lives with you in the company of all your saints in light.

Amen

 

A Prayer for Confidence in the Future:

Almighty God; we celebrate with Elkanah and Hannah God's answer to their prayer, the gift of pregnancy. We celebrate with the writer of Hebrews, the assurance that we can have confidence in Christ and what he has done for us. And we celebrate with all the followers of Jesus that we need fear nothing when we put our hope in you alone.

God of our future hear our prayer. Bless us on our life journeys that young and old alike may live with confidence in Christ Jesus our Lord, knowing that baptised into Christ's death we shall live with him in newness of life. Quell our anxieties, whatever the fearful signs. Calm our fears. Give us focus. Help us live fully in the hope handed down to us from our ancestors. God of our future, God of our hope, hear our prayer. Amen.

 

         Canticle of Hope:

L: We shall see a new heaven and earth,
for the old will pass away.

P: We shall see a new Jerusalem,
the holy city descending from heaven

L: The city shall need no sun or moon,
for God's glory will be its light.

P: for God's Lamb will be its lamp,
and by its light the nations shall walk

L: We shall hear aloud voice from the throne:

P: "Behold, God's dwelling is with mortals.
Indeed, God will dwell with them
and they will be God's people."

L: God shall wipe away all our tears,
and there shall be no more death.

P: Mourning, crying, and pain shall cease,
all former things will pass away.

L: We shall hear One speak from the throne:

P: "Behold, I make all things new.
I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end."

L: Our Lord testifies to these things:

P: "Behold, I am coming soon."

L: the grace of the Lord is with us.

P: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Come!

 

Prayer for Boldness

"Heavenly Father, we approach you now in the name of
Jesus. We stand on the truth of your Word as with boldness we enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.  Gracious Father, we come before your throne with petitions and intercessions for ourselves and for a world filled with despair.

Father, in the name of Jesus, you empower us to be of good courage. We pray that you grant us boldness to share your good news in freedom and with enthusiasm to the glorification of your name through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

Closing Prayer:

May God empower us to follow in the footsteps of our Lord, who holds the bright light of eternal truth.  May we go forth filled in the Spirit of compassion and love. May we be messengers of hope and divine promise for those around us who live in darkness and despair.  Amen.