Candle Lighting
In the presence of God, we light this flame, ancient symbol of life, passion and hope.
Kindle in us a flame of love for our neighbours, for our foes, for our friends, for our kindred, all.
From the humblest thing that lives to the One who is highest of all, kindle in our hearts within a flame of love.
The candle is lit.
Call to worship
In the beauty of this moment
All: We worship you
In the fellowship of your people
All: We worship you
In the presence of your Spirit
All: We worship you
In the company of all creation
All: We worship you
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Glorious Trinity
All: We worship you
As your family we gather here today
Not because we have to, but because we want to.
We are here to offer you our worship, our prayers
and our lives in service to you and to our neighbour.
We have as our example your Son who chose not to rule but to serve.
Your Son, who came that we might have life, and have it abundantly
All: Thanks be to God
Your Son, who came that we might know love, and knowing, might share
All: Thanks be to God
‘How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us’
ALL: That we should be called children of God’
1 John 3: 1
Poetry for the soul
You are the peace of all things calm
You are the place to hide from harm
You are the light that shines in dark
You are the heart’s eternal spark
You are the door that’s open wide
You are the guest who waits inside
You are the stranger at the door
You are the calling of the poor
You are my Lord and with me still
You are my love, keep me from ill
You are the light, the truth, the way
You are my Saviour this very day.
Catching up on Community
An opportunity to share our milestones, celebrate and remember together, and notices for events, news or other important announcements.
Listen to the scriptures
Micah 6:6-8
With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’
8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
An interview with Anne Overton
Communities feeding communities – a story, a vision, a journey.
Pausing for thought and creative reflections
What we do flows from who we are.
Are there values that jump out at you as essentially ‘st peter’s’ values? How would you describe them and where do you see them being lived out by the community as a whole? (not just one or two stand out individuals)
Are there other values that you would identify as foundationally important to the character of the church community and to guide our engagement with others?
How might we make those values manifest in our community and in our neighbourhood?
Prayers of the people
God of grace, we have known you in the warmth of the sun and the wildness of wind….we see the fresh green of spring growth and are soaked in spring showers… we pray for this our earth, waters and sky.
Teach us to honour, cherish and protect our planet so that we may learn to tread lightly and reverently upon the earth.
God of grace, we have known you in the warmth of a friend’s smile and the wild joy of first love… we see the bonds of family and community reaching out to offer care, understanding and support….we pray for those who are part of our web of life, family, church family, friends, co-workers, neighbours, walking partners and fellow enthusiasts of all kinds.
Teach us to recognise your face in all the faces we see so that we may learn to honour, cherish and protect all your children.
God of grace, we have known you in the dark of despair and the pain of suffering – in mind, body and spirit – for in the midst of this emptiness and agony we encounter the mystery of your presence as wounded healer.
We pray for all who are in distress, who are weary and heavily burdened.
Teach us true compassion without condescension or prejudice, so that we may learn to be humble of heart and generous of spirit.
God of grace, you have known us from before we were born and the stories of our lives find their meaning and fulfilment within your story of our lives.
Our hearts are as an open book to you, and so in a moment of silence, let us hear God’s invitation to offer to the open book of your heart to God’s loving embrace.
We offer these and all our prayers in the name of Christ our Lord,
Amen.
A psalm of praise
40 I patiently waited, Lord,
for you to hear my prayer.
You listened 2 and pulled me
from a lonely pit
full of mud and mire.
You let me stand on a rock
with my feet firm,
3 and you gave me a new song,
a song of praise to you.
Many will see this,
and they will honour
and trust
you, the Lord God.
4 You bless all of those
who trust you, Lord,
and refuse to worship idols
or follow false gods.
5 You, Lord God, have done
many wonderful things,
and you have planned
marvellous things for us.
No one is like you!
I would never be able to tell
all you have done.
6 Sacrifices and offerings
are not what please you;
gifts and payment for sin
are not what you demand.
But you made me willing
to listen and obey.
7 And so, I said, “I am here
to do what is written
about me in the book,
where it says,
8 ’I enjoy pleasing you.
Your Law is in my heart.’”
9 When your people worshiped,
you know I told them,
“Our Lord always helps!”
10 When all your people met,
I did not keep silent.
I said, “Our Lord is kind.
He is faithful and caring,
and he saves us.”
11 You, Lord, never fail
to have pity on me;
your love and faithfulness
always keep me secure.
12 I have more troubles
than I can count.
My sins are all around me,
and I can’t find my way.
My sins outnumber
the hairs on my head,
and I feel weak.
13 Please show that you care
and come to my rescue.
Hurry and help me!
14 Disappoint and confuse
all who want me dead;
turn away and disgrace
all who want to hurt me.
15 Embarrass and shame
all of those who say,
“Just look at you now!”
16 Our Lord, let your worshipers
rejoice and be glad.
They love you for saving them,
so let them always say,
“The Lord is wonderful!”
17 I am poor and needy,
but, Lord God,
you care about me,
and you come to my rescue.
Please hurry and help.
Blessing
With the love of God may we be warmed and welcomed
With the justice of Jesus may we be challenged and made whole
With the breath of the Spirit may we be filled with courage and life.
Go in peace to love and to serve in the name of Christ
Amen
