Sunday 27 September 2020

The Church in Creation: Water is Life Collect Lord of all the waters of oceans, rivers, aquifers and lakes, evaporation and rain Grant us humility before the resources of the world To respect their limits And to acknowledge our dependence on them. May the waters of the world remind us of the grace of life and the depth of your love Through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen 1st Reading: Phil 2:1-13 LISTEN TO THE GOOD NEWS PROCLAIMED IN THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO Matthew 21:23-32 Prayer for Young People Creator of the unborn, the conceived, the birthed, the baby and child, the teenager and young adult, the middle aged, the elder – we thank you that in all stages of human existence, you provide life, your life-giving Spirit. Even as the waters ebb and flow, so does our lives. Please bless, protect and guide all through our life-cycles, and teach us that following you is life-giving, for your love is sustaining and your presence comforting; for with you none of us is ever lonely. We pray in and through the name of our Saviour and Lord, even Jesus Christ. Amen. PRAYER AT THE TIME OF COVID-19 AUTHOR OF LIFE, HEALER OF THE NATIONS; GRANT US COURAGE TO FACE OUR TRIAL, GIVE US WISDOM TO FIND RELIEF, GIVE US FAITH TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND GRANT US YOUR SALVATION FOR JESUS CHRIST’S SAKE. AMEN Commission & Benediction As you go into the wilderness of the land and of your heart – May you experience the ever-flowing grace of God’s presence! May you be immersed so fully in God’s love that you learn to let go and swim! May you engage deeply and radically with the natural world, as steward, co-creator, and friend! May you drink anew from the divine source, the stream of living water! And may you be transformed, may the stagnant waters of your spirit begin to flow, and may all which is dead in you rise again! God is here. The river awaits. Through the blessing of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, may you go forth with joy to care for creation. Amen. We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.