Readings: |
Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 |
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Hymns: |
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Breathe on me breath of God (Edwin Hatch) R&S 295 Psalm 130:
Out of our failure to create (Fred Kaan) R&S 88 John 11:1-45: (verse 25)
Jesus the Lord says, I am the bread (Anon, Urdu) R&S 199 Romans 8:6-11: You have become for us wisdom (Mark Altrogge) SoF 1135 |
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Opening Sentences:
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(after Psalm 130)
As we gather for worship, with burdons of guilt, He will forgive us.
As we gather for worship, drained by our labours, He will refresh us.
As we gather for worship, longing for wholeness, He will grant us peace.
As we gather for worship, bursting with thankfulness, He will inhabit our praise. |
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Prayers as we
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(after Psalm 130)
I wait for the Lord Excitedly we come into God's presence. We have so much to talk about - so much to give thanks for. We have been blessed with fabulous weather this week, the sun has shone and our spirits have revived! We have been surrounded by the love and care of those close to us, and we have continued to live and move and grow in the company of God's people here in this church and across the town. Thanks be to God for his gifts beyond words!
I wait for the Lord Humbly we come into God's presence. We have so much to talk about. We are made in God's image, yet how often we spoil things. So many chances to do something beautiful, something life-enhancing, we let slip through our fingers; the choices we make are so often on the side of our own convenience or our own advantage. Yet experience has shown us that our God is a forgiving God, like a loving Father, like a mother hen gathering her chicks beneath her wings. Experience has shown us that God offers us a new start, a clean page, Thanks be to God for his gifts beyond words!
I wait for the Lord Expectantly we come into God's presence. We have so much to talk about. The future stretches out before us. God calls us to face it with hope in our hearts. Many things await us - joy and pain, laughter and tears - but through all of it God beckons us onwards to find fulness of life in the steps of his Son. Thanks be to God for his gifts beyond words! |
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Intercession: |
(after Ezekiel 37:1-14)
L: Spirit of God, breathe into our lives, where the bones are dry We bring ourselves to you, laying ourselves open to your Spirit. You know each one of us inside out: what we have done; what we are; our failures And our feelings; our blind spots and our talents. Let us in silence pray - come, Holy Spirit, breathe forgiveness on us, correct us, strengthen us, use us In your love. (Silence)
L: Spirit of God, breathe into our lives, where the bones are dry We bring to you those in need of our prayers: the sick... the bereaved ... the anxious... Come, Holy Spirit to those in distress, to those afraid; bring comfort, bring peace. Come to us, when we seek to help, guide our words and the ways in which we care. (Silence)
L: Spirit of God, breathe into our lives, where the bones are dry We bring to you the needs of our society which seeks new values and a sense of purpose In an unstable and changing world. Come, Holy Spirit, bring neighbourliness into our communities, bring hope to our young people, bring harmony where there is discord. (Silence)
L: Spirit of God, breathe into our lives, where the bones are dry Your Holy Spirit has breathed into us and given us a message for the whole earth: a message of hope, of love and forgiveness, of joy and salvation, of peace. Come, Holy Spirit, fill us up with your love, bind us to God, bind us together, make each one of us complete in you.
L: Spirit of God, breathe into our lives, where the bones are dry
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Blessing |
As we leave feeling free of our burdens, Let us serve the Lord HE HAS FORGIVEN US
As we leave feeling renewed through worship
As we leave feeling whole, wanted, loved,
As we leave, bursting with thankfulness,
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