Author: Robin.Kyd

Gracious God, you listen attentively to the cry of holocaust
yet also encourage us to sing the song of hope.
With sorrow we remember before you the tangled tale of our bonds with the Jewish people.
We repent of the centuries of hostility and hatred.
May we continue to foster a new spirit of mutual understanding, building deeper relationships
which honour the heritage of faith that we hold in common,
so that together we may bear witness to the generosity of God’s compassion and steadfast love,
which seeks to bring heaven in ordinary here on earth.
Amen

God of Unity, forgive us when we are self-serving and help us to grow in unity
and understanding as we extend your love and justice to all.
Expand our vision that it may be wide enough to recognise the beautiful complexity of the tapestry
you chose to weave with each and every one of us.
Gather our frayed edges, our loose ends and bind us together for your glory, in Jesus’ name.
Amen

God of grace, through the mediation of your Son, you call us into a new covenant.
Help us therefore to draw near with faith and join ourselves in a perpetual covenant with you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Loving God and Creator of all, you have given us your only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon himself, and revealed him to us at his baptism in the River Jordan,
grant that we, who have been born again of water and the Holy Spirit,
and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit,
so that we may serve you and your church here and in the hereafter.
Amen

When life is hard, it’s time to trust God.
When life is full of joy and fun, it’s time to thank God.
When God seems far away, it’s time to look for God.
When God is close, it’s time to sing to God.
In all our lives it’s time to praise God.
Amen

Loving and Living God, you brighten our lives by this yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ. Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence see and receive him when he comes to complete the work of redemption for we know he lives and
reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen

We praise you, eternal God, for the voices you give us, for the roles you entrust to us,
for the company you surround us with – angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph,
friends and family, our communities, and our brothers and sisters around the world.
All creation has a share in your redeeming purposes and a place in your heart.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Amen

Christ our Saviour, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you:
grant that we, who follow you today as modern disciples may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight and inherit the Kingdom with you.
Amen