Author: Robin.Kyd

Generous God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power.
You turned the ordinary into the extraordinary at a wedding in Cana
and so we come to you this morning,
ready for you to transform our ordinariness into something extraordinary.
Amen

God of all creation, the  fertile plains and wilderness belongs to you, and it is there you often call us to find you. From the wastelands of our lives, we seek you, as did those who sought John by the Jordan River. We now humbly bow our heads for cleansing and joyfully renew our baptismal vows acknowledging that Baptism is a gift from you through Jesus our Lord.
Amen

Lord Jesus, we gather at the start of a new year, we gather to worship you.
May you journey with us always, especially through the dark and uncomfortable places,
and into places filled with hope and new possibilities, into a place of light and love.
Amen

Lord God, you are light in our darkness. What a blessing you are!
You are purpose in our wandering. What a blessing you are!
You are revealed in the angel’s greeting. What a blessing you are!
You are known in the acceptance of Mary. What a blessing you are!
You are felt in the care of Joseph. What a blessing you are!
You are received in the following of the shepherds. What a blessing you are!
You are given in the gifts of the magi. What a blessing you are!
You, Lord God, are a blessing today.
Amen

To you, O God, we lift our hearts; how great you are.
You are our saviour; you are our power; you are our strength.
You are the giver of life-giving water to quench our spiritual thirst.
You are a bounteous one beyond our imagining.
You are the giver of gifts beyond compare.
To you, O God, we lift our heart, we raise our eyes, and we shout in adoration.
Amen

You, Loving God, are the God who gives peace.
In this second week of Advent, we pray that you will cause us to remember that because of Jesus
we can experience peace even within the turmoil and chaos of our world that passes understanding.
We are able to have the fullness of peace in our hearts,
because our Saviour and your Son sits at your right hand and makes intercession for us.
We are comforted by the knowledge that he paid our sin debt, and for this we give you our humble gratitude in his name.
Amen

God of promises, you sent your Son to be born among us by Mary and to take our human nature.
Grant that we, who have been born again in him and made your children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit.
Guide us through this time of Advent by the same Spirit
as we prepare to celebrate his birth and look forward to his return in glory.
Amen