Morning Prayer Friday, 9 October 2020

Good morning on this fresh autumn day!
We can be thankful for the refreshment of night, the soft October light,
the crisp chill of early day and the excitement of a busy Friday just beginning.

Give thanks to the Lord for she is good and her mercy endures forever.
Her unfailing love reaches to the heavens, faithfulness to the skies, righteousness like the lofty mountains, justice like the great deep.
Lord who saves man and beast, how precious is your unfailing love!
Powerful and frail mortals alike seek refuge in the shadow of your wings.
We are filled with the rich plenty of your house and we drink from the stream of your delights;
for with you is the fountain of life and in thy light we see light.
Give thanks!

Over the past six months we have all had to learn new ways of living and doing.
Each new government mantra adjusts our behaviour.
There is no routine we can adopt, no habit to maintain, to give us security or release from continuous caution.

From the shadow of your protective wings we pray for strength in a time of turmoil.
Bring peace of mind to those facing life-altering challenge.
Bring courage to the people who keep us fed, connected, provided and safe.
Bring relief to people in pain and hope to people whose gaze is always cast downward.
May we all step out today in the security of your loving light.

Amen

Our Cornerstone Congregation has always been a fellowship of service: the church always open to anyone in need.
Being in the middle of a city with plenty of people coming in, it was easy to stay inside and wait for them.
While we have found new ways of worship, prayer and fellowship, we are still seeking how to serve.

Lord, bless our comings and goings today with hands open to service and hearts open to the needs we see around us.
Help us be generous with our talents and share willingly the stream of your delights.
Help us carry you into everything we do today.

Amen

On my regular bike ride I’ve sometimes strayed into Campbell Park (it’s uphill all the way home!) and marvelled at the speed of building.
There are over 100 boats in the already full marina and close on 500 homes completed and occupied.
Campbell Park and its residents are Cornerstone people! How are we going to make them feel welcome?
We can’t sit and wait for them to appear at the door. New people in a new place making a new start. How can we be new for them?

We pray that we may become a people of innovation,
creators of places for making connection wherever and however opportunity may arrive.
Give us a thirst for learning, spark our imagination into creative flame,
help us understand and embrace new ways to explore our relationship with you and with each other.

Amen

It’s time to get moving and wake up the day to its possibilities.

God Bless us All!

Cheryl Montgomery