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God of growth and discovery, yours is the inspiration that has altered and changed our lives;  yours is the power that has brought us to new dangers and opportunities.   Set us, your new creation, to walk through this new world, watching and learning,  loving and trusting, until your kingdom comes. Amen

Prayer

God of growth and discovery,

yours is the inspiration that has altered and changed our lives;

yours is the power that has brought us to new dangers and opportunities. 

Set us, your new creation, to walk through this new world, watching and learning,

loving and trusting, until your kingdom comes. Amen

(Pilgrim Prayer, 200)

 

♪          Nothing is lost

 

           

Responsive Psalm 63

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,
    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
    beholding your power and glory.

 

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
    I will lift up my hands and call on your name
.

 

My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
    and my mouth praises you with joyful lips

when I think of you on my bed,
    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

 

for you have been my help,
    and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.

My soul clings to you;
    your right hand upholds me.

 

But those who seek to destroy my life
    shall go down into the depths of the earth;

they shall be given over to the power of the sword,
    they shall be prey for jackals.

 

But the king shall rejoice in God;
    
all who swear by him shall exult,
    for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

 

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3: 6 – 13

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

 

Reflection Question: We are all familiar with the saying – absence makes the heart grows fonder. As you think of family, friends and others in your faith community, how has the pandemic restrictions led to an ‘increase and abound in love for one another and for all?

 

 

Prayer of Intercession

 

Holy God, Extraordinary-Love-in Completeness,

show us how to bear your ardent devotion, your almighty passion, so as to embrace the power of your Love.

 

Holy God, Extraordinary-Love-in Completeness,

show us how to be transformed and to transform joyously.

 

 

 

Holy God, Love-in-action,

show us how to respond to your compassion, your endless energy so as to be vitally alive in your Love.

 

Holy God, Love-in-action,

show us how to be enlightened and to enlighten joyously.

 

Holy God, Love-in-fullness,

show us how to receive your great generosity, your gifting so as to be grateful and aware.

 

Holy God, Love-in-fullness,

show us how to be endowed and to endow joyously.

 

Holy God, Love-in-our-evolving,

show us how to evolve in holiness through your dynamic purity so as to be unafraid of your continuing salvation.  

 

Holy God, Love-in-our-evolving,

show us how to be receptive to holiness, and to be holy joyously.

 

Holy God, Love beyond words; Love beyond concept,

give us courage to embrace the vital signs of your extraordinary Love.

This we pray through the name we most adore.

(Pilgrim Prayer, adapted, 200)

 

Our hope is affirmed as we pray together, each in our own language:

 

Our Father…

 

Benediction

 

Go in peace as those who tread a common way with the Christ;

and may each stone on the road be firm under your feet as God who is our rock,

the winds of the earth wrap you round with the breath of the Spirit.

Amen.

(Pilgrim Prayer, 200)