Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Watch or 8:20

Our prayer today includes the words of Colossians 1:15-20 about Christ’s Reign. During it we will sing the response, Kingdom of God.

Let us pray.
Christ our brother, our friend,
our shepherd, our King,
we praise and worship you
in justice, peace and joy.

The kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom

You are the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation;
for in you all things
in heaven and on earth
were created,
things visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or powers—
all things have been created
through you and for you.

The kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom

You yourself are before all things,
and in you all things hold together.
You are the head of the body,
the church;
you are the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that you might come
to have first place in everything.

The kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom

Clare: For in you all the fullness of God
was pleased to dwell,
and through you God was pleased
to reconcile to themself all things,
whether on earth or in heaven,
by making peace
through the blood of your cross. 

The kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom

Silent Confession

Know the peace that comes
through Christ’s word to us all:
Our sin is forgiven.
Thanks be to God.

Ian Ferguson with Clare Keogh, offered for worship 20/11/22, Reign of Christ C

SONG: The Kingdom of God © 2001 Taize Community, Ateliers et Presses de Taize
from More Voices (146) United Church of Canada, Woodlake Publishing Inc.

Prayers of the people

Watch or 51:35

Let us pray…

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you (Jn 14:27).
Jesus we bring these prayers to you in a world filled with violence;
The threat of violence,
And the legacy of violence.
And yet in your life and death you have forged another way.

We have been slow to learn these lessons.
The lessons of nonviolence,
Peace,
Justice,
Reconciliation.
We have confused your kingdom with the kingdoms of this world.
We confess our own loyalties,
Split by the competing demands,
Have been drawn away from you.
Help us to follow your way of peace.

We pray today for those suffering in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine,
We pray for the many without electricity or heating,
As the winter begins to be felt,
We pray for an end to the needless violence,
An end to this unnecessary war.

We bring before you those who are homeless,
Those who are vulnerable,
Those who have sought refuge and hospitality in this place,
Through Olive Way and the many other ways that this church reaches out to the community.
May they find welcome, and rest for their souls.

We pray too for those in Myanmar
Suffering under the crushing brutality of a military dictatorship.
We long to see a free and democratic government restored to that country.
For those who have opposed the government,
We pray that there will be mercy
And a peaceful transition one more
to a peaceful democratic society built upon the rule of law.

We remember your words:
Peace I leave with you;
             my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled,
           and do not let them be afraid.

We anticipate your peace,
Not the brittle peace that arrives at the end of conflict
But a lasting peace built on justice,
And reconciliation.

In the name of Christ,
Amen.

Peter Blair, Olive Way Pastor, offered for worship 20/11/2022, Reign of Christ C