Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Watch or go to 8:49 

God, Covenant maker
After the great flood you set your bow in the clouds
as a sign of the covenant between you and the earth.
When we see the bow after the storms have passed
We are reminded that we are not alone
That you hold us in your steadfast love

Do not worry I am with you.
Do not fear you’re not alone.
Like a best friend I am holding you
I am here you’re not alone.

Jesus, Beloved Son
After your baptism you were tempted in the wilderness
a time for discernment, waited on by angels.
When we find ourselves in the wilderness
You send us angels to remind us that we are not alone
That you hold us in your steadfast love

Do not worry I am with you.
Do not fear you’re not alone.
Like a best friend I am holding you
I am here you’re not alone.

Holy Spirit, descending dove
Your voice, your breath, your fire is ever present
calling us home and sending us out.
When we encounter wonder and beauty
we feel your presence in our lives and know
That you hold us in your steadfast love.

Do not worry I am with you.
Do not fear you’re not alone.
Like a best friend I am holding you
I am here you’re not alone.

Faithful God, Covenant Maker, Beloved Son, Holy Spirit
We breathe and we sigh, we pour out our confessions
into your steadfast loving heart knowing that you hold us.

We confess that we are weary and yet glad
weary of the impact of the pandemic on our lives
and glad of this community, glad of each other.

We confess that we are saddened and yet hopeful
saddened by the ever widening gap between rich and poor
and full of hope as we join with others to work for justice and peace.

We confess that we are despairing and yet determined
despairing of the rampant destruction of this earth, our home
and determined to stand up and be heard, to be voices for change.  Amen

Do not worry God is with you.
Do not fear you’re not alone
Like a best friend God is holding you
You are held and not alone.

Great is God’s faithfulness
Pardon for sin and a peace that’s enduring
These are the blessings God’s love will provide.
Held in this love we can be confident
that in the name of Jesus, the Beloved One
our sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.  Amen

Saide Cameron, offered for worship 21/02/21, Lent 1B

Prayers of the people

Watch or go to 49:42

As I lead us in or prayers of the people, I’d like to invite you to focus on our rainbow table or to pause and conjure up an image of a rainbow in your mind.
See its colours, separate, side by side, together … see its shape, and let us pray.

God of the covenant,
We pray for our rainbow world
for the red earth that First Nations people share with us
and the orange glow of a fire that gives warmth, a place to cook and invites community.
We pray that the yellow sun that lights up the day may power our lives,
and the green grass and the leaves in the trees may sustain life.
We pray for the health of the blue oceans that are home to so many creatures,
for the deep midnight blue of indigo that we see in a night sky when it is free from pollution,
and the violet of flowers whose beauty bring us joy.
Let us celebrate the colour that is all around us,
and the richness that difference offers,
let us hear each other’s stories,
let us live with respect for the planet and all who dwell on it.

We see the colours of the rainbow as they sit alongside each other,
each benefiting from the presence of the other,
each colour appearing to be a little different when seen with another,
red a little more orange, green a little more lime,
one colour not dominating the other, but influencing our perception of it.
Let us be open to be changed, to be influenced by those we are alongside.
May we look for the context, and listen,
seeking out conversations rather than living in silos.

We see these rainbow colours together,
combining to create a rich tapestry of diversity
and a beauty that is only realised when we can see all the colours.
Let us live God’s promise and create a rainbow community,
one which includes everyone,
with systems and organisations that remove discrimination,
recognising that together, we can do so much more than when we are apart,
that justice and peace for everyone is the only way for any of us to live in harmony with each other, and the planet.

Steadfast loving God,
we offer these prayers in the name of Christ, Amen.

Kirsty Bennett, offered for worship 21/02/21, Lent 1B