God is passionate life …

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Sung response
Lord, to whom shall we go?
Yours are the words of eternal life.

Jesus said to his followers,
“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.”

This teaching is hard, scandalous – even in the symbolic terms, which are obviously intended, it is disturbing. Because of it, many of Jesus’ disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus said to his closest followers, “Do you also wish to go away?” Peter responds, and his insight for us today is that Christ is the nourishment that we need for life. Christ’s word, his teaching, his presence with us in scripture and sacrament and community is the lifegiving food we feed on by faith.

Jesus says, Do you also wish to go away?

In the words of Peter, let us pray our response:
Lord, to whom shall we go?
Yours are the words of eternal life.

Jesus we open our hearts in love for you.
We open our hearts in praise of the one
who sent you to reconcile our dividedness
and heal our brokenness.
We open our hearts in joy at the Spirit of your life among us.
Feed our faith with your life.

Lord, to whom shall we go?
Yours are the words of eternal life.

O Jesus, you speak life and love to our hearts.
But we confess that the struggles of living
in this time and place cause our love to falter.
We stumble on your way of peace.
Forgive our failings.
By your grace, call us and send us again.
Love us until we grow fully into your body.
Feed our faith with your life.

Lord, to whom shall we go?
Yours are the words of eternal life.

O Jesus, help us to be
God’s people of eternal life,
abiding in you.
Help us to live the peace,
to sing the joy,
to share the love,
to work the justice,
to weep the compassion,
to pour out the praise,
of your coming reign here and now.
Feed our faith with your life.

Lord, to whom shall we go?
Yours are the words of eternal life.

Let us all pray in Jesus’ words:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

Jesus said:
The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Hear his word of life: Your sin is forgiven.
Thanks be to God.

Ian Ferguson, offered for worship 26/8/18, Pentecost 14B

Prayers of the people

Eternal God, we pray for our world.
For those who live in countries or regions that are at war, under the threat of war, or under occupation.
For refugees and for those whose lives are in danger because of their faith, ethnicity, sexuality or gender.
For those who work with displaced people all over the world, to bring them security, food and healthcare.
For leaders and politicians, that they may bring about positive change.
For all those who work for justice throughout the world.

We pray that we will all stand firm as we wait and work for peace to come.
Stand O Stand Firm, and see what the Lord can do.

Eternal God, we pray for our church.
For congregations who struggle to work together, or even to exist.
For people who have been wounded by the church, and do not know where they belong.
For all those who work within the church to bring healing and wholeness.
For peaceful dialogue between all people of faith.
For our own congregation here at Brunswick.

We pray that we all will stand firm as we seek to discern your will and follow you together.
Stand O Stand Firm, and see what the Lord can do.

Eternal God, we pray for our community and those most dear to us.
For those who are sick or unwell.
For those who grieve.
For those who are lonely or in difficult relationships.
For those who are struggling to make ends meet.
For those who are in need of your comfort and healing.

We pray that we all will stand firm in the knowledge that we are loved and heard by you.
Stand O Stand Firm, and see what the Lord can do.

Natalie Sims, offered for worship 26/8/18, Pentecost 14B