Compassionate God, open our hearts
that we may feel the breath and play of your spirit,
unclench our hearts
that we may reach out to one another in openness and generosity,
free our lips
that we may speak for those whose voices are not heard,
unlock our ears
to hear the cries of the broken-hearted,
and open our eyes
to see Christ in friend and stranger,
that in sharing our love and our pain, our poverty and our prosperity,
we may move towards that peace and justice
which comes from you and so be bearers of divine reconciliation. Amen.
(Source: South Australian Council of Churches e-news, August2016)
So fill us with your love
that it might cascade
into the ordinariness
of our working lives,
and others experience
the warmth of its flow,
spreading from hearts
and words and deeds;
an unbroken stream
bringing refreshment
to all that it touches.
(Source: John Birch)
God of love,
I pray for the peace of Christ:
in the face of fear, to trust,
in the face of violence, to be gentle,
in the face of sorrow to be healing,
in all things to offer blessing.
Christ, grant me your peace:
with those who are rejected – to stand in unity,
for those who are afraid – to offer my hand,
beside the outcast – to sojourn in longing,
to those who are cursed – to offer blessing.
Spirit of compassion,
be the grace and strength in me
to risk for the sake of justice,
to suffer for the sake of healing,
to give of myself for the sake of love,
to offer blessing, to offer blessing. Amen
(Source: Steve Garnaas-Holmes)
Receive us, Holy One. Hold us in the mystery of your one love. Your compassion flows through us to all living beings, with whom we share one life. We give thanks. Amen. (source: Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding Light)
Loving God, you have made us in your image and we yearn for the healing of all your people. Fill our hearts with the fire of your love and our minds with the thirst for justice.
Embolden us to speak out against oppression, empower us to work for the coming of your reign of peace and justice, and enrich us with your life-giving Spirit so that all creation may feel your touch and be healed.
We ask this in the name of Christ. Amen
For ourselves, for those named or remembered, and in solidarity with those
who have not the freedom to express their concern or celebration
for fear of discrimination or condemnation…we offer our prayers….
In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful
of the presentness of the sacred among us,
and to see the new possibilities of the now……
God of peace, You break the cycle of wars, so we can be enriched by your peace;
Liberating God, you shatter the grip of violence, so we may be freed from our fears;
God of love, you plant your words deep within us, carving on our hearts: ‘you are mine.’
God of grace, You give us the Word we need, so we might live in your grace,
God of creation, grant us courage, wisdom and compassion to take our part in your work in the world. Amen.
(Source: Thom Shuman, adapted)
(A prayer to gather the spoken and silent concerns/joys/thanks expressed by the congregation by Jeff Shrowder)
By your Holy Spirit, O God, warm the lives of those we name on our lips and in the silence of our hearts; celebrate with those open to your abundance; bring comfort to those among us and around us who are hurting, and encouragement to those for whom the light of life
shines less brightly. We pray in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray…. (Lord’s Prayer)
Music
May We Cast the Vision
Tune: King’s Weston, Ralph Vaughn Williams
(Hymn tune: at the name of Jesus)
Are we not still dreaming
of a world of peace,
where all live in freedom
and all hatred’s ceased?
Are we not still hoping
for a fair new day,
one for which all suffering
long before did fade?
Have we not the knowledge
that can feed each child,
shelter ev’ry family,
nations reconcile?
Have we not the wisdom
to look back and see
all that’s come between us
throughout history?
Can we not be faithful
to the call of love;
all it builds between us,
is that not enough?
Can we not find reasons
to reach out and share –
all we own, together –
all because we care?
On this day, we’re dreaming
of a world made bright,
freed from all its sorrows,
living into light.
May we feel the courage
stirring deep within.
May we cast the vision
and this work begin.
(Source: words by Gretta Vosper 2017; tune: At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow)
We Are Light
Tune: Let Us Break Bread, traditional African spiritual
Traditional Hymn: Let Us Break Bread Together
When we all stand together, we are light.
When we all stand together, we are light.
When we all reach out our hands, ev’ry woman and every man,
When we all stand together, we are light.
When we all strive for wisdom, we are light.
When we all strive for wisdom, we are light.
When we share the truths we know, all humanity then might grow
When we all strive together, we are light.
When we all march for freedom, we are light.
When we all march for freedom, we are light.
When we open wide our eyes, bear the truth that around us lies,
When we all march together, we are light.
When we love one another, we are light.
When we love one another, we are light.
When love wears our barriers through, you see me and I see you, too.
When we all love together, we are light.
When we dream of tomorrow, we are light.
When we dream of tomorrow, we are light.
‘Til we wake and all is true, we have much more that we must do.
When we all dream together, we are light.
(Source: Gretta Vosper 2017)
