Return

We did not receive a spirit that makes us slaves to fear
We received the Spirit of adoption
Your Spirit, O God, testifies with ours that we are your children:
By your Spirit we cry “Abba! Father”
Your Spirit hovered over the unformed creation, and overshadowed Mary as the Christ was enwombed, and now your Holy Spirit flares up among us assuring that we are your children, intimating at our core your delight in us,
Our God In heaven, father and mother to us:
Hallowed be your name!

In our world’s global community, in our world’s living systems;
Living God:
glorify your name.
In your church as we proclaim your new life in thought and word and deed;
Living God:
glorify your name.
Among all whose lives our lives touch, friends, colleagues and families;
Living God:
glorify your name.
In this world of sin and death, and yet of blessings and common grace;
Living God:
glorify your name.

In our laughter, and tears, in our fear and our hope;
Living God:
Change the world for good.

       Concerns for the life of the world may be voiced

 We will hear the scriptures together
Come Holy Spirit; fire up our imaginations for good

As we hear the scripture, change our hearts, correct our course and draw us into your counsel.
Ready us for service and steady us in wisdom

          One of these scriptures is read

1 Corinthians 13.4-5 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

1 Corinthians 13.6-7 [ Love ] does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Matthew 7:1-3 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?

Matthew 7:1-3 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?

          Time for reflection

We confess with sorrow that we have collaborated with the fallen powers of this world knowingly or unwittingly deliberately or from fearful weakness. We have held others in the tomb of our unforgiveness. …
We are mortified.
We repent in dust and ashes.
We turn afresh to the way of Christ,
the way of the cross
the way of life-giving wisdom.
Heal us and we shall be healed.
Save us and we shall be saved.
 When he saw their faith, Jesus said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” [Luke 5:20]

Jesus comes to us and says,
‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’
He breathes on us and says; ‘Receive the Holy Spirit….’
Pause to reflect on Christ’s presence and call before we return to the rest of our lives.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God
Who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.