Reign

Seek while the Lord may be found,
call out while God is near;
let the wicked forsake their way,
and the unrighteous their thoughts.

Pause to acknowledge God’s presence.

Nothing in all creation, will be able to separate us from your love, O God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Blessed are you God
And hallowed and glorified and exalted for ever

Hallowed be your name Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit, +
As in the beginning so now and forever. Amen.

 The word that goes out from God’s mouth shall not return empty, it shall accomplish God’s purpose,
and succeed in what it is sent to do.

           One of the following Scriptures is read

Matthew 5.43-44 “You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Luke 11.42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others.

Luke 17.20b-21“The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!’ or “There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”

Matthew  28:18-20 Jesus came and said to them,  ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

      A time of reflection

God’s word is very near to us;
it is in our mouths and in our hearts for us to observe.

Concerned for God’s values to be embodied in our world, we now remember those in hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword.

      We recall before God and one another our concerns…

Send forth your Spirit:
And renew the face of the earth.

 Your kingdom come, your will be done:
Let us live by the word that comes from your mouth
seeking first your kingdom & righteousness, may all things needful be added to us.

      Prayers for needs may be voiced….
You open your hand

and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Send forth your Spirit:
And renew the face of the earth.

Forgive us that in various ways, big and small, we have grieved the Spirit as we have resisted being transformed into the likeness of Christ Jesus.
Gracious God, glorify your name,
We glory in your forgiveness.
Enfold our forgiving of others in your transfiguration of creation that we may continually participate in the transformation of the world.

Gracious God, glorify your name,
We glory in your forgiveness

Faithful One, be with us in the challenges to our faith and integrity: do not let us fall away from you…
      … we consider the coming hours…
Guide us O God:
by your light to live
  by your grace, forgive
to speak well to all
      to act on your call
in storm find your rest
          in others, seek their best
Your wisdom to know
                Christ’s presence to show
Father, may we be, in this world, the leaven
   And may your will be done on earth
                           as it is in heaven.