A Second Morning Liturgy

In the beginning before time, before people, before the world began, God was.

Here and now, among us, beside us, clearer than air, closer that breathing, God is.

In the future, when we have turned to dust, and all that is known has been completed, God will be.

Not despairing of earth, but delighting in it, not condemning the world, but redeeming it through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God was, God is, and God will be.

Let us pray.

Eternal God, you do not need our praise.

The world itself tells of your glory .....

sunrise and birdsong, the ruggedness of landscape, the randomness of rain, beauty for the eye, nourishment for the body, music for the soul

..... these all speak of your goodness these honour your name.

You do not need our praise, but we need to praise you.

It is the yearning, the restlessness which you have planted in us.

It is our desire for a true home and unconditional acceptance that brings us here.

All the rumours we have heard about you are true: you love, you forgive, you transform.

And you know us .....

you know us better than we know ourselves. You perceive what in us needs to be loved, what in us needs to be forgiven, and what in us needs to be changed.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Silence is kept.

These are Jesus' words:

'I have come that you may have life in all its fullness.'

'Go in peace; your sins are forgiven: Come and follow me.'

Silence is kept.

Now God, help us to live as a forgiven people - visibly different, gloriously free, for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

Before the first reading

God of glory, you nourish us with your word, which is the bread of life.

Readings

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour taught us

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

May God give you his comfort and his peace, his light and his joy, in this world and the next;

and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

After the readings

In this is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

Address and Reflection

A short address may be given.

The address may be followed by a time of reflection, either in silence or with music playing.

This collect or the collect for the day is used

Creator God, you made us all in your image: may we discern you in all that we see, and serve you in all that we do; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The following response may be used

Collect

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

And at the end

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour taught us

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

May God give you his comfort and his peace, his light and his joy,

in this world and the next; and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishop's Council 2000 A Wee Worship Book - Fifth Incarnation: © 2015 Wild Goose Resource Group