Family

‘I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

All: ‘How good it is to sing praises to our God
how pleasant and fitting to praise him!’

As your family we gather here today
Not because we have to, but because we want to.
We are here to offer you our worship, our prayers
and our lives in service to you and to our neighbour.
We have as our example your Son
who chose not to rule but to serve
Who gave of himself and you a love so strong
that it flowed like a river from his hands and his heart

Your Son, who came that we might have life, and have it abundantly
All: Thanks be to God
Your Son, who came that we might know love, and knowing, might share
All: Thanks be to God
Your Son, who emptied himself of life and love, that we might be filled with both
All: Thanks be to God

'How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us'
ALL: That we should be called children of God'
1John 3:1

Father, we come here today conscious of our shortcomings
aware of the thoughts, actions and deeds
which have not reflected your love
All: Jesus, Lord of Love have mercy on us
Father, our lives are filled with comings and goings
so little time to be still, so little time for others
for giving instead of receiving
All: Jesus, Lord of Life have mercy on us

Father, in a world that needs to know your love forgive us those times when impatience, tiredness, selfishness or insensitivity have made it difficult
for others to see your love through our lives
All: Jesus, Servant of all have mercy on us

In a moment of silence we bring to our Heavenly Father the needs of our friends and families; the tensions, the harsh words spoken in haste, the good deed not done, the love not shown.
(Silence)
We also remember the needs of the Church family, both here and world-wide
(Silence)

All: God of family, God of Love, forgive us for those times when we have forgotten how much we are loved by you, and how important a part we play in your family. Forgive us when we take family for granted.

‘The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and loving towards all he has made.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth...
My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name, for ever and ever.’ Psalm 145

Together we say the words of The Lord’s Prayer
All: Our Father......

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Glorious Trinity
All: Blessed be our God for ever

May we know the love of the heavenly Father deep in our hearts
May we understand our significance in the centre of His family,
and the bonds that hold us so close as brother and sister
May we understand the lengths that He was prepared to go for all mankind
and freely respond in the Today which he has given for us to cherish.
All: Amen