Act of Worship: The First Sunday of Advent 29th November 2020

Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. (Psalm 80:3)

Hymn: Thou, whose Almighty Word chaos and darkness heard...

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

‘O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.

We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. From ages past no one has heard,

no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways.’ (Isaiah 64:8,6, 4-5a)

We ask you to meet us as we bow before you and make our confession in penitence and faith:

Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the day: Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Mark 13:24-37

Please see the message from the minister.

Let us join in prayer, asking for the light of the Lord to be known to everyone as we live day by day:

We pray for St Peter’s Church and the Church throughout the world, that people will be drawn together by the love of our Lord, even when physically apart, and that this season leading up to Christmas will be a special time for all.

We pray for our planet, that lessons will be learned so that the Earth and all of its creatures will thrive, and that all people will work together in peace.

We pray for our friends, families and neighbours - may we all share the love of Christ and build relationships.

We pray for people who are sick or suffering, especially for those affected directly or indirectly by the pandemic, and for those on our hearts and minds today, that they will know our Lord’s healing presence.

We pray for the departed, remembering Paul Stirland, Doris Mowl, Dorothy Swindells, Tim Jefferson and all who mourn.

Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus taught Peter and all of 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.

Hymn: Ye holy angels bright, who wait at God’s right hand...

May Christ the Son of God perfect in us the image of his glory and gladden our hearts with the good news of his kingdom: and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and remain with us always.

Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.