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.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

Hymn: On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry...

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

‘A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.’’ (Isaiah 40:3-5a)

Let us confess our sins as we make our paths straight:

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: God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

John 1: 6-8, 19-28

Please see the message from the minister.

‘For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.’ (Isaiah 61:11)

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 Doris Mowl, Tim Jefferson, Ronald Lewis, Pat Slaney 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: Thou, whose Almighty Word...

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.