Act of Worship: The Second Sunday before Lent, 7th February 2021

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.

‘Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great.

You are clothed with honour and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.’ (Psalm 104:1,2a, 33-34)

Hymn: All creatures of our God and King...

Proverbs 8:1, 22-31

Human sin disfigures the whole creation, which groans with eager longing for God’s redemption. Let us confess our sins 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, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever. Amen.

John 1:1-14

Please see the Message from the Minister.

Bless the Lord, my Soul, and bless his holy name...

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, as we endeavour ‘to till and to keep’ the garden of God.
We pray for our planet, that lessons will be learned so that the Earth and all of its creatures will thrive, and that its peoples will work together in peace.
We pray for our friends, families and neighbours - that relationships will thrive and community spirit will grow;

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 Betty Emery, Renata Nunn, Joan Morrison 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: Lord of beauty, thine the splendour...

May God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the source of all goodness and growth, pour his blessing upon all things created, and upon us his children; 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.