Act of Worship: The Beheading of John the Baptist - 29th August 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.

‘The Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.’’

(Psalm 11: 7)

Hymn: Purify my heart, let me be as gold and precious silver...

Jeremiah 1: 4-10

Since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin which clings so closely, looking to Jesus in penitence and faith.

Let us confess our sins: 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, who called your servant John the Baptist to be the forerunner of your Son in birth and death: strengthen us by your grace that, as he suffered for the truth, so we may boldly resist corruption and vice and receive with him the unfading crown of glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Matthew 14: 1-12

Please see the message from the minister.

Let us pray:

We pray for St Peter’s Church and the Church throughout the world: for the strength and courage to share God’s love;

We pray for the world: for reconciliation where there is conflict, for justice and peace;

We pray for our communities, families and friends: for relationships to flourish;

We pray for all who are sick or suffering: for healing in mind, body and spirit;

We pray for people who have been bereaved: for comfort in their grief.

Let us pray the prayer that Jesus 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.

Hymn: Beauty for brokenness, hope for despair...

May Christ, who makes saints of sinners, raise and strengthen us that we may transform the world, and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and and be with us always. Amen.

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