Melton Mowbray URC

Melton Mowbray URC Melton Mowbray United Reformed with Freeby Church are a member church within the URC fellowship. We

11/09/2026

Praise be to you, our God, for your steadfast love and mercy, poured out upon us…
beyond our deserving, beyond our imagining,
beyond our capacity to reciprocate to you or to those around us.

Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, in whose life and death
we see most clearly steadfast love and mercy…
reaching out to those we might avoid, embracing the untouchable
and feasting with those beyond the bounds of acceptance…

Praise be to you, O Holy Spirit, enabling us to inhale steadfast love and mercy
wherever hatred and revenge seek to suffocate us with their poison.
Without your aid we neither know ourselves forgiven or find ourselves able to forgive.

Praise be to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Yet though we praise you for your steadfast love and mercy
we also confess that we have not always embodied a willingness
to extend that same love and mercy to others.
When others have hurt us all too often we have resorted to revenge.
We have found refuge in resentment and bitterness,
drawn the attention of others to our wounds,
delighted in defaming those who have wronged us
and have allowed all of this to infect and consume us.
Cleanse the depths of our souls, we pray; expel resentment from us;
and enable us to know ourselves set free by forgiveness
and renewed in our willingness to forgive others.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Here are words we may trust – words that merit full acceptance:
God is a God of steadfast love and mercy.
Your sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God.

Grant that as we listen to words of scripture
and ponder their meaning for us
we may be both inspired and equipped
to be living embodiments of the Word. Amen.

God of Joseph, source of steadfast love and mercy,
we pray for all who, like Peter, have cause to ask,
‘How often should I forgive?’

We pray for all for whom retaliation and revenge feel justified:
the victims of the injustice of power …
those who live in war-torn territories …
the displaced and the desperate …
those abused and wrongly-treated by forces set against them.

God of Joseph: may your steadfast love and mercy inspire us.

We pray for the Church:
that we may more truly practise what we preach;
for all who have been hurt by the words and actions of those claiming
to be followers of Jesus…
for all who are wracked by the guilt of regret…
those haunted by memories of hurt they have caused others …
and those who are unable to believe and trust that they are forgiven.

God of Joseph: may your steadfast love and mercy inspire us.

We pray for any known to us who struggle with their 70 times table:
those who can pray the Lord’s Prayer yet find it hard to pray the words,
‘Forgive those who sin against us’ when particular people and particular hurts
continue to hold them captive…
for those whose health is impaired by bitterness and resentment …
those whose relationships continue to affected by past hurts …

God of Joseph: may your steadfast love and mercy inspire us.

Enable us, God of Joseph, to offer the bread of kindness,
even to those we see as our enemies
and make us willing to see your goodness
even in the most challenging of circumstances.
We offer these prayers in the name of the One through whom
we know your loving acceptance of us, Christ Jesus. Amen.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.
Psalm 103: 8-11

04/09/2026

Before the ages, O Most High
You made all that is, seen and unseen,
through Christ who danced and played at Creation’s dawn.
We worship and adore You!

Christ delighted in Your presence as You firmly fixed the heavens,
and drew a circle on the surface of the deep,
thickening the clouds above and assigned the sea’s boundaries.
In You we live, move, and have our being;
We worship and adore You!

You, Most Holy Spirit, do not live in our shrines or buildings,
but give live and breath to everything and everyone.
You move within us, urging us to seek and find You,
calling us back when we wander away.
We worship and adore You!

As we come to You, Eternal Trinity, in worship,
we are conscious of the times when we have abused the work of Your hands,
turned away from our responsibilities,
despoiled Creation, denied dignity to ourselves and others, and rejected Your wisdom.
Forgive us, O God, and give us time to change, before it’s too late! Amen

The One who, in the beginning,
was with God, and who was God,
and through whom all things came into being,
wraps you in loving kindness, forgives your sins,
and gives you the strength to turn your life around,
that you might add to the light in the darkness,
and not be overpowered by sin. Amen.

Dance with us, O Wisdom from the Most High,
that as we listen to Your Word,
We may appreciate anew the Word made flesh,
understand and change both our lives and our world,
now and forever, Amen.

Here, in the company of Your people, O Most High,
we give thanks for Creation and our part within it.
for nature which surrounds us, for the insect and animal life which sustains us,
for the flora and fauna which delights us,
for the rugged beauty of Creation which humbles us, we give thanks.
As we gaze with awe at Your works, we marvel at the part we play;
You’ve made us little less than gods,
entrusting us with great responsibilities, and we give You thanks.

Yet even as we thank you, even as we gaze in wonder at Your works,
we bring our concern for the despoilation and degradation of Creation,
and shudder at the dreadful consequences.

We yearn for a cooler climate, for icier poles, and lower sea levels,
yet know we’ve missed our chance to reverse the damage.
We pray for those who study how to make mitigations and live with a changed climate,
and pray for the strength to make the changes we need so all can live well.

We pray for those who’ve died, this summer, from heat and its consequences;
for those on the move to escape the droughts and wars caused by climate change,
and for those whose homelands will soon disappear under the waves.

Give Your wisdom, O Most High, to those who dare to lead and make difficult decisions.

Give Your wisdom, too, Dear Lord, to us as we seek to live differently and more sustainably.

We pray for those known to us who are in any kind of need….

We pray too for those known only to You….

And we pray for ourselves…

Hear our prayers.

May the One who created the heavens and the earth out of nothing,
the One who danced at Creation’s dawn,
and the One who sustains and enlivens all that lives,
give you the wisdom to tend and care for Creation,
the joy to delight in all that has been made,
and the passion to change our world,
and the blessing of God
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Be with you all,
now and always, Amen.

28/08/2026

Lord God, we are here to worship you, the Lord and Creator of all things.
We come…but wait, why do we come?
Is it because that’s just what we do on a Sunday?
Is it because there’s nothing else to do as the shops don’t open yet?
Is it that we want to, but hope it won’t go on too long as dinner will be waiting?
Lord God, we are here to worship you.
Open our hearts and minds that we might forget our distractions and focus on you.
We offer you our hearts and minds as we come together in praise and thanksgiving. Amen

Lord God, on this Bank Holiday Weekend,
we look around our world and your creation is beautiful.
The sky, even when filled with clouds is different every day, and fascinating to observe. The flowers, and trees, lakes and seas are living reminders of your creation,
changing throughout the seasons to give us a different perspective each time.
Yet, so often, we take it for granted.
We complain at the rain clouds,
we trample on the flowers,
we pollute our seas and rivers and then complain that they are dirty.
We are sorry that our actions impact on your creation.
Even small things can make a huge difference,
and we know that we need to change our attitude before we can change our actions.

Lord, we know that when we say we are sorry
and change our attitude as a result and try to live differently,
you offer your forgiveness and for that we are grateful.
Inspire us to change from inside to out
that our actions may reflect our innermost being, with you in our heart.

Thank you Lord for all that you give to us,
all that you share with us and all that we can learn from you.
May we offer all our spaces in our lives to be Holy Ground,
where we can meet with you and listen to you, and share with each other.
May your words burn like fire within us,
without consuming us, that we may be inspired and energised to go and do,
rather than stay and wait for someone else.
May our lives reflect your calling, and our actions reflect your love
In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Lord, our world is broken.
So often we think we know best for your creation;
for how to treat others in our world.
And yet around our world, nature is damaged
and there are many who are starving, or oppressed, or at war, or in fear of war.
Use us to see the bigger picture that it is not about “me”, but about all.

Lord we offer our prayers for our country.
Trying to do the best for the people living here and those coming in to live here.
We pray that we may be a welcoming nation, not the “you can only come in if… and not near me” mentality. You welcomed friend and stranger – may we do the same.

Lord, we all live in different areas, rural, urban, city centre. We ask that you use us to be a light to those around us, bringing your love to those in need and bringing hope to those in despair. May we speak up for those with no voice, and support those in power to make decisions for the benefit of all.

Our streets used to be filled with the chatter of neighbours over garden fences and in streets. Now they are silent, or visions of mobile phone conversations and closed doors. We pray for those who are isolated as the world has moved on to technology, not talking. May we speak to those around us, so they feel valued and part of the community in which we live.

Lord, you know our hearts and the issues that lie there.
We offer to you in a moment of quiet, those names and situations that are closest to us………

Speak to us Lord to show how we can support those we love,
and offer comfort to those in need.
Help us to listen to others, not just to “fix” things.
Lord we offer our prayers for ourselves too.
We need your love and compassion and strength to face our daily lives.
Fill us with your Spirit that we may be that love and compassion and strength to others.
We offer these, and all our prayers in the precious name of Jesus. Amen

As we go out into the world, to serve, to share and to be disciples,
we know that we go out together, with a common purpose.
Let us go out and be light and hope and support in all that we do. Amen

21/08/2026

For all those who woke this morning
to the loneliness of bereavement -
the empty bed or chair,
an unaccustomed quietness,
a life now incomplete -
may they know your presence
in the stillness of the day,
and through the love of friends
who offer their condolence.
And in the darker moments
may they reach out to hold your hand
and feel the warmth of the One
who has already passed from death to life
to welcome others into God’s Kingdom.

When life is tough, Lord,
grant us both strength
and peace, in knowing
you are there beside us
in darkness and in light,
never further away than
a silent prayer is heard
and arms reach out to hug.

Living God,
You are not distant or silent,
but active and present among your people.
You speak through Scripture,
through the life of Christ,
and through the quiet prompting of your Spirit.
As we worship today,
draw us into your truth,
challenge what needs to change,
and renew our trust in you.
We offer this worship not to impress,
but to respond -
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Living God,
we pray for your Church,
that it may confess Christ faithfully in word and action.
We pray for our world,
where many voices compete for attention,
and where truth is often distorted.
We pray for those with power,
that they may govern with humility and justice.
We pray for those who suffer,
those who doubt and those who feel forgotten.
In silence, we name before you
those on our hearts today.
Silence
Faithful God,
hear our prayers, for we offer them in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Go now, trusting not in your own strength,
but in the faithfulness of Christ.
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God the Father,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all, now and always. Amen.

14/08/2026

Let us be silent and know that God is here…

Let us be silent and offer our praise to Christ…

Let us be silent and call on the Holy Spirit…

God, who knows and sees each one,
who forms us daily from your love,
we take a moment within our worship
to imagine what you see in our hearts and lives.

We remember how Jesus hated hypocrisy,
how he called out those dishonest with themselves.
We recall his words about letting go of possessions,
his command to love even our enemies.
And we know ourselves judged.

But we know that we are judged by Jesus,
the one who brought a gospel of forgiveness,
of outrageous and unconditional love,
of healing, renewal and resurrection.
Our deepest shame is tempered by his mercy.
The open wounds of our gravest guilt can be healed.
The daily failures of every human life are not eternal.

So, God of mercy,
let judgement not condemn but improve us.
May we grow into the humanity we see in Jesus,
wounded and risen, yet each day marked by mercy and joy. Amen.

Praise be to the God of all grace,
who, in Jesus, preached forgiveness
and whose Holy Spirit comes to renew us.
You are forgiven. We are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.

God, we may have heard these readings before,
and think we know what they say.
Our attention is not always full
and we are distracted by many things.
Give us ears to hear the readings,
as though for the first time,
and so to hear your Word for us today, Amen.

Thank you God, that your heart is so big,
so full of love and mercy.
Thank you that we are all welcome in your world,
and never excluded from your embrace.

Fill us all with hope for better, kinder times,
when in our families and communities all will find acceptance, joy and love.

We pray for those close to us,
in our family and among our friends
who we know are struggling with illness or anxiety
with worries about money or the future,
or with broken relationships…
We entrust them to your embrace.

We pray for the communities in which we live,
for an end to division, prejudice and resentment.
Wherever people speak threats or encourage hatred,
let there be voices that speak welcome,
and offer hope for a shared and joyful future,
where all can live without fear
and neighbours live together in peace.

We pray for the nations and peoples of this world.
Where now we see war and invasion,
bombs falling on civilians,
populations driven out or killed,
may there be peace.
Where now refugees live in tents
amid the ruins of homes,
may there be rebuilding.
Where children now hunger and sicken,
may there be food and care.
we long for a world where everyone
can sleep peacefully and unafraid,
where all may receive more than crumbs from the rich,
but dignity, rights and fullness of life.

O God, who loves us all,
every child, every adult, every creature,
show us how to share this world
with joyful, peaceful, generosity.
Give us loving hearts and open minds,
that the world may be different
and the future filled with hope.

We make these prayers
through the name of Jesus,
and in the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

May God, our Creator, bless you.
May Christ, our Saviour, inspire you.
May the Holy Spirit comfort you.
this day and always, Amen.

07/08/2026

Ever-present God,
within the busyness
of this, and all days,
be at the heart of
all we do and say,
the focus of our lives,
that quiet whisper
of encouragement,
the gentle nudge
if we should stray,
our wisdom, strength
and purpose for today.

In you, O Lord, we take refuge,
You are our shelter in distress.
Let us never be ashamed,
but save us in your righteousness.
O Lord, turn your ear to hear our cries;
come quickly to deliver us,
and be our rock and firm defence,
our stronghold and security.
You are our fortress and rock;
for your name’s sake be our sure guide.
Preserve us from life’s traps;
You are the refuge where we hide.
Redeem us, LORD, O God of truth;
We commit our spirits to you.
We trust You, LORD,
for You are truth.

We come to You now, Most High,
to hear Your word, Jesus Christ, our way, truth and life,
read and proclaimed.
Break open our hearts to let in Your light,
that we may listen, understand and follow. Amen.

O Most High,
we live in a time with such pain and confusion!
Like the Psalmist of old we cry to Your for deliverance,
from the nets set to ensnare us and from the brokenness of our world.
We pray for all who live in pain;
victims of war and terror
those worried where their next meal is coming from
those homeless and hounded, and all in need.
Help us, who proclaim Your way,
to respond with love, compassion and wisdom.

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

O Risen Lord,
we live in a time when truths compete for attention,
when alternative facts fill our airwaves
and when it’s hard to know who to trust.
We pray for victims of lying lips:
migrants and asylum seekers demonised for simply seeking safety,
victims of abuse and trafficking not believed due to male power,
scientists highlighting we do to the Earth, our wounded mother.

Help us, who proclaim Your truth,
to respond with love, compassion and wisdom.

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Most Holy Spirit,
we live in an age fascinated by death and decay,
which denies abundant life to the poor and excluded,
yet holds up visions of a wealthy life unattainable to almost everyone;
we pray for those denied fullness of life:
prisoners who are offered no chance at rehabilitation
those sentenced to death
and those deliberately kept poor for evil economic purposes.

Help us, who proclaim Your life,
to respond with love, compassion and wisdom.

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, as we go,
do not let us stray from Your path, for You are the Way.
Lord Jesus Christ, as we go,
do not let us distrust Your promises, for you are the truth.
Lord Jesus Christ, as we go,
do not let us rest in anything other than you, for you are our life.
Bless us, good Lord,
that our lives may reflect Your life,
our truths be always Your truth,
and our way be always Yours. Amen.

31/07/2026

We come before You today, O Maker, knowing in You there is no injustice,
You are full of mercy and have abundant compassion,
and we bring our thanks and praise.
Your plans are inscrutable, Your love indiscriminate, Your purposes mysterious.

With the Psalmist, Lord Jesus,
we come to You wanting to believe in our own goodness and integrity.
But our lips are not always free of deceit, sometimes wickedness is found within us,
often our mouths, and our lives, transgress Your way.
We become, despite our best efforts, complicit with violence and terror,
as we slip and lose our footing in Your Word.

We hear the lies and hatred of our society, and are tempted to reject those in need,
those who have sought refuge, those who long for freedom.

Forgive us, good Lord, and give us time to change.

We call upon you, Most Holy Spirit, longing to behold Your face,
knowing that Your steadfast love brings us home,
that we can be forgiven and we can forgive – even ourselves.

So restore us to our rightful place, O God,
remind us of Your loving kindness,
and, as we wrestle with You and our world,
satisfy our ancient hungers. Amen.

Wrestle with us O God, as we tease out meaning and purpose in Your Word –
ever ancient and ever new - that we may grow the will to respond,
and the faith to believe in You, our source, goal, and guide. Amen.

Hear us, O God, as we bring our prayers to You,
as we wrestle with the world as it is and hunger for it could be.

O Eternal Majesty,
so many in our world hunger for food, shelter, warmth
and the basic necessities of life,
yet the greed of our world continues
and the ultra-rich amass more and more resources to themselves
with an ever-increasing reluctance to share.
We pray for those who try to change the way things are,
who feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and relieve the oppressed.
Yet as we pray for them, O God,
keep us dissatisfied that they are needed,
stop charity diverting us from the changes that must happen,
for we proclaim the world is about to turn as Your kingdom breaks in.

Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

O Enfleshed Word,
we hunger for peace in a world ever more set on war,
conflict, hatred and division.
We hunger for justice in an unfair world
where people are still executed for how they love or what they believe,
where elites choose to divide us, lest we unite and overthrow them.
We wrestle with the world as it is,
even as we long for it to become what it could be,
for we proclaim the world is about to turn as Your kingdom breaks in.

Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

O Fire of Love,
we wrestle with Your purposes
longing for the world to turn,
for hopes to be fulfilled not dashed,
yet are fearful we will lose our power and privilege.
As You feed us at pulpit and table,
give the energy and inspiration to work for change,
for we proclaim the world is about to turn as Your kingdom breaks in.

Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

Eternal Trinity of Love,
We bring to You now those known to us in any kind of need…

Inspire us to help, hold, love and learn.
We bring ourselves to You and our own needs and dreams…

Inspire us to help, hold, love, and learn.

Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

May the One who satisfies your hungers,
the One offers His own life for peace,
and the One who inspires us to dream
of what the coming Kingdom might be like
make you yearn for all to be filled with good things,
make you work for peace,
and inspire your dreams,
and may the blessing of Almighty God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you all, now and always,
Amen.

24/07/2026

Beloved in Christ, we gather today mindful of God’s creation,
where every breath of wind and every living being
reminds us of God’s compassion and presence.
We come remembering that
we are part of God’s creation and children of God.

Let us set aside the burdens we carry.
Open our hearts to the One who teaches us to listen
to the quiet cry of the earth,
to the longing of all creatures,
and to the voice of the Spirit calling us into new life.
We praise the God
who helps us our faith to develop into hope.

God of mercy and peace, you invite us to worship.
With all creation, we lift our hearts to you.
Amen.

Creator God,
you breathe life into all that exists.
The sky, the soil, the rivers, and every creature
bear witness to your goodness.
We come before you in gratitude,
seeking your presence and your peace.

Yet we confess that we have not always lived
In harmony with your creation.
We have hurried past the voices of creation.
We have chosen convenience over compassion
and have forgotten the deep connection
we share with all that you have made.

Forgive us, gracious Lord.
Heal the places where we have caused harm.
Restore in us a listening heart,
a heart that notices beauty, responds to suffering,
and seeks the flourishing of every living being.

Pour out your renewing Spirit upon us,
that we may walk gently on the earth,
love generously,
and join your work of healing and hope.

In Christ’s name we pray.
Amen.

Creator God, we hear the groaning of the earth.
Forgive us for the ways we have taken more than we needed.
Guide us back to our true calling to care for your creation with love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the leaders of the nations.
Turn their hearts from Laban’s way of shaping relationships around advantage.
Grant them Solomon’s wisdom to listen with care
and to choose what leads to life and dignity for all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who suffer,
for those affected by floods, fires, droughts, and every kind of loss.
Be a shelter to those who have been displaced
and open our eyes to see them as family.
Move our hearts to offer compassion and help.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for our church.
Though we may feel small like a mustard seed,
bless our daily acts of care and compassion.
Help us to plant seeds of hope and peace
in the lives of our neighbours.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of life, receive these prayers.
Renew our spirits and renew the earth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Go into the world with a listening heart.
May the seeds of love you plant grow in God’s grace.
Walk gently upon the earth as God’s beloved children.
And remember, nothing can separate us from God’s love.

And may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sustainer,
be with you and with all creation,
now and forever.
Amen.

17/07/2026

Thank you, Lord, that you know each one of us,
that you have called us to this house of God today.
Thank you that you are such a parent who is genuinely interested in our ways,
our lying down, our thoughts and our words.
Thank you that you hem us in on all sides
even though we often don’t even realise it, Lord;
also, in doing that that we still have freedom to choose our own paths,
even though they may diverge from yours.

How scary to us are the words that you know our thoughts,
our hearts and that at times there is wickedness in each of us
and yet you still love us and have called us here this day.
Even though you know all this,
we come before you to confess that we have sinned in our thoughts,
in our hearts and in our words – that at times darkness has overcome us
and we have preferred that to the light.
So, we beg you today,
forgive us these attitudes of heart and mind and actions or inactions of body;
take our hands and lead us into the light, into the way everlasting.
But God has shown us how much he loves us—

Thanks be to you Holy One for this great hope and assurance we have in you.
So, we praise You, God of light and hope,
for Your presence that never leaves us,
and for Your love that sees each one of us and holds us gently.
We pray this in the name of the Most High and Holy one, Amen.

Lord, we have just heard from the scriptures that evil and good co-exist –
they did whilst you walked the earth,
and they are ever evident as we walk the earth today.
So, as we now turn to think about those around us,
as we still have the words of the Psalm ringing in our ears
that you know us and we cannot hide from you,
we lift up to you to world and communities in which we live.

There is so much happening around us in the world –
war and violence are ever present.
So, we beg that you will be with those who are caught up in such situations;
those who don’t have the means to leave
and those who have been forced to leave,
those who have chosen to stay
and those who have been forced to fight.
May they know your hand of protection on them…

For those working towards peace – give them grace and discernment;
may they know when to speak and not speak, when to act or not act.
Grant them wisdom and guide them that the good of the people they steward
may be at the forefront of their minds in all they do.

As we move closer to home,
we lift up to you our own local villages/town/cities.
Lord, you regularly interacted with people as you went about your daily activities,
bring them healing and wholeness.
As we go about our daily lives of working, shopping, schooling and being,
may we bring about healing and wholeness to whose we encounter,
whether it be by a simple word, action or gesture,
knowing that all we do is a witness and testimony to the fact
that we are all created in your image and are all your children.

We lift up to you too Lord, those in our own church communities.
Be with those who are not well in body, mind, soul or spirit –
may they know your presence, and may we be that presence too Lord.
Again, with the words of the Psalm ringing in our ears,
“even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you.”

May your light shine in our lives and may we be a light to everyone around us.
We pray these things in your holy name.

As we go our separate ways,
may we seek to be good seed,
to send out strong roots and walk humbly with you Lord,
while thriving in our various communities
and leaving the judgement up to God.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen.

10/07/2026

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Gracious God we come to worship you today.

Accept my offerings of praise, O LORD,
and teach me your ordinances.
We come to give thanks, to learn and grow.
To gather in community and to offer ourselves in service.

Your decrees are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.
We come with joy in our hearts at all you have done for us.
And hope welling up within us of possibilities and promises of all that is to come.

We come as your people,
human, fallible, broken,
but joined together by your love
and accepted, loved, and enough, in your eyes.
Bless this time service and may we encounter your living Spirit
through our time together.
Let us sing!

God of abundance, who loves us beyond our comprehension,
who created the world we see around us,
who sent his Son to live and teach,
and who sacrificed his life to show us your love,
living on in hearts, minds and the whole of creation, we adore you!

God of all creation, who made all that is
and continues to create through seasons and changes,
who blesses us with sights and sounds, smells and tastes,
who calls us to notice the blessings all around us,
reminding us of the beauty of nature
and the wonder of your world, we adore you!

God of power and might,
who calls us to live together in unity and harmony,
who has given us all we need,
who showed us through Jesus how we should live together in peace,
and keeps seeking the good for humanity, we adore you!

We are blessed and loved. We are known and treasured.
We are enough, just as we are.

And yet, your way calls us to live well together.
That living well begins with us being faithful to your way.
Your unconditional love calls us to respond,
to repent, to review how we live
and consider what changes we need to make
so we can truly reflect your love and your glory
to those alongside whom we journey.

But we fall short. We fail to maintain good intentions,
we mess up and get it wrong, we make excuses,
we argue, complain and deny.

Forgive us Lord for the times when we are so narrow minded
that we forget our responsibility to our fellow siblings in Christ;
when our faith is small and selfish;
when we are so busy looking out for ourselves
that we don’t understand the importance
of making space to listen to you.
Your love calls us to be bringers of your kingdom here on earth.
Your Son’s sacrifice reminds us
that we are your to be your voice, hands and feet in the world.
Forgive us and give us the heart and will
to begin again and turn back to you.

Jesus says, come to me all you who are heavy laden
and I will give you rest.
We claim that rest and the forgiveness of the risen Saviour.
Let us know ourselves, forgiven, loved and free.
May we forgive ourselves, forgive others and go in peace. Amen.

Loving God, You have given us so much and loved us so completely,
we come to give you thanks.
For family and friends, for roles and responsibilities,
for opportunities and possibilities, for each day,
and for things that inspire, amaze, dazzle, strengthen and uphold us.
Thank you, God.

In this time of quiet, we give thanks.

God of hope, we live each day surrounded by your presence,
your love, and your creation.
Even on our toughest days we are never alone.
As we live, we seek to be people who respond to your love
through our thoughts, words, and actions.
Today we come aware of the abundance of your love,
But aware that in our world,
there are people in places who are living with desperation, conflict, sadness, prejudice, isolation, rejection, hunger, scarcity and poverty.
Where each day is a struggle
and the overflowing sense of hope is quashed
by uncertainty, doubt, pain, and a feeling of never ending.
We pray for the helpers, the light-bringers, the peacemakers,
the joy-finders, the solution-offerers, the difference-makers.
Loving God, help all those who make this world a better place.

We hold before you now the places around our world
where power corrupts,
where leaders behave badly,
where war is ongoing,
where discrimination is felt,
and where money and personal gain is prioritised over people.
Loving God, challenge those who make this world
a hard and difficult place to live in.

We think of all those known to us who are struggling with life.
For whatever reason. For those feeling betrayed, unloved, hopeless, overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, fearful, or sad.
Help us to find ways to talk, care, share, and show compassion.
We bring to you those who feel that life is hard
and we ask that they may find peace, possibility, and potential.
And may we find ways to be your voice,
hands and feet in your world.
Loving God, lift up the cast down and uphold the ground down.

And finally we pray for ourselves.
May we be like the sower,
scattering seeds of your love randomly and wildly.
Not confining our sharing to those we like or are the same as,
but with abandon and with generosity.
Hold us, help us and bless us as we live your way.
Each and every day.
Loving God, be with us.

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Melton Mowbray
LE131

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