Loving God
I thank you
For the turning of the seasons
For this New Year
Guide my footsteps
Away from the old
To embrace the new
Go before me
And beside me
I pray. Amen
Song “One more step”
A candle is lit.
We light a candle for light, sending
prayers high into the inky heavens and
dreams deep into our human soul.
We light a candle for light. May it light our way.
I leave the old year behind
And I turn
To make new choices
Keep me on the right path
And when
I get lost
Rescue me
Help me to have compassion for myself and others
To create a world that is good and just
And to carry your dream within me
As I travel into this new year with you beside me. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer in our own language
Jeremiah 29v11
For I know the plans I have for you, declare the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Our Prayers
I pray for people and situations that are on my heart today as we begin a new year...
For people dealing with Covid, for people who are lonely, for people who are hungry, for staff in hospitals and care homes, for people suffering from war particularly the children, for people imprisoned for protesting about the abuse of human rights, for people suffering because of floods or heat because of climate change, for the vulnerable and those sick and dying, for the homeless, for asylum seekers and refugees, and finally for the children who we must give a better future.
May I not fail you though I face great dangers.
Give me your peace, your wisdom and your strength. Amen
Prayer of Commitment
Loving God, though I am fickle and full of doubt
In you I place my trust for the year ahead.
I commit myself again to you,
To serve those around us,
To seek justice and peace and care for the earth,
To forgive others and to be used by your Spirit
To bring more love to my corner of the world
And to be one of your people on earth
For Christ's sake. Amen.
Closing Responses
Take me to Bethlehem
House of bread
Where the empty are filled
The poor find riches
And the rich recognise their poverty
Where all kneel and worship
And all are fed.
Amen
Pat Nimmo with thanks to © Janet Morley adapted
