Sunday 6th September – Father’s Day
Jesus said:
‘Where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am there among them.’
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
We pray for healing and comfort for people around the world suffering from Coronavirus COVID-19. Speed their recovery and slow the spread of the virus. We thank you for the efforts of all those involved in treating, testing and caring for patients, and ask your protection over them as they go about their work. Give wisdom to governments around the world as they manage this outbreak. We ask for your peace when we are tempted to panic or become anxious about this disease. Help us to place our trust in you, knowing that our life is safely hidden in you and that you are the Lord of all creation.
Enable us to show your love to others, sharing the hope we have in you, praying and caring for the sick and needy as best we can in the name of Christ. Amen.
Opening Song
A Father’s Day Prayer
We give our thanks, Creator God, for the fathers in our lives. Fatherhood does not come with a manual, and reality teaches us that some fathers excel while others fail.
We ask for Your blessings for them all and forgiveness where it is needed.
This Father’s Day we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families, and the ways–both big and small–they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach.
So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent; grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches and the women of our families.
For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You.
In Your Holy name, O God, we pray.
Amen.
Confession
Speak these words aloud, as a family or by yourself.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty, from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
Bible Readings – Thank you Sue
Psalm 26:1-8
Grab your bibles and read the Gospel : Matthew 18:15-20
Don’t forget that you can jump over to the
Kids @ Worship Page
if you want to see the Kids Talk for this week!
Pastor’s Message
Prayer
Heavenly Father: We thank you for your forgiveness, mercy and goodness. Keep us grounded on you and in your gospel. Help us to show the same love to others who sin against us as you show to us. Fill our hearts with compassion and forgiveness. Help us to remember that we need your compassion and forgiveness as much as anyone.
We pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who have strayed from faith in Christ. Please remember them Father, and though they have turned from you, remind them time and time again that you are still there for them waiting for them to return.
Give us patience and compassion, and stop us from trying to close the door when we have no right. Keep us hoping and looking for opportunities to reach out with the love of Christ.
Bless our efforts. Help all to hear the word of your grace so that they may also know the mercy and love of God which gives us so much hope.
Please help all those who live with anger and bitterness in their hearts. Give them joy, the precious joy that only Christ can give, and open their hearts to your healing love and give them peace.
God our Father, we pray for all fathers: for new fathers, coming to terms with both the joys and demands of fatherhood; for those who are uncertain or confused about their role as fathers; for those whose work keeps them from spending time with their children; for those who are afraid of the responsibilities of parenting;
for those who are unable to provide for their children through unemployment or sickness; for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities; for those who are violent or unloving towards their children; for those whose own fathers abused them or failed to love them;
for those who are separated from their children by marriage breakdown, divorce or death; for those who care for the children of others; for those whose desire to be a father has not been fulfilled; and for those whose children have rejected their love.
Bless all fathers, so that their love may be tender and strong, and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good, living not for themselves, but for God and for others.
Heavenly Father, keep us bound together in love, and hear the prayer we have offered in Jesus’ name.
You may wish to add some of your own prayers here.
Amen.
Blessing
Speak these words over your family:
Let us go in peace, to live in harmony with one another.
And the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with us always.
Amen
Thqnk you! When everyone started to pass the peace – we felt a beautiful community connnection.
Thanks for the online service today. Thank you to all who took part in preparing it. Enjoyed seeing comments from friends.