Lord our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth,
You have set your glory above the heavens and throughout the earth,
above and below the seas and the oceans, the rivers and lakes,
in the birds of the air and the forests and meadows, mountains and valleys, and in the people all around us.
We are your people, the sheep of your generous pasture, and we bow our heads and hearts before you in praise, and in thanksgiving and petition.
Lord hear our prayers . . .
. . . hear our prayers of thanksgiving for your grace and love poured upon us, for stability and security in our land, for healthcare and food, for prosperity and abundance, for freedom of worship.
These are privileges we enjoy at this time in this place – they are gifts we did not earn – and come with responsibility to use and share as you call us to.
Lord hear our prayers for courage and compassion to live as you call us to, with generosity and warm, open, hearts and minds that hunger for your Kingdom to grow.
Give us thirst for justice and longing for fairness; a craving to find ways to alleviate suffering; close at hand in relationship with the people around us, and around the world in the works that we support.
And Lord hear our prayers for this congregation, this flock of yours that is close to your heart, and such a blessing in our lives.
May your Holy Spirit be strong in our midst this morning – for Matthew to speak and share and be with us as you empower him, and for us to discern your guidance for future leadership of this part of your body. We welcome and anticipate your light upon our path forward.