Encouraging 'Signs of God presence' in others

​This service has been prepared for Methodist people across the country by the Methodist Church : Ministries and Vocation team.

​StF 608 All Praise to our redeeming Lord who joins us by His grace

​Prayer of Approach
Heart-stirring God,
You know each of us by name
and day by day we discover your favour afresh.
Your love is new every morning.
Your Presence remains with us,
whether we are called to travel or need to stay put.
You are our rest-giver and the source of our peace.
We marvel that you choose to be gracious to us.
We are touched and humbled by the mercy You extend.
We ask You to stir our hearts and teach us Your ways so that we who belong to You may know more of You.
Show us Your glory.
Open our eyes to it, stretching in beauty over the face of the earth,
shining in the face of Christ Jesus and smiling in the faces of every life lighted by Your Spirit,
so that we and all Your people may give You glory and worship You in Spirit and in Truth.
Amen (prayer inspired by Exodus 33 vv. 12-23)

Prayer of Confession
(You can begin this prayer with your hands held shut)
Giving and forgiving God, You are rich in mercy and generous to all.
Help us to see clearly the priorities, prejudices and anxieties in our lives.
Help us to face honestly the injustice, greed and exploitation of the society in which we live.
Forgive us when our concerns have been limited and we have behaved as if our lives and resources were ours to use as we wished.
Forgive us when we have failed to let Your big-heartedness open our hearts and hands.
(Open your hands)
Merciful God, give us the grace and courage to open our hearts and hands.
Shape our lives and use us for we belong to You.
Amen
Assurance of Forgiveness
Receive the riches of God’s mercy and grace.
Know beyond any doubt that You are loved and forgiven in Jesus

​Today’s Reading from the Old Testament
Exodus 33 vv. 12-23
Today’s Epistle Reading
I Thessalonians 1 vv. 1-10
Today’s Gospel Reading
Matthew 22 vv. 15-22

Reflection

​The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father ……

StF 615 Let Love be real

​A prayer of blessing
May God our Father inspire and strengthen us in our work of faith
May Christ Jesus our brother motivate and sustain us in our labour of love
May the Spirit our helper establish and build in us a steadfast hope.
That our living may be a reason for thanksgiving and bring Glory to God.
Amen.  
This Act of Worship has been prepared by the Methodist Church, Vocations: Ministries & Worship 2020.