An Economy of Life
Worship Resources
A CALL TO WORSHIP
In the spirit of new creation,
We gather to worship God.
In the hope of a new earth,
We gather to worship God.
Created in the image of God,
We gather to worship God.
Let us worship God. Amen!
A CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather in this space to worship God,
We bring with us:
who we are,
where we have been,
what we have done.
We come not to escape and seek perfection
but to be renewed and transformed by God’s Word.
Let us gather together in community,
singing praise for our steadfast God
whose reign is justice, peace and love.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
Creating God,
We give you thanks and praise:
for the universe you created
for your justice and mercy
for your peace and wisdom
for the gift of your Son Jesus Christ
We thank you that in the offer of eternal life
through Jesus Christ we are able to find our true identity and worth.
We praise you for the new beginning,
for the opportunity to participate in the new creation,
to be part of the new earth,
in which the resurrection life is visible.
In the name of Christ we pray.
Amen.
A COLLECT
Compassionate God
who calls for justice among all peoples,
grant us the strength that we may re-imagine life
that is counter to that of this world.
Through Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
A COLLECT
God of the universe,
who desires that we have life abundantly
bringing wholeness and wellbeing
grounded in the values of your reign.
May we be convicted anew to your ways.
Through Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
A LITANY The values of the reign of God
God of love, you call us to love you and each other
Amen: Holy Spirit, come and help us
God of justice, you call us to act justly
Amen: Holy Spirit, come and help us
God of peace, you call us to be peacemakers
Amen: Holy Spirit, come and help us
God of grace, you call us to be people of grace
Amen: Holy Spirit, come and help us
God of mercy, you call us to be merciful
Amen: Holy Spirit, come and help us
God of forgiveness, you call us to forgive one another
Amen: Holy Spirit, come and help us
God of hospitality, you call us to be welcoming and accepting
Amen: Holy Spirit, come and help us
God of compassion, you call us to lives of genuine caring
Amen: Holy Spirit, come and help us
God, may your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
A LITANY A new creation
Today as we gather, we are reminded of the billions around the world who live in conditions of extreme poverty, facing hunger and thirst - in these people Jesus Christ is present reminding us of the call to feed the hungry and give the thirsty water.
We pray for eyes to see and ears to hear the cries of the people.
We are people who are among the world’s wealthiest, we consume the earth’s resources,
we succumb to the materialism of this time and this place supporting an economy that exploits the least.
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me”.
Our world is driven by greed, materialism, competition, consumerism and individualism:
Let us re-imagine our world as a place of justice, peace, compassion, truth and grace.
We thank you God for your steadfast love. In our world of turmoil, confusion, injustice and conflict you never give up, you journey with us, you recall us to your values, your hope for transformation and reconciliation.
We pray that we may listen for your Spirit, that we may take courage to stand against injustice and work towards reconciliation.
On earth as in heaven, we pray for a new earth, a new creation and a new humanity.
A LITANY For you are a God of justice
At the supermarket, may we remember and play our part
in making sure that those who supply for our needs are not exploited.
For you are a God of justice.
At our work, may we be concerned about the unemployed,
or those unfairly treated in their workplace,
or those who, to survive, are caught up in the contemporary
slave trade abused in their poverty.
For you are a God of compassion.
In our homes, help us remember those who are homeless,
those who call the streets or a hostel home.
For you are a God who cares.
In our health, remind us of those who are living with life limiting illness,
of those who have no access to health care.
For you are a God who stays with them.
In the peace of this place, let us think of the people caught up in conflict and war,
of the people working to negotiate peace.
For you are a God of peace.
God teach us by your Holy Spirit. Empower us in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(adapted from a prayer by Ian M. Fraser from Holy Ground, by Neil Paynter & Helen Boothroyd,
Wild Goose Publications)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
God of abundant life, source of all that is,
we pray that the abundance of the earth’s resources
will be managed in a just and sustainable manner,
for the benefit of current and future generations.
We know this is your will, and to that end we commit ourselves.
God of abundant life,
we pray that the human and financial resources of our society
and of the global community will be directed away
from manufacturing weapons of destruction
and towards processes and practices that build peace.
We know this is your will, and to that end we commit ourselves.
God of abundant life,
we pray that global poverty will be addressed as a priority
over and above the continued accumulation of wealth by those already rich.
We know this is your will, and to that end we commit ourselves
God of abundant life,
we pray for the reduction of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions
as an immediate high priority for international cooperation and national,
local and individual action.
We know this is your will, and to that end we commit ourselves.
God of abundant life,
we pray for the establishment of workplace policies and practices
which support the vulnerable people in our society to maintain a decent standard of living.
We know this is your will, and to that end we commit ourselves.
God of abundant life,
we pray for the building of just, peaceful and sustainable societies
where individuals are secure and free from fear, violence and persecution,
and able to participate in a meaningful way in their community and society.
We believe that God is love
and that it was out of love
that God gave birth to the world
and provided all that is necessary for life to flourish.
Because we believe this,
we commit ourselves to actively engage
in the reconciliation of the world with God.
And so we pray:
Our Father in heaven.....
THANKSGIVING FOR OFFERING
In our world consumed by wealth and status,
materialism and individualism
together as a community
we offer these humble gifts for the work of the new earth.
Give us the wisdom to use them wisely in your name for humanity.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We have shared once more in this holy meal
together as community we have responded
in the taking of the bread and the cup
we cannot stay the same
we can no longer conform to this world
In our response we say yes to Christ
his mission and his ministry.
Amen.
BLESSING AND SENDING
May God grant you abundant life,
fill you with faith, hope and love,
and make you ready for your life in the world.
And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you, now and always. Amen.
Go now to embrace and practice God’s economy
in every aspect of your daily life and in all your relationships
We go in the name of Christ. Amen.