Abstract
5th May: 6th Sunday after Easter
Opening Response (based on Ps 98)
Sing a new song
Shout with joy and lift your voice
Let the rivers clap their hands;
Sing a new song
Confession (based on John 15.9–17)
Jesus said, ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love’.
God of love,
We confess that we have not always stayed within the arms of your love.
Forgive us and free us
Jesus said, ‘This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.’
God of heaven,
We confess that we have not loved others the way you showed.
Forgive us and free us
Jesus said, ‘I appoint you to go and bear fruit that will last.’
God of love,
We confess we have not always listened to your call to go.
Forgive and free us
12th May: Ascension
Opening responses
Clap your hands, all you peoples;
God has gone up with a shout.
God reigns over the earth.
Sing Praises to God, sing praises.
(based on Ps 47)
Confession (based on Luke 24.44–53)
Jesus said, ‘everything written about me must be fulfilled.’
We confess that our biases and preconceptions have blinded us to seeing your ways in the books of the prophets, psalms and the Law of Moses.
God of heaven and earth, forgive us and expand our minds.
Jesus said, ‘repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed to all nations.’
We confess that too often we accept your grace for our own faults but forget to offer the same to others.
God of heaven and earth, forgive us and expand our hearts
Jesus said, ‘And see, I am sending what my father promised. . . power from on high.’
We confess that, in our rush to do your bidding, we forget to ‘stay’ and receive ‘power from on high’ and instead go on in our own strength.
God of heaven and earth, forgive us and expand our capacity to wait and receive.
Risen and ascended One, forgive our narrowness and expand our vision, as forgiven and blessed we go to forgive and bless the world.
19th May: Pentecost
Opening Responses
Send forth your Spirit.
The glory of the Lord endures forever.
Sing to the Lord as long as you live.
Send forth your Spirit
(based on Ps 104:25–35, 37)
Confession
The whole of creation groans with labour pains.
We confess we block our ears from hearing the pain and suffering of your beautiful world.
Spirit of truth, forgive us.
We ourselves groan inwardly, longing for redemption.
We confess our lack of hope in what we cannot see, and our impatience in waiting.
Spirit of truth, forgive us.
God searches the heart.
We confess that here is where our weakness is exposed, and where we struggle to pray as we ought.
Spirit of truth, forgive us.
Come Holy Spirit, intercede for us with sighs too deep for words, forgive our sins, heal our hearts and strengthen our wills to live your call in the world.
26th May: Trinity Sunday
Opening responses
We meet in the name of God; Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer
Listen to the voice of God.
Listen to the voice of God
Listen to the voice of God,
Listen to the voice of God
(based on Psalm 29)
Confession
Creator, God of the wild places, the fields and the gardens;
you have given us a wonder-filled world. Forgive our apathy, for not caring and acting in ways we should.
Kyrie Eleison.
Redeemer, God of the journey, Jesus walked this earth with passion and
compassion. Forgive us for not loving you and loving our neighbour
the way He taught.
Christe Eleison.
Sustainer, God, with us now, forgive us and free us to be fully yours;
to love, serve and care for your good creation.
Kyrie Eleison.
God of Three and Three in One, you loved the world and gave to us your son Jesus. Breathe your Spirit of forgiveness on us so that we may believe, and know once more, life eternal in You.