Sunday Service - 11:00am

Most wonderful and loving God, as we look forward to a New Year we come before you from a time of distress to seek your wisdom and compassion.

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We thank you Lord for all the good which has come out of this pandemic, for those who have come forward to help their neighbours, to care for the isolated, to provide for those struggling and for the growing caring community that has evolved. Lord may this caring compassionate community continue even after this virus has been defeated.

We thank you also, Lord that at last there is some hope for an end to our troubles with the development of vaccines which appear to protect against the virus. We thank you for all the hard work and energy which has been given by the scientists to give us this hope. We thank you also for those who are striving to develop treatments to alleviate the symptoms of this disease. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Merciful God, we entrust to your tender care those who are ill or in pain whether that be physical or mental and those in need of treatment which is presently being denied because of the pandemic. May they know that whenever danger threatens your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe.

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Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, the frail, the isolated and lonely, particularly those who work in the NHS, in care homes or in home care. May they know your loving, supporting, strengthening presence with them.

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Loving God, we are blessed by the skill and dedication in our caring services bit we recognise that many people throughout the world do not have access to such care. May they also know your loving, supporting, strengthening presence with them.

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God of compassion, we ask your comfort for those who have lost loved ones especially those who have been unable to visit or say goodbye.

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Lord we pray for all those on whom we rely for our safety and care, for police, paramedics, key workers and the fire and ambulance services. May they feel your guiding protecting presence with them as they perform their duties.

Heavenly father many businesses have struggled during this crisis, some will never reopen and many will lose their jobs we pray that they will know your loving provision as they face an uncertain future.

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We pray for our young people who have had their lives disrupted in family settings, education, youth organisations or work and for those who have suffered abuse or bullying may they know that we care and you care and that in you they have a loving, compassionate father.

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We pray for those charged with the care of our young people, parents, teachers and youth workers as they try to find their way through the many restrictions and dangers of this time. Lord please give them wisdom and courage, protecting them as they show their care.

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Heavenly Father, we ask for wisdom for all our leaders putting the interests of all the people above their differences. Guide them to deliver the vaccines to all their people without prejudice or favour.

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Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, for your name’s sake.

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Amen.