Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus said “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church”.

Hymn: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...

Acts 12:1-11; 1 Peter 2:19-25

Jesus said to his apostles, “You are my friends if you obey my commands.”

Let us now confess our disobedience to him:

Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the day: Almighty God, who inspired your apostle Saint Peter to confess Jesus as Christ and Son of the living God: build up your Church upon this rock, that in unity and peace it may proclaim one truth and follow one Lord, your Son our Saviour Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Matthew 16:13-19

Please see the Message from the Minister.

Let us join in prayer asking for blessings upon St Peter’s Church as we enter another year serving God, serving Sheringham;

for blessings of peace and justice in the world, and protection of the environment;

for blessings of joy on our neighbours, families and friends;

for blessings of healing and wholeness on people who are sick or suffering;

for blessings of comfort on those who mourn the loss of loved ones.

Eternal God, in your Son Jesus Christ you reveal your love for the world, and by the grace of the Holy Spirit you give us the strength to share his mission in Sheringham. Help us, by the example of St Peter, to proclaim your good news through word and action and to draw others to know you, through the love and care we show to our local community and to the world in which we live. Amen.

Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus taught Peter and us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn: Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven...

May the Lord bless us and keep us; may the Lord make his face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace. Amen.

Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.