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.

‘May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.’

(Ps. 126:5-6)

Hymn: We Plough the Fields and Scatter...

Psalm 126

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Let us pray: 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: Creator God, you made the goodness of the land, the riches of the sea and the rhythm of the seasons; as we thank you for the harvest, may we cherish and respect this planet and its peoples, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Matthew 6:25-33

‘Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.’ (Matthew 6:28b-29)

Please see the message from the minister.

As we give thanks for God’s good gifts around us, let us join in prayer asking for God’s loving presence to be known to everyone as we live day by day:

We pray for the Church, that people will be drawn together by God’s love;

We pray for the world, for conflict to cease and for compassion to grow in people’s hearts;

We pray for our friends, families and neighbours, for relationships to thrive;

We pray for people who are sick or suffering, that they will know God’s healing presence;

We pray for the departed, remembering all who mourn.

Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus taught 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: Come, Ye Thankful People, Come...

May the love of our Lord Jesus draw us to himself, the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service, the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts: and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and remain with us always.

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