Almighty God, as we gather in this place to worship you, we know that all across the globe, men and women, children and youths, gather as well to be your church

in all times, in all places, in all languages, in all cultures.

 

Pour out your Spirit upon your church universal, that all who gather in your name and all who praise you may feel your presence,

know your will, and have the courage to do what you are calling us to do.

 

We pray in the name of the One God. Amen.

 

 

God how selfish and competitive is this twenty first century!

And how divided and self-serving are the branches of the church!

 

May he whose name is Feet Washer, Son of Common Man,

Wounded Healer, Jesus-Saviour, Son of True God,

come again with his unique glory to call, heal and gather his scattered flock

into one harmonious outpouring of love and service.

For your love’s sake. Amen!

 

 

 

And if there be therefore any consolation

And if there be therefore any comfort in his love

And if there be therefore any fellowship in spirit

If any tender mercies and compassion

We will fulfill His joy

And we will be like-minded

We will fulfill His joy

We can dwell in one accord

And nothing will be done

Through striving or vainglory

We will esteem all others better than ourselves

 

This is the mind of Jesus

This is the mind of Our Lord

And if we follow Him

Then we must be like-minded

In all humility

We will offer up our love

 

Though in the form of God

He required no reputation

Though in the form of God

He required nothing but to serve

And in the form of God

He required only to be human

And worthy to receive

Required only to give

 

This is the mind of Jesus

This is the mind of Our Lord

And if we follow Him

Then we must be like-minded

In all humility

We will offer up our love

In all humility

We will offer up our love

 

Lord, shower upon us your abundant mercy

and, by the power of your Spirit,

remove all division among Christians,

that your Church may shine forth more clearly

as a sign lifted high for the nations to see;

and grant that through the light of the Holy Spirit

the world may believe in the one you have sent, Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever. Amen. (ICEL; 1998)

 

 

 

The Lord wants us to trust one another and to journey together, despite our failings and our sins, despite the errors of the past and our mutual wounds….The decisive stage of the journey towards full communion requires ever more intense prayer, it requires worship, the worship of God….It is to God that we should look, not to ourselves; to his will, not our own; to his ways, not our own. If the Lord is truly in the first place, our choices, including our ecclesiastical choices, can no longer be based on the politics of this world, but on the will of God. (Pope Francis; 2022)

 

 

For Christian Churches and Communities, that they may be faithful witnesses to the Gospel.

 

 

Holy God,

your Son Jesus Christ came among us

to show us the way of compassion.

Help us by your Spirit to follow his example,

to serve the needs of all your children,

and so give united Christian witness to your ways of love and mercy.

We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.