Let us give thanks to God
For all we have comes from God
our very beings, the breath of life within us
the pastures he leads us towards
the cool, cool waters he offers our souls as refreshment when we are parched
Our baptism, through which we were claimed as God’s beloved children
a baptism we are blessed to share with millions throughout this world
a baptism which unites us to one another
through Jesus Christ our Lord
Baptised Christ
we give thanks for all who have been baptised in this place, who were welcomed into the church
we pray they will know that welcome wherever they may be
whatever journey through life they may take
May the Holy Spirit rest upon them and may they know they are your beloved child, with whom you are well pleased
Servant King
we praise you that, when you came a king
it was not in a royal palace, but a stable
you came as a king, not marching with an army to fight
but came to show and find light in the shadowy places
you came as a king, but did not use power over your cousin John
but trusted him to lower you into the waters of baptism
Help us to live as you taught
in humility
in peace
in love
that in so doing, those who are humiliated through poverty
may be lifted up
those who are degraded through violence
may be lifted up
those who are overshadowed with grief
may be lifted up
those who are scorched with pain
may be lifted up
cleansed, renewed, loved
into wholeness of body, mind and soul
and know they are truly children of God
Amen