Lord God
it’s the time of year where the days seem to go on forever
where night is fleeting and winter darkness feels far, far away
where there seems to be so much day for us to enjoy
we offer our thanks for the long days
the warm sun
plants and fields growing
birds fledging
butterflies, moths and bees pollinating
all taking advantage of the long summer day
summer days the length of which were ordained by you
for which we are grateful
grateful and mindful of those who work outdoors
tending fields and forests
delivering our mail
building and maintaining infrastructure of our utilities
mending fences
emptying our bins
may they know our appreciation for their work
and may their labour be fulfilling
Christ Jesus
in you, the promise of God
a promise God made to Abraham and Sarah
was fulfilled
thank you for all you did for us on the cross
revealing God’s love for us, at the right time
even when we were still far from God
realistically, our thanks in response to this wondrous gift feel so inadequate
accept our sincere and grateful hearts for your gift
fill us with the spirit
that we can know this gift
spending time in your presence not only here in our worship, but every day of our lives
God of Abraham and Sarah
we praise you for their example of setting aside time for stranger,
showing extravagant generosity
help us to do likewise
we thank you for Sarah’s honest laughter
may we laugh with you and your plans
for your timing us, praise your Holy Name, not ours.
Loving God
we think of those who long for a child of their own
where seeing others with their babies is painful
may your care and compassion descend on them
and may society reflect your love and sensitivity in their struggle
be with medical experts, researchers and clinicians, as they help infertile couples
God, Father, Son Spirit
may we trust your timing
even when it seems impossible
for nothing is impossible for you
Amen