Father God
What a joy and a privilege it is for us that we can have the intimacy of relationship with you that we can call you Father
that we can speak to you openly and honestly
knowing you hold us and care for us
that you love us more than we could ever truly understand
we know, there are some who struggle to call you Father
they have bad relationships with their human father, which mean they find it hard to use that word with any sort of trust or love
or they look at all the chaos and confusion in the world and they reject a God which allows this to happen at all
Christ Jesus
we praise and thank you that in spite of our doubts and failings, you trust us to make disciples in the world,
we who are still learning how to follow, you send
thank you that you care always with us, no matter what we face
assist us to do as you command, in love
we thank you for those who came before us, to share the good news in this land
from St Ninian and Columba, to the people who brought us to faith
we pray for the whole church across the world, may we all play our part in taking the good news to the world
today we especially bring before you St Andrew’s church Ottawa, Karen their minister, their elders and congregation.
May they, with their sibling churches there, be beacons of hope and love in Ottawa
Holy Spirit
we thank you that you strengthen and reassure us
that you give us confidence and encouragement to preach the gospel in all the ways we can
may you bind us to one another, from the Highlands of Scotland to Ottawa and throughout the world
that together the church can be a place where all can see they truly are held and known and cared for by the God who made them, the heavens and all creation
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Blessed Trinity
we thank you for the relationship which binds you together
a relationship you invite us to be part of
empower us this day to use our relationships for and in love
to your honour and glory
to all people can know your care
so all the world can be made new
Amen