Heavenly God
for the wondrous beauty of this place
we give you our thanks
for the fellowship we share with one another
we give you our thanks
for being our true King
we give you our thanks
it is like a song wanting to burst forth from our hearts
in love and praise and thanks to the one who made us, called us, shaped us, loves us
though a King
though in charge
though the true Ruler of all in heaven and on earth
especially where you came to us
in Christ Jesus, your Son, our Lord
to teach us the way of love
to walk the path of faith
to journey the road of life
as brothers and sisters
with Christ, with one another in this church
with all Christians in all churches across this land and throughout the world
what a family we have, what a joy to know we belong, we are loved, cherished, children of the Most High
thank you, Almighty King
bless your whole church to truly be family to one another
and to love our neighbours as ourselves
our hearts break to know we have brothers and sisters who cannot worship this day
for they fear for their lives for professing you as their true King
for they are struggling with pain in body, mind or spirit
for they are grieving the loss of a loved one
for a disability prevents access to many church buildings
may your love surround them
may they be upheld knowing their brothers and sister in Christ remember them in prayer this and everyday
and challenge us, and your whole church, through the guiding of the Holy Spirit to find ways to include more of our brothers and sisters in worship
that they may deepen their faith, hope and love in their King
and we can catch a glimpse of the wonder and glory of the diversity of the Family of Christ
Which we praise and thank you for
we also thank you for our own families
near or far
young and old
they enrich our lives
give meaning, purpose
warmth and love
remind us to thank them for their love, to appreciate them, to show our love
in spending time with them
in listening to them
in being with them
following the example Jesus showed
we recall those who have no family
lost to war, famine, illness
those who long hopelessly for a child of their own
those who pushed family away through abuse of them or self
restore them to know love, Lord God
your peace and love which passes all understanding
through Christ our King we pray
Amen