Strathallan - Matariki

Welcome

Hymn - To God be the Glory

Prayer of Adoration & Confession

adapted from Jeff Shrowder

Eternal God, by your word you create and by your breath you give life. We worship you with joy and thanksgiving, praising you for the fullness that your presence brings to our lives, and our life together. We praise you that by your word you feed us; we are satisfied, and there is always more. Your goodness is displayed in your wonderful works for all humanity, and in your perfect love. Lord we confess we are stubborn and rebellious, following after foolish ideas; going ways which lead away from life with you . . . And yet, when we cry out you are there, heal our emptiness and pain, embrace us, lead us in your life-giving ways.

Forgive us Lord, and restore us to freedom in you.

For your unending faithfulness, revealed to us in Christ Jesus, and made present to us in your Holy Spirit we praise you, Lord God. Amen

Reading: Amos 5:7-8

7 The Israelites[u] turn justice into bitterness;[v] they throw what is fair and right[w] to the ground.[x] 8 But there is one who made the constellations Pleiades and Orion;

he can turn the darkness into morning and daylight[y] into night. He summons the water of the seas and pours it out on the earth’s surface. The Lord is his name!

Hymn - What a Friend we have in Jesus

Talk: God of the stars of heaven

Magellanic clouds

Pleiades all over the world

seven sisters

Subaru

Brazilian flag

Matariki

World of brokenness, sometimes we contribute

God is the one who makes all things new

Stars Hurl Light

Stars hurl light Indifferent To the darkness Of the void that wells between Scattered eons Photons sparkle And drift From one eye to the next But never again To this moment To this time To these eyes The brilliance And majesty The miracle of birth As distant stars Shed the light of your glory Creation groans And grows At the touch Of an artist's hand

Prayers for ourselves and others -> Lord’s Prayer (trad)

Gracious God,

we pray for the faithful all over the world,

that all who love you may be united in your service.

We pray for the church . . .

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We pray for the peoples and leaders of the nations,

that they may be reconciled one to another

in pursuit of your justice and peace.

We pray for the world . . .

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We pray for all who suffer from prejudice, greed, or violence,

that the heart of humanity may warm with your tenderness.

We pray especially for all prisoners of politics or religion

and for all refugees.

We pray for all who are oppressed . . .

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We pray for all in need

because of famine, flood, or earthquake,

that they may know the hope of your faithfulness

through the help of others.

We pray especially for the people of . . .

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

In this season of Matariki

We pray for the land, the sea, the sky—

for your whole creation, which longs for its redemption.

We pray that we may live with respect for your creation

and use your gifts with reverence.

We pray for the creation . . .

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We pray for all who suffer the pain of sickness,

loneliness, fear, or loss,

that those whose names are in our hearts,

in the hearts of others,

or known to you alone,

may receive strength and courage.

We pray for those in need . . .

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God our creator,

yours is the morning, and yours is the evening.

Let Christ, the sun of righteousness,

shine forever in our hearts

May your Holy Spirit draw us to the light of your radiant glory.

We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer who taught us to pray…

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name;

Thy kingdom come;

Thy will be done

in earth, as it is in heaven:

Give us this day our daily bread;

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive them that trespass against us;

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

Hymn

Benediction