Loving God, we give you thanks for the coming of spring

- For birdsong and the sound of the wind when we open our windows at morning,

- For gardens fresh with new flowers and shrubs budding,

- For the smell of fresh bread in bakeries,

- For milk, cream, pates, quiches, pastas, custards, pastries, ice cream, chocolates and the rich food you invite us to feast on for festivals and other celebrations,

- For Frisbees, soccer balls, skipping ropes, slides and teeter-totters,

- For friends to share new adventures,

- For hamsters, rabbits, kittens, puppies, talking birds and all the pets that welcome us when we return to our homes,

For love - born anew in us through Jesus Christ,

Gracious God we give you thanks.

 

God, help us when we lose patience. We remember Jesus and the parable of the fig tree. Help us to know when we encounter the fig trees in our lives what is before us. Help us discover whether to give more of our care to what has been planted, or to uproot what is there, and to plant something new in our lives.

 

Help us be present to the suffering of others. Like the 18 killed when the tower fell in Siloam many years ago, or the deaths in Spain and Haiti, may we not read into the tragedies of others a judgement on them and a blessing on us. But God help us to  know the opportunity to respond with gifts of love and healing. Lord, hear our prayer.

 

We pray for all the souls who died in the bombings this week in Madrid, Spain. Be with all who grieve and those who are recovering from injury. Inspire in all peoples the patience to sit down together and resolve peacefully the challenges that divide us by race, nation, religion, class and gender.

 

Help all peoples of the world preserve your gift of water. May we refrain from our ways of pollution and safeguard this heritage for generations to come. Lord, hear our prayer.

 

God, help us when we feel like giving up, when life feels all around us feels like a dry and weary land. We thank you that you promise you will not test us beyond our own strength. Encourage us and help us discover the power you have given us, already created within us, to move mountains. We thank you that your right hand does uphold us, that you are here for us every day.

 

For those who are sick or suffering in body, mind or spirit, we ask your comfort. For those who are grieving, be with them in their time of grief. We remember today the life of Bill Inglis and his family and friends, members of this congregation who knew him and grieve his loss.
Lord, hear our prayer.

 

We pray for all who suffer from the effects of violence in sport, families, neighbourhoods, the workplace and nations. God be in our heads and in our understanding, as we seek to live together in community.

 

We give thanks for the many ministries here at Canadian Memorial United Church- for prayer and bible study groups, ministry to seniors, Street Meals for homeless youth, our church school and Peace in the City. We thank you for the work of the Mission & Service Fund.
Watch over this house of worship and all who worship you in many lands.

Strengthen our leaders here, Bruce, Susan, Neil, Elaine and other office staff;  Our board chair, Anita, and vice-chair Joan and all who serve here in so many ways.

Grace us with a vision bold enough to give us courage to call ourselves your followers.

 

Hear us as we pray as Jesus taught saying, Our Father and Mother, who art in heaven…"