Gracious God, we give you thanks for a clear day after so much rain.

For flowers and shrubs that are already beginning to bloom in January

For the music we sing, the harmony we find together as we raise our voices in praise.

For the chirping of birds that call to us from treetops as we walk by

For soups, stews, coffees, teas and hot apple cidre that keep us warm when we come in from the cold

For this community that gathers in the name of the Christ, who seek to respond to your gift of life and offer one another signs of peace and love

For scientists who have discovered a way to make plastics from orange peelings

For the constant quest to learn about your unfolding creation, for fossils of 70 Million year old duck-like birds found in Antarctica

For the United Church’s Mission and Service fund serving ministries in the Thailand and India and emergency funds that respond to the recent Tsunami relief effort

We give thanks for birthday parties, friendships, and the many ways we reach out to one another to deepen and honour our lives

For reading and writing and all the letters of the alphabet

In this hurting and broken world, we pray:

For the 200,000 refugees who were residents of Fallujah that have no home

For North Vancouver residents effected by the recent mudslide, and grieving loss of life or home

For those struggling with illness or disease.

We give thanks for the life of Elma Rome who died last night. We pray for her husband John, daughter Margaret, son Eric and his family who grieve her loss.

We pray for Harvey Walker recovering from heart surgery. Be present with him and support his family in this time of need

 

We pray for all who are new to this city, Vancouver, and who are visiting this church today. May they receive a warm welcome as they seek to make a new home in this community.

We thank you that the light shines in the darkness and has not put it out.
That your divine spark of life sent to each of us, the Kingdom of God within, promises us each the ability to love and to serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, and to be a generous and joyful community.

We say together the prayer he taught his disciples printed in our bulletin.