Prayer of Approach

 Holy Spirit come to us, walk beside us, stand with us, and remind us of Gods Holy Presence.. Call to our minds the word and work of Jesus. Remind us of his teaching. Remind us to put his teaching not practice in our daily lives. By your presence, show to us that we do not walk alone that we are not left to our own devices when it comes to discipleship. Holy Spirit, breathe upon us empower us, remind us so that we might be the disciples that Jesus deserves.

    Church should be a place where all people should feel like they belong and are valued. This is or can be a challenge. How we greet people How we welcome them says everything about us. 

A family moved into a new town, and they went to the local church. Big sign saying “welcoming family church” They went in sat near the front so they would not sit in anyone’s pew. The clergy made a point of inviting people for coffee after church. When it was all finished and the last amen said, Everyone left the sanctuary and the new family found themselves at the end leaving and by the time they got everything ready to go they had no idea where coffee was so they left.

How we welcome someone can set their entire church experience and view of church can be set for life.

Hospitality is Being there for someone.

It becomes a cycle which renews itself it feeds upon its self and grows. 

It is through our kindness through how we greet people into our homes and into our place of prayer that spread the gospel. 

     It is through our kindness through how we greet people into our homes and into our place of prayer that the action of the spirit can be seen.

We can be challenged like John to see a new earth a new way of being. To have vision of what it is be Hospitable. What it is to allow that Spirit to work. 

 I think Hospitality truly extends beyond welcoming someone into your home. It becomes the action of living out the great commandment which Jesus Gives us to love one another as he have loved us. Remember in the Christian sense, love is not primarily an emotion but an act of the will and the act of the will is inspired and nurtured by the Spirit which becomes the Advocate that is sent to us. 

Thus it is the Holy Spirit that makes action of the church possible because the church becomes the reflection and our response the Spirit. Challenge of the Gospel is how do we allow that Sprit to work. When someone comes here do they feel at home. Are they comfortable. How are they welcomed and not only here but in our lives.

  As we grow so does our spiritual self nurtured by that promised councilor. . It is as individual as the plants in the Garden. They all my be of a similar seed but each needs to grow and find its own way. .   

In the Garden of fellowship mutual support and love are needed We need to nurture each of those individual plants. See the beauty in there Oneness . And Embrace their individuality

 Our life experience helps us to appreciate that God reveals himself in many different ways.   That the promised counsellor finds different avenues to help us understand our spiritual gifts.  To help find and know that Jesus truly does not leave us desolate and alone. 

  As we join together as Christian and members of the same faith let us embrace and continue to allow the spirit to work and to lead us. To allow it to challenge us to dare to dream dreams and to have visions of what we can do. To embrace our past and find new an innovative ways to incorporate them into our future.

The Saints of the church opened doors with the hospitality of Christ. Where inspired by the spirit  The tradition of welcome has been one that has sustained our congregations. It is a testimony to the spirit alive and moving here among all of you.   

With the passing of the Spirit we see the presence of God in our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.

Christ leaves us with his peace because that peace comes from knowing that we have not been left alone but that God in Christ through the Holy Spirit becomes the one that not only challenges us to action but assures us that we are not alone.   

Prayers of the people 

Hear our prayer we humbly offer

Grant to us your peace O God

Hear our prayer we humbly offer

Grant to us your peace O God. 

God of the gentle presence in our lives, we hear the word’s of your Son, and in all that is happening in our world more than we could ever list we need to hear those words. “Peace I leave with you” Oh Lord what a comfort to our souls those words are.   When we head your words to live out the great commandment, to move in harmony and balance with you, your world, those that surround us and most of all ourselves we come to know that promised great peace.  May be so empowered in our lives to open ourselves and our doors so that all may know your peace.  A peace that welcomes all and whoever.

In this moment in the peace of this place quiet our souls that we may feel your energy flow through us restoring our soul.   In this moment in the peace of this place we offer you prayers for those that we know and those whom we will never know.

In this moment in the peace of this place we offer you prayers for the world in which we live.

In this moment in the peace of this place we offer you prayers for your guidance and direction in living out the ministry you have called us to

In this moment in the peace of this place we offer you prayers for ourselves, may we find peace with ourselves and those whom we encounter.  Lord hear these our prayers and the prayers of our hearts.  We speak with one voice the great prayer that you gave as we say our Father….

Offering

 One: We rejoice in remembering this day  God has given us the gift of eternal life. Let us bring our offering to God in Joy and thanks giving in gratitude for what we have received.

Offering received

Offering  (tune 122)

All glory , laud and honour

to you redeemer king.

To you we bring our gifts, 

our voices join and sing

The multitude of blessings

 you give us each new day

Our praise and prayer and offerings

before you we present.

Offering Prayer

For your witness to us through your son we give thanks. For the peace your Holy Spirit bring we rejoice. For Your Truth that persist and will not let us for get our calling with give thanks Amen