God of Kiwis and Kangaroos - an order of service for prayers for Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia

The prayers in this order of service were written by Lucy D'Aeth. The service was led by Jill Hawkey and the preacher was Peter Prove. I particularly love the God of Kiwis and Kangaroos in the final blessing.

Morning Prayer at the Ecumenical Centre
Monday August 9th
Ecumenical Prayer Cycle: Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia

Welcome

Gathering
L: In the name of the Creator, the fountain of life,
the name of Christ, the pulse of life,
and the name of the Spirit, the breath of life. Amen

People: Holy! Holy! Holy! Earth is filled with God’s presence.

L: Christ, we come into your presence today
To worship in this sanctuary called Earth

P: A planet filled with your presence,
quivering in the forests,
vibrating in the land,
pulsating in the wilderness,
shimmering
in the rivers.

L: God, reveal yourself to us in this place
and show us your face in your creation.

Song: Where mountains rise to open skies (see sheet)

Reading: Hebrews 11: 1-3: 8-16
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a long time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith, he received power of procreation, even though he was too old- and Sarah herself was barren-because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore, from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore”.

All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed he has prepared a city for them.

Reading: Luke 12: 32-40
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes: truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour”.

Song: Tama Ngakau Marie (Thuma Mina, No 47)

Reflection

Intercessions
Creator God,
We thank you for this new day and this new week. As we meet together on this summer morning, we remember our sisters and brothers across the globe in their winter evening and we thank you for the beautiful lands of Aotearoa and Australia – for the mountains and rivers, forests and beaches, the unique creatures and plants which shout the promise of these distant lands.
We remember before you all who call these lands ‘home’, that you may work through them to transform histories of suffering, violence and exile into communities of justice and peace.
God, in your mercy : Hear our prayer

God of justice and power,
We ask your blessing on all who make decisions about land use and resource management. We pray for politicians, business leaders, tribal elders, researchers and all who shape our planet’s future. Forgive us for our violent denial of indigenous wisdom, which taught us to treat our lands as our nurturing mother. Challenge the greed and despair which leads to the rape of this fragile planet; inspire us all to reverence and awe, that we may know your Spirit enlivening us as we journey into your promised land of justice and hope.
God, in your mercy : Hear our prayer

Gentle and surprising God,
Appearing when we least expect you, holding us in your web of love; weaving our diversity into your wholeness; we offer you our working week – our comings and goings, our deliberations and our efforts, that all may work to your glory. We pray for our colleagues, our families and our neighbours – all who make up the fabric of our daily lives. We pray for people of faith throughout the world, that through us, you may bring your promise of justice and joy, healing and hope to the whole world.
We ask all prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our brother and our saviour.
Amen

Song: When the road runs out (see sheet)

Blessing
May the God of Abraham and Sarah bless us with hope,
May the God of kiwis and kangaroos surprise us into creativity,
May the pulsating, shimmering God, ever old and ever new, be with us, breathe through us, inspire and guide us, this and every day.
Amen