Opening PRayer for an Annual Meeting

God of our past, our present, and our future,
Source of life, in whom we have our being,
One who has created and is creating;
today we gather to celebrate our life together over the last year.
We give thanks for all the ways we have experienced Your presence over the last year.
As we think back over the year we remember those times we have gathered to say farewell to members of our community, we name and remember them again today {read names from Annual Report}. We also pause to remember those who celebrated their relationships and their love over the last year {read names}.
Today we remember also many hours of worship and service together, meals shared with each other and the wider community, shared laughter and tears, shared hopes and dreams, fears and anxieties.
God of our past, our present, and our future,
today we also move from remembering the year that was
to looking ahead at the years that will be.
In our time of reflection and visioning this afternoon,
open our hearts, our minds, and our souls to your wisdom and your guidance.
Inspire us with your vision for how we can flourish as a part of Your global body.
Fill us with a sense of who and how we are called to be in the world.
May our discussion this day re-energize us and cause us to be renewed in purpose so that we can better share your love with the world. Amen.