Prayers for Annual Meeting 2019

Opening

God who calls us to be the church, we have made one more circle around the sun.
Another year has been and gone and today we gather to reflect on the year that was,
to listen for your voice speaking in our midst,
and to look ahead to the year that is just beginning.

As we gather this morning we give thanks for all the many ways people in this faith community have lived out their commitment to the community:
-those who have led and planned activities,
-those who have volunteered to help at one of those activities,
-those who have served on Council, or on one of the Ministry teams,
-those who have served communion, or greeted, or read scripture, or made coffee for our Sunday mornings,
-those who have prayed for their neighbours in the congregation and in the wider world.
AS we gather this morning we remember the neighbours who come to this place
-for comfort:
-for a food voucher,
-to attend support meetings in this building,
and we are thankful for the opportunity to serve our community in this way.
God of life, as a community of faith we mark the changes of life.
We mark life’s beginning with Baptism, remembering [insert names].
We mark the maturing of our youth with Confirmation, remembering [insert names].
We join together to celebrate Relationship, remembering [insert names].
We join our hearts to celebrate life and to mourn at the time of death, remembering [insert names]
In all the changes of life we recognize that we are not alone, and we give thanks.
God of our past, our present, and our future,
move among us, we pray, as we meet here this afternoon.
Open our ears and hearts to hear and know where you are leading us.
As we talk about a vision for this faith community, help it be not just our vision but yours that pulls us forward.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our teacher and guide, our rock and redeemer, our source of hope.
AMEN 

Closing 

God, you have called us together, and we have responded.

Here today we have sung, and prayed and listened.
Here today we have broken bread together at the table of faith and at the table of community.
Here today we have given thanks for the year that was and talked about how we will be a faith community in the years to come.
And you have been a part of all of that.
Thank you.
Now we move out of this building and into the world where we do the most of our living and serving.
As we leave this building today may we be assured that you go with us.
As we live and serve in the wider world may we see Christ in the neighbours we meet, and may they see Christ in us.
As we move into the future as a community of faith, may we always be aware of and strive to live out the vision you have for us as individuals and as a congregation.
And may we always remember that we are not alone.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
AMEN