To meet us in our confusion
We call on the mercy of God
To meet us in our brokenness
God in our meeting
God in our parting.
Song “Still my soul be still”
We call on the power of God
To meet us in our helplessness
God in our thinking
God in our speaking
We say the Lord’s Prayer in our own language
Reading Acts 15v5-11
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Prayer
We pray tonight for all those we know who need our help and prayers who we carry in our hearts tonight.
Spirit of the Living God present with us now enter their bodies, minds and spirits and heal them of all that harms them. Let your angels be beside them at this time and protect them. In Jesus Name we pray.
Song “I shall not want”
Closing Responses
The cross we shall take it
The bread we shall share it
The gospel we shall live it
The love we shall give it
The light we shall cherish it
The darkness God shall perish it.
Amen.
©Iona Community adapted
