Sunday 22 March 2020

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Opening Prayer
God, it is strange not be gathering together for worship.
It is unusual for us to meet in this way, 
but we know that these are very unusual times. 
We know that you are with us in all occasions 
and you hear our worship and prayer wherever it is offered. 
We know too that you respond to us and bless us 
in whatever situation we find ourselves in.
So today, despite the difference in our location, 
we want to bring you our thanks.

We give thanks for the gift of life, for the blessings we have all received, 
and the fact that your love is with us (and for us) at all times.
We bring our worries and our fears about this time of corona virus 
and place them into your hands. 

We don’t know exactly how things will develop 
so it is easy to be apprehensive or afraid.
But we do know that you are with us – 
and that nothing can separate us from you.

So we ask you to surround us with your love 
and enable us to have courage, peace, 
and confidence in your support.
We pray that even in the difficulties of this present time 
you will strength our faith and open our eyes 
to ways in which we can operate as a church 
and support one another.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, 
your kingdom come, 
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread 
and forgive us our sins 
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us in the time of trial 
and deliver us from evil 
for the kingdom, the power and the glory 
are yours, 
now and forever.
Amen.

Readings
Exodus 17: 1-7
John 9: 1-41

Prayer              (Adapted from Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, Church of Scotland)
Living God,
In our hour of need we turn to you, 
for we have nowhere else to turn.
We put our faith in you, 
because you have proved your faithfulness time and again.
We reaffirm our love for you 
because you have never let us go.
We thank you that you are not distant from us.
but have drawn near, in your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

We pray for this pandemic spreading across our world,
remembering all who have lost loved ones.
and praying for those seriously ill at this time.
We remember our NHS as it responds to this added pressure 
on its already overstretched services.
We pray for doctors and nurses and all in the caring professions,
who work to help and support people as best they can.
We remember others trying to understand this virus better.
working to create an effective remedy.
We pray for our Governments in Holyrood and Westminster 
as they seek to work with the best medical advice.
to guide us on the action we should take.

May this crisis bring out the best in us, not the worst.
May we not forget our responsibility to one another,
not least to the vulnerable and voiceless in our communities.
May we as a congregation find ways of keeping in touch and offering reassurance
to those with underlying health issues;
for any who feel particularly vulnerable or in danger at present.

As the virus spreads we pray for the disruption it causes to normal life,
bringing new fears and anxieties:
We pray for those who have been laid off as their work disappears;
for those individuals and businesses facing financial hardship; 
for those needing to find ways of enabling childcare,
for the impact on the economy when austerity has already left its mark.

May we as a congregation find new ways of living though this time.
Despite the difficulties we face now,
may we come to find new ways to worship 
and to support and care for one another.
Strengthen us, by your Spirit, so that:
we may carry on our lives as best as we are able,
looking out for others,
showing love in action,
bringing encouragement, hope and peace;
always trusting in you.
These prayers we bring to you.
in Jesus’ name.
Amen.


Closing Prayer
May light shine out from our eyes 
like a candle set in a window. 
And may God bless us 
with goodness and loving kindness.
Amen.