Rescue me

Romans 7:15–25 

Tyrant's tendrils wind

tangled knots bind high, tighter: 

breath of Peace – release 

Set apart for the Story

Romans 1:1–7 

We are called,

set apart,

to serve the Story of hope,

embodied by Jesus the Christ,

son of Holy One, Holy Three,

incarnate in humanity,

living, dying, returning to life,

in dedication to the Way of Love.

Grace to you, and peace,

in the name of Holy One,

Creator, Christ, Spirit. 

Amen. 

May we give honour

Romans 15:4–13 

May Holy One, Holy Three,

ever faithful, all encouragement,

help us to live together in harmony,

following Jesus the Christ,

and so together may we give honour

to our Creator, 

in our welcome of each other,

in our joy, our peace, our faith; 

in abounding hope inspired by 

the Spirit. Amen. 

To live with honour

Romans 13:11–14 

confession 

we confess we do not always live honourably  –

we are unkind, we are selfish,

we are greedy, we are jealous,

we make arguments not peace

Holy One, forgive us 

Holy One, forgive us 

we confess we do not alway pay attention – 

we forget to pray,

we make no time for your Story,

we do not listen to the poor, the vulnerable,

we do not stop to feel the sun or the breeze,

to smell the fresh-mown grass, or linger

on the tastes of our food 

Holy One, forgive us

Holy One, forgive us 

we confess that we rush a lot,

we buy a lot,

we do a lot – 

so here, now, we pause,

these weeks of Advent we wait,

let the story unfold slowly,

so that we can pay attention,

and remember the life of honour

you showed us how to live. 

Holy One, forgive us

Holy One, forgive us 

grace 

wake now from your sleep

and pay attention – 

Jesus will be born again

within us and among us 

and between us, because Holy One

does forgive, and came to Earth

so we might, truly, fully, live.

Be at peace. 

Amen. 

I am weak / help me to love

Romans 14:1–12



I am weak, God,
help me to love.

I see weakness in others
and despise it, for it reminds me
of weakness within.

I am weak, God,
help me to love.

I see difference in others
and reject it, for it unsettles me,
makes me feel unsure.

I am weak, God,
help me to love.

I judge others, condemn,
revile, for I cannot bear to think
that it is I who may be wrong.

I am weak, God,
help me to love.

I live for myself, and do not live
at all, for I cannot trust in life
and death in Jesus the Christ.

I am weak, God,
help me to love.

I kneel before you, God my judge,
for I have not walked your way
of love, and I am sorry.

I am weak, God,
help me to love.


pause

As you bow, as you confess,
God runs forward, arms outstretched.
You have turned, returned again:
fall into those wide-flung arms,
accept Divine embrace, for you are loved,
you are forgiven, you shall have life!

Amen.

Nothing but love: a blessing

Romans 13:8–10



Go into the world with no debt but love,
for love will not harm, will do no wrong
to your neighbour.
Go into the world with no law but love,
and you will keep God’s commandments
of love and honour.
Go into the world with no prayer but love,
and God will be with you, Christ
will be in you, Spirit will be around you.

Amen.

A statement of hope

Romans 12:9–21



May our love be genuine,
releasing hatred and fear and evil,
steadfast and true to all that is good.

May our love be mutual, affectionate;
may we honour one another, respect
one another, ardent in the Spirit of God.

May our love be honest,
rejoicing in hope, enduring suffering,
persevering in prayer always.

May our love be generous:
may we give, may we share,
may we welcome strangers and friends.

May our love be courageous,
resisting revenge, offering blessing,
rejoicing, weeping, seeking harmony.

May our love be humble;
may we stand beside the lowly,
take the lowest seat for ourselves.

May our love be forgiving;
may we feed our enemies,
give them drink to quench their thirst.

May our love be genuine,
empty of hate and fear and evil,
overflowing all that is holy and good.

Amen.

Liturgy of Mutual Affection

Romans 12:1–21



we are many, we are one
we are different, we are one
we are beloved, we are one
we are given, we are one
we are members, we are one
we are transformed, we are one.

one love to share,
one dignity, one honour,
one zeal in serving God,
one hope, one suffering, one prayer;
one need, yours is mine,
one blessing – do not curse.
one joy, together,
one mourning, harmony.
one presence, one humility,
one peace, one noble, grace-filled peace.
one table, all are welcome,
one welcome, one good way of love.

How deep, how unknown!

Romans 11:33–36



Oh how deep the riches,
how deep the wisdom,
deep the knowledge of God the Holy One!

How we search for understanding,
how we strive for insight;
how little our knowledge of God.

Who can know the mind of God?
Who give God advice and guidance?
Who gives to God anything at all,
in order to receive the gifts God gives to all?

From God are all things.
Through God are all things.
To God are all things;
Holy One, Source of life.

Glory – silver shimmering clouds
and golden beaming stars and sun –
belongs to God alone, now and ever more.
Amen.

Spirit help us to pray

prayers for ourselves and others
Rom 8:26–39



responsive. invite people in the pauses to think and feel in response to the words that are spoken.

We do not know how to pray.
Spirit, help us to pray.


Spirit help us in our frailty,

pause

Speak when words escape us,
sigh our deeper feelings
within the heart of God

pause 

for we do not know how to pray.
Spirit, help us to pray.

We know all things work together for good,
for those who love Holy One, Holy Three,

pause 

our eyes still see wrong and bad,

pause 

our hands divide and harm,

pause 

our hearts tremble with fear, not love,

pause 

and we do not know how to pray.
Spirit, help us to pray.

We know that you are for us, God,
and none can be against us.

pause 

We feel the world against us, God,

pause 

we see difference as threat,

pause 

we do not understand the mystery,

pause 

and we do not know how to pray.
Spirit, help us to pray.

We know nothing can keep us from your love,
not death, not life, not height or depth
or past or present or anything to come:

pause 

what of hardships, though?

pause 

what of distress or persecution?

pause 

or famine, nakedness, oppression, war?

pause 

We want to stay within the love of God,
but we do not know how to pray.
Spirit, help us to pray.

Leaning in

Lent 5: Romans 8:6–11

a bird falls, wings

resting, to be caught by clouds:

life in the Spirit

Gift of Faith

following Romans 5:1–5 

You give us faith
to make us right
with You again.

You give us peace
to bring us home
to You again.

You give us grace
in which we stand,
in Your presence,
in Your love,
in Your honour.

Thus we withstand
our suffering,
and we endure;
we find resilience,
and we grow;
we develop character,
and we hope –
we hope, for Your love,
our faithful Holy One,
is poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has
been given to us.


You give us Your Spirit,
breath of life,
wind of flight.

You give us Your Wisdom,
welcoming light,
path of right relationship.

You give us Your Love,
source of life,
home each night of sorrow
and day of quite exquisite joy.

We stand in awe,
grateful for such gifts, inspired
to fly, to love, to shine light
in the world.

Thank you.

May it be so.

Amen.