Breakout 2011Morning Worship

‘Life and Well-being’

Malachi 24Know, then, that I have sent this command to you, so that my covenant with Levi may hold, says the Lord of hosts. 5My covenant with him was a covenant of life and well-being, which I gave him; this called for reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. 6True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.

7For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 8But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, 9and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction.

Covenant of life and well-being

We believe in Godwhose love is the source of all lifeand the desire of our lives,

Whose love was given a human facein Jesus of Nazareth

Whose love was crucified by the evilthat waits to enslave us all.

And whose love, defeating even death,is our glorious promise of freedom.

Therefore, though we are sometimes fearfuland full of doubt,in God we trust;

And in the name of Jesus Christ, we commit ourselvesin the service of others,

To seek justiceand to live in peace,

To care for the earth and to sharethe commonwealth of God’s goodness,

To live in the freedom of forgiveness,and the power of the Spirit of love,

And in the company of the faithfulso to be the church for the glory of God. Amen.

© Wild Goose Publications

Prayer in small groups

We did not want it easy, GodBut we did not contemplateThat it would be quite this hard,This long, this lonely,

So, if we are to be turned inside out,And upside down,With even our pockets shakenJust to check what’s rattlingAnd left behind,

We pray that you will keep faith with us,

And we with you,Holding our hands as we weep,Giving us strength to continue,And showing us beaconsAlong the wayTo becoming new.Poem © Anna Mackenzie from Sheila Cassidy, Good Friday People