Seek the Lord
‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts:
nor are your ways my ways,’ says the Lord.
‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth:
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
New Testament Reading - Live as Servants of God
9But you are not like that, for you have been chosen by God himself — you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own — all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were less than nothing; now you are God’s own. Once you knew very little of God’s kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it.
11Dear brothers, you are only visitors here. Since your real home is in heaven, I beg you to keep away from the evil pleasures of this world; they are not for you, for they fight against your very souls.
12Be careful how you behave among your unsaved neighbors; for then, even if they are suspicious of you and talk against you, they will end up praising God for your good works when Christ returns.
. . . . . 1 Peter 2:9-12Intercession
Intercession and Thanksgiving are offered in free prayer
or in silence, ending with the following
Show us your mercy, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
Lord, have mercy. E te Ariki, kia aroha mai.
The earth is full of violence:
look, O Lord, upon your covenant.
Christ, have mercy. E te Karaiti, kia aroha mai.
O God, do not be silent;
do not keep still, nor hold your peace, O God.
Lord, have mercy. E te Ariki, kia aroha mai.
Amen.