
Prayer
O Lord, open our lips;
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessèd are you, Lord our God,
redeemer and ruler of all;
to you be glory and praise for ever!
From the waters of chaos you drew forth the world,
and in your great love, fashioned us in your image.
Now, through the deep waters of death
you have brought your people to new birth
by raising your Son to life in triumph.
May we, the firstfruits of your new creation,
rejoice in this new day you have made;
may Christ your light ever dawn in our hearts
as we offer you our sacrifice of thanks and praise,
Creator, Redeemer, and Giver of Life:
Blessèd be God for ever!
Amen.
Old Testament Reading - The reform of national life

15From now on, when you pray with your hands stretched out to heaven, I won’t look or listen. Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear, for your hands are those of murderers; they are covered with the blood of your innocent victims.
16Oh, wash yourselves! Be clean! Let me no longer see you doing all these wicked things; quit your evil ways. 17Learn to do good, to be fair, and to help the poor, the fatherless, and widows.
18Come, let’s talk this over, says the Lord; no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you white as wool! 19If you will only let me help you, if you will only obey, then I will make you rich! 20But if you keep on turning your backs and refusing to listen to me, you will be killed by your enemies; I, the Lord, have spoken.
. . . . . Isaiah 1:15-20Intercession
Please remember our Prayer Requests
One thing we ask of you, O Lord, one thing we seek:
that we may dwell in your house all the days of our life.
Lord, have mercy. E te Ariki, kia aroha mai.
Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us,
as we have put our trust in you.
Christ, have mercy. E te Karaiti, kia aroha mai.
Rise up and help us, O God our Saviour,
and save us for the sake of your steadfast love.
Lord, have mercy. E te Ariki, kia aroha mai.
Ride on and conquer in the cause of truth,
and for the sake of justice.
Christ, have mercy. E te Karaiti, kia aroha mai.
Let the heavens declare the rightness of your cause,
and may your praises reach to the world’s end.
Lord, have mercy. E te Ariki, kia aroha mai.
Amen.