Prayer
Blessèd are you, Sovereign God, ruler of the nations,
to you be glory and praise for ever!
From the rising of the sun to its setting
your name is proclaimed in all the world.
As the Sun of Righteousness dawns in our hearts,
anoint our lips with the seal of your Spirit
that we may witness to your gospel
and sing your praise in all the world,
Creator, Redeemer, and Giver of Life:
Blessèd be God for ever!
Amen
Old Testament Reading - Help for a leader
17“It’s not right!” his father-in-law exclaimed. 18“You’re going to wear yourself out — and if you do, what will happen to the people? Moses, this job is too heavy a burden for you to try to handle all by yourself. 19-20Now listen, and let me give you a word of advice, and God will bless you: Be these people’s lawyer — their representative before God — bringing him their questions to decide; you will tell them his decisions, teaching them God’s laws, and showing them the principles of godly living.
24Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed this suggestion. 25He chose able men from all over Israel and made them judges over the people — thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. 26They were constantly available to administer justice. They brought the hard cases to Moses but judged the smaller matters themselves.
. . . . .Exodus 18:17-20, 24-26O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
Let the whole earth stand in awe of God.
Confession
Almighty and merciful God,
we have sinned against you,
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with all our heart.
We have not loved others
as our Saviour Christ loves us.
We are truly sorry.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.