Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.
Augustine of Hippo
This world and all within it
is part of your glorious plan,
devised and created in love
for your people to enjoy.
Such divine mystery;
Such wonder;
that you should consider
humankind so precious
and provide for our needs.
God of all, our creator,
our rock, our refuge,
our confidence and hope,
our rescuer and deliverer,
in whom we can rely,
we will praise your name today
and all days. Amen.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins
to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right:
he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing
1 John 1:8-9
O God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Your only begotten Son, give me a body unstained, a
pure heart, a watchful mind, and an upright understanding, and the presence of Your Holy Spirit, that
I may obtain and ever hold fast to an unshaken faith in Your Truth, through Jesus Christ, Your Son,
our Lord; through whom be glory to You in the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. AMEN.
– The Clementine Liturgy
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
You are compassionate beyond comparison,
loving beyond imagination,
and faithful beyond our betrayal.
Just as the psalmist declares, “our sin is ever before us.”
We, too, admit our transgressions:
we have become stained with wrongdoing,
sacrificing the goodness of your love for the demise of this world.
We have abandoned your law,
caring less for your creation and more for our own ambition.
Wash us clean, God of mercies, and deliver us from bloodshed.
Help us to hear your voice calling us back,
remind us of your love bringing us home,
and renew our spirits that we might believe the covenant again.
For the sake of Jesus Christ, we pray in our hearts…
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a right spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me again the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
Psalm 51:10-12
God of healing,
God of wholeness,
we bring our brokenness,
our sinfulness,
our fears
and despair,
and lay them at your feet.
God of healing,
God of wholeness,
we hold out hearts and hands,
minds and souls
to feel your touch,
and know the peace
that only you can bring.
God of healing,
God of wholeness,
this precious moment
in your presence and power
grant us faith and confidence
that here broken lives
are made whole.
To those who hunger
You are the bread of life
To those who thirst
You are a refreshing stream
To those who mourn
You are a hand to hold
To those in need
You are an untiring friend
To those who question
You are the one they seek
To those who are blind
You are their guiding feet
To those who ask
You are the Son of God
To those who kneel
You are the forgiving King
This is the day that the Lord has made.
This is the day when he can be found.
God of all, breath of life,
Living water, Saviour, friend.
Come as the hungry, feed on his Word
Come as the thirsty, drink of his Love
Come as the faithful, worship the Lord.
At the Branch — children matter. More than that — we believe that kids have something to contribute — their voice and gifts are a valued part of our community. That’s why we’re looking for a BranchKids director that is passionate about the next generation and ready to invest themselves in the lives of the kids, volunteers and parents of the Branch.
All resumes can be submitted to Chris at chris@thebranchonline.org by April 15. Please include with your resume three references that can speak to your skills and abilities that are relevant to this position.
When pride and selfishness obscure my vision, and voices of this world confuse my mission, let it be
your will not mine, be done.
When faith and thankfulness lack direction, and every day is opposition, let it be your will not mine, be
done.
Be the centre,the focus of all I am.
Be the One I depend upon.
Amen
To know you, Lord
what more could we desire?
To know your love
Hear your call
Feel your touch
Understand your suffering
Follow where you have walked
Into resurrection life.
To know you, Lord
what more could we desire?
To run the race
Eyes focused
Spirit filled
Stumbling but rising up
Heading toward the glorious light
of resurrection life.
Forgive us, Lord
when we are struggling with life,
searching for answers in vain,
relying on our own strength
and failing again.
Remind us, Lord
that you are the strength
upon whom we can call,
the power to endure,
the answer that we seek,
the one in whose arms
we can safely fall.
Forgive us, Lord
when we forget.
The path we walk
is often strewn
with distractions
causing us to stumble.
Teach us your way, O Lord,
Help us follow your footsteps.
The path we walk
is often chosen
with little regard
of the final destination.
Teach us your way, O God,
Help us follow your footsteps.
The path we walk
is often clouded
with lack of faith
and indecision.
Teach us your way, O God,
Help us follow your footsteps.
What more could we ask than to gaze upon your beauty with eyes and heart of faith in our journeying
with you. In times of plenty and in times of want, in lofty places and low you keep us safe, secure
from harm. What more could we ask than to gaze upon your beauty with eyes of vision and hope in
our journeying with you. In suffering and pain, in times of doubt you hold us tight; what can we fear?
Forgive us, gracious God, when we tire of the journey
and wander from the path; when our heart is set not on the goal
toward which you point but toward a distant shore that offers a temporary comfort.
Forgive us when the light that once shone
within our soul is dimmed; when first love is not focused on Saviour,
but on the satisfaction of self, which leads to a different destination.
Forgive
Restore
Re-focus
Revive
Re-ignite the flame within.
That we might illuminate the way toward which so many seek to travel.
Through Jesus Christ we ask this. Amen.
Your love does not fade
as we choose to walk
a different path,
or listen to voices
persuading us
to put faith aside
and pick up instead
a forbidden fruit.
Your love is constant
and accepting.
Your love is merciful
and forgiving.
Your love is grace-full
and inspiring.
Your love is…
Your love is…
all we are not
and everything you are,
our loving God and King
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the
humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One
has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from
generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who
are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up
the humble. He has filled th hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped
his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he
said to our fathers.
Luke 1:46-55
Have mercy upon us, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercies,
blot out our transgressions. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquity, and cleanse us from our sin. For
we know our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and put
a new and right spirit within us. Cast us not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit
from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation, and uphold us with a willing spirit. Through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Come, all who are thirsty says Jesus, our Lord,
come, all who are weak,
taste the living water that I shall give.
Dip your hands in the stream,
refresh body and soul,
drink from it, depend on it,
for this water will never run dry.
Come, all who are thirsty
says Jesus, our Lord.
