bidding prayer 2011
In the name of Christ and his Church I bid you welcome to ... today.
We have come together as the family of God in our Father's presence to celebrate the festival of Christmas. In this service we hear and receive the good news of the birth of Christ, and we offer to God our thanksgiving in the joyful singing of carols.
But first we pray:
For all Christian people, that by this festival they may be renewed to fulfil Christ's work in this world; and especially for all seafarers away from their families at this time, for The Mission to Seafarers, Apostleship of the Sea, the Danish Seamens Church and the German Seamens Mission to minister to seafarers in Hong Kong.
For the world, which is already Christ's, that those who bear responsibility for its future, in politics, in industry, in commerce, and in education and communication, may be inspired by the message of Christmas to work together for the establishment of justice, freedom and peace everywhere;
For all in special need, the sick, the anxious, the lonely, the fearful, and the bereaved.
We commend all whom we love, or who have asked for our prayers, to the unfailing mercy of our heavenly Father, and say together, as Christ himself taught us,