We gather for prayer in the presence of our good God -

Communion of Love, Life and Hope.Amen

Our holidays are overour lives have returned to normal –

school, work, meals, shopping, organising...

Summer is still with us –warmth, long days, outdoors...

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but sometimes the wind’s bitereminds us of the change of season

and the change to purple vestments soonwill alert us to the coming of Lent

Let’s pause to hold in our heartsthe wonderful memories of this

summer....

What particular joys did I have?What people or incidents do I want to

remember?How did relationships deepen for me?

How did I relax?

What particular joys did I have?What people or incidents do I want to

remember?How did relationships deepen for me?

How did I relax?

God of refreshment and relaxation,You who invite us into the wonder of summer,

give us hearts deep enough to hold the memories that will encourage us through the year.

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Just as squirrels prepare for when food is scarce in winter,

may we store memories that nourish us

empower usreconcile us

calm us and unburden usin the days ahead.

Let us remember the beauty and glorious times of summer

and with gratitude store them in our hearts.

Let us remember the new things that we did,with family… with our children…with friends…by ourselves… this summer

and with gratitude we store them in our hearts.

We remember the unexpected –

the visitors…the lovely surprises…Even the worries and the frights - and with gratitude we store them in our hearts.

We remember the losses, the deep sadness and the worries.

We remember the love, care and concern of others…

and with gratitude we store these in our hearts.

We remember your presence God….

like the green and brown of the land, the shape of the landscape,

the solidity of the hills,the constancy of the soil,

and the feel of the weather….

always with us this summer -and we are grateful.

We remember your presence

like living wateraround usbefore us

within us…..

your refreshing welcome in the heat of the day.

We remember you at day’s beginning and ending….

Your faithful presence surrounding us always.

And as we now approach Lentmay all the signs of your presence

encourage and enliven us

so that with grateful heartswe will do our bit

to bring about your transformative dream for our world

Living Godbless us

with renewed energywith grateful hearts

with hearts burning for justicewith loving hearts

and with hearts that seek peaceas we come into Lent.