European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy

Morning Prayer:

Opening Hymn: Gather (Licam Lavvton.)
Gather from the East, gather from the West,
Gather from the highways too.
Gather from the North, gather from the South,
Gather when the night is noon.
Gather all the needy, gather all in pain
Gather all who cry in vain.
Gather all the thirsty, gather all the poor,
Gather all in Jesus' name.

Chorus: And we'll gather…
And we'll gather and we shall reap,
And no longer in sadness we'll weep.
And we'll gather, and we shall reap,
Resting, rising, calling, guiding, O Lord.

Gather all forgotten, gather all forlorn,
Gather all who weep and mourn.
Gather all the silent, gather all who sing,
Gather all the hearts re-born.

Chorus: And we'll gather...

Gather from all races, gather from all creeds,
Gather that you may believe.
Gather all you ages, gather in his keep,
Gather in the Lord's own peace.
Chorus: And we'll gather...

Invitation:
Bringing our emblems, we move out into the morning air,
Into the Divine Presence in nature.

(Let this movement be in silence).

Outside

Our Ancestors had no walls around their worship. Their worship was inclusive of all people, animals, birds of the air and fish of the sea and all living things.

As we form a circle, coming from different, varied lands and cultures, we are aware that all of creation is cyclical, which is reflected in the circles of life in all creation.

When I stand to form a circle, I am aware of the togetherness of the group; no one is before or behind me. We are equal in our Creator's eyes.

Look around at the scenery; listen to the sounds of nature.
Breathe in the morning air again
Become aware of the earth, the space, we occupy
This is holy ground - sacred earth.
Greet the morning
Night is gone
Darkness is gone - light fills the air
Reach out your hands to touch the air.

Hymn: Morning Has Broken
Morning has broken, like the first morning.
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird.
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the world.

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play.
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God's recreation of the new day.

Opening Prayer:
Creator God, you who created the universe out of chaos,
we thank you for gathering us here this morning from all corners of Europe, bringing with us our gifts, our differences and our pain. Quicken your Spirit among us so that through your action, we may be enabled to celebrate our differences and recognise and overcome our struggles.
We ask this in Your name. Amen.

Creation Story:

Leader: In the beginning God said " Let there be light to separate the day from the night"

Reader 1: So God created the sun, moon and stars.

Reader 2: Often we look to the sky in wonder. Leader: God created the earth and all the plants that grow on it

Reader 1: God created a variety of animals to live in the air, sea and on land.

Reader 3: We see God's generosity in the plenty of nature's growth.
(place centrally flowers and leaves)

Leader: God made man and woman in God's own image

Reader 1: God set them on the way to freedom

Reader 2: We marvel at people's potential to reflect God's love.

Pause for a minute's reflection or sharing of thoughts

Reading: Luke Ch 12 v 27 - 32
Think of the lilies of the field, they never spin, nor weave~ yet I assure you, not even Solomon in all his glory was robed like one of these. Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field, which is here to-day and gone tomorrow, how much more will he look after you!

Silence

Prayer of the Six Directions:

" Let us face the east, where the sun rises each day and think about all that is new in our lives."

Silence

Response: " We thank you, God for the gift of new life, new days, new opportunities and new beginnings." Amen.

" Let us face south, which symbolises warmth and think about those people, events and things which warm our lives and help us to grow and develop."

Silence

Response:" We thank you, God for everything and everyone that have helped us to grow in different areas of our lives." Amen

"Let us face west, where the sun sets and think about things coming to a close in our lives."

Silence

Response:" We thank you, God for sunsets and nights and for the the endings in our lives." Amen

Let us face north, which reminds us of coldness. We remember the challenges and difficulties in life.

Silence

Response:" We thank you, God that you are with us when life is difficult and when we face challenges." Amen.

" Let us now reach down slowly to touch our earth. Let's think of all that sustains our life.

Silence

Response:" We praise you, God, Creator for all that enables us to live."

" Let us look up into the sky, and focus on our hopes and dreams.

Silence

Response: "Help us, God as we reach out towards your future."
Amen.

Prayers of the Faithful

Group A: Loving creator, may we your sons and daughters
Group B: continue to share your creative love.
Group A: Remind us that you did not make this beautiful earth to be exploited.
Group B: but to give you praise and glory
Group A: Show you care for all those who live to serve others.
Group B:` May your grace support and comfort them.
Group A Show your care for all who suffer in any way
Group B: May the the glory of your creation healing and hope.
Leader: Loving Creator, the earth and all it contains is your gift to us. May we cherish it as you do and never take for granted the beauty and bounty that surrounds us in nature and in one another. Amen

Our Father in each persons' own language.


Procession: Take emblems and process into the meeting room.

"I arise to-day", - The Pilgrim. (Shaun Davey)
(Soloist: Rita Connolly)