CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm 17

MUSIC
Curated by Kevin Borst
Phil Wickham - Battle Belongs
Bethel Music - Back To Life
Phil Wickham - Creator
Brooke Ligertwood - A Thousand Hallelujahs

PRAYER FOR FALL RETURNS
Written by Scott Wall

These past few days, many children in and around our community returned to school - along with university and college students —
some mature students too —
And of course, there are many teachers and aides who’ve gone back to work as well.

And in the fall startup we’re invited to consider how all learning is sacred -
Where, as students or as educators, we live our lives out on the edge of our experience and knowledge -
Our skill and our sense of self put through the rigours of stretching and growing.

This is exhilarating - there’s often such great energy in these times.
But it can also be challenging, and marked by anxiety for young and old alike.
Which is why in our liturgy today we pause and offer a prayer of fall returns -
Asking the Spirit to be near in all we face.

Join me now.

Loving God -
You are creative force at the centre of all things.
You are protective presence that keeps and guides us.

Today we think of children and youth and young adults and mature students as they return to school -
With curiosity - and anticipation -
With anxiety - and apprehension -
God, you are present in all our returning -
Inviting us to learn and receive new things.

Today we think of educators and teachers and administrators and aides as they return to the places of their vocation.
With new energy and perspective -
With trepidation and unsettledness too -
God, you are present in all our returning -
Inviting us to learn and receive new things.
Today we think of families of all configurations as they navigate this new fall season.

With great summer memories made -
With uncertainty about the feelings of separation, change, and busyness that are so real -
God, you are present in all our returning -
Inviting us to learn and receive new things.

Give us grace to trust your good intentions for us -
And that you go with us into the challenges and discoveries and transformation ahead.
Amen.