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Isaiah 42.1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10.34-43; Matthew 3.13-17

Prayers

Adult & All Age

Gathering words on the necessity of Jesus' baptism

Today we are exploring the meaning of Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River. When Jesus comes to be baptised, John is reluctant. However, Jesus insists this is part of God’s plan. Immediately God’s voice is heard acclaiming Jesus as ‘My Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased’. Why it was necessary for Jesus to be baptised, and how important it is to be affirmed, are questions we will think about today.

A gathering prayer

Lord, you call us to follow you.
In your Son Jesus,
we see a life lived out in love and humble service for us
in joyful obedience to you.
Enable us to live out your call with that same servant spirit,
confident of your love.
Amen.

Call to worship

‘Beloved, in whom I delight, I have chosen you.’
 
Lord, as we meet to worship, fill us with your affirming love so that we may be empowered to serve you in your world.

A prayer of approach

Lord,
we thank you that Jesus humbly chose to identify with us
in our brokenness and sin.
He fulfilled your calling to be a servant
to bring us home to you.
Father, you acclaimed him with delight as your beloved Son.
Help us, by your Spirit
to know that through Jesus we are beloved, too.
Amen.

A prayer for all ages together

Gather in a circle. Turn to face the person on your right. Say together: ‘You are beloved by God’. Then turn to face the person on your left. Say together: ‘You are beloved by God’. Next face inwards and hold hands. Say together: ‘You are beloved by God’. Finally turn outwards and extend hands towards the community in which you live. Shout: ‘You are beloved, by God. Alleluia’.

A prayer of confession

For those moments when our preconceptions blind us to your purposes:
forgive us, Lord.
For those times when we are deaf to your call:
forgive us, Lord.
For the occasions when we shrink from intimacy with you:
forgive us, Lord.
For those days when we consider ourselves
too important to serve others:
forgive us, Lord.
For the opportunities we miss
in affirming those we meet or work with:
forgive us, Lord.
Gracious Lord, help us to begin again with opened eyes,
attentive ears, hungry hearts and humble minds,
for Jesus’ sake.
Amen.

A way into prayer

Read Matthew 3.11-17 twice.
 
Imagine you are a spectator by the River Jordan. Listen to the crowds, the words of John the Baptist. Watch Jesus waiting in the queue. Witness the moment of baptism as Jesus goes under the water and then re-emerges. React to the signs from heaven. Reflect on the event and turn it into a simple prayer.

Prayers of intercession

Lord, your heart is to uphold your servants
as they fulfil your mission in your world.
So we would pray for:
the upholders of justice for the powerless and oppressed.
Pour out your Spirit on them, we pray.
 
The encouragers of the downtrodden
and those on the point of despair.
Pour out your Spirit on them, we pray.
 
The messengers who declare the truth of God’s love.
Pour out your Spirit on them, we pray.
 
The light-bringers to those imprisoned in the darkness
of ignorance and fear.
Pour out your Spirit on them, we pray.
 
And for us, too, as we seek to be Christ’s servants
in the communities where we live, work, or play.
May we be good news to those who know us,
and to any with whom we come into contact.
Pour out your Spirit on us, we pray.
Amen.

A prayer of thanksgiving

Lord, we cannot fathom why you should love us,
but you do.
We cannot comprehend
why you should call us to be your servants,
but you have.
We find it nigh impossible to grasp
why you should pour out your Spirit upon us,
but you don’t hold back.
Thank you for your love. Thank you for calling us.
Thank you for your Spirit’s power.
Amen.

A personal prayer

Lord, you turn things upside down and inside out.
You continually surprise us.
When Jesus came to begin his kingdom mission
he challenged expectations:
the Anointed One submits to baptism by the messenger;
the Holy One descends into an ocean of guilt, sin and shame;
the High and Lofty One embraces the role of a servant.
No wonder there was a fanfare from heaven!
Lord, when I am taken in by outward appearances
or false preconceptions about how I should act or work,
remind me of Jesus’ baptism and how you see things differently.
Amen.

A sending out prayer

Father, as you have loved us, so may we love.
Jesus, as you have called us, help us to follow.
Spirit, as you have sent us, fill us with your power.
Amen.

Adult & All Age prayers in Welsh

Tudalen/page 12

Galwad i addoli

‘Anwylyd, ynddot ti yr wyf yn ymhyfrydu, rwyf wedi dy ddewis.’

Arglwydd, wrth i ni gyfarfod i addoli, llanw ni â’th gariad cadarnhaol
fel y cawn ein galluogi i dy wasanaethu di yn ein byd.
   


Gweddi ymgynnull

Arglwydd, rwyt yn ei galw i dy ddilyn di.
Yn dy Fab Iesu,
gwelwn fywyd o gariad a gwasanaeth gwylaidd er ein mwyn,
mewn ufudd-dod llawen i ti.
Galluoga ni i fyw dy alwad arnom ni gyda’r un ysbryd o wasanaeth,
yn hyderus o’th gariad.
Amen.


Gweddi ddynesu

Arglwydd,
Diolchwn i ti fod Iesu wedi dewis, mewn gostyngeiddrwydd, i uniaethu â ni
yn ein breuder a’n pechod.
Cyflawnodd dy alwad i fod yn was
er mwyn ein dwyn adref atat ti.
Dad, cymeradwyaist ef gyda hyfrydwch fel dy annwyl Fab.
Helpa ni, trwy dy Ysbryd,
i wybod ein bod, trwy Iesu, yn annwyl i ti hefyd.
Amen.   


Gweddi o gyffes

Am yr adegau hynny pan fydd ein rhagdybiaethau yn ein dallu rhag gweld dy fwriadau:
maddau i ni, Arglwydd.
Am yr adegau hynny pan fyddwn yn fyddar i’th alwad:,
maddau i ni, Arglwydd.
Am yr achlysuron pan fyddwn yn tynnu’n ôl oddi wrth agosrwydd gyda thi:
maddau i ni, Arglwydd.
Am y dyddiau hynny pan ystyriwn ein hunain yn rhy bwysig i wasanaethu eraill: maddau i ni, Arglwydd.
Am y cyfleoedd a fethwn i galonogi’r rhai y byddwn yn eu cyfarfod neu’n gweithio gyda hwy:
maddau i ni, Arglwydd.
Arglwydd grasol, helpa ni i ddechrau eto gyda llygaid agored, clustiau astud, calonnau awyddus a meddyliau gostyngedig, er mwyn Iesu.
Amen.


Gweddi o ddiolchgarwch

Arglwydd, ni allwn ddirnad pam y dylet ein caru,
ond felly y mae hi.
Ni allwn ddeall pam y dylet ein galw i dy wasanaethu
ond felly y mae hi.
Mae hi bron yn amhosibl i ni amgyffred
pam y dylet dywallt dy Ysbryd Glân arnom,
ond nid wyt yn atal dim.
Diolch am dy gariad. Diolch am ein galw ni.
Diolch am rym dy Ysbryd.
Amen.

   

Gweddïau o eiriolaeth

Arglwydd, mae gennyt galon fawr dros gynnal dy weision
wrth iddynt gyflawni dy genhadaeth yn y byd.
Felly gweddïwn dros:
y rhai sy’n ceisio cyfiawnder i’r di-rym a dioddefwyr gormes.
Tywallt dy Ysbryd arnynt, O Dad.

Anogwyr y rhai sydd wedi eu sathru
a’r rhai sydd ar fin anobeithio.
Tywallt dy Ysbryd arnynt, O Dad.

Negeswyr sy’n cyhoeddi gwirionedd cariad Duw.
Tywallt dy Ysbryd arnynt, O Dad.

Y rhai sy’n dwyn goleuni i’r rhai sydd wedi eu carcharu yn nhywyllwch anwybodaeth ac ofn.
Tywallt dy Ysbryd arnynt, O Dad.

A throsom ninnau hefyd, wrth i ni geisio gwasanaethu Crist
yn y cymunedau ble rydym yn byw, yn gweithio, neu’n hamddena.
Boed i ni fod yn newyddion da i’r sawl sy’n ein hadnabod,
ac i unrhyw un y down ar eu traws.
Tywallt dy Ysbryd arnom, O Dad.
Amen.


Gweddi bersonol

Arglwydd, rwyt yn troi pethau ben i waered a thu chwith allan.
Rwyt bob amser yn peri syndod i ni.
Pan ddaeth Iesu i ddechrau cenhadaeth ei deyrnas
bu’n herio disgwyliadau:
yr Eneiniog yn ymostwng i fedydd gan y negesydd;
yr Un Sanctaidd yn disgyn i gefnfor o euogrwydd, pechod a gwarth;
y Goruchaf a’r Dyrchafedig yn cymryd arno ffurf gwas.
Does dim syndod y cafwyd ffanffer o’r nefoedd!
Arglwydd, pan gan fy swyno gan ymddangosiadau ar yr wyneb
neu gan ragdybiaethau ffug ynghylch sut y dylwn weithredu neu weithio,
atgoffa fi o fedydd Iesu a sut y byddi di’n gweld pethau’n wahanol.
Amen.



Gweddi ar gyfer pob oed gyda’i gilydd

Dewch at eich gilydd mewn cylch. Trowch i wynebu’r person ar yr ochr dde i chi. Dywedwch gyda’ch gilydd: ‘Rwyt yn annwyl gan Dduw’. Yna trowch i wynebu’r person ar y chwith. Dywedwch gyda’ch gilydd: ‘Rwyt yn annwyl gan Dduw’. Yna trowch i wynebu’r canol gan ddal dwylo. Dywedwch gyda’ch gilydd: ‘Rydych yn annwyl gan Dduw’. Yn olaf trowch i wynebu’r tu allan tuag at y gymuned ble rydych yn byw. Gwaeddwch: ‘Rydych yn annwyl gan Dduw. Halelwia’.


Tudalen/page 13

Gweddi i gloi

Dad, fel y ceraist ti ni, gad i ninnau garu.
Iesu, fel y galwaist ti arnom, helpa ni i ddilyn.
Ysbryd, fel yr anfonaist ti ni, llanw ni â’th nerth.
Amen.

Children & Young People

A gathering prayer for children

As Jesus came in obedience to be baptised and begin his ministry, so we now come, ready to learn how to serve you better. As Jesus heard your voice of affirmation, so we now come, ready to hear of your love for us. Amen.

A prayer of approach for children

In remembering Jesus’s baptism we see you, God, in all your glory.
We see the Son obeying the Father,
we hear the Father acknowledge the Son,
and we watch the Holy Spirit bring God’s presence to earth.
As we remember and respond, help us also to:
obey our Heavenly Father,
know that our Father loves us
and values us,
and help to bring God’s presence
to earth.
Amen.

A reflective prayer for children

How would we feel, Jesus,
to come face to face with you?
How would we feel, Jesus,
to wash you in the river?
How would we feel, Jesus,
to share in the Father’s delight of you?
How would we feel, Jesus,
to serve you in this way?
May we live and serve others
as though we are serving you,
and know the Father’s delight
for ourselves. Amen.

A prayer of blessing for children

(All stand in a circle)
As Jesus came out of the water, he heard God’s voice, saying ‘This is my Son whom
I love; with him I am well pleased.’
Can we hear you speaking words of blessing to us, Lord God?
What if we listen to one another?
(Turn to the person to your left, take their hands, if appropriate, or give them something to hold, e.g. a candle)
Be loved, be blessed.
(Then turn to the person on your left and do the same, around the circle. When it comes back to you, say:)
As we have given your blessings to one another, now may we truly accept these blessings for ourselves.
Amen.

A sending out prayer for children

As each person would have left the River Jordan changed that day, so may we leave here, changed by our encounters with you, Lord Jesus.
Amen.

Children and Young People Prayers in Welsh

Tudalen/page 10

Gweddi ufudd-dod

Wrth gofio bedydd Iesu, gwelwn di, O Dduw, yn dy holl ogoniant.
Gwelwn y Mab yn ufuddhau i’r Tad,
clywn y Tad yn cydnabod y Mab,
a gwyliwn yr Ysbryd Glân yn dwyn presenoldeb Duw i’r byd.
Wrth i ni gofio ac ymateb, helpa ni hefyd i:
ufuddhau i’n Tad Nefol,
wybod bod ein Tad yn ein caru ac yn ein trysori,
a helpu dwyn presenoldeb Duw i’r byd.
Amen.


Gweddi’r fendith

(Pawb i sefyll mewn cylch)
Pan ddaeth Iesu allan o’r dwr, clywodd lais Duw yn dweud, ‘Hwn yw fy Mab, yr Anwylyd; ynddo ef yr wyf yn ymhyfrydu.’
A fedrwn ni dy glywed yn llefaru geiriau o fendith i ni, Arglwydd Dduw?
Beth os wnawn ni wrando ar ein gilydd?
(Trowch at y person ar y chwith, cymryd eu llaw os yn briodol, neu rhowch rywbeth iddynt ddal, e.e. cannwyll)
Anwylyd, bendith arnat.
Yna bydd pawb yn ei dro yn troi at y person ar y chwith a gwneud yr un fath, o amgylch y cylch. Pan ddaw yn ôl atoch, dywedwch:
Fel yr ydym wedi rhannu dy fendithion â’n gilydd, boed i ni dderbyn y bendithion hyn dros ein hunain.
Amen.


Gweddi gwasanaethu

Sut buasem ni’n teimlo, Iesu,
wrth ddod wyneb yn wyneb â thi?
Sut buasem ni’n teimlo, Iesu,
wrth dy olchi yn yr afon?
Sut buasem ni’n teimlo, Iesu,
wrth rannu yn llawenydd dy Dad ynot?
Sut buasem ni’n teimlo, Iesu,
wrth dy wasanaethu di yn y ffordd hon?
Boed i ni fyw a gwasanaethu eraill
fel petaem yn dy wasanaethu di,
gan brofi h y Tad
drosom ein hunain.
Amen.


Gweddi ymgynnull

Fel y daeth Iesu mewn ufudd-dod i gael ei fedyddio a dechrau ei weinidogaeth, felly y down ninnau, yn barod i ddysgu sut i dy wasanaethu’n well. Fel y clywodd Iesu dy lais yn ei gymeradwyo, felly down ninnau, yn barod i glywed am dy gariad tuag atom.
Amen.


Tudalen/page 13

Gweddi i gloi

Fel y byddai pob person wedi gadael yr Afon Iorddonen wedi eu newid ar y diwrnod hwnnw, felly boed i ni fynd oddi yma wedi ein newid trwy gyfarfod ag Iesu.
Amen.   

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