Come all you people Come praise your Maker

Come all you people, Come praise your Maker (x 3) Come now and worship the Lord (Zimbabwe, tune & words: Alexander Gondo, arrangement: John L Bell)

Leader: We feast amidst the scandal of poverty. Come, let us all celebrate the feast together across the regions, nations and continents; from the North to the South, from the East to the West.

North: We confess that we have tasted the fruit of temptation and turned our industry into other’s poverty. As an act of reconciliation we offer you the fruit of Eve until trade is fair and all are fed. [the apples are passed to the East to be eaten and then around the room]

South: We confess that we have tasted the fruit of sin and turned neighbours into strangers. As an act of reconciliation we offer you the fruit of peace for the renewing of our partnership. [the olives are passed to the West to be eaten and then around the room]

East: We confess that we have tasted the fruit of bitterness and soured the good name of the earth As an act of reconciliation we offer you the fruit of the vine until all who hunger and thirst find justice. [the grapes are passed to the South to be eaten and then around the room]

West: We confess that we have tasted the fruit of shame for being to others a curse and not a blessing. As an act of reconciliation we offer you fruit from the tree which brings fullness of life to all. [the figs are passed to the North to be eaten and then around the room] (© Helen Garton & Sally Whitehead)

If you believe and I believe and we together pray, The Holy Spirit shall come down and set God’s people free, The Holy Spirit shall come down and set God’s people free. (Zimbabwe)

N & S: E & W: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

N & S: E & W: Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.

N & S: E & W: Happy are those whose help is in the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.

N & S: E & W: N & S: The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

E & W: N & S: E & W: The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!

With the giving of these gifts We choose justice over injustice By the giving of these gifts We choose to share our bread with the hungry. Through the living of our lives We commit ourselves to walk in your ways. Bless our contributions to Commitment for Life, as it continue to work for justice for the poor and marginalised. Amen (© Helen Garton)

We pledge our support once again to Bangladesh, our Commitment For Life partner country. In supporting, giving In giving, praying In praying, acting In acting, loving. For we stand in solidarity as neighbours to each other, with much to give and much to receive. by the grace of God. Amen. (© Helen Garton)

Leader: Loving God, creator of this world of plenty, we pray for the whole of creation, rich in resources and abundant with life. Challenge us each day to live simply, for we are mindful of our responsibility to save life and not destroy it by the actions we take.

North & South: Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison? East & West: I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you do it for me.

Leader: Loving God, creator of this world of plenty, we pray for those who are unable to enjoy all that life affords, as they struggle to survive. Challenge us as we punctuate our days with food, for we are mindful of your command to share our bread until all are fed.

North & South: Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison? East & West: I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you do it for me.

Leader: Loving God, creator of this world of plenty, we pray for those in need in our local communities, invisible to the outside world. Challenge us to open our eyes and open our hearts, so that we may learn when to act and what action is needed.

North & South: Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison? East & West: I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you do it for me.

Leader: Loving God, creator of this world of plenty, we pray for those known to us and those known only to you, whose needs challenge our complacency and lack of compassion.

North & South: Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison? East & West: (© Helen Garton) I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you do it for me.

Creator of this world of plenty, may you be glorified in all the earth when those who hunger taste the heavenly banquet prepared for all people.

Give us sufficient for the day and show us how to share our bread. Forgive us our greed and lead us away from temptation, while others hunger and thirst.

Save us from ourselves when we seek fame, fortune and glory at the expense of others. For everything we have comes from you and to you all will return. Amen. (© Helen Garton)

Blessed are we when we sing your praises And walk faithfully on your earth. Blessed are we when we proclaim your justice And enjoy together the fruits of creation. Blessed are we when we are guided by your wisdom And live in harmony with your world. Amen (© Helen Garton/Christian Aid)

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