ST PAUL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH ATHENS DIOCESE IN EUROPE Everything We Touch – A Mothers’ Union Service for Mothering Sunday
Welcome
Welcome to this service for Mothering Sunday, a celebration, not only to thank God for all Mothers but to thank and recognise all those who nurture us through our lives, including God.
The work of the Mothers’ Union around the world is about nurturing individuals, groups and communities by enabling them to improve their quality of life and providing opportunities for communication and reconciliation within families. The MU facilitates a network of parenting groups, provides a range of support for families and produces resources on issues important to adults and children.
Leader: ‘As truly as God is our Father, so truly is God our Mother, and he revealed that in everything, and especially in these sweet words where he says: I am he; that is to say: I am he, the power and goodness of fatherhood; I am he, the wisdom and the lovingness of motherhood; I am he, the light and grace which is all blessed love; I am he, the Trinity …’ (The Showings, Long Text, Mother Julian of Norwich, 14th century)
Worship Focus
You are asked to light a candle and put it in a window or place where it can be seen at 9pm greek time tonight. Please extinguish it when you got to bed. This is an initiative asked of us by Abps of Canterbury and York. ( see Church of England website)
Nurturing God,
we light this candle
in recognition of the great care and love
you have for each one of us.
All Nurturing God,
we praise and thank you.
Nurturing God,
we light this candle
in thanksgiving for all mothers,
for all they do, or once did,
for all they give, or once gave
and for all they mean and will always mean.
All: Nurturing God,
we praise and thank you.
Nurturing God,
we light this candle
for all families
throughout the world.
All Nurturing God,
we praise and thank you.
Nurturing God,
we light this candle
for the family of the Church,
here and everywhere. And for all peoples.
All Nurturing God,
we praise and thank you.
Nurturing God,
we light this candle
for all who nurture
and encourage others may we do the same as we journey together as one..
All Nurturing God,
we praise and thank you