Prayers : “O God, whom we know as love,”

People who are not here with us today, but whose love we carry with us -- People who are there every day, and whose love we sometimes take for granted -- People who might be within our circle of love, could we but extend it a little further --

In silence now, we hold these people in our hearts.

(Silence)

In returning from silence, we ask that our hearts may be opened to all whose names and faces have crossed our minds. We ask that old wounds may be healed, that constant joys may be celebrated, and that the love we share with the people in our lives may be our abiding teacher. Amen.