1. As long as it takes.... Worship resources celebrating the work of Action for Children

2. A prayer of confession Gracious God, You have never ceased loving us. Throughout our lives you want us to keep discovering that this world is your world and your way is the way of self giving love. Forgive us that we often give up on our commitments, grow tired of the long road and want instant solutions. Forgive us that increasing numbers of children and young people in Britain suffer neglect. Humble us and by your Spirit renew our commitment to unconditional giving and practical caring, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

3. Bible readings 2 Corinthians 12 verses 2-10 ‘A thorn in the flesh’ Mark 6 verses 1-13 Rejection and supporters

4. An offering prayer Let us pray, O God, in Jesus you taught the way of giving generously and receiving gladly. As we present these gifts of money enable us to live with open minds and hearts that we may give generously from the bounty of all we have received. Enable Action for Children to use these gifts with flare, imagination and vision that by our partnership together we may bring hope to children, young people and families in Britain and beyond. Amen

5. A prayer for Action for Children Sunday Gracious God, In this year, the centenary of the death of Revd Dr Thomas Bowman Stephenson, founder of the Children’s Home that grew to become Action for Children, we thank you for men and women of vision who inspired Methodists in the nineteenth century to address the needs of neglected children. We recall the practical nature of Dr Stephenson’s love and care and the forthrightness of his denunciation of social injustice, all undergirded by ‘the exuberance of his spiritual energy’. We pray that following in that tradition our anger at the injustice of neglect may increase, our voices may be raised louder and our commitment to support practical care for those in greatest need may grow. Save us from blaming others and excusing ourselves. By your spirit quicken us to support the work of Action for Children afresh. Inspire the work of Action for Children that, with partners in Britain and beyond, it may work with integrity, passion and hope to meet the needs of children, young people and families who need their care and support most, for as long as it takes. Amen

6. Prayers of Intercession Loving God, you do not create us to live alone and you have not made us all alike. We thank you for the varied society of humankind, into which we come, by which we are brought up, and through which we discover the purpose of our lives. In gratitude we pray for others and for the work of Action for Children. We pray for families under stress, for tense and fractured relationships, for parents exhausted and isolated wondering where to turn, and for children angry and afraid. As Action for Children works with families having the most difficult problems, we pray for its family support services and also its early intervention services, working with children, young people and families at an early stage to help tackle problems before they become serious.(Silence)

7. Through our lives and by our prayers Your kingdom come We pray for children and young people in care, for all they have been through and continue to bear, for trust and stability and hope for the future. We pray for Action for Children’s fostering and adoption services helping children who can’t live with their birth families find loving homes. (Silence) Through our lives and by our prayers Your kingdom come We pray for the vulnerable in our society, the neglected and victims of abuse. We pray for Action for Children’s work with the victims of sexual abuse, for its counselling and youth support services. (Silence)

8. Through our lives and by our prayers Your kingdom come We pray for the needs of children throughout the world. We pray for Action for Children’s International work through its partnerships with the Methodist churches in Southern Africa, Zimbabwe and Belize. (Silence) Through our lives and by our prayers Your kingdom come We say together ‘The Lords’ Prayer’