READINGS Genesis 12:1-4a John 3:1-17

“I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others.” Genesis 12:2

“Jesus replied: “I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see

God’s Kingdom.” John 3:3

Reader 1: New life! It fills us with joy, lifts our eyes to the heavens.

Reader 2: The birth of a child: her first breath, her first smile… Small wonders

that fill us with hope.

Reader 1: Beside Abraham and Sarah, we marvel at the birth of children in the

most unlikely circumstances.

Reader 2: With Nicodemus, we celebrate second chances, born of the Spirit and given to us so that

we have eyes to see and hands to share in the Kingdom at work:

Reader 1: Our Uniting Church partners, the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, are training young women as midwives to deliver babies and

save the lives of both mothers and children.

Reader 2: The Kingdom is present in South Sudan where against the odds,

the gift of new life continues to be offered in a nation with one of the highest maternal

mortality rates in the world.

Reader 1: With all creation we celebrate new life, new possibilities. But this precious gift of a

life – how will it be used?

Reader 2: Today we pause. Lives can be celebrated with endless photographs,

through extravagant birthday celebrations, in the lifetime of possessions we have

accumulated. How are we using the richness of our lives to bring life to others?

Reader 1: Let us pray. God of new life In the cradle of your grace nurture courage in us To use all that we have for the good of others: Seeing clearly where injustice tramples the rights of people who are poor Speaking out for those who have no voice Making choices about what we eat and wear and how we live so that our brothers and sisters can also live with dignity. Fill us with such gratitude for life that we give it to others. We pray for the nation of South Sudan, bruised and frail and determined. We pray your Spirit will bring healing and hope as community is born anew, Lives and homes rebuilt. For young midwives learning new skills, We ask for courage and clear minds as new lives are brought into your world. Amen.