 Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 9th Sunday after Pentecost.
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Come all you people, young and old. Come share in worship, giving thanks for all God shares with us. Let us open our hearts and minds to know more of God’s unconditional love and care and be ready to share it with others. Hymn 404 – I danced in the morning Prayers of Adoration and Confession Creator God, You are holy beyond our wildest imagination. You called everything into being and saw that it was good. As we come to Your presence, You gather us together with the whole of creation. Creator God, we worship You. Lord Jesus Christ, just as we are, you call each one of us. You greet us each by name and welcome us into your family. Lord Jesus Christ, we worship you. Holy Spirit, breath of Life You fill us with your love and grace for all, so that we are enabled to witness to the kingdom. Holy Spirit, we worship you. Loving God, as we draw near to you, we are painfully aware of our faults and failings. We confess that we have been greatly influenced by other voices than yours. We have been seduced by the superficial glamour of the culture of the world. We have not spoken out against injustice and inequality in our society. We have filled our own plates whilst others plates are empty. We have been indifferent to the damage our way of life has caused to your creation. Forgive us, Lord God. Help us to listen only to your voice, to do justice, love kindness and to walk humbly in your way. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. To all who turn to him he says: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ He also says: ‘Follow me.’ Lord’s Prayer Readings – 2 Kings 4: 42-44 John 6:1–21 Hymn 555 – Amazing Grace Weekly Prayer Gracious God, out of your goodness a great crowd was fed and satisfied from a small offering of food. We thank you for supplying all our needs and offer you the love of our hearts as we pray for our Cheviot Churches with all our varied ministries; for the youngest to the oldest; for those of certain faith and for those who struggle with doubts. Amen Reflection The Olympics have started in Tokyo, a year late and with no spectators because of Covid. On Monday restrictions here eased slightly, and now we are down to 1 metre distancing, though with the advice to be cautious ringing in our ears. Just across the Border, however, the restrictions have gone completely. I certainly felt rather uneasy watching the packed scenes from nightclubs and seeing pictures of the crowds on the beaches. Of course, in our Gospel reading today, Jesus and his disciples are surrounded by a crowd of people, a crowd hungry for what Jesus had to say. He alone could give them some meaning in their lives under occupation. He could give them peace in their hearts. No doubt people were gossiping as well about what happened in Cana and the abundance of wine. Of what happened in Capernaum with the child of the official healed. Of what happened at Bethesda with the man who had been paralysed for 38 years suddenly able to walk. All these signs saying loud and clear, ‘God is here’! Maybe something would happen that day too? These people, numbering about 5000 and more, were hungry for what Jesus had to offer – and also their stomachs were beginning to rumble as well! Jesus had hardly invited them: they were unexpected guests. But somehow he felt he was the host and it was incumbent to provide them with some kind of snack. Philip came from just along the lakeside, so Jesus relied on his local knowledge to find food , but he said – ‘to feed this number would cost an absolute fortune’, so Jesus sent the disciples out to see what they could find. Andrew came back- and he brought a boy – a boy with his packed lunch of bead and fish. For this brief moment he shares the spotlight with Jesus. Now, judging from the litter on the breaches, the crowds in 21st century Britain bring their packed lunches and picnics with them. I would think it odd in 1st century Palestine if only one boy out of 5000+ remembered to pack some bread. But Jesus took what the boy offered, just as Elisha had done centuries before, multiplied it and all received. It might well be that those who had hid their picnics, suddenly were moved to share what they had, which would have been an even greater miracle. Our Moslem friends are celebrating Eid just now, and what is eaten has always to be split three ways – one part for family, one part for friends and one part for the poor. The importance of sharing transcends cultures. We offer to God, God multiplies, and all are blessed. Certainly, there was a sense of abundance, 12 bags were left over; a sense of togetherness, the freedom of sharing and also a realisation that something special had happened. Just like at Cana and at Capernaum and Bethesda. And at the centre of it was Jesus, yes, but also a little boy with his packed lunch. The crowd had witnessed the overflowing love of God, who wants to feed the people and wants them to know that they are included in God’s love and within God’s grace. It was a day they would never forget, and that is why it is included in all four gospels. We gather today and we are going to celebrate a baptism, and a child, Poppy, will be centre-stage. Baptism is another sign of God’s love, of God’s inclusion of us in his family. That is God’s grace, that God accepts us no matter what and wants us as part of the family, one of God’s beloved and holy children. A day always to remember. Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Lord, we are amazed at what you can do with so little! We bring our offerings before you and ask you to multiply them for the advancement of your kingdom. We lift up, Lord, all who feel they have nothing worth bringing to your. We think of the broken, in mind, body and spirit. Broken by ill health. Broken by bereavement, divorce or separation. Those broken by poverty, redundancy or bankruptcy. Lord, we offer you our prayers for the broken. Take. Touch. Bless. Lord, you multiplied the loaves and fishes, producing a big lunch for thousands. We bring before you those supplying our loaves and fishes today. We pray for fishermen struggling to maintain their livelihoods. We lift up all farmers and the harvest of crops. We think of the effect of climate change which, if nothing alters, will mean major adaptations for farmers in how and what they can farm. Many places are experiencing the effects of climate change now. We think of our own high temperatures of late and the unprecedented high temperatures in Canada. The wild fires in America. The floods in Western Europe and China. We lift before you all those affected. Lord, we pray for your church. Pray that all in leadership will be guided by Godly wisdom at all times. We thank you for the different ways people have come close to you over the pandemic and for the variety of worship. May your church always be welcoming, offering warm hospitality to all. Silence Amen Hymn 143 – Who put the colours in the rainbow Infant Baptism – Poppy Holly Murron Freeland-Cook For you Jesus Christ came into the world; For you he lived and showed God’s love: For you he suffered the darkness of Calvary and cried at last ‘It is accomplished’: for you he triumphed over death and rose in newness of life: for you he ascended to reign at God’s right hand: all this he did for you, though you do not know it yet. And so Scripture is fulfilled: ‘We love because God first loved us’. Hymn 530 – One more step along the world I go Benediction Go into the world as people of compassion and good courage, to be Christ’s disciples, walking his way. And may God - Father, Son and Spirit – be with you this day and forevermore. Amen
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 Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 8th Sunday after Pentecost.
Notices:
In moments of anxiety, God leads us to still waters. O God, we come to you. In moments of confusion, God leads us in right paths. O God, we come to hear your voice. In moments of loneliness, God is with us. So we come to praise and worship God Hymn 181 – For the beauty of the earth (1,3,5) Prayers of Adoration and Confession God our Maker, in summer we easily marvel at the world you have made, the colours of sunrise and sunset filling the horizon, the intricate beauty of gardens, the quiet dignity of a river in its course, and the steadfast presence of a rock face carved over time. You show us how each small piece of your creation depends in many ways on all the others. Summer growth depends on spring rains; health for each creature depends on the wise balance you have set between each species; the quality of life on the respect we show one another. Wise and patient God, we marvel at the world you made and join the songs of all creation to bring you praise. God our Maker, as we marvel at your creation, we confess we often take it for granted. We don’t know what to make of reports about the damage human life causes. We prefer to live as if our lifestyles make no impact on the earth and confess we don’t really want to change. For all the ways we put your creation at risk and harm the earth, we ask for your forgiveness. Teach us how to live in this marvellous world with love and respect for you and for your whole creation. Lord’s Prayer Readings – 2 Samuel 7: 1-14a Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56 Hymn 540 – I heard the voice of Jesus say Reflection When I lived in Israel, I was in the middle of a town, and there was a lot of noise. Traffic, horns hooting, the bustle of life. But Saturdays were different. There was no noise; you could even hear the water lapping on the lake. It was Shabbat, the Sabbath, the day of rest. Things got a bit busier later, but it was always a good feeling to feel peace. Maybe Sundays still have that quality in our villages, for it is quieter. Certainly, we need a day that is different. For Orthodox Jews, the Shabbat was a day of complete rest, and for some they couldn’t even switch on a light or cook a meal, for that would be work. They were following, albeit very strictly, the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. It was an important command, for it was given to the Israelites who had been slaves in Egypt and didn’t know what a day off was like, so the sabbath was really special – a day without work. Even those of us who are retired realise how difficult it can be to switch off and rest. It is of course made worse by these mobile phones that allow us to keep checking for emails and messages. I am very guilty of that. David in our Old Testament reading didn’t have a mobile phone, but he was always looking to the next project. He had become king, had established Jerusalem as his capital and next – he wanted to build a temple for God, to house the ark of the covenant. But in our passage this morning, God says ‘wait!’ That is for someone else to do. David had to learn patience and to leave that project, which his son Solomon would take on. There are some things which we leave to those who come after us. In the Gospels, the disciples had been sent out to teach and heal and spread the good news of God’s kingdom. They returned excited and full of stories – but also exhausted. Jesus says, ‘Come away to a deserted place and rest awhile’. What a lovely invitation. Imagine hearing these words and conjuring up the feelings of peace and quiet evoked. A chance to slow down and recharge our batteries and simply be. To rest. Especially after this year of pandemic, when our mental health has suffered and when even to get away can mean joining queues of cars at beauty spots or 6 hour queues at the airport if we ventured abroad, it is vital to rest. In the metrical 23rd Psalm, God ‘makes me to lie down in green pastures’. Come and rest. But the best laid plans…! The disciples didn’t quite get their rest, for as they sailed across the Lake, people watched where the boat was heading and immediately rushed round to get there ahead of them, such was the appeal, the draw of Jesus. People came with their needs, very real needs, and it was only Jesus who could address them, could give them peace in their souls. Looking at them, Jesus was filled with compassion. He couldn’t tell them to come back the next day or the next week. He was the Son of God and responds to the people with God’s love and grace. His compassion overrides his need to rest. However, that said, we do read of times when Jesus did go away to a quiet place, and we are encouraged to do likewise: to get off the treadmill of work and accumulation and take a step back to appreciate God and all God does in our lives. It is important to take time away from the clamour of the world and to find rest in God. Some find it good to take time in the morning or evening to pray and read a portion of the Bible or a book of meditations. For others they like to go away on retreat. For others still a walk in the countryside can recharge the batteries. But we do have to look after ourselves and replenish ourselves, for in order to give out and respond to the needs of others, we have to have something to give. So let us find that quiet centre in the crowded lives we lead and regain that balance between doing and renewing. Hymn 716 – Come and find the quiet centre (1,3) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Lord, you took your disciples away from the crowds to rest and find refreshment. But it was not always easy, because the crowds followed and made demands on your time. We pray for all those you have given the responsibility of leadership, especially in the Church. We ask that you enable them to find or regain a healthy balance amid the rhythm of life’s rushing and resting. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer We pray for all who are suffering because of climate change, and for all who are taking action and speaking out on behalf of your creation. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer We pray for all who are suffering because of the COVID 19 Pandemic: those who have lost loved ones, health, or livelihood. And all those who are having to find new rhythms of life at this time due to suffering long Covid. We pray that we may use the new lessening of restrictions coming into place this week wisely and be sensitive to one another’s needs. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer Lord Jesus, we rejoice that we are part of your worldwide family. Help us to faithfully proclaim your gospel on behalf of all people and to walk your way of sacrificial love through testing times, listening only to your voice as we speak your word. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer Heavenly Father we believe your touch has still its ancient power to heal and so we raise before you those who are sick in our Cheviot Churches community. We ask that you will ease their pain and heal the damage done to them in body, mind, or spirit. Be present with them through the support of friends and in the care of doctors and nurses, fill them with the warmth of your love. Be with all who mourn. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer In a moment of silence, we name before you now those who are particularly on our hearts this day Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer Amen. Hymn 702 – God in love and perfect wisdom (1,3) Benediction Go into the world to speak with courage. Go into the world to act with compassion. Go into the world to share the good news. And may God - Creator, Son and Spirit - inform and inspire our thinking, our speaking and our actions and bless us today, and every day to come. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 7th Sunday after Pentecost.
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Call to Worship The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. The world and those who live in it belong to God. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, who is strong and mighty! So lift up your heads and your hearts! Let us worship God in beauty and holiness. Hymn 212 – Morning has broken Prayers of Adoration and Confession Gracious God, source of life and love in all creation, in a world marked by bitterness, you are compassion. In a culture marked by confusion, you are light shining in the darkness. Your stillness is peace when we are frantic. Your strength is comfort when we are fearful. Your wisdom is guidance when we are lost. For all that you are and all that you give, O God, we offer you all honour, praise and worship, now and always. Loving God, in a world marked by self-indulgence, you are generosity for those in need. In a world marked by injustice, you are a conscience speaking to us. In a world marked by vengeance, you are mercy and reconciliation. Forgive our selfishness; our lack of concern for the vulnerable; and our desire to settle scores rather than work things out. Renew us with your mercy and strengthen our resolve to live generously, in action and in attitude. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and set free by God’s generous grace. Lord’s Prayer Readings – 2 Samuel 6: 12–19 Mark 6: 14-29 Hymn 65 – Jubilate Weekly Prayer Heavenly Father we thank you for the opportunity of being together in our Cheviot Churches. Thank you for your words which still inspire us today as they did our forefathers. As we look forward to the week to come, we pray for an awareness of your love and support in all we do. Amen Reflection Do you like to dance? It has been a while since we were able to, but perhaps – just perhaps – restrictions may be eased, and dancing will be given the go ahead. Some may like disco, but what I enjoy are ceilidhs and barndances, where there is a sense of coming together as a community and just having fun. All cultures have dancing, though I remember as a student meeting someone from Stornaway who disapproved entirely of dance and thought it the most sinful thing. Perhaps she had been reading the bible passages for today. In the Gospels we read of a dance that led to the death of John the Baptist, while in the Old Testament David dancing before the ark of the covenant brought the condemnation of his wife and soured relations between them. The Ark of the Covenant signified the presence of God and moved with the people. It was so holy that even to touch it meant death. David had made Jerusalem his capital and wanted to establish the ark there. So a political move, and as the ark was brought to the city, he danced in front of it, leaving little to the imagination. Now his wife was the daughter of Saul, and she had a good sense of decorum – the things you could and couldn’t do in polite society. And you didn’t dance like that. But David said that he was dancing to the glory of God, and in recent years liturgical dance has become popular. However, I think David was also trying to win over the crowd. He was courting popularity. He maybe lost his wife but he won over the people. He was a populist king. That could not have been said about Herod in Mark’s Gospel. If he wanted to curry the favour of the people, he would never have beheaded John the Baptist. This is a gruesome story, and as one commentator asked, ‘Where is the good news in this story?’. It is a story of self-interest, power and manipulation. Herod was the son of Herod the Great who tried to kill Jesus as a baby. He was ruler in the Galilee on behalf of the Romans and built the town of Tiberias on the shores of the sea of Galilee. BUT he had divorced his wife and married his brother’s wife, Herodias (the names get confusing!). They were all inter-related, and this brought the condemnation of John the Baptist. John spoke out against Herod for a number of reasons; he would have been a thorn in Herod’s side, I am sure, but the king was also fascinated by him, perhaps because of the hold he had on the people. He was popular, whereas Herod was not. But his speaking truth to power had led to his imprisonment. Then there was this birthday party, and Herod’s step-daughter danced. We call her Salome, because Josephus, a Jewish historian of the time, named her thus. We have the impression that she was a Mata Hari seductress, but quite probably she was young and being manipulated by her mother. So this is a tale of abuse as well. A drunken Herod was so taken that he promised her anything, and prompted by her mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist. The king was too weak to refuse. He preferred to save face rather than admit to a foolish promise. Where is the good news in this story? There is not a lot, and it is one of the few parts of the Gospel where Jesus is not mentioned. It is a horrible story, of a prophet killed on a whim; of a girl being exploited; of everyone out for themselves. You can only wonder how that kingdom was governed. Greed, abuse of power exploitation. Where might was right. Then you contrast the kingdom of God that Jesus was proclaiming, which was one of compassion and love, one of justice for all and breaking down barriers. Where the first would be last. No wonder Herod and Herodias wanted to silence such a kingdom. John was killed. Jesus would be killed. But the resurrection of Jesus was God saying an almighty Yes to the kingdom Jesus offered and where mercy and grace and compassion would be paramount. We live in a world of power, of corruption, of exploitation, but continue to work for God’s kingdom here on earth. So be it. Hymn 473 – They Kingdom come (1,4,5) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Generous God, we look around at the growth in gardens and fields this summer, and trust in the generosity you have planted within your creation. Bless the gifts we bring, that they too may grow in fruitfulness, and touch lives in need with your generous love. Today we pray for courageous leaders in cities, countries and congregations who strive to serve with integrity and honesty in a world prone to self-interest. We pray for those who struggle to create justice where it has been compromised, and to build reconciliation and understanding in divided communities. We pray for people of all ages trapped in toxic relationships. For victims of abuse. For the lonely and the elderly in our communities. All those whose vulnerability is exploited by the actions of others. We pray for the government and all those in power agonising over the timing of lifting all Covid restrictions. We pray for peacemakers everywhere. May they speak your truths and be heard. We pray for Afghanistan as troops prepare to leave. We pray for Nigeria where the number of student kidnappings by rebels keeps rising. We remember before you the sick and the dying, and the bereaved who must try to put their lives back together again. We pray for those who are recovering from the pandemic, looking for better health, a fresh start, more stability or a glimpse of hope. Draw close to all these who suffer, offering your comfort and courage to face whatever comes next. Silence Receive our prayers, both spoken and unspoken, and embrace us all in your love. Amen Hymn 710 – I have a dream (1,4,5) Benediction Go in peace and may the blessing of God, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit be with you and with all people, now and always. Amen  Good Morning and Welcome, Cheviot churches and to everyone joining our worship on this 6th Sunday after Pentecost.
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Call to Worship Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Beautiful in its loftiness, he joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon[b] is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. (Psalm 48) Hymn 457 All hail the power of Jesus name (Tune Miles Lane) verses 1,3 & 4. Prayers of Adoration and Confession. Gracious Father, we bless You. Thank You for being the King of Glory. Thank You for being our Father, Redeemer, Shepherd and King. Thank You for reconciling us back to You through Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We are thankful to You for the Holy Spirit who is the promised Advocate who empowers us to be effective witnesses to Your Kingdom here on earth. Thank You for loving us and watching over us. Lord, let all that we are praise You. Forgiving Father, forgive us as a Church Family for sins of pride, rebellion, disobedience, selfishness. Lord, forgive us for half-hearted worship. Forgive us for disrespecting Your Name and treating You irreverently. Forgive those who choose to not bless and honour You. Lord Jesus, forgive those who take Your sacrifice for granted. Holy Spirit, forgive those who do not acknowledge You or Your presence in their daily lives. Thank you that when we confess our sins you freely forgive us. The Lord’s prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen Readings – Samuel 5: 1 – 5, and 9 – 10. Mark 6: 1 – 13. HYMN – 351 Jesus hands were kind hands 2 verses Jesus did not come to make life easy; he came to make people great. Reflection David becomes King over Israel – The representatives of the various tribes cite three reasons for recognising David as their King: -
Jesus Christ who was described as the son of David, the son of Abraham also began His ministry at the age of 30. Only Christ Jesus, great David's greater Son, fulfills this prophecy recorded in psalm 72. Only Jesus brings perfect justice, a universal kingdom, and an everlasting reign. “1 give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! In stark contrast to the story from Mark’s gospel St John reminds us that 11 He (JESUS) came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. (John 1:11-12) Today's Gospel lesson is made up of two quite distinct parts.
The first is a story of failure. After initial enthusiasm, the people of Jesus' hometown, turned against him. He was, Mark tells us in verse 5, "unable to do any miracles there." But the second scene is a story of success. The disciples, again Mark tells us, cast out many demons, and they anointed many sick people and healed them." Isn't that odd? Jesus, who up to this point in Mark’s Gospel, had been teaching with power, healing, and casting out demons, could do nothing, while the disciples who are so often missing the point, even missing in action, are powerful and effective. The two parts are so different and their difference so unexpected that it will come as no surprise that many commentators urge us to pick one of the two stories or parts to examine at a time --- not both . . . Still, they stand together . . . perhaps there is a reason for that? Maybe Mark was onto something? Together these two scenes have something to tell us, not only about God and God's power, but about our part in God's power. Together they tell us about the power of faith and also something about the power of disobedience. Together they tell us something about what happens when ego and pride get in the way--when we get in the way--and what happens when hope, faith and expectation clear the way, and God takes central place. The journalist Tom Friedman once told a story in order to explain why the Middle East peace process seems so frequently stuck. It was a story about a man named Goldberg. Every week when the results of the lottery were announced, Goldberg prayed to God, "God, why don't I ever win the lottery? What have I done wrong? I've been a good man. Why shouldn't I win?" Again, next week the lottery winner was announced and again Goldberg was disappointed and he cried out to God. "What will it take, Lord? I am a righteous man, an honorable man, a hard-working man. Would it be so hard for you, just once, to let me win the lottery?" The clouds parted, the heavens opened and a voice came forth out of the heavens. The voice said, "Goldberg, give me a chance--buy a ticket!" Two stories, two distinct stories, set cheek by jowl. In one they bought the ticket. In the other they refused. But why? Why did they refuse? Let's look at that first story, part one of our text, Jesus' visit to his own hometown. We might imagine that now things would go well. We might assume that here Jesus would be received with joy and affirmation by those who knew him well. And initially he was. The people of Nazareth, those who had known Jesus as a boy and young man were surprised--astonished--by his wisdom and power. But quickly their surprise turned to offense. "Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son? And they took offense at him." When Jesus was rejected in Nazareth, He did not--though it must have been painful for him--reject them in turn. He did not take offense. He only sadly shook his head and then moved on. He moved on, sending his disciples out, two by two, to preach, to heal and to teach. He said something interesting to them: they were to travel light, to "take nothing for the journey" but the clothes on their backs. The rejection at Jesus’ hometown synagogue did not hinder the mission for long. In fact, it may have given impetus to the commissioning of the twelve for their first assignment. This was why Jesus had chosen “twelve” in chapter 3. Since that point, they were preparing for their own mission. In chapter 4, Jesus taught about the nature of God’s reign, providing private instruction for them. In chapter 5, Jesus performed liberating acts for them to witness. Finally, just before he sent them out, the mission experienced unexpected rejection, as a signal of what was to be expected in their work in the movement. In these times of change and challenge for the church or in times of challenge in our personal lives, God may be telling us to "lighten our load," even helping us to do so. God is calling us to let go of some weighty assumptions about how we have always done things. God is telling us, like that once prominent church, to leave behind those big, bulky suitcases stuffed full of "pride" and "ego." Maybe God is asking us to surrender some truly heavy stuff--like the old conflicts we've been bearing or the grudges we've been nursing? God is using this time of challenge and change to strip these things from us so that we might travel light again, relying upon God's power alone to guide us and trusting God's grace to uphold us. Jesus Christ is here now--, in our church, in our community, in each one of our lives. Will we receive him? Will we buy the ticket? The price of a ticket is . . . faith, wild, risky faith, bold, trusting faith in the power of God in Jesus Christ who makes all things new. Weekly Prayer Faithful God we pray for ourselves; as we go from our worship today to start the week ahead, we ask that in all we do, we may walk more closely with you at our side safe in the knowledge that your Fatherly love and care knows no bounds. Amen Hymn - 255 Father hear the prayer we offer. verses 1 & 2 Prayers of thanksgiving and Intercession Let us join our hearts and minds in prayer. Almighty God, we give thanks for your gentle and enduring love which never fails and always gives hope. We pray for the world, and for all those who are affected by this pandemic, particularly those more vulnerable in poorer countries. We pray for those who do not have access to clean water, soap and sanitation; those without good healthcare, and families who are struggling to find food. Grant our leaders the gifts of courage, compassion and wisdom as they face such challenging circumstances and decision making. We pray for our scientists as they work tirelessly to find answers. We particularly remember those in hospital and in care homes. We pray for everyone who is sick, or afraid for the future; for those who are bereaved and grieving, or isolated and we also pray for all who support them. God be their healer, their comforter and their protection. We think of our own community and pray for your guidance to be good neighbours; so that no one feels lonely, forgotten or unloved. Raise up your church to be your well washed hands and faithful feet, to respond with love in action. So let us pause for a few moments as we remember and pray for those known to ourselves …... Silence. Amen Hymn – 529 Forth in your name, O Lord I go. verses 1 and Benediction May the strength of God sustain us; may the power of God preserve us; may the hands of God protect us; may the way of God direct us; may the love of God go with us this day and forever. Amen.  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 5th Sunday after Pentecost. Notices:
Call to Worship Out of the depths we cry to the Lord. We wait for the Lord and find hope in God’s Word. Hope in the Lord! For with God there is steadfast love. With God there is great power to redeem. So we come to offer our prayers and praise to God in whom we trust. Hymn 124 – Praise to the Lord Prayers of Adoration and Confession Great and holy God, source of our life and all life,your glory is incomprehensible and your majesty infinite. You are the wellspring of new life and the fountain of true freedom.We marvel at your love, beyond all measure;we are challenged by your kindness which reaches further than we can imagine.We worship you in gratitude,offering you our praise with the voices of all creation,and our trust because you have come to close to us in Christ Jesus.Receive our love and loyalty, now and always,offered through the Spirit who prays within us. Great and merciful God, our judge and our hope,We confess we have sinned against you and one another, in the ways we think, the things we say and the things we do.We have been quick to judge others, but less critical of our own actions.We focus on what we lack rather than recognize how blessed we are..In your tender mercy, O God, forgive what we have been, amend what we are, and direct who we shall become, through the grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord.Lord’s Prayer Readings – 2 Samuel 1: 17–27 Mark 5:21–43 Hymn 553 – Just as I am Weekly Prayer Merciful God, today's gospel showed the tremendous faith of a sick woman. Help us to learn from this “that we should always pray and not give up” and that if we “ask it will be given to us.” We raise before you now all those who we know who need to touch the hem of Jesus' garments and receive health and healing in their lives. Amen Reflection One of my favourite churches in the Holy Land is not one of the ancient ones, but a new one, which I watched being constructed wile I lived there. It is on the Sea of Galilee, and the communion table is actually in the shape of a fishing boat. It is dedicated to the women of the Gospels, and there is a large mural across one wall of feet. In fact, many feet in sandals and the hems of peoples’ robes, and in the middle a hand is reaching out, as if to touch the hem of a garment. It is of course representing the story we read in the Gospels today. There are three main characters in the story: there is Jairus, the leader of the synagogue – a powerful, influential, probably wealthy man. There is the unnamed woman, who for 12 years had a bleeding complaint, which was distressing enough physically, but which also meant she was unclean. She couldn’t mix with other people, so was cut off, ostracized from her community. The third character is Jairus’ daughter, a 12 year old girl, at the cusp of life, but who was gravely ill. All very different, and all very vulnerable in their own ways. For Jairus, no amount of power or wealth could buy his daughter’s health, and like any parent faced with a grave illness of one of their children, he was desperate. In Samuel we read the lament after the death of Saul and Jonathan in battle. How are the mighty fallen! Saul had everything, riches, prestige, power, but his son Jonathan lay dead on the field, and in defeat Saul falls on his sword. Jairus came as the last resort to Jesus, putting aside any suspicion he might have about the young rabbi, to plead for help, and Jesus responded with compassion and came straight away. BUT as they made their way to Jairus’ house, a crowd of people around them, Jesus suddenly stopped. Someone had touched him, and he had felt power drain from him. It was the woman. She had spent all her money on quacks, and Jesus was her last resort. She was unclean so couldn’t approach him, but felt if she could just touch him, all would be well. It was – but he noticed and called her out, and from being on the fringes, she ended up in centre stage, all eyes on her. But Jesus blessed her with shalom – with the peace that contained all the wholeness she longed for. Not only freedom from her bleeding, but acceptance into her community. Though there is a difference from being accepted and belonging. One disabled woman felt very much included when she went to church; people were very kind. But through the week, she never had any contact and did not quite feel she belonged. It might still take the woman who had had the bleeding time to belong Jairus must have been frustrated by the delay, as Jesus healed the woman – his daughter was desperately ill after all. And his worst fears were realised, when news came that she had died. But Jesus still went and taking her by the hand, he said ‘Rise, my daughter’ – Talitha Kumi in Aramaic. So tender. She got up, healed, and was restored to her parents. In this story touch is so important. The touch of the Jesus’ robe by the woman, Jesus holding the girl’s hand and raising her up. Of course, it is something we can’t do, and even after the 9th August, I am sure we will still be wary about touching others. But Jesus also touched them with his compassion and with God’s love and brought wholeness and well-being. That we can do, for we can embrace God’s way of thinking and bring those on the fringes of our society to centre stage and offer God’s shalom to all. Hymn 718 – We cannot measure Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Compassionate God, we offer you our gifts with grateful hearts, glad to know you keep reaching out to us and the world you love. Bless what we bring to you, and use us and our gifts to touch the world with your healing grace through Christ, our Saviour and friend. Lord Jesus Christ, You are our source of peace and healing, and we are grateful. Today we pray for each one who faces choices and decisions about their health—for those trying to follow good diets and to exercise enough; for all waiting for appointments or wondering if they should make another; and for all facing pain or anxiety after the months of pandemic… (Pause) Lord Jesus Christ: You are our source of wisdom and generosity, and we are grateful. Today we pray for each one facing choices and decisions about finances-- for those struggling with bills and budgets; for those torn between covering necessities and enjoying a treat; for those who want to be generous and yet feel overwhelmed by all the need. (Pause) Lord Jesus Christ, you are our source of love and forgiveness, and we are grateful. Today we pray for each one facing choices and decisions about their relationships. We pray for people we ought to contact but just haven’t; for those with whom we feel a grievance and have been avoiding; and for those we miss dearly and need to tell how much we cherish them. (Pause) Lord Jesus Christ: you are the source of rest and right relationship for God’s whole creation. We pray for the earth, its many creatures and habitats competing for survival, for its scarce resources and its abundant beauty. Silence Amen Hymn 561 – Blessed Assurance Benediction Go in peace and may the blessing of God, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit be with you and with all people, now and always. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this Sanctuary Sunday, when our focus is on refugees.
Notices:
Call to Worship We are gathered for worship today in the name of God who takes care of every creature as a father and as a mother; Who in Jesus Christ is on the side of the weak; Who in his Holy Spirit gives us the capacity to give solidarity to those who suffer and welcome the vulnerable. We believe that our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth for that we bless His name forever. Hymn 195 – Here to the house of God we come (1,2,4) Prayers of Adoration and Confession Holy and gracious God, We live in a world of wonder, conceived by your divine imagination. The universe is your creation born out of love and generosity. Hallowed by your name. Through centuries of thought and searching, through law and wisdom, insight and experience, your will and purpose were gradually glimpsed until, in Jesus, all that was hidden was revealed, and you let earth be touched by heaven. Hallowed by your name. In the beauty of the earth; in the silence of our hearts; in the community of the church and in our worship we offer, may your name be hallowed. God of Wholeness, we come before you as your children needing your forgiveness and your help. If we have desired comfort more than devotion. Forgive us. If we have worshipped lesser gods and gone for an easier gospel. Forgive us If we have limited our company to those like ourselves and restricted our conversation to matters of no consequence. If we have compromised our integrity. Forgive us and make us whole. You are beloved children of God. There is nothing you can do, no place you can go, where God cannot find you, comfort you, heal and love you. Live in God’s forgiveness and grace. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Job 38: 1-11 Mark 4: 35-41 Hymn 259 – Beauty for brokenness (1,3,5) Weekly Prayer Gracious God, help us to know that the one who calmed the waves on the Sea of Galilee is present with us day by day and that He cares for us and can speak to us out of the storms that engulf our lives from time to time. Help us to trust Him more fully and listen to His voice in the days and weeks ahead. Amen. Reflection A question. What do these people all have in common? Freddie Mercury, Olivia Newton-John, Madeleine Albright, David Miliband, Jesus, Albert Einstein, Ncuti Gatwa, Marlene Dietrich and Victor Hugo? The answer - all of them were refugees or born to refugees. Yet all of them have made an impact on society through politics, literature, the arts – or by redeeming the world in Jesus’ case! Throughout history many people have had to leave their homeland to live in other lands. For some it has been economic reasons, and they have gone to work or because they were in the army. For some it was faith, and so many missionaries went abroad, often realising they would never see their homeland again. Others were forced out. The Highland clearances meant whole communities leaving for North America to make way for sheep – or the potato famine in Ireland led to many sailing the Atlantic. Yet they lamented their forced departure and would keep alive the traditions of the homeland. Today, apparently more than at any other time of history, so many have had to become migrants and refugees. Many forced to leave their homeland for economic reasons or because of climate change – their land is no longer productive. For many, it is because of war or oppression or torture. They fear for their lives, and so they make often hazardous journeys, seeking a safe place. Today is Sanctuary Sunday. A sanctuary is a safe place. The Old Testament has sanctuary cities, places to go if you were in trouble of any kind, and there you would be safe. No-one could touch you. Similarly, churches or monasteries often provided sanctuary, and today in Cairo, when refugees entered the gates of St Andrew’s Church, they felt they were in a safe place away from discrimination and insult. Sanctuary Sunday is a time to reflect on those seeking a safe place away from violence and fear. One of the abiding images of refugees in recent times is of a small boat packed to the gunnels with refugees in orange lifejackets, crossing the Mediterranean - or seeking to cross, as often they did not make it! It is appropriate that our Gospel reading focussed on the storm. Jesus and the disciples had got into a boat to cross to the other side of the Lake, and we are told there were several other boats with them. A flotilla. At least some of the disciples were seasoned fishermen, used to the vagaries of the weather. But even they were worried, when a terrible storm was unleashed. Waves pounding, gales howling. They feared for their lives. But meanwhile, Jesus was asleep. ‘Do you not care that we die’, they asked, as they shook him awake. But Jesus rose and speaking with an amazing authority, he said ‘Be still’, and the wind and waves obeyed him. In our first reading we read how Job wanted an answer to why he had suffered so much, but was put firmly in his place by God, who said, ‘Where were you when I made the earth, when I made the sea and set its bounds?’ Jesus certainly puts the sea in its place and tells it, ‘Here and no further’. Afterwards they continued their journey to the other side and safety. People long for a safe place. One of my friends is Ghiath, who is a Syrian living in Egypt. His mother, brother and sister are still in Damascus, while another brother is in Sudan. His father died last year, and he might not see his mother again, though he speaks to her every day by phone. But he has found a job and a place to live in Cairo, and he has friends there. It is, just now, a safe place. The Bible from beginning to end tells us to welcome the stranger and alien and to offer hospitality. We have to recognise our common humanity and seek to provide places where all caught in the storms of life can feel safe, but also work to make a world where so many are not forced to leave their homes. Litany of Justice Reader: Jesus said,” I was hungry and you gave me food.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “I was naked and you gave me clothing.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “I was sick and you took care of me.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “I was in prison and you visited me.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “In as much as you did to one of those considered to the least important, you did it to me.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. We go from here to see and serve Christ in all. Amen. Hymn 623 – Here in this place (1,2) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Gracious and merciful God, we pray for all families and individuals who have left or fled their country, their land, their homes, seeking safer and better lives. We lift up to You their hopes and dreams, their fears and anxieties, and all their needs and necessities, that they may be protected on their journeys, their dignity and rights may be fostered, honoured and upheld, and they may be welcomed with open arms into generous and compassionate communities. God of family, we bring before You the parents who are weeping and lamenting, who are waiting for their children, whose trace is lost in the sea, in the desert, on railway tracks, in shipping containers and uncertainty: men, women and children who had escaped from the war zones, the famine and poverty of this world , with the hope for a better, safer life. God of justice, we bring before You political leaders, advisers and decision-makers who hold the fate of others in their hands. May they be aware of the causes of migration and flight and may their decisions be guided by solidarity and compassion. We remember in prayer today: those whose businesses are sinking... those drowning in debt... those going under with stress... We pray for those embroiled in stormy and violent relationships, among and within nations, communities, and families... those played out on the world's stage... those hidden behind closed doors… Silence Amen Hymn 547 – What a friend (1,3) Benediction May God who is light shine in our darkness. May God who is love be the love between us. May God who is life be our life everlasting. And the blessing of God, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit be with you and with all people, now and always. Amen.  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost.
Notices
Call to Worship We meet in the name of God, the Holy Trinity of Love who knows our needs, hears our cries, feels our pain, and heals our wounds. God is our light and our salvation. May our hearts be open to you, O God, now and always Hymn 192 – All my hope on God is founded Prayers of Adoration and Confession Living God,from you comes vitality, love and joy.Your peace is our companion, your love is our strength, your Son is our hope.In even our darkest moments, your presence brings comfort.Hidden deep in the soil of life, your Spirit nurtures tiny seeds of purpose and potentialto surprise us with new life.Like the earth beginning to bloom around us, so your kingdom unfolds to surprise us with new possibilities.We bring you our prayers and praise this day and we adore you But we confess that we do not always follow your guidance, we do not always listen to what Jesus told us and we do not use the gifts from the Spirit. We leave our gifts unopened, unexplored, unused because of selfishness and fear. When our thoughts are muddied, help us find the still small voice that is yours so that we can better listen and act. Help us face our fears, so that we can fully utilise the gifts you have bestowed upon us, so that we become more fully the people you have called us to be. Enable us to unpack the gifts so that they and we can benefit the whole of humanity and creation. Forgive us and help us to be more open to you and others. Declaration of Forgiveness The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and of love. God forgives all who humbly repent and trust in God’s Son as Saviour and Lord. God has forgiven us, and we are one in Christ. Lord’s Prayer Readings - 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13 Mark 4:26–34 Hymn 535 – Who would true valour see Weekly Prayer Gracious God, we ask you to lead us into the coming week. Help us to believe that you are close by us, and keep us from making mistakes. May we never disappoint you and may the seeds that are being planted in our Churches each week grow into branches that reach out into every part of our community. Amen Reflection The Galilee Consultant Agency had a thriving business in the 1st Century Capernaum. They could help you find a market for your fish or olives in Rome, find a position for your son in the Temple establishment or even on the tentmaking course the Romans had just introduced. But then a young rabbi came to them, asking them to assess his leadership team and see who had the potential to take over when the time came for him to step aside. When the report came back, it made depressing reading. Matthew had previously been a tax collector collaborating with the Romans, so was unlikely to be popular with the locals. Thomas couldn’t stop asking question and expressed doubts over the vision of the enterprise. James and John were over-ambitious, reliant on their mother and not team-players. Andrew was a good middle man but deferred to his brother too much. Mary Magdalene had too much history and as a woman would not be a popular choice to head such a project. Simon Peter was impulsive and too ready to rush headlong into projects without critical analysis. But there was one name that the Galilee Consultant Agency could recommend. Judas Iscariot had contacts in high places, had good financial acumen and was able to plan ahead. He would make, in their view, an ideal successor to the young rabbi. I think Jesus would have simply filed it away and forgot about it! It is interesting who Jesus chose to be his followers. He could have chosen better, but this ragtag group with all their flaws managed to turn the world upside down. God is certainly a God of surprises. We found that in the Old Testament reading. The Israelites had wanted a king, and Saul had been chosen. But Saul had disappointed, and Samuel the prophet (with God doing the prodding!) went behind his back to anoint someone else. He was playing a dangerous game, as his life wouldn’t be worth living if Saul found out. The sons of Jesse were duly paraded before him, and each time he thought, ‘This must be the one’. Tall, handsome, charismatic, the Galilee Consultant Agency would have snapped them up in an instance. But God said NO. There was still one son out in the fields, young and ruddy. Not the first choice, but that is the very one God chose, and he would go on to make such an impact, he would be the king by whom all other kings would be measured, would be compared. Like the disciples, he was not without his flaws, and he had major ones, but even when this warrior-dancer- lover-psalmist king fell short, God still provided for Israel. God chooses the unexpected. In the Gospels, we read the parable of the mustard seed, the smallest seed of all. Looking at it, you would not expect too much, yet it grew into a bush, where birds would even make their nests. God makes use of the unlikely. In Cornwall the G7 are meeting – and they are not small, not mustard seeds, and the decisions they will take will not be small, but perhaps they will be unexpected. Maybe they will not look inwards, but look outwards. Maybe they will work for a greater global equality. Maybe they will ensure the Covid vaccine is made available to all in the world. Maybe they will lay the groundwork for COP 26 and tackle the effects of climate change in the Global South. And we can be involved to, making small steps, for small steps make bigger journeys. God has a tendency to use the unlikely - youngest sons like Joseph or the Moabite migrant called Ruth or Samaritans or Ethiopian eunuchs to fulfil his purpose. Paul says God takes the weak and foolish to shame the wise. We are all part of that history too. None of us are perfect, but we come just as we are, and God can use us to build the Kingdom. We have to be open to the Spirit’s leading and be surprised by God. Hymn 615 – Holy Spirit, ever living Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession God of small seeds and secret growth, we bring our gifts to you, trusting that you will bless them. Use them as seeds of new life in our community and in your world. Grow results we cannot even imagine—within us, among us, because of us and beyond us, for the sake of Christ, our Living Lord. God of the rich and the poor, of the powerful and the vulnerable, we pray for the leaders of the G7 nations meeting in Cornwall, for the people they govern, for the people of other nations they can support, and for the world they can protect through their decisions. May wisdom be planted, generosity grow, and co-operation flourish. We pray for a growth in resilience, awareness and togetherness across all the nations of the world as they continue to tackle the covid pandemic, as they confront environmental issues. and as they reach out to communities crippled by need, war and natural disasters. May integrity be planted, urgency grow and healing flourish. We pray for the church in this place and around the world as we seek to serve those around us, to reach out to those in trouble, and to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. May faith be planted, compassion grow and hope flourish. We bring before you the poor, hungry and neglected, both here in the U.K. and around the world. Prick the consciousness of the privileged and legislators so that they hear the cries and feel compelled to bring about real change. May faith be planted, compassion grow and hope flourish. We hold before you O God, those who are sick, injured and dying. We thank you for giving knowledge to doctors, nurses, medical staff and scientists so that disease and illness can be tackled. We hold before you those who mourn the loss of loved ones. Silence Amen Hymn 352 – O for a thousand tongues to sing Benediction Now go in peace, Go with eyes of faith Go with hearts filled with compassion and love Go with hands ready to help lift up the broken and the blessing of God Almighty, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer be with you, now and forevermore Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches and also to those joining us from elsewhere. This week's service will be led by Stuart Kelly.
Intimations
Opening words 2 Corinthians 5: “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” Collect Almighty and merciful God, you have assured the human family of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Deliver us from the death of sin, and raise us to new life in him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Hymn 519 Love divine, all loves excelling Joy of heaven, to earth come down Fix in us thy humble dwelling All thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, thou are all compassion, Pure, unbounded love thou art; Visit us with thy salvation Enter every trembling heart. Finish then thy new creation Pure and spotless let us be; Let us see they great salvation Perfectly restored in thee, Changed from glory into glory Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder love and grace. Prayers of Adoration and Confession Lord, we approach you in humility and wonder. You are the creator, the redeemer and the consoler. You are the start and the finish, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. In your creation you have left signs and symbols in the most commonplace ways. We have seen, as we move into summer, the glorious yellow of the dandelion, as it turns its to dying grey of a chimney-sweeper, and as it then is blown as seeds to make creation new once more. You blessed us with creation, and we adore you, though words and images are insufficient. You are mystery and majesty and the amelioration of our meagre lives. Because we are meagre. You are profound and we are shallow. You offered us your love in the Son, and we were amongst the rabble who sent you to death. We are liars, the worshippers of the false idols of wealth and glamour, the fornicators, the sly, the envious and we all know all this. We are not what you meant us to be and for that we offer our true confession. Lord, you have always loved us and we ask this knowing you will not condemn a sinner who is truly repentant. Now, pardoned, we are humble enough to say the prayer that you taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. They kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen Readings 1 Samuel, 8 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, "You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have." But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do." Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day." But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." Mark 3. 20-35 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons." So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." He said this because they were saying, "He has an evil spirit." Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." Hymn 87 Lord from the depths to thee I cried. My voice, Lord, do thou hear: Unto my supplication’s voice Give an attentive ear. And plenteous redemption Is ever found in him. And from all their iniquities He Israel shall redeem. Weekly Prayer Almighty God, may your presence be seen clearly in what we do each day. Help us to unite with all those who worship your Son our Saviour as we recall his words “that a house divided against its self cannot stand”. We pray that your joy and your love will flow freely in and through us as we acknowledge his Kingship and follow were you lead us”. Amen. Sermon I do love a theological paradox, so here is one. Does Jesus break the fifth Commandment, to honour thy mother and father, in the Gospel reading we have just heard? It’s an idea I want to come back to, but beforehand, and to put it in context, I want to look at our Old Testament reading. It makes for uneasy reading. The prophet Samuel is in a bit of a quandary, as the Israelites are beseeching for a king. God makes it very clear to them through Samuel: yes, but on your own head be it. They are warned, and the warning comes true. Israel does get a king – the mad and murderous Saul, the adulterous sneak David, the ostentatious and lascivious Solomon and many more. In a strange way there is a parallel in the Old Testament reading with a fable by Aesop which some of you may know: number 44, “The Frogs Who Wanted A King”. In it, the frogs ask Zeus for a king and he sends a log. They are happy at first, but take to jumping on it and mocking it. So they ask for another king, and Zeus sends – the sources vary – either a snake or a heron or a stork who promptly gobbles them up. Martin Luther, writing in 1523, cites this fable. “The frogs need their stork”, he wrote, meaning that when we give up our liberties – and I do not mean singing in church or going to the pub – our democracy becomes tyranny. Imagine if your right to vote, or dissent, or protest were to be taken away by a lecherous buffoon. I am, of course, referring to Charles II. The first thing to note in the passage is that God gives fair warning. The second thing is that Israel asks twice to be “like other nations”. They were not like other nations. They had been blessed and covenanted as an exemplar to the nations. They had a king already – God – but wanted to be like others, and wanted to engage in warfare. But God allows it, as God sees the whole of the future as well. Israel will suffer, and Israel will be redeemed. When we turn to the Gospel reading, we have a strange rhyme. I am sure we all know the end of the passage, where Jesus asks “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Again, it is uneasy reading. Jesus seems almost petulant and dismissive if we skim read it. But we can sometimes forget about the opening. Jesus has shown himself to be not like others, and his family intervenes. I suppose, to use an anachronism, they basically try to have him sectioned under the Mental Health Act. This they did out of love. They were concerned. But they did not understand. As some of you may know I am currently working on a book about the Virgin Mary . I wonder if as she went to try and have her Son restrained she remembered the words of Simeon. “A sword shall pierce your heart too”. Maybe she thought – this is it, this is what I was warned about. Little did she know how tragic a path she would face. But what I want to leave you with is the sense that Jesus does not break the Fifth Commandment. He does not dishonour his Mother, and he always, always honours the Father. Instead we have one of the most moving examples of how extensive is the love of Jesus. Yes, his family is there, but he looks out to the wider crowd and says “And you. And you. And you”. The King does not need a dynasty, but he does need a family; and that family is here and now and forever. When we heard last week the famous words from John at 3:16, it states “God so loved the world”. Not just Israel. Not just Christians. He so loved the world that we are all adopted by him. As much as I love a paradox, I like a challenge. If Jesus invites us to be as his parents or siblings, it means, categorically, that we have a difficult obligation to love. Therefore we must love one another as he loved us. As my hero, G K Chesterton, once wrote “the Bible tells us to love our neighbours, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people”. Hymn 694 Brother, sister, let me serve you Let me be as Christ to you; Pray that I may have the grace to Let you be my servant too. Prayers of intercession Lord, we pray for your world. We have not been dutiful custodians of creation. Give us the courage to do what must be done to stem the corruption and neglect of the world; to ensure that generations yet to be inherit a place of safety and beauty, Lord, we pray for the Church. As we undergo change which will be painful, be always behind us as we face an uncertain future. We commend to you all those who work for the Church in whatever capacity, and ask you to give them strength. Lord, we pray for all those who wield power. Give them wisdom, give them grace, give them the hardness of honesty. We pray also for our Queen, who has been an example of public duty. Lord, we pray for all who are sick, both physically and mentally, that your kindness might be upon them. We pray for all who work in healing, whether in hospitals, general surgeries, care homes or in their own homes, for all those who face what we cannot face. We pray for all who find themselves in need; the poor, the refugee, the scorned, the unloved, the lonely. We pray for the dead, who are with you, and the communion of saints, that they rejoice in your nearer presence. Finally, we pray for every person we dislike. We are fallen creatures, but let us glimpse what we could be rather than what we are. Hymn 399 My song is love unknown, My Saviour’s love to me Love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be. Oh, who am I, that for my sake My Lord should take frail flesh and die? Here might I stand and sing: No story so divine; Never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine! This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend. Benediction Go now in peace to love and serve the Lord, and may the blessing of our Lord God, Father, Son and Spirit, rest with us and remain with us now, and forever. Amen.  Welcome, Cheviot churches. I trust everyone is keeping well. We worship together on this Trinity Sunday
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Call to Worship Let us worship God, who spoke in the beginning and created something out of nothing. Let us worship God who took on the clothing of humanity to set those who were oppressed free. Let us worship God whose Spirit rests continually upon us, calling us to bright new beginnings Let us worship the Triune God. Hymn 111 – Holy, holy, holy Prayers of Adoration and Confession God of Mystery and Mercy, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we meet you in wonder as the Blessed Trinity. You are the Ancient of Days, eternal and unchanging; yet you are the Source of each new day, renewing all things. In Christ, you encounter us in whatever each day brings with a heart that beats in love for us. Through the Spirit, you breathe life into what is growing older, energizing us to serve you in good times and hard times. In the mystery of the Trinity, you are always with us and so we bring you our worship and praise to join in your dance of life and love, Holy One and Holy Three, now and ever more. Holy and Healing God, slow to anger and swift to forgive, you have shown us the depth of your love day by day, yet we are reluctant to love others even a little. You have shown us compassion and forgiveness, yet we turn away from one another for even small slights. We save our concern for those most like us. Forgive us. Create in us clean hearts and a desire to begin again with you and with one another. Give us the courage to forgive each other and know your healing grace. In repentance and in faith, receive the promise of grace and the assurance of pardon: To all who turn to him, Jesus says: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Thanks be to God. Amen Readings – Isaiah 6: 1-8 John 3: 1-17 Hymn 251 -I, the Lord of sea and sky Weekly Prayer Father God, Son, and Holy Spirit we pray for our Cheviot churches and our role in the community. We remember before you all those who live, work and visit here as the restrictions are lifted. Speak your word of peace in our midst, and help us to serve one another as Christ has served us. Thank you, that you so loved the world that you gave your one and only son Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection we now celebrate in our communion. Amen. Reflection In Egypt there are apparently many Muslims who believe in Jesus, but who keep their faith secret. For to say that they were Christian would be to be ostracised from their family and their community. It can be hard to be a Christian in many countries. I am reminded of them when hearing again the story of Nicodemus, who came by night to see Jesus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme council of the Jews. He was part of the establishment. But something in the radical message of Jesus attracted him, so he came secretly, away from the public gaze, to meet him. But this learned, theologically-aware leader felt out of his depth by what Jesus said, as Jesus talked about being born again and the Spirit blowing where it will. Today is Trinity Sunday, the only Sunday named after a church doctrine. We will affirm the Trinity later when we say the Apostle’s Creed, but it is a doctrine over which many church councils agonised and over which many church leaders have felt out of depth. Yet it presents a wonderful picture of God in community, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, yet one God. The idea of God that Nicodemus would have held would have been one who created the world and led the Israelites from oppression to freedom; the God whom Isaiah described in our reading today. In the Temple, Isaiah was filled with an overwhelming sense of God’s holiness and, in contrast, his own unworthiness. He fell to his knees in sheer awe. Yet God still reached out to call him, and Isaiah answered, ‘Here I am. Send me’. I think we often lack a sense of awe in God’s presence. Yet this is the God who became personal, who, we are told in the famous verses of John 3: 16/17, loved the world so much that God wanted to save it, and so Jesus was born as a human to show us God’s love in action. He didn’t come to condemn, but to love and redeem us. Through the Spirit, God still is working with and through us today. Nicodemus is tentative at first though curious, coming secretly to Jesus. However, we meet him twice more in John’s Gospel, beginning to speak out for Jesus and latterly helping Joseph of Arimathea to bury him. His faith seems to grow as we continue through the Gospel. For some of us faith doesn’t come easily, but like Nicodemus, two steps forward and one step back. But in the end Nicodemus seems to get there. This week, the General Assembly of the Church has been meeting and tackling important issues. Issues like climate change, but also the future shape of the church, and some of these discussions were quite bruising. We are all affected. We will be part of bigger presbyteries, the number of ministries will drop, there will be an emphasis on being more missional. But that can be something positive, as it will involve enabling all God’s people. Yet the overwhelming impression of the Assembly is a sense of together ness with people from all over the country and indeed over the world. It is that sense of togetherness we celebrate at Trinity Sunday. As God’s people we are enfolded in the love of the triune God, and so we come at communion, in awe at God’s holiness that we cry ‘have mercy on us’, but redeemed by the Son who out of love came into this world and sustained by the Spirit, who leads us on, so we cry out ‘Here am I. Send me’. Prayers of Dedication & Intercession Lord God, we bring to you the ordinary things of life – food and drink and money – and with them we bring ourselves. Take us, and our gifts of money, to do your work in the world. Take this bread and wine and feed us from your table with your love. Accept our sacrifice of praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. We thank you for the small steps of recovery from Covid in our land, but continue to remember those suffering still – from the affects of the Indian variant and long Covid, for the many throughout the world with Covid and with little chance of the vaccine. We pray for the Church throughout the world, that we might be faithful, but pray especially for our Church of Scotland, as we face the challenges of the day. Be with those who mourn the loss of loved ones, for the sick in hospital and at home. For those who struggle and those who are downcast and those who are ostracized. Silence Amen Apostles’ Creed Hymn 666 – Let all mortal flesh Communion As we come to share in Holy Communion, we bring the bread and wine that we prepared earlier and pause as we prepare to share in this meal with one another. Invitation: In our own homes, at our own tables, we meet with Jesus. At our own tables, Jesus calls us to meet him. He welcomes us without the need for show, without the need to be what others expect us to be, without any baggage that might be weighing us down. Narrative: We hear again the story of that night: While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body’. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I tell you, I will never again drink the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’ (Mark 14: 22-24) Let us pray: The Lord be with you And also with you Lift up your hearts We lift them to the Lord Let us give thanks to the lord our God It is right to give our thanks and praise Thank you, loving God, for these gifts which we share and for the love that you give to us. We meet with you here filled with your promise of welcome and community. So, we gather here as we are, as you need us to be and as you have called. Long ago, you welcomed your people to you and made known your greatness and glory; you sought out the outcast, you welcomed the stranger, you reached outside society’s expectations and beyond tradition. Therefore with all your people, past present and to come, and with the whole company of heaven we sing the hymn of your unending glory: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit To bless us and these your gifts of bread and wine, That in communion with Christ our Lord We may receive his life and remain his glad and faithful people until we feast with him in glory. As we share in the body and blood of Christ, may we become a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for your acceptance, through Jesus Christ our Lord Lord’s Prayer Breaking of bread The Lord Jesus on the night that he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and said, ‘this is my body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me’. In the same way he took the cup, saying ‘ This cup is the new covenant sealed by my blood. Whenever you drink of it, do so in memory of me’ Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us. Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us. Jesus, redeemer of the world: grant us your peace. As we follow the example of Jesus, I invite you to hold the bread. This is the Christ’s body, broken for you. Take and eat in memory of him. I invite you to take the wine. This is the blood of Christ poured out for each one of us. Take and drink in memory of him. Peace The disciples were together behind locked doors, and Jesus came and stood among them and he said. Peace be with you. And so I say to you, The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Prayer Loving God, we praise you for what you have given and for what you have promised us here today. You have made us one with all your people in heaven and in earth. You have fed us with the bread of life and renewed us for your service. Now we give ourselves to you and ask that our daily living may be part of the life of your kingdom and that our love may be your love reaching out into the life of the world. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Hymn 622 – We sing a love that sets all people free Benediction Just as God’s Word was sent into the world to heal and redeem, so God sends you into the world this day to be light and love, healing and hope. Go now to be light for the world! And may the blessing of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you and those whom you love, now and forevermore. Amen.  Welcome, Cheviot churches and also to those joining us from elsewhere. We worship together at Pentecost
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Call to Worship God of fire and beauty WARM US God of peace and justice DISTURB US God of wind and wonder AMAZE US God of Pentecost KINDLE YOUR LOVE IN OUR LIVES Hymn 584 – Like fireworks in the night Prayers of Adoration and Confession God of power and possibility, With the flame of your Spirit, you give us energy to move into the world in Jesus’ name. With the breath of your Spirit, you refresh us to engage life in its complexity. Your Spirit embraces us in our diversity and invites us to find unity in your love. We honour you for the gift of creation in all its beauty and bounty. We praise you for your presence with us in every time and place. In this time of worship, send us the Holy Spirit once again, and renew us to serve you in the world, the world that aches for the healing and wholeness you offer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. God of mystery and mercy, We confess that we have not always paid attention to the urging of your Spirit, calling us to follow your will and your way. Too often we claim to belong to Jesus, but choose instead to ignore his teaching. You created us to love you and one another, but we fail to offer your love to those who differ from us. Stir in our hearts and in our lives with your Holy Spirit. Transform who we are, and direct who we shall become through Christ’s redeeming love. In Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven. Be at peace with God, with yourself and with one another. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Acts 2:1–21 John 16:4b–15 Hymn 586 – Come, Holy Ghost Weekly Prayer Faithful God, as we go out into the world, we pray that this Pentecost may bring our Cheviot Church community a renewed sense of unity with all Christians around our troubled world. May we use the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given us to spread the good news and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen Reflection One year at university I shared a flat with someone from Lossiemouth, up in Moray. We are still good friends today. But I always remember how one weekend his brother came to visit, and he spoke as he would speak at home, and I didn’t understand a word. It was awful when he asked questions, and you just had to give a frantic smile and non-committal grunt and hope his brother came to the rescue. It is always difficult when you can’t communicate. Those of you who have lived abroad or even travelled abroad will recognise that things will just pass you by, because you don’t speak the language – or even when you do. For communication is more than the language, it is about the culture too, and that can take years to learn. I am reading a book just now about someone walking along Hadrian’s Wall, and the author mentions how there is evidence that the soldiers on the Wall came from many parts of the Roman Empire. There was cavalry from what is now Romania; there were people from North Africa and from Syria, as well as from Europe, and even traders from Mesopotamia. It was quite a cosmopolitan set up. They would no doubt be comfortable with those from the same area, but probably had some rudimentary Latin or Greek to get by. But certainly there was some degree of communication, and they got the job done of keeping these barbarians from the Borders at bay!! The Roman world was a cosmopolitan world, and it was into that world that the Church was born. The disciples had been told by Jesus at the Ascension to stay in Jerusalem and wait, and they did so. They were probably still a little fearful of the authorities and wary of creating trouble. They were gathered together in one place, we are told: safety in numbers. It was the feast of Pentecost, Shavuot, when the Jews remembered the giving of the Law at Mt Sinai, but also celebrated the harvest. Jews had gathered in Jerusalem from the Diaspora, from all over the Empire and beyond, because they had settled in many places, and while they would have had a common purpose and religion and could speak Greek, if not Aramaic, there would be cultural differences. We have a list in Acts of some of the places, and they would have felt a certain disconnect. Jerusalem would have been busy, but suddenly there was noise, and a mighty wind, pushed the disciples out of the house where they had been skulking and into the streets. They had to go public. Flames danced above their heads, their tongues began to loosen and speak, and suddenly all barriers of gender and age, language and culture were blown down by the wind of Pentecost. The Spirit had come, and the Church started with a bang. Communication barriers came crashing down, and everyone felt included, felt they belonged – because they heard their own language spoken. We still live in a world where there are barriers of communication. In the Middle East Israeli and Palestinian speak a different, and I am not just talking about Hebrew and Arabic. They mean different things when they talk of peace. In homes here we can have communication breakdowns, and families don’t speak because of something that happened years before. In the Church as it meets for the General Assembly this week, there can be communication issues because of where we come from or how we interpret Scripture. But the Spirit’s coming at Pentecost gives us the model of breaking down barriers, so that Paul was able to write later that there was no Roman or Greek, no male or female, no slave or free, because all one in Christ. Pentecost encourages us to communicate to one another and in the language which is love and compassion. So let us celebrate the Church’s birthday and be ever open to the leading of the Spirit. Hymn 600 – Spirit of God, unseen as the wind Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Spirit of grace and power, bless the gifts we offer so that they accomplish surprising things in Jesus’ name. Bless our lives, too, so that our words and actions may bear witness to Jesus’ love and mercy each and every day God of love, as Covid-19 continues to impact our world, we pray for those around the globe who don’t have the resources of the richer nations, for those countries struggling to afford vaccinations and basic health care. We think in particular of people in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. May those who have the power to bring relief to others use their influence to ensure help and vaccines are directed to the people who need it most. May conversations and negotiations be filled with generosity and concern for the poor and powerless. God of love, we pray for those who mourn. With the battles continuing to rage in the Middle East and the death toll rising, we pray for everyone who has lost friends and loved ones. It’s difficult to imagine how scared people must be living with bombs and violence. We pray for those caught in the middle of the chaos. Please bring an end to this war. God of love, we pray for the poor in spirit. With so many people experiencing mental health issues we think of those we know who are struggling. Help us to be compassionate listeners and good friends to people who need us. We also think of the steep rise in teenage anxiety and issues such as anorexia; please help families trying to deal with young people who are suffering. Give the agencies and professionals working in mental health good judgement as they work with their patients. We pray for the Church of Scotland meeting in General Assembly and tackling big issues. Guide the commissioners, that all that is decided may be to God’s glory. God of love, we pray for the peacemakers. On this Pentecost Sunday thank you for the work of your Spirit bringing hope, joy and peace to us and to your world. On this Pentecost Sunday renew us in our faith, remind us of the outpouring of your Spirit and help us to be the agents of hope, joy and peace in our world. Amen Hymn 594 – Come, Holy Spirit, come Benediction As you go forth from this place, may the wind of the Spirit startle your senses and blow through your life; may the fire of the Spirit scorch your complacency and light your way. And may the blessing of the Holy One-- Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer-- rest with you now and forevermore. Amen |
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