 Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost.
Notices:
We lift up our eyes to the hills— from where will our help come? Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Hymn 251 – I the Lord of sea and sky Prayers of Adoration and Confession O Lord our God, you hear the voice of those who cry out to you and you respond with love. You reach out to us when others have turned away. You offer us compassion when others dismiss our worth. You heal us when we thought we were beyond repair. Your amazing love transforms our lives over and over again, and so, we offer you our humble praise in the name of Jesus, your love made flesh. Receive our gratitude in this time of worship, as we join with your whole creation to bring you honour and glory, now and always. Lord of love and mercy, we worship you as the source of every good and perfect gift, but we confess our gifts to you are less than perfect. We honour you when it fits into our schedules. We forget that your love should set our priorities, and pursue our own desires instead. In your loving-kindness, forgive our wavering hearts and reawaken our commitment to you. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Ruth 1: 1-18 Mark 10: 46-52 Hymn 557 – O love that wilt not let me go Weekly Prayer Everlasting God, we thank you that your written Word continues to inspire us, showing us examples like Ruth and Bartimaeus, whose faith and actions so dramatically changed their lives and those around them. Thank you for revealing yourself to us, how you love us, how we should live, and what we can be. Amen Reflection ‘When it is gone, it’s gone’. That is the slogan at Lidl’s. They have good prices anyway, but some things are at a special price – but if it’s gone, it’s gone! So, the marketing ploy goes, take the opportunity and buy while you can – for if you leave it too late, you will miss out. In the story of Ruth, we find three women left alone, their husbands have all died. The mother-in-law Naomi decides to return home to Bethlehem after many years living in Moab. She tells her daughters-in-law to stay, to be with their own families and try to marry again. Orpah reluctantly stays and says her goodbyes. But Ruth has to make her decision. She has this one opportunity – does she stay or will she go. Of course, she decides to go and accompany Naomi. She expresses her commitment in the wonderful lines: ‘Wherever you go, I will go…’ (vv16-17) Bartimaeus in the Gospel has to make a similar decision. His life is sitting at the roadside in Jericho, begging for food or maybe some cash. He is blind and that is all that is open for him to do. But today it is someone different who passes by. He hears the excited murmurs- it is Jesus, the young rabbi from up North, who has healed a number of people. Bartimaeus has heard stories about him. There is this one opportunity; if he misses it, it will have gone forever. So he cries out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy upon me’. The crowd tell him to be quiet, but Jesus hears him and calls him. Bartimaeus throws off his cloak and approaches Jesus. ‘What do you want?’, Jesus asks. Bartimaeus replied ‘To see’ and he was healed and he followed Jesus. What do we see here. Firstly, Bartimaeus has a name. He is not anonymous like the 10 lepers or the paralysed man. Perhaps he was involved in the early church. He was known. And God knows each and every one of us by name. We are known and loved and valued. Secondly, the crowd around him tried to hush him, so he didn’t disturb Jesus. We are good at that – just keeping quiet, not letting our emotions show. I have just finished a book by a Canadian author, Mary Lawson, and she says that Presbyterians are particularly good at ‘not making a scene’. But Bartimaeus makes a scene, so that Jesus hears and asks him what he wants. It is interesting, because just before this, Jesus had asked James and John what they wanted, and they wanted positions in Jesus’ cabinet – the seats to his right and left. But to his credit, Bartimaeus doesn’t ask for food or money, but asks to see. And he is granted his wish and is healed. If Jesus were to ask us the same question, what would we say? Maybe we should ask for sight or insight. Often things are so familiar, we no longer see them. We fail to see the poverty and distress that some people face. But lastly, there is the little detail about Bartimaeus throwing his cloak away. His cloak kept him warm on cold nights and was perhaps the tool of his trade, but he cast it aside. By throwing it away perhaps it signalled a new start. With the climate crisis, we will be asked to make sacrifices and adjust how we do things. Like Bartimaeus, we must be ready to make sacrifices. He threw away his cloak, got up and, being healed, left his old life behind and followed Jesus. Hymn 555 – Amazing grace Prayers of Dedication & Intercession Good and gracious God, we bring our offering in gratitude for all that makes our lives good, even in uncertain times. Bless these gifts and use them to touch lives in need of your goodness, in Jesus’ name. We pray for those who govern their nation, including our own governments, asking that they will ensure justice and equality for all, so that no one goes hungry or lives in substandard housing. For those who are chief executives or company directors, asking that they don’t just seek profit but ensure that they help to build a better world of fairness, free of exploitation. For parents and teachers, asking that they might nurture younger generations, encouraging them in the way to go, supporting them as we recognise many are facing mental health issues. For those in the medical and caring professions who have faced unprecedented challenges this last 18 months, praying that they might find new strength and fresh resources so that those in their care might know healing and wholeness. For those who are discriminated against because of their race, gender or sexual orientation praying that they would know that in your eyes they are precious and loved and asking that others would reach out to them in support. For those who are suffering as a result of the climate emergency, praying for their protection and asking that those making decisions would bring us back from the brink of disaster and focus their power in caring for your planet. We pray for our world leaders who will be meeting shortly to set targets and challenge all the nations to make the environment a priority. We pray for those who are suffering in body, mind or spirit, asking that they might know healing and hope. (silence) Lord in your mercy hear our prayer. Amen Hymn 130 - Ye servants of God Benediction The grace of Christ be yours wherever you go, the love of God be yours whatever you do, the friendship of the Spirit be yours whatever you have to face, today and always. Amen
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 Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this Harvest Thanksgiving.
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The banqueting table is prepared: God calls us to feast together. We have come from east and west, from north and south, to sit together at the Lord’s table. O taste and see that the Lord is good! Hymn 230 – Praise God for the harvest (1,4,5) Prayers of Adoration and Confession Praise be to you, O God, for the wonders of your creation. You spin the shining stars and stretch out the seas to the furthest horizon. You lift the curtain of dawn so light can chase away the night. You give the earth its seasons and each creature its lifespan, breathing life and love into each precious soul. And so, we come to praise you. Breathe your Spirit into us once more, to inspire us to serve you with creativity and commitment, and with the honesty and humility we meet in Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Ever present God, When you invite us to your table, you ask us to come with clean hands and clean hearts. You ask us to come in peace, seeking reconciliation with you and with each other. We confess that the church has not always sought reconciliation within or beyond its walls. In this silence, we hand over to you the broken relationships, disagreements and disappointments that keep us from living in your peace. Free us from the burdens we carry, so that we may be a source of peace in this troubled world in the name of Christ who is our peace. If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. Everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! Know that you are forgiven and have the courage to forgive one another. Amen Readings – Job 38:1–7 Mark 10:35–45 Hymn 137 – All things bright and beautiful (1,4) Weekly Prayer Creator God we join together at this harvest time in remembering the Son of man who came to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. We thank you that you are always more ready to hear our prayers and to respond to them in ways that are sometimes beyond our expectations or imagination. Help us to be part of your response as we seek to serve those around us, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Reflection The sight of combine harvesters in fields of wheat or hay gives us such a good feeling inside, knowing that year after year the harvest is brought in. The sight of the hills around with a rainbow painting the sky gives us a good feeling, as we reflect on the majesty of creation. The sight of a spectacular sunrise or sunset can fill us with awe and make us feel that God is speaking to us– or, if we travel north and see the Northern Lights, as some have this week, we can feel the same. But what about a violent storm? We used to say that thunder was God moving the furniture about. Does God speak in the storm? Or in the whirlwind? They seem to wreak such violence and destruction. Yet in our passage from the Old Testament, God speaks to Job from the whirlwind, and you can just imagine how awestruck Job would have been. Job is an interesting character. He is a good and faithful person, one of the best. But he lost his wife and family, his business and home; he even lost his health and is covered in sores. It was one misfortune after another. And he asks why! He asks why bad things happen to good people; he asks why people suffer. His friends rally round, but they say that it must be his fault, that he must have sinned, but Job disagrees with them and demands to speak with God. In our passage today, that is what happens. God speaks from the whirlwind, and it must have been a terrifying experience. God doesn’t give a definitive answer to the problem of suffering, but rather asks Job where he was when the earth was created, whether Job asks the sun to rise each day. In other words, Job is given a new perspective. He sees only part of the picture, but God sees the whole. In a way, he is left facing the mystery of God. God is too big to comprehend fully. Paul said that now we see in a mirror darkly, but then face-to-face. Now we know in part, but in the fullness of time we will know fully. Here at communion we face the mystery of God. We gather and share in bread and wine and feel that closeness to God. We can’t explain everything, but our faith opens itself to the mystery of God. But what we do know is that Jesus called his disciples together for one last meal, took bread and took wine, and he told them to do so to remember him. What we know is that he took the bread and broke it, and we remember his broken body on the cross. He took the wine and poured it, and we remember his blood shed on the cross. In the mystery of faith we believe that he died for us on that cross, his arms stretched out in a saving, all-encompassing embrace. At this meal, he meets us still and feeds us still with the sustenance we need to continue to be his people in the world today. Hymn 510 – Jesus calls us here to meet him (vv1,4) Prayers of Intercession Great and gracious God, we offer you these gifts, small tokens of our love for you. Bless them with the power of your Holy Spirit so they may accomplish more than we can even imagine, in the name of Jesus Christ Christ, the servant king: When we seek power and glory for ourselves and overlook the needs of the humble and weak, Help us to follow your example of service Where there are those who rely on food banks and on benefits, help us to follow your example of service Where stronger nations ignore the plight of the poor; where food and medical supplies are stockpiled while others cry out in need. Help us to follow your example of service When our neighbours are sick, imprisoned by addiction, cold through lack of shelter, lonely through isolation or tearful because of bereavement, Help us to follow your example of service When our personal ease and comfort leads us to ignore the threats to the future of our planet, Help us to follow your example of service and be your people in the world. Amen Invitation to the Table The table is set for all; around it there are no divisions. Just as one loaf is made from many grains, and as one cup is filled from the fruit of many grapes, so, we, though many, are made one in Christ, nourished by him to nourish the world. Jesus calls us to this table, and all are welcome here. Hymn 19 – Ye gates (v 1 + Alleluias) Communion Now listen to the story of how God’s reconciling love set this table for us. On the night he was arrested, Jesus came to the table with those he loved to share a meal that promised freedom, freedom that required courage and sacrifice. He took bread and blessed the God of all creation. He broke the bread among his disciples and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is my body, given for you. When the supper was ended, he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He passed the cup among his disciples and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it. This is the cup of the new covenant, sealed in my blood for the forgiveness of sin. Do this to remember me. So now we do as Jesus did. We take this bread and this wine, ordinary things of the world. In these, Jesus has promised to be present; through these, Christ can make us whole. The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving The Lord be with you; And also with you. Lift up your hearts; We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God; It is right to give God thanks and praise. It is our greatest calling and greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, Lord God, Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth. You spoke, and all things came into being: the sun, moon and stars, the sky, earth and waters and all they contain. Your Spirit swept over creation, and brought order out of chaos, life from the formless void. From the elements of the earth, you created humankind, each unique, all made in your holy image. Your breath gave us life and called us to live with you in loving service to neighbour and stranger alike. Yet when we turned away from you, you never turned from us. Through the prophets, you called us back to your ways. You sent Jesus, your Son, born of a mother’s flesh, to reveal the full extent of your grace and love. Again and again, you welcome us to your side with the open arms of a loving father. Therefore, we join our voices with those from every time and place, to proclaim your glory in the unending hymn: 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. Holy is your Son Jesus, O God. Walking this earth, feeding the hungry, calling the lost and lonely, he brought healing and wisdom to those who sought him out, and revealed your kingdom taking shape in this world. As we break bread and share wine in his name, with your people here and in every place, we recall the mystery of our faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Pour out your Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine. Gather your church together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom where peace and justice are realized, and joy will be shared at the banquet you prepare for us when heaven and earth join hands. And now we pray the words which Jesus gave all his followers: The Lord’s Prayer The Lord Jesus, on the night before he died, took bread, and after giving thanks to God, he broke it and said, “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Break bread) In the same way, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do it in remembrance of me.” Every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. O lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us O lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us O lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Grant us thy peace This is the body of Christ, broken for you This is the blood of Christ shed for you Peace Prayer after Communion Lord Jesus Christ, you have nourished us, body and soul, in this meal. We have heard your love proclaimed, now send us out to speak it to others. We have seen your love poured out, now send us out to show it in everything we do. We have been fed by your love at your table, now send us out to share it so the world may believe. And let all things be done for your glory. Amen. Hymn 518 – Lift up your hearts (1,4) Benediction May the God of all guide and keep you today, tomorrow, and always.  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this Harvest Thanksgiving.
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We gather together to celebrate God’s bounty and blessing, to proclaim God’s goodness and love, to remember the many ways in which God has provided for our needs, and to offer ourselves in the work of God’s kingdom. Praise the God of harvest and hope! Let’s worship together Hymn 233 – Come, ye thankful people come (1,2) Prayers of Adoration and Confession God of all creation, in this season of thanksgiving for the harvests of the earth, we are struck by the beauties of autumn, leaves in bright colours, hedgerows with berries, fields ripe with produce. Such beauty speaks of your goodness, your desire to provide what each beloved creature needs. As we gather this day, renew our sense of thanksgiving for what you give to us in the fruitfulness of creation, and in Christ Jesus who teaches us how to walk wisely on the earth you made. For all your good gifts we honour you with thanks and praise, now and always. God of our lives, when we give thanks for your good gifts around us, we know that we enjoy an abundance many cannot even imagine. Yet we confess we do not always see the blessings in which we share. We worry about the future, if we can recover from the pandemic, whether we will have enough for our families to flourish. Forgive our fears of going without, and our failure to be grateful for how much goodness is already ours. In mercy God forgives our sins. Let us live in peace one with another. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Joel 2: 21-28 Matthew 6: 25-33 Hymn 240 - God in such love for us lent us this planet Weekly Prayer Lord of the harvest, with joy we offer thanksgiving for your love in creation: by your grace plant within us a reverence for all that you give us and make us generous and wise stewards of the good things we enjoy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Reflection ‘Come, ye thankful people, come, bring the song of harvest home. All is safely gathered in’. Over the last month or so, the tractors have been going up and down the roads, there has been lots of activity in the fields, as the harvest has been brought in. We give God thanks once again for all the food in our shops -I know the blueberries are from Caverton, but I like to think the broccoli and cauliflowers are local too. In Zambia, the maize harvest was the most important. Everyone had their field, and there was real satisfaction when the cobs were collected and stored – food to last till the next harvest. Unless, of course, the harvest failed, and that would have been a disaster, and people would have gone hungry. In the book of Joel we are given a picture of a good harvest; a picture of trees bearing fruit and vines laden with grapes. The threshing floors are filled with grain, and vats are overflowing with olive oil. I can imagine their sense of joy, having been involved in an olive harvest. All the necessities of life are there, and it is a picture of abundance. BUT – if we were to read the book of Joel from the beginning, we have a different picture, for the fields were devastated by an army from the North. But not an army of soldiers, but of insects. An army of locusts, which stripped the fields of all their crops. It was a disaster. The people were helpless in the face of the plague of locusts; there was nothing they could do except watch their food for the year be eaten up by the insects. Last year in Ethiopia and Eritrea, there was a plague of locusts, and even with modern technology, it was an uphill battle to try to control it. How much worse in biblical times. The locusts had devoured everything – in some versions their names are given as Hopper, Cutter, Devourer. But it passed, and in this passage, God is seen addressing the people who have known famine and fear and saying ‘Do not be afraid’. And then there is the most wonderful phrase – ‘God will restore the years the locusts have eaten’. They had been through this dreadful experience, but God promises better things. Locusts are not something our farmers have to be wary of, though I did hear on the radio of a bug from Asia found on a farm down south. Farmers have other things to be anxious about as they seek to keep on top of new technology and it can take its strain. But then have our worries – for many it is the increased energy prices, though not so many of us are affected by gas. We have personal worries about finance or our health or families. We have wider concerns about the economy, the environment and the climate emergency. We can let our anxieties overwhelm us, as we look to the future. But in Matthew Jesus tells us not to worry. He says this 4 times in our passage. Why? Because the heavenly Father knows our needs. God delights in creation – the birds of the air, the flowers in the field, and how much more will God provide for us, His children! Don’t worry. Trust in God, that’s Jesus’ message. We do that by, first and foremost, seeking God’s kingdom and working to see that kingdom, of peace and hope, of justice and fairness, prevail We do it by looking for the ‘God moments’ in each day, recognising where God is at work in us and in those who we meet; in the way we treat others and in our care for the environment. We do it by being Kingdom builders in our relationships and lifestyles, by using our gifts and talents, our listening and our praying, to bring a rich harvest. This harvest time is always one of deep thankfulness for God’s care of us. We put our trust in God and respond to God’s goodness in praise. In the words from the Joel passage, ‘Do not be afraid. Be glad and rejoice. The Lord has done great things. Rejoice in the Lord your God. Hymn 231 – For the fruits of all creation (1,3) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession God, source of all life, the autumn is all around us now, beautiful in scarlet and gold. We have heard the Spirit of God in the rustling leaves and the rush of water, and we are so grateful for a generous harvest, for seeds of many kinds, sown and multiplied; for the sufficiency we enjoy. Transforming God, we cannot sow our seed with clenched fists. Help us to open our hands, to let go of grasping, that we too may scatter with hope and generosity our seeds of justice, peace, and joy. So may the fruits of our harvest be for the sharing of the earth and the blessing of your love. God of honey and harvest, of grain and grape of ocean and orchard: This harvest time may we both praise and pray; praise you for the abundance and pray that this harvest is not just shared, but shared justly. Merciful and Generous God, We bless you for the kindly fruits of the earth which you have given to our use. we remember and pray for the farmers whose labours grow our crops both from here and abroad. We remember all involved in growing and marketing our food, but also remember those who struggle to get by day by day, for farmers beset by worries, and we pray for those in our community reliant on foodbanks. We pray for all who depend on the earth for their daily food and fuel especially in the developing world, whose forests are destroyed for the profits of a few. We pray for those who labour in poverty, who are oppressed by unjust laws, who are banned from speaking the truth and even from worshipping as they desire, those who long for a harvest of justice. Healing and Generous God, we pray for all those anxious about their health or facing difficult times for whatever reason, and we pray for family and friends under stress or in sorrow whom we name in silence before you. Amen. Hymn 229 – We plough the fields and scatter (1,3) Benediction May the strength of God surround us; the promise of God protect us; and the grace of God guide us; so may we be markers of God’s mercy to those whom we love and serve. Recessional Hymn 804 – You shall go out with joy  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this National Giving Sunday.
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With wisdom and generosity, God created us. With grace and compassion, Jesus embraces us. With ideas and inspiration The Holy Spirit transforms us. Let us worship God. Hymn 153 – Great is thy faithfulness Prayers of Adoration and Confession God of heaven and earth, your splendour is infinite, your power incomparable, your holiness beyond our understanding. In your wisdom, you shaped the earth in wonder and mystery, and you made all things and called them good. You have given us life and blessed us with gifts and talents to share. And you have called us into community with one another where we come together to reflect your love and grace. And so, with our lips, we sing your praises, and with our lives we offer you our worship, this day and always. Forgive us Lord, when we take your gifts for granted. Remind us of the abundance You have poured out on us. Help us listen for Your voice leading us, prompting us to answer Your call, encouraging us to give back, to respond in generous humility to Your grace, goodness and mercy. Compel us to reflect something of Your love for us as we give to enable Your work in our communities, our nation and our world Anyone who is a new creation in Christ. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Together we have confessed our sins to Jesus Christ. Know that we are forgiven and be at peace. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Philippians 2: 5-20 Mark 10: 2-16 Hymn 468 – Son of God, eternal Saviour (1,2)/ Hymn 229 – We plough the fields (1,3 Linton) Weekly Prayer God our creator, you have made us one with this earth, to tend it and bring forth fruit; May we so respect and cherish all that has life from you, that we may share in the labour of all creation to give birth to your hidden glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen. Reflection When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, you have taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. That is part of a hymn by Horatio Spafford. It is an old favourite hymn, though not included in our hymnary. Spafford was a successful lawyer and a Presbyterian elder in Chicago. He was travelling to Europe with his wife and 4 daughters, but was delayed by business. The rest of the family travelled ahead, but tragedy struck, and the boat sank. His four daughters drowned, though his wife was saved unconscious. He was distraught, but also had a strong faith, and even in his grief he could compose this hymn and write that it is well in his soul. His wife later said, 'It is easy to be grateful when you have so much, but be careful not to be a fair-weather friend to God’. It was after this tragedy that the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem to work with the poor. They were able to bring something positive out of their tragedy. We have been through a very challenging 18 months. For many people it has been a nightmare. They have lost jobs, lost their houses, lost loved ones. They have lost their health, lost education, lost marriages, lost confidence. For many of us it has not been so extreme, but we have missed the social side of village life – the coffee mornings and so on- and while things are starting up again, it will be a while before we get back to anything near normal again. The Church has also suffered; in many areas, numbers have dropped and congregations are struggling. And yet we are being asked to give thanks with a grateful heart. In the Bible, from the Psalms all the way to the epistles, we are encouraged to give thanks, even at difficult times and count our blessings. In Philippians Paul encourages us to have the mind of Christ, and he reminds us that Christ was rich but for our sakes became poor; he emptied himself of all he enjoyed in heaven to become human and live amongst us and even die an all-too-human death. He challenges our presumptions over what is successful and prosperous, and we are called to change our priorities and show that same sense of humility and self-sacrifice as Christ. In Africa, there are ‘giving trees’. The dowadowa in Ghana is one example. It has pods which are good to eat and make a local delicacy. The leaves are eaten by cattle; its twigs can be used as toothbrushes; its gum hardens floors and glazes pottery; its flowers treat leprosy; its roots can be used for musical instruments. Its shade is wonderful to hold meetings, even church services under. It even gives of its branches and trunk to be made into wood for houses. It is a tree that gives so much to the community. It has a wonderful harvest, blessing all around, human and animal and even the environment. The tree is a parable for Christ’s self-giving, but also suggests that our gifts and talents, our life and work, being offered to God, can produce an abundant harvest. Christ has given so much to us, living amongst us and inspiring us to radical living; dying on the cross and rising, opening the way to everlasting life. We should not be fair-weathered friends or give God our unvalued left-overs, but rather give of our best to God. Christ gave of himself for us; in turn he calls us to give of ourselves to the world. For it is in giving that we receive; in welcoming that we are welcomed. In our Gospel reading the disciples were vetting who came to Jesus. Children were unimportant, so shooed away. But Jesus said, Let the children come to me, for to such as these belongs the kingdom of heaven. Everyone was included. We are all included in God’s embrace. In response, we are filled with such gratitude, that, as Paul writes, at the name of Jesus every knee should bend and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Hymn 500 – Lord of creation Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Living God, we need Your presence here on planet earth. In these strange days throughout the world, we call on Your Spirit to fill us with love. Help us to wash the feet of our communities, going the second mile, giving the cup of cold water. Help our churches to be loving, reaching out to all we meet. Holy Spirit, guide us in our finances, to wisely use the resources You have given us, to plant fruitful seeds for Your kingdom. On this National Giving Day, we pray that our time, talents and money can be used to further Your mission. Where there is division between us heal us with Your uniting presence. Help our churches to be communities where we live in peace, not the peace of differences hidden from sight, but the peace of discussion and dialogue and mutual respect. Generous God, we confess that we are often much quicker to express our grumbles than our gratitude, to focus on the situations which inconvenience us and limit our freedom, than to notice those upon whom our community and society depend. So we would give thanks for all those who at great cost to themselves have done so much through the months of lockdown to protect us, and care for us, and heal us. We remember gratefully before You those who have donned the face masks and shields and just got on with the job so that the very fabric of society could be supported, and our basic needs met. As we reflect on how much we owe to other people, make us generous in our attitudes and actions, through Jesus Christ in whose life and death we see the fullness of Your love for us all, and in whose name we pray Loving God we pray for all who are sick and undergoing operations. For those anxiously waiting for treatment. We pray for the bereaved that they will know your presence with them. In silence we bring before you those on our hearts this day. Amen Hymn 182 – Now thank we all our God Benediction Bless to us, O God, the road that is before us, Bless to us, O God, the friends who are around us, Bless to us, O God, your love which is within us, Bless to us, O God, the light that leads us home.  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 18th Sunday after Pentecost.
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Our help is in the name of the Lord our God, the maker of heaven and earth. God our Maker is present with us at all times, loving and gracious to all. So, we come to worship God as we follow in the way of truth. Hymn 194 – This is the day Prayers of Adoration and Confession Holy One, Source and Spirit of Love, You are perfect in wisdom. You are faithful in love. You are relentless in seeking reconciliation. When we feel alone, you offer community. When we face pain, you give healing. When danger surrounds us, you give us courage. When we work against each another, you urge peace. We come to worship you in gratitude for all you offer through Christ in the power of the Spirit. Receive our praise this day, and renew us to serve you in the world you love. Before You, O God, we confess our sin; we acknowledge our brokenness, and the brokenness of our world. We confess that often we hold grudges and cling to the past. We focus on what we lack and resent what others have. Forgive our jealousies and resentments, and free us from any temptation to put others down. We confess we exploit and abuse the gifts of creation, and live lives careless of our environment and of the lives of those who share this world with us. Knowing that You are compassionate, merciful, and ever-faithful, we ask Your forgiveness, and Your healing of all that is wrong; that You will restore us to fullness of life to serve and love the world in Jesus' name. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Esther 7:1–6, 9–10 Mark 9:38–50 Hymn 485 – O God, you search me (1,2,5) Weekly Prayer Holy God, we pray for all people who seek to follow your way in their lives like Queen Esther in our bible reading today. Let your church speak your word of truth with confidence so that those who are searching and listening will be able to see and hear clearly your message of love and peace. Amen Reflection Two scenes. One last weekend, when thousands gathered in Glasgow to walk on an Orange parade. The organisers claimed they didn’t hate Catholics, yet sectarianism and bigotry were to the fore, and I am sure many people would have felt uncomfortable, if not vulnerable. The other scene was of leaders of the faith communities coming together – Muslim, Sikh, Jewish as well as the different Christian denominations. They spoke with one voice over their concern about the climate crisis and calling for action. Two scenes; one divisive, the other unifying. Our Old Testament reading today was from the book of Esther, a book about a minority group feeling very vulnerable. In this case it was the Jews in Persia, and there was a plan by Haman, the king’s right-hand man, to exterminate them. Esther is Queen, but she is also Jewish, and she is called upon to act. She does so, and the Jewish community is saved. There is obviously far more to the story than that, and I feel uncomfortable with the ending, when there is a degree of vindictiveness, as the Jews take revenge. But it is a story about God using people, whoever and wherever they are, for good purposes, as God used Esther, and also it is a story about different groups with different beliefs living together. In our Gospel reading, the disciples noticed someone casting out demons in Christ’s name. That is, they noticed someone doing good; they were relieving misery. But the disciples’ reaction was ‘Stop. You are not one of us!’. They reported the matter to Jesus, fully expecting Jesus to be horrified. But as usual, the disciples had got it wrong. Instead of condemning the person exorcising the demons, Jesus praised him and said, ‘those, who are not against us, are for us’. The disciples had set up a ‘them’ and ‘us’ scenario, as if only they had the sole right to cast out demons in Christ’s name. It was as if Christ was a trademark which belonged to them alone. But in Jesus’ mind, this person was doing something good and therefore should not be condemned. We can be too hasty to put labels on people and claim Jesus for ourselves and not for others. Of course, it can work the other way too, and I have friends who regard me as a heretic and beyond the pale because I am Presbyterian. But it is too easy to fall into a them/us situation with the dichotomies of Catholic/Protestant; Moslem/Christian; Brexit/ Remainer; vaccinated and anti-vaxxers. Those like us and those against us. When Mark wrote his Gospel, the Church was going through similar tensions with regard to who could become a Christian, for example; there were those who had suffered persecution and those who had abandoned their faith in the face of torture but who now wanted to come back. The Church could become polarised. This story was remembered, and Mark invites his hearers, and indeed invites us, to refine our vision of what it means to be a follower of Christ and to appreciate those who do not necessarily share our theological views or culture, but who nonetheless work to make the world a better and fairer place. One of the biggest issues we are facing as today is the climate emergency, with the critical meeting in Glasgow only several weeks away. This is not something for the Church to address alone; we need to put aside differences and find common ground with others and work together to change attitudes. We belong to Christ, and he has changed our lives and through the Spirit is continuing to transform us to be distinctive, but like Esther and the Jews in the Persian Empire, we appreciate that others too work for good. We have the task of bringing healing to the world, of fighting the demons of consumption and of caring for the world. Who is not against us is for us! Hymn 724 – Christ’s is the world (1,4) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Gracious God, you have called many people together to become the church that bears Jesus’ name. Thank you for joining us in fellowship is so many different places, and giving us opportunities to make a difference for Christ’s sake. Creator God, you made all things and called them good. May the earth be held in reverence by all people. May its resources be used wisely, and the fragile balance between all its species respected. Comforting God, your Son became a refugee with no place to call his own. Look with mercy on all those who are fleeing from danger, and find themselves homeless and hungry. Bless and protect those who work to bring relief; and inspire generosity and compassion in hearts that have resources to share. Guide the nations to work together to bring an end to conflict so that little children may grow up safe and happy in their own homes. Eternal Ruler, all nations rise and fall in your sight. Hear our prayers for those who rule in countries around the world, that they may act with integrity, establish justice for all citizens, and seek the ways of peace; that they may address the needs of the most vulnerable, and lead recovery from the pandemic in prudent and generous ways. God of hope, we bring before you the names of people and places on our hearts this day, seeking the right gift only you can give them: Silence Ever faithful God, you have knit together your people from all times and places into the body of Christ through his resurrecting love. Keep us in communion with all your saints, those we have known and loved, as well as those known best to you. Inspire us to learn from the examples of their faith in action, and bring us together in the joy we will know in your presence. Merciful God, accept our prayers, spoken and unspoken, and strengthen us to do your will through Jesus Christ, Amen Hymn 646 (1,4,5) – Forth in the peace of Christ Benediction The peace of the earth be with you The peace of the heavens too; The peace of the rivers be with you, The peace of the oceans too. Deep peace falling over you; God's peace growing in you. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 17th Sunday after Pentecost.
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From sunrise to sunset, Let us praise God’s holy name. With the wisdom of the aged and the energy of the young, Let us praise God’s holy name. In our work and in our homes, Let us praise God’s holy name. Let us praise the Lord with our whole hearts! We will worship God now and always. Hymn 127 – O worship the King (1,6) Prayers of Adoration and Confession God of all creation, you have opened the world around us and filled it with purpose. Each creature declares your praise-- the mountain states your majesty; the ripened field, your generosity. Birds flying aloft sing of your freedom; the tiny ant works with your persistence. But what do we declare about you in our lives, O God? We pray that our work will honour your justice and mercy. May our relationships speak of your love and compassion. So may we praise you, O God, not just in this hour of worship but in all the hours you grant us, as we follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Friend. God of all creation, you have opened the world around us and filled it with wonder, but we confess our eyes are not always open to its harsher realities. Our ears are sometimes deaf to cries of need. Our minds are often shut to opinions which differ from our own. Forgive us when we seek greatness instead of goodness. Forgive us when we miss the wisdom you intend us to embrace. To all who truly repent and seek reconciliation with God and neighbour in kindness and humility, God offers forgiveness and peace. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Proverbs 31: 10-31 Mark 9: 30-37 Hymn 485 – Dear Lord and Father of mankind (1,3,6) Weekly Prayer O God our God, grant us grace to desire you with a whole heart, so that desiring you we may seek and find you; and so finding you, may love you; and loving you may hate those sins which separate us from you, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen Reflection The streets were empty; no cars and no people. Everything seemed so quiet. You could hear the birds sing. Now, it could have been a description of the early days of Lockdown last year, but it isn’t. Rather, it is a description of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement for the Jews, and in Israel on Thursday past a sense of peace would have prevailed. Shops closed, people inside. It is a time to reflect on the past year and especially on failings, individual and collective. It goes back to the Bible and the time when the Israelites led by Moses chose a goat and sent it out into the desert, and the goat carried away their sin; it was the scapegoat. The majority of Israelis are not religious, but secular; and yet, they would still keep quiet on Yom Kippur. I am sure the virtuous woman we read of in Proverbs would have observed the feast and made sure her family did too! She was a multi-tasker; no wonder she was worth more than rubies. As Christians, we believe that on the cross Jesus took our sins and the sins of the world, upon himself, that we might live and have life in all its fullness. And that you could say was the continuation of the passage we read today. Jesus was talking again of his death and even his resurrection, and his commitment to a life of service and love and putting others first led to that very cross. But the disciples closed their ears to what he was saying. Often we do not want to hear unpleasant things and shut our minds to them. Instead, they disciples seemed intent in a game of one-upmanship. They argued about who was the greatest. Their minds were focused on Jesus being the Messiah (and not the suffering that accompanied it), and it was as if they were jostling for position in his cabinet and determined not to be the Gavin Williamson figure cast aside. Even among the disciples I am sure there would have been jealousies and resentments, as each strove for the approval of their Teacher. Of course, when Jesus asked what they were talking about, they fell in to embarrassed silence, knowing he would not be impressed. The disciples are often shown as rather clueless in the Gospels, and yet these are the people who would turn the world upside down. But they were human like us, and like us want to be the centre of attention, want to impress. Who is the greatest? Muhammed Ali famously said that he was. Greatness is about power and wealth and fame, but Jesus gave it a new twist. He gave a new pattern, by saying that true greatness was in compassion and love, in self-giving and sacrifice. The first shall be last, and the last first. He placed a child in their midst and said the real life-giving power was in humility and vulnerability and service. Over this pandemic period, the people we regard as the greatest have been the people on the front line, the NHS staff, the teachers, cleaners: people giving of themselves and not seeking any praise. One minister was highly regarded by all in the community in one of the housing estates in Glasgow, as he spoke out for the least and most marginalised. On his desk was taped the phrase ‘You are a servant’. In this we follow our Lord Jesus Christ, who lived a life of service for all, even to the point of death, and calls us to serve one another. Hymn 498 – Angel voices (1,4) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession God of all people and places, we come to you in prayer, giving thanks that you are with us in all situations. You bring us strength and courage when we are anxious or afraid. You provide wisdom and direction when we face choices and challenges. Thank you for your faithfulness to us. In this time of prayer, enlarge our love and sharpen our vision so that we may serve the well-being of the world you love more faithfully. Gracious God, help us to learn to see the world as you do. The first will be last and the last first. Thank you for today’s reminder to pay attention to the weak and not just the strong. We pray for those in our communities who are struggling at the moment. We pray for those who are on the margins or feel disenfranchised. Help us, as your church, to notice and respond to the needs we see. We also pray for the powerful, for those who lead and govern. May they see the world as you do. Give leaders in government and business a mutual vision that reflects the values of your kingdom, so that everyone has enough resources and respect to live well and wisely. We pray for all those facing famine and drought this year, and for those who have lost everything through fire, storm, or pandemic. Bring support to those people and agencies like Christian Aid who work to alleviate suffering and help them rebuild lives and communities. We pray for all those anywhere who struggle with pain or illness, disability or daunting diagnosis. Stay by their side. Be with those who face death this day, and those who weep for loved ones who have died. Unite us in love, whatever we are facing, and grant us the peace and hope you have promised us in Christ Jesus. Silence Amen Hymn 694 (1,2,4) – Brother, sister, let me serve you Benediction Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, and may blessing of the God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and those whom you love, wherever they may be; this day and forevermore. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 16th Sunday after Pentecost.
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Put your confidence in God. Those who have God as their helper will rejoice. God gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. God frees the prisoners and opens the eyes of the blind. So, put your trust in God’s goodness. Let God’s reign endure forever! Let us worship God. Hymn 189 – Be still in the presence of the Lord Prayers of Adoration and Confession Eternal God, first and last, our beginning and our end, beside you there is nothing or no one greater. You gave breath to all living things. By your Spirit, you are among us still, breathing new life, turning anger into reconciliation, division into unity, grief into consolation. Through your grace, you open up new directions and new possibilities for the world you love. So, we offer you our lives and our labours in worship and in service, joining in creation’s song of praise and adoration: Holy, holy, holy are you, O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always. God of mercy, we know you judge the world with an eye for the poor and outcast. We confess we fail to live with the same eye for those on the margins. We have been silent when we should have spoken up, and uncaring in the face of injustice. We have not shown the same generosity to others that you have shown us. Forgive us for putting ourselves first, and help us to serve you with the kindness we meet in Jesus Christ. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Proverbs 1: 20-38 Mark 8: 27-38 Hymn 522 – The Church is wherever … (1,2) Weekly Prayer Almighty God as we move into another week, deliver our eyes from tears and our feet from stumbling and walk with us on our journey of faith as we carry the cross of Christ into the world. Grant us the wisdom that comes from above as we listen to your words of life so that we may live in peace and safety. Amen Reflection Are you on Facebook? Or maybe you prefer some other kind of social media – Instagram or TikTok? I use WhatsApp a lot. Facebook is perhaps the most common, and we like to put up photographs, maybe of ourselves or grandchildren or even photos of the meal we are about to have. A lot of it is self-promotion; we are presenting an image of ourselves to the world. People can press the Thumbs-Up sign to show they like it. If we have lots of ‘likes’ we are happy, but when there are some ‘Thumbs-down’ or negative comments, it upsets our day. Social media has been in the news again this week at the US tennis Open with at least two of the women players complaining of the abuse they receive when they lose matches, some of which are racist and some even death threats. Social media can be good, but it is open to abuse. I think Jesus would have thrived on social media. He would have attracted a lot of interest, even from those who didn’t follow him. People were fascinated by him, wanting somehow to put him ‘in a box’, to know who exactly he was. With there being no social media, they did the next best thing and would have approached the disciples and told them their thoughts. At Caesarea Philippi Jesus asks his friends, Who do people say I am?’. I am sure they said a lot – the joiner, the son of Mary, the one who can heal your child or lead your revolution. The one you can invite to dinner or invite to leave the country. The disciples said ‘ John the Baptist come back to life’ or one of the prophets. But Jesus followed it up by asking the disciples for their opinion. Now Jesus wasn’t doing this for any narcissist reason, as in wanting ‘likes’ in Facebook, but wanting to gauge how much the disciples was grasping about his ministry. ‘Who do you think I am?’. In a flash, Peter says, ‘The Messiah’. Full marks, Peter, except….! Except Jesus went on to talk about suffering and even death, and that didn’t fit into Peter’s conception of the Messiah. Peter wanted a strong Messiah, ready to get rid of the occupying Romans, just as we want a strong God, ready to gain victories for our sports teams. Suffering and death did not come into the equation. Peter rebuked Jesus, and Jesus in turn rebuked Peter. For Jesus was turning everything on its head and saying that the Messiah must take the way of the cross and suffer and die that the world might be saved. Jesus was changing the equation in the disciples’ minds, that the Messiah would serve and not conquer, give and not take love -to the point where it meant suffering. Jesus was a different kind of Messiah, and he said that those who followed must be different too and be ready to take up their crosses to follow him. Some have a bigger cross to bear than others. On holiday, I went into Chester Cathedral, and there was an icon to the Melanesian martyrs, 6 deacons killed by a separatist group. They died for their faith. For most of us, our crosses may not be so extreme, but it is there that God meets us. It is in our vulnerability and hurt that God comes to us. Who do people say that I am? ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’? We have to make a choice. That was the case in Proverbs, where Wisdom cried out in the market place, urging her listeners to choose between the good and the bad, the righteous way and the sinful way. We too have to choose. But in a reflection of Andrew the disciple pondering this very question. The writer has Andrew saying of Jesus, ‘I have never met anyone so alive, so passionate, so courageous. So human. It’s like seeing what human life can be. I want him to be proud of me. He scares me, but I would die for him’. Who do we say Jesus is? Hymn 532 – Lord, you have come to the seashore (1,2,4) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession O God in whom we live and move and have our being, We come to you in prayer as the summer season draws nearer to its close: We give you thanks for the occasions we have enjoyed to catch up with family and friends; to travel for recreation and restoration and let our worries go. We are grateful for each moment to savour the beauty of creation. Refresh us for the season ahead we pray, and renew our commitment to serve you. O God, Jesus faced many demands wherever he went, and pressure from critics, whatever he did. We pray for all those who have not found rest this summer: for those whose work is stressful, exhausting, or unappreciated; for those whose livelihoods remain uncertain, because of the pandemic or through disasters caused by heat, fire, or storm. We pray for those which hard choices to make, about work or school or what comes next, about relationships and priorities, or about social policy and community leadership. May they know your strength and guidance day by day. Today we remember those for whom this summer has been filled with suffering: We pray for those who have lost loved ones, and those facing an uncertain future or a difficult diagnosis. We pray for those who despair about the climate crisis and what can be done to repair the suffering earth. We pray for all those who join efforts to relieve suffering of any kind. May each one find courage to face tomorrow in your company. O God, we need the embrace of your presence, each in our own way. As we prepare to leave this service, walk with us, and show us how to live each day Silence Amen Hymn 512 – To God be the glory (1,3) Benediction Go in peace, in the knowledge of God’s power. Go in confidence, in the knowledge of God’s strength. Go in joy, in the knowledge of God’s love. And may blessing of the God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, be with you, and those whom you love, wherever they may be; this day and forevermore. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this Climate Sunday. Notices:
The earth does not belong to us We belong to the earth All things are connected and interdependent Like the blood that unites a family We did not weave the web of life We are merely a strand in it Whatever we do to the web We do it to ourselves and our descendants Let us give thanks for God’s gift of creation That all things are held together by Christ. Hymn 147 – All creatures of our God and King (1,4,7) Prayers of Adoration and Confession Creator God, maker of colour, sound, texture, movement, and the ceaseless beauty in living things, we bless you. Creator God, maker of granite and mustard seed, of grey cloud and starlight, of earthquake and heartbeat, we bless you. Creator God, maker of all that is unseen, of all that has been, of all that words could never capture, we bless you. Creator God, we, the children of your love, the beneficiaries of your kindness, the guardians of your creation, bless you. We bless you for your making, your trusting, your loving, your never-ending goodness. Loving God, in Jesus you stepped up to the line, bit the bullet, owned the problem. Walk beside us as we seek to accept the evidence that the earth is under threat. Share our pain for the way we have avoided the truth and ignored the signs, and free us from the guilt that binds us. Walk beside us as we seek to accept our part in damaging the earth and as we struggle to change our lives. Share our pain for what has not been done through fear and weakness, and free us from the guilt that binds us. God of good Earth, who offers forgiveness. Show us our place and purpose as your creatures here on earth. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Proverbs 22: 1-2, 8-9, 22-23 Mark 7: 24-37 Hymn 155 – Think of a world (1,3) Weekly Prayer Creator God, we are mindful of your creation and our place in it to protect the environment in which we live. Help us to be generous in all we do, remembering especially the poor in our unequal world. We have been reminded that when Jesus came, he was able to make the deaf hear and the mute speak while casting out evil spirits. We especially pray for any we know who need specialist care to help them live fulfilled lives. Amen Reflection A month or so ago it was terrible flooding in Germany; a few weeks ago there was an earthquake in Haiti; this week Storm Idah has battered Louisiana causing destruction and misery. Earthquakes, flooding and storms have always been with us, but somehow they seem worse. More so because our own weather patterns seem to be changing with hotter, drier summers (apparently our reservoirs are only a third full!) and colder winters. All over the world we see extremes in weather. Meanwhile, a new island was discovered in Greenland, which would be exciting, except it means the ice is melting. We have been taking our earth for granted, stripping it of its resources, but now we have had a wake up call. The world governments did put measures into place at Paris in 2015, but in November in Glasgow the world will focus again on what can be done to save our planet, for time is running out. In our Gospel reading today Jesus has been overwhelmed with work and takes a break, going into what is now southern Lebanon. He thinks he can get away from the constant demand on his time – but no luck. A local woman – Gentile, Syro-Phoenician she is called – comes to him, asking him to heal her daughter who was possessed by a demon. Maybe he should have just said ‘I am having a bad day; come back tomorrow’, but instead he said that he had come for the Jews first and seemed to use a slur, calling the woman and gentiles in general ‘dogs’ waiting for food to fall from the table. But the woman persisted; she refused to give up, and Jesus saw that she had a point and changed his mind. The girl was healed. He then returns to Galilee, but to the Decapolis, Greek towns in the south, where he heals a man who is deaf and mute. Jesus had a fresh insight; he saw that God’s love embraced the Gentiles as well. With climate change, many of us have been changing our minds, being conscious of the need to do more. It isn’t a new thing; we have been conscious of the damage to our environment. The emissions from our factories and cars have been damaging the earth. But in a recent poll it seems that we are recycling more, that we are repairing or mending things rather than going out to buy something new. We are more conscious of our diets. We are trying to be more environmentally friendly and are learning to treat the earth gently and kindly. We have been given a fresh insight as well. But the Syro-Phoenician woman also persisted. She was determined that the demons possessing her daughter would be cast out, making her well again. So we need to confront the ‘demons’ damaging our world, and that includes greed and over-consumption. Like the woman we need to persist in making a fairer and more equitable world. In Proverbs we read a good reputation is better than riches, and we are encouraged to share what we have with those less fortunate than ourselves. For God is the maker of rich and poor alike. We have to redouble our efforts and work together with all countries to care for our planet. After his encounter with the woman, he healed the deaf and mute man, saying ‘Be opened’, and he could hear and he could speak. Our ears need to be open to what is going on in our world. We can’t keep them shut! We need to be aware of how we can be more responsible citizens of the world and what changes we need to make in our lifestyles to do so. We also need to let our tongues be loosened and speak out. We can write to our MP or sign a petition. We can be involved in greening our communities by adjusting how we live. As Christians we are conscious that God made this wonderful earth and we have been given responsibility to care for it. It is in our Christian DNA to be kind and considerate, to be agents of hope. Let us therefore be good stewards of creation. Hymn 1. Monarch and maker of all time and space, sculptor of mountain and of desert place, source and sustainer of both sea and land, all that exists was crafted by your hand. 3. Help us as guardians of all life on earth both to respect the world and prize its worth; and, in deep gratitude for all you give, turn greed to sharing so that all may live. 4. Glory to God to whom all praise is due, glory to Jesus making all things new, glory to God the Spirit, bold and bright, who leads the world through darkness into light. Words: John L. Bell, copyright © 2018 WGRG, Iona Community. Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Thank you, God, for the colour of tomatoes and beetroot, for the different colours and shapes and fragrances of flowers, for grubby potatoes and funny-shaped carrots – for the goodness of the earth itself. Thank you, God, for the taste of apples from the tree – of brambles picked straight from the hedgerow; for the glossiness of conkers and acorns … Thank you, God, for the smell of baking cakes and real coffee. For the smell of woodsmoke and damp leaves; and for the lights of home on a dark evening. Thank you, God, for the kiss of a dog’s wet nose and for the purring contentedness of a cat. For all of these ordinary wonderful things – thank you, God. May we never forget to give thanks to you, Maker and Giver of all God of all creation, we thank you form the world around us and for all who seek to preserve it. We give you thanks for agreements that safeguard the environment. We pray for those who seek to make this a reality, especially those following up on climate change agreements made in Paris in 2015. We pray for leaders who will gather in Glasgow for COP 26 and pray that you will give them a sense of urgency, a perception of necessity and the wisdom and will to secure the health and well-being of the world at whatever the cost to wealth, political advantage or prestige. God of all creation, we remember those who are far from power. We pray for those vulnerable in the face of flood and drought, wind and weather, those vulnerable in the face of impersonal global markets, those crying out for help and justice in times of distress. We continue to remember Afghanistan and those living in fear. Be with those who have managed to escape by plane or across the border. May they receive a welcome. In a moment of silence we come, remembering all going through difficult times – the lonely, the sick and the bereaved. Silence Amen Commitment We believe that this is God’s world. We believe that living gratefully and giving generously are marks of faith. We believe that all of humanity should have equal access to the earth’s resources, and that every individual must now act to preserve this world so that the children of tomorrow will not be burdened by the mistakes of today. And so we commit ourselves to think globally, to trade fairly, to live responsibly, and to love this world as it is loved by God, who in Christ became one with creation. Amen. Hymn 238 – Lord, bring the day to pass (1,2,4) Benediction Now go in peace to enjoy the earth, and care for creation in partnership with God, who in Christ has honoured and blessed us. May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you, now and forevermore. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 14th Sunday after Pentecost.
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With what should I come before the Lord? What sacrifices should I bring? You have been told what is good and what the Lord requires of you. Only to do right and to love goodness and to walk humbly with your God. Hymn 739 – The Church’s one foundation Prayers of Adoration and Confession Faithful God, In the world of your creation, you made the seasons to change, the sun to shine and the rain to fall, the vines to bear fruit and the fields to produce good things. You alone are our strength and security; you alone bring us rest and comfort. We turn to you as the source of all life, marvelling at your wisdom, seeking to learn your purpose for our lives. We offer you our praise and thanksgiving, for you are the God who made us, the Christ who mends us, and the Spirit who brings us life. Faithful God, even though we know you are the Source of our lives, we confess we often turn our backs on you. We speak and think in ways that deny our loyalty and love for you; we ignore the needs of others. We harbour anger and say things that cause others pain. In your mercy, restore us to right relationships with you and with one another. God is tender-hearted and gracious to all and has forgiven you in Christ Jesus. Trust in God’s grace and be kind to one another, forgiving others as God has forgiven you. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Song of Solomon 2:8–13 Mark 7:1–8, 14–15 Hymn 599 – Holy Spirit, hear us Weekly Prayer Gracious God, thank you for our friends and neighbours and those around us with whom we work and share our daily lives. Keep our hearts clean and free from sin so that we can be truly devoted to your service. We ask for the blessing of your presence in the week ahead and pray that you to will guide us, guard us, and keep us safe in all we do and say. Amen. Reflection It is something you learn very quickly when you live in Africa; before you eat, you must wash your hands. Someone brings a bowl of water, and you wash your hands in it. Then after the meal you wash your hands again, this time with soap. The main reason being that you don’t use forks and knives: you use your hands to eat. So when I read that the disciples did not wash their hands before eating, I raise my eyebrows. For the last year and a half we have been living with all the Covid restrictions, and one of the most important is – to wash our hands. Hygiene has been essential for survival. We sanitise before coming into church; we are fastidious about making sure everything is clean. And we wash our hands. So when I read that the disciples did not wash their hands, I rather sympathise with the scribes and pharisees when they complained to Jesus in our Gospel reading today. Maybe they had a point. But from Jesus’ reply and stout defence of his friends, you realise that there is something else going on here. The Pharisees are not so concerned about the hygiene perspective, but from the ceremonial perspective. It was the way things were done which mattered. It was religious tradition surrounding the Torah, the law, and the Pharisees were sticklers for observing every jot of the law. Now the law is brilliant – it brings people closer to God, but the outward ritual had become too important, that people forgot what lay at its heart. The prophets like Micah and Isaiah and Hosea had complained about the same. Amos famously said, I despise your feasts, your rituals – but let justice flow like a river and righteousness like an everflowing stream. Jesus said that what matters is the heart. It is not the façade, not the externals, but what lies at the very heart. And that was love and grace and forgiveness and service. We find love at the heart of our reading from Hebrew Scriptures. It is love poetry and paints the picture of a woman waiting, always looking out, anticipating the arrival of her lover, then he comes like a gazelle, bounding over the hills to come and be with her. The Love Island of its time. Some question why Song of Songs is in the Bible, but others liken it to God’s relationship with us, Christ’s with the Church, and I like the idea of God bounding over the mountains to speak words of welcome and grace to us and invite us into a relationship. The outcome in the Song of Songs is one of abundance and new life (‘The winter is past; the rain is over and gone’), and so it is in our life of faith where we are offered life in all its abundance. We all like our rituals. We like the way our services are. We don’t always like new things, but they can make us think. We recite the Lord’s Prayer every week, but do we reflect on what we are saying? Hopefully we do. We all have our rituals, even what we do when we get up in the morning or go to bed at night. They work for us, but we shouldn’t become enslaved to them, and I think that is what Jesus was complaining about. A life of faith must have so much more than religious observance. It must be one infused with God’s love and a readiness to serve God in word and in deed, for it is what lies at the heart that matters. Hymn 489 – Come down, O Love Divine Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Great is your faithfulness, O God, and so we offer to you a portion of what we have received through your unfailing goodness. Bless these gifts and our lives, so that your love is proclaimed to the world through all we accomplish in the name of Jesus Christ God whose Word created life, we give you thanks for the abundance we enjoy from earth’s goodness. Make us wise caretakers of the earth’s fragile balance, so vulnerable to drought and disaster. May your world become a place of abundance for all your creatures, for we know all our lives depend on you. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. God of vigilant care, thank you for the strength and comfort you offer us in times of sorrow and stress. We pray for those who do not know security in their lives day by day, for those facing violence at home or on the streets and for the vulnerable who must depend on others for their care. Guide us to shape a society where violence is not tolerated, where the weak are protected, where the elderly are honoured for their experience, and children are cherished for their gifts. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. God of all times and places, as the summer moves toward autumn, and activities must reorganize while the coronavirus is still present, we pray for families and churches and organizations trying to make wise choices. Equip us all with the wisdom we need to plan well, and act with understanding for those eager to get things going and for those anxious or reluctant to move too quickly. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. We thank you for the Life & Work magazine and for all the various insights it brings to its readers. We continue to remember the situation in Afghanistan and pray for all living in fear. We pray for the leaders of the Taliban that they might restrain their followers from acts of violence. We remember all affected by storms or adverse weather, by the aftermath of earthquake in Haiti. We thank you for the peaceful transition in Zambia with the election win by the opposition. God who hears our desires even in the silence of our hearts, listen now as we name before you the people and situations on our minds today: Silence Amen Hymn SGP 72 – Lord, Jesus Christ (1,3,4) Benediction Bless to us, O God, the moon that is above us, the earth that is beneath us, the friends who are around us, your image deep within us. May the blessing of God , Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you, now and forevermore. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 13th Sunday after Pentecost.
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Call to Worship Father, as we enter into your gates lift the clouds that obscure our vision - from anxieties about Sunday dinner to worries about world politics – and may we be open to your glorious presence, Creator and Sustainer of this vast universe; Saviour and Friend of each individual person. Hymn 510 vv. 1 and 2. Jesus Call Us Here to Meet Him Prayer of Thanksgiving Creator and Sustainer – we praise and thank you for this glorious world in which we find ourselves. We are often muddled and anxious, silly sometimes, distraught at others, but at all times you pour out blessings on our heads. Shepherd and Lamb – we praise you for your loving concern for each person here In this small village hidden in the hills you see us individually, you reach out and touch us, you shelter us from spiritual darkness, you hold out a glimmer of light for each one us as we carry our souls back to you. Flame and Living Water – we praise you for your justice, for holding us all to account, for your promise that you will burn off the dross and we shall glow like gold, that we shall flourish beside still waters. Father, Son and Holy Ghost accept these prayers of thanks and praise. Lords Prayer Reflection [An illustrated guide to Judith Kerr's The Tiger Who Came to Tea and how a children's story might help us to see "the signals of what is important and strange and valuable” is today's scripture readings. See video when it posted up after the service.] Sermon Have you noticed how the term ‘Middle Ages/medieval’ is used as a synonym for crude/barbaric? The text we have just read from Kings is even older – probably more than a thousand years older. Can we dismiss it likewise as something crude and barbaric? I don’t think so. In fact, I suspect that people who lived 3000 years ago may well have had a better understanding of humankind’s place in the universe than we do today. In the last few centuries philosophers have sat smoking their pipes and ruminating about God – and if they conclude God exists at all they describe him in abstract/intellectual terms. But that’s not how God is envisaged in the bible. There are hints (eg Golden Calf story) that in the deep past the Hebrews envisaged God as a bull – and image of power – but there’s no actual description in this passage from Kings. By the time Kings was written they had rejected the idea of making any sort of image of God – though metaphors are impossible to escape! Whatever the case, there is a sense throughout this account of the institution of the Temple is of God as an awesome being – fascinating, powerful, unpredictable … even dangerous. Something, in fact, a bit like a mighty bull or, indeed, like a tiger. In The Tiger Who Came to Tea the tiger arrives out of the blue. In the Kings passage there’s a sense of Solomon trying to entice God into the Temple, almost to trap him. ‘“But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” Solomon wants God to ‘dwell’ in this particular place and to be available to him – so he has built this beautiful house to persuade him to be present – not, it is clear, to entirely leave Heaven but to have, as it were, an embassy in Jerusalem. Then, he hopes, with God on his side, present in a special way in Jerusalem, the House of David will last forever … to philosophers this story is a crude way of describing God and his relationship with humankind. For me, I must say, it all makes perfect sense – I can grasp the points that are being made – the thought that lies behind it – much more clearly than would be the case if I read a philosophical text. Why does the tiger come to visit Sophie in the first place? Is it just that he wants something to eat? Possibly – though I don’t think that is entirely the case. The tiger may be rather scary, but Sophie is shown snuggling up to him too, as if he were almost a kitten. And he seems to like it. Why, likewise, would God be interested in Solomon? Why would God be interested in humankind? What does God get out of it apart from a nice house/temple - and all those tasty sacrifices, the scent of which was supposed to ascend into the heavens? A harder question perhaps. Certainly philosophers find it hard to answer. Since the 18th century they have inclined towards Deism, if they accept the idea of God at all. God is conceived as a distant Prime Mover who once, a long time ago, brought things into being but is not particularly involved thereafter. But that is not the picture painted in not the OT and the New. God is addressed passionately – “Give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.” This is not a philosopher talking! For Christians God is a God of grace, who loves us not because he gets anything out of it, but because that's just how he is. Does God answer such passionate prayers? Yes, of course, though in some ways Solomon’s prayers seem, ultimately, not to be answered. He prays that the line of David will endure forever, though there is a qualification made to his request – his descendants must walk faithfully. They don’t and they – along with the glorious Temple – were wiped from the face of the earth. End of story? Not quite. As Matthew points out Jesus belonged to the House of David and, as Paul emphasises, in him we find our king – indeed the King of Kings: ‘And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ Moreover, in Christian tradition, at the crucifixion, the curtain of the temple is ripped in two and God departs (escapes?). The new Temple is Christ himself – John 2. 19-21: Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Christ’s body – the new Temple – may now, as I speak, be in heaven, but his spirit is with us still. I haven’t looked much at today’s Gospel reading – mainly because it overlaps with last week’s Gospel reading and Gordon teased out some of the meanings of bread/spiritual nourishment in his sermon. At the end of The Tiger Who Came to Tea the mysterious tiger is gone and the house is tidied up - but it’s impossible for life to return to ‘normal’. Once you’ve had a tiger in the house nothing can return to normal! Sophie, when her mother goes shopping, buys a very large tin of tiger food, in case the tiger should come back. It’s hard not see an analogy between the situation at the end of Sophie’s story and the situation in the Gospels after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. Something weird – something fascinating – something slightly frightening - happened to her (just as, in Christ, it has happened to us) – and the story, for both her and us, isn’t over yet. Sophie has her tin of tiger food ready. We, too, have our food to bridge the gap between what has happened and what will happen – ‘Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Through the Lord’s Supper we remember what has happened and look forward in hope to what is to come. Past, present and future united through the Holy Spirit. Sophie buys her ‘very big tin of Tiger Food, in case the tiger should come to tea again’ – ‘But he never did’. Well, not yet anyway! And that’s how it is for us Christians – we have our food to keep us going as we both journey back to our Father and wait for Christ’s return. But it is spiritual food. And we don’t just have the Lord’s Supper – we have prayer, we have songs of praise – the Spirit has escaped from the Temple and is in our hearts – the Sprit is present with us now. The tiger is on the loose! Amen. Hymn 396 (tune = Sagina) And Can it Be vv. 1 and 2. Prayers of Intercession This time on a Sunday gives us a chance to open our eyes to the grace and glory of God, but we can never shut out turmoil and distress, both personal and social, which surrounds us. First of all lets take a moment to reflect on the our own sins – the mess which we’ve made of our own lives & too often the lives of others. Father, we are truly sorry for our many sins. Look down on us with the eyes of healing and mercy and help us in the coming week to be kind and generous witnesses to your grace. Amen. Let us take a moment to pray for our families and neighbours. Our minds also return to the mess which humankind has collectively made to what should be a beautiful and contended place. Our fears are various – from endless turmoil and violence in Afghanistan, to blazing wildfires in California and Greece. Let us bring our individual prayers for the wider world to God. Prayer of the Week Holy God, there is no God like you. Thank you for helping us to pray and deepen our awareness of your abiding presence with us. As we daily pray through this coming week may we do it with love and sincerity, in the sure and certain knowledge that you alone have the words of eternal life. Amen Hymn 162 The God of Abraham Praise vv 1 and 2 A charge to keep we have, A God to glorify, A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky. To serve the present age, Our calling to fulfill; Oh, may it all our pow'rs engage To do our Master's will! May the blessing of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – be with us now as we leave this holy place to serve the present age. Amen. |
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