 Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on first Sunday of Advent
Notices:
From a branch sprouting hope is coming. The heavens are shifting, hope is coming. A troubled world waits. Hope is coming. Lord, we, your people, wait patiently, hanging on with Advent hope. Lord, we bring you ourselves, we bring you our worship. Hymn 273 – O come, o come Emmanuel (1,4,5) Prayers of Adoration and Confession God of light and love, our praises and prayers overflow with hope as the season of Advent opens. You come to your people to dwell with us. You come with power—not to dominate, but to transform. You come with promises—not to give us what we want, but to make all things new. You come with signs of your deep love for the world. You come, and your truth breaks forth, shattering lies and half-truths, setting your people free. Your coming is our hope, and so, we offer you our worship in gratitude and anticipation. Come into our lives again, O God, and show us how to hope in the face of all that is discouraging, for we gather in the name of Hope made flesh, Jesus Christ, your promise and our desire. Surprising God, Forgive our sleepiness in the presence of your splendour. Forgive us for abandoning hope so quickly, and expecting the same old thing in the same old way. Forgive us for underestimating your power to do a new thing. Awaken us to your holy, hopeful presence. Awaken us so we may watch and wait for you. Come, Lord Jesus, come. The One who comes with justice also comes with mercy. The God of Judgment is the Christ of compassion. Do not be afraid but rejoice in the God who comes to us. Lord’s Prayer Lighting of Advent crown We light this candle for all God’s people, Struggling to be bearers of hope in a troubled world. As we wait for your promise, give light, give hope. Hymn 284 – Hope is the candle (v1) Readings – Jeremiah 33:14–16 Luke 21:25–36 Hymn 339 – Sing of Andrew Weekly Prayer Almighty God, as the new day dawns on this Advent Sunday, we give thanks for the first glimmers of the light which remind us of the coming of your Son Jesus Christ into our world. We believe that your light has the power to overcome all our darkness and pray that throughout the Season of Advent we may share in the mystery of the incarnation. Amen Reflection It was 1905, and a librarian in Brooklyn in the United States had taken exception to the book ‘Huckleberry Finn’. She didn’t think it was appropriate reading for children and wanted it banned from the children’s library. The Director of libraries for New York contacted the author, Mark Twain, who in his ironic reply said he quite understood, as his parents had forced him to read the Bible from cover to cover in his early teens and he had found it a traumatic experience. He recommended that the Bible be removed from the shelves too. The passage we read from Luke this morning can make uncomfortable reading, especially at the start of Advent when we look for something warm and comforting. The whole chapter talks about nation rising up against nation; there are earthquakes, famines and plagues. There’s persecution, and in our passage today people are perplexed by the waves and tides. The whole world seems to be falling apart. It is easy for us to see signs of disaster, to look at what is happening around us and be anxious. The Cop 26 conference has drawn attention to the extreme weather patterns, if we hadn’t noticed them already, and the climate emergency. The Covid pandemic is still very much with us, and some states in Europe are going back into lockdown. The migrant situation is bad with many so desperate for safety that they take enormous risks, and as we saw this week some die in crossing the channel. There is so much talk of racism and misogyny and sleaze. There seems to be a lot of bad news about. The prophet Jeremiah is often accused as being a prophet of doom and gloom, but in our reading today he gives hope as he talks of a green shoot sprouting, which would bring safety and security to Jerusalem. Equally in the Gospels, Luke records this litany of bad news, but then in verse 28 says, ‘Stand up and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand’. In other words, don’t be anxious, don’t give into fear, for there is hope. Luke goes on to talk about the fig tree bursting into blossom in the summer. Advent is a season of hope, as we wait for the coming of Christ at Christmas. This morning we sang that hope is the candle, which is never burnt up, but continues on. There are signs of hope around us. I get the ‘i’ newspaper, and every Saturday there is a page of good news stories, stories like the deaf actress Rose in Strictly Come dancing who with her partner seems to have made an impact, not least because she can’t always hear the music. But last week they started to dance, and then the music suddenly stopped and they continued, and suddenly the audience was in Rose’s world. I didn’t see it, but I could imagine how powerful it was. A sign of hope, and if we look around us, there are signs of hope everywhere. This Advent we prepare for the coming of Christ, who gave the world hope and whose words, we are told in Luke, will never pass away. As his followers, we are to be grounded in that hope and show that hope in our relations with the world and with those around us. The hope for the world born in Bethlehem and which allows us to reimagine a world which is just and fair, where we live out the radical love of Christ for all. Let us not be afraid, but live out the Advent hope. Hymn 509 – Jesus calls us o’er the tumult (1,2,5) Prayers of Dedication & Intercession Holy and Righteous God, we offer our gifts with humble hearts and with them we bring ourselves to be used ever in your service. O Spirit of Hope, When the world is confusing and bleak, you pierce the despair with your Word, and renew our vision of God’s possibilities for our lives. Thank you for lessons learned, for changes of heart, for new discoveries made and hope restored, even as the pandemic stretches on. As the world around us prepares for the long, cold sleep of winter, we pray for those who feel the burden of loneliness and isolation. We remember those without homes to shelter in, and those forced to leave their homes through conflict, natural disaster or political upheaval. We remember those who lost their lives in the English Channel and all risking the crossing. (Keep a brief time of silence) Spirit of Hope, shelter all these under your wings. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer. O God of Peace, There is strife and disagreement all around us these days, sometimes in our own lives and relationships, and in many nations and neighbourhoods in the news. We pray for places where violence and cruelty appear to win the day, thinking especially of Afghanistan and Ethiopia, and situations closer to home that we carry on our hearts. (Keep a brief time of silence) God of Peace, work for just and peaceful resolutions to prevail. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer. O Creator of Joy, We give you thanks for moments of joy and celebration in our lives, for pleasure given and received, for quiet times of reflection and conversation, and for the many ways that allow us to keep in contact with those we love. As the days grow colder, we remember those who feel bitter while others rejoice, those who grieve the loss of loved ones, and those who face a bleak winter for any reason. (Keep a brief time of silence) Creator of Joy, bring them light and warmth in the season ahead, and let your joy shine through us as compassionate companions. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. O Love divine made flesh in Christ, You call us into communion with you and community with one another. We pray for your church and our congregation, especially at this time when we envisage new kinds of ministry. May love guide all your people as we plan for our life and mission. We remember before you our families and friends, whether nearby or far away. (Keep a brief time of silence) Love divine, bless each one with your love and help us express our gratitude and concern for each other in word and action. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Amen Hymn 477 – Lo, he comes (1,3,4) Benediction Go in eager expectation, awaiting and watchful for the coming of Christ. May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you and those whom you love and those whom we are called to love, this day and even forevermore. Amen
0 Comments
 Welcome on this last Sunday of the church year as we celebrate 'The Reign of Christ the King'.
Notices:
Make way Make space Make time Make peace The Lord your King is close The King of Love is near The Prince of peace approaches Make way for Christ the King Our first hymn is 129 The Lord is King! Lift up your voice v1,2 and 5 Prayer adoration and confession Alleluia to you Oh Lord our King, You are robed in majesty and girded with strength. You are the God who is and who was and who is to come, and reign over all that come before Your throne. Lord Jesus Christ, our Faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead and ruler of all. You put right the wrongs against Your children We praise your name, O lord our King. For loving us and freeing us from our sins by Your blood and making us Kingdom priests and priestesses serving God our Sovereign, To You be glory and Dominion forever Jesus You are the ‘Alpha and the Omega’, the Almighty; rescuing widows, orphans and those in bondage; reigning in victory, coming in the clouds. To You be glory and dominion forever. Loving God on this day we celebrate Christ as King, yet fail to let Him reign in our lives, our thoughts and deeds. We spout vain words while in His name we conquer. impose dominion and injustice and far too often we do not make time to pray. On others we impose our own will, not Yours, especially on the weak, poor and vulnerable. We design rules to satisfy ourselves, our wants, our desires and discriminate against those who do not fit our idea of humanity. Lord we have wronged You. Forgive us and help us to begin again, to love again and to live again the faith we would claim. The Lord’s prayer Today is also Crossreach Sunday. Crossreach is the social care arm of the Church of Scotland and works through the many departments to pick up the pieces of broken lives. Only this week I received a letter from them which included a story of abuse of a young girl in a disfunctional family. So it is not inappropriate the this week sees the beginning of 16 days against gender based violence especially looking for the elimination of violence against women and girls who make up the large majority of victims. There is a web site called ‘Thursdays in Black’ which will provide more information about the decades long initiative. On it I found a powerful poem which references incidences from the Bible . You can find this if you follow the resources link and scroll down to prayers and look for ‘We stop in our tracks’ or ask Trish gentry for a printed copy. It is a sensitive subject but as a woman growing up in the 60s when some forms of sexual harassment were considered normal ways of behaviour and as a Christian very aware of current events I could not ignore it. It is why I chose the next hymn and for those without access to a hymn book I will quote a couple of verses. Hymn 265 1 : Pray for a world where every child finds welcome in a sheltered place, where love is tender, undefiled, and firmness intertwines with grace. 4: Pray for a world where all have voice and none will batter, rape, abuse. Till then, may all have rightful choice and pray for wisdom as they choose. Bible readings; 2 Samuel 23;1-7 John 18; 33-37 Rev 1; 4b-8 Weekly Prayer Sovereign Lord though we are in awe of your power and Majesty we remember that you also came to serve and so we remember today the example of servant hood displayed in the work of Crossreach. Through the many different services it offers it helps, supports and encourages those finding themselves. in difficult circumstances and recognises their personal needs and aspirations and helps them to achieve the highest quality of life which they are capable of achieving at any given time. So we give thanks for the work and the care of all the staff and volunteers and ask for your blessing and comforting presence on them and for all that they serve. Amen. Address Some years ago I can remember Ian Clark leading worship on this Sunday, the last Sunday of the church year and commemorating Christ the King. As he so often does Ian asked a question, querying what picture came into our minds when we thought of Christ in glory. For some reason the picture that came immediately to my eyes was the Graham Sutherland Tapestry in Coventry Cathedral. Now that is really quite strange. The closest I have ever been to Coventry Cathedral was on the merry-go-round of a ring road I was desperately trying to get off, preferably in a northerly direction. Perhaps I had seen the tapestry depicted in a book or on TV and it had stuck in my subconscious mind. Had I ever visited the building no doubt I would have purchased some explanatory literature that would have helped with all the detail woven in to this huge work of religious art. I can tell you that it is 23 meters tall and 12 wide. Apart from the strong green background for something depicting ‘Christ in Glory’ the colours are somewhat subdued. When I think of royalty I tend to think of richly coloured velvet and ermine, shining gold and sparling jewels as seen in the cinema newsreel of nearly 70 years ago; of paintings of monarchs of old painted by the best artists of the time to show them in full regal splendour. Our reading from Samuel concerns David, someone who rose from being a shepherd boy to becoming a powerful ruler and remembered as a great king. I can’t help thinking that King David quite liked a bit of bling, but it was important I suppose, that people could easily recognised who and what he was and that his appearance had to stand out from the crowd. David’s career was very much liquorice allsorts and at time words in common parlance today often come to mind. You fill in the blanks - but he does give God the respect and glory due and where would we be without the Psalms. The verses from the beginning of Revelations gives us a brief but but concise sense of Christ in Glory and the words and phrases that have become part of our worship language; ‘ruler of Kings’; ‘Alpha and Omega’; ‘the Almighty’. In the account of the Transfiguration and of the Ascension, light and cloud come into the description of something indescribable. But let’s look for a moment at the Gospel passage. Jesus has been questioned by the high priest who doesn’t get the answers he is looking for. But now Jesus comes before Pilate, the Roman governor, who first asks him outright if he is the King of the Jews. He goes on to ask “What is it you have done?”. I have never really thought about this question on its own before until it was put into the context of ‘blame culture’. Pilate can’t see what Jesus has done to deserve the fate his enemies want for him. His understanding of kingship cannot encompass the explanations given. Jesus has to have done something wrong, he must be at fault. Do you hear the echoes today when there is so much of a perception by so many people that a victim of violence or abuse must have done something to deserve or cause what has happened to them. Jesus, King of kings, Lord of Lords did not deserve what He suffered but He did it for us. So as the Advent season begins next Sunday, let us remember what we are really waiting for; enjoy the carols and the mince pies and the glitter and sparkle that light up these short, dull days and wait eagerly for the day we celebrate the Light of the World coming to earth but not just on one day but every day. Look for the Glory of God and His Son where ever you can find it and be surprised and heartened by some of the places you might find it. The greatest glory is beyond our imagining but there is much to see until that comes. Hymn 172 Sing for God’s glory that colours the dawn of creation v1,2 The prayers of intercession were written by Margaret McTavish Even as we give thanks and praise for all your goodness and mercy shown to us here in this sanctuary we come before you with our prayers for others, both near and far, known and unknown to us. We pray, O Lord, for PEACE for the many nations in conflict across our world, torn apart by war, violence or unjust rule; for peace for peoples living under extreme conditions and with the greatest humanitarian needs; especially we pray peace for the children of these lands. Lord hear our prayers We pray, O Lord, for WISDOM and JUSTICE for all who rule over others; those in positionsof power in any form; for those making decisions on behalf of others. Lord hear our prayers We pray, O Lord, for CALM in the face of unrest between nations; for calm in the face of rivalry between those of opposing views; and for calm in the face of misunderstanding between policies, peoples and families. Lord hear our prayers We pray, O Lord for REST for the weary; rest for the sick and dying and rest for those whose tirelessly care for them, institutions or at home, being your hands and feet here on earth and showing your love. Lord hear our prayers All these we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour Amen Hymn 459 Crown him with many crowns v 1,2 Blessing Christ is King, Christ reigns but there in the background (can you hear it?) the whisper of the prophets. Christ is King, Soon to be born among us, but let us go now as the year turns Christ reigns in the hopes of the people And may the peace of Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with us throughout the coming days. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this Remembrance Sunday
Notices:
From the darkness of death, God calls us into glorious light. From the tumult of war God call us into the beauty of peace. Children of light, God calls us today to remembrance. In light and in peace We will remember them. Hymn 715 – Behold the mountain of the Lord (1,5,7) Prayers of Adoration and Confession God of yesterday, today and forever, You are the God of every generation, and your love endures forever. You have protected us during difficult times, for your compassion is everlasting. In this time of worship, we declare our love and loyalty to you, and offer you our service in prayer, in praise, and in practice, this day and every day. At this solemn season of Remembrance, we are aware of how much war has cost the world you love. In spite of fighting between nations and neighbours, you have come to us in Jesus Christ and want us to experience life in all its fullness. Renew in us the hope that you will turn our swords into ploughshares, and lead the world from the study of war to the promise of peace with justice for all your peoples. God of mercy, with sorrow we confess that in our hearts we keep alive the passions and pride that lead to hatred and war. We are not worthy of your love, nor of the sacrifice made by others on our behalf. Forgive us we pray. Christ died so that we might live. Through his undying love, we have been forgiven. Rejoice in the forgiveness God offers us. Be at peace with God and yourself, and make peace with your neighbours, for Christ’s sake. Amen. Lord’s Prayer Act of Remembrance Let us remember the courage, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice of the men and women of the armed forces and the toil, endurance and suffering of those who were not in uniform. Let us remember those who fell in battle, those buried at sea or in some corner of a foreign field; and especially those we have known and loved, whose place is forever in our hearts. Let us remember those who were our enemies, whose homes and hearts are as bereft as ours. Let us remember those who came back; those whose lives bear the scars of war; who have lost sight or limbs or reason; who have lost faith in God and hope for humanity. Let us remember the continuing grace of God, whose love holds all souls in life, and to whom none is dead but all are alive for ever. They shall grow not old As we who are left grow old; Age shall not weary them Nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun And in the morning We shall remember them. (Silence) Hymn 712 – What shall we pray (1,2,6) Readings – Romans 8: 31-39 John 15: 9-17 Weekly Prayer O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those men and women who have died in active service throughout the world. As we honour their courage and cherish their memory, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of eternal life and hope, now and forever. And as we pray for peace in our troubled world, give us peace in our hearts. Amen Reflection I was speaking with one of our congregation during the week, and she was saying that her father had been awarded the Military Medal. He was in his early twenties and in the medical corps and was serving with a New Zealand regiment at Monte Cassino in Italy, a scene of bitter fighting. The Allies had retreated, but one of the soldiers was injured and had been left behind in what was now behind enemy lines. The young man immediately volunteered to go to treat the injured soldier, and was there for some hours and was also able to observe how the enemy was deploying its tanks and to report back. Eventually the injured man was brought to safety, saved by our member’s father. But what made him volunteer to take such a risky mission? He was going into the lion’s den and could very easily have been captured and even shot, as would the injured man. But of course, this was not a unique story, but one that happened over and over again, of comrades, on whatever side of the fighting, ready to make sacrifices, even the ultimate sacrifice for their friends. John says, Greater love has no-one than this; that they lay down their life for their friends. In this case, the young man survived the war, though bore its scars, as many did. But how many down the centuries have given their lives for their friends, for their family – ready to make the sacrifice. It is always with a sense of poignancy that I look at the various memorials around the parish. Behind each name there is a story. For some, it is the story of a young person from the Borders, who probably had never previously been out of their home area in their lives and ending up, in the case of some at Linton, at Gaza or Gallipoli. I am sure others in the years since have served on land, air or sea, in jungles of Malaya, in Korea, Cyprus, Kenya, Ireland, Afghanistan. Many survived, but some did not. In the ITV series ‘Grantchester’ a month ago there was a sub-plot of Geordie, the policeman, who had been in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp, and one by one the prisoners died or were killed until it was just him and his friend left, and Geordie prayed it would be his friend, not him, taken away next. He had to live with that guilt. Behind each name there is a story, and behind each name there are stories of other people affected. Parents mourning the loss of a dear child; a fiancée perhaps who may never have married; colleagues who lost a friend. Even the recent withdrawal of soldiers from Afghanistan have left so many people behind, vulnerable to reprisals. There can be many heroic stories in war, but war is messy, horrific. On the Church of Scotland website this week is a story of a village in Burma raised to the ground, including church and pastor’s home. In the news there is civil war in Ethiopia. But we ever strive for peace and like Micah aim to turn swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks, a recycling project from 3000 years ago, turning weapons into implements to tend the land and grow plants. What’s more, in Romans Paul assures us that whatever we go through in life, God is there with us. Nothing, whether danger or even death itself, can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus showed that by walking the way of the Cross, being ready to die for his friends – and his friends include you and me and all the world. Hymn 706 – For the healing of the nations (1,2) Prayers of Dedication & Intercession God of all the ages past, hope of years to come: We gather in this season of remembrance, grateful that you hold each one of us in your memory and your mystery, now and for all the time to come. Today, we remember all those who have served to uphold justice and freedom in the wars of the last century, in conflicts of our own generation, and in peacekeeping and relief efforts around the world. Especially we pray for those who have died in this service and for those who carry scars on body and soul, having returned from conflict. We remember their courage and we pray for their families who still ache for lives surrendered at a great cost. O God, we remember before you the victims of conflict, hiding in forgotten corners of the world, longing for safety and peace. Especially we pray for people in Afghanistan who fear for their lives and their future. We remember victims of violence in our own country, still fearful and uncertain about what the future holds for them. Give us the courage to speak out for their protection and recovery. O God, we remember those around us who struggle to remember day by day; those who must cope with the fear of forgetting those who matter most to them, and those who face the fear of being forgotten. Help us remember to reach out in comfort and support so that no one is forgotten. O God, we remember those around us who carry on under the burden of sad and hard memories; those weighed down by grief, disappointment, anger, pain and loss. Inspire us to offer a listening ear and an understanding heart whenever we can. God of all the ages past, hope of years to come, help us to remember you day by day. Keep us prepared to shine the light of your gospel into the dark corners of the world. Amen Hymn 511 – Your hand, O God, has guided (1,3,4) Benediction Let us go from this place with minds that never forget, with hearts that grow in hope, with lives that shine Christ’s light. Let us go to serve, to reconcile, to bring peace, and to stand united as children of the light. And may the blessing of God, Creator, Peacemaker, Peacebringer, go with you all, this day and every day. Amen Hymn 703 - National Anthem (v1)  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 24th Sunday after Pentecost.
Notices:
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts. As the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest, so our home is by your altars, O God. Hymn 149 – Let all creation dance (All) Prayers of Adoration and Confession God of Creation, you break the cycle of wars, so we may be enriched by your peace; you shatter the grip of violence, so we may be freed from our fears; you plant your words of hope deep within us. You give us the word we need, so that we might live in your grace. Friend of the needy, you freely become one of us, so that we could be liberated from our addiction to sin; you take us by the hand to lead us out of our doubts; you give us the words we need, so we can continue to share your good news of life. Spirit of Holiness, you pull us to safety when sin's waters swirl around our feet; you surround us with serenity when doubts rattle our souls; you give us words we need, whenever we wander onto the paths of trouble, Living God, we have known your hopes for us; if we have disappointed them, we are sorry. We have seen your dreams for us; if we have turned them into ashes, we are sorry. Forgive us. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Know that you are forgiven, set free from fear and guilt, and can be at peace. As a forgiven, healed, and restored community, we join together in the prayer that Jesus taught his followers: Our Father… Readings – Ruth 4:13–17 Mark 12:38–44 Hymn 493 – It’s me, it’s me, O Lord (1,2) Weekly Prayer Loving God, we praise your name with all you have created. We acknowledge your presence in the whole universe, and in the smallest of creatures. We accept the responsibilities you have placed upon us as stewards of your creation and acknowledge our duty to care for the widows and marginalised in our world. Amen Reflection COP26 is happening, and the nations of the world have gathered to see how best to tackle climate change. Hopefully their words and commitments will be transformed into action, and certainly the various activists, not least Greta Thunberg, will be relentless in ensuring accountability. There is always a certain irony about these big global conferences, as world leaders arrived in their jets and some like Joe Biden even brought their own cars. On Monday night I noticed on television how they all arrived in big motorcades to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery for a sumptuous dinner. Other celebrities like Leonardo de Caprio made appearances too. You can’t help but notice them. What a far cry from the widow in our Gospel reading today. In one of the musicals on the West End there is a character called Mr Cellophane, and no-one notices Mr Cellophane. It is as if he is invisible. You see right through him. The widow was like that. She was one of the least. She had no husband to support her; she was powerless. How many people in our society are invisible; we just don’t see them? But Jesus did see the widow. He watched as she put her two pennies into the coffer at the Temple. Did he praise her for giving all that she had or did he lament the fact that she was one of the poor and that society really didn’t care and that maybe her coins would end up in the pockets of one of the scribes flaunting their fancy gowns? Maybe a bit of both. The widow’s mite. We use it in sermons to encourage giving. We praise her complete commitment, giving all she had, whereas the Scribes would only give from their abundance. It is apposite, given what is happening in Glasgow just now. The wealthiest nations, whose current prosperity has been built on the burning of fossil fuels, are debating how much of their wealth they can sacrifice in the name of arresting climate change. Meanwhile, less developed countries and those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as the small island states of the Pacific or those countries who have not contributed as much to our current predicament, are being forced to take proportionately greater action. Like the people in front of Jesus, countries today have differing capacity to change and different starting points but the key issue is giving sacrificially and not just for show. But I am sure Jesus would also have been infuriated by the system that kept the widow so powerless. Ruth was also a widow and also extremely vulnerable. What’s more she was a foreigner, from Israel’s great enemy, Moab. There was every reason to treat her with suspicion, but Boaz was impressed by her love and fidelity to her mother-in-law Naomi and allowed her to glean in his fields. However, harvest had ended, but the story has a happy ending, as Ruth and Boaz marry and we are told that their great grandchild was David, the King of Israel. The Law says in Deuteronomy that Moabites should not be allowed to become part of Israel to the 10th generation, but the author of Ruth subversively shows that the most famous king had a Moabite ancestor. The system could be changed. We pray that the richer nations of the world will not just look out for themselves, but show a generosity of spirit and realise that we are all in this climate crisis together and take action for the good of all. God has made us stewards of the earth. We are accountable. This is true for our leaders, but also for each one of us. Let us be good stewards of God’s creation. Hymn 165 – Praise to the Lord for the joys… (1,5) Prayers of Dedication & Intercession Generous God you have created a home where all people can live in peace, our planet so beautiful and yet so fragile. Generous God, you give us the ground under our feet, solid and strong, fertile and full of things that jump, crawl, wriggle and walk, bursting with plants that grow and trees for fruit and shade. Generous God, you give us times and seasons; the sun to warm our days and the moon to light our night-time ways; stars that sing and planets that spin. Unknown reaches of time and space, full of mystery and dreams. We pray for all who have gathered for the COP26 conference and pray that there will be a unity of spirit and a real commitment to make the necessary sacrifices to combat climate change. We pray for countries in the Pacific and elsewhere, as they seek to cope with the climate crisis. Generous God, you give us choice and responsibility. May we be generous in sharing and open hearted to the needs of developing communities ready to limit what we have so that all may share fully in the fullness of life you give to all. We remember those who are ill, for those who have tested positive for Covid and also those ill with other conditions. May your healing hand rest upon them. Be with all in nursing homes; all who are anxious and all who are bereaved. Silence Amen Hymn 737 – Will your anchor hold (1,4) Benediction Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. May the blessing of God Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you, now and ever more. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on All Saints Sunday. PLEASE REMEMBER to put your clocks/ watches BACK an hour.
Notices:
Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will rise up with wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint. Hymn 740 – For all the saints (1,2,8) Prayers of Adoration and Confession God of goodness and purpose, in you we live and move and have our being. You are the Fountain of Life, and you refresh us. You are the Light of the world, and you show us the way. You are the Spirit of life, and you move in us each new day. So, we join our voices with the angels and archangels, with the saints and disciples of every time and place, to worship you as Creator, Healer, and Source of our hope and our joy. Praise be to you, God most holy, ever Three and ever One, world without end. God of goodness and mercy, we confess that we have been indifferent to your will, staying silent when we should have spoken up for justice. We have heard your call to put our faith into action, but fear holds us back. There is work to be done in Jesus’ name, but we often seek an easier way. Forgive us, O God, and give us courage and commitment to serve as your saints in this time and this place, whatever the challenges may be. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Isaiah 25: 6-9 Revelation 21: 1-6 John 11: 32-44 Hymn 730 – From the falter of breath (1,4) Weekly Prayer God of All the Saints we ask that we might be a holy church, a praying church, a giving church, a serving church. May the saints in heaven be an example for us today as we trust in God and rejoice in His salvation. We come again to drink from the spring of the water of life as your people, and thank you for your promise to be with us and to be our God. Amen Reflection Who is your favourite saint? Some might be patriotic and like Andrew or George or Patrick. With Cop26 in mind what about Francis? There are plenty of female saints like Mary or even Joan of Arc. If you want to get local, then Cuthbert. You have plenty to choose from. In the Holy land I always enjoyed visiting a new church in a Palestinian town, which had pictures of saints running on a frieze right round the church and finishing with modern day saints in their dresses and trousers, including, wonderfully, Desmond Tutu, who was the only one not to have a halo. That is simply because he isn’t dead yet! Today is All Saints Day, when we remember the saints who have gone before us. But what makes a saint? We tend to think it is someone who has done some extraordinary deed, slayed a dragon or two, fasted on top of a pillar for twenty years, was martyred in some brutal fashion. But are we celebrating today only the select few who somehow made it and are in this ‘Hall of Fame’ - or are we looking wider? At the many whose names are now forgotten, but who have been faithful and are part of the multitude gathered for the great feast in the Kingdom of God that we read about in Isaiah. This was a picture of God’s new future, where the tears are wiped from every eye. Our Revelation reading picks up many of the same themes. Someone once defined the saints as ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Some have been very single-minded, some positively weird, some definitely not easy to live with! But most have been faithful people just quietly getting on living out the Kingdom values. People who had no desire to be put on a pedestal, but who somehow lead us to God. But the New Testament is clear that the saints are not just those who have gone before us in the faith, but also those sitting round about us in the here and now. Paul had at times a fraught relationship with the Christians in Corinth, who seemed to be quite divisive, but he still called them the ‘saints’. Equally, all of us are saints, trying our best to be a light in our dark, often troubled world. In the Gospels we read about Jesus raising Lazarus from the tomb. There are different people in this story. There is Mary, who in her grief at losing her brother chides Jesus, saying that if he had come sooner, Lazarus would still be alive. There is Martha her sister, famous for being so practical, but in this story, gives a tremendous confession of faith which prompts Jesus to say, I am the Resurrection and the Life. There is Lazarus, a symbol of Christ’s life-giving power. There is Jesus bringing Lazarus to life again is shown By the Gospel writers as the one who brings life in all its fullness to us now and who brings life in the hereafter. But there is someone else as well, because Jesus turns to someone in the crowd and says, ‘Unbid him and let him go’, and to me that person in the crowd is you and me. We are drawn into Christ’s life-giving work and live out the resurrection now. At All Saints we remember and celebrate those who have gone before who are now in the nearer presence of God, but also those around us participating in God’s work of caring and loving and standing alongside the suffering and indeed with our planet. I mentioned the church in the Holy Land. On the frieze – after Desmond Tutu, there was a space. Maybe for any new saints. But I like to think it could be for you and me. Hymn 742 – Rejoice in God’s saints (1,3,4) Prayers of Dedication & Intercession God of all generations, past, present and future, we offer our gifts in gratitude for the inheritance of faithfulness we have received as followers of Jesus. Bless these gifts so that today’s ministries may flourish and provide an inheritance for those who come after us, as you guide them into a future only you can see. On this Sunday marking the faithfulness of all your saints, we give you thanks for people in our lives and across the ages who have shown us your loving kindness through their witness to Christ in so many different situations. Inspire us by their examples and show us how we, too, can live out our faith in the midst of challenging times. We thank God for knitting us into one common fellowship; for the people who have gone ahead of us in the faith and who loved us, formed our faith and served God with joy and grace. Loving God, You keep calling us to care for those in need and show hospitality to strangers in our midst. Thank you for your persistent love which continues to comfort and challenge us all. Open our hearts and eyes so that we can see how to offer that love to others in the midst of challenging times. Living God, You bring new life to the discouraged and those facing danger and death. Thank you for signs of hope which break into pressures of the pandemic and its consequences for so many, in the midst of challenging times. Creating God, we praise you for the beauty of this world and the rhythms of nature which sustain us. Give us courage to act on behalf of your creation where it is stressed or broken, and nurture our commitment to act as your stewards within creation in the midst of challenging times. (silence) Lord in your mercy hear our prayer. Amen Hymn 738 – Glorious things of thee are spoken (1,4) Benediction Go on your way rejoicing, Surrounded as you are by such a great cloud of witnesses. May the blessing of God Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you, now and ever more. Amen  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  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this Harvest Thanksgiving.
Notices:
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.
Notices:
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.
Notices:
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.
Notices:
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 |
Archives
November 2021
|
RSS Feed
