 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
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 Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 17th Sunday after Pentecost.
Notices:
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 |
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