 Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 12th Sunday after Pentecost.
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As we gather to worship this morning Let us delight in the works of the Lord And sing and shout our praises for all the things God has done for us. Because God is gracious and merciful And keeps His promises for ever and ever. Hymn 167 Guide me O thou great Jehovah (verses 1 and 3) Prayers of Adoration and Confession: “In Christ there is no east or west, In Him no south or north, But one great fellowship of love Throughout the whole wide earth.” Loving God, there is no east or west where Christ’s call cannot be heard to draw us to this fellowship of love. There is no place of brokenness in which we cannot see signs of his healing touch. There is no south or north, no dwelling place of darkness from which we cannot escape into the light of his love. There is no home, no circumstance from which we cannot get away, no road we cannot travel, no journey of life we cannot pass through to reach that place where Christ-like souls are one in Him. No east or west, no south or north, no place of failure and dejection from which we cannot rise to be blessed at Your mercy seat. Ever-welcoming God, in this house of Your dwelling, where high communion is found with our brothers and sisters of faith, in the presence of Your love, in the wholeness of Christ’s acceptance, in the warmth of the Spirit’s blessing, we rejoice in our oneness; we recognise for Your mercy; All-encompassing God, we pray that our fellowship here will be a mirror of Your Kingdom’s grace; that our worship here will be an echo of heavenly praise; that our healing here will be a symbol of redemptive power; that our closeness here will be a sign of the real unity of the whole people of God; that our time here will be a mark of true communion with You. As we join together in Jesus’ name and say: Our Father, Which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory. For ever. Amen, Readings: Ephesians 5, verses 15-20 John 6, verses 51-58 Hymn 465 Be thou my vision (verses 1,2 and 5) Weekly Prayer: Creator God, we thank you for the beauty of the created world; for its wonderful variety and the bounty that it brings forth. Help us to be good stewards, showing love and friendship to all. Give us discerning hearts to distinguish between right and wrong so that we may please you and serve our community, bringing warmth and light to our lives. Amen. Reflection: As those of you who know me can probably tell from my shape, I like nothing more than a good meal, maybe you’re the same. When you are really hungry it is especially good. In the olden days, before Covid, Heather than I loved holidaying in France. We did so for many reasons, not the least being that the food there can be exceptional. It was usually well prepared, well presented and almost always beautifully fresh. But what made it even better is that usually by the time we sat down to eat in an evening, we were hungry. I don’t know if it was the French fresh air or the fact that we were usually getting a lot of exercise during the day, walking and visiting different places, but the food in France just tasted wonderful. Not that it doesn’t taste wonderful hear in the Borders too! The other thing about a good meal is that it settles you down. I don’t know about you but when I get hungry, I get nervous. I get jittery and jumpy. But a good meal settles me down. I am more at peace and relaxed after a good meal. And of course, a good meal gives me strength. Hunger can make you weak. But a good meal, not one full of empty calories, but a meal that is good and nutritious can give you strength. That is why they say that breakfast is so important. It gives you energy to get the day off to a good start. Speaking of good meals - Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Now some of the people who heard Jesus say this thought he was crazy! And can you blame them? If someone came in here talking like that, we would think them crazy. “I am the bread from heaven,” “You must eat my body and drink my blood to be fed.” It sounds like the ranting of a psychopath – Hannibal Lecter perhaps? Of course, when we hear Jesus talking like this we immediately think of the Last Supper. We think of Holy Communion and the bread and wine that represent Jesus giving his life for us. And that is right, but Jesus had not yet had the last supper when he said these things. We can’t simply write this off as an allusion to Communion. Jesus is saying something here that has meaning apart from that reference. Jesus is saying, “I am the main course.” The main course of the meal is that part that fills us up and nourishes us the most. The main course is the steak and chips or the lamb and new potatoes. The starters are great and the cheese and the dessert is wonderful. But the main course makes or breaks the meal. Jesus is saying he is the meat and vegetables for our souls. Forgive me, but Jesus is “Soul Food”. What came before was good. The law and the prophets provided some nourishment. That bread Moses served as starter was fine. It was prepared by God after all. But Jesus is what really feeds us and gives us life. Jesus is the main course but we sometimes lose sight of that fact. There is so much to feed on in the church. There are, when permitted, activities and fellowship and committee meetings. And all these things are good. But they are just the French Onion soup or the strawberry pavlova that I love so much. They are the starters and the desserts. Jesus is the main course. It is he who gives us eternal life. By feeding on him and taking him into our hearts and lives we receive life. You can feed on the starters and and not die, but you will always be malnourished. We need that main course to truly nourish and sustain us. I don’t know if it is true but according to legend there was once a king who loved his wife. But she died in child birth. Since he was a king, he ordered a great memorial and mausoleum be built for his wife. Thousands of workers toiled for 17 years. The king dedicated himself to making sure the task was done well. One day near the end of construction a box was found among the construction rubble. They were about to discard it when it was discovered that it was the coffin of his wife. According to legend that memorial is the Taj Mahal But the King had become so obsessed with the building of a memorial that he forgot it was meant to be a memorial for his wife and a final resting place for her body. We too need to be careful that in the regular business of our church life we don’t forget the reason for it all, the fact that Jesus is the main course. Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven.” Bread was the main staple of people’s diets back then. People received most of their nourishment from bread. But to be nourished by bread you have to eat it. You have to take it into yourself. And that is the way it is with Jesus. We have to take him in. We have to accept him and ask him into our hearts. We have to let him become part of us. Too often people try to keep him at arm’s length. For them Jesus is someone or something outside of them. But we have to let him in then he can nourish us. Then he can give life to our heart and soul. Jesus is the main course and this main course involves a sacrifice. Jesus said, “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” If Jesus had just wanted to talk about accepting him as spiritual nourishment he could have just talked about bread. But he also talks about blood. He is obviously talking about his death on the cross. Through his death Jesus feeds us. His death defeated sin. And because sin is defeated, we have forgiveness and eternal life. For that to happen, a sacrifice had to be made. Many modern people, present company excepted, are out of touch with what goes into preparing our food. They forget that the chicken on their tables was once a live animal and it had to be killed to make their dinner possible - it had to be sacrificed. The main course that is Jesus required a sacrifice too. His blood had to be shed. He had to die so that we could be fed. Eternal life is a free gift for us but it cost Jesus his life! So, Jesus is the main course. Are you hungry? Do you find that you grow weak spiritually? Do feel jittery and nervous because your soul’s blood sugar is low? Maybe you need a good meal. Jesus is the only “Soul Food” that can give eternal life. Other things may fill the emptiness for a little while, but they are just empty spiritual calories. If we want to be truly filled and never hunger again, we have to feed on Jesus. We have to dine on him. Keep him at the centre of our lives. Jesus is the bread of life. He died to feed us and give us eternal life. “This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.” AMEN. Hymn 616 There’s a spirit in the air (verses 1,3, 6 and 7) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Thank you, Lord, for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! Ever present God, You promise us there is no place we can go where You will not be with us; no prayers we can offer that You will not hear; no stumbling words or random thoughts that will not make sense to You. We are so grateful for that, especially when our prayers are dry, or ill-formed, or vainly repetitive, or inarticulate. And yet You call us to come into fellowship, to gather all of that together; clever prayers and ill-conceived ideas; jumbled phrases and inadequate grammar; silent yearnings and barren deserts of weeping, in one place and as one people; to lay it all before You, knowing that You will hear what we cannot begin to express; believing that You will makes sense of what we cannot fully understand. Listening God, we pray for Your Church: in its fragility and in its strength; in its nurture and in its mission; in its pilgrimage and in its establishment; in its traditions and in its newness that it may continue to be what it has always sought to be, a light in the darkest of places; a healing for broken lives; a hope for a searching world. Understanding God, we pray for our nation, giving thanks for examples of goodness, and weeping with those who weep in their poverty, alienation and despair; looking with admiration at examples of righteousness and condemning evil in whatever form we find it. Ever-watchful God, we pray for our world, in all its tension and striving, wonder and questioning, beauty and brokenness. Where there is rejection, we pray that the embrace of acceptance might be offered; where there is isolation, we pray that the handshake of understanding might be given; where there are barriers, we pray that the sledge-hammers of justice might beat upon the walls; where there is pain, we pray that the tenderness of healing might be known; where there is violence, we pray that the beauty of peace might herald a new dawn; where there is hopelessness, we pray that the vision of oneness might be a pointer to Your Kingdom. Attentive God, we pray for those we love, who, with little encouragement or prompting, pop into our minds and fill our prayers with their circumstances, our yearnings with their cries, our compassion with their tears, our joy with their smiles, because we know them so well and love them so much. God who made us in Your very image, we pray for ourselves, for strength on our journey of faith; for love in our expressions of service; for healing in body, mind and spirit. And we give thanks, that even now as we pray for others, many others are praying for us. Bless us now with Your touch of tenderness; remind us each new day of Christ’s companionship on the Way; surround us at all times with the Spirit’s constancy; bind us always with the Communion of Saints. AMEN. Hymn 154 O Lord my God (verses 1 and 4) Blessing and Benediction: May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and - until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you, now and for evermore. AMEN
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 Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 11th Sunday after Pentecost.
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When we journey with God, anything is possible: we are challenged to push our limits. When we walk closely with Jesus, anything is possible: we are reminded that everyone has their own story to tell. Let us worship God. Hymn MP 417 – Lift high the cross (1,2,5) Prayers of Adoration and Confession Living, giving God, you are the source of all good things. In Christ you give us the Bread of Life. and we know your care for us is beyond measure. Through the Holy Spirit, you are present in all situations, both large and small, yet your majesty is infinite. Your love reaches wider than the expanding universe, and your kindness embraces even the tiny sparrow. And so we gather in worship to offer you our praise, our love and loyalty, the best of ourselves, for surely you deserve all we can offer, our living, giving God. Living, forgiving God, in Christ you promise us new life, but we confess that we are in love with our old ways. We nourish bitterness over disappointments; anger can hold us hostage for years. We find it easy to say one thing to someone’s face and something else behind their back. Forgive us for falling short of your hopes for us and by your grace, renew us to live for love’s sake. God is tender-hearted and gracious to all and has forgiven you in Christ Jesus. Trust in God’s grace and be kind to one another, forgiving others as God has forgiven you. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Ephesians 4:25–5:2 John 6: 41–51 Hymn 528 – Make me a channel of thy peace Weekly Prayer Creator God, we thank you for the wonder of new life and for the mystery of human love. We thank you for all whose support and skill surround and sustain the beginning of life. We thank you that we are known to you by name and loved by you from all eternity. Long ago Jesus took up the little children in His arms and blessed them so we ask your blessings on us all this day and every day. Amen Reflection We are going to baptise Patrick, a young child with the future all ahead of him. I don’t think he will have given much thought to what he might want to be, when he grows up, though no doubt there are those who will wonder whether he will follow the family tradition and be a farmer. Rightly or wrongly, we can be defined by our family. I am sure his parents will just want him to be happy in whatever he does. In our Gospel reading today Jesus has performed this wonderful miracle of feeding the 5000 and has followed up by saying that he is the bread of life, the bread that satisfied the very soul. And what do the crowd say, or at least some of them? ‘We knew his father. We know his mother and sisters and brothers. They are ordinary people just like us. Who is this one to claim anything different?’ Familiarity breeds contempt. Jesus was defined by his family, and people made assumptions because of it. That can be very positive thing. In the Olympics it has been interesting when the media interviews family members of those who have won medals, and you can see their pride. You can also see how grounded the sportsmen and women are, because their families are rooting for them and have also sacrificed a lot so that their children have excelled. Yet some have become multi-medal winners, the best in the world. The marvellous thing about Jesus is that he did have a family. He was God, he was divine, but also human. Because of that, he knows what we go through. That is why he could look at the crowd and be filled with such compassion, because he saw people hurting, people confused, people needing direction. Most of all, he saw people needing to be loved. Jesus loved the people; he loved us to the extent of sacrificing his own life on the cross that we might live. In Ephesians we are encouraged to imitate God, and that is a big ask. But we look to Jesus and seek in our lives to be more Christlike. Again, in the Olympics the various medallists have been of one voice, saying that they hoped the young would be inspired to take up sport and aim high, and no doubt there will be a surge of skateboarding or bmx biking or gymnastics. Athletes inspire a new generation. How much more should looking at the life of Christ inspire us to right living, and Ephesians gives us a clue how. Some commentators have likened Ephesians to a manual for baptism, though in the case of the Ephesians it would have been adults being baptised. But they are being encouraged to tell the truth. Also, to be angry, and that is interesting because often we see anger as a negative thing. But it is right to be angry over injustice, over climate change, over, say, someone cheating in order to win. But Ephesians also says, ‘Don’t let the sun go down on your anger’, as anger can gnaw away within us. But above all, the writer of the letter encourages us to show love and compassion. Look at Christ. See how he was filled with compassion and extravagantly fed the crowd and gave of his very self. Let us then imitate him and show extravagant love to all. Hymn 632 – Our children Lord (1,2) Prayers of Intercession Lord Jesus, we bring our gifts to you, knowing that you have given yourself for us, so that we have life in abundance. Bless them for the extension of your Kingdom. We lift before you our world leaders. In an increasingly unstable world we ask you to give them wisdom and integrity. Help them to put the needs of their country before their own desires. We pray for countries at war or suffering long periods of unrest, particularly Afghanistan and the Middle East. We pray that a new desire to love and treasure others may sweep this planet, bringing in a new reign of peace. Lord, we pray for our communities and all who live and serve in them. We thank you for those who sweep our streets, empty our bins and clean our shops, workplaces and hospitals. We pray for your strength and reassurance for our over-stretched NHS and for teachers gearing themselves up for a new session. We pray for the unemployed and those on zero hours contracts struggling to make ends meet. We pray those who live around us. We picture them in our minds now as we bring them to you for blessing: our friends, our neighbours, the people who walk their dogs past our house, those we say ‘hi’ to in the street, but don’t necessarily know their names. We pray for those who live behind closed doors that we never see, those we used to spend time with who, for whatever reason, we don’t see anymore. And we pray for those whom we avoid... Lord, you know them all by name and we thank you for each of them and for the way they touch our lives. Give us the grace to be good neighbours, willing to go the extra mile for all these people who are, underneath it all, just the same as us. Silence Amen Infant Baptism Hymn 476 – Mine eyes have seen the glory (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 and all whom you love, Now and forevermore. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 10th Sunday after Pentecost.
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Cleanse me with hyssop and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Lord, open our lips; And our mouths shall proclaim your praise. Hymn 173 – Sing to God new songs (1,3) Prayers of Adoration and Confession Loving God, we lift our hearts to you in praise and prayer, thankful for the wonder of creation and grateful for the good things in our lives. As we open ourselves to the ways you love us, we find the ways to love you in return. We raise our eyes to look beyond our immediate circumstances and to view the world with your compassion. As we broaden our perspective, we see the needs beyond our own, and hear your call to love others. We bow before you in humble wonder. Your grace defies our explanations. You touch us when we least expect it. Receive our praise and prayer this day Forgiving God, sometimes we shy away from growing into your great love. We are aware of our thoughts and actions that are less than loving; our comments and communications that have unintended consequences; our habitual patterns of reacting that disappoint us and leave us low. We lament the state of our lives, but also the state of our world, marred by inequality, violence and careless indifference. We are sorry. We long to know that we are forgiven and experience renewal that will make a difference. Listen and hear the good news: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. He does not treat us according to our attitudes and behaviour, for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love for us; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our wrongdoing from us. Jesus says, ‘You are forgiven,’ He also says, ‘Follow me.’ Lord’s Prayer Readings – 2 Samuel 11: 26 – 12:13a John 6: 24-35 Hymn 641 – Seek ye first (1,3) Weekly Prayer Faithful God, fill our hunger with the food that lasts; the bread of God which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Thank you that we need never grow hungry or thirsty again, as we come and trust in Jesus. Amen Reflection It has been good to watch the Olympics, though admittedly I do not stay up all night to watch the various races live. I enjoy seeing small countries without many resources win medals, though it is also good to see home talent win. I wondered if anyone in the Bible would have qualified. No doubt Jesus would have won everything, though I never picture him running, and he is more likely to walk on water rather than swim in it! In the Old Testament Samson would have won the weightlifting, Jacob would have a chance at the wresting, but if there is one person who would do well and be an Olympian, then it would be David. He was a good all-rounder. Archery, battle, writing psalms, playing music: everything seemed to come naturally to him, and he set the standard for other kings to follow. But the Bible is a very honest book and in the passage we read this morning, we see that David was fallible and flawed. The army has gone to fight, and usually the king would go with them. But David remains in Jerusalem. We don’t know why. From the roof of his palace, he sees a woman bathing; she was purifying herself, as the law demanded. But David, the peeping Tom, was filled with lust- the outcome was that he seduced her. He was the king, a man of power, and she was the wife of a soldier, a foreign mercenary, a Hittite. Nowadays it would be called sexual exploitation or worse, for she would have had no power to refuse. Her name was Bathsheba. When we do something wrong, we always try to deflect the blame. It is always the other person’s fault. Or we try to wriggle out of it, and that is exactly what David did. Bathsheba was pregnant, and David called her husband back from the front, so he could sleep with his wife, so he wouldn’t know that the baby wasn’t his. But Uriah, unlike David, was a man of integrity and wouldn’t sleep with his wife while his friends were fighting. David tried to get him drunk; that failed. In the end he ordered his commander to put Uriah in the front of the battle – certain death. It is a sordid tale. David is no longer the Olympian, no longer the hero; rather he has become the villain. Uriah is dead. He married Bathsheba and thinks everything is OK. He can forget about it. He has had a lucky escape. Enter Nathan the Prophet. Nathan tells the story of the rich man with his own flocks grabbing the little lamb from the poor man to roast for a guest. David is livid, demanding the wealthy man be put to death. In one of the best lines, Nathan says ‘Thou art the man’, and David’s eyes are opened to the immensity of what he has done and he has to the grace to realise his sin. Nathan has held up a mirror to David and he saw himself as he really was. Warts and all. The parable talks about the abuse of power and also the nature of choices made by the powerful which can impact on the powerless. Society needs to look in the mirror. We live in a world where people can think themselves above the law and therefore can do what they want. But we have to look at ourselves too, for all of us fall short and need a change of heart. ‘Cleanse me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow’. David is supposed to have written Psalm 51 after this. But Ps 51 is our psalm too – it expresses the sadness we feel at our own failings. But as our confession at the start of the service reminds us, God is a God of forgiveness who encourages us to learn from our mistakes and move on to be a people of grace and mercy showing Christ’s love to the world. Hymn 517 – Fight the good fight (1,2) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession God of power and possibility, bless the gifts we offer to you this day, and all our efforts to serve you and our neighbours in Jesus’ name. We pray for the things that are shaping our national life at the moment. The things we hear about on the news, but also the cultural currents that are shaping and changing our shared values and sense of identity. We pray for those who witness to your love in the community, in institutions and the corridors of power. We pray for our world, ravaged by COVID and climate change. A world where there is unequal impact of these effects and unequal access to the resources to cope with them. Where war displaces people, and the everyday violence of discrimination distorts lives. And we pray for the help that each of us needs in the coming week. For the areas of our lives where we need inner strength, or challenge, or to imagine your world transformed by love. We pray for young people moving to school or secondary school or to college or to a job. Young people planning their next stage. For patients coping with life limiting illness. For families living with loss. Those looking for a way to find mental wellbeing, and those who need a holiday. We thank you, Lord, for this church community and the nourishment we find by spending time here with you. Fill us with your Spirit as we praise you so that we may go out from here enriched and ready to serve you in the wider world. Help us to encourage one another and build each other up, that this may be a place of affirmation, acceptance and love. We pray for our leaders, both locally and nationally, asking that you will provide them with wisdom, patience and grace. Silence Amen Hymn 458 – At the name of Jesus (1,2,4) Benediction Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you and all whom you love, Now and forevermore. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 9th Sunday after Pentecost.
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Come all you people, young and old. Come share in worship, giving thanks for all God shares with us. Let us open our hearts and minds to know more of God’s unconditional love and care and be ready to share it with others. Hymn 404 – I danced in the morning Prayers of Adoration and Confession Creator God, You are holy beyond our wildest imagination. You called everything into being and saw that it was good. As we come to Your presence, You gather us together with the whole of creation. Creator God, we worship You. Lord Jesus Christ, just as we are, you call each one of us. You greet us each by name and welcome us into your family. Lord Jesus Christ, we worship you. Holy Spirit, breath of Life You fill us with your love and grace for all, so that we are enabled to witness to the kingdom. Holy Spirit, we worship you. Loving God, as we draw near to you, we are painfully aware of our faults and failings. We confess that we have been greatly influenced by other voices than yours. We have been seduced by the superficial glamour of the culture of the world. We have not spoken out against injustice and inequality in our society. We have filled our own plates whilst others plates are empty. We have been indifferent to the damage our way of life has caused to your creation. Forgive us, Lord God. Help us to listen only to your voice, to do justice, love kindness and to walk humbly in your way. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. To all who turn to him he says: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ He also says: ‘Follow me.’ Lord’s Prayer Readings – 2 Kings 4: 42-44 John 6:1–21 Hymn 555 – Amazing Grace Weekly Prayer Gracious God, out of your goodness a great crowd was fed and satisfied from a small offering of food. We thank you for supplying all our needs and offer you the love of our hearts as we pray for our Cheviot Churches with all our varied ministries; for the youngest to the oldest; for those of certain faith and for those who struggle with doubts. Amen Reflection The Olympics have started in Tokyo, a year late and with no spectators because of Covid. On Monday restrictions here eased slightly, and now we are down to 1 metre distancing, though with the advice to be cautious ringing in our ears. Just across the Border, however, the restrictions have gone completely. I certainly felt rather uneasy watching the packed scenes from nightclubs and seeing pictures of the crowds on the beaches. Of course, in our Gospel reading today, Jesus and his disciples are surrounded by a crowd of people, a crowd hungry for what Jesus had to say. He alone could give them some meaning in their lives under occupation. He could give them peace in their hearts. No doubt people were gossiping as well about what happened in Cana and the abundance of wine. Of what happened in Capernaum with the child of the official healed. Of what happened at Bethesda with the man who had been paralysed for 38 years suddenly able to walk. All these signs saying loud and clear, ‘God is here’! Maybe something would happen that day too? These people, numbering about 5000 and more, were hungry for what Jesus had to offer – and also their stomachs were beginning to rumble as well! Jesus had hardly invited them: they were unexpected guests. But somehow he felt he was the host and it was incumbent to provide them with some kind of snack. Philip came from just along the lakeside, so Jesus relied on his local knowledge to find food , but he said – ‘to feed this number would cost an absolute fortune’, so Jesus sent the disciples out to see what they could find. Andrew came back- and he brought a boy – a boy with his packed lunch of bead and fish. For this brief moment he shares the spotlight with Jesus. Now, judging from the litter on the breaches, the crowds in 21st century Britain bring their packed lunches and picnics with them. I would think it odd in 1st century Palestine if only one boy out of 5000+ remembered to pack some bread. But Jesus took what the boy offered, just as Elisha had done centuries before, multiplied it and all received. It might well be that those who had hid their picnics, suddenly were moved to share what they had, which would have been an even greater miracle. Our Moslem friends are celebrating Eid just now, and what is eaten has always to be split three ways – one part for family, one part for friends and one part for the poor. The importance of sharing transcends cultures. We offer to God, God multiplies, and all are blessed. Certainly, there was a sense of abundance, 12 bags were left over; a sense of togetherness, the freedom of sharing and also a realisation that something special had happened. Just like at Cana and at Capernaum and Bethesda. And at the centre of it was Jesus, yes, but also a little boy with his packed lunch. The crowd had witnessed the overflowing love of God, who wants to feed the people and wants them to know that they are included in God’s love and within God’s grace. It was a day they would never forget, and that is why it is included in all four gospels. We gather today and we are going to celebrate a baptism, and a child, Poppy, will be centre-stage. Baptism is another sign of God’s love, of God’s inclusion of us in his family. That is God’s grace, that God accepts us no matter what and wants us as part of the family, one of God’s beloved and holy children. A day always to remember. Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Lord, we are amazed at what you can do with so little! We bring our offerings before you and ask you to multiply them for the advancement of your kingdom. We lift up, Lord, all who feel they have nothing worth bringing to your. We think of the broken, in mind, body and spirit. Broken by ill health. Broken by bereavement, divorce or separation. Those broken by poverty, redundancy or bankruptcy. Lord, we offer you our prayers for the broken. Take. Touch. Bless. Lord, you multiplied the loaves and fishes, producing a big lunch for thousands. We bring before you those supplying our loaves and fishes today. We pray for fishermen struggling to maintain their livelihoods. We lift up all farmers and the harvest of crops. We think of the effect of climate change which, if nothing alters, will mean major adaptations for farmers in how and what they can farm. Many places are experiencing the effects of climate change now. We think of our own high temperatures of late and the unprecedented high temperatures in Canada. The wild fires in America. The floods in Western Europe and China. We lift before you all those affected. Lord, we pray for your church. Pray that all in leadership will be guided by Godly wisdom at all times. We thank you for the different ways people have come close to you over the pandemic and for the variety of worship. May your church always be welcoming, offering warm hospitality to all. Silence Amen Hymn 143 – Who put the colours in the rainbow Infant Baptism – Poppy Holly Murron Freeland-Cook For you Jesus Christ came into the world; For you he lived and showed God’s love: For you he suffered the darkness of Calvary and cried at last ‘It is accomplished’: for you he triumphed over death and rose in newness of life: for you he ascended to reign at God’s right hand: all this he did for you, though you do not know it yet. And so Scripture is fulfilled: ‘We love because God first loved us’. Hymn 530 – One more step along the world I go Benediction Go into the world as people of compassion and good courage, to be Christ’s disciples, walking his way. And may God - Father, Son and Spirit – be with you this day and forevermore. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 8th Sunday after Pentecost.
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In moments of anxiety, God leads us to still waters. O God, we come to you. In moments of confusion, God leads us in right paths. O God, we come to hear your voice. In moments of loneliness, God is with us. So we come to praise and worship God Hymn 181 – For the beauty of the earth (1,3,5) Prayers of Adoration and Confession God our Maker, in summer we easily marvel at the world you have made, the colours of sunrise and sunset filling the horizon, the intricate beauty of gardens, the quiet dignity of a river in its course, and the steadfast presence of a rock face carved over time. You show us how each small piece of your creation depends in many ways on all the others. Summer growth depends on spring rains; health for each creature depends on the wise balance you have set between each species; the quality of life on the respect we show one another. Wise and patient God, we marvel at the world you made and join the songs of all creation to bring you praise. God our Maker, as we marvel at your creation, we confess we often take it for granted. We don’t know what to make of reports about the damage human life causes. We prefer to live as if our lifestyles make no impact on the earth and confess we don’t really want to change. For all the ways we put your creation at risk and harm the earth, we ask for your forgiveness. Teach us how to live in this marvellous world with love and respect for you and for your whole creation. Lord’s Prayer Readings – 2 Samuel 7: 1-14a Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56 Hymn 540 – I heard the voice of Jesus say Reflection When I lived in Israel, I was in the middle of a town, and there was a lot of noise. Traffic, horns hooting, the bustle of life. But Saturdays were different. There was no noise; you could even hear the water lapping on the lake. It was Shabbat, the Sabbath, the day of rest. Things got a bit busier later, but it was always a good feeling to feel peace. Maybe Sundays still have that quality in our villages, for it is quieter. Certainly, we need a day that is different. For Orthodox Jews, the Shabbat was a day of complete rest, and for some they couldn’t even switch on a light or cook a meal, for that would be work. They were following, albeit very strictly, the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. It was an important command, for it was given to the Israelites who had been slaves in Egypt and didn’t know what a day off was like, so the sabbath was really special – a day without work. Even those of us who are retired realise how difficult it can be to switch off and rest. It is of course made worse by these mobile phones that allow us to keep checking for emails and messages. I am very guilty of that. David in our Old Testament reading didn’t have a mobile phone, but he was always looking to the next project. He had become king, had established Jerusalem as his capital and next – he wanted to build a temple for God, to house the ark of the covenant. But in our passage this morning, God says ‘wait!’ That is for someone else to do. David had to learn patience and to leave that project, which his son Solomon would take on. There are some things which we leave to those who come after us. In the Gospels, the disciples had been sent out to teach and heal and spread the good news of God’s kingdom. They returned excited and full of stories – but also exhausted. Jesus says, ‘Come away to a deserted place and rest awhile’. What a lovely invitation. Imagine hearing these words and conjuring up the feelings of peace and quiet evoked. A chance to slow down and recharge our batteries and simply be. To rest. Especially after this year of pandemic, when our mental health has suffered and when even to get away can mean joining queues of cars at beauty spots or 6 hour queues at the airport if we ventured abroad, it is vital to rest. In the metrical 23rd Psalm, God ‘makes me to lie down in green pastures’. Come and rest. But the best laid plans…! The disciples didn’t quite get their rest, for as they sailed across the Lake, people watched where the boat was heading and immediately rushed round to get there ahead of them, such was the appeal, the draw of Jesus. People came with their needs, very real needs, and it was only Jesus who could address them, could give them peace in their souls. Looking at them, Jesus was filled with compassion. He couldn’t tell them to come back the next day or the next week. He was the Son of God and responds to the people with God’s love and grace. His compassion overrides his need to rest. However, that said, we do read of times when Jesus did go away to a quiet place, and we are encouraged to do likewise: to get off the treadmill of work and accumulation and take a step back to appreciate God and all God does in our lives. It is important to take time away from the clamour of the world and to find rest in God. Some find it good to take time in the morning or evening to pray and read a portion of the Bible or a book of meditations. For others they like to go away on retreat. For others still a walk in the countryside can recharge the batteries. But we do have to look after ourselves and replenish ourselves, for in order to give out and respond to the needs of others, we have to have something to give. So let us find that quiet centre in the crowded lives we lead and regain that balance between doing and renewing. Hymn 716 – Come and find the quiet centre (1,3) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Lord, you took your disciples away from the crowds to rest and find refreshment. But it was not always easy, because the crowds followed and made demands on your time. We pray for all those you have given the responsibility of leadership, especially in the Church. We ask that you enable them to find or regain a healthy balance amid the rhythm of life’s rushing and resting. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer We pray for all who are suffering because of climate change, and for all who are taking action and speaking out on behalf of your creation. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer We pray for all who are suffering because of the COVID 19 Pandemic: those who have lost loved ones, health, or livelihood. And all those who are having to find new rhythms of life at this time due to suffering long Covid. We pray that we may use the new lessening of restrictions coming into place this week wisely and be sensitive to one another’s needs. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer Lord Jesus, we rejoice that we are part of your worldwide family. Help us to faithfully proclaim your gospel on behalf of all people and to walk your way of sacrificial love through testing times, listening only to your voice as we speak your word. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer Heavenly Father we believe your touch has still its ancient power to heal and so we raise before you those who are sick in our Cheviot Churches community. We ask that you will ease their pain and heal the damage done to them in body, mind, or spirit. Be present with them through the support of friends and in the care of doctors and nurses, fill them with the warmth of your love. Be with all who mourn. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer In a moment of silence, we name before you now those who are particularly on our hearts this day Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer Amen. Hymn 702 – God in love and perfect wisdom (1,3) Benediction Go into the world to speak with courage. Go into the world to act with compassion. Go into the world to share the good news. And may God - Creator, Son and Spirit - inform and inspire our thinking, our speaking and our actions and bless us today, and every day to come. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 7th Sunday after Pentecost.
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Call to Worship The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. The world and those who live in it belong to God. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, who is strong and mighty! So lift up your heads and your hearts! Let us worship God in beauty and holiness. Hymn 212 – Morning has broken Prayers of Adoration and Confession Gracious God, source of life and love in all creation, in a world marked by bitterness, you are compassion. In a culture marked by confusion, you are light shining in the darkness. Your stillness is peace when we are frantic. Your strength is comfort when we are fearful. Your wisdom is guidance when we are lost. For all that you are and all that you give, O God, we offer you all honour, praise and worship, now and always. Loving God, in a world marked by self-indulgence, you are generosity for those in need. In a world marked by injustice, you are a conscience speaking to us. In a world marked by vengeance, you are mercy and reconciliation. Forgive our selfishness; our lack of concern for the vulnerable; and our desire to settle scores rather than work things out. Renew us with your mercy and strengthen our resolve to live generously, in action and in attitude. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and set free by God’s generous grace. Lord’s Prayer Readings – 2 Samuel 6: 12–19 Mark 6: 14-29 Hymn 65 – Jubilate Weekly Prayer Heavenly Father we thank you for the opportunity of being together in our Cheviot Churches. Thank you for your words which still inspire us today as they did our forefathers. As we look forward to the week to come, we pray for an awareness of your love and support in all we do. Amen Reflection Do you like to dance? It has been a while since we were able to, but perhaps – just perhaps – restrictions may be eased, and dancing will be given the go ahead. Some may like disco, but what I enjoy are ceilidhs and barndances, where there is a sense of coming together as a community and just having fun. All cultures have dancing, though I remember as a student meeting someone from Stornaway who disapproved entirely of dance and thought it the most sinful thing. Perhaps she had been reading the bible passages for today. In the Gospels we read of a dance that led to the death of John the Baptist, while in the Old Testament David dancing before the ark of the covenant brought the condemnation of his wife and soured relations between them. The Ark of the Covenant signified the presence of God and moved with the people. It was so holy that even to touch it meant death. David had made Jerusalem his capital and wanted to establish the ark there. So a political move, and as the ark was brought to the city, he danced in front of it, leaving little to the imagination. Now his wife was the daughter of Saul, and she had a good sense of decorum – the things you could and couldn’t do in polite society. And you didn’t dance like that. But David said that he was dancing to the glory of God, and in recent years liturgical dance has become popular. However, I think David was also trying to win over the crowd. He was courting popularity. He maybe lost his wife but he won over the people. He was a populist king. That could not have been said about Herod in Mark’s Gospel. If he wanted to curry the favour of the people, he would never have beheaded John the Baptist. This is a gruesome story, and as one commentator asked, ‘Where is the good news in this story?’. It is a story of self-interest, power and manipulation. Herod was the son of Herod the Great who tried to kill Jesus as a baby. He was ruler in the Galilee on behalf of the Romans and built the town of Tiberias on the shores of the sea of Galilee. BUT he had divorced his wife and married his brother’s wife, Herodias (the names get confusing!). They were all inter-related, and this brought the condemnation of John the Baptist. John spoke out against Herod for a number of reasons; he would have been a thorn in Herod’s side, I am sure, but the king was also fascinated by him, perhaps because of the hold he had on the people. He was popular, whereas Herod was not. But his speaking truth to power had led to his imprisonment. Then there was this birthday party, and Herod’s step-daughter danced. We call her Salome, because Josephus, a Jewish historian of the time, named her thus. We have the impression that she was a Mata Hari seductress, but quite probably she was young and being manipulated by her mother. So this is a tale of abuse as well. A drunken Herod was so taken that he promised her anything, and prompted by her mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist. The king was too weak to refuse. He preferred to save face rather than admit to a foolish promise. Where is the good news in this story? There is not a lot, and it is one of the few parts of the Gospel where Jesus is not mentioned. It is a horrible story, of a prophet killed on a whim; of a girl being exploited; of everyone out for themselves. You can only wonder how that kingdom was governed. Greed, abuse of power exploitation. Where might was right. Then you contrast the kingdom of God that Jesus was proclaiming, which was one of compassion and love, one of justice for all and breaking down barriers. Where the first would be last. No wonder Herod and Herodias wanted to silence such a kingdom. John was killed. Jesus would be killed. But the resurrection of Jesus was God saying an almighty Yes to the kingdom Jesus offered and where mercy and grace and compassion would be paramount. We live in a world of power, of corruption, of exploitation, but continue to work for God’s kingdom here on earth. So be it. Hymn 473 – They Kingdom come (1,4,5) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Generous God, we look around at the growth in gardens and fields this summer, and trust in the generosity you have planted within your creation. Bless the gifts we bring, that they too may grow in fruitfulness, and touch lives in need with your generous love. Today we pray for courageous leaders in cities, countries and congregations who strive to serve with integrity and honesty in a world prone to self-interest. We pray for those who struggle to create justice where it has been compromised, and to build reconciliation and understanding in divided communities. We pray for people of all ages trapped in toxic relationships. For victims of abuse. For the lonely and the elderly in our communities. All those whose vulnerability is exploited by the actions of others. We pray for the government and all those in power agonising over the timing of lifting all Covid restrictions. We pray for peacemakers everywhere. May they speak your truths and be heard. We pray for Afghanistan as troops prepare to leave. We pray for Nigeria where the number of student kidnappings by rebels keeps rising. We remember before you the sick and the dying, and the bereaved who must try to put their lives back together again. We pray for those who are recovering from the pandemic, looking for better health, a fresh start, more stability or a glimpse of hope. Draw close to all these who suffer, offering your comfort and courage to face whatever comes next. Silence Receive our prayers, both spoken and unspoken, and embrace us all in your love. Amen Hymn 710 – I have a dream (1,4,5) Benediction Go in peace and may the blessing of God, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit be with you and with all people, now and always. Amen  Good Morning and Welcome, Cheviot churches and to everyone joining our worship on this 6th Sunday after Pentecost.
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Call to Worship Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Beautiful in its loftiness, he joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon[b] is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. (Psalm 48) Hymn 457 All hail the power of Jesus name (Tune Miles Lane) verses 1,3 & 4. Prayers of Adoration and Confession. Gracious Father, we bless You. Thank You for being the King of Glory. Thank You for being our Father, Redeemer, Shepherd and King. Thank You for reconciling us back to You through Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We are thankful to You for the Holy Spirit who is the promised Advocate who empowers us to be effective witnesses to Your Kingdom here on earth. Thank You for loving us and watching over us. Lord, let all that we are praise You. Forgiving Father, forgive us as a Church Family for sins of pride, rebellion, disobedience, selfishness. Lord, forgive us for half-hearted worship. Forgive us for disrespecting Your Name and treating You irreverently. Forgive those who choose to not bless and honour You. Lord Jesus, forgive those who take Your sacrifice for granted. Holy Spirit, forgive those who do not acknowledge You or Your presence in their daily lives. Thank you that when we confess our sins you freely forgive us. The Lord’s prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen Readings – Samuel 5: 1 – 5, and 9 – 10. Mark 6: 1 – 13. HYMN – 351 Jesus hands were kind hands 2 verses Jesus did not come to make life easy; he came to make people great. Reflection David becomes King over Israel – The representatives of the various tribes cite three reasons for recognising David as their King: -
Jesus Christ who was described as the son of David, the son of Abraham also began His ministry at the age of 30. Only Christ Jesus, great David's greater Son, fulfills this prophecy recorded in psalm 72. Only Jesus brings perfect justice, a universal kingdom, and an everlasting reign. “1 give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! In stark contrast to the story from Mark’s gospel St John reminds us that 11 He (JESUS) came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. (John 1:11-12) Today's Gospel lesson is made up of two quite distinct parts.
The first is a story of failure. After initial enthusiasm, the people of Jesus' hometown, turned against him. He was, Mark tells us in verse 5, "unable to do any miracles there." But the second scene is a story of success. The disciples, again Mark tells us, cast out many demons, and they anointed many sick people and healed them." Isn't that odd? Jesus, who up to this point in Mark’s Gospel, had been teaching with power, healing, and casting out demons, could do nothing, while the disciples who are so often missing the point, even missing in action, are powerful and effective. The two parts are so different and their difference so unexpected that it will come as no surprise that many commentators urge us to pick one of the two stories or parts to examine at a time --- not both . . . Still, they stand together . . . perhaps there is a reason for that? Maybe Mark was onto something? Together these two scenes have something to tell us, not only about God and God's power, but about our part in God's power. Together they tell us about the power of faith and also something about the power of disobedience. Together they tell us something about what happens when ego and pride get in the way--when we get in the way--and what happens when hope, faith and expectation clear the way, and God takes central place. The journalist Tom Friedman once told a story in order to explain why the Middle East peace process seems so frequently stuck. It was a story about a man named Goldberg. Every week when the results of the lottery were announced, Goldberg prayed to God, "God, why don't I ever win the lottery? What have I done wrong? I've been a good man. Why shouldn't I win?" Again, next week the lottery winner was announced and again Goldberg was disappointed and he cried out to God. "What will it take, Lord? I am a righteous man, an honorable man, a hard-working man. Would it be so hard for you, just once, to let me win the lottery?" The clouds parted, the heavens opened and a voice came forth out of the heavens. The voice said, "Goldberg, give me a chance--buy a ticket!" Two stories, two distinct stories, set cheek by jowl. In one they bought the ticket. In the other they refused. But why? Why did they refuse? Let's look at that first story, part one of our text, Jesus' visit to his own hometown. We might imagine that now things would go well. We might assume that here Jesus would be received with joy and affirmation by those who knew him well. And initially he was. The people of Nazareth, those who had known Jesus as a boy and young man were surprised--astonished--by his wisdom and power. But quickly their surprise turned to offense. "Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son? And they took offense at him." When Jesus was rejected in Nazareth, He did not--though it must have been painful for him--reject them in turn. He did not take offense. He only sadly shook his head and then moved on. He moved on, sending his disciples out, two by two, to preach, to heal and to teach. He said something interesting to them: they were to travel light, to "take nothing for the journey" but the clothes on their backs. The rejection at Jesus’ hometown synagogue did not hinder the mission for long. In fact, it may have given impetus to the commissioning of the twelve for their first assignment. This was why Jesus had chosen “twelve” in chapter 3. Since that point, they were preparing for their own mission. In chapter 4, Jesus taught about the nature of God’s reign, providing private instruction for them. In chapter 5, Jesus performed liberating acts for them to witness. Finally, just before he sent them out, the mission experienced unexpected rejection, as a signal of what was to be expected in their work in the movement. In these times of change and challenge for the church or in times of challenge in our personal lives, God may be telling us to "lighten our load," even helping us to do so. God is calling us to let go of some weighty assumptions about how we have always done things. God is telling us, like that once prominent church, to leave behind those big, bulky suitcases stuffed full of "pride" and "ego." Maybe God is asking us to surrender some truly heavy stuff--like the old conflicts we've been bearing or the grudges we've been nursing? God is using this time of challenge and change to strip these things from us so that we might travel light again, relying upon God's power alone to guide us and trusting God's grace to uphold us. Jesus Christ is here now--, in our church, in our community, in each one of our lives. Will we receive him? Will we buy the ticket? The price of a ticket is . . . faith, wild, risky faith, bold, trusting faith in the power of God in Jesus Christ who makes all things new. Weekly Prayer Faithful God we pray for ourselves; as we go from our worship today to start the week ahead, we ask that in all we do, we may walk more closely with you at our side safe in the knowledge that your Fatherly love and care knows no bounds. Amen Hymn - 255 Father hear the prayer we offer. verses 1 & 2 Prayers of thanksgiving and Intercession Let us join our hearts and minds in prayer. Almighty God, we give thanks for your gentle and enduring love which never fails and always gives hope. We pray for the world, and for all those who are affected by this pandemic, particularly those more vulnerable in poorer countries. We pray for those who do not have access to clean water, soap and sanitation; those without good healthcare, and families who are struggling to find food. Grant our leaders the gifts of courage, compassion and wisdom as they face such challenging circumstances and decision making. We pray for our scientists as they work tirelessly to find answers. We particularly remember those in hospital and in care homes. We pray for everyone who is sick, or afraid for the future; for those who are bereaved and grieving, or isolated and we also pray for all who support them. God be their healer, their comforter and their protection. We think of our own community and pray for your guidance to be good neighbours; so that no one feels lonely, forgotten or unloved. Raise up your church to be your well washed hands and faithful feet, to respond with love in action. So let us pause for a few moments as we remember and pray for those known to ourselves …... Silence. Amen Hymn – 529 Forth in your name, O Lord I go. verses 1 and Benediction May the strength of God sustain us; may the power of God preserve us; may the hands of God protect us; may the way of God direct us; may the love of God go with us this day and forever. Amen.  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this 5th Sunday after Pentecost. Notices:
Call to Worship Out of the depths we cry to the Lord. We wait for the Lord and find hope in God’s Word. Hope in the Lord! For with God there is steadfast love. With God there is great power to redeem. So we come to offer our prayers and praise to God in whom we trust. Hymn 124 – Praise to the Lord Prayers of Adoration and Confession Great and holy God, source of our life and all life,your glory is incomprehensible and your majesty infinite. You are the wellspring of new life and the fountain of true freedom.We marvel at your love, beyond all measure;we are challenged by your kindness which reaches further than we can imagine.We worship you in gratitude,offering you our praise with the voices of all creation,and our trust because you have come to close to us in Christ Jesus.Receive our love and loyalty, now and always,offered through the Spirit who prays within us. Great and merciful God, our judge and our hope,We confess we have sinned against you and one another, in the ways we think, the things we say and the things we do.We have been quick to judge others, but less critical of our own actions.We focus on what we lack rather than recognize how blessed we are..In your tender mercy, O God, forgive what we have been, amend what we are, and direct who we shall become, through the grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord.Lord’s Prayer Readings – 2 Samuel 1: 17–27 Mark 5:21–43 Hymn 553 – Just as I am Weekly Prayer Merciful God, today's gospel showed the tremendous faith of a sick woman. Help us to learn from this “that we should always pray and not give up” and that if we “ask it will be given to us.” We raise before you now all those who we know who need to touch the hem of Jesus' garments and receive health and healing in their lives. Amen Reflection One of my favourite churches in the Holy Land is not one of the ancient ones, but a new one, which I watched being constructed wile I lived there. It is on the Sea of Galilee, and the communion table is actually in the shape of a fishing boat. It is dedicated to the women of the Gospels, and there is a large mural across one wall of feet. In fact, many feet in sandals and the hems of peoples’ robes, and in the middle a hand is reaching out, as if to touch the hem of a garment. It is of course representing the story we read in the Gospels today. There are three main characters in the story: there is Jairus, the leader of the synagogue – a powerful, influential, probably wealthy man. There is the unnamed woman, who for 12 years had a bleeding complaint, which was distressing enough physically, but which also meant she was unclean. She couldn’t mix with other people, so was cut off, ostracized from her community. The third character is Jairus’ daughter, a 12 year old girl, at the cusp of life, but who was gravely ill. All very different, and all very vulnerable in their own ways. For Jairus, no amount of power or wealth could buy his daughter’s health, and like any parent faced with a grave illness of one of their children, he was desperate. In Samuel we read the lament after the death of Saul and Jonathan in battle. How are the mighty fallen! Saul had everything, riches, prestige, power, but his son Jonathan lay dead on the field, and in defeat Saul falls on his sword. Jairus came as the last resort to Jesus, putting aside any suspicion he might have about the young rabbi, to plead for help, and Jesus responded with compassion and came straight away. BUT as they made their way to Jairus’ house, a crowd of people around them, Jesus suddenly stopped. Someone had touched him, and he had felt power drain from him. It was the woman. She had spent all her money on quacks, and Jesus was her last resort. She was unclean so couldn’t approach him, but felt if she could just touch him, all would be well. It was – but he noticed and called her out, and from being on the fringes, she ended up in centre stage, all eyes on her. But Jesus blessed her with shalom – with the peace that contained all the wholeness she longed for. Not only freedom from her bleeding, but acceptance into her community. Though there is a difference from being accepted and belonging. One disabled woman felt very much included when she went to church; people were very kind. But through the week, she never had any contact and did not quite feel she belonged. It might still take the woman who had had the bleeding time to belong Jairus must have been frustrated by the delay, as Jesus healed the woman – his daughter was desperately ill after all. And his worst fears were realised, when news came that she had died. But Jesus still went and taking her by the hand, he said ‘Rise, my daughter’ – Talitha Kumi in Aramaic. So tender. She got up, healed, and was restored to her parents. In this story touch is so important. The touch of the Jesus’ robe by the woman, Jesus holding the girl’s hand and raising her up. Of course, it is something we can’t do, and even after the 9th August, I am sure we will still be wary about touching others. But Jesus also touched them with his compassion and with God’s love and brought wholeness and well-being. That we can do, for we can embrace God’s way of thinking and bring those on the fringes of our society to centre stage and offer God’s shalom to all. Hymn 718 – We cannot measure Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Compassionate God, we offer you our gifts with grateful hearts, glad to know you keep reaching out to us and the world you love. Bless what we bring to you, and use us and our gifts to touch the world with your healing grace through Christ, our Saviour and friend. Lord Jesus Christ, You are our source of peace and healing, and we are grateful. Today we pray for each one who faces choices and decisions about their health—for those trying to follow good diets and to exercise enough; for all waiting for appointments or wondering if they should make another; and for all facing pain or anxiety after the months of pandemic… (Pause) Lord Jesus Christ: You are our source of wisdom and generosity, and we are grateful. Today we pray for each one facing choices and decisions about finances-- for those struggling with bills and budgets; for those torn between covering necessities and enjoying a treat; for those who want to be generous and yet feel overwhelmed by all the need. (Pause) Lord Jesus Christ, you are our source of love and forgiveness, and we are grateful. Today we pray for each one facing choices and decisions about their relationships. We pray for people we ought to contact but just haven’t; for those with whom we feel a grievance and have been avoiding; and for those we miss dearly and need to tell how much we cherish them. (Pause) Lord Jesus Christ: you are the source of rest and right relationship for God’s whole creation. We pray for the earth, its many creatures and habitats competing for survival, for its scarce resources and its abundant beauty. Silence Amen Hymn 561 – Blessed Assurance Benediction Go in peace and may the blessing of God, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit be with you and with all people, now and always. Amen  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on this Sanctuary Sunday, when our focus is on refugees.
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Call to Worship We are gathered for worship today in the name of God who takes care of every creature as a father and as a mother; Who in Jesus Christ is on the side of the weak; Who in his Holy Spirit gives us the capacity to give solidarity to those who suffer and welcome the vulnerable. We believe that our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth for that we bless His name forever. Hymn 195 – Here to the house of God we come (1,2,4) Prayers of Adoration and Confession Holy and gracious God, We live in a world of wonder, conceived by your divine imagination. The universe is your creation born out of love and generosity. Hallowed by your name. Through centuries of thought and searching, through law and wisdom, insight and experience, your will and purpose were gradually glimpsed until, in Jesus, all that was hidden was revealed, and you let earth be touched by heaven. Hallowed by your name. In the beauty of the earth; in the silence of our hearts; in the community of the church and in our worship we offer, may your name be hallowed. God of Wholeness, we come before you as your children needing your forgiveness and your help. If we have desired comfort more than devotion. Forgive us. If we have worshipped lesser gods and gone for an easier gospel. Forgive us If we have limited our company to those like ourselves and restricted our conversation to matters of no consequence. If we have compromised our integrity. Forgive us and make us whole. You are beloved children of God. There is nothing you can do, no place you can go, where God cannot find you, comfort you, heal and love you. Live in God’s forgiveness and grace. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Job 38: 1-11 Mark 4: 35-41 Hymn 259 – Beauty for brokenness (1,3,5) Weekly Prayer Gracious God, help us to know that the one who calmed the waves on the Sea of Galilee is present with us day by day and that He cares for us and can speak to us out of the storms that engulf our lives from time to time. Help us to trust Him more fully and listen to His voice in the days and weeks ahead. Amen. Reflection A question. What do these people all have in common? Freddie Mercury, Olivia Newton-John, Madeleine Albright, David Miliband, Jesus, Albert Einstein, Ncuti Gatwa, Marlene Dietrich and Victor Hugo? The answer - all of them were refugees or born to refugees. Yet all of them have made an impact on society through politics, literature, the arts – or by redeeming the world in Jesus’ case! Throughout history many people have had to leave their homeland to live in other lands. For some it has been economic reasons, and they have gone to work or because they were in the army. For some it was faith, and so many missionaries went abroad, often realising they would never see their homeland again. Others were forced out. The Highland clearances meant whole communities leaving for North America to make way for sheep – or the potato famine in Ireland led to many sailing the Atlantic. Yet they lamented their forced departure and would keep alive the traditions of the homeland. Today, apparently more than at any other time of history, so many have had to become migrants and refugees. Many forced to leave their homeland for economic reasons or because of climate change – their land is no longer productive. For many, it is because of war or oppression or torture. They fear for their lives, and so they make often hazardous journeys, seeking a safe place. Today is Sanctuary Sunday. A sanctuary is a safe place. The Old Testament has sanctuary cities, places to go if you were in trouble of any kind, and there you would be safe. No-one could touch you. Similarly, churches or monasteries often provided sanctuary, and today in Cairo, when refugees entered the gates of St Andrew’s Church, they felt they were in a safe place away from discrimination and insult. Sanctuary Sunday is a time to reflect on those seeking a safe place away from violence and fear. One of the abiding images of refugees in recent times is of a small boat packed to the gunnels with refugees in orange lifejackets, crossing the Mediterranean - or seeking to cross, as often they did not make it! It is appropriate that our Gospel reading focussed on the storm. Jesus and the disciples had got into a boat to cross to the other side of the Lake, and we are told there were several other boats with them. A flotilla. At least some of the disciples were seasoned fishermen, used to the vagaries of the weather. But even they were worried, when a terrible storm was unleashed. Waves pounding, gales howling. They feared for their lives. But meanwhile, Jesus was asleep. ‘Do you not care that we die’, they asked, as they shook him awake. But Jesus rose and speaking with an amazing authority, he said ‘Be still’, and the wind and waves obeyed him. In our first reading we read how Job wanted an answer to why he had suffered so much, but was put firmly in his place by God, who said, ‘Where were you when I made the earth, when I made the sea and set its bounds?’ Jesus certainly puts the sea in its place and tells it, ‘Here and no further’. Afterwards they continued their journey to the other side and safety. People long for a safe place. One of my friends is Ghiath, who is a Syrian living in Egypt. His mother, brother and sister are still in Damascus, while another brother is in Sudan. His father died last year, and he might not see his mother again, though he speaks to her every day by phone. But he has found a job and a place to live in Cairo, and he has friends there. It is, just now, a safe place. The Bible from beginning to end tells us to welcome the stranger and alien and to offer hospitality. We have to recognise our common humanity and seek to provide places where all caught in the storms of life can feel safe, but also work to make a world where so many are not forced to leave their homes. Litany of Justice Reader: Jesus said,” I was hungry and you gave me food.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “I was naked and you gave me clothing.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “I was sick and you took care of me.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “I was in prison and you visited me.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. Reader: Jesus said, “In as much as you did to one of those considered to the least important, you did it to me.” Made in the Image of God, All: We see the face of Christ in all. We go from here to see and serve Christ in all. Amen. Hymn 623 – Here in this place (1,2) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Gracious and merciful God, we pray for all families and individuals who have left or fled their country, their land, their homes, seeking safer and better lives. We lift up to You their hopes and dreams, their fears and anxieties, and all their needs and necessities, that they may be protected on their journeys, their dignity and rights may be fostered, honoured and upheld, and they may be welcomed with open arms into generous and compassionate communities. God of family, we bring before You the parents who are weeping and lamenting, who are waiting for their children, whose trace is lost in the sea, in the desert, on railway tracks, in shipping containers and uncertainty: men, women and children who had escaped from the war zones, the famine and poverty of this world , with the hope for a better, safer life. God of justice, we bring before You political leaders, advisers and decision-makers who hold the fate of others in their hands. May they be aware of the causes of migration and flight and may their decisions be guided by solidarity and compassion. We remember in prayer today: those whose businesses are sinking... those drowning in debt... those going under with stress... We pray for those embroiled in stormy and violent relationships, among and within nations, communities, and families... those played out on the world's stage... those hidden behind closed doors… Silence Amen Hymn 547 – What a friend (1,3) Benediction May God who is light shine in our darkness. May God who is love be the love between us. May God who is life be our life everlasting. And the blessing of God, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit be with you and with all people, now and always. Amen.  Welcome, Cheviot churches! We worship together on the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost.
Notices
Call to Worship We meet in the name of God, the Holy Trinity of Love who knows our needs, hears our cries, feels our pain, and heals our wounds. God is our light and our salvation. May our hearts be open to you, O God, now and always Hymn 192 – All my hope on God is founded Prayers of Adoration and Confession Living God,from you comes vitality, love and joy.Your peace is our companion, your love is our strength, your Son is our hope.In even our darkest moments, your presence brings comfort.Hidden deep in the soil of life, your Spirit nurtures tiny seeds of purpose and potentialto surprise us with new life.Like the earth beginning to bloom around us, so your kingdom unfolds to surprise us with new possibilities.We bring you our prayers and praise this day and we adore you But we confess that we do not always follow your guidance, we do not always listen to what Jesus told us and we do not use the gifts from the Spirit. We leave our gifts unopened, unexplored, unused because of selfishness and fear. When our thoughts are muddied, help us find the still small voice that is yours so that we can better listen and act. Help us face our fears, so that we can fully utilise the gifts you have bestowed upon us, so that we become more fully the people you have called us to be. Enable us to unpack the gifts so that they and we can benefit the whole of humanity and creation. Forgive us and help us to be more open to you and others. Declaration of Forgiveness The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and of love. God forgives all who humbly repent and trust in God’s Son as Saviour and Lord. God has forgiven us, and we are one in Christ. Lord’s Prayer Readings - 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13 Mark 4:26–34 Hymn 535 – Who would true valour see Weekly Prayer Gracious God, we ask you to lead us into the coming week. Help us to believe that you are close by us, and keep us from making mistakes. May we never disappoint you and may the seeds that are being planted in our Churches each week grow into branches that reach out into every part of our community. Amen Reflection The Galilee Consultant Agency had a thriving business in the 1st Century Capernaum. They could help you find a market for your fish or olives in Rome, find a position for your son in the Temple establishment or even on the tentmaking course the Romans had just introduced. But then a young rabbi came to them, asking them to assess his leadership team and see who had the potential to take over when the time came for him to step aside. When the report came back, it made depressing reading. Matthew had previously been a tax collector collaborating with the Romans, so was unlikely to be popular with the locals. Thomas couldn’t stop asking question and expressed doubts over the vision of the enterprise. James and John were over-ambitious, reliant on their mother and not team-players. Andrew was a good middle man but deferred to his brother too much. Mary Magdalene had too much history and as a woman would not be a popular choice to head such a project. Simon Peter was impulsive and too ready to rush headlong into projects without critical analysis. But there was one name that the Galilee Consultant Agency could recommend. Judas Iscariot had contacts in high places, had good financial acumen and was able to plan ahead. He would make, in their view, an ideal successor to the young rabbi. I think Jesus would have simply filed it away and forgot about it! It is interesting who Jesus chose to be his followers. He could have chosen better, but this ragtag group with all their flaws managed to turn the world upside down. God is certainly a God of surprises. We found that in the Old Testament reading. The Israelites had wanted a king, and Saul had been chosen. But Saul had disappointed, and Samuel the prophet (with God doing the prodding!) went behind his back to anoint someone else. He was playing a dangerous game, as his life wouldn’t be worth living if Saul found out. The sons of Jesse were duly paraded before him, and each time he thought, ‘This must be the one’. Tall, handsome, charismatic, the Galilee Consultant Agency would have snapped them up in an instance. But God said NO. There was still one son out in the fields, young and ruddy. Not the first choice, but that is the very one God chose, and he would go on to make such an impact, he would be the king by whom all other kings would be measured, would be compared. Like the disciples, he was not without his flaws, and he had major ones, but even when this warrior-dancer- lover-psalmist king fell short, God still provided for Israel. God chooses the unexpected. In the Gospels, we read the parable of the mustard seed, the smallest seed of all. Looking at it, you would not expect too much, yet it grew into a bush, where birds would even make their nests. God makes use of the unlikely. In Cornwall the G7 are meeting – and they are not small, not mustard seeds, and the decisions they will take will not be small, but perhaps they will be unexpected. Maybe they will not look inwards, but look outwards. Maybe they will work for a greater global equality. Maybe they will ensure the Covid vaccine is made available to all in the world. Maybe they will lay the groundwork for COP 26 and tackle the effects of climate change in the Global South. And we can be involved to, making small steps, for small steps make bigger journeys. God has a tendency to use the unlikely - youngest sons like Joseph or the Moabite migrant called Ruth or Samaritans or Ethiopian eunuchs to fulfil his purpose. Paul says God takes the weak and foolish to shame the wise. We are all part of that history too. None of us are perfect, but we come just as we are, and God can use us to build the Kingdom. We have to be open to the Spirit’s leading and be surprised by God. Hymn 615 – Holy Spirit, ever living Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession God of small seeds and secret growth, we bring our gifts to you, trusting that you will bless them. Use them as seeds of new life in our community and in your world. Grow results we cannot even imagine—within us, among us, because of us and beyond us, for the sake of Christ, our Living Lord. God of the rich and the poor, of the powerful and the vulnerable, we pray for the leaders of the G7 nations meeting in Cornwall, for the people they govern, for the people of other nations they can support, and for the world they can protect through their decisions. May wisdom be planted, generosity grow, and co-operation flourish. We pray for a growth in resilience, awareness and togetherness across all the nations of the world as they continue to tackle the covid pandemic, as they confront environmental issues. and as they reach out to communities crippled by need, war and natural disasters. May integrity be planted, urgency grow and healing flourish. We pray for the church in this place and around the world as we seek to serve those around us, to reach out to those in trouble, and to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. May faith be planted, compassion grow and hope flourish. We bring before you the poor, hungry and neglected, both here in the U.K. and around the world. Prick the consciousness of the privileged and legislators so that they hear the cries and feel compelled to bring about real change. May faith be planted, compassion grow and hope flourish. We hold before you O God, those who are sick, injured and dying. We thank you for giving knowledge to doctors, nurses, medical staff and scientists so that disease and illness can be tackled. We hold before you those who mourn the loss of loved ones. Silence Amen Hymn 352 – O for a thousand tongues to sing Benediction Now go in peace, Go with eyes of faith Go with hearts filled with compassion and love Go with hands ready to help lift up the broken and the blessing of God Almighty, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer be with you, now and forevermore Amen |
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