 Resting on Anne's seat above Halterburn (having only just started the walk). Saturday 30th of September saw a small (but intrepid) group from Cheviot Churches meet on the green at Kirk Yetholm to take part in a sponsored walk. We headed over into Halterburn, then along to Yetholm Mains and Venchen, over Venchen hill and then down to Cherrytrees ... finally back to Yetholm. The walk was seven miles all told. The skies were grey, though in many ways that meant conditions were ideal for a long(ish) walk - in any case, whatever the weather, the views were glorious. Having completed the 14 mile Kiltwalk just the previous Saturday our minister took it all in his stride, though for some reason he didn't give the sermon on the following day from the pulpit - perhaps ascending the pulpit stairs was a step too much? We were all slightly diasppointed that he wasn't wearing a kilt either.  Climbing the hill above Venchen farm - Yetholm and Staerough in the distance.  Another view from above Venchen - looking north towards England. Many thanks to Simon Oldham, who organised the event (and provided scones) and to Amanda Barnes, who gave us a cup of tea and some apple cake at Cherrytrees House, before we set off on the final stretch back home.  Heading down to Cherrytrees - Yetholm Loch visible in the distance.
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 9.00am in a grey Edinburgh morning with 15 miles to walk! Rev Colin was participating in the Kiltwalk again to raise money for Christian Aid. He started in Musselburgh, before walking along Portobello Prom  through Leith and Granton to Silverknowes. The sun was now shining and the rainjacket taken off. It would have been good to stop at 10 miles, but he managed to walk on to Murrayfield to complete the challenge and be presented with his medal. His feet are tender and two toes seem discoloured, but there is a sense of accomplishment, not least from knowing that Christian Aid will benefit as they seek to bring hope to the disadvantaged and strive for a fairer world. He has so far raised £940 before Gift Aid with some monies still to come in.  The Finish line!
 On Saturday 26th Colin + a couple of members of the congregation joined a group from the wider presbytery to walk the first part of the St Cuthbert's way. This 'Pilgrimage Taster' was organised by Rev. Peter Wood, the Lothian/Borders Presbytery Mission Officer. The day began with torrential rain and the start of the walk was delayed while we waited for the downpour to stop. Stop it did, though, and the while we ascended the Eildons we were rewarded with some spectacular views of the Tweed Valley - including a rainbow over distant Galashiels. From then on the walk progressed through a sodden, but glorious landscape. We had a break at Bowden kirk and then, after a trek alongside a turbulent river Tweed, arrived at at St Boswell's kirk hall for a final cup of tea.  Rainbow over Gala.  A pause for prayer on the saddle of the Eildons.  Nativity scene window in Bowden kirk.  On the evening of Sunday 20th August Cheviot Churches held a Songs of Praise service on the village green in Kirk Yetholm. In a summer that has been characterised by rather dreary weather we were blessed with sunshine.   Yetholm kirk was crowded with visitors on Sunday 11th June for the Kirkin' of the Bari Gadgi and the Bari Manushi - see photo above, with this year's Gadgi, Angus Wauchope, and Manushi, Gemma Litster, in the Yetholm colours of green and yellow. Also with them are the principals from Berwick, Coldstream and Duns. The photograph below shows Angus and Gemma with some of Yetholm's previous principals, who were also at the service. Carol Butler, Kirk Elder, is standing beside Angus - she (Carol Harvey, as she then was) was Bari Manushi in 1962 - see newspaper cutting. After the service, which finished with the Yetholm anthem, there was opportunity to chat and remember previous celebrations.     On Monday 22nd May, Cheviot Churches were visited by Lord Hodge, the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly (above, right - with the First Minister, Humza Yousaf, and the Rev. Sally Foster-Fulton, the Moderator). Lord Hodge attends the General Assembly as the personal representative of His Majesty King Charles III. On Monday 22nd Lord Hodge took time off to visit us here in the Cheviot Hills. A cavalcade of black cars accompanied by police motorcycles pulled up at the cemetery on the Morebattle Road. Lord Hodge was met there by our minister, representatives of the Churches Together St Cuthbert's Way Group and members of the congregation. Pulling on walking boots, Lord Hodge and his party walked along St Cuthbert's Way to the kirk. At the kirk there was a buffet and Lord Hodge and his wife had a chance to meet members of the Yetholm area community, including school children and this years' Bari Manushi Gemma Lister. It was nice to know that our small parish is not entirely overlooked by the General Assembly as they wrestle with the major issues that the kirk today has to face. We hope Lord Hodge took away pleasant memories of his visit to us - despite the rather grey weather - perhaps he'll be back to walk the entire route!?  On the bridge over the Bowmont Water.     
Call to Worship God is our Rock and our Fortress. In God, we find refuge and strength. God’s house has many dwelling places. We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Christ himself has gone to prepare a place for us. For us, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. So let us worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Hymn 200 – Christ is made the sure foundation Prayers of Approach and Confession Steadfast God, you are our refuge in times of trouble, our shelter when we are afraid, and our dwelling place forever. In you alone we place our trust for you set the way before in Christ Jesus and your Spirit gives us courage to follow him. And so we offer you our worship and love as the Source of life for the world, as the Son who preached the truth of grace and mercy, and the Spirit who guides us this day and always. Steadfast God, we confess Jesus as the way, the truth and the life for us, yet we often fail to follow him, we have too often gone our own way, distorted the truth and led lesser lives. Forgive us for falling short of your purpose for our lives. Give us courage to follow Jesus, who continues to show us the way. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Know that, in Christ, you are forgiven. Accept God’s grace and forgiveness this day and extend it to others for Jesus’ sake. Lord’s Prayer Readings – 1 Peter 2:2-10 (Pg 1218) John 14:1-14 (Pg 1082) Hymn SGP 45 - Majesty Weekly Prayer Risen and reigning Lord, assure our troubled hearts that you have gone to prepare a place for us, so that where you are, we may be also. You alone are the way, the truth, and the life by whom the Father comes to us, so that through you, we have seen him and know him. Amen Sermon I am sure many of you watched the Coronation yesterday and would have been impressed by the pageantry. We do it very well. There is the pomp which is so dignified; our eyes feast on the colour and finery; there is the music, which reaches the sublime; but also there are intimate moments, when oaths are taken and private prayers said. It was also an inclusive event, with different sections of the community taking part, and I liked especially the different faith communities having their role. Then there were the various pieces of regalia and indeed furnishings, each with their story. Like the Stone of Scone. I remember as a child poring over a book called ‘Scotland’s Story’, which had a chapter each on the main events of Scotland’s history. It mentioned of course the Stone of Destiny, on which the monarchs of Scotland were anointed and which the author claimed was the very stone which Jacob used as his pillow at Bethel when he had his dream of the angels, ascending and descending the ladder in the sky (Door at Linton). The stone was recently transferred to London for the coronation, though I haven’t read of the Bethel link in any of the newspaper articles. It got me thinking about stones. Stones can be used for good or for ill. They can be destructive. In Acts of the Apostles we read that Stephen was stoned to death, the first Christian martyr. We are conscious that stoning is still carried out in some countries today. But our reading from 1 Peter mentions stones in a more positive light. Jesus is referred to as the cornerstone, which was the most important stone of all. It was the stone, in the construction of a building, by which all the other stones were aligned and measured, so that the house or temple would be built properly and not fall down if the earth were ever to tremor. We are therefore encouraged to align ourselves to the ways of Christ, who is the cornerstone of our faith. Only by looking at the example of Christ can we measure our lives well. Stones! When I lived in Israel & Palestine, the local Christians called themselves the ‘living stones’. So many pilgrims would come to the Holy Land to look at all the old stones of churches and ruins but often ignored the present-day church there, which was very frustrating. But the Christians saw themselves as alive and living out the Gospel in the 21st Century. The church wasn’t fossilised but alive and with something to say. The people that Peter addressed his letter to were being viewed with suspicion and hostility. They needed to reshape their identity. Peter encourages them to look to Jesus as the cornerstone, giving foundation to the building, but also be the stones to build the church. Strangely enough, the second sermon I ever preached was on this text from 1 Peter 2: 9-10 as a student on a gap year in Israel. ‘You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation a people acceptable to God, who calls you out of the darkness into his marvellous light’. It is wonderfully affirming. They were lifted up and called chosen and holy and acceptable to God. All attributes they would doubtless have refused –‘Who? Us?- , but in Christ they are transformed and empowered to change the world, to build the church. They had been living in darkness but now lived in the light of God. We too are chosen by God who calls us from darkness into his marvellous light. We see this from the Gospel reading, where Jesus addresses the disciples. Their feet have been washed, they have shared a supper together, Judas has slipped away, and Jesus speaks intimately to them and tells them, ‘if you know me, you know my Father’. When I was in Dunkeld recently, a couple of the ministers had known my father, and they said they saw the family likeness in me. I am conscious of thinking of phrases he used to say. Often we say it of babies or children, that they look like one parent or the other, but maybe you have been told you bear the family likeness. Does King Charles bear the family likeness? Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father, and Jesus says that he is in the Father and the Father in him. The invisible God is embodied in Jesus. He is saying, Look at me. If you see me, you will see the Father. We should therefore look to Jesus to see how to act, how to behave, how to think and how to speak. We are encouraged to bear the family likeness to Jesus by living out his ways. That way, we can be the building blocks of which the Church is made. We too can be living stones ever building the church where we are. Hymn 642 – Ye that know the Lord is gracious Prayers of Dedication and Intercession Generous God, we bless you for life renewed through Christ’s love and through springtime growth in fields and gardens. Use the gifts we offer to bring hope and renewal to the world you love in the name of Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen Lord Jesus You call us to be a holy nation, your own people, to proclaim your mighty acts. We ask your blessing on your Church and the congregation to which we belong. We hold before you the fabric of our community: schools and business, community organisations, and all people who live and work here… (brief silence) Give us eyes to see where you are, that we may be with you there, offering our lives in service in your name. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Lord Jesus You speak peace to troubled disciples. As we look at your world, there are many things which trouble our hearts. So we pray for the people of Sudan and Ukraine, and all who live in the shadow of war and violence. Be with all who are forced to flee their home and country and grant that they may find a safe dwelling place. Give your peace to families who have been separated because of war and those who are worried for their loved ones. Guide all who are working to find peaceful solutions to these and other conflicts and bless all who risk their own lives to bring aid, support and medical supplies. We hold before you all in our country who struggle to make ends meet and who are concerned about their future. We pray for those who work in the NHS and in other public services. Amid ongoing strike action and conversations we pray for a recognition of the dignity and value of work and for constructive discussions. (brief silence) Lord, shine your light on our society that your justice, love and compassion may be reflected in our common life and institutions. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. On this Coronation weekend, we give thanks for King Charles III and his dedication to the wellbeing of your people throughout the world and to care for the environment. Bless him and Queen Camilla with faithfulness and wisdom, that their reign may advance unity and peace among all peoples and justice and equity for the most vulnerable. Lord Jesus, You are our servant king. As Charles begins his new reign as King, we pray for all who are holding community celebrations this weekend – Lord; bring joy and a closer connection to those in our neighourhoods. We pray that the coronation will be a time for many to renew their commitment to serve you, Jesus, as their Lord and lead to a fresh commitment to serve neighbours in need. Lord, Jesus, we seek our refuge in you, trusting that you hear us when we cry out to you. We hold before you the people and the places that are on our minds today, praying for your love and peace for them. Amen Hymn 198 – Let us build a house Benediction 
Call to Worship God, our Shepherd, offers us abundant life. God, you are with us! God, our Shepherd, leads us by still waters. God, restore our souls! God, our Shepherd, walks with us through every dark valley. God, we will not be afraid! Hymn 14 – the Lord’s my shepherd Prayers of Approach and Confession Lord of love, we come trusting that your love has the power to defeat evil in the world. Jesus shows us that your love defeats even the power of death. You are with us through the darkest valleys so that we are not afraid. We worship you with glad hearts, praising you in the name of our Risen Lord, praying with the breath of your Spirit in us. Renew our strength and courage to face whatever each day holds, so our lives will bring you honour and glory now and always. God of love, we confess that too often we let the events around us shatter our trust in your love. When terror strikes and innocents fall, we wonder if love can defeat violence. When truth gets lost among misleading claims, we wonder if love can prevail over lies. Forgive us, God, when we lose our trust in the power of your love so soon after it raised Jesus from death’s grip. The Apostle Paul asked: What will separate us from the love of Christ? Hardship? Distress? Peril or sword? No! he declared. Neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Let us rejoice that, no matter what is happening around us, God’s gracious and forgiving love will never let us go Lord’s Prayer Readings – 1 Peter 2: 19-25 (pg 1218) John 10: 1-10 (pg 1076) Hymn 416 – Christ is alive Weekly Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, you are our Shepherd, and we pray that you will protect us from all danger by keeping watch over us. Guide us towards green pastures, where we can be nourished by your word which stands forever and lead us to pure still waters, where we can be refreshed by your love. Amen Sermon I spent a few days this week in Dunkeld. There were about 15 of us, some serving ministers and others retired. We met in the cathedral there at 7.30 each morning for silent prayer before morning prayers. We were led in reflections during the day, but there was also lots of time for silence before evening prayers at 9.30 each night. We did also eat together, and there was lots of good talk. The cathedral in Dunkeld is right by the River Tay, a very peaceful spot. One afternoon I went across the river to Birnam, where there was a burn which was the point where the Gaelic speaking Highlands separated from the Scots speaking Lowlands. There was lots of history. On the way to Dunkeld there were roadworks on the A9, so we took a shortcut which ended up taking far longer of course, but we came across one of the drover roads, along which the sheep and cattle from the Highlands were driven to the markets in the Lowlands. The journey would take several days or more, and there would be dangers on the way. There would be thieves on the lookout for a chance to steal some animals; there would be the dangers of inclement weather or animals going lame. But the sheep and the cattle would somehow trust the drovers, experts in their job. They would be looking out for the best for the flock or for the herd. Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, and we read from the 10th chapter of John. There is a sense of danger here, the threat of robbers and thieves trying to disrupt the flock. That was a real threat at the time of the early Church. For the Christians that Peter wrote to in his letter, they faced persecution day by day, but he tells them to have hope in Christ, for he knows them, and knows us, and we are important and valued in his sight. Just as a shepherd knows the sheep in the flock, knows each one and knows their characteristics – this is a stubborn one, this one is independent, going its own way – so we are known. Because of that, the sheep are welcome to the fold. It is a place of safety, for Jesus himself in the gate, and the sheep can enter, because he knows them, and they know him. In Dunkeld I passed a school, and children were in the playground. There was a lot of noise, as the children played. There was a group of mothers nearby, and I am sure each would be attuned to their own child’s voice. If there were any danger – if one had fallen and skinned their knee – the mother would recognise their child’s voice, for they know every nuance of whether the child is happy or frightened, hungry or hopeful. Even though 100 other children are yelling, they know their own child. So John encourages us, for we are known through and through by our parent God and we are welcome to the fold. After the resurrection, the disciples went to Galilee and were fishing, and Jesus appeared on the shore. The other disciples rushed to meet him, but Peter maybe held back, for he had let Jesus down. But Jesus drew peter near and three times asked him to ‘Feed my sheep’. As he had denied Jesus three times, so he was forgiven three times and reinstated for service. He was welcome. As it says in I Peter, ‘by his wounds we are healed’. Just before this chapter, there is the story in Chapter 9 of jesus healing the man born blind, but afterwards the authorities cast him out of the synagogue because he was praising Jesus and was associated with Jesus. In Chapter 10, we are assured of a welcome, for we belong. But also in these verses we are told something else about the shepherd. The shepherd goes ahead. Goes ahead to check for dangers, does a recce, sources the good pastures and water supply, makes sure of the way. Travelling back from Dunkeld on Thursday, I was on the M90 through Fife, and signs appeared warning of a breakdown at Junction 3. You immediately think you will be held up for hours. Every couple of miles, this sign appeared. But when we reached the point, the car was at the side, and there was no traffic jam at all. Someone had gone ahead. In Hebrews, Jesus is portrayed as the trailblazer -going ahead to prepare the way. Sometimes we worry about what lies in the future – a student may worry about an exam, a householder about the next bill. We may look at the world and worry about climate change or technology outstripping us. But Jesus has gone ahead, so we put our trust in God. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who knows his flock by name, who goes ahead of us – and who want the best for us. Thieves come only to steal and destroy, but Jesus comes that we may have life, and life in abundance. He wants the best for us. Sometimes we do worry about what lies ahead, but it is good to appreciate the good things in life we have and to share them if we can with those around us. We are blessed – we have a shepherd who knows our name. Hymn 641 – Seek ye first Prayers of Dedication and Intercession God with a tender heart, we thank you for the care you offer to us as our Shepherd. Bless the gifts we offer so they will spread your abundant love to lives in need of caring. Bless our lives so that we may care for the world as we follow Jesus day by day. Wise and generous God, shepherd of our lives, we are thankful this day for all you provide to sustain us. You call our weary souls to rest when the world seems busy. You bless us with the promise of new life as pastures around us turn green, announcing another spring. You gather us around tables of friendship to draw strength from one another. Thank you for signs of your goodness and mercy we can treasure each day. Loving and Listening God, shepherd of the world, we bring you our prayers for others, friends and enemies, neighbours and strangers alike. We pray for people who are struggling with illness, loneliness, grief or sadness: Walk with them through dark days and steep valleys. We pray for people in countries and communities where it is not safe to live out their faith or express their views openly. Walk with them through dark days and steep valleys. We pray for victims of discrimination and acts of hatred, and those who fear violence day by day. Walk with them through dark days and steep valleys. We pray for journalists and advocates for justice who live under threat for telling the truth. Walk with them through dark days and steep valleys. We pray for churches, local organizations and businesses that face difficulty reorganizing and the pressure of economic challenges. Walk with them through dark days and steep valleys. We pray for our families, friends and for ourselves, as well as those in the news whose situations tug at our hearts. Walk with us all through dark days and steep valleys. On this the Sunday before the Coronation of King Charles III we pray for His Majesty the King and for Camilla, the Queen Consort. May Your Spirit be with them as they are affirmed in their responsibilities; grant them joy and may many be encouraged by their interest and concern. We pray for all whose office and responsibilities affect the lives of many, for those who represent their country’s interests, that in all they do they may be mindful of the wellbeing of every child of God. Hymn 355 – You Lord are both lamb and shepherd Benediction Go in peace, sure that the Good Shepherd walks beside you. May God lead you to places of rest and renewal; May Christ give you courage on the journey; May the Holy Spirit fill your hearts with joy and generosity; And may the blessing of God, Creator, Christ and Spirit, dwell in your hearts this day and always.  Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship When we are disappointed and worn down. Lord, walk with us. When we doubt what we believe. Lord, teach us. When we need a sign. Lord, break the bread. Lord, we seek your kingdom. Fill our hearts with fire. Hymn 430 – Christ is risen while earth slumbers Prayer Loving God, we gather in your Son’s name this day, united by your Spirit to your followers throughout all time and space. It is amazing to remember that the stories we hear about you today have transformed so many other lives for so many centuries. It is amazing to consider how lives not so very different from our own carried your love from one generation to another, from one church to another, from one part of the world to another. As we join together in worship, open our eyes to new opportunities to express our love for you, and share your love in the lives we touch; for we are your people and we praise God in your holy name. Week by week we open our lives before you, acknowledging we sometimes lose track of you. We are driven and feel busy, so we let other things come before you in our lives. Changes upend us and we don’t know where to turn. Forgive us when we forget that you are with us day by day. Renew us in your love, we pray. On the Emmaus road, Jesus met friends who were discouraged and distracted by his death. Yet when he spoke God’s word to them, their hearts burned within them. Hear God’s word of forgiveness today. May the fire of God’s love warm your hearts with God’s promise of peace and new life. Lord’s Prayer Readings – 1 Peter 1: 17-23 (pg 1217) Luke 24: 13-35 (pg 1061) Hymn 530 – One more step Weekly Prayer Risen Christ, walk with us as individuals, and as the Church of God on our Road to Emmaus. Open our eyes, as you did with Jesus’ companions, to the reality and truth of the resurrection. May our hearts burn within us as the scriptures speak to us again today. Amen. Sermon There was a famous violinist, whose concerts would sell out all over the world. He had multiple recordings; he had won prizes; he had been on television on numerous occasions. He was famous. But then he decided to busk in the London Underground. Those of you who have travelled to London will know that sometimes you come across a musician or group of musicians, and their music is wonderful. So it was with this famous violinist – he gave the performance of his life – but the crowds just hurried by, intent on catching the tube. Some stopped and listened for a few moments; some threw a few coins in his violin case. His sublime music brought in £30 over the 4 hours he was there. Only one person recognised him, though wasn’t sure, given the setting. It was a salutary lesson. But then maybe we have all passed by famous people. We certainly pass by so many things in our houses, in our community, which we no longer notice – we just take for granted that they are there, but if a stranger comes, they notice. We need a stranger beside us to open our eyes. This week we are focussing on one of the resurrection appearances of the risen Jesus – the road to Emmaus. Two disciples walk back home to Emmaus, Cleopas and his unnamed companion – some scholars think it may have been his wife. They had been in Jerusalem as followers of Jesus and had no doubt been with him, waving their palm branches, when he had made his entry into the city. Their hopes had been cruelly dashed when Jesus was arrested and executed on the cross. So we find them turning their backs on Jerusalem, on their fellow disciples, on their hopes and dreams and walking home to Emmaus. They are traumatised. They have seen their rabbi, their friend die a horrible death, and they trudge with heavy legs along the road, forlorn and downcast. Luke has a thing about roads. It is where encounters happen. It is Luke who writes about Jesus and the disciples walking the roads of Galilee; he writes about the man attacked on the dangerous road to Jericho and encountering the helpful Samaritan; he writes of Philip meeting the Ethiopian on the road to Gaza and setting his heart on fire to the extent of him being baptised there and then. And here on the road to the village, two disciples encounter a stranger, who notices their distress and engages with them. Asks questions about what was wrong, and they exclaim, Are you the only person not to know what has been happening, how Jesus, who we thought was the messiah, was put to death?’, and then prompted by the stranger’s concern, open their hearts up to him, as they desperately try to make sense of all that had happened. ‘We had hoped that he would be the one to redeem Israel...!’. But their disappointment somehow grew lighter, as the stranger allowed them to tell their story, then began to draw their attention to Scripture and set their hearts on fire, so much so that they begged him to stay with them when they reached home and share a meal. Like the violinist in the tube, they hadn’t recognised Jesus. They had seen him die, why should they expect to see him? But as he took on the role as host and broke bread, their eyes were opened. He disappeared, and the two disciples, having trudged so slowly the road to Emmaus, by contrast ran back to Jerusalem to share their news of their encounter with the risen Lord. There are so many people weighed down with anxiety and the cares of the day. How often do we notice and ask why? Or are we more like the priest and Levite in one of the other Road stories and pass by on the other side? Bu Jesus calls us to a culture of encounter and encourages us to listen to one another’s stories, for we all have a story to tell. Cleopas said, ‘We had hoped that he was the one’, but with Jesus’ listening ear, that voicing of their disappointment was the first step to let go their trauma. Someone last week was talking to me about to the Holy Land and how often there are more than one site claiming to be where Jesus changed water into wine or was baptised. There are several churches claiming to be built on the site of Emmaus, but the truth is we don’t know where Emmaus was, apart from being within a day’s walk from Jerusalem. But that is quite good, for Emmaus could be anywhere. As we walk the road of life, we can face easy stretches or more difficult and even dangerous distances, but as the two disciples discovered, Jesus walked beside them. What’s more, Jesus set their hearts on fire. So may we open our eyes and maybe we will see Jesus there in the form of a stranger. May we open our hearts and minds and maybe we will encounter Christ to the extent that we will want to share the news with all. Hymn 615 – Holy Spirit, ever living Prayers of Dedication and Intercession Living God, as we serve you giving our time, our money, our skills, and our energy, may we meet you on the road, and may we be aware of your presence with us, with hearts open to everyone we meet on our journey through life. God our Maker, You have walked the Emmaus Road with your faithful people in many generations, people facing challenge and uncertainty, people seeking your purpose and promise. Thank you for your faithfulness to us in all situations. Walk with us and with those for whom we pray this day, that your grace and mercy may sustain our faith and hope. We pray for children and young people who must think about the future in these uncertain times. Give them hope rooted in the knowledge that their lives matter to you. Show them how to make a difference in the world, whatever threats and challenges they face as they grow. We pray for those for whom age or experience, illness or disability create barriers to full participation in your world. Give each one a sense of dignity and purpose. Show them where their gifts are needed and how much they matter to you. We pray for communities challenged by forces beyond their control: economic uncertainty, environmental stress, natural disaster, political strife. Give courage to those facing these crises day by day, and wisdom to those who lead others through them, so that wellbeing may be restored and hope for the future prevail. We pray for our congregation, for our life together and our future in mission. That future feels so challenging. It is hard to read the signs of our times and respond wisely. Sustain our fellowship and give us courage to take new paths, so that you will find us faithful on our journey into that future. We pray for the wellbeing of those lives linked to ours who bring us both joy and heartache because they matter so much to us and to you. In silence we name them before you. Amen Hymn 694 – Brother, sister let me serve you Benediction  Notices:
Welcome and Call to Worship: Come, embrace the risen Christ. Come, embrace the prince of peace. Come, embrace his pierced hands. Come, meet your Lord and your God. Hymn --- 425 … The Saviour died but rose again. Prayers of Adoration, Confession and Lord’s Prayer: Mighty God, what an amazing gift we have received! We have been born again through the resurrection and even though we have not seen the Risen Christ we love and believe in him, rejoicing with all Christians in an indescribable and glorious joy. Gracious God, like Thomas we will still face times of doubt and uncertainty but we know that we are not alone in our doubts and that you, our Father in heaven, continue to love us whatever our state of mind or body. We give you thanks for our fellow Christians here in the Scottish Borders. The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father Which art in Heaven Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in 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: John 20: 19 – 31 1 Peter 1: 3 - 9. Hymn --- 187 … There’s a wideness in God’s mercy. (Morebattle) Alternative--- 417 … Now the greenblade riseth. (Yetholm) Weekly Prayer: As the disciples in the locked room reached out and touched you, let us reach out and touch you today, living Lord Jesus. Let us feel your scarred hands and feet. Let us put our hands in your side. Let us be still and know that you are our Lord and our God. Amen. Sermon: 'Low Sunday' is probably so named because of its relative unimportance in contrast with Easter Sunday Thomas: Changed from Doubt to Faith “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” [John 20:25] We often judge people by one mistake. We never let them forget it. Further, we never let the world forget it. When we think of David, we think of his sin. We forget what a great man he was despite his failure. When we think of Jacob, we think of how he stole his brother’s birth right. When we think of Peter, we remember his denial. Shakespeare said, “The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones.” This is what happened to Thomas. No doubt he showed great faith many times, but we remember him because of his doubt. Today when someone is sceptical, we call that person a doubting Thomas. In reality Thomas was one of the most steadfast and loyal apostles among the Twelve. How many times have we wrongly judged someone! We know that Thomas was sceptical by nature. Thomas believed with much difficulty. One day when Jesus was preaching far from Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, his friend Lazarus became seriously ill. In great haste Lazarus’s sisters, Mary, and Martha, sent for Jesus to come and heal him. When word of Lazarus’s sickness reached Jesus, he deliberately lingered for two days. The apostles, remembering the threat of mob action on their last trip to Jerusalem, presumed that was the reason. However, at the end of two days, Jesus surprised them by announcing that he was departing. So, then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe”. Thomas responded “let us also go, that we may die with Him.” This comment seems to reveal excessive pessimism; he could see nothing but disaster ahead. Let me hasten to add that some of the most creative people who have ever lived have been of this nature. Georgia Harkness, a theologian and author, described her personal struggle with depression in “The Dark Night of the Soul.” She told how she came through the valley to find strength and victory in her experiences. In the Scriptures we find expression of this temperament in Job, David, Elijah, and Jeremiah. If Thomas was melancholy, he had plenty of company. Again, when Jesus sought to assure the disciples of eternal life, the spirit of Thomas was revealed. “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Thomas could not accept things without questioning them. He was a realist who wanted to be sure. Thomas utterly refused to believe the resurrection. Even after the other disciples told him that they had seen the Lord, Thomas said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” He had to see for himself. The last disciple to concede the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Have you doubted? Most of us have. The psalmist cried out, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” Thomas wanted to believe There is a difference between honest and dishonest doubters. Some people just do not want to believe. They prefer a life of unbelief. They make up excuses and blame others as a cover for their own dishonesty. This was not the spirit of Thomas. Thomas wanted to believe. Thomas found sympathy from Jesus Christ blames no one for wanting to be sure. Jesus did not condemn Thomas for his doubts. Jesus knew that once Thomas fought his way through the wilderness of his doubts, he would be the surest man in Christendom. Jesus never says, “You must have no doubts,” but rather, “You must struggle with your doubts until you reach certainty.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Jesus spoke to him as a sincere disciple whose faith was weak, not as one with an evil heart of unbelief. Thomas’s answer was immediate. He fell down prostrate at Jesus’s feet and exclaimed with a warm, passionate cry of joy, “My Lord and my God!” His doubts vanished in the presence of the living Christ like morning mist in the sunlight. Thomas has given assurance to the world. His confession was noble—the most advanced, in fact, made by any of the Twelve during the time they were with Jesus. The greatest doubter attained the fullest and firmest belief. Thomas declared his belief in the miraculous by proclaiming, “The One who was dead is alive! This One who was crucified has become my Lord!” He acknowledged Jesus as the Christ. Thomas emerged stronger because he doubted Thomas’s faith became strong and vibrant. Tradition has it that he took the gospel to India. Tertullian said about the early Christians, “No man would be willing to die unless he knew he had the truth.” They would not have died for a dream. They would not have been loyal to a figment of their imagination. Thomas emerged victorious and became faithful unto death in his witness for God. We emerge victorious as we wait on God to reveal himself to us.. Do you have doubts? Keep doing the best you know right where you are. Stay faithful. Keep trusting, following, serving, praying. God will reveal himself. He will show you the nail prints. Many times, my prayer like many others has been “Lord I believe help thou my unbelief” The contrast of our Bible Readings could not be more relevant for us to-day as we see in our second bible reading from 1 Peter 1 v 8 & 9 “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” Jesus is the supreme example of love. Even the secular world often recognises this. TIME Magazine said this: ‘Jesus: the most persistent symbol of purity selflessness and love in the history of western humanity.’ AMEN Hymn --- 432 … How often we like Thomas, (tune 739 Aurelia) Offering prayer: You are an abundant God and out of Your great mercy you have given us so much. We give you this offering today. With it we worship You and give our whole selves to You. Please now take it and use it for Your kingdom and Your glory. Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercessions: Creator God, we pray for peace in our troubled world. Wherever nations are at war, especially in Ukraine and people are suffering, we pray for true reconciliation. Protect all Christian people in the nations of the world, and help them to influence their country for the good of all. Father God, we pray for the times when our doubts, our fears and our blinkered vision prevents us from taking care of our immediate family and household or when through our busyness, we take no part in the life of our neighbourhood or wider community. Faithful God, we hold before you, those whom life has damaged and all who find it difficult to trust in you. We pray that you will push aside their doubts and fears and bring them hope, comfort, and healing and with it an inner peace. Everlasting God, we thank you that our time of worship renews our faith and trust in you and your risen son Jesus Christ. Send us out into the coming week ready to show our gratitude and live the Good News of Easter. Hymn --- 419 … Thine be the Glory, risen, conquering Son. Benediction: Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen. |
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