Resources for 4th April: Easter Sunday

Music before we worship: Stuart Townend – The Power Of The Cross (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Junior Church resources: Resources from Sermons4kids Bible Story Colouring page Activities Word search (opens up the website Sermons4kids)

Call to Worship: 

Alleluia!  Christ is risen   — He is risen indeed Alleluia !

Lord Jesus, risen from the dead and alive for evermore stand in our midst today as in the upper room; speak your peace to our hearts and minds; and send us out into the world as your witnesses, to the glory of your name. Amen.  John Stott

Hymn:  Jesus Christ is risen today! (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Opening prayers:

Approach

Risen Lord, we are the Easter people, and Alleluia is our anthem.

We are the Easter people come to worship, released from tombs of pain and doubt and fear and death into the freedom of this new day, and its promise of hope fulfilled.

We are the Easter people, emerging into the brightness of faith, and Alleluia is our anthem. (Very Revd Dr Derek Browning, amended)

Adoration

Rejoice! The stone is rolled away, and Jesus Christ is risen from the grave. Hallelujah!

Rejoice! Love is victorious; the Son of God holds out his hands for us. Hallelujah! Rejoice! For sin no longer has a hold on us; through grace we are set free, Hallelujah!

Thanksgiving

Love poured out on that cruel cross, a blood-offering so we might go free. Thank you, Christ our Lord. (Pause) Love poured out, infusing this world with rivers of grace and hope of rebirth. Thank you, Christ our Lord. (Pause) Love poured out and into our hearts; we drink from a stream that never runs dry. Thank you, Christ our Lord.

Whilst we give our thanks and praise to God we recognise our shortcomings.

Confession

We are the Easter people, emerging into the brightness of faith, blinking, questioning, wondering, hoping. Come to us, into the garden of our lives and touch all that is barren, and wasted and dried with Your healing hand.

Forgive our half-lived lives, our broken promises, and our failed kindness.

Call to us by our name, that we might turn from all that limits and burdens us and lift us up into forgiveness and freedom. Open the gateways of our hearts and minds and call us out into Your world to be embraced by Your unfailing and renewing mercy.

Today, may we encounter Jesus and His grace. For we are the Easter people, and Alleluia is our anthem.

Through Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen (Very Revd Dr Derek Browning, amended)

We combine our prayers in saying the prayer that our Saviour taught us

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect:

Lord of life and power, through the mighty resurrection of Your Son, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life.

Grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to You in Jesus Christ, may reign with Him in glory, who with You and the Holy Spirit is alive, One God, now and for ever. Amen

Scripture readings:

Acts 10: 34-43

John 20: 1-18
(Click the links above to go to Oremus NRSV online)

Hymn: Come, Christians, Join To Sing (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Reflection on Scripture:

Whether you’ve spent the last few months of lockdown hibernating like a bear in its den, or you’ve taken up a new fitness regime there is a sense of renewed energy at Easter.

The change of the season, longer days along with the new growth in our gardens and open spaces all foster a sense of energy.  Who knows even the roadmap out of lockdown might even have invigorated us.

It is an energy that we also encounter in the Gospel accounts of Easter Sunday.  Even the normally more theological John captures the energetic events of the discovery of the empty tomb.

We hear of Mary rushing back to tell the disciples of her discovery.  Then the two disciples eager to see for themselves, racing each other to the tomb.  Whenever I read that bit I have a vision of them running alongside each other, jostling, elbowing each other like kids vying to be first at the lunch queue in school.

But such is their haste in life, they didn’t stick around and see what happened next.

We are told they went home, they left rather than linger at the tomb and in doing so they missed the risen Jesus.

Maybe in the busyness and haste of our lives there are times we “go home”, we move on to different things and miss the opportunity to encounter the risen Christ.

But Mary stayed, she stood there weeping outside the tomb, mourning the loss of Jesus and concerned about the removal of his body.

She was so overcome with the emotion of her grief that she didn’t recognise Jesus standing before her.  Are there times in our own lives when we are so overwhelmed by our own emotions, our grief, our worries and our anxieties that we fail to recognise Jesus’ presence in our lives?

Or maybe like Mary it takes us a while.

She assumed he was the gardener, she spoke with him. It was only when he called her by name that she recognised him.  She responded, calling him teacher, she listened to him and then she did as he asked, she went to tell the others the good news.  She gave witness to seeing the risen Jesus, with all that meant in terms of hope and promise for all who seek him.

In many ways we need to be more like Mary and less like the two disciples who hastened home, missing the opportunity of standing in the presence of Christ.

Of course there may be times when just like Mary we struggle to recognise Jesus’s presence.  But like her we must be ready to respond when Jesus calls us by name.

May we, like Mary listen and respond to our risen Lord and do as he asks of us.  Our Acts reading echoes Jesus’ words to Mary.  They exhort all of us who are witnesses to Christ’s grace to preach and testify that he is Lord of all.

The Easter message is one that is meant to be told, just as Mary was encouraged to share the hope and promise of that first Easter Morn so are we.

So this Easter as we meet with the risen Jesus may we use the energy of the Easter story to rejuvenate our faith and to invigorate our response to the call of our ascended Lord.

For Alleluia he is risen, he is risen indeed!

Amen

Hymn: Now The Green Blade Riseth (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Prayers for others:

Lord Jesus Christ, come, stand among us, that we might see You by our side, that we might hear You call our names, that we might now, on this heady day of joy, be still, right now, and know that You are God.

We give You heartfelt thanks from our full hearts. We bring to You our prayers this day

For a world needing Easter.

We pray for those locked in by hurt, and loneliness and grief.

We pray for those locked in by addiction, and hunger, and poverty.

We pray that we, inspired by Your Good News this Easter Day, may bring our practical care and help to those who call out, and to those who are silent, and in our lived-out faith and love, show no partiality as we bring what hope we can to those in need.

Today we pray for our nation, for our national and local leaders, and for those who shape the future of our country and our world.

In times of uncertainty make us confident with kindness. In times of frustration, make us gentle with vision.

Help us to be the Easter people bringing light into our world.

Lord Jesus Christ, for the Church we pray, that in our work and witness we may be generous in our believing, and joyful in our serving.

Hymn: Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Blessing:

The UK Blessing — Churches sing ‘The Blessing’ over the UK (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

May our faith find voice and proclaim, Christ is risen!

May our souls find purpose and proclaim, Christ is risen!

May our voices find faith and proclaim, Christ is risen!

May our hearts find life and proclaim, Christ is risen!

And may the blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among us now and forever more.

Amen.

Additional resources:

Video service from St Peter’s Methodist Church Canterbury click here

Lectionary Leanings: Touching Point weekly lectionary reflection by our friend the Revd Dr Paul Glass and click here for Paul reading his reflection on video (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Daily devotions from the United Reformed Church. A radio-style / podcast service with hymns, readings, prayers and a sermon. Sign up on the page to receive The Sunday Service email which will contain an order of service and words for you to sing along with the hymns.

Worship at home Easter Day from the Methodist church. A really great way to follow along at home worshipping with other Christians at home.

Acknowledgements:

John Stott

Very Revd Dr Derek Browning, Morningside Parish Church, Edinburgh

Church of Scotland https://churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/weekly-worship/monthly/april-2021/4-april-easter-sunday

Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B . Wood Lake Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary Bible Reading Fellowship. Kindle Edition.

Common Order

James G. Kirk. When We Gather, Revised Edition: A Book of Prayers for Worship . Kindle Edition.

Image by Germán R from Pixabay

Resources for Holy Week 2021

Daily Devotions from the United Reformed Church can be found here. There you can read or listen to reflections during the week.

A series of daily worship at home sheets from the Methodist Church can be found here. You can download a daily service to follow at home either as a word document or PDF

Build an Easter Garden resource from the URC with prayer and reading suggestions can be downloaded here

Here is a series of prayer stations for Holy Week that can be used at home.

A messy church for Holy Week produced by a former Minister of mine can be downloaded here

A Holy Week colouring book can be found here

Here is a stations of the cross service that I’ve adapted to a more Reformed feel

Churches Together in Whitstable have produced a video walk of witness featuring readings and hymns filmed around the town. I’m in there somewhere. The youtube link here will go live at 10 am on Good Friday.

Acknowledgements:

United Reformed Church

Methodist Church

Rev Phil Nevard

Churches Together in Whitstable

Image by Andrea Don from Pixabay

Resources for 28th March: Palm Sunday

Music before we worship: Sanctuary | Alpha & Omega | Total Praise – Israel & New Breed (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Junior Church resources: Resources from Sermons4kids Bible Story Colouring page Activities Word search (opens up the website Sermons4kids)

Call to Worship: 

We join with the voices of those who stood and cheered as Jesus entered Jerusalem, laying not palm branches but our lives down at his feet. ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

Hymn:  O Worship The King, All Glorious Above (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Opening prayers:

Give thanks to God for God’s love remains steadfast and true. Though the future is uncertain and the way is dimmed by threat of violence we give thanks to God for God’s love remains steadfast and true.

Even as hatred barricades the road our love leads us on and we give thanks to God for God’s love remains steadfast and true.

We lay down our lives and lift up our praise for the one who comes in God’s name to save and we give thanks to God for God’s love remains steadfast and true.

Blessed Hosanna, who saves us with love, draw close to us on this day. Remind us that you are with us always, in all moods and seasons, in all our doubts and fears. May we draw close to you at this time – after the palm branches have withered and the songs of praise have died away – may our love for you remain steadfast and true.

The road you chose, that led to Jerusalem, was not an easy one but it was a necessary journey, from humble birth to a shameful death— exalted, rejected, the eternal mystery of the cross. There are other roads, built by human hands, that offer temporary comforts, but only this one has its destination in the heart of God, and only this one is safe for us to follow.

To you, O Lord, we lift our hearts in gratitude and praise.

Whilst we give thanks and praise to our Lord we recognise our shortcomings and come seeking forgiveness. How quickly cries of ‘Hosanna!’ turn to ‘Crucify!’ when Jesus refuses to be moulded into that which we would have him be. Forgive us, dear Lord, who sing ‘Hosanna!’ as you draw near, yet in our daily lives reveal ourselves no better than those who caused your pain. May this be the song of our hearts this passiontide, as we lay our lives before you: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

We combine our prayers in saying the prayer that our Saviour taught us

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect: Eternal God, in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Grant that we may follow the example of his humility, and share in the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

Scripture readings:

Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29

Mark 11: 1-11
(Click the links above to go to Oremus NRSV online)

Hymn: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Reflection on Scripture:

I was looking through my Palm Sunday resources earlier this week and came across a drama that I had used a few years ago, it was one of those congregation participation dramas, the ones I like to call part worship part panto.

Like many ministers on Palm Sunday I had been trying to recreate the scene of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.  Despite the drama having a song to the tune of the children’s song “the wheels on the bus” it fell short of some of my colleagues’ efforts that even go as far as bringing a real donkey into church.  (Very brave in my opinion!)

Many ministers, myself included try to recreate the fervour and clamour of the crowd described in the Gospel accounts on Palm Sunday.  To be honest this year I would struggle to remember what being in a crowd was like, because of the Covid restrictions it is a long time since I’ve watched West Ham at the London Stadium or Kent Spitfires play cricket.  It says something when you recall the rule of six as a large gathering.

The crowd described in our Mark reading would have been as loud and fervent as any sports crowd I might have seen.  They are cheering loudly, thronging the streets waving their palms, shouting Hosanna! Hosanna!  They are ecstatically greeting their king, the one promised by scripture. Jesus’ entrance is the fulfilment of the Hebrew scripture.  The one who will free them from foreign oppression, the one that will restore the fortunes of the nation of Israel, their idea of a saviour.

But of course we know what happens next, Palm Sunday is followed by the events of Holy Week and Christ’s Passion.  We know how quick the chants of “Hosanna” will turn to “Crucify”.  Crowds are volatile in that they can turn quickly, anyone who supports a football team can attest to that. 

Within days the crowd’s saviour is plotted against, betrayed and crucified at that same crowd’s baying.  What the crowd hoped was a pending victory becomes to them just another failed insurrection.

The fickle crowd fail to see the true nature of the victory that Christ brings, he comes not to overthrow the tyranny of the Roman Empire, but to be the triumphant Christ, the victor over sin and death itself.

Jesus doesn’t enter the gates of Jerusalem astride a mighty charger but on a humble donkey.  He comes not with pomp but with humility, in doing so he invites us to be different, different from the crowd that is so easily swayed days later.

His invitation is to a faith that is founded on humility, service, self-sacrifice and at times suffering.  The faith that Jesus calls us to requires perseverance, in our journey with Christ there are highs and there are lows.  There will be good times in life and there will be those times when we are tempted to be as vacillating as the Jerusalem crowd about our faith.  But those are the very times we need our faith most, it is also then that Jesus journeys alongside us, sustaining us, nourishing and encouraging us in our faith and our journey.

In the coming days of Holy week we travel with Jesus to the foot of the cross, A journey that starts with cheering crowds at the gates of Jerusalem, experiences rejection, suffering and pain and ends on Easter Sunday with the ultimate victory of the risen conquering Son.

Palm Sunday is our encouragement to walk the way of the cross, to live the life of Jesus today, not just this week but every week, through highs and lows, so that by God’s grace and through our faith we might share in the victory of Christ triumphant.

For to Christ be the glory now and forever, Amen.

Hymn: All Glory Laud and Honour (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Prayers for others:

We pray to you, Lord of palm-branches and the cross, for you understand us and in love you have promised not to push away any who come to you. Let us pray to the Lord, who is our refuge and stronghold.

For the health and well-being of our nation, that all who are fearful and anxious may be at peace and free from worry: Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

For the isolated and housebound, that we may be alert to their needs, and care for them in their vulnerability: Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

For our homes and families, our schools and young people, and all in any kind of need or distress: Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

For world leaders to understand their role to serve the peoples of the world, to feed the hungry, house the homeless and care for those who are weak and in need. Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

For a blessing on our local community, that our neighbourhoods may be places of trust and friendship, where all are known and cared for: Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

For your church that all those who trust in Jesus will be made able by your Spirit to follow his humility, to see and imitate his servant life. Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn: Ride on, Ride on in Majesty (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Blessing:

The UK Blessing — Churches sing ‘The Blessing’ over the UK (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Blessed is the one who comes to us by the way of love poured out with abandon.

Blessed is the one who walks toward us by the way of grace that holds us fast.

Blessed is the one who calls us to follow in the way of blessing, in the path of joy.

And may the blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among us now and forever more.

Amen.

Additional resources:

Video service from St Peter’s Methodist Church Canterbury click here

Lectionary Leanings: Statements and responses weekly lectionary reflection by our friend the Revd Dr Paul Glass and click here for Paul reading his reflection on video (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Daily devotions from the United Reformed Church. A radio-style / podcast service with hymns, readings, prayers and a sermon. Sign up on the page to receive The Sunday Service email which will contain an order of service and words for you to sing along with the hymns.

Worship at home 28th March from the Methodist church. A really great way to follow along at home worshipping with other Christians at home.

Acknowledgements:

Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B . Wood Lake Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary Bible Reading Fellowship. Kindle Edition.

Methodist Worship

James G. Kirk. When We Gather, Revised Edition: A Book of Prayers for Worship . Kindle Edition.

Resources for 21st March

Music before we worship: Shout To The Lord – Hillsong Worship (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Junior Church resources: Resources from Sermons4kids Bible Story Colouring page Activities Word search (opens up the website Sermons4kids)

Call to Worship:  Psalm 119: 12-16

^{12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
   teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I declare
   all the ordinances of your mouth.
14 I delight in the way of your decrees
   as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts,
   and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
   I will not forget your word.}

Hymn:  Jesus calls us here to meet him (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Opening prayers: Glorious God

Inscribed upon our heart, the maker’s mark, indelible, the word of God. ‘Love’ beautifully written, heartfelt, that all God’s people might know that we are precious, children of a heavenly Father becoming family together. May our eyes lift upward as we listen together to hear angels worship. O God, who fashioned the covenant and sealed it with the promise of life everlasting, we praise you for mercies that are boundless and sure. Your ways are just, your grace is unending. You have sent us the Christ in whom lies your promise that all things will be made new.

If your name is preached or in conversation discussed, a seed is sown that may in due course germinate, grow and blossom in the fertile ground of a receptive heart. For those who sow, whether on well-tilled soil or barren ground, and for the lives which now bear fruit from that faithful service, we give our grateful thanks.

Confession

At times our hearts are empty. We expend all of our attention at work, at school, at church, in community until we have nothing left to give and our inner beings feel like vacant shells.

Hear us as we pray: Create a new heart in me, O God

At times our hearts burn with resentment. Life has been unfair and we rehearse the dealings of our past until forgiveness of ourselves and others is nearly impossible. Hear us as we pray: Create a new heart in me, O God.

At times our hearts are paralyzed with fear. We wonder: Where is the safe and familiar? How will we move forward? What are we to do?

Hear us as we pray: Create a new heart in me, O God.

Forgive us, gracious God. Revive again the fire once lit within our hearts and grant once more a love that overflows with you.

We combine our prayers in saying the prayer that our Saviour taught us

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect: Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever, Amen

Scripture readings:

Jeremiah 31: 31-34

Hebrews 5: 5-10

John 12: 20-33
(Click the links above to go to Oremus NRSV online)

Hymn: Will You Come and Follow Me? (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Reflection on Scripture: “I will put my law within them” says the Lord  “and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The words come as Jeremiah wrestles with the Israelites disobedience to the law of God.  A disobedience that has pre-empted the overthrowing of the nation, the levelling of the Jerusalem walls, the destruction of the temple and for many the exile to Babylon.

The situation is bleak.  And amidst that bleakness, amidst that sin and disobedience God speaks.  God speaks of the hope he offers his people.

No longer will he just give a law that is written on tablets (no not an ipad) of stone like that on Sinai after the exodus from Egypt that the Israelites found so easy to break.  This time he will write it in their hearts.

There is of course the inference of the imagery that laws held in the warmth of our hearts are more meaningful and pertinent than those written on cold stone.  These are the things we believe in rather than simply adhere to.

I am sure we can all think of things that shape our behaviour because it is important to us rather than something we are just supposed to do.

A spouse doesn’t care for their incapacitated spouse just because it might be expected, but out of love and the loving vow of in sickness and in health.

The law that God promises to write in our hearts is meaningful to us, it is quite literally close to our hearts.  This gives it primacy, and an intimacy, it is the foundation of our relationship with God. 

But let me clarify, yes the 10 commandments are important to us but they are more pertinent and easier to keep if we have a loving and lasting relationship with their author.

That relationship is expressed in the covenant that God makes in our reading from Jeremiah.

In declaring the covenant the Lord makes two awesome statements.

The first is when the Lord declares he will be OUR God. 

It is important for us to consider what that means to us. It means we are known, we are valued. It means we are never alone, for we are always in God’s presence.  That is what the Lord being our God means to us.

The Lord declaring he will be our God also means we are loved and never bereft of hope. That hope is declared in the love of God towards us when in Jeremiah 31:34 God says that to all who know him, “I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.”

It gives a glimpse and a foretaste of God’s forgiveness and redeeming love that we celebrate on Easter Sunday.  That the Lord God will wipe clean our slate through the glorified risen Christ, that by his grace, through our faith our sins are forgiven and enjoy life eternal in the heavenly realm.

The second awesome statement in our reading is when God declares “they shall be my people”.  A covenant such as that in Jeremiah involves two sides, much like a contract or a set of wedding vows.

Being the Lord’s people demands from us a response.  A response to the presence, love and forgiveness of God.  A response lived out in the way that we live out our lives.  A response expressed in our thoughts, words and deeds.  A response visible in how we mirror God’s love for us to those we meet, to our community and to his church.

In the covenant God says he will be our God but I want us to stop and think.  What will you do??  What will be your response?

How will you serve the Lord? How will you bear much fruit?

In John 12 Jesus says whoever serves me must follow me. The two are inextricably entwined.  Following God in Christ is directly linked to our service.

Following Christ in our time isn’t always easy, it attracts at times indifference at times the hostile stare, I pray for youngsters who follow our Saviour who feel they must hide their faith at school for fear of bullying.

Being called to follow is being asked for a response.  That through our faith in Christ, through our relationship with God in Jesus the Son, we might make our response to the covenant by serving the world around us reshaping it through love. It is how we as single grains of wheat bear much fruit.

Reshaping the world by shining the light of salvation and redeeming love of the Lord into the world around us in all we do.

“I will be their God, and they shall be my people declares the Lord”.  We are treasured and loved, I pray that as God’s people we will treasure and love his world and his church.

For to God be the glory now and forever, Amen.

Hymn: Now The Green Blade Riseth (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Prayers for others:

Have mercy on us, O God, according to your loving kindness; in your great compassion, hear our prayers.

We pray for the whole church, all the people of God, all who respond to the call of Jesus, ‘follow me’. Wash us through and through, and cleanse us from our sin.

We pray for our nation, for all the nations of the earth, and for all who govern and judge. Purge us from our sin, And we shall be pure.

We pray for those who hunger, those who thirst, those who cry out for justice, those who live under the threat of terror, and those without a place to lay their head .May they hear of joy and gladness, that those who are broken may rejoice.

We pray for those who are ill, those in pain, those under stress, and those who are lonely. Give them the joy of your saving help, and sustain them with your bountiful Spirit. Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.

We pray for those who have been bereaved Give them your comfort and peace.

We especially pray for… (named individuals in particular need)

We pray for… (particular issues in the news, community or church)

Lord Jesus, you taught your disciples that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit; as we prepare our hearts to remember your death and resurrection, grant us the strength and wisdom to serve and follow you, this day and always. Amen

Prayers by Rick Morley amended by Steve Aisthorpe

Hymn: Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Blessing:

The UK Blessing — Churches sing ‘The Blessing’ over the UK (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Go out in good heart to face the needs of this hour and bear the fruit of love in the world. This is the time to begin anew

And may the blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among us now and forever more.

Amen.

Additional resources:

Video service from St Peter’s Methodist Church Canterbury click here

Lectionary Leanings: I’m here weekly lectionary reflection by our friend the Revd Dr Paul Glass and click here for Paul reading his reflection on video (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Daily devotions from the United Reformed Church. A radio-style / podcast service with hymns, readings, prayers and a sermon. Sign up on the page to receive The Sunday Service email which will contain an order of service and words for you to sing along with the hymns.

Worship at home 21st March from the Methodist church. A really great way to follow along at home worshipping with other Christians at home.

Acknowledgements:

http://www.rickmorley.com/blog

Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B . Wood Lake Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary Bible Reading Fellowship. Kindle Edition.

Methodist Worship

Church of Scotland: https://churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/74511/21-March-5-Sunday-in-Lent.pdf

James G. Kirk. When We Gather, Revised Edition: A Book of Prayers for Worship . Kindle Edition.

Image by Pezibear from Pixabay

Resources for 14th March

Music before we worship: I Will Sing of My Redeemer –arr. David Whipple, Jr (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Junior Church resources: Resources from Sermons4kids Bible Story Colouring page Activities Word search (opens up the website Sermons4kids)

Call to Worship:  Psalm 107: 1-3

¹ O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
   for his steadfast love endures for ever.
² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
   those he redeemed from trouble
³ and gathered in from the lands,
   from the east and from the west,
   from the north and from the south.

Hymn:  To God be the glory (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Opening prayers:

O worship the Lord, for he is good. His love endures for ever.

He set this world in motion and engineers each turn; he gave to us such beauty, both seen and still unseen.

O worship the Lord, for he is good. His love endures for ever.

He shepherded a nation, and from captivity created new beginnings from that which once had been.

O worship the Lord, for he is good. His love endures for ever.

He loves us with a passion that draws us back to him and by the cross he bridges the chasm of our sin.

O worship the Lord, for he is good. His love endures for ever.

Thank you, Lord, that when we are feeling proud, arrogant, beyond reproach, pleased with ourselves, self-sufficient in our ways, you remind us that, for people like us and all of humankind, you sent your Son into the world, to save us from ourselves before we stumble, fall and are hurt. Thank you, Lord, that you embrace us and enable us to become the people we were always meant to be; children of a loving Father, blessing others through your love.

May we show our thanks as we work for wholeness in all creation, beginning with the last and the least, just as you chose to do; in Jesus the Christ. Amen.

When impatience is a cause of stress on our journeying with you, and the wanting to be somewhere else spoils our enjoyment of the view, forgive us, and draw us close again, we pray. When circumstance produces doubt and we drift away from you, or the wisdom of the world pulls us away from that we know is true, forgive us, and draw us close again, we pray.

We combine our prayers in saying the prayer that our Saviour taught us

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for the Day: O God, rich in mercy, you so loved the world that when we were dead in our sins, you sent your only Son for our deliverance. Lifted up from the earth, he is light and life; exalted upon the cross, he is truth and salvation. Raise us up with Christ that we may walk as children of light. We ask this through Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, holy and mighty God, for ever and ever. Amen. Methodist Worship

Scripture readings:

Numbers 21: 4-9

Ephesians 2: 1-10

John 3: 14-21
(Click the links above to go to Oremus NRSV online)

Hymn: Amazing Grace (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Reflection on Scripture:

I’d like to share a football story with you, don’t worry it’s not about West Ham.  It is about a footballer and the remarkable event in his life.  The footballer is Fabrice Muamba, he came to the UK as a refugee from the Democratic republic of the Congo at the age of 11.  Granted leave to remain and finding a talent for football he became a professional, playing at Arsenal, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers.

But the journey from refugee to professional footballer is not the remarkable part of his life.  The remarkable event came in March of 2012 when playing for Bolton against Tottenham in the FA cup.

During the match Fabrice collapsed on the pitch having suffered a heart attack.  The club doctors, medics and a cardiac consultant in the crowd raced to attend to him.

Fellow players looked on distraught and the crowd were stunned into silence as they used a defibrillator on him whilst lying on the pitch.  They would use the defibrillator 17 times between the pitch and the hospital.  Muamba’s heart stopped for fully 78 minutes.

Muamba and his family are Christians and there was an outpouring of prayer from friends, family and the wider world through the use of social media.

With the exception of having to retire from football and having cardiac regulator fitted he leads a normal life.  For the 78 minutes that his heart didn’t beat Muamba was technically dead.  Effectively he was given a new life through the skill of the doctors and of course through the power of prayer.

Fabrice Muamba’s story has echoes of our readings as they speak of a new life, whilst Muamba’s might be an earthly new life our readings speak of a similar but different new life.  A new life that overcomes death’s dominion.  A victory over death through a new life in Jesus through his suffering on the cross.  A new life that raises us heavenward through the salvation offered by God in Christ.

Paul in our Epistle reading provides us with a blueprint of that salvation that we heard about in John’s Gospel It is a classic text about God’s saving activity through Christ.  Paul starts by telling us what salvation overcomes.  In the first three verses he uses three vivid images to depict humanity’s hopeless state.

Firstly the corpse, or how as he puts it we are dead through our trespass and sin.  Secondly the slave, that his readers are following the course of this world, consumed by sin they blindly follow the forces of darkness our John reading refers to.  The third image is that of the condemned prisoner.  Paul calls his readers “children of wrath” in bondage to sin, held captive by sin with no sight of hope in this life or upon death.

And yet Paul’s words are not condemning, he uses phrases such as “all of us once lived” as he presents a picture that suggests there was little alternative until God’s saving act through Christ now available to his readers through their hearing of the Gospel,

Paul then makes his next point in verse four.  He talks of God’s response to humankind’s plight, God’s response isn’t to condemn but to give life, to give hope and salvation freely through his grace.  He says “God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us made us alive together with Christ”  Paul’s words echo those famous words we heard from our John reading “For God so loved the world he gave his only Son”  

Both John and Paul clearly define God’s motivation for the saving act of Christ.  It is born out of God’s enduring and steadfast love for us.  It is a picture of a loving liberating God who initiates and completes the rescue of his people enslaved and condemned by sin.  A rescue made possible by the sacrifice on the cross.

That image of the cross is depicted in our John reading.  John refers to the serpent raised up by Moses in chapter 21 of Numbers.  The bronze serpent that saved those who looked at it from death from the poisonous snakes. 

John clearly sees the Moses story as a portent of Christ being lifted up both on the cross and his resurrection.  That through Christ being lifted up those that look to him, those that believe in him may be granted new life.

John connects the lifting up as a function of God saving his people.  A lifting up that Paul states God offers us, when he says that “God has raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

It is important to note Paul’s use of tense, he uses the present not the future.  He doesn’t say God WILL raise us up, he says God HAS raised us up.   Paul is suggesting that our salvation is not confined to our post death experience, but that through Christ our earthly lives are also transformed.  That when we follow Christ, we are given a new life, a new way of living, and a new existence, through Jesus.

Paul then turns his attentions to the characteristics of the salvation granted by God through Christ.  Twice in our reading Paul uses the phrase “by grace you have been saved”.  He makes clear that salvation is a divine act not a human act.   A divine action mirrored by the words of John 3:16 that it was God that GAVE his only Son.  That God is the source and giver of life not human action.

But is there a tension between Paul’s use of grace and John’s use of belief in relation to salvation?  Can we be saved just by grace without belief as some might suggest? 

I would respond that our belief is the very outpouring of God’s grace towards us.  That God’s grace works within us, calling us to take Jesus into our hearts and to be transformed into our new lives in Christ, or as Paul puts it in verse 8 “by grace you have been saved THROUGH faith.

Paul goes further saying this is not “your own doing” it is the gift of God, not the result of works.

We live in a society that is characterised by reward, with win bonuses and performance related pay, we talk of people getting their “just reward” and moan when people get rewarded unjustly in our eyes.  We link behaviour to reward.

But God, our God doesn’t give rewards in that manner.  Paul makes clear that God’s love and our salvation, our new life is a gift not a reward.

So does that mean we have no reason to undertake good works?  Quite the opposite in fact as Paul suggests we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, that our faith in Christ and our good works are inextricably linked.  That good works are an inherent characteristic of our faith and belief in Christ.

How can we follow Jesus without obeying his command to love one another?  Good works are the embodiment of our love for one another, Jesus calls us to follow him, to follow his example of servant hood.

We are called to service, to do good works.  We are called to help the poor, to show compassion to others and to proclaim the good news.

These good works are to become, as Paul says in verse 10, our way of life.  It is through these good works that we live out our Christian lives and witness our faith. They are the marks of our discipleship and fundamental to our faith.

If salvation and new life are God’s gift to us then our good works are our gift to God, our gratitude for his saving grace.  As gifts to God our good work scan carry no reward.  Whilst they are an important component of our Christian living and our new life in Christ they are not the key to our salvation, That as we have heard is granted by God’s grace through faith.

The overriding message of our readings today is one of hope and of love.  That despite the times that we stumble and fall, we have hope.  We have hope through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  The hope of a new life, a life in the light not the darkness.

A hope born of love, the love of a caring and compassionate God who sent his son not to condemn but to grant us new life.

Fabrice Muamba was given a new life through the skill of the medical staff and the power of prayer.  May we, by God’s grace, through our faith in Jesus be granted a new life in Christ here and now and in life eternal.  Amen

Hymn: Rock of Ages (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Prayers for others:

Lord of the universe, we pray for our world broken by persecution, warfare and strife.
We commend to you the Uighur people in China, the people of Myanmar, the people of Yemen.

You desire harmony within and between nations; you yearn for everyone to know security and safety.

Lord of the world and the church: bring healing and peace.

Lord of the poor and the rich, we pray for those who live and labour in developing countries paid less than the amount they need to survive. We commend to your tender love those who are exploited, children who are paid pennies, those who work in sweatshops.

You desire justice for all people; you yearn for all people to be treated fairly and equitably.

Lord of the world and the church: bring healing and peace.

Lord of the doctor and the patient, we pray for our world at this time of pandemic. We commend to you those who are suffering as a result of Covid-19; those who are working to combat the various new mutations; those who are frightened and stressed out.

You desire wholeness and health for all people; you yearn for an end to the pandemic.

Lord of the world and the church: bring healing and peace.

Lord of the chapel and the cathedral, we pray for all places of worship throughout the world. We commend to you caretakers and cleaners, treasurers and church leaders.

You desire holiness in your children and in the places in which they worship.

Lord of the world and the church: bring healing and peace. 

Lord of all in need, we bring to you the prayers of our hearts. We commend to you those about whom we are especially concerned, praying for…

You desire that your children care for one another.

Lord of the world and the church: bring healing and peace.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.  Revd. David Hinchliffe

Hymn: I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Blessing:

The UK Blessing — Churches sing ‘The Blessing’ over the UK (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Gather us in from the lands, loving God: from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Gather us in from other lands and other waters. Be with us here in this moment, and in all places where we go. Amen.

And may the blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among us now and forever more.

Amen.

Additional resources:

Video service from St Peter’s Methodist Church Canterbury click here

Lectionary Leanings: Darkness and Light weekly lectionary reflection by our friend the Revd Dr Paul Glass and click here for Paul reading his reflection on video (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Daily devotions from the United Reformed Church. A radio-style / podcast service with hymns, readings, prayers and a sermon. Sign up on the page to receive The Sunday Service email which will contain an order of service and words for you to sing along with the hymns.

Worship at home 14th March from the Methodist church. A really great way to follow along at home worshipping with other Christians at home.

Acknowledgements:

Revd David Hinchliffe

Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B (Kindle Locations 378-379). Wood Lake Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary (Kindle Locations 2944-2948). Bible Reading Fellowship. Kindle Edition.

Methodist Worship

Birch, John, https://www.faithandworship.com/Lent_intercessions.htm#gsc.tab=0

Resources for 7th March

Christ Cleansing the Temple-Carl Heinrich-Bloch-1875

Music before we worship: Christafari – How Great is Our God (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Junior Church resources: Resources from Sermons4kids Bible Story Colouring page Activities Word search (opens up the website Sermons4kids)

Call to Worship:  Psalm 19: 7-8

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,
   reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
   making wise the simple;
⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right,
   rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
   enlightening the eyes;

Hymn:  Holy Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Opening prayers:

Adoration
Earth joins heaven in declaring your glory, Creator God. No words are spoken, no song is sung, but in the solitude of mountaintop or setting sun their voice can be heard above the murmurs of this world. Such beauty, such provision, such knowledge dispel the mists of doubt, until our hearts are joined in the one who is the source of all, and we are drawn to worship.

Thanksgiving
God of wholeness, God of grace, to you we bring our thanks and praise. To a world that searches, you are a lamp that shines; to a world that is hungry, you are food that sustains; to a world that suffers, you are hope of release; to a world that’s broken, you are one who restores; to a world full of hate, you are love that forgives; to a world that denies, you are truth that endures. To you we bring our thanks and praise, God of wholeness, God of grace.

Confession
Forgive us, Lord, who call ourselves your own but daily cause you pain, who see someone in need and walk across the road, hear about injustice and fail to say a word. Forgive us, Lord, who call ourselves your own. Renew our hearts, our souls and minds; strengthen our faith and make us a people of whom you can be proud, who are your hands, your feet and voice within this world.

We combine our prayers in saying the prayer that our Saviour taught us

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for the Day: Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Methodist Worship

Scripture readings:

Psalm 19

1 Corinthians 1: 18-25

John 2: 13-22
(Click the links above to go to Oremus NRSV online)

Hymn: My Song Is Love Unknown (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Reflection on Scripture:

The account of Jesus overturning the tables in the temple is well known, not least of all because many folk look to it as a seemingly out of character action by the loving gentle and calm Jesus.  They see it as a vindication for their own sometimes disruptive impulsive behaviour or see it as an example of Jesus’ humanity in that he experienced the same frustrations as we do with sometimes dramatic outcomes.

The other reason it is well known is because the scene appears in all four Gospels.  John’s account differs from those in the synoptic Gospels in regard to position and emphasis.

The synoptic Gospels place the account in the lead up to Christ’s passion, it serves as part of the tipping point in the decision of the Jewish leaders to pursue and silence Jesus.

However, John’s Gospel places the account directly after Jesus’ first sign at the wedding in Cana, following on from that first miracle it builds on John’s words in Chapter 1 regarding the nature and identity of Christ.

The passage we have today emphasises that Jesus is the location of God’s glory rather than the temple building in which he stands.  The Jews had lost there way in relation to the role of the temple as a place of prayer but also in their focus towards the temple.  The temple has assumed an importance and role that is challenged by Jesus, not only does he cleanse the temple temporarily he challenges the institution it has become and its very existence.

Jesus will replace the Temple, the temple itself will be destroyed but he will rise triumphant in 3 days and he will be God’s dwelling place. His words must have shook his audience as the temple had become the focal point of their faith, the sign that they seek will only be realised once Christ has risen from the grave.

There is of course a lesson for us here too.  We rightly value our buildings they are visible reminders of the presence of Christian community in our communities, although I often wonder what a tired and out dated building says to our community.  

Our Church buildings are places of prayer, the means, or rather one means, by which we worship communally as we are called to do.

But whatever we have learnt during the pandemic among those lessons is that our temples, our church buildings are not the focus of our Christian faith. They do not replace the true Church which we experience when we abide is Christ. Our buildings may have been shut for months over the last year but the Church still exists.

God doesn’t live in church buildings, be they humble chapels or grand cathedrals, God lives in human hearts.  So with our buildings closed let us rejoice that God abides in us in Christ. And, when we reopen may our focus be that abiding in our hearts sure in the knowledge of God’s love.

To him be glory forever

Amen

Hymn: I Danced in the Morning (Lord of the dance) (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Prayers for others:

God of love
hear the cry of those who yearn for love;
fractured families, broken homes
neglected, unwanted, alone.
God of love
ALL: hear our prayer

God of justice
hear the cry of those who yearn for justice;
persecuted and oppressed,
exploited, ill-treated, broken.
God of justice
ALL: hear our prayer

God of peace
hear the cry of those who yearn for peace;
in battle zones and broken states,
frightened, fearful, anxious
God of peace
ALL: hear our prayer

God of healing
hear the cry of those who yearn for healing;
physical and spiritual
hurting, weakened, depressed
God of healing
ALL: hear our prayer

God of mercy
Hear the cry of those who yearn for mercy;
convicted, in need of your Grace,
contrite, humble, bowed down,
God of mercy
ALL: hear our prayer

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
(Psalm 116:1,2)

May you know
The peace of God
The love of God
The justice of God
The healing and mercy of God
This day and all days
Amen John Birch

Hymn: All hail the power of Jesu’s name (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Blessing:

The UK Blessing — Churches sing ‘The Blessing’ over the UK (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

God’s living way is before us, and we will move towards it. God’s place of justice is beside us, and we will wait here with the forgotten. God’s call for renewal is within us, and we will respond without counting the cost.

And may the blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among us now and forever more.

Amen.

Additional resources:

Video service from St Peter’s Methodist Church Canterbury click here

Lectionary Leanings: Public Service weekly lectionary reflection by our friend the Revd Dr Paul Glass and click here for Paul reading his reflection on video (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Daily devotions from the United Reformed Church. A radio-style / podcast service with hymns, readings, prayers and a sermon. Sign up on the page to receive The Sunday Service email which will contain an order of service and words for you to sing along with the hymns.

Worship at home 7th March from the Methodist church. A really great way to follow along at home worshipping with other Christians at home.

Acknowledgements:

Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B (Kindle Locations 378-379). Wood Lake Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary (Kindle Locations 2944-2948). Bible Reading Fellowship. Kindle Edition.

Methodist Worship

Birch, John, https://www.faithandworship.com/Lent_intercessions.htm#gsc.tab=0

Resources for 28th February

Music before we worship: As The Deer by Songs From Home (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Junior Church resources: Resources from Sermons4kids Bible Story Colouring page Activities Word search (opens up the website Sermons4kids)

Call to Worship:  Psalm 22: 27-28

²⁷ All the ends of the earth shall remember
   and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations
   shall worship before him.
²⁸ For dominion belongs to the Lord,
   and he rules over the nations.

Hymn:  Praise To The Lord, The Almighty, The King Of Creation (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Opening prayers:

Creator of a universe beyond imagining, yet close enough to hear a whispered prayer and hold an outstretched hand— this is our God. We join a heavenly chorus joyfully declaring that those who seek will find and those who find will know such love and grace, beyond imagining. This is our God.

By faith we know you created us for a purpose, love us unconditionally, call us to follow you, forgive us when we fail you, raise us up when we stumble, and bless us in your service. Receive our grateful thanks that your promises are always true, and your faithfulness can be relied on eternally.

You willingly walked the path laid out the path laid out for you, striding purposefully toward Jerusalem and a crowd that one moment welcomed and then cried, ‘Crucify!’
Forgive us who hesitate along the road, when our stride shortens and our faith is challenged as we glance toward the cross. Grant us courage and perseverance in our journeying with you, for we cannot do it in our strength alone.

We combine our prayers in saying the prayer that our Saviour taught us

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for the Day: Christ, Son of the Living God, who for a season laid aside the divine glory and learned obedience through Suffering: teach us in all our afflictions to raise our eyes to the place of your mercy and to find in you our peace and deliverance. We make our prayer in your name. Amen. Methodist Worship

Scripture readings:

Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16

Romans 4: 13-25

Mark 8: 31-38
(Click the links above to go to Oremus NRSV online)

Hymn: Will You Come and Follow Me? (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Reflection on Scripture:

Jesus said ‘if any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’.

The cross is a central symbol of our faith but what do we see when we think of the cross? We are inclined to think of something we might wear as a necklace or in my case tattooed in my ear.  The cross might conjure up an image of something we might see in church on the communion table or on the wall.  We indeed rightly associate the cross with our faith and the church.

Jesus’ audience in Mark’s account would have had a very different perception of the cross.  They would have been used to the grisly sight of crucifixion, to them the cross symbolised suffering and death.

To carry one’s cross was almost literally equivalent to digging one’s own grave.

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”.  What? Jesus is calling us to follow him but we might die doing so??  In his day that is what his words would have meant.  Being a disciple of Jesus was a risky business, we only have to look at the book of Acts to see the persecution and danger the early church witnessed.

Even today around the world there are brothers and sisters in Christ that imperil themselves through their Christian faith.  Discrimination, suffering and even death may result should they profess the name of Jesus as Lord.

Mercifully most of us in the United Kingdom are not in that position although some individuals converting from other faiths place themselves in a difficult and possibly dangerous situation.  Sure we might get labelled as odd, even misguided fools for Christ but cases of real hostility are rare.

Maybe for us the notion of taking up our cross is more to do with giving up our past lives when we follow Jesus, to lay aside our own selfish wants, our waywardness, putting others before ourselves in a sacrificial way.

The cross is emblematic of sacrifice, it symbolises Christ’s sacrifice for the atonement of our sins, so it too symbolises our own sacrifice.  To pick up our cross might be taking on roles and tasks outside of our comfort zone.  A role in the church that we might find challenging, a service within our community that takes up time we would rather spend doing the things we want to do.  These are the sacrifices we embrace when we respond to Jesus’ call to pick up our cross.

Carrying a large wooden cross conjures an image of a heavy load and burden, and without faith those sacrifices might seem burdensome but Jesus encourages us to willingly pick up our own cross.  Through faith the weight of the cross is light.

Jesus said “those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it”.  To those who heard those words, those who endangered their lives by following Jesus it offered them the gift of life eternal won by Christ upon the cross.

We too are called by Jesus into a new life, one of service and sacrifice.  Our past life put behind us, we share that assurance of salvation with those who heard Jesus words and every follower of our Lord from then to today.

Through faithful discipleship, by God’s saving grace we share in the new birth, hope and salvation that comes from the cross at Calvary. That is the image of the cross

To him be glory forever

Amen

Hymn: Follow follow I will follow Jesus (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Prayers for others:

Loving God you invite us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs.

Loving our neighbours as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world.

Lord in Christ we know of your healing and we pray that those known to us who are ill at this time may know your presence and anointing.

We bring before you……

We pray for those in despair anguish and grief that they may be reassured by your steadfast love

Lord we pray for the people of the world, for those living in fear and persecution at home and abroad. Lord we are one people around the world, all made in your image we pray that all are treated with justice and fairness. We remember the homeless, those in poverty and the plight of the refugee. Lord may they see the light that is the hope we find in you.

Lord we pray that our world tainted by division, conflict and war might be washed clean by your justice and peace. That the leaders of the world might tread the path that leads to healing and peace.

Lord we pray for the life of your Church throughout the world, may every congregation be a community of love and every Christian a witness to your grace.

Lord we pray for all those that work to make our communities a better place, for teachers and those who provide care to those in need. We lift before you those working in healthcare, local government and community facilities.

Finally Lord we pray for ourselves

Encourage us to take up our cross, inspire our sacrificial living, guide us to make the right choices so that we might work as one to build your kingdom.

In the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ we pray

Amen

Hymn: He lives… He lives… I know that my Redeemer lives (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Blessing:

And may the blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among us now and forever more.

Amen.

Additional resources:

Video service from St Peter’s Methodist Church Canterbury click here

Lectionary Leanings: Rocky Road weekly lectionary reflection by our friend the Revd Dr Paul Glass and click here for Paul reading his reflection on video (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Daily devotions from the United Reformed Church. A radio-style / podcast service with hymns, readings, prayers and a sermon. Sign up on the page to receive The Sunday Service email which will contain an order of service and words for you to sing along with the hymns.

Worship at home 28th February from the Methodist church. A really great way to follow along at home worshipping with other Christians at home.

Acknowledgements:

Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B (Kindle Locations 378-379). Wood Lake Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary (Kindle Locations 2944-2948). Bible Reading Fellowship. Kindle Edition.

Methodist Worship

Image by ijmaki from Pixabay

Resources for 21st February

Music before we worship: Rend Collective – Rescuer (Good News) (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Junior Church resources: Resources from Sermons4kids Bible Story Colouring page Activities Word search (opens up the website Sermons4kids)

Call to Worship: 

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in You I trust.
Make me to know Your ways, O Lord.
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your paths and teach me.
For You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all day long.

Hymn:  The Spacious Firmament On High (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Opening prayers:

Heavenly Father For the blessings of each day we praise your holy name.

For strength to endure in times of distress, shelter from storm, and your arms to protect. For footsteps to follow with you as our guide, and grace that will show through our actions and words. For faith to believe and a heart filled with hope, your presence beside us from the moment we wake.For the blessings of each day We praise your holy name.

Challenging God

Sometimes you lead us by your Spirit into wilderness places where faith is tested, but you do not leave us on our own. Sometimes you lead us by your Spirit into difficult places where words are required, but it’s your voice that’s heard, not our own. Sometimes you lead us by your Spirit into desolate places where comfort is needed, but your hands bring peace, not our own.  For the places you lead us and the Spirit you give us, we bring this offering of thanksgiving and praise.

As we enter these Lenten days and look to fall into step behind Jesus, entering with Him the wilderness where battles are lost and won, faith tested and futures found
We confess we are not ready we are not strong to face and to find all that might be revealed. We are not pure in heart and mind our feet may stumble and be unsure –we carry too many burdens of guilt long gathered wounds often cherished a past mulled over wrongs not righted – and pray for You to meet us at the edge of the desert and lighten our load

Take the heavy packs off our backs and simply forgive what has been, what has not been achieved and all the good we failed to do. That we may travel lightly with You our eyes set on the Galilean going ahead of us clearing a path, promising that for us rain will fall in the desert and after the storm a rainbow will light the heavens and we will be made new through Christ our Lord.

We combine our prayers in saying the prayer that our Saviour taught us

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for the Day: Almighty God, your Son came into the world to free us from all sin and death. Breathe upon us with the power of your Spirit, that we may be raised to new life in Christ, and serve you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Methodist Worship

Scripture readings:

Psalm 25: 1-10

1 Peter 3: 18-22

Mark 1: 9-15
(Click the links above to go to Oremus NRSV online)

Hymn: Seek Ye First The Kingdom Of God (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Reflection on Scripture:

Having eaten pancakes on Tuesday and observed Ash Wednesday I can confirm we are in Lent.  I say confirm, as lately the days weeks and months hardly seem distinct from one another.  It only seems yesterday that it was Christmas and January passed in a blur but I think that is the way of lockdown.

Lent is traditionally a time that Christians spend in reflection in the weeks heading towards the joy of Easter. A sombre stark time in contrast to the light and celebration of the resurrection of Easter Morning.

It is also a time that traditionally people spend in prayer or fasting, mirroring Jesus’ 40 days of prayer, temptation and fasting in the desert that we hear in the Gospel accounts.

To some, Lent means “giving something up” going without chocolate, alcohol and the like, in an attempt to show some sort of solidarity with the suffering of Jesus.  I’ve always struggled with this idea.  How can my depriving myself of chocolate for 40 days in any way replicate the sufferings of Christ upon the cross?  How can it possibly bring me closer to my saviour?

Earlier this week the Archbishop of Canterbury tweeted:

“It feels as if Lent has lasted a year since the last lockdown. We’ve gone without for so long – the last thing we feel like is abstinence. But Lent isn’t about punishing ourselves. It’s about drawing closer to Christ and allowing Him to share in our struggles.”

The Archbishop hits the nail on the head in defining what Lent is all about: “Lent isn’t about punishing ourselves. It’s about drawing closer to Christ”

So in a year where we have given up so much, lost so much, endured so much how do we mark the season of Lent??  After the events of the last 12 months it would seem improper to suggest that giving up the likes of chocolate for 40 days would in any way draw us closer to Jesus.

This Lent many of us are fragile and struggling, the pressures of home schooling, separated from our loved ones, mourning our losses, financial pressures along with mental and physical health issues.  I don’t believe our loving Saviour would want that made worse by depriving ourselves of something.  I’m sure he would rather us be kind to ourselves and each other this Lent.  Jesus would rather us experience his love and rediscover God’s grace than make some sort of symbolic deprivation.

So how do we draw ourselves closer to God in Jesus?

Jesus spent 40 days in the desert in the company of God, encountering God and knowing he was loved.  If we want to in some way mirror Jesus’ experience in the desert then maybe rather than deprive ourselves of the temptation of chocolate perhaps we should look for ways to replicate this other side of Jesus’ desert experience.

Just as we do with the people we know in our lives the way to draw closer to God is to spend time in his presence, to get to know him and to build a strong relationship with him.  So in this season of Lent, through prayer and through Scripture may we find time to just be with God.  To abide in Him as he abides in us, to absorb his loving grace as we experience his love.

To him be glory forever

Amen

Hymn: Nearer, My God, To Thee (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Prayers for others:

Where angels fear to tread comes Christ to walk. Feet firmly planted in the earth that whatever lies beneath there may be found a way through and a route onwards to life, shaped not just by earth but by the heavens above.

We pray You walk by the rivers, those that overflow and those that run dry. Where the course of life has taken strange turns and the landscape shifted out of recognition

Where ancient routes are turned to silt and there is little left to refresh us. We pray You walk in the wilderness where makeshift homes are uprooted by powers that act without justice. That those who scratch a living might discover wells of water

Wherever the stones hurt our feet wash the dirt clean from under us. We pray You walk in the city amidst all the wealth that hides the poverty. Reshaping the history that built us up yet breaks us down. Anonymous, untouched, many wander longing to connect in human touch. We pray You walk tireless and strong to all that awaits You.

For unless You go we cannot follow and as You walk, remember us that we be bound in love to You and all humankind

These prayers we bring to you in Jesus’ name.

Amen. Prayer by Rev Marjory McPherson

Hymn: At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Blessing:

As we journey through Lent may we know the presence and love of God.

And may the blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among us now and forever more.

Amen.

Additional resources:

Video service from St Peter’s Methodist Church Canterbury click here

Lectionary Leanings: Close weekly lectionary reflection by our friend the Revd Dr Paul Glass and click here for Paul reading his reflection on video (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Daily devotions from the United Reformed Church. A radio-style / podcast service with hymns, readings, prayers and a sermon. Sign up on the page to receive The Sunday Service email which will contain an order of service and words for you to sing along with the hymns.

Worship at home 21st February from the Methodist church. A really great way to follow along at home worshipping with other Christians at home.

Acknowledgements:

Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B (Kindle Locations 378-379). Wood Lake Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary (Kindle Locations 2944-2948). Bible Reading Fellowship. Kindle Edition.

Methodist Worship

The Church of Scotland https://churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/73719/21-February-1-of-Lent.pdf

Rev Marjory McPherson

Resources for 14th February

Music before we worship: Vertical Worship – Spirit of the Living God (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Junior Church resources: Resources from Sermons4kids Bible Story Colouring page Activities Word search (opens up the website Sermons4kids)

Call to Worship: 

Extol the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy. Psalm 99, v9

Hymn:  Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Opening prayers:

We climb mountains seeking you, God, but not knowing quite what we are looking for. Your presence appears as a voice from the clouds, bright as dazzling light, as incomprehensible mystery, the extraordinary breaking through into the ordinary, and we are touched by the holy. In these high places, in the thin places, we see, we hear, we know you, God – closer, deeper, beyond imagining, beyond expressing. Take us to the thin places. Lead us to moments of epiphany, revelation. Guide us to thin places where holiness touches ordinariness, and where we long to see you face to face. Amen.

God of light and glory, may we recognize your glory around us – a sense of the sacred found in the everyday: in the stories of faith we tell, in the lives of the people we meet, in the words we use to speak. May your majesty and mystery always be within our seeing, close enough for our hearing, and present in our living.

God of the mountains and clear skies, here we can see ourselves more clearly, where the air is thinner and the light is clearer, and we confess we long to close up our living.

We long to hide away from the times when what we have done has not brought glory to you and has caused you and others pain. We want to forget those times when the opportunities for doing what is right have not been taken, and the chance to speak out has not been grasped. We want to close up, hide from the truth, and be left alone.

But you are the God of transformation. Transfigure our confession, that we may hear your forgiveness, and find renewal and life again. Amen

We combine our prayers in saying the prayer that our Saviour taught us

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for the Day: Lord God, whose glory shines upon us in the face of Jesus Christ, and whose nature is made known to us in the mystery of the cross: number us we pray among his faithful followers for whom nothing matters but the doing of your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. Methodist Worship

Scripture readings:

2 Kings 2: 1-12

2 Corinthians 4: 3-6

Mark 9: 2-9
(Click the links above to go to Oremus NRSV online)

Hymn: Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Reflection on Scripture:

Coming from East Anglia I am probably not the leading expert on mountains, I am after all the person that while growing up thought that a railway bridge was a hill.

But to many people mountains are special places.

The mountain scene in our Gospel reading with the cloud descending and shrouding the mountain top evokes the mystical mental image many associate with mountains.

The passage describes the transfiguration of Jesus when he and his closest disciples ascended a mountain. 

It is called the transfiguration because Jesus changed, his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning and the disciples saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus.  A cloud appeared and a voice was heard saying “This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him”.  It is an extraordinary account, rare as it is a miracle that happened to Jesus rather than performed by him, but what is its significance.

Mark’s account of the transfiguration of Christ on the mountain top forms an important part of Christian faith for 3 significant reasons.

Firstly the transfiguration provides us with a glimpse of another world.  It is an opportunity to remind ourselves that there is a reality beyond the world around us.  A realm much greater than we can simply see and touch.  A realm filled with potential and possibilities available to us through God’s presence that are greater than we can possibly imagine.

With the setting of the mountain we are afforded a glimpse between heaven and earth.  The bridge between the earthly and divine realms is Jesus.  The transfigured Christ both fully human and fully divine.

Jesus’ status as the conduit between the earthly and divine links to the second significance of the passage which clearly confirms the identity of Christ.

I say clearly confirms, but initially poor old Peter once again misses the point.  At times it is hard not to feel a bit sorry for Peter.  Throughout all the Gospels he is often portrayed as the one that frankly, just doesn’t get it.

Peter is clearly not grasping the identity and mission of Christ as he suggests building three tabernacles then the voice from the cloud makes it abundantly clear who Jesus is as it booms through the mist, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”. 

Peter, James and John are present to witness that Christ is the son of God.  They have just heard the confirmation of Jesus’ identity and seen him transfigured before their eyes, from that moment they must have viewed him differently.

It is the same for us when we take him into our lives and into our hearts.  When we submit our lives to Jesus we surely see him differently.  We know in our hearts he is our saviour.

Jesus’ identity as saviour is made plain for us in the symbolism of the transfiguration passage.  His garments became dazzling white, symbolic of his purity, his absence from sin.  The whiteness is symbolic of an unblemished Jesus, divinity in human form that will be the sacrifice four our sin.  The saviour who on the cross will pay the ransom for humanity’s fall from grace.

The whiteness is a dazzling white, a brilliant shining light.  Jesus is visibly transfigured, in his glorified state to the disciples he is visibly the light to the world.  The embodiment of his words from John 8 of ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’

The three disciples through their witnessing the transfiguration were having a mountain top experience of God’s presence.  Many people who climb mountains speak of a sense of being closer to God.  Not just because of the obvious quite literal closeness but spiritually.  They report a sense of God’s very real presence such is the nature of mountains. 

Many of us might have had our own mountain top experiences, times in our lives when we have felt God’s presence intensely and intimately.

For those baptised as adults I’m sure that would be such a moment as indeed it might be for those coming into church membership.  Equally it could be a particular moment in our lives or an encounter with God through his creation, sitting surrounded by nature or on a retreat.

Whilst we might have had our mountain top experiences we also have to do what Jesus did and come down from the mountain.

So there we are, we have had our close personal encounter with God but what do we do about it?

Do we fail to tell others of our experience with God, in case we scare off our friends, worry that they may think we are a bit weird or odd. 

Or do we reflect God’s light?  As disciples of the Lord do we share the light that transfigured Christ.  Are we filled with the Joy of God’s love for us.  Would anyone we interact with know that we are filled with joy? Joy equals happy! We are supposed to be happy Christians not grumpy ones!!

Our lives are not lived exclusively on the mountain top but in the valleys, that is where our day to day existence is and like Jesus that is where our ministry and our discipleship is to be lived. 

Which brings us to the third significance of the transfiguration account. 

The mountain top setting, the unblemished white clothing, the light to mark the way and the glorified state of Christ all point to the cross and salvation in Christ.

The transfiguration is manifest only on Christ.  Neither Moses nor Elijah are transfigured.  Great servants of the Lord that they are, they are not the path to the Father.  They are symbolic witnesses, representing the Law and Prophecy.  Both support the message of salvation but they are not the path to redemption nor source of that salvation.  As I said earlier, on the mountain top Christ is the bridge between the earthly and the divine, he alone is the way to the Father, he alone is the Lord’s anointed, he alone is our salvation.

To him be glory forever

Amen

Hymn: Jesus On the Mountain Peak (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Prayers for others:

God of kindness, you gave your only Son, because you loved the world so much.

We pray for the peace of the world. Move among us by your Spirit, break down barriers of fear, suspicion, and hatred. Heal the human family of its divisions and unite it in the bonds of justice and peace.

We pray for our country and our community. Enrich our common life; strengthen the forces of truth and goodness; teach us to share prosperity, that those whose lives are impoverished may pass from need and despair to dignity and joy.

We pray for those who suffer as we lift them to you Lord. Surround them with your love, support them with your strength, console them with your comfort, and give them hope and courage beyond themselves.

We pray for our families, for those whom we love. Protect them at home; support them in times of difficulty and anxiety, that they may grow together in mutual love and understanding, and rest content in one another

We pray for the Church. Keep her true to the Gospel and responsive to the gifts and needs of all. Make known your saving power in Jesus Christ by the witness of her faith, her worship and her life

Finally Lord we pray for ourselves, may be emboldened by your Holy Spirit to share our faith with others, that we might speak of you and act for you with all those we meet.

Merciful Father, Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The new call of the Baptist Union of Great Britain to sustained prayer for the NHS

Pray for all the NHS staff for their own safety, energy and peace in dealing with each and every patient.

Pray for those in hospital leadership, for wisdom and for good decisions to give the best outcomes for patients.

Pray for patients; for healing, for peace and ultimately to fight this disease and get home and pray for their relatives who feel helpless.

Pray for the vaccine, that it will and is working against this latest strain of Covid-19.

Pray for a reprieve and an end to Covid-19.

These prayers we bring to you in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Hymn: Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Blessing:

Heavenly Father, In the coming week, may the light of love that is in Christ shine from our faces with joy;

And may the blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among us now and forever more.

Amen.

Additional resources:

Video service from St Peter’s Methodist Church Canterbury click here

Lectionary Leanings: Mountains and valleys weekly lectionary reflection by our friend the Revd Dr Paul Glass and click here for Paul reading his reflection on video (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Daily devotions from the United Reformed Church. A radio-style / podcast service with hymns, readings, prayers and a sermon. Sign up on the page to receive The Sunday Service email which will contain an order of service and words for you to sing along with the hymns.

Worship at home 14th February from the Methodist church. A really great way to follow along at home worshipping with other Christians at home.

Acknowledgements:

Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B (Kindle Locations 378-379). Wood Lake Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary (Kindle Locations 2944-2948). Bible Reading Fellowship. Kindle Edition.

Methodist Worship

Image by enriquelopezgarre from Pixabay

https://baptist.org.uk/

Resources for 7th February

Music before we worship: Michael W. Smith – King of Glory ft. CeCe Winans (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Junior Church resources: Resources from Sermons4kids Bible Story Colouring page Activities Word search (opens up the website Sermons4kids)

Call to Worship: 

• We come to praise our God
• Our creator God, the one true God
• We come before him humbled at his sovereignty
• Our enduring God who never tires.
• We come to glorify his name
• Our God who restores our strength
• Let us worship God

Hymn:  Great Is Thy Faithfulness (The link opens up youtube in a separate window)

Opening prayers:

Glorious God, We come before you with praise and joy in our hearts.

You are the Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end, eternal and everlasting. Our Creator God, beyond all compare, who placed the sun, moon and stars.

Unwavering, tireless God, who turns the seasons and the pages of our lives. Our source of strength, who carries us in times of darkness.

We give thanks for your enduring presence and steadfast love We praise you for all the blessings you lavish upon us and bring the thanksgiving in our hearts for your greatest gift of all.  Your word made flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered and died as an atonement for our sins.  Who rose from the dead and sits in glory at your side.

We come before you with praise and joy in our hearts.

Yet through our own selfish fault we stray from the path you call us to tread.  We do not live as you have called us to live.

We lose sight of your presence in our daily living and we stray from your side amidst the mundane distractions that pervade our lives.

We are small as grasshoppers yet think we are greater than we are and trust our own human judgement over your will for us.

Our faith gives way to human frailty and we act on our own and in doing so we hurt others through our thoughts, words and deeds.

Forgive us these things Lord and those brought to you silently in our hearts.

Loving God. In our Saviour Jesus Christ we know of your forgiveness, as we confess our sins cleanse our hearts. Grant us true repentance and assurance of your forgiveness. Renew and strengthen us. Restore us that we might live to your glory. Amen.

We combine our prayers in saying the prayer that our Saviour taught us

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for the Day:

God our Father, whose Word has come among us: may the light of faith, kindled in our hearts, show in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ the Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen Common Worship

Scripture readings:

Isaiah 40: 21-31

1 Corinthians 9: 16-23

Mark 1: 29-39
(Click the links above to go to Oremus NRSV online)

Hymn: On Eagles Wings (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Reflection on Scripture:

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

Isaiah cries twice during our reading today.  They are of course rhetorical questions

In our reading from Isaiah we hear the lament of Israel at its plight. The Israelite people had suffered defeat at the hands of the Babylonians many years before, and many had been hauled off to live in exile in Babylon. An exile that previous chapters of Isaiah aligns with the punishment of Israel for her sins.

The start of second Isaiah at chapter 40 marks a change in direction.  In verse 2 we hear that Israel “has served her term, her penalty is paid” the long awaited salvation of the people of Israel is at hand and a voice in verse 3 is heard calling “in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord”.

It is this wilderness that Isaiah addresses in our passage today.  That wilderness is the desolate state of the faith of Israel.  The exile had taken its toll.  Their links back to their former life were growing weaker with every passing generation.  Some had embraced Babylonian religion, had started to worship idols, they were disconsolate and felt abandoned by their God.  Isaiah’s call is for them to renew their faith in Yahweh as the one true God and to re-establish their trust in God.  If they are to tread the path to their salvation from exile then it will be their faith that is the source of their strength.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

Isaiah’s opening is followed by two more rhetorical questions that challenge the exiles, those following questions use “from the beginning” and “from the foundations of the earth” to affirm the knowledge that the exiles seem to have forgotten or neglected; that Yahweh alone is the creator.  Have the exiles forgotten it or chosen to ignore the fact? 

The nature of Isaiah’s questions suggests that the exiles do know better, that they as a people have always known that Yahweh the creator reigns supreme.

Isaiah then draws out 3 motifs that highlight Yahweh’s sovereignty, firstly he sketches out a picture based on Hebrew cosmology with God unveiling the heavens like a tent or curtain and from God’s vantage point people seem like grasshoppers.  An image that many of us have experienced, our smallness in the presence of God, our littleness compared to his greatness.  Yet sometimes like the exiles we think we are greater than God, trust our own judgement above his, think we can go our own way and invariably stumble and fall.

Isaiah then turns his attentions to earthly leaders, who some of the exiles had put their trust in rather than Yahweh.  He uses an agricultural image that appeals to a country boy like me to show how fragile earthly leaders are compared to the forces of God. 

Although the words trust and politician rarely feature in the same sentence in our society, there are other leaders in our society that to use the expression ‘lead us astray’, lead us away from God’s side. 

We see peer pressure drawing the young of our society into street gangs and violence.  We see television programmes and marketing images that create must haves and must have nows!  Which fuels consumer debt and payday lending.  We see a focus on the earthly and not on the divine.

Which brings us to Isaiah’s third motif, he invites the people of Israel to lift up their eyes from the earth to the heavens.  Some of the exiles may well had taken to worshipping the stars, but Isaiah’ doesn’t paint the stars as rivals to God, but rather witnesses to the power of Yahweh, he placed them, he numbered them, he ensures they function. 

No other God, no idol can make a comparable claim, as Yahweh is the one true God, whose sovereignty reigns over all creation, all history and all events. 

Like the exiles, it is God that we must worship!  Not the latest fashion, a new car or…and yes this is aimed at me, a new fishing rod.  I was reminded of the futility of this the other day when someone asked me if the fish know what type of rod I’m using.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

Cries Isaiah again in verse 28 of our reading in response to Israel’s lament in verse 27.  The Israelites judged that God did not care, chose not to see their suffering or was unable to help them.  Isaiah uses the rebuke of his questions as a launch pad for his gospel assertion that follows.  Having made his point that God does have almighty power it is now time to assert that the Lord does have the will to save his people.

The answer to the exiles lament lies with themselves.  It lies in their faith and trust in the Lord.

Isaiah reminds them it is God who turns the stars in the sky and tends his creation, God never tires. God doesn’t give up and he doesn’t give up on us.  Whilst mere mortals may tire, and almost refreshingly for us older people, even the young will tire.

BUT they have available to them a source of energy and power through the Lord.  The answer as I said lies in their faith.  Those that have faith in God, trust in him, wait for him, they will be lifted up like eagles. 

But what of the dark times?  In the midst of a pandemic that has lasted a year already, multiple lockdowns and with a horrific death toll these are indeed very dark times.  It is times such as these that we need our faith most, to trust in God, for that is when he gives us strength, he lifts us up and carries us to the other side of our dark times.

It is the Israelites faith faith that will strengthen them and deliver their salvation from exile by God’s power and will. It is our faith that will strengthen us and deliver our salvation, in this world and the next.  May the Lord lead us safely from the wilderness.  Amen

Hymn: Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine! (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Prayers for others:

Heavenly Father, Lord of compassion we give thanks for your enduring love, you never desert us. You never fail us. You are our source of strength. If our faith falters your love for us never diminishes.

Caring God, we bring before you the people, situations and places that are of concern to us, confident that you will hear us as we lift them up to you silently in our hearts

Father God, restore those whose faith is weak or lost.

Lord pour out your healing to those who find it difficult to walk beside you as their lives are shrouded by sickness of mind and body.

Father God, embrace those feeling distant from your love through anguish, despair and grief.

Lord, send your peace to those whose faith is challenged by the ravages of war, persecution and hatred. 

Father God, comfort those who lose sight of your greatness through loneliness, hunger, homelessness and the daily battle to survive.

Loving God, pour out your healing balm on those we have named and for those known to you. We humbly ask you to carry them in your loving arms Lord in their time of need. May your love give them strength and raise them up like soaring eagles.

Lastly Lord we pray for ourselves, may we have the faith in you to hold on in our own days of darkness, sure in the knowledge of your constancy and your love for us shown through our Saviour Jesus Christ.

May your love give us strength and raise us up like soaring eagles.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

The new call of the Baptist Union of Great Britain to sustained prayer for the NHS

Pray for all the NHS staff for their own safety, energy and peace in dealing with each and every patient.

Pray for those in hospital leadership, for wisdom and for good decisions to give the best outcomes for patients.

Pray for patients; for healing, for peace and ultimately to fight this disease and get home and pray for their relatives who feel helpless.

Pray for the vaccine, that it will and is working against this latest strain of Covid-19.

Pray for a reprieve and an end to Covid-19.

These prayers we bring to you in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Hymn: Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Blessing:

Lord as we go out into the coming week

May we be constantly reminded of your abiding presence.

Through our faith in you may we walk a path of discipleship from the wilderness to the cross.

And may the blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among us now and forever more.

Amen.

Additional resources:

Video service from St Peter’s Methodist Church Canterbury click here

Lectionary Leanings: Private and Public weekly lectionary reflection by our friend the Revd Dr Paul Glass and click here for Paul reading his reflection on video (The link opens up you tube in a separate window)

Daily devotions from the United Reformed Church. A radio-style / podcast service with hymns, readings, prayers and a sermon. Sign up on the page to receive The Sunday Service email which will contain an order of service and words for you to sing along with the hymns.

Worship at home 7th February from the Methodist church. A really great way to follow along at home worshipping with other Christians at home.

Acknowledgements:

Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B (Kindle Locations 378-379). Wood Lake Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary (Kindle Locations 2944-2948). Bible Reading Fellowship. Kindle Edition.

Common worship

Image by pralea vasile from Pixabay

https://baptist.org.uk/