Theme: Listening, Warning, Restoring — Walking Together in Christ
Passages: Ezekiel 33:7–11 and Matthew 18:15–20
️ CALL TO WORSHIP
Friends, we gather in the presence of God —
the God who calls us to listen,
the God who desires that none should perish,
the God who invites us to turn and live.The Lord says, “I have made you a watchman… so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.”
And Jesus says, “Where two or three gather in my name, I am there among them.”
So come —
come with open hearts,
come with listening spirits,
come with hope for reconciliation and life.
Let us worship God.
(20–30 seconds of silence)
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Holy and gracious God,
You call us together in Your name,
and You promise to be present among us.
We come from different places,
with different stories,
carrying different burdens —
yet You gather us as one people.
Quiet our minds now.
Still our hearts.
Help us to listen for Your voice
in Scripture, in prayer,
and in the gentle movements of Your Spirit
Speak to us words of life,
words of truth,
words of hope.
And lead us in the way of Christ our Lord.
Amen.
✝️ APPROACH AND CONFESSION
A short reflection.
Ezekiel speaks of the watchman —
one who listens for God’s word
and lovingly warns others when danger approaches.
Matthew speaks of restoring one another gently —
not condemning,
not shaming,
but seeking reconciliation and truth.We confess that we do not always listen well.
We confess that we avoid difficult conversations.
We confess that pride, fear, or hurt
sometimes keep us from restoring relationships.
Let us bring our hearts before God.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God,
We confess that we have not always listened for Your voice.
We have stayed silent when we should have spoken,
and spoken harshly when we should have listened.
We have avoided truth
when truth felt uncomfortable.
We have allowed distance,
misunderstanding,
and hurt
to grow between us and others.Forgive us, Lord.
Turn us again toward life.
Make us people who seek reconciliation,
who speak truth in love,
and who walk humbly with You.
(Silence for 1 min)
Words of Assurance
Hear the good news:
In Christ, God meets us with mercy.
God restores us, renews us,
and calls us to walk in newness of life.
Thanks be to God
THANKS AND PRAISE
We give thanks for God’s patience —
for the God who says, “Turn, then, and live.”
We praise Christ for His promise —
that whenever we gather in His name,
He stands among us.
We rejoice that God desires restoration,
not condemnation.
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Praise
God of grace and steadfast love,
We thank You for Your patience with us,
for Your desire that all should turn and live.
We praise You for Christ’s presence among us,
for the gift of community,
for the hope of reconciliation,
and for the Spirit who binds us together.
Receive our thanks,
receive our praise,
and shape our hearts
to reflect Your goodness.
Amen.
INTERCESSION AND DEDICATION
Intercessions
Let us pray for the Church, the world, and all in need.
For the Church
Lord, make Your Church faithful watchmen —
listening for Your word,
discerning Your will,
and speaking truth in love.
Strengthen us to be a community
that restores gently
and walks together in grace.
For relationships needing healing
God of reconciliation,
Where there is hurt, bring courage.
Where there is conflict, bring humility.
Where there is distance, bring restoration.
Heal families, friendships, congregations,
and all who long for peace.
For our community
We pray for Bellshill —
for our neighbours,
our schools,
our workplaces,
and all who serve the common good.
Bless those who feel unseen or unheard.
Bless those who carry heavy burdens.
Bless those who seek hope.
For those who feel far from God
Lord, speak Your word of life:
“Turn, then, and live.”
Draw near to the lonely,
the anxious,
the grieving,
and the searching.
Let Your light break through.
For leaders and peacemakers
Grant wisdom, compassion, and integrity
to all who lead —
in government, in community,
and in the Church.
Guide them in the ways of justice and mercy.
For ourselves
God, make us people who listen well,
who speak gently,
who forgive freely,
and who walk faithfully with You.
Dedication
Let us dedicate ourselves to God.
God of truth and mercy,
Take our lives and use them for Your purposes.
Help us to be watchmen who listen,
disciples who restore,
and people who walk together in Your grace.
May our words, actions, and choices
reflect the love of Christ
in all we do.
We dedicate ourselves to You now,
in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
BENEDICTION
Go now in the blessing of God.
May the God who calls us to life
guide your steps,
guard your hearts,
and strengthen your witness.
May Christ, who stands among us,
lead you in truth and reconciliation.
And may the Holy Spirit
fill you with courage, compassion, and peace.
Go in the blessing of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 