Call to worship

In a world of ‘us and them’
God invites us to embrace

In a Church too often characterised by division
Christ invites us to embrace

In our lives, full of petty grudges and neglected relationships
The Spirit invites us to embrace

So come all you who yearn for deeper living
Come and enter into Heaven’s embrace this day

Adoration and Confession

Wonderful Creator, Friend of the earth, all creation praises You.
You have shown Your healing love to the people of every land,
and You have filled the long centuries with new songs of happiness.

By the gift of faith,
may the invigorating Spirit of the risen Jesus live within us
and serve the world through us.
Join our songs to all those who have gone before us
and let memories of our joy inspire those who come after us.

Please remind us, loving God,
that no person is too unimportant to receive Your attention,
and no personal flaw or sin is too ugly or large
to receive Your forgiveness and healing.

Remind us that our weaknesses are like hollows
where sincere goodness can take root and grow tall.

Remind us that our ignorance is a wilderness
which under the refreshing wisdom of Christ can blossom like a rose.

Remind us that our guilt for both small mistakes or grievous sins
can, by God’s grace,
become the compost for a fruit season not achieved before.

It is written: “Here is real love;
not our love for God
but God’s love for us in the giving of His Son
to be the remedy for the corruption of our sins.”

Through the love of Christ Jesus,
forgiveness and release is ours for the asking.

Therefore ask and receive,
knock and let the door be opened to you.

Prayer of confession

Gracious and loving God,
as we reflect on the wonder and glory of Your being,
and the depth of Your love for us,
we are conscious of our failure to learn from You
and from the sacrificial love of Jesus.

So often our understanding of glory
is linked with prestige and power and position.
Jesus’ understanding of glory was linked to a love
that was prepared to go to the uttermost limits of love.

Forgive us when selfish pursuit of glory takes precedence
over Jesus’ command to love one another as He has loved us.

“As he has loved us”–
we confess our lack of commitment to make Jesus’ self-giving love
the truly identifying mark of our community of faith.

Forgive us when we put economic, racial, social or other boundaries on our love.

When we express His limitless love in all our relationships
and dealings with people,
both inside and outside the church
– then – Jesus said, “everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

Remind us, O God,
that even when our love falters,
Your love remains constant.
You have the power to make all things new.

Renew and rekindle our love for You and for one another.
Fill our hearts and minds with Jesus’ selfless love
so that, like Him, we glorify You in all we do and say.
This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

Psalm 148

¹ Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
   praise him in the heights!
² Praise him, all his angels;
   praise him, all his host!

³ Praise him, sun and moon;
   praise him, all you shining stars!
⁴ Praise him, you highest heavens,
   and you waters above the heavens!

⁵ Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for he commanded and they were created.
⁶ He established them for ever and ever;
   he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth,
   you sea monsters and all deeps,
⁸ fire and hail, snow and frost,
   stormy wind fulfilling his command!

⁹ Mountains and all hills,
   fruit trees and all cedars!
¹⁰ Wild animals and all cattle,
   creeping things and flying birds!

¹¹ Kings of the earth and all peoples,
   princes and all rulers of the earth!
¹² Young men and women alike,
   old and young together!

¹³ Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for his name alone is exalted;
   his glory is above earth and heaven.
¹⁴ He has raised up a horn for his people,
   praise for all his faithful,
   for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!

Prayers of intercession

May we increasingly become respectful caretakers of all that is,
including the waters so easily enjoyed, disturbed, polluted, exploited, taken for granted. May we regard more highly the elements upon which our lives depend.
Might we, with greater gratitude, enjoy and honour
those refreshing gulps and glassfuls of water after a workout, during the day
or on a quiet evening alone.

We remember the millions upon millions who do not have access to clean drinking water,
a necessity of life.
Might we challenge and change the systems we all enjoy
that would bring about a transformation of our global systems –
allowing more to be able to drink clean water … just a cup of cold, clean water.
Might we literally and figuratively provide cold water to all who seek it –
out of love, hospitality, care, generosity.

We pause now and lift up in sadness and hope all those who will die this day, this hour, due to unclean and polluted waters.
Would we, with greater reverence, enjoy and preserve these life-giving elements that go so unnoticed.
As a community of care, we commit this day to using less and enjoying more!

We remember others here and others not with us who are healing, those in hospital,
those in jail, those depressed and discouraged.
Might we initiate intimate connections with neighbours, friends, lovers, alike.
May they know the love of their spouses and friends,
the love pervasive in this universe
and receive healing expertise from those making decisions about their care.

We yearn for the day when all tears are dried, all pain is abandoned
… but today is not that day.

So our prayers are for those who weep this morning
for whom the loss of someone they love
or their battle with illness in body, mind or spirit
or the adversities in their daily living
weigh heavy, are perhaps too much for them to bear.
Through the heartache and loss they need to sense the hope
that comes from the words,
“I am making all things new.”

We yearn for the day when nation will no longer fight with nation
and young people will not be sent to die in war;
when the animosity between peoples will come to an end.
… but today is not that day.

So our prayers are for those who wage war: politicians, military leaders,
those on the front lines and those civilians caught in the cross fire.
Through the gunfire and the smoke
may the cry for a different way of being still be heard,
whispering over the hatred,
“I am making all things new.”

We yearn for the day when every one of those who seek to follow Christ will be truly one, when theology and denomination and personal grudges will not divide the body
… but today is not that day.

So our prayers are for those who struggle to love their fellow Christian
who find it hard to accept the differences in belief they see,
who wrestle with strong feelings of anger or revulsion for their brother or sister in Christ.
Through the power struggles and the infighting, the cool receptions and stony silences
we hear the words once more,
“I am making all things new.”

For today may not be that day, when tears are dried, and wars are over,
and God’s people are one,
but it is coming
and in us, through us, if need be despite us,
we step ever closer to the day of a new heaven and a new earth
when the universe reverberates to the song,
“I am making all things new.”
Amen

Blessings

We are the loved people of God.
Together, in our gifts and in ourselves,
we add beauty to life here and beyond us
in a myriad of ways.
Through the Spirit,
we become part of the tree of life,
for the healing of the nations.
And the blessing of God, Creator, Son and Holy Spirit be with us all.

We still ourselves, and call ourselves to worship with the words that remind us of our Shepherd and Redeemer

CALL TO WORSHIP

We rejoice in the One who leads us beside still waters,
And gives us refreshment of soul.
Christ our Shepherd shows us the way we should go,
So that the name of God will be glorified.
Though all manner of evil befall us, we will not be afraid,
For the Great Shepherd of our souls is with us.
We are never away from the love and mercy of the Lord,
And we shall be with him for ever and ever.  Amen!

Lord Jesus Christ,
we come together because You call us.
Sometimes in the noisy bustle of life
Your call sounds faintly,
but somehow we have heard
and we are here.

We come in our weakness and uncertainty,
with our doubts
and our sense of unworthiness,
yet knowing Your voice
and trusting that our hope will not be disappointed.

Draw us closer to You.
Meet with us in our worship,
and lead us through the coming week.

Living God,
we worship You.
We bless You for Your love
which will not fail us.

As a shepherd gathers their flock
so, Good Shepherd, You gather us here today
to feed and refresh us.

Some of us come rejoicing
because our path has led through green pastures;
some come battered and bruised by life
because our path has led through dark and frightening valleys.
We need to know Your strength restoring our souls;
some of us, like foolish sheep, come before You ashamed
because we have wandered astray instead of following You
and now we come seeking Your forgiveness.

Thank You that in Your grace
and through the Lord Jesus
You seek us out,
You find us,
You help us,
and give us now joy and hope.

We hear Your call
to care for others as You care for us,
to love as You love,
to give and go on giving,
to heal, to feed,
to nurture and reconcile.

Help us to show our thankfulness
not only in our praise and prayers,
but by following You
in the way of self-sacrificing love,
bringing others to give thanks and love You too.

Meet with us by Your Spirit.
Make us one.
Lead us in Your ways
for Your glory.
Amen

Psalm 23

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
²   He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
³   he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
   for his name’s sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
   I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff—
   they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
   my whole life long.

Psalm 23 is one of, if not the best known and best loved texts in all of Scripture. It has brought comfort and strength to those on the battlefield, in the hospital, at a graveside, and to people going through almost any other kind of trial imaginable. It is also sung at weddings and times of celebration. It is a psalm for all seasons.

Intercession

We praise You for the living Christ
the Shepherd who knows His sheep;
not only those who are safe in His fold
but all who are far away
and have not heard His voice.

Today we pray for all who suffer and are not cared for –
the old who die alone,
the young who are neglected or cruelly treated,
young and old whose weaknesses are exploited,
and sensitivities abused,
all who are led astray,
all who are exploited,
for the vulnerable who are taken advantage of
and have no-one to stand by their side.

We pray for all who have grown hopeless
in their hunger and homelessness –
refugees from war and violence
trapped at borders or in makeshift camps,
those whose lives have been wrecked by conflicts
they do not understand
and cannot affect or change,
victims of military aggression
ethnic cleansing
or political ideology.

In a world of so much suffering
we pray too for the affluent,
comfortable and cared for,
who do not care;
for those who know what they should do
but do not bother;
for those who close their eyes and minds
and those who do not want to get involved.
And we pray for those who do care;
for those who accept the pain, cost and disturbance
that knowledge brings;
for those who want to help
but cannot see how.
Show them a way.

We pray for those who go
Where there is trouble, pain and poverty,
risking life and limb,
facing danger and fear.

Father, as we pray,
increase the depth of love in us
that we might give ourselves to others,
as You give Yourself to us.

Give us such joy
that the sheep may be found;
given health, strength, food
and hope for the future
and shown the way home.

Give us grace to follow You
wherever You lead
for Jesus’ sake,
Amen

Let’s begin our time together with a short prayer

Risen Lord,
present with us here,
feed us by Your Spirit,
that we may go from here to tend Your sheep
and to do so
in Your name and for Your sake. Amen

Confession

Lord Jesus Christ,
when we forget that You are alive…
when we act as though You cannot speak for Yourself:
forgive us, we pray.

When we’re slow to ask for Your advice and to look for Your guidance;
when we think we know best and forge ahead regardless,
because we are sure we know Your mind,
again, please forgive us.

Remind us in firm but gentle ways of how close and active You always are –
You who are the ever-living,
Lord of all creation.

Lord Jesus,
set God’s Spirit free to move among us here and now, we pray.
Give us the courage to let that Spirit renew and inspire us
as through Your Word, Your people and Your world,

You speak to us of hope and faith and love
and challenge us to live lives that are faithful to Your cause
of justice and peace.

Hear us now, as together with all Your people
we pray the words You taught Your friends, saying:
Our Father….

Psalm 30

Thanksgiving for Recovery from Grave Illness

A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the temple. Of David.
¹ I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
   and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
² O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
   and you have healed me.
³ O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
   restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

⁴ Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
   and give thanks to his holy name.
⁵ For his anger is but for a moment;
   his favour is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
   but joy comes with the morning.

⁶ As for me, I said in my prosperity,
   ‘I shall never be moved.’
⁷ By your favour, O Lord,
   you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face;
   I was dismayed.

⁸ To you, O Lord, I cried,
   and to the Lord I made supplication:
⁹ ‘What profit is there in my death,
   if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
   Will it tell of your faithfulness?
¹⁰ Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
   O Lord, be my helper!’

¹¹ You have turned my mourning into dancing;
   you have taken off my sackcloth
   and clothed me with joy,
¹² so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
   O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you for ever.

A beautifully poetic psalm that through its words offers real life reassurance of the God who is with us in the depths as well as the heights.

In fact, this psalm goes further still and holds out the hope of a God, who not only meets us in our suffering, but who takes the sackcloth from us and clothes us instead with joy.

This is not to brush over the reality of the tough times and experiences that fall to the human lot. It is to talk of the God who accompanies us through them, sharing our tears, before bringing us to healing and wholeness. Very much in keeping with the new life theme of Easter and with the notion of God’s transforming, generous and saving kindness.

Prayers for others, the world, us

Lord Jesus Christ, risen to live forever,
Thank You for continuing to entrust us with Your good news.
Thank you for continuing to stand by us even when we let You down
and thank You for never faltering in Your care for us
and Your love for us,
even when we hurt and betray You.

May we in return, stand by You…
care for You….
love You…
and above all, may we work with You in feeding Your sheep.
Give us, we pray,
the courage as individuals and as communities of Your people,
the courage to listen for Your voice,
the courage to pick up the nets of old habits,
to follow You to different waters.

And when we fear where that might lead us,
when we hesitate, pulled by the safe and familiar,
reassure us of being held in Your arms
and embolden us simply to follow.

Ever with us Lord,
we bring to You a world You care for deeply.
Into those places where violence is rife,
bring Your peace, we pray.
Into those places where hatred and suspicion grow,
encourage understanding, we pray
and sow and nurture the seeds of love and respect.
Where poverty and disease make life miserable for people,
don’t let us turn away.
Instead,
Help us to be Your hands:
Your heart,
Your feet,
Your voice.

For the planet itself, we pray –
giving You heartfelt thanks, Lord God, for its beauty,
its life
and power…
and majesty…
A thing so great and yet so vulnerable.
We rejoice in seas, mountains, lakes, fields, beaches and gardens –
all of them gifts from You to be enjoyed and cared for.
Help us to make sure we do just that.

May we thank the Creator for all creation
and know and value our own part in it.
All these prayers we offer in Jesus’ name,
the Living God,
who sees so much more than we could ever think or know,
and who chooses to invite us to join in the divine mission
to bring love and life and light to this world.

Glory be to Creator, Son and Spirit –
One Living God,
forever. Amen