Worship for 10th May

Today our readings use images of dwelling places and of journeys. God in Christ is our Way and our destination. Our prayers and activities make use of both these pictures.

To take part in the activities, all you need is a couple of sheets of paper, a pencil, and coloured pens/crayons.

First a hymn to bring us into God’s presence Be still for the presence of the Lord (StF 20)

Lyrics:

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here;

Come bow before him now, with reverence and fear:

In him no sin is found- we stand on holy ground.

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here.

 

Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around;

He burns with holy fire, with splendour he is crowned:

How awesome is the sight- our radiant King of light!

Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around.

 

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place;

He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace:

No work too hard for him- in faith receive from him.

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

 

(David J Evans)

 

Prayers of praise and of confession

Gracious God, you are our way and our destination.

Your strength sustains us. Your power delivers us.

Your mercy brings forgiveness to us.

We come to you in adoration,

Praising you that our whole life is in your hands- held, sustained, protected.

Glory be to you, merciful Lord,

Glory, honour, majesty, and worship,

In the name of your Son, our redeemer.

 

Forgive us, loving God, that we have strayed from your way.

Forgive us for the times our lives have not been shaped by your truth.

Forgive us for denying your life in us and in others by the way we have lived.

In the name of Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life, we pray.

(Silence)

 

We thank you, loving God, that whenever we are truly sorry, you always forgive us.

In Jesus’ name

 

Amen

 

(adapted from Roots)

 

Readings

I Peter 2: 2-10 

Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:

“See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame”

To you then, who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner” and

“a stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

 

John 14:1-14

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

 

A hymn of praise for God’s work in Jesus Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord (StF 295)

Lyrics:

Chorus:

Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord,

Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.

 

Jesus is Lord of all the earth;

He is the King of creation:

 

Chorus

 

Spread the good news o’er all the earth:

Jesus has died and has risen:

 

Chorus

 

We have been crucified with Christ;

Now we shall live for ever:

 

Chorus

 

God has proclaimed the just reward:

New life for all! Alleluia!

 

Chorus

 

Come let us praise the living God,

Joyfully sing to our Saviour:

 

Chorus.

 

(Donald Fishel)

 

Reflection 10th May

 

Activity

Make a timeline. Draw a line- it can be straight or meandering- and divide it equally into sections representing the decades of your life. Mark on it major or memorable life events. Then ask yourself where was God present in this event? Did you realise it at the time, or later? Was/were there times when God seemed absent? What do you think now? Has there been a pattern in the ways or events you have been led by God? What have you learned so far?

 

A hymn recognising God’s presence with us in all things I watch the sunrise lighting the sky (StF 469)

 

Lyrics:

I watch the sunrise lighting the sky, casting its shadows near.

And on this morning, bright though it be, I feel those shadows near me.

 

Chorus:

But you are always close to me, following all my ways.

May I be always close to you, following all your ways, Lord.

 

I watch the sunlight shine through the clouds, warming the earth below.

And at the mid-day, life seems to say, “I feel your brightness near me.”

 

Chorus

 

I watch the sunset fading away, lighting the clouds with sleep.

And as the evening closes its eyes, I feel your presence near me.

 

Chorus.

 

I watch the moonlight guarding the night, waiting till morning comes,

The air is silent, earth is at rest- only your peace is near me.

 

Chorus

 

(John Glynn)

 

Prayers

A prayer activity from Roots:

Take a piece of paper or card and draw a bright circle in the middle. Label it Jesus-God. Embellish it with ‘rays of golden light’ drawn with pens or crayon. With reference to the gospel reading, think about what you do which draws you closer to God, or to a godly life. Pray that Jesus will continue to show you the truth and fill you with new life.

Prayer for the world:

In a world of warfare, violence and pandemic, many people live in fear.

Many have had their lives and livelihoods destroyed.

Many grieve for those who have died.

That they may know your strength and peace, loving God,

Be for them a dwelling place.

 In a world where harvests have failed, and where there have been droughts and floods,

Many do not have money to pay for food or power.

Many are reaching the end of their tether.

That they may know your strength and peace, loving God,

Be for them a dwelling place.

 In a world where many people are alone, many do not know where to look for comfort.

Many see no purpose or future. Some cannot see the point of anything.

That they may know your strength and peace, loving God,

Be for them a dwelling place.

In our lives when we struggle and doubt, when we don’t know what to say or do;

When life overwhelms us and we turn to you,

That we may know your strength and peace, loving God,

Be for us a dwelling place.

In the name of the living Lord Jesus, our Saviour and companion.

Amen (adapted from Roots)

 

A sending out hymn Love divine all loves excelling (StF 503)

Lyrics:

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down,

Fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesu, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;

Visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.

 

Come, almighty to deliver, let us all thy life receive;

Suddenly return, and never, never more thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,

Pray and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

 

Finish then thy new creation, pure and spotless let us be;

Let us see thy great salvation, perfectly restored in thee:

Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,

Till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love and praise.

 

(Charles Wesley)

 

May God bless you, guide you and direct you.

May God bless you, give you strength and the assurance of his love.

May God bless you and fill your life with his presence- today and always.

 

Amen.