Hymn: STF 31 May the glory of the Lord fill his temple
Opening Prayer
Lead everyone in the actions in italics.
Come, let us keep a time of quiet together. (finger on lips)
In the quiet, let us listen to our breathing. (hand on chest, breathe in and out three times)
Often, we take for granted the air that keeps us alive, but now it reminds us (hands to the head) that every day God’s Spirit strengthens us (raise arms in ‘strongman’ pose) and brings us new life (move hands in and place across heart).
And / or
Here in this place, we gather to worship God.
For here, our time together is linked to eternity;
our worship renews the holiness within us and around us.
Let us praise the giver of all good things.
To God be all praise!
Amen.
STF 86 Praise the Lord! You heavens adore him
Prayer of Adoration
God, who is everywhere,
we worship and adore you here and now, in your house.
Jesus, who lived among us,
we worship and adore you here and now,
in the fellowship of this congregation.
Holy Spirit, divine messenger, comforter and counsellor,
we worship and adore you here and now.
Come to us as we prepare a place for God,
in our hearts and in our midst.
Amen.
Prayer of confession & forgiveness
Father, we confess that we often love your house
more than we love you.
We marvel at the beauty of the building;
we are in awe of the walls our forefathers raised.
We stare in wonder at stained glass windows.
We are comforted by familiar furnishings.
Forgive us, Lord, for being distracted by these things.
We confess also that we so often forget you during the week,
as if you are only to be found here, on this day.
Forgive us the vanity of thinking that we can build a house
to contain you, to capture your presence for our convenience.
We set aside our admiration of human-made glories,
and seek to concentrate our hearts and minds only on you.
Living, loving God,
you forgive us when we love bricks and mortar more than you.
You forgive us when we forget why we come here.
Thank you for this divine forgiveness of our human failings.
Amen.
Prayer of Thanks
Father, we praise you for giving us this special place in which to gather.
But, most of all, we praise you for your presence and that of other people.
Thank you for bringing us together within these hallowed walls.
We bow in gratitude for the grace that nurtures our fellowship,
as in community with one another and communion with you,
we hear your Word, and learn more about your love.
All praise and thanks be to the One whose dearest wish is to find a place in our hearts for himself.
Amen.
Reading 1 Kings 8: (1-6, 1-11) 22-30, 41-43
(extra readings Psalm 84, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69)
STF 39 Angel voices ever singing
Reflection: Making space for God to turn up
Do you have a space that is special and holy for God? Is there a place where you feel especially close to God? Is there somewhere you like to visit that helps you know you are in the presence of God?
I am thankful that there are a few places for me…..often by water…a river, a canal, a lake but especially a sea. You may already know this of me. Whilst out for a run recently I found myself on windy path with shrubs and trees creating an arc above alongside the river…..I sensed God’s presence and a sense that although the end of this physical path could not be seen, God leads us like the psalmist shares by still waters and we keep walking on faithfully. For many consecutive years I have been able to visit Buckfast Abbey which is next to the village where I was ordained in 2005. There is a chapel in the abbey with a stunning stain glass window where Jesus arms are outstretched in welcome behind the table…it is here that I immediately find myself able to rest in the presence of God. Certain places enable us to rest in God’s presence. Where is that for you? Is it in the church you attend, is it an online space like our circuit evening zoom service or circuit morning prayers on Thursday? Spaces we are offered to be part of weekly wherever we find ourselves – at home, at work, away, on our walk, wherever we are. Spaces online to connect with others and in worship with God.
Our reading from Kings describes the Ark being brought to the Temple. Solomon had completed the job his father David had begun. The tablets bearing the Ten Commandments resided in the city of David and now here we have them being brought to the Temple which is newly consecrated. The passage we read is Solomon’s prayer. Solomon acknowledges the greatness of God and his faithfulness to the promises that God gave to David and now claimed for Solomon and the people, and the foreigners which means those who travel from a distance. Solomon prays that God will answer their prayers so that all will know that God is above all other gods.
Today we are the temple that God calls home. The role of the gathered church, that meets today in many different ways: in person, online, via worship sheets, social media and websites: what unites us together as the people of Manchester Methodists: our role is to welcome all who come to meet with God, especially those who are unknown to us. Part of Solomon’s prayer (verse 41-43) was for those who come from afar, for us today that is any of our visitors.
Our reading from 1 Kings is a historical moment for Israel as Solomon dedicates the Temple, fulfilling God’s promise to David to be a chosen people with a God-given purpose. A holy space for a holy people. What we read is a memorable occasion for the people of the day. What about our spaces – where is it that you are close to God? It may not be a particular place like I mentioned at the beginning, it may be the church where you attend, or when the organist plays your favourite hymn and the congregation sing out and you sense in that moment the presence of God (and for me tingles down my body). The temple was a special place of welcome to those near and those afar. Does your church provide a special welcome for those who step in? if not, what could you do to enable that to happen?
Solomon prayed, “Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.”
May our prayers of praise echo that of Solomons as we are thankful for those times we sense God’s presence and may we help others to have that same experience too.
Prayer:
Holy God, here in this place we worship together,
and we feel your presence bringing joy to our hearts.
May this time together remind us of your promise that
you are with us, always, to the end of time.
Amen.
Questions to ponder:
- What kind of spaces help you to worship?
- How does being in a different place (e.g. outdoors, online, at a festival, in a quiet space) affect your worship?
- Are there any changes you could make to your current space to help more people to worship freely?
Music to listen to: ( tune: Kingsfold)
The God who set the stars in space
The God who set the stars in space
and gave the planets birth
created for our dwelling place
a green and fruitful earth;
a world with wealth and beauty crowned
of sky and sea and land,
where life should flourish and abound
beneath its Maker’s hand.
A world of order and delight
God gave for us to tend,
to hold as precious in his sight,
to nurture and defend;
but yet on ocean, earth and air
the marks of sin are seen,
with all that God created fair
polluted and unclean.
O God, by whose redeeming grace
the lost may be restored,
who stooped to save our fallen race
in Christ, creation’s Lord,
through him whose cross is life and peace
to cleanse a heart defiled
may human greed and conflict cease
and all be reconciled.
Renew the wastes of earth again,
redeem, restore, repair;
with us, your children, still maintain
your covenant of care.
May we, who move from dust to dust
and on your grace depend,
no longer, Lord, betray our trust
but prove creation’s friend.
Our God, who set the stars in space
and gave the planets birth,
look down from heaven, your dwelling place,
and heal the wounds of earth;
till pain, decay and bondage done,
when death itself has died,
creation’s songs shall rise as one
and God be glorified!
Written by Timothy Dudley-Smith
Hymn: STF 783 Ubi Caritas – sing before and after intercessions.
Prayers of Intercession
[You can adapt the first section for your context.]
Heavenly Father, as we bow our heads before you in this hallowed place, we pray that we might have the right attitude to this, your Church. Help us to be ever mindful that it is YOUR Church, even while we love it as our Church. Guide us in being good stewards of the building, but let us not be blinded by the beauty of it, so that our hearts rejoice in stained glass, shining brass and polished pews rather than in you.
May we always make space for your presence, O Lord.
Father, we pray for our community, and this Church as the symbol of your presence within it. May its walls never be so high and hallowed that we forget those who are outside them; may its doors never be so daunting that those in the community feel your house is no place for them. Let your presence seep through these walls and beyond these doors, Lord, and may we be bearers of your presence as we go about our daily lives.
May we always make space for your presence, O Lord.
We pray for the wider Church, Father, in our nation and in the world. May it represent the calm centre of your presence, extending your peace and welcome to all. May it be the source of your active presence as, in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, Christians set out to work for you in Jesus’ name. We pray for all in the mission field, and for those who serve in charities that deliver food and medical aid to poor and war-torn countries. We pray for those involved in projects to bring water where it is needed, and to educate the young so that they may have a better chance at life.
May we always make space for your presence, O Lord.
Father, we bring before you all those known to us who are afflicted by illness – mental or physical. Please let them remember you, and that you are with them. We pray that they will make space for you, and not shut you out in their pain and bewilderment. Likewise, for those who are grieving, we pray that their grief will not become a darkness which allows for no light, but that they will let you in, bringing healing and love.
May we always make space for your presence, O Lord.
Amen
Hymn: STF 680 Come, host of heaven’s high dwelling place
Closing Prayer
Go out in peace:
may the presence of the God you have experienced here
travel with you into the world and bring peace to others.
Share a simple act of shalom (hands together and bow to
another individual)
Amen.
© Roots for Churches Ltd (www.rootsforchurches.com) 2002-2024.
Reproduced with permission.
