Call to worship:
Jesus said: ‘Take courage, it is I. Don’t be afraid.’
Our God is a powerful God,
who does things way beyond our understanding.
But we have no need to fear,
for we know we are safe in God’s presence.
Let us come to our God now.
Let us bow down and worship.
Amen.
Hymn:
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.
C: 1986 Thankyou Music CCL: 946077
Prayers of praise and confession:
God of all faithfulness,
you meet us in Christ in the ordinary and everyday.
You are there in the boat with us,
as we are tossed about by the difficulties of life.
You reach out to us when we are at our lowest ebb.
You call to us to step out in faith, beyond our own limitations.
You pick us up when we falter and let you down.
You bring calm and peace when all around brings distress.
How can we cease from singing your praises?
How can we do other than bring our adoration?
We can do no other than thank you for your goodness to us.
Lord God,
We come recognising that all too often we fail to trust you will lead us and guide us.
I’m sorry for the times I take my eyes off you,
and seek to do things in my own strength.
Lord, I pray that you will forgive
my doubts and hesitations,
show me your loving presence,
especially when I most need it,
and teach me to trust you at all times.
Amen.
Adapted from ROOTS
Reading: Matthew 14:22-33
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind] he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Hymn:
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways:
reclothe us in our rightful mind;
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord
let us, like them, without a word:
‘Rise up and follow me.
O sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
when Jesus shared on bended knee
the silence of eternity
interpreted by love.
With that deep hush subduing all
our words and works that drown
the tender whisper of your call,
as noiseless let thy blessing fall
as fell your manna down.
Drop your still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire,
speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still small voice of calm!
Reflection:
I have walked along the coast at Eastbourne watching the waves batter the cliffs in high winds. I have been drenched in the spray, because I didn’t want to leave. The power and beauty of the created world is truly awe-inspiring. I was at a safe distance. Not so for the disciples.
The disciples knew that a calm sea could quickly become a raging sea. They must have seen weather like it before. After all, some of them had fished those waters, earning their living on the sea. Yet, there they were, battered by the waves and the wind, a lot way from shore. They must have been wet, exhausted and frightened.
Then, as if they weren’t scared enough, they see a man approaching them walking on water – it’s got to be a ghost! But immediately Jesus speaks to them, offering words of comfort and reassurance, “Take heart;” he says, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
It was Peter who spoke up, in faith, but also in doubt. He seemed to recognise Jesus, but at the same time there was an element of uncertainty. It was as if he wanted proof that Jesus is real. Was it really him? I wonder if he expected Jesus to say, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and started to walk towards Jesus. Then fear took hold again. He
realised the strength of the wind and the height of
the waves. You can imagine him thinking, “What am I doing, this is crazy.” It was too much for him. He began to sink. Jesus reached out, caught him, and you can almost hear the disappointment in his voice, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
I don’t believe Peter failed – he did walk on the water. It’s hardly surprising, given the conditions, that be became distracted.
We will all have known, or know, some fear, doubt and distraction, especially given the circumstances surrounding us over the last few months. It’s not just for ourselves, we’re afraid for our loved ones too.
Maybe we fear losing our health or our security. Maybe we’re afraid of not being able to put food on the table.
Maybe we’re afraid of feeling powerless to control our own lives.
Maybe we’re afraid of the unknown and what may, or may not happen in the future.
Maybe we’re just afraid, and we don’t know why.
And that’s without all our fears for other parts of our world!
Sometimes we long to be taken out of our situation to be somewhere we can feel safe and protected.
Jesus came to the disciples in the midst of the wind and the waves. He speaks words of comfort to them, but not from outside. He is right there with them in the storm. One of my favourite names for Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. No matter what we go through, no matter what our fears may be, he is right there with us, in the wind and waves, holding us up as he held Peter.
As with those disciples, we can find it difficult to recognise him when we’re fearful, distracted, or at our wit’s end. Sometimes we just have to hold on and trust. We know, rather than hear, that Jesus says to us, “Take heart; do not be afraid.”
And there is the good news. When the waves tower over us and the wind is blowing so hard we struggle to stand and we are fearful, Jesus reaches out to catch us. Nothing can separate us from him.
Quiet reflection:
Where do we turn when life becomes hard?
Who or what do we trust?
Song: Oceans
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour.
Prayers of intercession:
Lord God, we come before you to pray for all those people for whom taking risks is a way of life.
Lord, reveal yourself to them and keep them safe.
We pray for our emergency services – paramedics, the police, NHS staff, the fire service – all who daily face difficult situations
as they seek to help to protect us and make our world a safer and more peaceful place.
Lord, reveal yourself to them and keep them safe.
We pray for people who work in troubled areas
– the armed forces in war zones,
those who bring humanitarian aid
into areas of natural disaster, and many more.
Lord, reveal yourself to them and keep them safe.
We pray for people who take risks in your name, Lord Jesus
– those who take your word where it is most needed
– and for people who grapple with faith and doubt.
Lord, reveal yourself to them and keep them safe.
We ask in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Adapted from ROOTS
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn:
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them,
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them,
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
Blessing:
Peter only knew life as a fisherman.
But he got out of the boat and followed you, Lord.
Help us to hear your voice,
get out of our boats and follow you.
Keep us focused on your way,
looking ahead and trusting you.
May the blessing of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Be with us now and always.
Amen.
