Sunday Worship – 24th January by Rev Gayle Taylor

As we prepare to worship at home today, let’s reflect on what it has been like to be a follower of Jesus over the last year.

• What has been hard?

• What has been encouraging?

Call to Worship

The Lord our God calls us to worship,

we are called to gather together,

to raise our hearts, minds and voices

to the Holy One.

Come, praise the Lord

all you people,

offer this time to the one

who calls us by name.

HYMN –  When Jesus Saw the Fishermen

All-Age Prayer

Jesus called the fishermen,

Peter, Andrew, James and John.

How could they just drop their nets?

How could they leave their family and boats behind?

Were they not afraid, Lord?

What did their family and friends say?

We have so many questions

and maybe they did too.

Help us to understand

how they were able to say yes

when you called them.

May we be as brave as them

when we hear your call to us

to radical change

to come and follow you

Amen.

HYMN – Big Man Standing by the Blue Waterside

Reading: Mark 1 v 14 – 20 (or also in Matthew 4 v 18-22)

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen

14 After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News from God. 15 “The right time has come,” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!”

16 As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew, catching fish with a net. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.” 18 At once they left their nets and went with him.

19 He went a little farther on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat getting their nets ready. 20 As soon as Jesus saw them, he called them; they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went with Jesus.

Dramatised reading:

Reflection:

HYMN – I will Make You Fishers Men

Prayers for Others and Ourselves

Ever loving God,

mother and father of all,

creator and guardian of everything

that we perceive,

we come together today,

in praise and joy to give thanks

for your love and to rejoice in

the gifts you have given.

We pray for our world,

which has been terrorised by the

implications of Covid-19.

We ask for your eternal protection

on those who work to keep your

beloved children safe.

In a time where the interdependence

of all people has become ever more evident

and yet the divisions that plague our societies

have become ever more obvious,

we ask for the boldness to acknowledge

our prejudice and to work for

justice for all peoples.

We pray for your church,

for the individuals who make up

this body of Christ,

and for the institutions that organise

and facilitate the gathering of your

church in community.

In this time of change,

and hardship for a people who

have lost the privileged position

once occupied by Christians in the western world,

help us to see the gift that this can bring

to guide us towards a simpler,

faithful church, focused on love of you

love of our neighbour and ourselves.

We pray for each person here today,

as we each chart our own path through life,

seeking to do good,

at times succeeding

and at times failing,

that we may each find strength

in your love to live well

and show the radical love

offered in and commanded by your son

today and every day.

Amen.

The Offering:

As well as our offerings of our time and talents, we make our monetary offerings by standing order, in free will envelopes and now, if you wish, you can make an offering online by visiting the main page of the website and clicking on the “donate now” button.

Prayer of Dedication

Holy God,

may the spirit nudge us daily

in the way we are meant to go,

may we always look to Jesus

to be our guide as we walk this journey of life.

Take all we offer today,

use our gifts of money

for the building of your kingdom,

use our talents

to help others come to know you

and grow in discipleship.

Lord, all we have we offer to you,

today and always.

Amen.

HYMN – Heaven Shall Not Wait

Sending:

Called by God to follow,

the time has come

to go into the world

and make Christ known to all we meet.

And as you do,

may God guide your path,

may Jesus walk beside you

and may the Holy Spirit inspire you.

Today, tomorrow and forever more. Amen