Sitting in different chairs, joining in at different times throughout the day, God’s people still gather for worship on this, the Lord’s day. Welcome, to Sunday worship.
Call to Worship (with parts in bold to say aloud)
Let us lift up our eyes to the Lord
enthroned in the heavens!
We come ready to worship,
to listen anew to the Word of the Lord.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord,
and may we never tempt your scorn,
Fill us, as we gather,
with your spirit of justice.
Let your freedom reign, O Lord,
guiding us and leading us to new life.
We are here to worship God,
let us lift our hearts in praise.
HYMN O God you Search me and you Know Me
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Lord God,
giver of all good things,
giver of life itself,
we worship and adore you.
You created the earth
and asked us to care for it.
We took control
and began to exploit
the resources you gave us.
You gave us enough and more to share.
We hoarded as though things were scarce
and let others go hungry and voiceless.
God,
if we have learned nothing else in this season,
may we never forget
how connected we all are
across the world.
When one part of the body hurts,
all suffer.
So, God,
before we lose sight of all that you’ve taught us,
unclench our hands
and release in us your generosity.
Convict us in our worship
of your call to us to clothe the naked,
to feed the hungry,
to house the homeless,
to give sight to the blind and healing to the lame—
such is your power and your faith in us.
May our worship then renew and equip us
to serve you by serving the world.
Amen.
Hymn Prayer for Harmony and Unity
Reading: Matthew 25 v 14 – 20 read by Alan Marshall
Dramatised Reading:
Reflection:
HYMN – Father I Place into your Hands
Prayers for Others and Ourselves
God you have reminded us
that all humanity is connected.
We are dependent on one another
and on the earth that you created.
So, help us to live in love,
caring for one another,
building up one another
in love and reverence.
May we never avert our eyes
when any of your children suffer
but instead hear you calling us
to make a difference.
May we never feel self-sufficient
but always be aware
of how we need each other.
May we never be silent
when our voices should be raised in protest.
God it is not your will that any should suffer,
so help us to pray for
and work towards justice,
inclusion,
equity and love
with all that we have,
bearing one another’s burdens,
sharing one another’s sorrows.
God, help us to use our power wisely
and always for good
until we see your kingdom come
and your will done.
Amen.
HYMN – I the Lord of Sea and Sky
All Age Church
Our churches have taken a financial hit this year, some more than others. Today’s offering idea is a collective one. A fundraising idea that has been used in a number of places and involves giving people a set amount of money and asking them to go and use this wisely to raise more. In one church the minister bought watercolour paints and painted some pictures that were then sold. Others used the money to buy the ingredients for small-scale coffee mornings which they invited friends to come to and charged a fee or asked for a donation. Some bought ingredients to make jam or marmalade to sell.
• If the church were to give you £100 how would you use that to raise funds?
• Is this a fundraising idea that might work for our setting?
Offering: if you wish to give online you can use the button below:
Prayer of Dedication
Generous God,
we bring ourselves,
withholding nothing that you have given us.
Use our gifts and skills
to change the world,
beginning right where we are.
Amen.
HYMN – Sent by the Lord am I
Sending
Our faith asks much of us,
sometimes it can feel too much.
As you go from our time together
know that you are enough.
Your presence and faithfulness
are a great witness to God’s love.
Beloved child of God
know God’s blessing
with you this day and every day. Amen.