Category: Worship

Call to Worship

Remembering when we could gather

as a congregation,

we worship now in our own homes.

Remembering how Jesus drew the crowds,

we worship knowing he draws us still in solidarity.

Remembering how Christ fed the hungry,

we worship now for food for the soul,

each solitary one of us a part

of that glorious noisy throng.

HYMN – By the Rivers of Babylon

All-Age Prayer

Lord God,

wherever you went,

the crowds followed,

because they knew that you would feed them

in body, mind, and spirit.

May we gather friends too

because we are known to be kind and generous.

You found it difficult to have time on your own,

may we always have space

to recharge when we are tired.

Help us, Lord Jesus, just like you did,

to always see possibility and potential,

and to enhance the gifts of others,

sharing what we have

and being glad of all that others bring.

So may we love and serve you in all things.

Amen.

Reading: Matthew 14 v 13 – 21  read by Linda Anderson

Reflection:

Prayer:

HYMN – For Everyone Born a Place at the Table

Sunday School for all ages:

Today’s song about our story:

O God, is going to give you, all that you need,

O God, is going to give you, all that you need, all that you need.

He is good and loves you, good and loves you, hey-eh-eh.

A Picnic Rug

You will need: long strips of different coloured material (length will depend on how big you wish the finished rug to be, but about fifteen 120 x 15 cm strips would give a fair-sized woven rug), duct tape, and scissors.

Lay out about seven strips vertically and starting at the top, show the children how to weave one of the other strips horizontally ‘over and under’ each strip. Explain that the next one needs to start ‘under then over’ to create the pattern and then let everyone work together to weave the rug.

When completed secure along each and using duct tape to keep the strips in place.

Talk with everyone about times when they have gone on a picnic and what they would usually take with them. Talk about the little boy in the story (in Luke’s gospel) taking his five loaves and two fish and how he was willing to share his food with the others. Talk about everyone then being able to get a little something to eat because he was willing to share what he had. Discuss the importance of sharing what we have with others.

HYMN – One Bread, One Body

Prayers for Others and Ourselves

God,

when we are frightened,

give us courage;

when we are disturbed,

bring us calm;

when we sit in darkness,

show us the beginnings of dawn;

when we want to retreat and be quiet,

nudge us back to bring life to others;

when we are tempted to hoard what we have,

open our hands to share.

God,

again and again remind us that we have power:

power to heal the earth and its people.

May we use that power

in love and service as Christ showed us.

Lord,

surprise us with glimpses of you

at work around us,

making all things new.

May we yearn to be a part of that,

working alongside you,

to heal creation with you,

God of the universe.

Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Lord God,

help us to use our power wisely

for the good of all creation.

May we share all that you have given us

for love of the world,

and to honour your name.

Amen.

HYMN – Guide Me O thou Great Jehovah

Sending

Lord, you are there for us.

When life leaves us parched or hungry,

anxious or weary,

direct us to you—

the source of Holy food.

Reveal yourself as the giver of all that we need.

Physical need is met in what you make ready for us,

and intend to make available for all.

Spiritual need is met in the giving of yourself for us,

and for all people.

With the knowledge of such love and generosity,

let us go into the world restored and renewed. Amen

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

Joseph with his technicolour dream coat

must have felt so very alone.

Jesus withdrew to solitary places

intentionally to be alone.

Peter went to be with Christ

and then felt incredibly afraid.

Jesus disperses a crowd

who were nothing but a gathering of individuals.

Gather today with the worldwide Church

even if you feel alone.

Withdraw with intention today to be with God.

If you have any fear,

bring it to Christ that he may help you walk.

As the individual that you are,

worship as you can.

HYMN – Jesus calls us O’er the Tumult

All-Age Prayer

Jesus Christ,

you know what it is to be afraid

and when you saw your friends soaked and scared,

you came to them.

While you were on your way,

you called to them

telling them it was okay to be afraid,

that you were with them on the water.

When Peter shouted out,

so excited and courageous,

you invited him to step out—

not to prove his faith

but to share your love.

And when the fear started

to beat harder in his heart

and his feet got wet with the waves,

you reached out your hand,

loved him,

and together you walked back to the boat.

Remind us that we are always safe with you.

Challenge us to make more safe places for each other

especially when we see other people scared.

Amen.

Reading: Matthew 14:22-33 read by Kirsty McGrath

Dramatised reading:

Reflection:

HYMN – Do Not be Afraid

Sunday School for all ages:

Picnic : You will need: blindfolds, cushions, bean bags, cones.

Organise a little ‘Trust Walk’ by laying out an obstacle course using the cushions, bean-bags or cones. Sort everyone into pairs and blindfold one and then get the other one to lead them carefully around the obstacle course using verbal instructions only. Swap people over so that each has a turn at going along the course.

Talk about how it felt to be guided around the course while unable to see. Talk about their feelings and their fears. Discuss how they overcame those fears e.g. by trusting the person who was leading them and focusing carefully on their voice.  Use this as a way into the story today.

Boats : You will need: walnut shells, cocktail sticks, gummed paper, scissors, Blutak, basin, water.

Give each person a walnut shell and a piece of Blutak. Make sure they have the shell looking like the hull of a boat and then ask them to place the Blutak into the bottom on the shell and push it into place. Give them a small piece of gummed paper and get them to cut it into a triangle shape and then fold the triangle in half. Open it out again and place the cocktail stick along the fold and stick both sides of the gummed paper together to make a sail. Finish the boat by pushing the cocktail stick sail into the Blutak. Fill the basin with some water and let the children see if their boat will float.

Talk about the story and the boat being tossed about on the water. Discuss how the disciples might be feeling. Discuss whether they think the feelings of the disciples might change when they see Jesus and if they do why, such as that they trust Jesus. Talk about times when they have been afraid and if it helped when they saw someone they trusted and loved.

HYMN – Oceans (where my feet fail)

Prayers for Others and Ourselves

For the days that the sound of the sea

is more Rock ‘n’ Roll than the Blue Danube

walk to us, God,

over the wind and waves.

When uncertainty and incivility crash and blow us about,

and we choose the immediacy of partisan politics over the

pastoral patient presence of your kingdom.

Call your peace to us, God,

over the wind and waves.

As hidden hurricanes lay waste to our souls

while, outwardly, we stroll in the eye of the storm.

Walk with us, God,

through the wind and waves.

In the threatening threshold of dawn’s uncertainty

may your voice roll upon the waters

filling our hearts with peace

and our heads with courageous kindness.

Unlink our courage and commitment

from our need for success.

Disconnect the assurance of your incarnation

from the perfection of our faith.

Make us bold in our loving,

less afraid of failure,

and more accepting

of the dynamic dance

of faith and doubt;

wind and waves;

life and eternity.

Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Set us free this day,

Giver of Grace

to give without expectation of return,

to receive without second-guessing the motive.

Set us free this day

to allow your words of life, peace and challenge

to reorient and rededicate our lives,

our congregations and our offerings

that we might also set others free.

Amen.

HYMN – My Life flows on in Endless Song

Sending

Jesus, you are the Son of God.

Even the wind and the waves,

the stormy seas,

are calmed by your Spirit.

We might never walk on the surface of water,

as if immune to life’s troubles,

yet, neither do we need to sink.

For you, Lord, are with us.

Your hand is upon us.

Your love is for us.

Your commitment to us is endless.

Thanks be to God,

and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit,

today and always. Amen.

Continue reading “Sunday Worship – 2nd August 2020 2nd service by Rev Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland”