Image: Crucifix of Colour by Laura James, detail, recent installation in the University of the South, Tenessee.
You can watch the bible readings and sermon here, or scroll down to read the rest of the Sunday prayers and content, and watch this video at the point it occurs during worship.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY & CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? God sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. God stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. God brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than God blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? It is God who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of God’s great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40: 21 – 27
Let us Pray: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. God will not grow tired or weary, and God’s understanding no one can fathom. God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint, for not one of us is missing either. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen Isaiah 40:28 – 31
HYMN
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Your hand has made
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder
Your power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to You
How great You are, how great You are x 2
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home – what joy shall fill my heart!
Then shall I bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim: my God how great You are!
Words and Music © Stuart K Hine 1953 Kingsway Thank You Music CCLI Licence # 31951
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Jesus enters into the places where we experience intimacy and closeness. Jesus enters into the places where we experience stress and strain, those parts of us that are unwell. Jesus takes us by the hand, streaming love and goodness into the places that need it most. And we become free to serve, free to worship. Jesus enters into this place today. Come, let’s ready our hearts to sing!
The reign of God is always near, if only we would be still enough to find and know!
Let us Pray: Let us find a quiet place within us where we might welcome God’s loving presence this day. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Guide us to your Divine healing Heart this day.
GOSPEL READING Karen R & Kathy S
MARK 1: 29 – 39
One: As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Two: Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him & when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”
So he travelled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues & driving out demons.
BOTH: In these words are found our Lord of compassion and healing touch. Thanks be to God!
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we know you are with us and present to us always, which means there are always opportunities to welcome and embrace Life in all its many and varied forms.
And yet, we are often stressed and overwhelmed; we avoid the places of the heart.
We’re sorry for the times we live life so disconnected, distracted, and numb.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
God understands the challenge of being human, and how easily we take our leave from the rhythms of grace we are invited to participate in. But there is always a fresh invitation to return – made especially easy by God’s grace & forgiveness. Here’s another one – another extension from God to you – forgiveness is found in the place of the heart where God is always present and always ready to embrace you lovingly. Thanks be to God!
HYMN
Jesus’ hands were kind hands, doing good to all
Healing pain and sickness, blessing children small
Washing tired feet, and saving those who fall
Jesus’ hands were kind hands, doing good to all.
Take my hands, Lord Jesus, let them work for You
Make them strong and gentle, kind in all I do
Let me watch You, Jesus, till I’m gentle too
Till my hands are kind hands, quick to work for you.
Words © M B Cropper by permission Stainer & Bell, London Used with permission CCLI Licence # 31951
MESSAGE So who is this Jesus of Nazareth?
HYMN
O Christ, the Healer, we have come
To pray for health, to plead for friends.
How can we fail to be restored
When reached by love that never ends?
From every ailment flesh endures
Our bodies clamour to be freed
Yet in our hearts we would confess
That wholeness is our deepest need.
How strong, O Lord, are our desires
How weak our knowledge of ourselves!
Release in us those healing truths
Unconscious pride resists or shelves.
In conflicts that destroy our health
We diagnose the world’s disease
Our common life declares our ills
Is there no cure, O Christ, for these?
Fred Pratt Green 1903 – 2000 Words and music by permission Stainer & Bell, London CCLI Licence # 31951
OFFERTORY PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Peter S
LORD’S PRAYER
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love now and forever. Amen
HOLY COMMUNION Elder – Sue
The Peace of the Lord be with you.
And also with you
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
With all that we are, we give you glory, Trinity of love, the One and Holy God, sovereign of all time and space. We bless you for this wide, red land, for its rugged beauty, its changing seasons, for its diverse peoples and for all who live upon this fragile earth. You have called us to be the Church in this place, to give voice to every creature under heaven.
WORDS OF INVOCATION Holy God, we beg for your Spirit: Enliven this bread, awake this body, pour us out for each other. Transfigure our minds, ignite your church; nourish the life of the earth. Make us, while many, united; make us though broken, whole; make us, despite death, alive.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
LAMB OF GOD
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world
Grant us your peace.
DISTRIBUTION
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
HYMN
Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing
The people of God from His dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended: may now be extended
The fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of His teaching, our hungry souls reaching
Shall blossom in action for all humankind.
His grace shall incite us, his love shall unite us
To work for his kingdom, his purpose to find.
With praise and thanksgiving to God ever-living,
The tasks of our everyday life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,
Embracing as neighbours all those of each race.
One feast that has fed us, one light now lead us;
Unite us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living, with praise and thanks giving
Give honour to Christ and His name that we bear.
Omer Westerndorf 1916 – 1997 Text Copyright 1964 World Library Publications CCLI Licence # 31951
BLESSING & BENEDICTION
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