The Call to Worship
Hugh led us into Worship with a responsive reading from Psalm 107: 1-7;
35-37
Leader: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, and
his mercy endures for ever.
People: He gathered them out of the lands; from the
east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Leader: Some wandered in desert wastes; they found no
way to a city where they might dwell.
People: They were hungry and thirsty; their spirits
languished within them.
Leader: Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
People: He put their feet on a straight path to go to
a city where they might dwell.
Leader: He changed deserts
into pools of water and dry land into water-springs.
People: He settled the
hungry there, and they founded a city to dwell in.
Leader: They sowed fields,
and planted vineyards, and brought in a fruitful harvest.
People: Give thanks to the
LORD, for he is good, and his mercy endures for ever. Amen!
Hymn TiS 130 “We plough
the fields and scatter”
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above;
then thank the Lord, O
thank the Lord for all his love.
This well loved hymn written by the German, Matthias
Claudius, was translated into English in 1869.
This “Harvest Hymn” has always been a great favourite of film producers
who always seem to include a verse or two in any movie where they want to
convey a spirit of community in their story.
I smiled as I sang and looked around at our church family. I remembered the story of the widowed Nellie
Shipway who walked many miles across the fields to Marsden Road
Church
Announcements:
We were reminded that our Lamington
Drive
Prayer
of Adoration and Confession:
Hugh
prayed for God to; “reach into the darkness with hope, truth and light” and to
use His almighty love to “move mountains,
cross seas and breathe life in the darkest places.” Hugh asked that; “we give you our lives in this worship” so God can use our lives to
reveal God’s blessings to the world. Amen.
We asked for and were given forgiveness for our sins as we vowed to
remember that love for God and love for our neighbours are the same thing.
Offering / Prayer: The offering was taken by the stewards and children and the
Important Bible Words for the Day were read once again by Oliver,
with help from Elaine.
Joshua 3: Verse 9; “Come here and
listen to the words of the Lord your God.”
We all repeated the Important Bible Words and the children went to
Sunday Kids.
In recognition of All Saints Day and the Marsden Road “Saints” through
189 years of continuous worship in this place - the men’s Quartet, Malcolm,
Grahame, Hugh and Warwick sang “When the Saints go Marching In” and invited us
all to join in the final chorus.
I looked around at some of the other memorials and windows dedicated to
the memory of some friends I had worshiped with in this sacred place and felt the love in this place.
Hymn TiS 745 “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
We really enjoyed singing this hymn as a round, although, with reading
the words from the screen we did mix ourselves up a little, but it still
sounded harmonious and was great fun.
Bible Reading
Pat read the very clear and unmistakable message about pride and
pretence and the lesson about the true value of real humility.
Reflection:
“God is not impressed with pride”
This Reflection was well timed for a society that seems to have become a
little carried away with pride in its achievements. Hugh spoke of the way we might describe
ourselves and suggested most would respond with a description of their
vocations and positions. He spoke of the
longing for respect we have, but warned this should not lead us to see
ourselves as superior to others.
Cultural bragging rites, was the term Hugh used to describe our need to
be “top dog” in some area of our life.
This need for progression and being “the best” leads to a need to
impress others and a feeling of superiority.
In short, like the Pharisees in today’s reading we can become hypocrites
and believe we are a step closer to God than those who are not as well
educated, respected or accepted in society.
Hugh agreed it is good to succeed, it is good to want the best for your
company, family or community, but pride is always a danger.
“God is not impressed with pride.
God is not interested in how great you are. He is interested in how great
others are as a result of your life.”
In telling a story of a teacher who learned to love her pupils, even
those who were not so appealing, Hugh demonstrated how this teacher made a
difference by making individuals feel important. “She let God use her as an
instrument of his love, an instrument of encouragement.” “If you want to be somebody, put others before
yourself. It is as simple as that.”
What an important lesson that is for all of us to understand and act
upon every day!
In acknowledging that we live in a competitive society, Hugh stressed it
is not sinful to want to “get to the top” – but the real problem is just how
you get there. He reminded us that, as
Christians are always under a microscope and asked; “Are you living a life worthy of being called a child of God? Or are you just wearing a mask?” That
certainly is a question worth our serious consideration and an honest answer!
Hugh shared the motto of his high school in Korea Jerusalem
Hugh concluded with Mark’s version of today’s reading from Matthew.
Mark 10: 42-45; “Jesus called
them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the
Gentiles have power over them, and their leaders exercise authority over them.
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be the
servant of the rest, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, he came to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Amen.
Prayers of the People: Our prayers were led by Delma who acknowledged
on our behalf that we need so much comfort and strength from God because we are
surrounded by fear and uncertainty – with our God - the only real certainty we
have. The prayer was for us to listen to
our Heavenly Father and to become people of His great love. We asked for blessings for people who help us
and help in other lands and give comfort, strength and courage. We prayed for the people who are helping with
the Ebola crisis, for the church and its people and for the people from our own
“little church with a big heart”. Then
we shared the comfort of the Lord’s Prayer.
Communion: Blessed
are you, Lord God of all creation: through your goodness we have this bread to
set before you, which earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the bread of
life. Blessed be God for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
through your goodness we have this wine to set before you, fruit of the vine
and work of human hands.
It will become for us the cup of salvation.
Blessed be God for ever.
Before
taking Communion at the alter rail we proclaimed our Faith:
Christ has died: Christ is risen; Christ
will come again.
Hymn “The Summons” A song of the Iona Community written by John L. Bell in 1987.
This certainly is a call that invites a
positive response from us whenever we sing it in our worship.
Will you come and follow me If I but call
your name?
Will you go where you don’t know And never
be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, Will you let
my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown In you and
you in me?
The
Benediction & Blessing
Hugh sent us from the service with a feeling of renewal as he invoked the
Benediction and Blessing. Amen.
Retiring hymn: “May
the feet of God walk with you”
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