Worship at Home Services
 This Mothering Sunday Worship at Home Service has been prepared for you by Revd Ruth Simpson with prayers by Revd Phillip Warrey. A Children's Prayer for Ukraine Loving God, we pray for peace in Ukraine. Help keep people safe and protect them from being hurt. Please care for children separated from their families, Please help people who have had to leave their homes. We pray for love and peace, everywhere. In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Amen. StF 416 There's a wideness in God's mercy *Prayers Lord we pray on this Mothering Sunday for Mothers all over the world including our own. We pray for mothers where life is difficult, trying to protect their children in places of strife, famine, and war, for mothers despairing in poverty, for mothers facing illness or bereavement. We give thanks for mothers and all their love and care. We give thanks for new mothers and pray for strength and grace in caring for their children. We grieve for those who have not known their mothers, have had difficult relationships with their mother, or lost their mother. We pray for those who have been unable to be mothers or had opportunities to mother snatched from them. Lord we pray your love and grace, comfort, and healing into all the places and situations it is needed. Amen The Lord’s Prayer Our Father …… StF 443 Come let us sing Reading Luke 15:11-32 Sermon - Revd Ruth Simpson StF 594 Lord Jesus Christ StF 409 Let us build a house *Blessing May God Almighty, Father and Mother to us all, make her face shine upon us all. May Jesus, our high priest, and brother, walk with us always. May the Holy Spirit of God fill us and help us to minister to others to his praise and glory. Amen. *Prayers by Revd Phillip Warrey
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 Our Gospel reading on this day, the third Sunday of Lent, is Luke chapter 13, verses 1 to 9 that contains the parable of the fig tree. Now, to understand this parable, we need to know two things:- We need to know that all parables are about us and the way that we live. We also need to know something about the importance of the fig tree in the Promised Land. StF 88: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation Prayer God, you welcome us as, with all your people, we come to worship. You welcome us each day, calling us out of darkness into your marvellous light. You rejoice in our vitality and excitement, and you delight to see us reaching out to you, responding to your love. Our hearts are full of praise as we consider the work of your hands. And we are moved to silence when we consider the work of Jesus. We praise you for all you have given through Jesus. He has shepherded us and guided us. He is our prophet, opening our eyes to the truth about ourselves – and about the hope we have in you. He is our King, leading us as we battle it out with life, as we seek to be faithful despite temptations, and the times when we do not know what the right thing to do is. We confess that we do not always live in the light of Christ. We should be generous and welcoming, but we shut the doors of our homes or our church to keep the cries of the world away. Jesus calls us to live for others, but sometimes we find that too costly. Yet, Jesus has the last word – and Jesus says, your sins are forgiven. Amen. Thanks be to God. Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever. Amen StF 323; I will sing the wondrous story Bible Readings Psalm 63; 1-8 Longing for God Luke 13; 1-9 Parable of the Fig Tree Prayers for Ukraine Loving God, your Son Jesus Christ, wept over Jerusalem. Today, we weep over Ukraine. We weep for those uprooted from their homes and lives. We weep for those cowering in basements. We weep for those who have witnessed death and destruction on their streets. We weep for those separated from parents, from children, from spouses and siblings. We are amazed at the resilience of people seeking to comfort those in need and so we pray for Governments opening up borders so that Ukrainians can have safe passage. We pray for churches and individuals providing food, clothing and shelter. We pray for medical workers ensuring that shattered bodies are put back together again. We pray for ordinary Russians demonstrating and voicing their disapproval of the military actions in Ukraine. May the Holy Spirit give us the willpower to turn our tears into action also. May we, through our words, prayers and example pursue the things that make for a just peace in the world today and especially in Ukraine. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen Prayers for others As we walk together through Lent, may we all grow in grace and love for you and our neighbours. Jesus, our shepherd, we pray for those who suffer. However suffering comes, we pray that people will find the care and support they need to stand firm and come through. We pray for ourselves, that we may be a light to those who are in the dark and a comfort to those who need strength. Jesus, our prophet, we pray for those who give us hope. We pray especially for those who, like the gardener, give us a second chance. We pray for social worker and probation officers. We thank you for their graciousness and vision. We pray that we may be slow to condemn and quick to see the image of God within everyone. Jesus, our life, we pray that you will fill us with hope, strengthen us by faith and direct us by love, so that we may play our part in your Kingdom of justice, love, life and hope. Amen. StF 668: Teach me, my God and King ADDRESS:- Hope for the future - Martin Sykes StF 6 Father, we love you StF 306: Now the green blade rises Blessing
May the Jesus who suffered bless you with strength. May the Jesus who rose from the dead bless you with hope. May the Jesus who endured the cross bless you with joy. Amen.  Welcome Our theme on this second Sunday of Lent - what is your mind set on? At the front of our minds is Ukraine – Bible society are there alongside the people providing spiritual as well as physical food – they say - Other Bible Society workers are in southern Ukraine, delivering Scriptures and basic aid to people in hospitals and bomb shelters. As missiles explode around them these people clutch Scriptures just handed to them. Through God’s word they find strength and hope. The words of Psalm 31 have become a mantra for Ukrainian people: ‘Terror on every side! They conspire against me and plot to take my life. But I trust in you, Lord. I say, “You are my God.”’ (verses 13–14, NIV) inspired by their faith we too come to worship God. StF 341 all for Jesus Prayer Today we come to worship you all creating God. Be with us now as we come to you in prayer. We thank you for your presence with us in the week that has passed and we are sorry for the times when we have not heard you speaking to us. We thank you for the gifts we have received from you so many and bounteous that we can not name them all. We are sorry for the times when we have not acknowledged your generosity to us. We offer you the week ahead with all that is holds may we be more aware or you speaking to us and be aware of all your wonderful gifts that you bless us with each day. May we more closely follow the path you would have us follow. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Introduction to the theme – do you have a Lent focus this year? Giving up some of your time for God or others (eg…? - pray for Ukraine, attend a study course,). Jesus set his face towards Jerusalem – he wouldn’t be distracted from what he had set his mind on – not things of earthly importance but that which was of heavenly significance. Today we come to worship you all creating God. Be with us now as we come to you in prayer. We thank you for your presence with us in the week that has passed and we are sorry for the times when we have not heard you speaking to us. We thank you for the gifts we have received from you so many and bounteous that we can not name them all. We are sorry for the times when we have not acknowledged your generosity to us. We offer you the week ahead with all that is holds may we be more aware or you speaking to us and be aware of all your wonderful gifts that you bless us with each day. May we more closely follow the path you would have us follow. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Readings Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 Luke 13:31-35 StF 466 have faith in God my heart Bryn Austin Rees's hymn which was written following an air raid on Ipswich during the Second World War. Message :- 'What is your mind set on?' StF 467 I need thee every hour Prayers for others We bring before God those who we wish to prayer for at this time- they may include the ill and bereaved, the homeless, those who are afraid, those suffering from the war in Ukraine…. Offer them all to God’s loving protection. Loving God as we have brought before you in pray those people, places and situations that we are aware of we ask you will gather all under your protection. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer Our Father …… StF 634 Fight the good fight Blessing
We have come together in to worship you in song, words, and prayers. Now as we go our separate ways may we know your constant presence with us whatever the week ahead might hold for us. And the blessing of God, Father Son and Holy Spirit be with us and remain with us for evermore. Amen  Call to Worship God of the mountains and the sky, of our minds and our hearts: we look up to you in awe; we reach out to you in longing; we worship you in gratitude; we sing to you in joy. For you are our God, and we are your people – today and always. Amen. StF409 – Let us build a house where love can dwell Statement on Ukraine from the Methodist Presidency We are horrified and heartbroken as we witness the violent assault on Ukraine by the Russian military. This devastating action and ensuing loss of life have rightly been condemned across the world. It is a very clear violation of the UN Charter and as such imperils the foundation upon which international security is built and on which we all depend. We regret the failure to build an understanding with Russia and we pray for the Ukrainian and Russian peoples, including the Methodist church leaders in the region and the Methodist communities across Ukraine. Christians are called to ‘pursue peace with everyone’ (Hebrews 12:14); this mandate is clear and requires courage, perseverance and understanding. We ask you to pray for all politicians, that there may be an end to aggression and that dialogue, justice and peace may be established. Prayer of Adoration Lord, you are the source of all that is good, right and true. Without you nothing will ever really make sense. Without you there will always be an emptiness and a sense of incompleteness to life. We come to you to find meaning and purpose for our lives. We come to you so that in finding you we may find ourselves; so that in knowing you we may know ourselves, and in opening our lives to you we may have the peace and joy that only you can give. We have come to worship you because you are worthy of all our praise. Amen. Prayer of Confession Loving God, we come to you aware that so often we fail to see your glory, taking for granted the beauty and wonder of creation. Forgive us and open our eyes. Loving God, so often we fail to recognise your presence, taking for granted the love and care of others. Forgive us and open our hearts. Loving God, so often we fail to acknowledge your gifts, taking for granted all that you offer. Forgive us and open our minds. Loving God, so often we fail to see you in those around us, in those suffering, in situations of injustice. Forgive us and challenge us to action. Loving God, so often we fail to speak of your love, keeping silent when we should have spoken. Forgive us, loosen our tongues and give us the words. Loving God, in Jesus Christ you forgive us. Help us to accept that forgiveness, forgiving ourselves as we forgive others. By the power of your Spirit, strengthen and enable us to live in your love and glory. Amen. And so we have arrived at Lent On Wednesday we entered the season of Lent. The English word 'Lent' is taken from lencten (lengthen) which was the Old English word for spring (the time when the days lengthen). Lent was introduced into the church calendar in the fourth century as a time of penitence in preparation for the jubilation of Easter, where we recall Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem. It’s a period of 40 days which begin on Ash Wednesday. In the Bible, the number 40 represents 'a long period of time', and Lent mirrors the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and being tested in the wilderness, before his ministry begins. Lent is marked by penitence – we talk about ‘giving things up for Lent’ as a spiritual discipline, but it is perhaps more helpful for us to think about Lent as a time for prayer and reflection, as a time for giving to others, rather than just self-denial. Today’s Old Testament reading picks up this idea as it recalls the instructions given to God’s people on entering the Promised Land. Reading – Deuteronomy 26 1-11 The actions that Moses describes should be understood together. The people are required to:
Why not take a moment at the beginning of Lent to think about:
StF 481 – The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want; The context for our gospel reading is that Jesus has been baptised in the River Jordan by his cousin, John when the voice of God had declared him to be ‘My Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’. Luke then tells us that Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit which leads him into the desert, where he encounters the devil. There’s a couple of things to think about as we hear of this encounter. Firstly, what might it be like to be in a desert for a long period of time on your own? Secondly, what was Jesus’ state of mind like? What thoughts, feelings and emotions might have been going through his mind at that time? Gospel Reading – Luke 4: 1-13 We can read this account as Jesus struggling to come to terms with his power and find the wisest way to use it. Luke’s account, which we must assume is based on what Jesus said after the event, indicates that he had many days of difficult debate. The three temptations are a summary of the ways that Jesus worked through the challenges of having such power. The temptations are about using his power for instant reward. They are really a testing of his vocation. Should he perform miracles to prove his identity? Will he seek easy popularity by turning stones into bread? Is he seeking respect? Does he want to be seen as a powerful ruler? Ultimately, Jesus’ position is clear. He responds to the testing by quoting scripture that gives him a clear sense of priority. He is not deceived by the attractive options that are offered to him - popularity and an easy life. He seeks followers through faith rather than trickery. He chooses the way of suffering, death and ultimately of resurrection, rather than celebrity. So how do we reflect on this? – here is a question to ponder: What power do you have as an individual and do we have as a community? How do you/we use that power - for ourselves or for the benefit of others? StF 489 – All I once held dear Prayers  Glorious God, we bring to you our prayers for all the world, and all the situations where your peace is needed. May your peace and glory transform the world. We bring you our prayers for the leaders of all nations, whose actions govern the lives of many. May your love and Spirit guide their actions and transform the world. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer We bring you our prayers for the Church, the worldwide body of Jesus Christ. We think of areas where there is apathy about your word, areas where there is persecution. We think of the church here at Kingswood and pray for Christine as she leads us, and for our witness to the community that we serve in Jesus’ name. May your peace, glory and love transform the world. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer We bring you our prayers for those in need of your love, those who are bereaved, those who are the victims of injustice. Those in need of healing, those in hospital, those who are the victims of violence and war. We think of any known to us ….. May they know your glory and healing power and be transformed. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer We bring you our prayers for ourselves, for your Spirit to fill us and enable us to see your glory in others and in all situations (silence). May we know your love and peace, that they may transform your world in the name of Christ. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer Amen. We Pray for Peace by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, sung and guitar Casey Carbone. Tune FINLANDIA 11.10.11.10.11.10 The Lord’s Prayer Our Father …… Hymn StF 487 – You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace A prayer of blessing
God of plenty, be with us as we journey into the world. Sustain us, that we may always walk in your way and follow your example of justice, peace and love for all. We ask this through your Son, who resisted the temptations of the world. Amen. |
ServicesThese are the Worship at Home versions of the In Person Services, led by our Minister :- Each Service has the videos of the songs and a transcript of the Sermon or reflection.
The Song references (StF) are from the Singing the Faith song book.
The videos of the songs are linked to YouTube or vimeo which may have advertising which Kingswood Methodist Church does not endorse.
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September 2024
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