Call to Worship Loving Lord, thank you that you meet us where we are, in the middle and muddle of our daily tasks. Help us to hear your call, to recognise your voice, and to respond to your invitation to be with you now. Amen. StF28 – Jesus calls us here to meet him by John L. Bell and Graham Maule. Performed by Ruth and Joy Everingham. Words: From Love From Below © 1989, WGRG, Iona Community Prayer of Adoration (with response) Loving God, all-sufficient one, we acknowledge your presence and we worship you. We adore you, Lord of all. We worship you, Lord Jesus Christ, holy and anointed one. You laid your life down that we might live. We adore you, Lord of all. We welcome your authority and influence in our lives, Holy Spirit. You intercede for us when we have no strength. You are with us and guide us in our weakness. We adore you, Lord of all. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are worthy of all our praise: we adore you, Lord of all. Amen. Prayer of Confession We bow before you, O God, and we confess that we have let you down. We have turned away from you and gone our own way. We have allowed material things to dominate our lives, and to occupy our minds. We are sorry, and we lay everything at your feet. Help us to learn how to be still and know that you are God. Help us to seek simplicity, to slow down and not to hurry, to require nothing more than what you give, and to fear being vulnerable, so that we can be complete & satisfied in your presence. Amen. Hymn: StF 161 – Speak, O Lord, as we come to you. Townend & Getty | Lyrics. Piano and sung by Matt Beckingham. Old Testament Reading – 1 Kings 19: 15-16 & 19-21 The prophet Elijah is nearing the end of his life. He’s hiding from King Ahab and Queen Jezebel because he had just defeated the prophets of Baal and Jezebel wanted Elijah’s life as revenge. Elijah is understandably exhausted by all this, but this is the moment when he experiences the presence of God. God encourages Elijah to go and find his successor Elisha. In this passage we read about how Elijah calls Elisha to be a prophet, and the way in which Elisha responds to his call by burning his plough and cooking his oxen - a powerful statement of commitment with no thought of his going back. Gospel Reading – Luke 9: 51-62 Jesus discuses the cost of being a disciple Message StF 611 – Brother, Sister, let me serve you. Words & Music: Richard A. M. Gillard. WMTV Music Prayers for others Let us pray for all people everywhere according to their need. Silence We pray for your church; that we may work together to show our love of God and neighbour. Silence We pray for your world and all in power; that all may work together for peace and justice. Silence We pray for the communities in which we live; that all people may find comfort in their need. Silence We pray for all those who suffer and bring before you those on our minds today; that they may find comfort and peace in their troubles. Silence We remember those who have died, giving special thanks for that great cloud of witnesses who have lived lives of faith. May we be reunited with them in your eternal kingdom. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen. Original Prayer Materials by Tom Ferguson from the Worship from Home service sheet Sunday 31 October by the Methodist Church. 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 663 –Here I am Lord (I the Lord of sea and sky) by Daniel L. Schutte. Words and Music: © OCP Publications Performance © 2021 Ruth and Joy Everingham The Blessing
May God, Father and Mother, prepare your journey. Jesus the Son guide your footsteps. The Spirit of Life strengthen your body. The Three in One watch over you, on every road that you may follow. Amen
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Welcome – today is Bible Sunday – so the Bible readings are all four of the Lectionary readings set for today. Sovereign God we thank you for your word – recorded in Scripture and handed down over countless generations; heard through reading, preaching, fellowship and worship; glimpsed in the beauty of our world and the mysteries of life; brought to life through prayer and meditation; embodied through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Speak again now and give us ears to hear. Amen StF 161 Speak O Lord as we come to you - by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend Words and Music: © 2005, Thankyou Music. Sung by Ruth and Joy Everingham Prayer of adoration (from 1 Chronicles Chapter 29 verses 10b-13) “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might; and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name. (New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.) Video © Bible Society - 'What is the Bible?' Worlds best seller. *See link at the end of this page for a link to the Bible Society's website. StF 513 Break thou the Bread of Life by Mary Artemisia Lathbury & Alexander Groves. Sung by Ruth and Joy Everingham Bible readings Jeremiah 31:7-9 “ 7 The LORD says, “Sing with joy for Israel, the greatest of the nations. Sing your song of praise, ‘The LORD has saved his[2] people; he has rescued all who are left.’ 8 I will bring them from the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. The blind and the lame will come with them, pregnant women and those about to give birth. They will come back a great nation. 9 My people will return weeping, praying as I lead them back. I will guide them to streams of water, on a smooth road where they will not stumble. I am like a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my eldest son.” (GNB) Psalm 126 When the LORD brought us back to Jerusalem,[1] it was like a dream! 2 How we laughed, how we sang for joy! Then the other nations said about us, “The LORD did great things for them.” 3 Indeed he did great things for us; how happy we were! 4 LORD, make us prosperous again,[2] just as the rain brings water back to dry riverbeds. 5 Let those who wept as they sowed their seed, gather the harvest with joy! 6 Those who wept as they went out carrying the seed will come back singing for joy, as they bring in the harvest. (GNB) Message part 1 Bible reading Mark 10: 46-52 46 They came to Jericho, and as Jesus was leaving with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus! Son of David! Take pity on me!” 48 Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, take pity on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up!” they said. “Get up, he is calling you.” 50 He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. “Teacher,” the blind man answered, “I want to see again.” 52 “Go,” Jesus told him, “your faith has made you well.” At once he was able to see and followed Jesus on the road. (GNB) Message part 2 Bible reading Hebrews 7:23-28 23 There is another difference: there were many of those other priests, because they died and could not continue their work. 24 But Jesus lives on for ever, and his work as priest does not pass on to someone else. 25 And so he is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives for ever to plead with God for them. 26 Jesus, then, is the High Priest that meets our needs. He is holy; he has no fault or sin in him; he has been set apart from sinners and raised above the heavens. 27 He is not like other high priests; he does not need to offer sacrifices every day for his own sins first and then for the sins of the people. He offered one sacrifice, once and for all, when he offered himself. 28 The Law of Moses appoints men who are imperfect to be high priests; but God’s promise made with the vow, which came later than the Law, appoints the Son, who has been made perfect for ever. (GNB) Scriptures [marked GNB] are taken from the Good News Bible published by The Bible Societies/Collins © American Bible Society. Message part 3 Prayers of intercession (adapted from Prayers for all Seasons by Nick Fawcett) Loving God we thank you today for the Scriptures and the opportunity we have each day of reading and studying them for ourselves, Hear now our prayer for all those denied that privilege – We pray for those who have not heard the challenge of the Bible, who do not possess a copy of it in their own language or who are denied the right to own a Bible or study it freely Lord in your mercy hear our prayer We pray for those who have heard but closed their minds, for those who read but do not understand and for those who have read the Bible so often that it fails to challenge as it used to Lord in your mercy hear our prayer We pray for those who work to make the Scriptures known and available to all – those who translate the Bible into modern language and other tongues, who print and distribute it across the world, who strive to open its message afresh to each and every generation; and who preach from it, witnessing to Christ from its pages Lord in your mercy hear our prayer In your word you promise to hear the cry of the hurting – we bring to mind those we know who are suffering in mind, body or Spirit, or situations in our world that need your guidance to resolve. We lift them to you now Lord in your mercy hear our prayer Loving God may your word be made known with clarity, wisdom, faithfulness and power so that many hear its challenge and respond in faith to your loving purpose Lord in your mercy hear our prayer Through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Word made flesh Amen StF463 Deep in the shadows of the past - Words: Brain Wren, Tune: Kingsfold, Sung by Matt Beckingham Stf 110 In the wonder of creation Words: © Andrew T. Murphy, Sung by Ruth and Joy Everingham Blessing God is here – revealed in creation, revealed in Scripture, revealed in Jesus – and God’s love goes on – we go from this place in the power of God’s Spirit to reveal God’s love to all we meet. Amen * For more information and resources visit the Bible Society website here
This short act of worship has been prepared for you by the Methodist Church by Rev Andrew Emerson to use if you unable to attend Methodist Church premises. If you are well enough why not spend a few moments with God, knowing that other people are sharing this act of worship with you Hymn: May the Glory of the Lord Fill His Temple (StF 31) : Jonathan Nowell, sung by Frodsham Methodist Church Cloud Choir accompanied by Andrew Ellams. Let us pray together Gracious God, I praise you for who you are. For you are the Lord, the giver and sustainer of life whose nature is love. I thank you that even when I rebel against you, your unquenchable love seeks me out. I thank you that in Jesus, you made the first move and have rescued me. I pray that as your Word ministers to me, that I might so open my heart to your grace that it might fill me, transform me and overflow into all my relationships and dealings with the world. Amen. Reading from the New Testament Hebrews 5: 1-10 Today’s Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 35-45 Time to Reflect - Rev Andrew Emison Social anthropology reveals that in every culture in every time and in every place, human beings create religion. Where there is religion, there are priests; intermediaries who seek to “help” the masses to navigate divine forces that must be placated if they are to prosper. Israel had its own aristocratic line of priests but was frequently let down and disappointed by them. Always aloof, they were frequently corrupt. In the chapters leading up to our Gospel reading this morning, Jesus has been identified (privately for now) as the Messiah, the Christ, the anointed king in waiting. As in every time and place, James and John want to be the intermediaries. If Jesus is going to be King, they want in on it. How different then the message given to us in Hebrews! God has decided that Jesus is indeed the anointed King, but this king is also to have the dual role of Priest-King, modelled on Melchizedek (see Psalm 110 and Genesis 14). King Jesus does not need an intermediary for he is also High Priest forever because, far from being aloof, this Priest-King has also shared our life of joy and of suffering. In Jesus, we need no intermediaries but can approach the throne of grace with confidence (Heb 10:19) and with prayer. We get to share in this nature through our baptism. As the Body of Christ, we are a “Priestly Community” but, like James and John, we need Jesus to reshape our all too human, religious instincts and replace them with God’s model of kingship and servanthood. Grace and peace. A time of prayer Loving God, You call us to share in your baptism and in your work. In response, I offer these prayers for the world that you made and that you love. In a world where people suffer violence, we pray for the family and friends of Sir David Amess and those affect by the deaths of those in Norway. In a world where wealth and power are hoarded by a few, I pray that there would be an equal sharing of the vaccines and the necessities of life. In a world where vested interests imprison us and rob others of the life you offer, so I pray that your people, networked through prayer, might rise up to call out injustice wherever we see it. In a world confronted with climate emergency, I pray that you would make us enemies of apathy and agents of your Kingdom. Finally because I know that you love me too, I take time to lay before you those things that are close to my heart…… {pause to reflect} I ask these prayers in the only way that I can; in the power of your Holy Spirit and in the name, grace and character of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 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 Hymn: One human family God has made (StF 687) by Rosemary Wakelin, sung by Frodsham Methodist Church Cloud Choir accompanied by Andrew Ellams. A prayer of blessing
God to enfold you, Christ to uphold you, Spirit to keep you in heaven's sight; so may God grace you, heal and embrace you, lead you through darkness into the light. John L. Bell (b. 1949) Reproduced from Singing the Faith Electronic Words Edition, number 648 Words and Music: From Love and Anger © 1997, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland. <www.wgrg.co.uk> Original Materials by Rev’d Andrew M Emison Kingswood Methodsit Church CCLI:6021 Psalm 118 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.” Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. StF 88 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty the king of creation. Sung by Chet Valley Churches Spirit Divine, attend our prayers. St Andrews (Anglican) Cathedral Choir, Warri, Nigeria Prayers: Adoration Confession ThanksgivingAll-inclusive and ever-loving God, we praise and adore you. With you there is no south or north, no east or west – no borders. You care for each one of us. You are a healing God, who heals us wherever and whenever we need your touch – whether in body, mind or spirit. We look upon you now, our hearts ablaze with love for you. Compassionate Father, it is you who grants us freedom from the burden of sin, and as a shepherd, brings us safely back to you. and as a shepherd, brings us safely back to you. Lord, we ask you to forgive us for all the times we are too quick to form opinions, too quick to judge others; the times we don’t give people the benefit of the doubt; or fail to consider what they might be going through. Forgive us Lord, and transform us to please you. Gracious God, we thank you for giving us this opportunity to be in your presence with our praise and adoration, and confession. We really thank you for the hope of healing and transformation. We thank you for hearing us, through Christ's name we pray. Amen. Bible Reading 1: Amos 5:6-15 Bible Reading 2: Mark 10:17-31 Message - Seek Good, hate evil, bring or encourage justice
StF 638 Through all the changing scenes of life Prayers In this time of prayer, almighty God, we bring our anxieties, worries and troubles to you in prayer. We pray for the people and situations close to home. May our eyes be open to the needs of our family and friends and the community around us. May we use the gifts you give us to meet their needs. Lord in your mercy Hear my prayer We pray for your world. We bring before you our concerns about situations in places in our news such as Afghanistan, and in other places which may not currently be in the news headlines but are no less important. We pray for the families who have been forced to leave their homes to seek security and peace. We pray for those in positions of influence. May they make the right decisions as they work for justice and peace. Lord in your mercy Hear my prayer We remember in our prayers those who are in poor physical or mental health and give thanks to those who look after them. We remember those suffering in other ways, especially those who mourn the deaths of family members and friends. And we pray for ourselves. We pray that we may hear your voice in the midst of our busy lives. Lord in your mercy Hear my prayer The Lords 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 forever. Amen. STF 548 – Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine - Spring Harvest 2015 Blessing
May you hear God’s voice, know his plans for you and feel the support his loving arms give. May you walk with God today, tomorrow and the days ahead. Amen. Prayer Materials by Cathie Steele from the Methodist Church Worship at Home service sheet 10 Oct 2021 Welcome and call to worship Harvest festival is a time to thank God for all we are provided with and a time to think of our response to such generosity. When we think of harvest we realise that it takes cooperation between people and God to feed the world –and that responsibility was given to people by their creator from the beginning. So we come in thankfulness and praise to God and a readiness to think on our responsibility. StF 124 For the fruits of all creation - Hymn by Fred Pratt Green, Sung and played by Ruth & Joy Everingham Prayer of thanks and praise Loving God - You have fashioned the universe and all that is in it. You have created the earth with all its abundance. You have made your people in all our variety and placed us here to act justly and to seek peace. Around us the sights and sounds of nature echo the song of praise your people offer to you. For the variety and splendour of the universe God of time and eternity, receive our songs of praise. Amen. Creator God, maker of heaven and earth, We acknowledge our failure to live responsibly as part of your creation. We have taken what we want, without considering the consequences; we have wasted and discarded, without thought for the future. Open our hearts and minds to the signs of our times, to the groaning of creation, so that we may turn from our greed and lack of vision and see a world being made anew in Jesus Christ our Lord. Our Father God is more forgiving than we know – welcoming us as we turn back to him and giving us each new day to start afresh. Amen Activity 1 Psalm 8 Get a plain sheet of paper and coloured pens or a pencil draw/write something symbolising a verse or two from Psalm 8 below. 1 O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; 4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? 5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honour. 6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, 7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.) Activity 2 Genesis 2:18-24 Link to BibleGateway Time to think 1 Look at Psalm 8 verses 3-6 and think about the place of human beings in the context of creation 2 In Genesis 2 what links can you find between God’s request of man to name things and his creation of woman so that man is not alone? 3 What have you learned that informs our responsibility for Creation - personal responsibility, responsibility as a church and at the world level? What personal actions do you already do to reduce our negative impact on the earth and then pledge to take on something new perhaps inspired by what others are doing. Please share your thoughts in the comments box below. StF 727 God in his love for us lent us this planet - Hymn by Fred Pratt Green played and sung by Gareth Moore. Prayers of intercession Creator God, giver of life, You sustain the earth and direct the nations. In this time of climate crisis help us to hear the groaning of creation and the cries of the poor; challenge us to change our lifestyles; enable your church to be a beacon of hope; guide our leaders to take courageous action; and foster within us a renewed vision of your purposes for your world; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, by and for whom all things were made. Amen The Lords 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 forever. Amen. Stf 130 We plough the fields and scatter Blessing
The seed is sown, the kingdom is growing. God is at work among us. Offer him your love your faith and your life and in bearing fruit in this service may the time of harvest draw nearer. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. 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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