Out of our depth?

Introduction to the theme – to follow Jesus we hold in tension both challenge and affirmation – today we will hear about the calling of some fishermen to be Jesus’ disciples. The setting for this story is an everyday scene of the time: fishermen beside their boats cleaning their nets after a failed catch. They feel defeated, and then out of their depth, yet Jesus sees differently and draws these fishermen to new depths of life. When they trust his advice to venture into deep waters, not only do they pull in a miraculous catch, they also become caught up in the story of Jesus.
This week’s reading explores being called by God and how we respond. Like Peter, we might feel unworthy. We might have to jump in at the deep end. We might feel out of our depth. Do we have the courage to say ‘Yes’ anyway?

A gathering prayer
Here we are, Lord,
with our gifts and our gaps,
our successes and our failures,
our enthusiasm and our doubts,
our passion and our unworthiness.
Help us to hear your call
and to have the courage to say,
‘Here I am, send me.’
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A prayer of adoration
We adore you, O extraordinary God,
who came among us as the Son of Man,
miraculous in your birth,
miracles marking your passage through this world,
casting your nets to draw us in
and drawing out the extraordinary in us.
We praise and adore you.
Amen.

​StF 272 from heaven you came. Sung by New Horizon Choir.  Lyrics written by Graham Kendrick. Copyright © 1983 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music.

Bible reading
​Luke 5:1-11

​StF 462 Come with me come wander sung by Frodsham Methodist Church Cloud Choir. Written by John L. Bell (b. 1949) and Graham Maule (b. 1958) Reproduced from Singing the Faith Electronic Words Edition, number 462 Words and Music: From Heaven Shall Not Wait © 1987, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland. www.wgrg.co.uk

Pause time: to think of what makes you feel overwhelmed?

A prayer of confession
Lord, we confess that we fear getting in too deep. When we feel you drawing us to you, calling us to leave the safe confines of life as we know it and plunge into the depths of life with you, we are afraid. What will you ask of us, Lord? For we are ordinary people; we have no tongues to talk in clever parables, we have no miracles to perform. And, the fact is, we’re quite content as we are; we’re happy to serve you from the wings, we don’t want the spotlight. Yet you have drawn us into your story, and you call us to be all that we can be. We confess that we are afraid of our potential; afraid to unleash your power within us. Forgive us, and grant us the courage to overcome our fears and follow you.
Amen.

Assurance of forgiveness
Our Father in heaven forgives us
for being less than we might be;

Accept then his forgiveness, and his call to shine;
step from the shadows now and follow.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

​Pause Time: to think of ‘how you got caught up in Gods story’ recognizing Gods call on you and how that affirms you.

The 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 476 one more step along the world I go sung by members of Grangewood Methodist Church.  Written by Sydney Carter. Words and Music: © 1971, Stainer & Bell Ltd, 23 Gruneisen Road, London N3 1DZ  www.stainer.co.uk

Blessing
Lord of the deep,
be with us when we feel out of our depth.
Lord of the waves,
send us where we are most needed.
Lord of the shore,
bring us safely home.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
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