Worship at Home- Sunday 17 October

​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