'Blessed are you poor'?

The reading is from Luke's Gospel ' Blessed are you poor for yours is the Kingdom of God.'  Blessed are you poor when you are wondering whether you will be able to heat your home this winter.  Blessed are you poor when you are going to a foodbank to get food for your family. Is this really what Jesus is saying?

​STF 570 As we gather, Father, seal us

Luke 6:17-36

Address 'Blessed are you poor'?? , Luke Chapter 6 verses 17-26.  Rev Stuart Bell

STF 681 Community of Christ​ sung by Rev Pete Brazier and set to video by Rev Rach Ward

*Prayers of Intersession
In faith let us pray to God our Father’
in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

God of love we pray for the life of your Church throughout the world….May every congregation be a community of love and every Christian a witness to your grace.  Renew all who worship that we may be a living fellowship in your Spirit and serve our neighbourhood.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done.

God of mercy, we pray for the life of the world...and for those who exercise power…  Show us how to live as members of the human family; to reject the ways of war; to bear each other’s burdens and to work together for justice and peace.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done.

God of compassion, we pray for those who are ill or anxious at home or in hospital….  We pray for those whose lives are fill with fear and despair… Draw near with your saving love and bring healing and hope.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done.

God of glory, we rejoice in the communion of saints, we remember all who have faithfully lived and all who have died in Christian hope, especially….  Help us to follow their example and bring us with them into the fullness of your eternal joy.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done.

Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding;
pour into our hearts such love towards you
that we, loving you above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all we can desire;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

​STF 575 Before I take the body of my Lord

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 596 Now let us from this table rise​

*Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord look on you with kindness and give you peace.  Amen

Go in peace to to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ.  Amen

* Prayers from the Methodist Worship Book published by the Methodist Publishing House