God challenges our expectations

Our Gospel lesson is one of the most dramatic of the post-Resurrection narratives. John 21 captures the powerful rehabilitation and re-consecration of Simon Peter, the Big Fisherman. At the heart of the story is Peter, the bold and brash, who made wild and wonderful promises, only to fall short in the moment of truth, when he acted as if he did not even knew Jesus. We would like to be critical of Peter, but, in our heart of hearts, we know how often we have done the very same thing.

Song: Now the green blade rises 306 SF

Let us pray together

God of all, we come to proclaim your greatness, to sing of your might and to declare your majesty. We lift up our hearts and voices to praise you for all you have accomplished in Christ.
We come to praise you for your faithfulness, your amazing grace and forgiveness.
We come to acknowledge Jesus as our Saviour and master – the way, truth and the life.
We praise you for the constant presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we worship you today, draw us closer to you and to Christ.
Merciful God, we are ashamed of our weakness and faults, selfishness, pride and envy, the feeble discipleship and the shallowness of our faith.
Help us to live as your people, worthy of our calling and bring you honour. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayers adapted from Nick Fawcett’s ‘Prayers for all seasons’,

 Reading: John 21. 1-19

​Song: Christ is risen while earth slumbers 296 SF

Message – 'Expectations' Part 1 

Song: Come, build the church 679 SF

Message – 'Expectations' Part 2

A time of prayer
All knowing God, we thank you for our calling as your disciples. We acknowledge that your love is beyond our understanding. So we pray for those who feel that they are unworthy of your love…
May they be touched afresh as Peter was touched and restored by Jesus.

Lord God, we pray for those whose faith is tested daily due to poverty, persecution or any other difficulty.
May they have the courage to trust in Jesus.

We pray for those too who find Christian faith not relevant, those who are searching you in other things.
May they be moved by the Holy Spirit to ‘know’ you as St. Paul knew on the road to Damascus. 

We pray for the leaders of nations, church leaders and, our Queen and the royal family.
May they have your wisdom and discernment to act responsibly and work for the good of all.

We ask all these prayers in confidence and in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father …

Song: Christ is alive 297 SF

A prayer of blessing
Gracious God, 
take our faith, flowed though it is,
our love, poor though it may be,
and our commitment, for all its imperfections,
and use us in your service
to make known your gracious purpose,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer taken from Nick Fawcett, Prayers for all seasons, book 2, p. 655, no. 309