CCL 125049 Charity No SC002937
Contents
- Welcome
- Hymn 462 The King of love my Shepherd is (Church Hymnary 4th Edition)
- All age time
- Prayer
- Reading Matthew 11: 16-19 (Good News Bible)
- Hymn 515 Soldiers of Christ arise
- Reflection
- Prayer for others
- Hymn 352 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Church Hymnary 4th Edition)
- Blessing
Welcome and let us worship God
Welcome
‘Serve one another in love.’
Galatians 5: 13
Hymn 462
for an alternative tune click here: Songs Of Praise
1 The King of Love my Shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine for ever.
2 Where streams of living water flow
my ransomed soul he leadeth,
and where the verdant pastures grow
with food celestial feedeth.
3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed;
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home rejoicing brought me.
4 In death’s dark vale I fear no ill,
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.
5 Thou spread’st a table in my sight;
thy unction grace bestoweth;
and oh, what wonder and delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
6 And so through all the length of days
thy goodness faileth never:
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house for ever!
All age time (for ages 0-100)
- Today’s Bible story
In today’s Bible story Jesus is giving advice/ guidance/ warnings to his followers on some of the challenges of following him. He talks about how hard it can be to please people: it seems as though they don’t like one thing, but don’t like the opposite either. He uses as an example children playing games
- Something to do
What are/ were your favourite children’s games? If it is possible, play one of them. If not, are there any other games you could play (even on your own)?
- Something to think about
Are there times when you have had difficulty trying to please people – whatever you suggested they didn’t like?
Are there times when you are hard to please? If so, why do you think that is?
Are there times when you have worried too much about being popular? Are there times when you have decided that something needs to be done, and tough if folk don’t like it?
Opening Prayer
Father God
We praise you
Because, though you are a great and mighty God
-the one who caused to come into being all that is-
you aren’t remote and isolated
you care about your creation
about each star, planet, asteroid
each galaxy and constellation
about each and every creature
across the vastness of the universe
You see where there is suffering
you see where there is injustice
where there is anxiety or abuse
and you act
You are always active
seeking to put right the wrongs of nature or humanity
and in Jesus’ suffering, death and rising again
you sought to deal with the whole basis
of humanity’s self-centred, harmful nature
You are so great
You are so caring
but our response to you is so faltering
we forget, we turn away, we complain
Forgive us
Help us to be faithful followers of Jesus in all that we do
Through Christ our Lord we pray
Amen
Bible reading
Matthew 11: 16-19
“Now, with what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the market-place. One group shouts to the other, ‘We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn’t dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn’t cry!’ When John came, he fasted and drank no wine, and everyone said, ‘He has a demon in him!’ When the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and everyone said, ‘Look at this man!. He is a glutton and a drinker, a friend of tax collectors and other outcasts!’ God’s wisdom, however, is shown to be true by its results.”
Hymn 515 verses 1-3
1 Soldiers of Christ, arise,
and put your armour on,
strong in the strength which God supplies
through his eternal Son;
strong in the Lord of hosts,
and in his mighty power;
who in the strength of Jesus trusts
is more than conqueror.
2 Stand, then, in his great might,
with all his strength endued;
and take, to arm you for the fight,
the panoply of God.
To keep your armour bright
attend with constant care,
still walking in your Captain’s sight,
and watching unto prayer.
3 From strength to strength go on,
wrestle, and fight, and pray;
tread all the powers of darkness down,
and win the well-fought day,
that, having all things done
and all your conflicts passed,
you may o’ercome through Christ alone,
and stand complete at last.
Reflection
What Jesus might also have said to the disciples, but Matthew didn’t report:
“We have hot, sunny weather, and people say, ‘It’s too hot! I wish we had a breeze, I wish it were a bit cooler. The garden could do with some rain.’ The temperature drops, it rains and then we get, ‘Isn’t the weather terrible. It’s been dreadful this year. So cold, so wet. I wish we could get some sun and a bit of warmth.’ They are never satisfied with what they get!
“If you laid on a free banquet for people you would be asked: ‘Have you got water, rather than wine? I don’t like lamb, do you not have chicken? Is that fish, do you not have eggs? There’s plenty of bread, but I prefer crackers.’
“The Israelites were starving in the Wilderness on the way from Egypt to the Promised Land, so God had provided them with manna to eat each day. Then they moaned: ‘Manna for breakfast, manna for lunch, manna for dinner. I’m fed up eating manna. I wish we’d never come here. Do you remember the Good Old Days in Egypt [Excuse me! What about the cries to be freed from slavery?] In those days we had cucumber, water-melons, leeks, onions and garlic.’ They drove Moses to despair, and severely tested the Good Lord’s patience: ‘you’ll eat [the meat I’ll send you] till it’s coming out of your ears, until you are sick of it.’*
“The truth is that you can’t please all of the people all of the time, and some of them you won’t please any of the time! Don’t worry about it. Just accept it. Don’t strive for popularity or good poll ratings. Don’t worry about having people always say nice things about you. Do what you know is right. Strive to live by the Kingdom’s values, strive with the Spirit’s help for the standards I am setting you. Don’t ignore or look down on other people, don’t be rude or churlish towards them. Love them! (Believe me, I know it is hard at times, and with some of them it is really hard all the time.) I will give you the patience, the graciousness that you will need. I love them all, and I want all of them to be part of my circle of family and friends. Remember, you can be hard work too – but I still love you.”
*(Numbers 11: 4-32)
Prayers for others
Heavenly Father
It is easy (perhaps natural)
to long for popularity, to feel liked and loved
but it isn’t always the appropriate thing to do
Sometimes the ‘right thing
’ is something that will not be popular
that will attract criticism, that may lose votes
We pray for ourselves
that we will always strive to do the ‘right thing’
what you want us to do
rather than the thing that is easy
that doesn’t attract any criticism
We pray too for all in positions of leadership
especially political leaders
that they will strive to do the ‘right things’
the things that will build peace and justice
that they will be able to cope with the criticism
the sniping, the hurtful things that people post on social media
We pray for all who are ill,
those who look after them
and those who worry about them
those waiting for or receiving treatment
and those for whom there is no treatment
those who are lonely, feeling down, or grieving a friend or loved one
those who are worried about home, work or money
a friend or a relative
those who are living with the after-effects of natural disasters
those who do not have enough to eat, or somewhere to call home
those who long to live in peace and safety
those who have fled from their homes seeking safety
We pray for the Queen, the Government
all in positions of leadership in this and every land
We pray for your church
our own congregation
the wider church in Dumbarton
the world-wide church
We bring to you our prayers for people and situations of special concern to us
And we sum up our prayers in the words of the prayer Jesus gave us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen
Hymn 352
1 O for a thousand tongues, to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
2 Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
and bids our sorrows cease;
’tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’tis life, and health, and peace.
3 He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean,
his blood availed for me.
4 He speaks, and, listening to his voice,
new life the dead receive,
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
the humble poor believe.
5 Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb,
your loosened tongues employ;
ye blind, behold your Saviour come;
and leap, ye lame, for joy!
6 My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honours of thy name.
Blessing
God the Father sends you out
to be his witnesses wherever you go
to work to bring healing and wholeness in all you do
and the blessing of God Almighty
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
rest and remain with you, today, and every day, and for ever. Amen
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Lovely service thank you
Thanks again Ian, I really enjoyed today’s hymns. Also the topic was very true apt at this time.