Sunday Worship, 9th August 2020

CCL 125049 Charity No SC002937

Welcome
Hymn 167 Guide me O thou great Jehovah Tune Cwm Rhondda (Church Hymnary 4th Edition)
All age time
Prayer
Reading Matthew 14: 22-33 (Good News Bible)
Hymn 260 Eternal Father strong to save Tune Melita (Church Hymnary 4th Edition)
Reflection
Prayer for others
Hymn 468 Son of God eternal Saviour Tune Blaenwern (Church Hymnary 4th Edition)
Blessing

Welcome

click > play to hear the welcome

Welcome and let us worship God

‘The life I now live is not my life, but the life which Christ lives in me.’
Galatians 2: 20

Hymn 167

If the video above will not play try the music version below:

1 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim though this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
feed me till my want is o’er.

2 Open now the crystal fountain
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through:
strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield.

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside!
Death of death, and hell’s destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side!
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee.

All age time (for ages 0-100)

Today’s Bible story

In today’s Bible story Jesus’ friends set off in the fishing boat while he stays onshore. During the night they think they see a ghost, but it is Jesus walking out on the waves to join them. Peter thinks he can do the same and sets of to meet Jesus, but his courage fails and he soon flounders in the water. It is a story to emphasise trusting in Jesus, not wondering ‘how’ he managed it

Something to do:

here is a quiz about the sea (answers below)

What is the ‘sea’ version of these words: left, right, front, back, upstairs, downstairs, floor, kitchen, measure of speed, bedrooms, parking?
At sea/ on a river do ships ‘drive’ on the right or left?
What are the colours associated with port and starboard?
How many ferry crossings are there in the Clyde area?
How many regular personnel are there in the Royal Navy; A 12,000, B 32,000, C 52,000?
Where is the nearest lifeboat to Dumbarton?
Can you name other Firth of Clyde lifeboat stations?
Where is the nearest air sea rescue service?
Can you name 3 lighthouses (lights that were once staffed) in the Clyde area?

Something to think about

What are your memories of the sea? What part has it played in your life? Have you any favourite or special memories?
Are there times when you were like Peter – started off full of confidence that you could do something, but then it rather went wrong, and you ended up floundering? How did you feel? Did someone help you, or were you just left to flounder? Would you notice if someone else where in that position? What would you do – pretend you hadn’t noticed, give them a wide berth, be worried about interfering where it was none of your business, start a conversation and see where it ends up?

Quiz answers:

port, starboard, fore/ for’ard, aft, aloft, below, deck, galley, knot, cabins, berthing

right

red, green

9 operating during Covid-19, previously 10 (Campbeltown-Brodick-Ardrossan), Brodick-Ardrossan, Lochranza-Claonaig, Largs-Cumbrae Slip, Wemyss Bay-Rothesay, Gourock-Dunoon, Gourock-Kilcreggan, McInroy’s Point-Hunter’s Quay, Colintraive-Rhubodach, Partavadie-Tarbert

B 32,000 (approx.)

Helensburgh

Largs, Tighnabruaich, Lamlash, Campbeltown, Girvan, Troon

Prestwick (Gannet)

Cloch, Toward, Pladda, Wee Cumbrae (there are also many beacons – like the Gantocks or Horse Isle – that were never staffed)

Opening Prayer

click > play to hear the prayer

Lord,

Thank you for the beautiful and diverse

planet on which we live

thank you especially today for the lands beside the sea

for rock pools, sandy beaches

islands, long sea lochs

hills and mountains, woodlands and open moors

Thank you for the communities beside the sea

for the memories we have of days out or holidays

catching the train and steamer

going in the car or bus

sailing, canoeing, swimming, fishing, walking, playing

for those still developing their own memories

so often we take for granted the world around us

we fail to appreciate the scenery on our doorsteps

the people who are part of our lives each day

the services available to us here

we can be very good at finding fault and complaining

we can take you, and all your goodness to us, for granted too

forgive us

help us to have open and grateful hearts

ready to share and to help

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Bible reading

click > play to hear the reading

Matthew 14: 22-33

Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people away. After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone; and by this time the boat was far out in the lake, tossed about by the waves, because the wind was blowing against it.

Between three and six o’clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water. When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and screamed with fear.

Jesus spoke to them at once. “Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don’t be afraid!”

Then Peter spoke up. “Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you.”

“Come!” answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. “Save me, Lord!” he cried.

At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, “How little faith you have! Why did you doubt?”

They both got into the boat, and the wind died down. Then the disciples in the boat worshipped Jesus. “Truly you are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Hymn 260

if the video above will not play try the music version below:

1 Eternal Father, strong to save,
whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
who bade the mighty ocean deep
its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.

2 O Christ, whose voice the waters heard
and hushed their raging at thy word,
who walked upon the foaming deep,
and calm amid the storm didst sleep:
Oh, hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.

3 O Holy Spirit, who didst brood
upon the waters dark and rude,
who bid there angry tumult cease,
and give, for wild confusion peace:
Oh, hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.

4 O Trinity of love and power,
shield all of them in danger’s hour;
from rock and tempest, fire and foe,
protect them whereso’er they go:
thus evermore shall rise to thee
glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

Reflection:

For thousands of years in human history it was easier to travel by sea than by land – it was a highway rather than a barrier. St Paul travelled by sea on major stages of his journeys, leading ultimately to Rome. When Columba and the Celtic monks travelled around Western Britain, they travelled by sea.

Many still use the sea to travel, by car ferry, water bus, fast craft. From earliest times goods travelled by sea too. The style of ships has changed, patterns of trade have changed, the dominant players in the trading vessel market have changed. However still there are many who ply their trade on the sea, who face danger from storms, from modern pirates, from natural hazards, who face long hours of boredom, loneliness, separation from their family and loved ones. From earliest times too people have sought to harvest the riches of the sea – fish, seaweed, pearls, and now oil, each with its own dangers.

There is a whole industry in place to support and sustain those who go to sea – the lighthouse service, lifeboats, coastguards and those concerned with maritime safety. There are organisations, missions, chaplains, dedicated to seafarers.

There are many others whose livelihoods are associated with the sea. Those who build and equip ships, those who service them in port, transport cargo, pilot vessels, supply provisions, refit them.

Also at sea are members of the Royal Navy and other navies, providing security at home, providing security and support for those who work at sea.

Prayers for others

click > play to hear the prayer

Heavenly Father

We give you thanks for all who work at sea

on container ships, oil or ore carriers

ferries, liners, tugs, lifeboats, fishing boats

We depend upon the things that the bring here, or take abroad

We eat the fish and shellfish

We use the oil and gas

But often we take them for granted

we don’t think about the impact that being away at sea

has on crew and families

We pray for those who are lonely or under stress

those worried about the future of their jobs because of the pandemic

and those who support them when in port

We pray for all who are in danger at sea or from the sea

for those who have lost loved ones at sea

for those who work in the lifeboat service

the coastguard

and maintaining lights and beacons

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 468

click > play to hear the music

1 Son of God, eternal Saviour,
source of life and truth and grace,
Son of Man, whose birth incarnate
hallows all our human race;
great High Priest who, throned in glory,
for your own will ever plead,
fill us with your love and pity,
heal our wrongs, and help our need.

2 Lord, as you have lived for others,
so may we for others live;
freely have your gifts been granted,
freely may your servants give.
Yours the gold and yours the silver,
yours the wealth of sea and land,
we but stewards of your bounty
held in trust at your command.

3 Come, Lord Jesus, reign among us,
King of Love, and Prince of Peace;
hush the storm of strife and passion,
bid its cruel discords cease.
Yours the prayer, and yours the purpose,
that your people should be one:
grant from heaven, our hope’s fruition:
here on earth your will be done.

Blessing

click > play to hear the 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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