Making Space, getting ready:
Normally we know worship begins when we enter the sacred space of a church building. When we pray at home, we may find it hard to concentrate on worship. So spend a moment in preparation for worship. Create a little “sacred space”: Have a candle or tealight ready, and set a table with a piece of pottery or china. The plainer and the more utilitarian, the better. Take time to notice and calm your breath. Wait till you are ready, then dedicate this time to God. During the organ prelude, you may want to reflect on this verse: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair” 2 Corinthians 4:8 |
Organ Prelude: Spirit of God arr. S.Ellson - Deirdre Morrell-Ormerod
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Call to Worship -
God’s Spirit calls us to be together in prayer and song-together on these screens, on paper, in the rooms where we live or on the chairs by the cottage. Calls us to listen for the words that bring hope, a perspective coming to us which we can not tell ourselves. Invites us to build community even as many forces tear us apart. Calls us to walk in company of the apostles and the saints of old and of the present day. We want to come together Holy One. Show us the way. |
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Sing along! “Down in the river to pray”
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Lighting of the Christ Candle (Sophia Oldford)
Light a candle or tealight in your home: What a lovely light. It reminds us of holy presence, of “God with us”,” God in us”. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God displayed in the face of Christ. (2 Cor.4:6) We are lamps of clay, equipped to shine, to let light through. Opening Prayer: (Sophia Oldford) Light – as in the opposite of not being able to see, We yearn for it. Light – as in the opposite of discouragement and disorientation. We yearn for it. Light- as in the opposite of narrow mindedness and hatred. We yearn for it. Light- as in Hope. Light- as in courage. Light- as in Compassion. Light-as in Curiosity. Light- as in Joy. Light- as in Help is coming. Light as in “We love you” Is given to us. Held out for us. Come, enter us, Light Divine. Come now. |
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Sing along! "This little light..."with Odetta and the Holmes brothers
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Prayer for Illumination
You have not been silent so we may not be silent. Speak to us again today, we pray. Amen. |
A reading from the gospel of John: 6:66-68
(Sophia Oldford) Many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Herein is wisdom. Thanks be to God. |
A reading from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians , chapter 4: Treasure in Clay Jars (Paul Jennings) Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11 For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—“I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and so we speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. 15 Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. Living by Faith 16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Thanks be to God. |
Music: The Rose - A.McBroom Duet Singers :
Sisters Elsa Beattie & Susan Baltzer |
Reflection/Message "We do not loose heart" ---Rev. Elisabeth
The text for this sermon can be found in the sermon archive under the "Worship" header on our webpage |
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Hymn: Christ has risen, by John Bell.
An everyday Easter hymn. |
Prayer** (with response: “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10)Creator God, we meet to give you praise and worship you. Hear us now as we try to pray from our own space and small place for your wide world.
Each of us can be a container of your light and comfort. We praise you for the beauty of the world and we are glad that we are able to see it as it is – your creation. We pray for all children and teenagers especially in countries where one school year has ended and where it is unclear what the new one will bring; the changes to schools and universities and how these will affect our lives. “Be still and know that I am God.” We pray for all those we meet as life slowly changes to a new normal, especially those for whom it means vast changes to life and work. We pray for the vast networks of support, from foodbanks to care assistants, that all may discover the help needed. We pray for all who have found lock-down hard, life difficult, and health problematic; for those who mourn, who despair, and who suffer. For those we know and can name in the silence of our hearts; for those we don’t know but know about, and for those worldwide who suffer.... “Be still and know that I am God.” We pray for our earth-home: despite the lock-down, earthquake and storm, wildfire and drought, flood and destruction, continue to happen. We celebrate the reduction in human-made air pollution: now that we have seen how quickly the earth responds with cleaner air grant everyone the will to care for the whole ecosystem. “Be still and know that I am God.” We pray, giving thanks for the things we have rediscovered this year: the beauty of silence and bird song; the letting go of busy, over-committed lives; the time to savor in many ways the gifts of word, speech, and friendship; the time to be in your world as your house. This is your world, all things are made by you and for your glory. And so we pray: Our Father... |
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Hymn: “The Lord bless you and keep you” (virtual choir) sung by the Batavia Madrigal Singers from Jakarta
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Commissioning*:
In the name of Creator, Spirit and Only Begotten, go in peace . Do not worry about being fragile like a piece of pottery. Pour out the gifts that you were given. Do what you were gifted to do. Fulfill your destiny as the Beloved Child of God you are. God bless you this week. Amen. |
Organ Postlude : Father, Almighty, Bless Us With Thy Blessing - Flemming --Deirdre Morell-Ormerod
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