We are still family even while we are apart, so while we are unable to gather because of the ongoing health crisis, I will be sharing material on the blog each Sunday morning, and posting notes to those unable to access the internet. Of course you are free to use this material at any time, but my hope is that as many of us as possible will be reading these words during our usual service time - Sunday at 10:30 if you're new or need a reminder! - gathering in time if not in space.
Over the next few weeks, we will be thinking about what resurrection life may look like for us in the light of the current health crisis. Where do we go from here? Is there still space for fear as well as hope? What might look like the old life and what will be made new?
As before, each 'service' includes prayer, links to songs, a reading from scripture and a brief reflection. The reflection will now be followed by a question for you to ponder, and it would be great to hear your thoughts in the comments. And I have attempted to use my limited tech skills to create multivocal recordings for the Lord's Prayer and the Grace, featuring the voices of five members of the church. (Thanks to Elisabeth, Mark, Clare, Liz and Steve for lending their voices.)
Call to worship
Begin by holding in your mind all those you would normally be worshipping with, and others that you love and are currently distanced from, then hear these words from Lamentations 3 as an invitation to wait on God in worship.
Song | Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Prayer
Here you may like to return to one of the patterns of prayer suggested previously, but I also offer a particular prayer for key workers. However you pray, I invite you to end with the 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 this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory
forever and ever.
Amen.
Readings: Matthew 4:18-22 and Matthew 28:16-20, read by Elisabeth Burleigh
Reflection, by our minister Leigh Greenwood
Question
How can you act on the outward impulse of Jesus while you’re stuck inside?
Song | Shout To The North
Blessing
Close your time of worship by again holding in your mind those you love and would be worshipping alongside, and use the words of the grace: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit remain with us all evermore. Amen.