SUNDAY 17 MAY 2020
Welcome
Dear friends
Welcome to this time of worship – which I hope will be a special time for each of us
when we can set aside much of the routine of daily life
when we can be still and be aware of the presence of our God
Call to Worship
Alone – not in the usual company of other people
but you are always with us Lord
Waiting – through times of emptiness
but into these spaces Lord – you pour hope and promise
Concerned – for others and for ourselves
but knowing that you hold us all secure in your love and peace
Fearful — unsure of what might come to be
but Lord – you assure us of your continuing presence – in and through all things
Confident and believing
we worship the living God
Praise
Our first hymn today may very well be one which you have known since Sunday School days – a timeless hymn : “Tell me the old, old story”
Tell me the old, old story – of unseen things above,
of Jesus and His glory – of Jesus and His love;
tell me the story simply – as to a little child,
for I am weak and weary and helpless and defiled.
Tell me the old, old story – tell me the old, old story,
tell me the old, old story – of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story slowly – that I may take it in
that wonderful redemption – God’s remedy for sin;
tell me the story often – for I forget so soon,
the “early dew” of morning has passed away at noon.
Tell me the old, old story ……..
Tell me the story softly – with earnest tones and grave;
remember I’m the sinner – whom Jesus came to save;
tell me the story always – if you would really be,
in any time of trouble – a comforter to me.
Tell me the old, old story ……..
Tell me the same old story – when you have cause to fear
that this world’s empty glory – is costing me too dear;
and when the Lord’s bright glory – is dawning on my soul,
tell me the old, old story : “Christ Jesus makes thee whole.”
Tell me the old, old story ……..
Prayers of Approach & Lord’s Prayer
Let us pray
Lord of all
in this time of worship
we step away from doing other things
we change our focus from what is always temporary – to what is truly lasting
we move our thoughts from what is immediate – towards that which is eternal
we leave the noise of the world – and find rest in the quiet of your peace
we block out the bombardment of minute by minute updates on current news – so that we might reflect on the old, old story – the story of Jesus and his love – the story which is the Good News
Father God
although in these days your people cannot go to and congregate in the sanctuary
to share in worship
to sing their praises
to offer communal prayer and
to hear your Word read and preached
we believe that wherever and whenever we worship in spirit and in truth
the praise of our hearts will join with the praise of those in heaven
the prayers we offer to you will be heard
you will speak to us through the words of Scripture – through the messages and insights brought to us by others – and by that still small voice of calm, deep within our souls
And so – even as and where we are
we come to you Lord God – with joy
as with all the earth – we worship you
singing praises to your name
knowing that you will not reject our prayer
or remove your steadfast love from us
Gracious God
there are times – and many of them – when in reality
somehow we don’t quite match up to the standards by which we should live
we allow the baggage of life to overshadow our focus on worship
we allow our thoughts to drift – and we miss the treasures which are laid before us
we forget that the life which Jesus announced and has won for us – has a dimension far beyond our current experience
we can even appear to be different people – the one at worship being different from the one we are – when we forget that all our living should bring glory, honour and praise to you
we pray that you would not reject us or send us away from you
but that you would forgive us – remake and renew us
to fully be the disciples of your calling and the apostles of Christ’s mission
These prayers we bring in Jesus’ name and we continue to pray in his words – as we say
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
Scripture Reading
Our Scripture reading is from The Acts of the Apostles : chapter 17 : verses 16 to 34.
The passage begins by saying that “Paul was waiting for them in Athens” – it was Silas and Timothy for whom Paul was waiting, as they had stayed on in Beroea.
To set today’s verses in context, I would encourage you to read Chapter 17 as a whole.
REFLECTION
The story of the Acts of the Apostles is so rich and it offers such a wide variety of encouragement and challenge.
Chapter 17 is no exception and my aim is to highlight a few of these challenges and simply leave them with you – to ponder – to think about what they might mean for us in our society and times – both of which are so different from those of the Biblical days.
Perhaps we might also use this chapter as a focus of our thinking and worship at some future time when we are able to meet in person – back in the church building.
I will identify a verse by number and then pose something for your thoughts
| VERSE NUMBER | SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT |
| 16 then 22 & 23 | Paul was distressed to see the city of Athens full of idols. What idols are there in our world and in our lives which divert us away from God ? |
| 18 | Do people understand what we say when we speak about faith and belief in God and Jesus ? Is our use of “churchy language” an obstacle to the understanding of other people ? In what ways could we communicate more directly and effectively ? |
| 19 & 20 | Paul was asked about the meaning of his teaching – strange as it seemed to be. Is there a thirst for such understanding in our society ? If so – would we have the confidence to answer this challenge – and how would we do it ? |
| 27 & 28 | Searching for God – in what ways do we find God to be near us ? In what ways can we help other people to find God in their search for meaning and purpose ? |
Prayers of Thanksgiving and for Others
Let us pray
Loving God
there is so much in our lives for which we should be thankful
for the many blessings of each new day – blessings which we should count and treasure
thank you for what Jesus has done – that he came among us – lived our life and gave his life on a Cross and that by his resurrection – he has ensured for us life in all its fullness – both in this earthly life and in the life everlasting
thank you for your Spirit – constantly at work in our lives to bless, to strengthen, to guide and to call us – to follow the teaching and in the footsteps of our Lord and Saviour
thank you for the progress which has been made in the fight against Covid-19
for people restored to health
for advances in science
for dedicated and sacrificial service in so many ways
for compassionate and loving care – freely given and graciously accepted
for tremendous efforts and outstanding success in fund raising
Lord – we thank you
Heavenly Father
we pray for your continued blessing on the success of all of this work – in the wideness of its variety
we pray for your continued blessing on all the people involved in it – in whatever capacity – be it high profile and public – or be it almost unseen — but certainly most necessary and of great value
we pray for all works of charity and compassion – especially this week at the end of their annual allocated week of focus – we give thanks and pray for the ongoing work for Christian Aid
we pray too for the work of your Church – and particularly this incoming week when the Church of Scotland should be meeting in General Assembly – we pray for the incoming Moderator – the Reverend Dr Martin Fair as he is admitted to office and as he and his wife carry out the duties of that high office.
we recognise that there is a need for some decision mechanisms to be at work – and we pray for all that will be discussed and decided through means of technology – and for those people entrusted with that decision making
God
there is so much which we need to bring before you in prayer – in our world – our nation – our community – our families – and our own lives
and so we take time – to be still and quiet
and to share with you the concerns which are on our hearts
hear these and all our prayers Lord – offered in and through the name of Jesus
AMEN
Praise
We close our worship with a favourite – and hopefully appropriate hymn
All I once held dear, built my life upon – all this world reveres and wants to own
all I once thought gain, I have counted loss – spent and worthless now, compared to this
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You – there is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best – You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord
Now my heart’s desire is to know You more – to be found in You and known as Yours
to possess by faith what I could not earn – all-surpassing gift of righteousness
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You – there is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best – You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord
Blessing
May the blessing of Almighty God
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with us all
and with all for whom we have prayed
now and always
AMEN