Our Worship Group is making a genuine and inspirational contribution to our morning worship. And its service on January 29th added much to our fellowship with its theme, ‘A God who gives Authority.’
The service was led by Ann Shadbolt with inserts from Karen Abram, David Wilkinson, Jean Roby and Wendy Slattery. The organists for the day were John Gibson and Jonathan Davies. The duty elders were Sandra Davies and David Wilkinson. And the whole morning was completed by the refreshments served by Sheila Shaw, Jane Rimmer and Maggie Howarth. Further, we record thanks to those who helped shaped the flawless proceedings of the morning.
THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD
An elder carried in an open Bible and placed it on the communion table.
In true Reformed tradition this simple act is a reminder that our authority is God’s Word revealed to us in Scripture open before us.
WE STOOD AS THE BIBLE WAS BROUGHT INTO CHURCH AND PLACED BEFORE THE CONGREGATION AND REMAINED STANDING FOR THE CALL TO WORSHIP
- THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Healing God:
we come to praise you.
Life-giving God;
we come to hear and receive your life-giving word.
Transforming God:
we come to you in an awareness of the need for transformation.
As we gather to worship in God’s name:
may the Lord be with us.
AMEN
HYMN 354: Come, living God, when least expected (Words: Alan Gaunt.)
PRAYERS OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
HYMN 97: King of glory, King of peace, I will love thee (Words: George Herbert.)
A TALK FOR THE CHILDREN
HYMN 367: I want to walk with Jesus Christ all the days I live of this life on earth (Words: C Simmonds.)
NOTICES FOR THE COMING WEEK AND THE ELDERS WAITED ON US FOR OUR MORNING GIFTS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord,
what we have,
we offer,
our time,
our commitment,
our money.
But most of all we offer ourselves.
Help us and what we bring to be used in your work,
to encourage each other in giving and serving,
and to extend your given kingdom of love.
AMEN
MINISTRY OF THE WORD
OLD TESTAMENT: Deuteronomy, Chapter 18, Verses 15 to 20
Bench ‘Good News Bible’ Old Testament page 189: The season of Epiphany is a time when the church reflects on the authority of God, God’s command, God‘s purpose, and God’s promise. Here God’s will for communal life is embodied in the person and office of Moses. The nature of the church is that it must host the prophetic-Mosaic word. That word is often hard. There is a temptation to tone down the word!
EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians, Chapter 8, Verses 1 to 13
Bench ‘Good News Bible’ Old Testament page 212: Paul consistently argues for the church as a forum for moral discourse. Every member of the community is to be taken seriously as a person for whom Christ died, and that one’s actions reflect a compassionate and even restraining consideration for fellow members of the body of Christ.
HYMN 127: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (Words: Psalm 72 paraphrased by James Montgomery.)
GOSPEL: Mark, Chapter 1, Verses 21 to 28
Bench ‘Good News Bible’ New Testament page 46: Miracles demonstrate power, but power can come from a variety of sources, both good and evil. The writer knows that understanding who Jesus is and what his mission entails involves far more that simply witnessing a miracle. Because God in Christ is “for us,” each becomes the neighbour to the other neighbour as Christ was producing new realities for healthy, joyous living.
A WORD IN SEASON
HYMN 653: We cannot measure how you heal or answer every sufferer’s prayer (Words: John Bell and Graham Maule.)
- PRAYERS OF CONFESSION, INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
- HYMN 602: Forth in the peace of Christ we go (Words: James Quinn.)
PRAYER AND THE BLESSING
May Christ give us strength by his Spirit.
May Christ dwell in our hearts.
May we know the love of Christ and experience the fullness of God.
May we, his Church, give him all the glory,
for ever and ever.
AMEN