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URC Sunday Worship 28th February 2021

 

Led by Rev’d Jenny Mills

 

Call To Worship

 

People of God, on this wilderness journey, what will you eat?

The word of the Lord is our daily bread.

 

 

People of God, in this time of temptation, how will you live?

Our faith is in the faithfulness of God.

 

 

People of God, at this kingdom crossroad, whom will you serve?

We worship the Lord our God alone.

 

 

God of grace and God of glory

on you people pour Your power.

Crown Your ancient Church’s story

bring its bud to glorious flower.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage

for the facing of this hour,

for the facing of this hour.

 

 

Lo! The hosts of evil ‘round us

scorn our Christ, assail His ways!

From the fears that long have bound us

free our hearts to faith and praise.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

for the living of these days,

for the living of these days.

 

 

Save us from weak resignation

to the evils we deplore;

let the gift of thy salvation

be our glory evermore.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

serving You whom we adore,

serving You whom we adore.

 

 

God of grace and God of glory

on your people pour Your power.

Crown your ancient Church’s story

bring its bud to glorious flower.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

for the facing of this hour,

for the facing of this hour.

 

 

 

Prayers of Approach, Confession and Assurance of Forgiveness:

 

 

Prayer of Illumination

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Romans 4:13-25

 

 

 

To Abraham and Sarah the call of God was clear:

“Go forth and I will show you a country rich and fair.

You need not fear the journey, for I have pledged my word

that you shall be my people and I will be your God.

 

 

From Abraham and Sarah arose a pilgrim race,

dependent for their journey on God’s abundant grace;

and in their heart was written by God this saving word:

that “You shall be my people and I will be your God.”

 

 

We of this generation  on whom God’s h and is laid,

can journey to the future secure and unafraid,

rejoicing in God’s goodness and trusting in this word;

that “You shall be my people and I will be your God.”

 

 

 

Sermon

 

 

God who sets us on a journey to discover, dream and grow,

lead us as you led your people in the desert long ago;

journey inward, journey outward, stir the spirit, stretch the mind,

love for God and self and neighbour marks the way that Christ defined.

 

 

Exploration brings new insights, changes, choices we must face;

give us wisdom in deciding, mindful always of your grace;

should we stumble, lose our bearings, find it hard to know what’s right,

we regain our true direction focused on the Jesus light.

 

 

End our longing for the old days, grant the vision that we lack –

once we’ve started on this journey there can be no turning back;

let us travel light, discarding excess baggage from our past,

cherish only what’s essential, choosing treasure that will last.

 

 

When we set up camp and settle to avoid love’s risk and pain,

you disturb complacent comfort, pull the tent pegs up again;

keep us travelling in the knowledge you are always at our side;

give us courage for the journey, Christ our goal and Christ our guide.

 

 

 

 

Affirmation of Faith

 

As followers of Jesus Christ, living in this world—

which some seek to control, but which others view with despair—

we declare with joy and trust: our world belongs to God!

 

From the beginning, through all the crises of our times,

until His Kingdom fully comes, God keeps covenant forever.

Our world belongs to God!

 

We rejoice in the goodness of God, renounce the works of darkness,

and dedicate ourselves to holy living, for our world belongs to God!

As committed disciples, called to faithful obedience, and set free for

joyful praise, we offer our hearts and lives to do God’s work in his world,

for our world belongs to God!

 

With tempered impatience, eager to see injustice ended, we expect the

Day of the Lord. And we are confident that the light which shines in the

present darkness will fill the earth when Christ appears for our World

belongs to God!

 

 

Intercessions

The Lord’s Prayer

 

 

Offertory

 

 

Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.

Peace, perfect peace, is the gif t of Christ our Lord.

Thus says the Lord, will the world know my friends,

peace, perfect peace is the gift of Christ our Lord.

 

 

Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.

Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.

Thus says the Lord, will the world know my friends,

Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.

 

 

Joy, perfect joy is the gift of Christ our Lord.

Joy, perfect joy is the gift of Christ our Lord.

Thus says the Lord, will the world know my friends,

Joy, perfect joy is the gift of Christ our Lord.

 

 

 

Blessing