Watchword for the Week

Paul wrote: There is therefore now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus.

(Romans 8:1)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2017)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

(as used in the Iona Abbey Welcome Service)

This is a place where saints were found,

a special house, a holy ground

where scripture, song and fervent prayer,

work and discussion, food and care

have shaped the heritage we share.

This is a place for God.

This is a space where saints are grown

as faith is shared and love is shown,

where all who doubt or who believe

are asked to give and to receive

and share with Christ the air we breathe.

This is a space for God.

This is a time for fond surprise

for hearts and minds and ears and eyes,

where what’s gone wrong can be forgiven

and what’s to come is glimpsed or given

as earth makes room for more of heaven.

This is a time for God.

Hymn 623 1-2 + 4 Here in this place

People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)

PRAYER of APPROACH

God, in your presence now, we realise that you

have been with us every day of our lives;

in you we live, and move, and have our being;

you are closer to us than our next breath.

We pray that, as your community in this place,

our praise and worship might be joined with our

brothers and sisters throughout all times and all

places and take our part in the eternal chorus:

You are good; you are holy; you are love.

Amen.

CONFESSION / SAYING SORRY

(from the Iona Abbey All-age Morning Service)

God, you know me.

You know that I can be loving and kind;

and you know that sometimes I get things wrong.

I’m sorry for the times I hurt other people,

forget to listen to you

and don’t bother to take care of your world.

May God forgive you,

Jesus bless you,

and God’s Spirit help you to grow in love.

Amen.

God, you know us.

You know that we can be loving and kind;

and you know that sometimes

we get things wrong.

We’re sorry for the times we hurt other

people, forget to listen to you, and don’t

bother to take care of your world.

May God forgive you, Jesus bless you,

and God’s Spirit help you to grow in love.

Amen.

Hymn 522 * The Church is wherever…

CHILDREN’S TIME God from A to Z

ASSURANCE / SAYING YES

(from the Iona Abbey All-age Morning Service)

Because God cares for us,

we will care for each other.

Because we are part of God’s creation,

we will care for the earth.

Because we are loved by God,

we will share God’s love with everyone.

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Genesis 25:19-34 OT p. 26

Hymn 779 * Listen now for the Gospel

St. Matthew 13:1-9 NT p. 19

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

SERMON Rev. James Brown

Hymn 188 Thou hidden love of God

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

(Hymn of the Month, July 2017)

DEDICATION PRAYER (in unison)

God, our strength and our hope, you have

given to us more than we can say. As we

offer you these gifts, we dedicate to you our

work, our dreams, and our lives. May we

open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to

your presence. Touch our lives and help us

to grow in the kingdom you have established

in our hearts and in our world. Amen.

NOTICES and PRAYERS for OTHERS

May your kingdom come:

Your will be done on earth, O Lord. (Hymn 805)

The LORD’S PRAYER

(Please pray in your own preferred language / version.)

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

trespasses as we forgive those who trespass

against us. And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. For thine is the

kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever

and ever. Amen.

Hymn 120 (1) God, we praise you.

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE