Watchword for the Week

Lord, teach us to pray. (Luke 11:1)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2016)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

(Based on verses from Psalm 85)

Bring us back, O God our saviour, and stop being displeased with us.

Make us strong again, and we, your people, will praise you.

Show us your constant love, O LORD, and give us your saving help.

Surely God is ready to save those who honour him, and his saving presence will remain in our land.

Love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will embrace.

Human loyalty will reach up from the earth, and God’s righteousness will look down from heaven.

Righteousness will go before the LORD and prepare the path for him.

Show us your constant love, O LORD, and give us your saving help.

 

Hymn 720 There is a longing in our hearts

(Hymn of the Month, July 2016)

 

PRAYER of ADORATION and CONFESSION

Loving God, no matter what we call you, you are still our God. At different times we want to see you, and know you, in different forms. And we know that any and all of our names for you are limited by our simple knowledge. But this we know: you are our God, always and everywhere.

May we experience and celebrate your presence ever anew in this time of worship.

Sometimes we come to you, O God, with a long list of requests, and expect you to do exactly as we ask. Forgive us, O God,

as we forgive those who hurt us.

Sometimes we get discouraged when you do not fulfil our wishes exactly as we want. Forgive us, O God,

as we forgive those who hurt us.

Sometimes we think that our way is the only way, and you, O God, must follow our lead.

Forgive us, O God,

as we forgive those who hurt us.

Now, in this time, we turn to you humbly, O God, and confess that we seldom – if ever – know exactly what’s best, or exactly what’s right. Help us to pray as Jesus taught us, asking only for your will to be done. Forgive us, O God,

as we forgive those who hurt us. Amen.

 

Hymn 493 * It’s me, it’s me, O Lord

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

 

ASSURANCE of FORGIVENESS

Jesus reminds us that God is greater and kinder than anything we can imagine. Know that, when you earnestly seek God’s presence, you will find that God is always with you.

Let us begin again. Let us give thanks for God’s gracious, loving presence! Amen.

 

CHILDREN’S TIME

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Colossians 2:6-10, 16-19 NT p. 253 (252)

Hymn 641 * Seek ye first the kingdom of God

St. Luke 11:1-13 NT p. 92

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

SERMON Rev. James Brown

Hymn 542 † Lord, speak to me

“Forgotten Favourites” are marked with a cross (†)

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

DEDICATION PRAYER

As we offer these gifts, loving God, we pray once more that your will may come on earth. Through the things we offer, and through our daily living, may your Realm come to be

lived, known, and felt throughout every corner of the world. Amen.

 

NOTICES and PRAYERS for OTHERS

(♫ Sung response from Hymn 805)

We pray that your Kingdom may come:

Your will be done on earth, O Lord.

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, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Hymn 200 * Christ is made the sure foundation

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE