Watchword for the Week

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,

who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty

(Revelation 1:8)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2018)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME & CALL to WORSHIP

(Iona liturgy based on 1 Corinthians 12)

Christ is like a single body

which has many parts.

It is still one body ‘

though every part is different.

Therefore the foot cannot say,

I am not part of the body;

nor can the ear say,

I am not part of the body.

The eye cannot say to the hand,

I don’t need you;

nor can the head say to the feet,

I don’t need you.

If one part suffers,

all parts share the pain.

If one part is praised,

all parts share the joy.

Together, we are Christ’s body:

Each one of us is a part of it.

Hymn 279 * Make way for Christ the King

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

(Hymn of the Month, December 2011)

PRAYER of APPROACH

(Iona Abbey Worship Book – Act of Commitment)

God, our Creator,

you have wonderfully made us.

You have planted in us different gifts,

no two of us are the same.

On our own we may or may not shine,

but together, in your company,

you turn us into a kaleidoscope of grace.

Sometimes we lament the busyness of our lives,

sometimes we bemoan the emptiness.

These are signs of our longing

for a fulfilment we cannot create,

but which we can receive

from the One who made, knows and loves us.

Lover of all and of each,

enable us here to be fully open

to you,

to all you have to offer,

to all that you ask of us.

Amen.

Hymn 641 * Seek ye first the kingdom of God

ASSURANCE of GRACE

God blesses his faithful people with his power

to heal, help, liberate and challenge.

God blesses his people with his yearning

for a better world and a fuller faith.

God blesses us with the Holy Spirit

within us and among us.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)

SCRIPTURE READINGS 

Revelation 1:4-8 NT p. 313 (309)

St. John 18:33-37 NT p. 142

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

Hymn 573 Jesus Savour, Lord, now to you I fly

(Hymn of the Month, November 2018)

SERMON Rev. James Brown

Medley African-style choruses

(Please put offerings in the basket at the altar steps)

AFFIRMATION / DEDICATION PRAYER

Let us affirm our faith:

We believe in God

who made the sea and the earth,

the sun and the sky,

who calls us to live responsibly.

We believe in Jesus Christ

who became human,

who healed the sick,

who talked to children,

whom made friends with sinners.

He burned brightly and offended many.

His journey was one of life and death

and resurrection.

His light continues to shine in the darkness.

We believe in the Holy Spirit

who inspired the scriptures,

and whose breath we breathe.

We believe that God calls us to be a

community, committed to one another,

offering a welcome to everyone,

old and young, rich and poor,

strong and weak.

We believe that God calls us to be

peacemakers, workers for justice,

brothers and sisters,

a light for the world. Amen.

NOTICES and PRAYERS for OTHERS

Response: Spirit of the living God:

may your kingdom come.

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 646 * Forth in the peace of Christ we go

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE