Watchword for the Week
Paul wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your minds,
so that you may discern what is the will of God –
what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
(Romans 12:2)
(Moravian Daily Texts 2017)
ORGAN PRELUDE
WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP
(from the Iona Abbey Justice and Peace Service)
O God, who called all life into being,
the earth, sea and sky are yours.
Your presence is all around us;
every atom is full of your energy.
Your Spirit enlivens all who walk the earth.
With her, we yearn for justice to be done,
for creation to be free from threat,
for the hungry to be fed,
for captives to be released,
for your kingdom of peace to come on earth.
Hymn 160 1-3* Praise, my soul, the King
People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)
PRAYER of APPROACH
(from the Iona Abbey Justice and Peace Service)
Let us pray … … …
Yet we see that good news denied by apathy,
mocked by prejudice, hatred and refusal to
forgive, and we feel helpless in the face of
suffering. Where are you, God?
You are present where women and men of
good will still choose to live in your way,
caring for creation and for each other,
courageously speaking truth to power.
You are there when elderly people
share their wisdom. You are there when
street children dance in the rain.
You are present wherever, in this
broken world, hope is alive.
Thank you, God,
for being present with us now. Amen.
Hymn 160 4-5* Frail as summer’s flowers
CHILDREN’S TIME
ASSURANCE of PARDON
As Pharaoh’s daughter raised Moses up from
the river and rescued him, so God rescues us.
God is saving all of us by divine mercy, no
exceptions. We are saved in spite of ourselves,
good and bad alike. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Hymn 178 God is good, we sing and shout it
(Hymn of the Month, August 2017)
SHARING GOD’S PEACE
(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Exodus 1:8 – 2:10 OT p. 56
Hymn 779 * Listen now for the Gospel
St. Matthew 16:13-20 NT p. 24
People may stand for the Gospel reading.
The word of God: Thanks be to God!
SERMON Rev. James Brown
Choruses *
(Please bring your offerings forward to the steps)
Dependable, reliable God (2x)
I will do as you say,
you are worthy to be praised,
dependable, reliable God.
The most Excellency is Jesus;
shout Hallelujah, Amen! (2x)
He’s a miracle working God. (2x)
He’s the Alpha and the Omega,
He’s a miracle working God.
AFFIRMATION of FAITH
(from the Iona Abbey Justice and Peace Service)
We believe in God
in whom is power and compassion.
We believe in the Creator
who gave birth to the universe,
set solar systems dancing in space,
shaped molecules and mountains,
and conceived beauty beyond our imagining.
God’s power topples tyrants,
and brings down walls of separation;
God’s love embodies the tenderness
of a mother and father,
encouraging and caring for each of us.
We believe in Jesus,
born in obscurity in an occupied land;
a human being, vulnerable to hunger, thirst,
persecution and grief.
He understood the power of love
and confronted the powers of evil,
spoke the truth with courage and clarity,
forgave his enemies and changed lives.
In his living, dying and rising again
he showed love strong enough
to save the world.
We believe in the Holy Spirit
who sustains, comforts and empowers us,
opens the scriptures, opens our minds,
and illuminates earth’s darkness. Amen.
NOTICES and PRAYERS for OTHERS
Sung response (Hymn 805 *):
Your kingdom come:
your will be done on earth, O Lord.
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 622 * We sing a love…
BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)
ORGAN POSTLUDE
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