Watchword for the Week

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all

those who practise it have a good understanding.

(Psalm 111:10) (Moravian Daily Texts 2018)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

(based on Psalm 111)

Come! Let us give thanks

to the LORD with whole hearts.

Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

Glory be to the One

whose wonders are to be remembered.

Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

The LORD feeds the righteous with truth.

Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

Come! Let us give thanks to God.

Hymn 111 * Holy, holy, holy!

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

PRAYER of APPROACH

God of creation, God of love, God of justice,

you made us, you know us, you hear us.

You created us to be agents of peace;

you created us to be purveyors of justice;

you created us to share your love with others.

You know that our lives do not always mirror

this; you know that we sometimes let

opportunities pass us by; you know that we

sometimes keep your good news to ourselves.

In words of grace you forgive us of living a

life that does not speak of your reign.

Hear us when we confess

that our living is not always balanced;

may you rejoice with us when it is.

Hear us when we confess

that our loving is not always made known;

may you rejoice with us when it is.

May we find your authority

in the way Jesus lived.

May we live in his Spirit,

and bring about the justice you call for.

As we confess our sin,

we seek your forgiveness.

Hymn 776 * Kyrie eleison

God of creation, God of love, God of justice,

you made us, you know us, you hear us.

Be with us now as we dedicate ourselves

once more to your way and to your reign.

Amen.

DECLARATION of FORGIVENESS

The God who made you and knows your every

thought hears you now and forgives you all your

sin. You have been redeemed through Jesus

Christ, God’s Son, our Saviour, who is Alpha and

Omega, all in all. Thanks be to God! Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

Hymn 351 * Jesus hands were kind hands

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 NT p. 212

Hymn 779 * Listen now for the Gospel

St. Mark 1:21-28 NT p. 46

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

Hymn 135 O laughing Light

(Hymn of the Month, January 2018)

SERMON Rev. James Brown

Hymn 710 * ‘I have a dream’, a man once said

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

You are invited to make use of this final

opportunity to fill out one of the “COVENANTING

for 2018” forms and place it in the offering basket

as it is passed around.

DEDICATION PRAYER

(Source: PC Cameroon Book of Divine Services)

Lord of all goodness, all things come from

you, and of them we give to you. Therefore,

our God, accept us, your servants, and these

our offerings which we bring in devotion to

your holy name, and give us grace evermore

to serve you with gladness of heart; through

Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

NOTICES and PRAYERS for OTHERS

Response: Holy God,

may your will be done.

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 113 * God the Father of Creation

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE

Food is maybe the only universal thing that

has the power to bring everyone together.

No matter what culture, everywhere around

the world, people get together to eat.

Guy Fieri (American restaurant owner)