Watchword for the Week

So teach us, O God, to count our days

that we may gain a wise heart. (Psalm 90:12)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2017)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

The world belongs to God,

the earth and all those who dwell in it.

How good and pleasant it is

to live together in harmony.

Love and Faith come together

Justice and Peace meet each other.

If the disciples of Jesus remain silent

these stones would cry aloud.

God, open my lips

so that my mouth shall proclaim your glory.

Hymn 473 Thy kingdom come

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

PRAYER of APPROACH

Glory be to you, O God,

Father of mercy, giver of life and hope:

We rejoice in your love and mercy.

Glory be to you, O God,

Saviour and Christ, giver of freedom and peace:

We rejoice in your love and mercy.

Glory be to you, O God,

Holy compassion, Spirit of glory and grace:

We rejoice in your love and mercy. Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

RESPONSIVE PRAYER

By means of this water, O God,

cool our hands and our bodies

from the heat of the sun

Christ, have mercy.

By means of this water

take away the heat from our hearts,

God, have mercy.

By the means of this water

comfort our wounded feelings,

and remove the fury of yesterday.

Christ, have mercy.

Cleanse us of genuine

as well as malicious accusations

God, have mercy.

Cleanse us of the blemish,

which our misdeeds have caused to remain.

Christ, have mercy.

Remove all traces of suspicion.

God, have mercy.

By means of this water,

grant us a new beginning

so that we may become a new community.

Christ, have mercy.

By means of this water

fill our hearts with a pure spirit

Christ, have mercy.

By the means of this water,

make us ready for reconciliation with you

and with one another as well. Amen.

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NT p. 259 (258)

St. Matthew 25:14-30 NT p. 37

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

Hymn 727 In the bulb there is a flower

SERMON Kirsten Schönewolff

Hymn 83 * I rejoiced when I heard them say

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

DEDICATION PRAYER (in unison)

Lord, what we have, we offer:

our time, our commitment, our resources.

But, most of all, we offer ourselves.

Help us to be used in your work,

to encourage each other in giving and

serving, and to extend your kingdom.

Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS See Notices overleaf

PRAYERS for OTHERS

Response: Hear our cries, O Lord;

come quickly to our aid.

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 749 * Soon and very soon

(Hymn of the Month, November 2017)

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE