A call to worship:
We come together to share in the story of faith, to share our own stories and to add new chapters, to the story of the Church.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
A gathering prayer
Here we are again, Lord. There are many temptations to be elsewhere, but, as you live and as we ourselves live, we will not leave you. It’s a lifelong journey: as long as life lasts, we’re on it.
And while we’re on it we should make the most of it. Help us to make the most of this time together with each other and with you today. Amen.
StF 186 Tell out my soul
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done; his mercy sure, from age to age the same; his holy name, the Lord, the mighty One.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight, the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children’s children and for evermore!
Bible Readings
Psalm 50
A psalm of Asaph.
1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
3 Our God comes
and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above,
and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 ‘Gather to me this consecrated people,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.’
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for he is a God of justice.
Mark 9:2-9
The transfiguration
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Prayers:
A prayer of adoration
Inspirational God, from little acts of faith, you bring huge transformation; from little acts of trust, you bring huge opportunities; from little seeds, you bring huge growth;
from little steps, you bring huge progress;
from little showings of love, you draw us into your huge heart, and hold us as one –
for you are our all, forever.
Amen.
A prayer of confession
Response after each phrase: Forgive us we pray.
God of truth when we won’t go far enough in speaking out for justice.
When we won’t go far enough out of our comfort zone.
When we won’t go far enough in taking responsibility for our behaviour.
When we won’t go far enough in meeting the needs of those around us.
Forgive us and help us to change, to grow, and to appreciate fully all that you have done for us – in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Assurance of forgiveness
Living God, your forgiveness enables and empowers us to change, to move on and to be made whole. Thank you for your patience, your grace, and your presence with us each step of our life’s journey – and beyond. Amen.
A prayer of thanksgiving
God of our setting out and of our arriving,
we rejoice that, wherever we go, you go with us. When we journey together, you bless us with fellowship. When we journey alone, you bless us with courage. When we journey in the footsteps of others, you bless us with gratitude. When we journey to new places, you bless us with faith. And when we make our last journey, you bless us with the knowledge that we are safe within your eternal love – thank you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
A prayer of confession
Response after each phrase: Forgive us and shake us up.
O God, when compassion should begin with us, but doesn’t:
When justice should begin with us, but doesn’t:
When unity should begin with us, but doesn’t:
When understanding should begin with us,
but doesn’t:
When hospitality should begin with us, but doesn’t:
When hope should begin with us, but doesn’t:
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Please use the version that you prefer
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.
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
Now and for ever.
Amen.
Time to reflect:
What is your favourite Love song?
What is your favourite film about love? What is your Favourite food?
My answers are at the end of today’s reflection. You may have guessed that today’s thoughts are all about Love, Love, Love.
Valentine’s Day is coming up this week and I am sure you have seen adverts for chocolates, flowers, and cards. However today I would like to think about the love God has for the whole world. Sometimes we quote John 3 verse 16 and forget verse 17. Today we are looking at both verses, ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him’.
This is God’s rescue plan for all humanity from the very beginning of time and continues in our lifetime and in our children’s lifetime, throughout all generations in the future.
One of my all-time favourite hymns is Love Divine, the first verse aways reminds me of God’s great love for me.
The second love is our love for God. I have a very good friend who suffers from depression, and he often says he draws comfort from the psalms, as it somehow brings him to that place of praise. Below are three Psalms that help us to reflect on God, as you worship at home in a time of silence.
Psalm 9 v 1 – 2, I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Psalm 86 v 12, I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.
Psalm 106 v 1, Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
The third and final love is love for others. The others might be people we meet each week, members of our family both near and far. Others could also be those we bump into as we go about our daily lives, either where we live, shopping and in Church. The story of the Good Samaritan reminds me of someone thinking of his neighbour but in truth, the Samaritans were bitter enemies of the Jews. So, it is even more important to see the Samaritan not only being kind, but he was in fact providing care for his enemy and leaving him in a place where he would receive care which he financed.
The words in John’s Gospel says ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Jesus calls us his friends.
As we think of what is happening all around us, whether it is people at war and the increase of violence in our towns and cities. How can we in Northampton Methodist Church challenge the injustice and bring healing and reconciliation in our town?
My answers to the questions.
What is your favourite Love song? – I just called to say I love you.
What is your favourite film about love? – Love actually.
What is your Favourite food? – Chilli Con Carne.
StF 503 Love divine all love excelling.
Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heav’n to earth come down, fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.
Come, Almighty to deliver; let us all thy life receive; suddenly return and never,
never more thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above; pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish then, thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee:
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise!
A sending out prayer:
Lord, like your first disciples you send us out as sheep among wolves. Teach us to be wise as serpents as well as innocent as doves. Remind us that your peace comes with us, and your hand is there to guide and encourage.
Amen.
