A call to worship:
Let us give thanks for God’s Holy Word. For the Word of God in Scripture: Thanks be to God.
For the Word of God within us: Thanks be to God. For the Word of God among us: Thanks be to God.
Amen.
A gathering prayer:
As we gather, may what we read be treasured in our hearts and inspire us to share God’s Word in our lives, so that we may turn the written word into action in the world.
Amen.
When I Needed a Neighbour StF 256
When I needed a neighbour, were you there, were you there?
When I needed a neighbour, were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter, were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there, were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there?
Chorus
I was cold, I was naked, were you there, were you there?
I was cold, I was naked, were you there?
Chorus
When I needed a shelter, were you there, were you there?
When I needed a shelter were you there?
Chorus
When I needed a healer, were you there, were you there?
When I needed a healer, were you there?
Chorus
Wherever you travel, I’ll be there, I’ll be there.
Wherever you travel, I’ll be there.
And the creed and the colour
And the name won’t matter,
I’ll be there.
Bible Readings
Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose way of life is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbour,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honours those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.
James 1:17-27
Listening and doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Reflection:
This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month and the start of a new Connectional year. Revd Helen Cameron, the previous Chair of the Northampton Methodist District, is the Methodist Church President for this Connectional year.
The theme for this year is ‘Praise and Protest’.
In Mary’s song of praise, the ‘Magnificat’ (Luke 1:46-55), she thanks God for the child Jesus, who will announce God’s kingdom which “brings down the powerful from their thrones and lifts up the lowly.” To engage in God’s mission and be part of that transformation, we believe the Methodist Church is called to become an increasingly evangelistic, inclusive and justice-seeking Church.
Following the prophet Isaiah’s call, echoing through the ages to us and reflected in Mary’s prayer, the 2024/2025 Prayer Handbook will focus on how the Church can ‘learn to do right; seek justice and defend the oppressed’ (Isaiah 1:17a, NIV).
At the beginning of a connectional year, it is good to reflect on the previous year, thinking of what went well and what needs to have more input, to have an impact in our Church communities in Northampton Methodist Church. I have been reminded of a chorus I sang when I was young which says, ‘Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. As we worship God in our buildings, we focus on Almighty God together and wherever we live in Northampton, we live and serve God in our local communities.
The key verse for us today is from James 1 verse 22 which says, ‘Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says’. Are we a listening and doing people? Our faith is like a pair of scissors, for the scissors to perform their purpose, both blades need to work together when used. In the Church communities, listening and doing are the two blades that should work together as we have a desire to bless people, both inside and outside the church. Working ecumenically is vital as we build relationships and listen to one another, so that we see His Kingdom come here on earth, as it is in heaven.
In a circuit service on 31st December 2023. I asked us to consider praying for one minute a day, at a time suitable to yourselves, for example, 10:24 am in the morning. Praying together in Churches has historically proven to be what unites people in mission. Someone once said to me, ‘a church that prays together stays together’. I am often asked by others what they can pray for me; my answer is patience. Psalm 34 v 11 says, ‘Come my children listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord’. In August, following the Southport stabbing incident, and the death of three children, Revd Helen Cameron sent out a prayer,
which I will end with today.
God of love, we pray for your Spirit of peace to move in our communities, that those who are targets of hate might be safe and that people of good will might work together in love and respect. We pray for your Spirit of healing, that those who grieve, might be comforted and those who are injured might be made well. We pray for your Spirit of hope, that those who despair might see a way ahead and those who live in fear might find sanctuary and freedom. Soften the hearts of those motivated by hate and help us all to love our neighbours as those made in your image. In Christ’s name.
Amen
Prayers of intercession
Loving God, we thank you for the many blessings that we have – homes, food, clothing, modern appliances, public amenities, opportunities for education, access to healthcare, and so much more.
Loving God, hear our prayer for the ‘have-nots’ of this world.
We pray for those with no homes, living as refugees, or living rough on the streets.
Loving God, hear our prayer for the ‘have-nots’ of this world.
We pray for those living in adequate housing, the shacks and the huts of shanty towns, or in bed and breakfast accommodation because there is nowhere else for them to go.
Loving God, hear our prayer for the ‘have-nots’ of this world.
We pray for those who have no food, their crops having failed, their economies burdened by debt, or their labours not fairly rewarded.
Loving God, hear our prayer for the ‘have-nots’ of this world.
We pray for those who have no fresh water, daily facing the threat of disease and the nightmare of drought, and for those who have not resources, condemned to a life of poverty with no prospect of respite, no opportunity to help themselves. Loving God, hear our prayer for the ‘have-nots’ of this world.
We pray for those who have no access to education, to the health service or welfare system, no one to turn to for help and support.
Loving God, hear our prayer for the ‘have-nots’ of this world.
Loving God, in the context of this world of ours we are the ‘haves’, those who have been fortunate, who enjoy plenty. Stir our hearts to respond to the ‘have-nots’. Help us to be ready to say no to ourselves so that we may say yes to them; to sacrifice a little so that they may receive much. Loving God, hear our prayer for the ‘have-nots’ of this world.
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.
StF 99 All creatures of our God and King Love
All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
O burning sun with golden beam,
and silver moon with softer gleam:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice:
Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light:
Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them his glory also show:
Let all things their creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One:
A sending out prayer:
Go! The service is ended, but our service in the world begins. May God strengthen and encourage us as we go, to live lives of gratitude, spilling over into loving responses of joyful caring.
Amen.
