A call to worship:
Let us come together, each of us known and loved as a child of God. We come to worship him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Come down love divine StF 372
Come down, O Love divine,
seek thou this soul of mine,
and visit it with thine own ardor glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.
O let it freely burn,
till earthly passions turn
to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
and let thy glorious light
shine ever on my sight,
and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
And so the yearning strong,
with which the soul will long,
shall far outpass the power of human telling;
for none can guess its grace,
till Love create a place
wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.
Bible Readings
This week’s redings are included in the reflection.
Reflection
Recently, I have been a little more reflective than usual, as I have come across documents that I no longer use, and have been shredding some old letters, diaries and documents that are obsolete. Sometimes it is healthy to dispose of things that we longer need or want. This year, at SNPC in our Lent talks we have been considering four areas, Peace in our World, Peace in our community, Peace in our Church and finally Peace in us. We often pray for Peace in the world as we see images of destruction all around us, and this Worship at Home explores the different types of Peace.
Peace in our World
John 14 v 27 in the Bible states, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid”. We live in an increasing polarised world, where we see destruction and death across our world. We the Church can demonstrate the love of God as we pray the Lord’s Prayer, a topic which I have been sharing with children in school assemblies. In this verse, Jesus offers his disciples a lasting inner peace, distinct from temporary worldly calm, to comfort them before his departure and impending crucifixion, assuring them they can overcome fear and turmoil with God’s help.
Peace in our Community
Proverbs 19 v 17 says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done”, meaning that acts of generosity to those in need is a partnership with God. Helping the poor is considered a direct act of service to God. God promises to repay the giver, not necessarily with material wealth, but with spiritual blessings, and an enriched soul. This verse encourages active compassion and highlights that caring for the vulnerable reflects God’s own heart. Sharing what we have with others is the Church in action, caring for others, ensuring that others are being looked after.
Peace in our Church
Ephesians 4:4 is a key scripture emphasising Christian unity, stating, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call.” This verse serves as a declaration for the call to unity within the church, the spiritual reality shared by believers, which leads into verses 4-6 which list “One Lord, one faith, one baptism,” and “one God and Father of all.” The oneness in Christ should unite all Christians, despite their differences. During the week of prayer for Christian unity the theme from the World Council of Churches was’ Light from light for light’.
Peace in Us
A prayer for peace based around Philippians 4 v 6, that advises against anxiety, encouraging believers to replace worry with prayer, supplication and thanksgiving, in their requests to God. This passage 4:6–7 promises that when believers replace anxiety with prayer, thanksgiving, and faith, God’s supernatural peace will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This peace exceeds human understanding offering stability regardless of external circumstances. This passage emphasises that peace is not merely the absence of trouble, but the presence of God. This divine peace is accessed and sustained through a relationship with Jesus Christ, knowing that no matter what life throws at us, we can still have joy knowing that our joy lies in Jesus Christ, and not in our circumstances.
Prayer for Peace
God, we trust you and we put our confidence in you. As we look out at this world so full of conflict and disruption, violence and chaos, let us be rooted in you and let peace flow out to all who are experiencing conflict, Amen.
Prayer:
Merciful God, we pray for those who walk through life with a sense of guilt, burdened by past mistakes, overwhelmed by a sense of failure, troubled feelings of shame, depressed by the knowledge of their own weakness. Help them to understand that in you they can find true forgiveness and a new beginning.
In your mercy, hear us.
We pray for those who commit evil with no sense of wrongdoing, no concept of sin, no hint of remorse, no sign of scruples. Help them to glimpse what is right and good, and to be touched by renewing, transforming grace of Christ.
In your mercy, hear us.
We pray for those who have been wronged by others; hurt, deceived, betrayed, let down. Help them to be ready to forgive others as you have forgiven them.
In your mercy, hear us.
We pray for those whose relationships are being tested – with family and friends, with those at work or in the place of leisure, with other Christians, even in their own fellowship. Help them to understand the cause and division between them and work towards the healing of all such rifts, forgiving and seeking forgiveness.
In your mercy, hear us.
Merciful God help all those who are burdened by past mistakes to discover the forgiveness you so freely offer, and to show that mercy themselves.
In your mercy, hear us.
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.
O breath of life, come sweeping through us StF 391
O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and pow’r;
O Breath of Life, come, cleanse, renew us,
and fit your church to meet this hour.
O Wind of God, come bend us, break us,
till humbly we confess our need;
then in your tenderness remake us,
revive, restore, for this we plead.
O Breath of love, come breathe within us,
renewing thought and will and heart;
come, Love of Christ, afresh to win us,
revive your church in ev’ry part.
O Heart of Christ, once broken for us,
’tis there we find our strength and rest;
our broken, contrite hearts now solace,
and let your waiting church be blest.
Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abating
while harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive us, Lord, the world is waiting,
equip your church to spread the light.
A sending out prayer:
Lord, thank you that you choose to reveal yourself to us and that you know us, love us, and sustain us. Help us to return to you, again and again, to be refreshed and renewed by your living water.
Amen.
