The Guild WORSHIP AUGUST 2003 Guild Annual Meeting - Royal Concert Hall Opening worship Moira Alexander, national convener, opened worship by quoting from Psalm 103: 'Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.' Hymn O, Lord all the World belongs to You - Songs of God's People 84 Reading The Teachers - from He was in the world by John Bell Prayer By Ray Spalding, convener of Finance and General Purposes Committee: Father, It is a joy being together from such diverse communities and backgrounds - yet from one Church. The Church of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who dared to care in Your Name. Give us courage and grace, Almighty Father, to learn from and imitate the love and goodness of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we pray, we shall try to address You from within our hearts as well as with our lips. We know not what challenges and obstacles are before us. May our convictions be strong, with courage to confront the divisions and recognise the needs in our world, our communities and the Church. We bring our faith, our talents, our imagination and our love of life. May they be enhanced through the empowering and healing strength of the Holy Spirit. May what we do, say and think make a difference in the lives of all to whom we reach out through our new projects. Let no selfish concern with our own affairs divert us from the path of faithful service. Lord help us to pull down all the barriers that threaten our health and social well being. In others, may we hear the voice of our Lord and so learn the meaning of true peace and human understanding, on order that the beautiful kingdom of justice and love may come to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen. creative one for all of us. WORSHIP SEPTEMBER 2003 Closing worship - Carberry Conference 2003 In September, Presbyterial Council National Committee representatives met for their annual conference in Carberry, near Edinburgh. At the end of a wonderful time together, national vice convener, Elspeth Dale, led everyone in the following closing worship: Choose six additional volunteers to represent a national representative; a council leadership team meeting; a council business committee meeting; a council meeting; a local guild committee meeting; a guild meeting and a housebound member. They should stand in a line, in this order. You, acting as national representative, should then start the game of Chinese Whispers by whispering 'Pray that the Guild will flourish' into the ear of the person acting as the council leadership team meeting. The message should be passed along and finally the person acting as the housebound member should repeat out loud the message they have received. This should illustrate the importance of accurate communication. Elspeth noted that: "The message must be accurate and delivered with enthusiasm. Communication involves both receiving and transmitting and God has a hand to play at both ends." Readings Sound Sleeper by Virginia Peters A Long Hot Soak - Guideposts for Living - published by Harper Collins Romans, Chapter 10, verses 13 to 15 Hymn Here I am, Lord - Common Ground 50 Prayer Lord God, our heavenly Father, We thank you for all the ways in which you have cared for us over the years. We thank you that you are always alert to our needs, that you can hear our cry for help no matter where we are, that you can answer our prayers in ways that astound us, that you understand us in all our complexities and love us just as we are. Help us to have a listening ear. Help us, like Jesus, to be able to see beyond the words to the real needs of people; beyond all the sounds that assault our ears to find the ones that matter, and to listen for your voice coming through. We communicate by touch: Lord, your touch was always therapeutic - it never repelled or hurt. Help us to offer the touch of compassion, the hand of friendship, the hug of encouragement, the embrace of love, so that we can affirm one another and the share the love of Christ with others. We communicate by speaking; Lord, we sometimes regret the things we've said and other times have been silent when we should have spoken. Help us to be ready to give words of encouragement, support and love. Fill is with the courage to speak out for the truth and justice and freedom. And when we communicate with you in prayer, Lord, may our words flow from the heart and inspire us to spread your love to others. We communicate by giving: Lord, you committed the supreme act of giving by sacrificing you life for us on the cross - allowing us to make contact in a real way with God. As we marvel at this totally selfless act of love, may we be moved to give of ourselves in your service, that our whole lives might speak of you, in whose name we pray, Amen. Blessing Lord, we ask you to go with us now as we leave this place where we have enjoyed fellowship with one another and with you. Guide us as we journey and take us safely home to serve you with renewed vigour, Amen WORSHIP OCTOBER 2003 Marketing and Publicity Committee meeting Ada Walker, convener, used the following in worship: Readings 1 John 3:13 to 20 The absent Samaritan - Eddie Askew (a modern retelling of the famous parable, but in this version help never comes – bringing to mind those on the margins of society, for whom, it must feel as though help will never come) Prayer Ever loving Father, as we gather round this table we contemplate the implications of these readings. We, who embark upon a year in which our theme challenges each Guild member to Dare to Care with Courage. But Lord, it’s so hard to relate to the millions of people in need, whether they are refugees, or dying from AIDS, or from starvation. For many of us they lack a three-dimensional quality, they are numbers, statistics. There’s a comforting safety in numbers for they lack the reality of the one-to-one situation. Our minds reel, we feel overwhelmed and helpless when so much pain intrudes into our existence, it’s so much easier to blame the arms dealers, the exploiters, the corrupt politicians, the evil dictator. It’s so much easier to do nothing; to pass by on the other side. Ever loving Father, when we stop making excuses we remember who our neighbour is. We know that the missing Samaritan is us; each one of us. We realise that we will not be able to feed all the starving, or to assuage all the suffering nor will we be able to heal everyone’s sickness. But we know that the answer has to begin with us, we know that it will begin with that first single act of reaching out to help in whatever way we can. Lord we simply ask that you show us how. Ever loving Father, as we discuss the business of today, we ask that you guide our decisions and in so doing, we will remember “Whose we are and Whom we serve”. AMEN Close The God who called us here is sending us out, to turn words into deeds and vision into relaity. Go then, assured that this same God will travel with us to hold, to guide, to protect and to bless. Go, now, on your journey assured of his enduring love. AMEN Projects and Topics Committee meeting Elspeth MacLeod, convener, composed worship and prayers focussed on the individual guild projects, and made reference to various articles which highlighted the work of each project. Reading Acts 16:16 to 34 Conveners Group meeting Moira Alexander, national convener, used the following in worship: Reading John 11:11 to 35 Music Track 15 (Empathy) from the CD of the fourth edition of the Church Hymnary Prayer Daring God, who weeps, bleeds, cries and waits for us, your people; we come, as those appointed by you to serve the Guild, have come over the years; - seeking your guidance - longing to know your will and understand your purposes You have called us to be your people; help us to hear your voice. We come bringing the life and work of the Guild before you. You know our practical and spiritual needs; our hopes and fears; our joys and sorrows. Give us faith and wisdom to discern your will and the wisdom and courage to respond to it. Give us patience and understanding in our deliberations -openness to the opinion of others -a spirit of love to be your people -the ability to hear your voice Loving Father, be with us and guide us in our discussion. Help us to seek your will for the Guild, in the name of Jesus – whose we are and whom we serve. AMEN Finance and General Purposes Committee Meeting The convener, Ray Spalding, incorporated the following into her worship on the themes of kindness and usefulness: Reading Proverbs 22: 1 to 12 Prayer Oh God, our Father, make us the kind of people who are really useful and really helpful. Help us when we are asked, to do with a good grace, even that which we do not want to do, and that which no-one else will do. Help us never to take offence, if someone else is asked to do what we thought we should have been asked to do. Help us never to think of praise or prestige, and credit and thanks so long as the work is done. Help us to be equally willing to take the first place and to take the last place. Help us, when we are asked to do something, to be more ready to say yes than to say no. Help us willingly to use whatever talents you gave us in the service of others. Help us always to give up time and pleasure and leisure when someone is required to do some useful work. Help us in all things to be like Jesus, amongst our fellow men as they who serve. Dear Father, as we meet today to oversee the general running of the Guild, help us to that end and give us - clear sight that we may know what to do - skill to find a way through problems and to enable the Guild to continue on a sure footing in years to come. We want to forget ourselves and remember others: - those who are ill and in pain - those who are cold and hungry - those who are refugees with no homes - those who are persecuted and those who have lost their freedom - those who will need care and protection throughout their lives - those who have erred and whose families need help during their punishment Bless all such and help those distressed in body, mind or heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Blessing The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen WORSHIP NOVEMBER 2003 Annual Meeting Group Elspeth Dale, national vice convener, opened with worship based on the approach to Christmas. Preamble As Christmas fast approaches and we get caught up in the preparations, it’s good to take time to think afresh about different aspects of the Christmas story. Sometimes taking an alternative view can bring it into perspective for us. These are the thoughts of Mary’s mother: Reading Your will be done– from a meditation by Kathryn White. Explanation It’s only natural that Mary’s mother wants the best for her child. She has the compassion that’s inherent in every parent, so she can’t bear to think that her daughter has made a mistake and has been taken in by crazy ideas. She loves her and doesn’t want to see her getting hurt. The feelings of parents don’t change over 2000 years so we can understand exactly where Mary’s mother was coming from. This is one of the different aspects of compassion the Guild will be looking at next year when our theme is Dare to Care with Compassion – and that of course will be the theme of the Annual Meeting 2004, so as we plan our programme we will be trying to keep this very much to the forefront of our minds. Prayer Father God, It’s easy for us to have compassion for our children, our own flesh and blood. No matter what kind of scrapes they get into, we’ll support them and bale them out if we can. Lord, you taught us to value all children by making time for them and respecting them. Help us to remember the adventure and the joy of youth as well as the temptations and frustrations; enable us to offer our prayers, our example and our friendship that they might respond to your love. We pray for those who work with young people – teachers and tutors, doctors and nurses, counsellors and befrienders. May they be understanding and sympathetic in their approach and always seek to be guided by you. Help us, Lord , to be understanding and sympathetic as we try to cater for the needs of our Guild members. As we are privileged to serve them, give us the insight to provide them with stimulation that they might broaden their horizons and deepen their commitment. As we make plans for next year’s Annual Meeting we ask that you would guide our thoughts. Help us to highlight our theme of caring with compassion through our choice of speakers and worship, that we might provide an inspiring occasion for all who attend. Lord, we ask these things in your precious name – whose we are and whom we serve, Amen. National Executive Commitee meeting Moira Alexander, national convener, based opening worship on a theme 'Do not worry.' Reading Matthew 6: 25 to 34 Reflection God of Peace by Susan Hardwicke Prayer God of love, peace and harmony, help us to heed Jesus’ message – not to worry. Forgive us for forgetting that yours is the power and the glory and the responsibility and that we are merely instruments. Getting anxious and upset does not further the work of your kingdom – listening and talking to you and acting in your name does. Help us to remember that we have not chosen you, rather, you have chosen us to serve the Guild as its National Executive. Grant us the wisdom and sensitivity to serve others in humility. Be with is in our meeting, our fellowship and in our decision-making. Guide us by your Holy Spirit to seek Your will for the Guild and to dare to Care for our members with courage. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus. AMEN WORSHIP DECEMBER 2003 Carol service - Church of Scotland offices Alison Twaddle, Guild general secretary, was asked to lead the annual carol service in 121 George Street, Edinburgh. She included the following: Reflection There was a film popular among church youth groups in the 1960s called “The ant keeper”. In it, God, shown very much in human form, was despairing of his creation, which, for the purposes of the film, was portrayed as an ant colony. After much agonising, God decided that the only way to save his creatures from themselves was to send his son to live as one of them, in the form of an ant. I remember that the close ups of the ants were pretty disgusting and that the angels in the story were horrified at the very thought. I was reminded of it again recently by the Barnardo’s advert showing the cockroach emerging from the newborn baby’s mouth. It was shock of that order and power. Now, in my maturity, I’m sure there are several theological coaches and horses that could be driven through the ant keeper analogy – but as an impressionable teenager, it had quite an effect. I remember realising for the first time that Christmas was as much about sacrifice as was Easter and as pivotal. The significance of Christ’s humanity and God’s commitment to his creation is in fact a Christmas story. When we understand the Word made flesh in this way, we understand that the pure and innocent and vulnerable baby of Bethlehem is indeed God with us – And is therefore shackled by poverty and debt; is gnawed at by hunger and weakened by physical pain; is exploited, abused and trafficked by unscrupulous power; is shunned and excluded by bigotry and prejudice; is HIV positive. Thanks be to God for the miracle and extravagant love of the nativity. Finance and general purposes committee Ray Spalding, convener, led with opening worship based on an Advent theme. Reading Romans 13: 8 to 14 Story 'Island Advent' from The Midwinter Music - an anthology of traditional and modern Scottish poems, stories and prayers. Prayer What a joy it is for us to praise you, Lord God, our Father, in this season of expectation. For, throughout human history the road that cannot lead astray is being readied - full of sharp turns but equally full of wonders: full of darkness yet suddenly kind. Everything has paved the way for Christ whom we herald till He comes. O God, we pray to you to give us love, Love in our thinking and love in our speaking, Love in our doing and love in the hidden places of our souls, Love of our friends, old and new, Love of those we find hard to bear, Love of those with whom we work. O God, enable us today, in this Guild meeting, to say something or to do something that will make a difference to the discouraged, to the young, to the despairing. Let no selfish concern with our affairs shut us off from others today. O Father you seek out those who are looking for you and who think you are far away. Teach us at every moment to place our spirits in your hands. While we are still looking for you, you have already found us. However poor our prayers, you hear us far more than we can imagine. You are being and breath.You can light the fire of heavenly joy within us.Your power enables our faith to grow. Thank you for prayer, for love, for joy and for faith. Help us always to be like you, that, in your service, we may find our perfect freedom in doing your will. This we ask in your name's sake. AMEN.