Worship on the Web STARTERS FOR SUNDAY Sunday 7th February 2010 Readings Old Testament Reading Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) This is the great call of Isaiah which very often provides a sense of encouragement and blessing upon those who feel called to be servants of God in whatever capacity they may serve. It is however also a commissioning of Isaiah to deliver judgement to the people of God in the same year that King Uzziah died. Isaiah answers the call, but also pleads as to how long it will be for the people of God? He is writing in his prophetic role as Intercessor which originates in Amos. However, the answer is not particularly encouraging as a scene of devastation and judgement is painted. The last line is key as a holy seed will survive from which the roots of the restoration of Israel will flourish. New Testament / Epistle reading 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Quite simply Paul states his case and presents his closing arguments. Paul takes time here to remind the people of Corinth of the importance of the resurrection of Christ in their disjointed and multicultural environment. He declares himself to be part of the authority of the apostles and although he may be the least of them, he is the most hardworking. Discipleship is rooted in the resurrection, and he mentions the appearance of Christ six times. Paul invites us, through the Corinthians to take up the discipleship journey and to be faithful followers of the risen Christ. Gospel reading Luke 5:1-11 Luke gives us his account of the calling of the disciples. He places it a little later than Mark's early call, and it is just after a miraculous catch of fish. All of our reading for the day invite us to answer God and to walk the path of discovery and revelation, yet it is only Luke who gives us abundant hope in the telling of the casting of the nets and the plentiful harvest of fish. If we have not sought out the glimmer of hope in our other readings, then surely we will take heed of this man Jesus. Nevertheless, he still asks us to abandon all that we have, all that makes us secure and comfortable and happy, and to follow our Master and Lord in obedience. Psalm 138 Here we have two hymns of thanksgiving and praise followed by one of confidence. The thrust of this Psalm of David ties in with the glimmer of hope in Isaiah as we are assured of God's eternal love and we look towards the completion of the work that God has begun. Prayers Collect (Common Order p657) Merciful Lord Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, That we may be cleansed from all our sins And serve you with a quiet mind; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who is alive and reigns With you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Prayer of approach and confession Creating and loving God we gather before you this morning to worship and praise you. We gather as disciples of your son Jesus Christ. We gather knowing that the invitation to follow is ours now and so let us worship and praise you. We come before you knowing that you are with us in our lives and that you love and care for each and everyone of you, that you know us so intimately - your very fingerprint is on our every soul. We worship you today for your presence in and around us. We rejoice in the unfolding joys of your created world. In the shards of the winter’s morning light you are there In the frost capped hills, the chilly winter's breath and the dawn of a new season you greet us. As we wrap ourselves in the warmth of our coats, so too does your loving warmth surround us. As we prepare each day and as we put the light out on the busyness of a long day, you are with us. As we meet with friends and as we share conversation and laughter, you join us As we recognise our fears and dare to examine our hopes, you encourage us, giving us the strength to be yours. As we sing and worship, pray and reflect, you invigorate us, refresh us and renew us. Today we hear once again the invitation to be your disciples, so let us gather As friends, neighbours, strangers, sojourners, old timers, newcomers. Let us hear your word and let us respond. Let us follow with the innocence of a child and the wisdom of the prophets Knowing that your call is to us, no matter who we are or how we came to worship here Knowing that you meet us in our faithfulness and our faithlessness Unite each and everyone of us in the common bond of your name That we may worship you and follow you. And yet, we hesitate. We hear your call and your beckoning. We trust your love and we know what we should do. We stop. We wonder, we are amazed that you should call us. Because we know the things that we have done and left undone. We come before you now in a moment of silent confession reflecting on our own faults and failings May we now be free to begin again, to be forgiven and forgiving and may we follow, taking up the invitation that Jesus makes to us and to journey together in faith. May we unite together with Christians all around the world praying the prayer that Jesus taught his first disciples saying "Our Father..." Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Invite the congregation to offer their own silent prayers of thanksgiving, and allow time for meditation before leading the congregation in a public prayer of intercession. Silent prayers of thanksgiving followed by: Loving God as you have heard our prayers of thanksgiving, so too we would ask you to hear our prayers for this our confused, torn and heartbroken world. Listen carefully to the rhythm of life that bustles on our streets and hear the underlying heartbeat of our true hopes and fears both known and unknown to us. As we read the newspapers, we see so much anger and hatred all around us, tales of greed and avarice, the pain of destruction, of war, abuse and hurt. All too often we switch on our televisions only to switch them off again for such is the futility of situations around us. We feel helpless, staring aghast at the bleak situation of war in Iraq, of oppression and fear on the world stage, and so much more that just simply does not reach our news. And so we feel helpless, and we realise we have to start somewhere. And so we pray. We pray with hope. We pray with a glimmer of the seed of life that your will may be done, that there may be restoration and hope. Hear our prayer for all the hurt and anger in the world, whether known or unknown. Hear our prayer for those who fear the hands of oppression Hear our prayer for those who have been forgotten, who are lost, lonely sick or disturbed. For those who have no one to turn to, and for those who turn to their friends and family only to find that they have already turned away. Hear our prayer for those who are suffering the pain of bereavement, confusion and bewilderment. Help them to feel the warmth of your loving touch, knowing that your hand guides them. And finally we pray for justice and peace, for compassion and love for this our lonely and weary world. Kindle the warmth of your love that your light may burn brightly in our lives bringing light, life and love to this world your intimate creation, that we may better serve you and be disciples of hope love and resurrection. These our prayers we offer in the name of your son, our Lord Jesus Christ Amen. Hymns and songs Unless otherwise indicated hymn references are from Church Hymnary: Fourth Edition, denoted as CH4, followed by the hymn number. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty CH4, number 111 Dear Lord God and Father of Mankind, forgive our foolish ways CH4, number 485 Will you come and follow me CH4, number 533 Oh the life of the world is a joy and a treasure CH4, number 141 What a friend we have in Jesus CH4, number 547 Brother, sister, let me serve you CH4, number 694 Look forward in faith CH4, number 237 Additional resources Children’s Address There is no such thing as an original children’s address, but this is one of my favourites. You need a little bottle of bubbles that you can blow into the air. We are all invited to follow Christ, but we all come from different places. Some of us come with very little faith or very little reason in our lives for faith, and others come with lots of great and wonderful reasons to have faith. The bubbles that you blow are of varying sizes and you can talk about the different sizes - small hopes, large fears, lots of faith and abundance, or even when the bubble wand fails to produce a bubble, shattered hopes etc. How do we know that we can do it? We pray and follow. How do we know that God listens? Every time one of the bubbles bursts, that is a prayer heard by God. We are invited to be disciples - it can be a rocky road, and we can feel as fragile as the bubble, but Jesus invites us to follow and to have faith and know that God is there for us. A word about the author This week's material is prepared by the Rev Adam J Dillon, minister at Knightswood St Margaret's Parish Church, in the northwest of Glasgow.