Worship on the Web STARTERS FOR SUNDAY 25th May 2008 Second Sunday after Pentecost Readings Isaiah 49: 8-16aa - God affirms his eternal love for Israel The Lord gives the word of a future salvation to his people. Not only captives in Babylon will be brought back to Jerusalem by the miraculous hand of the Lord, but people of God from all directions and distance places. The time of heavenly joy, however, is contrasted by the depression of Jerusalem, bereft like a forsaken mother of its children. God gives the comforting assurance that he is like a mother who can never forget the child to which she has given birth. He has inscribed them on his own hands. 1 Corinthians 4: 1-5 - Stewards of God's mysteries Paul answers the implied criticisms of party-prone Corinthian members who had divided into factions favouring one of their previous pastors above the others. To start with, all the ministers were equally stewards called by God to make clear his mysteries. Therefore people do not have the full knowledge to equip them to pass judgment in this sphere. Paul himself cannot even let his own conscience pass judgment on himself, as it lacks all the facts. The judgment of God alone is pertinent, and that cannot be known until the great day of judgment. Commendation accordingly should be left to him. St Matthew 6: 24-34 - The heavenly Father's care It is not possible to serve two masters with complete loyalty, devotion and duty, and personal effectiveness. One either serves God or serves money. The latter can lead one only to worry and spiritual ruin, being drowned in material froth and bubble. When the kingdom of God and his righteousness is given its rightful place in one's faith and life, the Lord promises that the necessities of life will be provided additionally. Therefore the disciple is not to permit worry and anxiety to take first place over trust in the Lord's promises of sure provision of one day at a time. Why not read from The Message for the Gospel reading. It is a well known passage, and a little change in the style might just bring something new to the reading. * "You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both. * "If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. * "Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. * "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. * "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson Prayers Collect Traditional O Lord, as you have set us free from the chains of sin, mercifully hear our prayers, and defend us from all evil; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen OR, modernised traditional Lord, you have set us free from the chains of sin. In mercy listen to our prayers, and guard us against all the evil we face. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Call to prayer Jesus says: 'Do not worry. Your heavenly Father knows what you need'. So let us commit our needs and the needs of all people to his loving care. Response Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Suggested intercessions * for the church, that it would trust in God's guidance and protection * for all Ministers and church workers, that God would bless their work and keep them from worry * for those in government and positions of leadership, that they would trust in God and seek to serve him, not power or wealth * for all in need, that they would trust in God and that God would show his care and help to them Concluding prayer Merciful Lord, teach us to strive first for your kingdom and your righteousness and to trust that you will give us all that we need as well. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, now and forever. Amen Hymns and songs Hymn references are taken from Church Hymnary: fourth Edition, denoted as CH4, followed by the hymn number:- Psalm 131 For you the pride from my heart is banished CH4, number 89 Isaiah 49: 8-16a Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes CH4, number 474 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed CH4, number 474 Praise the Lord! Ye heavens, adore Him CH4, number 139 Comfort, comfort now my people CH4, number 274 1 Corinthians 4: 1-5 Thy hand, O God, has guided CH4, number 511 Brother, sister let me be your servant CH4, number 694 Matthew 6: 24-34 Nourished by the rainfall CH4, number 138 Take this moment CH4, number 501 The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want CH4, number 14 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God CH4, number 34 The following extra choices of hymns and songs have been selected by the Music Panel, from the Worship and Doctrine Task Group:- Isaiah 49: 8-16a God is love (esp v1) CH4, number 123 Praise the Lord (esp v2) CH4, number 152 Loving Spirit (esp v2) CH4, number 597 God of day (esp v2) CH4, number 217 Before the throne (esp v1) CH4, number 466 Matthew 6: 24-34 A small thing (esp v2) CH4, number 142 When your Father (esp v3) CH4, number 239 Jesus Christ, our living Lord (esp v3) CH4, number 524 Spirit of truth and grace (esp v2) CH4, number 608 Themes for Preaching The Lamp of the Body – Matthew 6 There is a story of two farmers who owned racing stables. Over the years a keen rivalry had developed between the two farmers. One spring, each of them entered a horse in the local steeplechase. Thinking a professional rider might give him an edge on his friend, one of the farmers engaged a crack jockey. Minutes into the race, the two horses were neck and neck, with a large lead over the rest of the pack, but as they came around the last turn, both suddenly fell, unseating their riders. The professional jockey remounted quickly and rode on to win the race. When the winning jockey returned to the stable, he found the farmer fuming with rage. “What’s the matter?” the jockey asked. “one won, didn’t I?” “Oh yeah,” roared the farmer. “You won all right, but you crossed the finish line on the wrong horse.’’ Only then did the jockey realize he had jumped on the competitor’s horse after the fall. He was so preoccupied with reaching the finish line that he was blind to the horse on which he rode. We can be like that. We stare so hard at the finish line of our trivial pursuits that we become blind to the significant things that surround us. When we stare too hard at career success we often become blind to the needs of our family. When we gaze too longingly at material wealth we often become blind to the value of relationships. When we fix our sights solely on social status, power and pre-eminence we often become blind to the values of integrity, mercy, faith, and love. For the Children Props: a plant pot (broken and held together with discreetly placed sellotape. Aims: - to show children that things of value may not necessarily be of monetary, but of sentimental value -to teach children that God’s love extends to those who are “broken” in body and spirit. Ask the children for some suggestions of things that are incredibly precious – they may suggest things of financial value, but try to steer them also to old photos, or letters, or items that may be of great sentiment to someone. Produce something that looks as if it MIGHT be of great value. I use a small flower pot. Ham it up with the children and tell them this is so valuable and so precious and that it has been passed down from one generation to the next…and then drop it “by accident” allowing it to break into pieces. After the initial shock, explain that it wasn’t really of value BUT that sometimes we can be broken by hurt, pain, bullying, death in the family, situations out of our control. God meets us in these dark places. Use Matthew 6 as quote to make point. A word or two about the author This week’s material was prepared by Rev Alan Gibson, Minister of Avendale Old and Drumclog Parish Church in Strathaven. This information was printed from www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship