Rev Helen M Drummond
from the manse …
Dear Friends,
Thank you to those of you who have commented on what I sent round last week. In the light of that, I’ve decided to use a similar format again. We are thinking about producing a Newsletter in the autumn, so if you’ve got anything to share, do send it in. There’s no definite date for that, but we’d like to do something a bit bigger than this, with a bit more news.
With the news of coronavirus cases increasing here and there at the moment, it is difficult to assess how long elderly and more vulnerable folk will need to be very careful about contacts. So this news/worship letter will continue. I’m happy to try out a variety of styles and input, so do let me know what you find more – and less – helpful. Thank you.
The only two dates which are in the diary at the moment are for Elders’ meetings – 18 August at St Margaret’s and 20 August at St Paul & St John’s, (both 10 am). They’ll give us a chance to catch up with the latest information/guidelines/legislation and help us to plan for the autumn. I’ve got Harvest Festival in the back of my mind, but whether we shall celebrate together in church, or at home, or outside on our own or with family and friends, is yet to be seen. May God guide and bless us.
As another way of keeping in touch, it would be good to share short items of news in this weekly letter. Do pass on to me any snippets you’re happy to share. For example, I’ve been attending an exercise class. There are several now meeting with much smaller numbers, in local parks. This week it was raining so our class was cancelled, but its been good to watch kites or bees, clouds or trees and to move that bit more. Have you managed to keep doing a bit of exercise?
We have plenty of copies of the United Reformed Church hymn book, Rejoice & Sing. It contains prayers and responses, psalms, canticles and confessions of faith, including creeds, as well as hymns. We’d like you all to have one, so if you would like one, do let me know. Elders will arrange delivery. Hopefully, that will also help our worship. Some of the hymn words are profound, others are joyful. I hope you find this week’s selection helpful.
Come, Holy Spirit!
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
For his love endures for ever.
HYMN R&S 600, HTC 321
Christ is the world’s light, he and none other… Glory to God on high!
PRAYER: Living God,
Always near to those who call on you;
Make us confident in prayer, joyful in praise,
And responsive to your word,
That we may know your peace in our hearts
And your healing in our lives.
Loving God,
In silence we ask you to lift from us
All that weighs us down
Or spoils our relationship with others
Or separates us from you. …
You are merciful to me, O God, in your faithful love.
You create in me a pure heart and renew me from within.
Christ has set us free. Thanks be to God.
BIBLE READINGS: Genesis 37: 1 – 4, 12 – 28 (or 1 – 28)
Psalm 105: 1 – 6, 16 – 22, 45b
HYMN R&S 643 When Israel was in in Egypt’s land, Let my people go!
We have heard a lot about modern slavery in recent times. It is a tragedy that some people will abuse others in these ways and that slavery is still exploiting so many people in the modern world. Joseph’s brothers sold him to Ishmaelite traders of gum, balm and resin, who sold him to Potiphar, in Egypt. Nowadays, its is not as obvious that someone is enslaved. What has happened to these people during lockdown?
PRAYER: All-knowing God,
Thank you that you love us always, despite our ignorance, wilful blindness, self-interest or fear. Open our hearts and minds to the truth and forgive us, we pray.
Guide those working to find and help those trapped and isolated, even in plain sight. Bring release to those enslaved, we pray.
Lead us all to the freedom, light abundance and joy of your saving love. Amen.
HYMN R&S 555 MP 954 We are marching in the light of God
- 2 We are living in the love of God. v. 3 We are moving in the power of God.
v1 translated by Anders Nyberg (1955 – ) © Iona Community,
v2 & 3 Andrew Maries (1949 – ) © Sovereign Music UK CCL No 213573
BIBLE READINGS: Romans 10: 5 – 15 Matthew 13: 1 – 9, 18 – 23
ACTION SONG R&S 271 MP 790 You are the king of glory
The parable of the Sower is very familiar, but it still raises questions for me. We are all people who have heard and gained some understanding of the gospel message. We could all probably name others who have never really grasped how the good news relates to them, or whose troubles in life overwhelmed their initial interest, or who seemed to grasp the truth, only for that understanding to slip from their hands as they pursued other interests. Do we, as a church, hold some responsibility there? Have we failed to provide what those interested in the things of God needed to help them to take root and grow in faith? Have we provided rich soil? Or is Jesus simply saying that this is what is bound to happen? Even so, we have our part to play.
The next question is directed back at us. Are we growing in faith and producing a harvest? How great a harvest may be due to circumstances in life, but we should be producing some. Are we? What are we doing to show the love and life of God in our lives? This is even more difficult in lockdown and with social distancing restrictions. Perhaps we can simply assure some of the people we are in contact with that they are in our prayers and if we can, support projects like the food banks.
Next, how do we understand the Sower? In the Africa Bible Commentary, Joe Kapolyo writes (p 1137) ‘The seed is God’s word, which is sown by his Son, Jesus, then by the disciples, and subsequently by all who preach the word in every age. … The sower should not be discouraged, for despite wasted seeds and some plants that do not thrive, there will ultimately be a very rich harvest.’ We can’t always know whether we have pointed anyone to Jesus, but at some point in the future, some of those scattered seeds will grow and flourish.
We must take our responsibilities seriously, but bear them lightly. Christ’s is an easy yoke. When we get through this world-wide pandemic, there will be a renewed Church, joyfully worshipping God and giving witness to Christ. May we, here in this area, play our part.
HYMN R&S 639 Brian Wren (1936 – ) © OUP CCL No 213573
This we can do for justice and for peace: we can pray
And work to answer prayers that other people say.
This we can do in faith and see it through – for Jesus is alive today.
This we can do for justice and for peace: we can give
Till everyone can take life in their hands, and live.
This we can do in love and see it through – for Jesus is alive today.
This we can do for justice and for peace: we can see –
And help our neighbours see – what is, and what could be.
This we can do with truth and see it through – for Jesus is alive today.
This we can do for justice and for peace: bring to light
Whatever hurts or tramples down, or hides from sight.
This we can do with strength and see it through – for Jesus is alive today.
This we can do for justice and for peace: we can hope
And, hoping, stride along our way while others grope.
This we can do till God makes all things new – for Jesus is alive today.
PRAYER: Living God,
Some have heard the good news of the gospel, but couldn’t take it in,
And, like the birds eating the seed along the path it came to nothing.
May they come to know your abundant life.
Loving God,
Some were enthusiastic about your good news for them,
But, like seed sown on stony ground, faith dwindled and died in difficult times.
May they come to know your abundant life.
God with us,
Some grew in faith for a while, but then became distracted,
Like the seedlings getting choked by weeds.
May they come to know your abundant life.
Creator God,
Some heard the good news of your forgiveness and saving love, and took it to heart,
Like the seed producing a harvest.
May they know your abundant life, now and into eternity. Amen.
Prayer response: R&S 398 MP 908 O Lord, hear my prayer
PRAYER: O God,
You hear our cries and understand our pain.
Be with the people of Beirut and Lebanon in the catastrophe caused by explosion.
May the nations provide the help needed, swiftly.
May the homeless find adequate shelter and safety.
May the injured be healed and the bereaved comforted.
Guide rescuers and help those separated to find their loved ones.
May hospitals, with adequate resources of people, equipment and medication be set up in good time and work efficiently and effectively.
Guide those in government and leadership throughout this crisis, so that all aspects of need can be addressed.
Bring food and water to sustain the population and may different groups communicate well and work harmoniously.
Lord hear the cries of Lebanon, and hear our prayer. Amen.
Prayer response: R&S 398 MP 908 O Lord, hear my prayer
HYMN R&S 663 HTC 217 MP 449 Love divine
God bless you always.
Helen
(0191) 456 3021