Worship at St Columba’s United Reformed Church, North Shields
Sunday 16th August 2020, 10.00 a.m. and 11.15 a.m.
Led by the Reverend Trevor Jamison
Music
Bible is open on the communion table
Welcome from the worship leader
News and notices, especially a reminder of how the service works
- 30 minutes for the service
- Remain in seats for whole service
- Quiet responses allowed e.g. Lord’s Prayer and Amen
- No singing – words available on screen for contemplation
- Leave as directed
- Don’t block the exit to the building in order to socialise
Peace candle is lit – time of silence
Call to worship Let us worship God
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!” Psalm 122:1
It was not to judge the world that God sent his Son into the world, but that through him the world might be saved. John 3:17
Hymn Reminder – words to be contemplated, not sung aloud
CH4 200 Christ is made the sure foundation
To this temple where we call you, come, O Lord of Hosts, today (v.2)
- Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone,
Chosen of the Lord and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Zion’s help for ever,
And her confidence alone.
- To this temple, where we call you,
Come, O Lord of Hosts, today:
With your constant loving-kindness,
Hear your servants as they pray,
And your fullest benediction
Shed within its walls alway.
- Here bestow on all your servants
What they ask of you to gain,
What they gain from you for ever
With the blessed to retain,
And hereafter in your glory
Evermore with you to reign.
- Praise and honour to the Father,
Praise and honour to the Son,
Praise and honour to the Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One,
One in might and One in glory,
While unending ages run.
WORDS: 7th or 8th century Translated by John Mason Neale (1818-1866)
MUSIC: WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Prayer From deep within us (hands at stomach)
To the farthest reaches of space (hands up)
God holds in God’s love (arms in embrace)
Inspired by Psalm 100
All people that on earth do dwell,
Come before God, you all, and rejoice!
We rejoice in you, O God,
Our creator and sustainer, our saviour and our friend,
Our guide and goal for life.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed,
Without our aid he did us make.
We bow down before you, O God,
For yours is the power, the might, the majesty,
That made the world; that gave life to each one of us.
O enter then God’s gates with praise,
Approach with joy his courts unto.
Today we come with our praise,
Gathering in one place to do so,
Knowing your presence makes it holy.
For why: the Lord is good,
And shall from age to age endure.
And we are glad that no matter the difficulty and danger,
Your goodness is greater still;
Hard times pass, but your love endures for ever.
Lord’s Prayer
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.
Readings
Genesis 45:1-15 Reader
Psalm 133 TREVOR JAMISON
Matthew 15:21-28 Reader
Hymn Reminder – words to be contemplated, not sung aloud
R&S 312 Come, Spirit, all our hearts inspire
Come, Spirit, all our hearts inspire;
let us thine influence prove,
source of the old prophetic fire,
fountain of life and love.
Come Spirit now, for moved by thee
the prophets wrote and spoke;
unlock the truth, thyself the key,
unseal the sacred book.
Expand thy wings, life-giving dove,
brood o’er our nature’s night;
on our disordered spirits move,
and let there now be light.
God, through himself, we then shall know,
if thou within us shine,
and sound, with all thy saints below,
the depths of love divine.
Charles Wesley (1707-88) altd.
Offertory Prayer
Generous God, you give us many good things, even in difficult times.
Bless what we offer in response – money, gifts, lives, and ourselves. Amen.
Response – said quietly
We ask you: Be their strength and guide.
Prayers of Intercession
We come before you, O God,
Thanking you that we are able to gather here today,
And we pray for those unable to gather with family, friends, or in fellowship.
We ask you:
Be their strength and guide.
We come in a time of chaos, confusion, and Covid 19,
Thanking you for our health services and caring services,
For researchers working on vaccines,
For supportive family, friends, and neighbours,
And we ask you:
Be their strength and guide.
We pray for leaders, making difficult decisions in unprecedented times.
Enable them, we pray, by your wisdom,
To make right use of resources for the benefit of all,
But particularly for those in greatest need.
And we ask you:
Be their strength and guide.
We pray for all involved in education;
For students receiving grades important to their future;
For those organising the further opening up of our schools.
And we ask you:
Be their strength and guide.
Yes, Lord, be their strength and guide, and in the days ahead,
And we pray also, be OUR strength and guide, today and always.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
REMINDERS
- Leave as directed by the stewards
- Don’t block the exit to the building in order to socialise
Hymn Reminder – words to be contemplated, not sung aloud
R&S 96 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father
Thomas O. Chisholm (1866–1960)
Copyright © 1923 renewal 1951, Hope Publishing Co.
Closing words and blessing
Eternal God, as we leave this place, guide our feet,
As you guided Joseph into his unknown future.
Give us confidence in your faithfulness, and opportunities to serve and love.
Support us with your love, we pray, So we can work with you and rest in you. Amen.
And now the blessing of God …
Music: From Joseph and His Amazing technicolour Dreamcoat