Worship at St Columba’s United Reformed Church, North Shields
Sunday 23rd August, 10.00 a.m. and 11.15 a.m.
Music
Bible is open on the communion table
Welcome from the worship leader
Peace candle is lit – time of silence
Call to worship Let us worship God
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
Before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down towards your holy temple
And give thanks to your name for
Your steadfast love and your faithfulness.
Psalm 138:1-2
We know that the Son of God has come and given us understanding to
know the true God. 1 John 5:20
Hymn
R&S 469 As we are gathered, Jesus is here
R&S 713 Jubilate, everybody
Prayers
From deep within us (hands at stomach)
To the farthest reaches of space (hands up)
God holds in God’s love (arms in embrace)
O God we praise you, as the creator of all that is,
As the one who give life and breath to each one of us.
O God we praise, the one who stepped into this world in Jesus Christ;
Our friend, our teacher, our healer, and our saviour.
O God, we praise you, present today in the world and in the Church,
Holy Spirit, comforter, guide, advocate, giver of gifts for life and ministry.
Yes, we praise you, O God, and thank you for all that we have received from you.
Even as we praise you, O God, we remember that we are people who at times have preferred our wills to your will, so, accepting and thankful that you have the power to remake and renew us, we confess our shortcomings and seek your forgiveness:
Yes, awesome, compassionate God,
You love us with unfailing, self-giving mercy,
But we don’t always love you;
You call to us, but we don’t always listen;
You tell us to love others, but we don’t always love our neighbours;
And too often we accept or condone the wrong we see around us.
Forgive us, we pray, and renew us.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
And that same Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven.”
And Jesus also says, “Follow me.”
Thanks be to you, O God. Amen.
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
Matthew 16:13-20 Isaiah 51:1, 2, 4 Romans 12:1-8
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.
Prayers of intercession
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
For the world
In this time of continuing pandemic – our leaders and our carers – giving wisdom and strength
Lord in your mercy …
For the Church
For the places of worship and opportunity to gather
For a sense of connection with the followers of Jesus – our history – our present – Churches Together
For an openness to God ‘s Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, including prophecy, ministry, exhortation, generous giving, diligent leadership, compassion
Lord in your mercy …
For others
Health and healing – struggle (including with loneliness and isolation) and strength – sadness and joy
Lord in your mercy ….
For ourselves – for the person on your right and on your left – for yourself
Lord in your mercy … Amen.
Hymn Reminder – words to be contemplated, not sung aloud
R&S 471 Bless and keep us, Lord, in your love united
Closing words and blessing
Music