North Queensferry Church

17th. January. 2021. Service.

January 17th, 2021

Second Sunday after Epiphany

 Prelude: “Make me a channel of your peace”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2svZhZT6Pro

Let us Worship God

Chorus: “Open your eyes”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z6zZey0opE
The Collect for today
Almighty God, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 

Hymn: “Immortal, invisible God, only wise”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oGuGzCFEWI

 Call to Prayer

God, you call each of us to serve you, and we answer,
“Here I am!”
Jesus, you call each of us to follow you, and we answer,
“Here I am!”
Holy Spirit, you call each of us to worship you this day,
and we answer,
“Here I am!”

 Prayer of Adoration and Confession

God ever creating, ever loving, ever leading,
You are stillness when we are busy or stressed.
You are truth when we are confused and perplexed.
You give us freedom when we are paralysed by fear.
You send us light when we stumble in the darkness.
You are love when we feel lonely and empty.
For all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you will be for us,
we praise you, Creator, Christ, Holy Spirit.
We come to you in worship, listening for your voice and waiting for your guidance.

Because we would be faithful to our calling to be like Jesus our Lord,
we bring to you our prayers of confession:

Merciful God, sometimes the fullness of life your offer us is beyond our grasp because we settle for second best.
We allow ourselves to forget your commandments and neglect to claim the gifts of faith and the power of your abiding Spirit.
We ignore or are afraid to face the pain which others are dealing with and find it easier to turn our faces from injustice.
At times we hide from the truth, especially when it calls us to do what we are afraid to do.
We have at times given up in despair when problems around us seem overwhelming.
Forgive us for our lack of faith and give us courage to listen and respond when you call us.

Assurance of Pardon

Believe the good news! In Christ, God has offered us forgiveness for all our sins and shortcomings. Trust that this forgiveness is for you and know that God’s steadfast love and grace endure forever.

Prayer for Understanding

Spirit of truth and life speak to us in the rich and ancient words of the scriptures. Let us hear your call so that we may leave behind wrong and careless attitudes and behaviour, and follow instead in the footsteps of Christ, the Living Word. Amen.

The Lords Prayer (in the words familiar to you)

 Hymn “Lord, you have come to the seashore”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6JH3OQzzBA

Invitation to the Offering

In today’s stories from scripture, God called people to give their lives in service God’s holy purposes. May the gifts we offer today serve God’s holy purposes in the church and in the world for the sake of Christ our Lord.

Prayer of Dedication

God of new possibilities, in Christ you create a future for each of us, giving us strength and opportunities to flourish in our faith. Thank you for these gifts. Use them and us to create new possibilities in the world for those who are uncertain about what the future holds. Our gifts are a token of our trust that you hold the future for us all. Amen.

The Readings

1 Samuel 3:1-10

The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, ‘Here I am.’ 5 And he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, you called me.’ But Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ So, he went and lay down. 6 Again the Lord called, ‘Samuel!’ And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, you called me.’ ‘My son,’ Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, ‘Samuel!’ And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, you called me.’

Then Eli realised that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”’ So, Samuel went and lay down in his place.10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ Amen.

John 1:43-51

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ 46 ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,’ said Philip. 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’ 48 ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’ 49 Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’ 50 Jesus said, ‘You believe[a] because I told you I saw you under the fig-tree. You will see greater things than that.’ 51 He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man.’ Amen.

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand –
when I awake, I am still with you. Amen. This is the Word of the Lord, to Him be all praise and glory.

Hymn: “Will you come and follow me”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk6IUalJ3sk

 Sermon

 What follows is a letter written by Dr Janet Hunt, minister of a Lutheran Church in De Kalb, Illinois, about thirty miles west of Chicago. I follow her blog each week and enjoy her perspective from a different theological tradition. When I read this week’s post it triggered two images in my mind.

The first, from her title, was of a sermon I heard as a student on the Book of Esther which was based on the text: 4 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

The other image was a memory of driving through New Brunswick heading for the Cape Tormentine ferry to cross to Prince Edward Island late one autumn evening. A lurid roadside billboard flashed out of the darkness: “The Wages of Sin is Death.” As I drove on, I looked out for the remainder of that quote, “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23.  It did not appear.  My immediate reaction was to think of the impact upon someone in despair reading that without the qualifying hope, driving towards a ferry ramp. The careless use of scripture and the hatred with which it is sometimes wielded can be deadly.

Dr Hunt is among many Christians in despair about the turn of events in the USA and the devastation being wrought by division and hatred and the terrible effects of Covid 19 as the death toll there approaches 400,000. She asks the question who are we called to be at such a time as this?

Called by Name for This Time…
JANUARY 10, 2021

I Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) John 1: 43-51

I was driving home from some time away this weekend.

If you have ever headed north on Highway 65 through Alabama, perhaps you have seen it, too. It’s a billboard shouting the threat: “Go to church or the devil will get you!” The words are in bold black lettering.  And yes, they are accompanied by a life-size, or at least human sized, red devil, complete with tail and pitchfork.

I laughed to see it, for the threat voiced is so far afield from my image of a loving God — one that I have been raised on and nurtured on and have done all I can to pass along to others. I laughed, I did, and it would take multiple blog posts to deal with all the differences. And yet? I am perhaps more deeply aware today than I have ever been that not everyone sees or experiences God as I do, as I expect you do. No, in fact, some hear the callings that Samuel heard so long ago, that Philip shared with Nathanael centuries later, that you have heeded and followed, too, not as calls to servanthood, but to domination, not as sources of comfort for everyone, but only for very limited circles of people who apparently only look and live like they do. Some, perhaps many, see a God of vengeance and violence and are patterning their lives after the same.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have been, but I was a little. I was shocked to see a “Jesus Saves” sign floating in the midst of a violent scene on our nation’s Capitol steps this week.


For surely the Jesus of love and forgiveness, healing and hope, was not present in the rage, the hatred, the pain that played out on Wednesday afternoon. Not at all. No, in fact, the closest representation I saw of the God I know was seen in Representative Andy Kim from New Jersey who was photographed bending down and picking up the trash left behind by those who let hate lead the way that afternoon.

I don’t get it, I really don’t. I don’t get the appeal of one who always seems to lead with such blatant self-interest, who is known for bullying, for abusing, for cheating, and for far worse. And yet, half of my neighbours see something there I expect I never will. And at least some of them appear to follow in the name of their faith.

So it is as I sit down to write today, I have to say that I am not certain what the call that Samuel heard, that Philip heard, that Nathanael heard, that you heard, that I heard, means for this moment in time. I am not at all sure what it is to pray and preach, listen and lead in a time and place where I cannot seem to begin to understand what others are seeing and hearing. And doing. And so, I simply return to the stories we are offered now and this is what I am beginning to hear:

God called Samuel by name and once Samuel figured out who was summoning him, all Samuel was expected to do in those first hours was to speak the truth as it had been told him. And so he did.

And so perhaps it is also for you and me today to simply speak the truth. And if that truth includes (as it does for me) bewilderment, shock, grief, anger, then perhaps that is how we lead. And yes, this as well. We know what God looks like and we know that what we witnessed this week bore no resemblance to a God of grace, a God of servanthood, a God who puts others first, a God of hope. This truth is ours to speak and to keep speaking. No doubt, Samuel’s doing so was not without risk. The same is likely true for us as well.

As for this story of Jesus calling his disciples near the beginning of John’s Gospel, I am always struck by how Jesus calls and then one goes to another (and likely to another and another after that) simply inviting them to ‘come and see.’  And that when, in this case, Nathanael comes to see, Jesus already knows him. There is a lot to be taken from this account, but I am settling for now on this: it would seem that this call is heard, extended, and passed on often first in and through relationships of trust.

Similarly, over these past years it is only within such relationships of trust inviting me also to ‘come and see’ that I have been led to know that this much is true. What we witnessed on Wednesday which can certainly be described as an attempted coup (for some in the name of Jesus) was shocking to me.  I expect it was less so to neighbours and friends — and here I am thinking of people who have long been victims of the sort of white supremacy which was on full display the other day.  It is from them that I have learned, and I am still learning to look such evil straight in the eye. For yes, they are Philip to my Nathanael, urging me to see what they have always seen. And in and through it somehow to see beyond it to Jesus who calls and calls and calls. And empowers. And strengthens. And heals. And offers reason for hope.

Without a doubt, this much is true. This is a time for truth telling as best and as clearly as we can. We may falter and I expect we will, particularly as we find ourselves speaking in times and places and among those for whom our experiences and understandings of what is playing out before us and between us differ so. But we dare not stop. Too, too much is at stake.

Indeed, at this point I am speaking beyond even an attempted coup in our nation’s capital, although that needs to be addressed and quickly and those responsible held accountable. Even so, I find that now I am led beyond that. I am speaking of the hearts of those who are so broken, so afraid, so… well, I don’t know what… that they would put themselves in the service of hate in the name of Jesus. Or would support others who do so.

I don’t get it, I really don’t. But that does not seem to stop God from calling in the night, inviting me, inviting you, along with Samuel to simply speak the truth we have been given to speak.

I don’t get it, but that doesn’t stop all sorts of Philips out there from summoning the Nathanael in me into the presence of Jesus where it is even safe to acknowledge what is broken, what is heart-breaking, what is downright evil and to know that in the midst of all that especially, Jesus welcomes me and is urging me, urging you to seek to live ever more surely as a servant of God and neighbour. Speaking truth, yes. But modelling a way of love and sacrifice that in the end does more to win hearts than all the shouting in the world that I am tempted to do today.

That’s all I have today. I trust, I know, you are hearing your name being called as well. I am eager to hear what you are hearing, learning, experiencing, and yes, doing, in these critically important days. God bless you in all of this. Know that I hold you, I hold all of us in prayer.

Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

God of all life and our lives,
Each week our prayers are offered alongside those of people in many different places around the world.
The situations we face may be different, but we share a common challenge,
responding to the pandemic which is playing out in almost every country in the world. Thank you for honouring all our prayers through the gift of your Spirit, in whom we find the strength and wisdom we need to heal and renew our society.

Today we pray for people living with war and violence, in places where hatred has been stirred up and fear stalks people on their own streets.
And we pray for all who have been displaced by violence and must find refuge among us or in camps and communities around the world. We think to all who are in cold and uncomfortable refugee camps struggling to find warmth and comfort.

God, speak to us a word of peace:
Embrace us with your love.

We also remember people whose livelihoods have been affected by the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic and the recent changes in trading regulations. Especially for those who have lost their jobs or worry what may happen as this year unfolds: God, speak to us a word of reassurance:
Embrace us with your love.

Many live their lives face to face with discrimination and social prejudice, people who are bullied at school, at work or at home, and for those who are made to feel ashamed of who they are:
God, speak to us a word of dignity:
Embrace us with your love.

We pray for all who know illness and suffering and for those who are struggling with disability, or chronic conditions who feel neglected as help is directed to the seriously ill and for those who know grief or anxiety, especially when cut off from comfort or support during these months of pandemic isolation:
God, speak to us a word of healing:
Embrace us with your love.

We remember before you today people divided by differences of race or creed, of culture, gender, or generation:
and we pray for all who are trying to build bridges of understanding and co-operation across  the differences:
God, speak to us a word of reconciliation:
Embrace us with your love.

We pray today for your whole creation and its many vulnerable places and species. Teach us how to care for the rips and tears in the fabric of the world you love that we may live together wisely:
God, speak to us a word of wisdom:
Embrace us with your love.

And so, joining our voices to Jesus’ followers around the world, we offer our prayers in the powerful Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of4l5bTdZ8M

 Benediction
Go into God’s world, aware of God’s call in your life. Follow our Lord Jesus Christ who will lead you in paths of service and hope. Lean on the power of the Holy Spirit to give you courage and strength. May peace, joy and love flow through you to others, in God’s name. Amen

May God’s blessing surround you each day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_3O_N49GiU

 Postlude: In Christ alone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9-UNer6MQ

For Children

At the beginning of the school year, most teachers make a name tag for each pupil in the class. The teacher does that to help the pupils in the class learn one another’s names. Did you get one when you first went to school?

It has been said that the sweetest sound to anyone is the sound of their own name. Doesn’t it make you feel good when someone remembers your name?

Even God knows your name. Names are important to Him. In fact, I can think of several times in the Bible when God called someone by name. In Exodus, God called to Moses from within the burning bush. In Luke, Jesus called Zacchaeus’ name, telling him to come down from the tree. God called Paul by his given name, Saul, before Saul became a believer, and then gave him a new name.

One of my favourite times in the Bible is when God called a Samuel by name

Samuel’s mother, Hannah, wanted a son more than anything, so she prayed and asked God to give her one. Hannah promised God that if He would give her a son, she would give Him back to God to serve him all the days of his life. God gave Hannah the son she asked for and she kept her promise to God. When the boy was old enough, she took him to the temple and presented him to Eli, the priest. So, Samuel served in the temple under Eli. You might enjoy drawing a picture of this scene.

One night Samuel was sleeping when he heard someone call his name. He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am, you called me,” he said to Eli.

“I didn’t call you,” Eli answered, “go back to bed.” So Samuel went back to bed.

Again, the LORD called, “Samuel!” Samuel jumped out of bed and went to Eli. “Here I am, you called me.”

“I didn’t call you, go back to bed,” Eli answered a second time.

A third time God called Samuel and Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am, you called me,” he said.

Finally, Eli realized that it was God who was calling Samuel. He told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if He calls you again, say, ‘Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel went back to bed and sure enough, again he heard the voice of God calling, “Samuel! Samuel!” This time Samuel answered as Eli had told him, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Some people think that God only calls grown-ups. But Samuel was just a young boy when God called him. God knows your name just as He knew the name of Samuel and God still calls boys and girls today saying, “Come, follow me.” So, listen for God’s call and answer just as Samuel did, “Here I am!”

Dear God, today we are listening for Your call. Perhaps You have something special for us to do. When You call, we will answer, “Here I am.” In Jesus’ name, amen.
Here is a wordsearch about Samuel:

 Here is a chorus for you. He gave me eyes so I could see

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXxUjzabJoU

Intimations

The Bible Discussion Group will continue to consider the Book of Proverbs via Zoom on Tuesday evening 19th January at 7:30 pm. Please contact the minister calston@churchofscotland.org.uk if you wish to become a participant.