25th. October. 2020 Service.

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Today’s Service prepared and led by Moira Lamont and Joan More.

Let us worship God

The Collect for today
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Call to Worship

God is creator of moon and sun
God is creator of stars beloved
God knows our every need
And is the kindly God of life. (Celtic Worship Resources)

Prayers of Adoration and confession
Eternal God in whom we live and move and have our being, we worship you who spans the universe of time and space, yet who comes gladly to the humble heart.

Gracious God, light of those who seek, home of the lost,
Closer to us than mind or breath, memory or soul,
All-filling, all-ruling, all loving,
Shown to us in Jesus,
Living in us your Spirit,
Loving and protective, all glory and praise are yours.
You have called us to be just, O God,
To love mercy, and to walk humbly before you.
Yet in our thoughtless lives,
In our divided and inward-looking churches,
In the power-hungry society, of east and west,

We turn away from you. We betray your kindness.
We hide your truth in fearful hearts.
We keep alive in our hearts feeling towards others
That betray an unforgiving nature,
Far removed from your way of living and loving
And yet, for all that, you gave us your Son, who gave his life for us.
Forgive us, Father
And for the sake of your Son, our Saviour,
Rekindle in each one of us the light of faith,
Revive us with the light of hope,
For Christ reconciled the world to himself,
And entrusted to us the message of reconciliation
That through your merciful grace, sins are forgiven, and hearts filled with peace
In the Name of Jesus Christ, we pray as he taught us:

The Lord’s Prayer (in the words most familiar to you)

The Readings

Psalm 90:1-6; 13-17

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling-place
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
3 You turn people back to dust,
saying, ‘Return to dust, you mortals.’
4 A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death –
they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.
13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendour to their children.
17 May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us –
yes, establish the work of our hands. Amen.

Matthew 22:15-22

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

37 Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’ Whose son is the Messiah?

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 ‘What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ ‘The son of David,’ they replied.

43 He said to them, ‘How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him “Lord”? For he says,

44 ‘“The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’”

45 If then David calls him “Lord”, how can he be his son?’ 46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed – God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. Amen. This is the Word of the Lord, to Him be all glory and praise.

Invitation to the Offering

When we gather as God’s Church, we enjoy the gifts of so many other followers of Jesus, offered to him over so many centuries. Now our gifts join theirs so that God will be praised, and Jesus’ love spread in this generation and those to come after.

Offering Prayer

Generous God, you are both faithful and fruitful as you embrace each generation of your people. Bless our gifts and make them fruitful beyond our imagining in the work of your kingdom. Keep us faithful in our generation so that the inheritance we have received in Christ will continue in generations yet to come. Amen.

Meditation

He told us he would come again, that as he had departed so he would return. And we believed him totally, without reserve or hesitation. It was what kept us going, that promise, the one thing that gave us strength to battle on through thick and thin. Yet sometimes, just occasionally, I catch myself wondering whether we should look forward. Whether it will all be so cosy, so comfortable, as we sometimes seem to imagine. You see, I can’t help remembering those words of his, about the sheep and the goats, about the final judgement – so simple, so straightforward, yet so chilling in their implications. “I was hungry, and you fed me. Thirsty, and you gave me a drink. A stranger, and you welcomed me. Naked, sick, imprisoned and you were there to help”

That’s what he said – through serving these, even the very least of them, you serve me. It sounds good, doesn’t it? The sort of message we like to hear. Yet sometimes these words disturb me, for I can’t help asking “which am I?” Oh, I know which I should be, all too well. But if I am honest, really truthful with myself, I fear I am more of a goat than a sheep. I saw the plight of the hungry, but it was me I worried about feeding. I heard the cry of the thirsty, but it was my own need I satisfied. I spotted the loneliness of the stranger, but I wasn’t sure I could trust them. I was told about the naked, but it was I who got the new clothes. I glimpsed the despair of the sick, but I was afraid to risk infection. I knew some were denied their freedom but was reluctant to get involved. Not now I told them, next time I’ll do something, next time I’ll help. God will understand. But will he? That is the question. I’ve been good at talking, good at preaching good at praying, and in faithfulness at worship I have few peers. Yet when I recall those words of Jesus and measure them against his life, sometimes I find myself hoping he doesn’t come back, for if he does and judgement comes, even though I’ve called him Lord, it may be me at whom he points the finger and me he says he never even knew.

From No Ordinary Man by Nick Fawcett

It’s been good to share with you, more than you’ll ever know. The times we’ve been through, the experiences we’ve faced, they’ve gone together, little by little, bit by bit, to weave a web between us – our lives inextricably entwined. I’ve preached the word to you, led your prayers and guided your thoughts. I’ve visited your homes, heard your problems, witnessed your joys. But more than that, we’ve laughed together, learned together, grieved together, grown together – This time that’s passed as much about your ministry to me as mine to you. And they will live with me, the moments we’ve shared, the good times, the bad, the times of joy, the times of sorrow – remembered or unremembered, they have all been special. Every one of them – a part of the person I am, a symbol of all that we have been together. Whatever the future whatever we face, come rain or sunshine, pleasure or pain, we are one with each other always, through being one together in him.

From No Ordinary Man

Prayers of Intercession

Let us pray for the Church, the world and one another.
For the Church we pray, the bright lamp of her faith, her ministers and people and this parish. May the King of angels protect her, keep her and save her.
For the world we pray, the creation of God, it’s land and sea, it’s peace and prosperity. May the Son of Mary move through all the earth, blessing it.
For those who are ill we pray, and for those who suffer. May the Good Shepherd who knows and loves His sheep make them whole and active and content.
For those who work, we pray, and for all who weave the patterns of this world’s life. May the King of Grace give their labour growth and kindly sustenance, until the day of gladness comes.
For those we love, and for ourselves we pray. May the guarding of God be theirs and ours, until together we come to the High King’s house in heaven, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Benediction

May the stones indeed shout aloud. May the voice of love, joy and peace be yours this day and every day. May the walls that separate us fall quickly in the name of God’s love. May the God-given foundations of love, joy and peace abound for evermore. Amen.

Hymns

Here are some hymn suggestions to check on YouTube if you wish to sing along. Some may not be as familiar as their titles suggest and the ones marked “listen” do not have the lyrics on the screen:

I love you Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3fuvCvid2E

Praise my soul

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

Immortal Invisible God is love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd0FyrzVUCM

God is Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZF1mK0cxP0

Let there be love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZYQZPHABY8 Let there be love

Bind us together

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSwDUr_TJ70

Give thanks with a grateful heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=047xtru0ZR0&list=RD047xtru0ZR0&start_radio=1

May God’s blessing surround you each day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_3O_N49GiU

For Children

I don’t know for sure, but I think there have probably been more songs written about love than about anything else in the world. Here’s a list of some favourites: “Love Makes the World Go Round,” “Love and Marriage,” and “When I Fall in Love.”

Oh, I almost forgot one of the best love songs ever written. I’m sure all of you know this song! If you know it, sing along with me. But I also have a challenge for you: Every time you hear the word “love” on this song, make a heart shape out of your hands.

Here it goes:

Jesus loves me, this I know,

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong.

They are weak but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so.

What a wonderful song about Jesus’ love for us. In today’s Bible lesson, Jesus teaches another important lesson about love. I want you to help me again. Every time you hear the word “love,” make a heart shape with your hands.

People were always amazed at the teachings of Jesus. One day a crowd was gathered around Jesus when a man who was an expert in religious law tried to trap Jesus with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment?”

Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,’ this is the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” In other words, Jesus was saying that if we could love God and love others, we would not have any trouble keeping the other 10 commandments.

Let’s ask God to help us to love as we ought Dear God, help us to love You with all of our heart and to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Here is a HipHop version of Jesus loves me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV7XH2OgOTk

Intimations

Please remember to indicate to Joan More if you wish to attend worship in Inverkeithing. Owing to Government regulations, numbers will be restricted to fewer than fifty persons and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis each week. Please call Joan 01383 414515 on Friday to indicate that you wish to attend. Please do not come without first ensuring your place each week as we do not wish to turn anyone away on the day.

The minister will be on holiday from Saturday 24^th October – Wednesday 28^th October inclusive.

Please contact the Session Clerks if you require pastoral assistance.

The funeral of Mrs Nan Roberts will be held at Dunfermline Crematorium on Tuesday 27^th at 10:45. Cortege leaves Brock Street North Queensferry at 10:00hrs. Please remember her family in prayer.

Official notice from Fife Police.

Good morning, my name is Jacqueline Mercer, I am a response sergeant at St Andrews police office in Fife, would you be kind enough to disseminate the following press release to the church of Scotland churches in and around St Andrews, many elderly people in our area have been targeted recently, we have released this previously to the local papers however it has still been happening and people are still falling victim to these scammers. I thought that the local churches could add it to their bulletins, announce it from the pulpit or be included in their weekly emails, I know the churches will all contact their parishioners differently so however each church deals with their communications with the congregation would be acceptable.

BANK FRAUD WARNING – FIFE

Officers in North East Fife are continuing their investigation and warning the public to be on their guard following three recent high-value bank frauds.

In the last two months, many people from the St Andrews area have been the victim of high-value frauds where four and five figure sums of money have been stolen for their bank accounts.

In each of these cases the victims have received telephone calls from someone with a reported local accent, purporting to be from the fraud team of their local bank branch and appear to be calling from a genuine bank telephone number.

The fraudster then tells the person they have called that they have concerns regarding local bank staff employees and asks the caller for assistance. The fraudster will provide information regarding their account and asks for help testing security procedures. They may ask the person to transfer funds, apply for banking products, or even for them to visit their local banking branch to check staff are responding appropriately.

Community Sergeant Matt Spencer from St Andrews Police Station said: “I would ask everyone to be on their guard from any type of online or telephone scam.

“Each of these incidents is clearly extremely upsetting for the people involved who all believed that the calls were made from their own banks. They trusted that the information they were given was correct. The people behind these scams are contemptible, abusing people’s trust and then stealing money from them.

“The criminals who use these sophisticated tactics go to great lengths to appear legitimate including making it appear they are calling from a genuine bank telephone number. It is important to remember that a genuine caller from your bank would never ask for your banking or personal details as they already have it. They would not ask you transfer money during an unsolicited call. It is best to politely end the call and call back on a number you have sourced yourself, ideally using a different phone. If you are unsure, end the call and ask a relative or friend for advice. Any victims of these crimes or anyone with concerns regarding calls they have received should contact their local police station through 101. If you in any doubt that the call is not genuine then please end the call, your bank will understand.”

Anyone with information should contact Police via 101 quoting reference number 1452 of 09/07/2020. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

For further advice on keeping safe, please visit our website – https://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/personal-safety/identity-theft-fraud-and-scams