Sunday service for 16 July 2023: introducing our new mission statement

Sunday 16 July 2023
Gourock St. John’s Church of Scotland
Service prepared by Rev. Teri Peterson
Manse: 632143 
Email: tpeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk

Prelude Music

Welcome and Announcements

Hymn 189: Be Still, for the presence of the Lord

Proverbs 29.18
Where there is no vision, the people perish. Happy is the one who keeps God’s instruction!

Sometimes it can be a challenge to see God’s vision — to recognise what God has in mind. We are used to cliches about God’s plan, but a plan is a way toward a purpose — and what is that purpose? In the big picture we know God’s kingdom will come on earth, and we pray for that. We assume God’s vision is beautiful, big picture, and so amazing we can’t even really imagine it. But what about God’s vision for the smaller parts of the picture? How is God working toward his purposes on our human scale, and here in our human community, in this time and place? Without that vision, without looking closely at what God is looking at, and moving toward it, the people perish. When all we see is our own desire and comfort, or our own sense of what’s possible within the constraints of our imagination and perceived lack of resources, we miss out on what God is doing, and end up left behind while God works around us instead of through us.
We have for a long time assumed that simply getting together once a week, and being available when people have life events, was what we were supposed to do. But is that the whole of God’s vision for us, or is there more to it? How are we playing a part in God’s story, and what story is God still writing using us as to move the world closer and closer to the kingdom? When we look at what God is looking at, and put ourselves in motion in the places God has work for us to do, we will be able to step out of the scarcity and fear and decline, to turn away from perishing and experience life to the full, abundantly.

Remembering the Feeding of the Multitudes

Who Are We, and What Are We Called To Do?
Gourock St. John’s is:
A family gathered in love, striving for justice and joy, blessing the broken-hearted, and sharing the hope of God’s kingdom.

Quiet Reflection

Prayer
You gather us in your love, O God.
Whether we are physically in the same place,
or connected only through prayer and grace,
it is love that binds us together as your family.
We thank you for making space for each and every one,
for your table that grows and extends and somehow fits us all.
We thank you, too, for your Spirit giving us
not just a place in your family, but a purpose too.
You have given yourself to us, feeding and nurturing,
guiding and caring,
and called us to be like you, to give ourselves,
to love as we have been loved, in action as well as word.
We confess that we don’t do all the work your Spirit gives us to do.
We sometimes choose to turn away from your purpose for us,
preferring our own purposes instead.
We walk by on the other side
when presented with opportunities to stand up for what’s fair and right.
We sit comfortably while our neighbours on this planet
struggle with no help in sight.
We stand silent while your children suffer.
Forgive us for undermining your joy by our refusal to work for justice.
Forgive us when we have not held each other’s stories with grace,
offering blame or dismissal rather than comfort and prayer.
Forgive us for seeking our own glory rather than yours.
Help us to live as your family,
reflecting your priorities, acting like your people,
sharing your love and making space at your table.
In our imperfection, reveal your goodness once again.
We ask in Jesus’ name. amen.

Reading: Matthew 5.13-16 (Common English Bible)
You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.

Online hymn: Salt and Light (Jami Smith)
Sanctuary Hymn 252: As a Fire Is Meant for Burning

A Family Gathered in Love (Sanctuary Children’s Time)
—all ages and experiences
sing and study together,
laugh and cry together,
grow in faith and life together.
We are not perfect, we are a work in progress
and there’s always room at Christ’s table for more,
so all are welcome!

Sanctuary Hymn 204, vv. 1-3: I am the Church

Striving for Justice and Joy
—by standing up for what’s fair and right,
challenging systems that harm,
working toward a world that sustains us all,
joining our creativity with creation’s joy.
The Holy Spirit has work for us to do.

John 15.11-14

Sanctuary: Offering
Sanctuary Offering Response Hymn 237: Look Forward in Faith

Online hymn: God of Justice

Blessing the Broken-hearted
—by walking alongside each other,
holding one another’s stories with grace,
sharing comfort and practical support,
with compassion and prayer.

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Loving God, we know you as creator and redeemer and sustainer…
the One who sustains us when things are hard as when they’re good.
We are grateful for your creation
and we marvel at its beauty and interconnectedness and wonders…
we are grateful for your redeeming grace
that saves us from ourselves and from the powers of this world,
setting us free to live abundant life now and forever….
And we are grateful for the way you hold us and keep us going,
filling us up when we feel dry and empty,
keeping us close when we feel alone,
and sometimes pulling us onward when all we want to do is sit down in despair.
We give you thanks for your sustaining grace,
the breath that makes all our days possible.
We pray today for those who do not have a community to surround them,
those who are isolated or alone,
longing for a friend or a conversation or someone to share a cup of tea with.
May they experience the companionship of your Spirit, and of your Church.
We pray today for those who feel they cannot share
their stories or their lives with anyone,
those who find it hard to trust others,
and those whose trust has been betrayed.
May they know themselves held and cared for by your loving hand, and by your Church.
We pray today for those who have heard another’s story and shared it when they shouldn’t,
for those who fear they won’t have a place if they don’t use their knowledge for power,
for those who speak for others rather than themselves.
May they know themselves loved for who they are,
and may they rest in grace without gossip.
We pray today for those who are struggling in body, mind, or spirit,
for those who grieve, those who can no longer do what they once loved,
and those who are nearing the end of this life’s journey.
May they be comforted by your loving Spirit,
and by the compassion and help of your Church.
We lift all our prayers to you, O God,
standing on your promises and trusting in your guidance and care,
in the name of Jesus the Christ who taught us to pray together:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Sharing the Hope of God’s Kingdom
—standing on God’s promises,
trusting the Spirit’s leading,
we will be the hands and feet of Jesus,
serving with love, joy, and generosity.

Hymn 683: Go To The World! (Tune: Sine Nomine)

Benediction
George MacLeod once said “The church is a movement, not a meeting house.” And a movement…moves. Go from this place to strive for justice and joy, to offer Christ’s blessing to the broken-hearted, and to share the hope of God’s kingdom with all whom you meet.

And as you go, may the Spirit of God go above you to watch over you. May the Spirit of God go beside you to be your companion. May the Spirit of God go before you to show you the way, and behind you to push you into places you might not go alone. And may the Spirit of God go within you, to remind you that you are loved more deeply than you can possibly imagine. May the fire of God’s love burn brightly in you, and through you into the world. Amen.

Sung Benediction Response (John L Bell, tune Gourock St John’s)
Now may the Lord of all be blessed,
Now may Christ’s gospel be confessed,
Now may the Spirit when we meet
Bless sanctuary and street.

Postlude Music

Announcements

* Registration is open for St John’s Summer Exploratorium, our new summer holiday club for P1- P7 children, will be from 24-28 July, 9am – 1pm. We are looking for people to donate some of the food for snacks and lunches, so if you’re interested contact Teri to see what’s needed! We’re also making decorations on Tuesday afternoon from 1pm, come and join the fun!

* Starter Packs are short of Bathroom/Kitchen cleaner, Toothpaste & toothbrushes, and tea bags. The FoodBank are short of biscuits, UHT milk, tinned fruit, and tinned meats. You can bring donations to the church and place them into the boxes in the vestibule. Thank you!

* on 13 August we will have a summer songs of praise service featuring your favourite hymns! If you have a favourite you’d like to nominate, please send your suggestion to Teri by the 30th of July.

* We worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 11am, and all Sunday worship is also online (or on the phone at 01475 270037, or in print). If you are able, please enter by the front door in Bath street, and only those who need step-free access should use the back door. If you feel unwell, please worship online, to protect both yourself and others in our community.

* Did you know that the ministry we do at St John’s costs about £2700 per week? Everything we do is funded by your generous giving — all our support for young people, older people, bereavement care, community outreach, worship, study, spiritual growth, and community work is because of your offering. If you would like to set up a standing order in order to facilitate your spiritual discipline of giving, or if you would like to make an extra gift to support the ministry St. John’s does in our parish, you can give online by clicking here. If you would like to set up a standing order, please contact Teri and she can give you the treasurer’s details. You can also send your envelopes to the church or the manse by post and we will ensure they are received. 
It is also possible to donate to the work of the new parish assistant, speak to Anne Love about how to go about directing new donations to that new item in the budget.

*Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Youtube, and to sign up for our email devotions! Midweek you can watch Wine and the Word on Youtube, pray with video devotions on Facebook, and consider a new angle on something with a devotional email. Feel free to share with your friends, too!

* Wednesday Evening Bible Study is on a summer break!

* Young Adult Bible Study is on a summer break!

* 2023 marks the 125th anniversary of the 2nd Gourock Boys’ Brigade. Our anniversary Grand Charity Ball will be Saturday 9th September 6.00 for 6.30pm in Greenock Town Hall. Tickets priced £50 or £500 for a table of 10 are available now from BB leaders. Every penny raised from ticket sales and our charity auction on the evening will go directly to our chosen charities. This event is open to all so please spread the word, book your table, put the date in your diary and look forward to what we are sure will be a Second To None evening of enjoyment and celebration.

* Free period products are available in the church toilets for anyone who might need them, thanks to Hey Girls and Inverclyde Council.