Sunday service for 17 March 2024, fifth Sunday in Lent
Sunday 17 March 2024, Fifth Sunday in Lent, NL2-35
Gourock St. John’s Church of Scotland
Service prepared by Rev. Teri Peterson
Manse: 632143
Email: TPeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk
Email Charlene, Parish Assistant: CMitchell (at) churchofscotland.org.uk
Email Rob, student minister: RThomson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk
Prelude Music
Welcome & Announcements
*We Gather As God’s Family (As the Bible is brought in, we stand and sing)
A family gathered in love,
striving for justice and joy,
blessing the broken-hearted,
and sharing the hope of God’s kingdom.
Call to Worship
One: Whatever the state of the world, God’s call is the same:
All: to love God and neighbour, to do justice and mercy, to walk humbly.
One: When we are surrounded by beautiful things,
All: we orient ourselves to living God’s word.
One: And when all around seems like the end is near,
All: we orient ourselves to living God’s word.
One: God gathers us in from every situation:
All: we come to answer Christ’s call.
Sanctuary Hymn 565: My Life Flows On In Endless Song
Prayer
Holy One,
in this world that feels like it is coming apart at the seams,
we so often ask the wrong questions:
wanting to know how we can control situations for our own benefit,
how to hold on to our image, our history, our power,
when you’re going to fix everything back to the way we imagine it should be.
Instead you remind us how to live:
to put your word into action in all we say and do,
to follow you faithfully and trust your kingdom is coming.
Forgive us when we give up on your way and choose to invest in the way things are instead.
Forgive us when we are tempted to withdraw from the world and leave it to self-destruct.
Forgive us when we think there’s nothing we can do to make a difference.
Remind us once again that while we do not control your timing,
you have given us a role in building your vision for a new heaven and a new earth.
May we be faithful to your way,
in every small moment that adds up, in preparation for your coming.
Loving God, you are bringing new things to birth,
we pray for awareness of what you are doing in our midst,
for courage to face the pain of being opened to new life,
for hope to face the days when the world is unraveling.
Your word is reliable, our true home in every time and season,
even as we pray come, Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Hymn 506: All I Once Held Dear (praise band)
Sanctuary Children’s Time
Scripture Reading: Mark 13.1-8, 24-37 (New Revised Standard Version)
Last week we heard Jesus speaking to people in the Temple and discussing what it means to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Today we pick up the story just after Jesus saw the widow put her two pennies in the offering, giving her all in love for God and her community. I am reading from chapter 13 of Mark’s gospel, beginning at verse 1.
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
“But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels and gather the elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert, for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
For the word of God in scripture
for the word of God among us
for the word of God within us
thanks be to God.
Sermon: we do not know, but…
This week I was curious about something and, thanks to the miracle of the internet, I had an answer in seconds…did you know that in the first ONE THOUSAND years of Christianity, there were 12 times when people predicted the end of time, second coming, whatever we want to call it? Even in the earliest days of the church when it seems like people expected Jesus’ return to be imminent, there were only twelve times with specific predictions about when exactly that imminent return would be…in a thousand years.
In the last 25 years, there have been 43 times.
And throughout the 1900s — it feels so weird to say it that way — there were so many I actually stopped counting the rows on the chart because I kept losing track.
I noticed as I was looking at all these times when people have gotten worked up about the possibility that the end is near that there are a few things in common in those times.
One is that it’s really common to predict the end times when there’s a war brewing or already happening.
Another is that there’s a spike in predictions of the end of the world when non-white or non-Christian or LGBT people or women or formerly colonised people begin to get human rights, or win public office, or otherwise do things that straight white western middle class people do.
I’ve long been fascinated by these predictions of Jesus’ return, especially when coming from people of faith, because Jesus explicitly said, more than once, that not only are we not supposed to know the day or the hour, he didn’t even actually know, the angels in heaven don’t know, literally he said the words “no one knows” and told us to focus on following his way, living according to Kingdom values, and not to worry about whether the end is nigh or not. Yet for some reason humans want to pin down the details despite this being the thing Jesus was perhaps most clear about not being our business. And in fact the things that we often use as “signs” of the end are the very things Jesus says are not actually related — he says they’re things people will use to manipulate us into thinking it’s happening, when actually those wars and natural disasters are just things that happen…they’ll be used as a pretext by people who want to lead us astray. And I think the list of times the end has been predicted, and the context of those predictions, bears that out — it happens most when there’s a challenge or change that threatens the privilege of those who benefit from our social, cultural, economic, and even religious systems.
In other words…those very things that the disciples looked around at when they came out of the Temple. What big buildings! What huge stones! What incredible institutions, and how stable and enormous they are! They must be forever, they’re huge and sturdy and we can trust them, rely on them.
But Jesus says that even those things that seem permanent to our eyes are actually…not. They too are susceptible to being torn down by outside forces, or to crumbling under their own weight. Those structures — whether buildings or institutions or systems or markets — are not forever, they are not stable, and they are not worth putting our trust in. If we build our lives on or around them, we will be vulnerable when they fall.
And fall they will — not because that’s a sign of the end times, but because all our human-made structures will fall. The only truly stable foundation to build on is Christ. Not capitalism, not beautiful architecture, not an institution that’s been around for 500 years or more…all of those may well be made of big stones that feel immoveable to us, that feel important, like cornerstones of our faith and life and society, but the truth is those stones are fragile and cannot bear the weight of the fullness of God’s kingdom. And the more we live the kingdom-way here and now, the more those stones will crumble…which makes it feel dangerous because God’s kingdom threatens the ways of the world that we have come to rely on.
Jesus tells his disciples to persevere in spite of the attempts to lead us astray: to give up their awe and reliance on those big buildings that symbolise the controls of society — religious and political and economic institutions. To give up trying to figure out when God is going to act, and to give up trying to equate every single thing that happens in the world with some sort of sign that only they understand — both of those are actually just about trying to be in control. In other words….to give up control, which was an illusion anyway, however big and grand it looks on the outside. Instead, Jesus invites his followers to recognise that we are experiencing birth pangs: something new is being born, and that means the old will have to split open and be changed. And our job as people waiting for the birth of God’s new thing is to work to make the world ready.
Just as new parents prepare both physically and mentally, prepare their body and their home and their family and their schedule and their work — and just as all that preparation is still somehow not enough when it actually happens! — followers of Jesus are supposed to live and act on what he’s already taught us, day in and day out. It might feel like small stuff in the face of a world that appears to be ending, but if we look instead at the kingdom that will be born those little things start to add up.
We can never know when it’s coming. And I get that it feels like the world is constantly falling apart, and the pain doesn’t actually lead anywhere, no new life appears, and the kingdom is as elusive as ever, and it is unjust for the people and environment who suffer. The same is true within the Church — the institution we have known and has provided our stability for our whole lives is, in some ways, crumbling before our eyes, and it isn’t clear what it will look like in years to come. It’s hard to know how to carry on when labour pains go on for lifetimes and appear to produce nothing…But Jesus did actually tell us what our part is: to love with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. To build community and break bread with the most unlikely of people. To walk in Christ’s footsteps as closely as we can, reaching out to those who have been pushed to the margins or trampled over by systems that demand our blind allegiance, caring for those who are struggling, being generous even to people who don’t deserve it, being good stewards of the creation and the community entrusted to us. To trust God more than we trust the market, or the politicians, or even the history and institution of the Church. To love God and our neighbour more than we love our buildings, our traditions, or our cultural heritage. To live with hope and work for good. To give the world a glimpse of God’s kingdom so that when all that other stuff starts to fall apart — and that is well underway, honestly — there is something bigger and sturdier and more trustworthy than all those awe-inspiring buildings the disciples looked at and that tourists still snap photos of today.
We do not know when the Lord will come…but we do know that we have God-given work to be doing in God’s world until that day. We do not know what the fullness of the kingdom will look like…but we do know that Jesus embodied it, and we can keep trying to be like him even when it means going against the grain. We do not know what might replace those great stones that we thought were foundational to society, economy, or even church…but we do know that Jesus is trustworthy and we can build our lives on him instead, and it will be far more stable than a life built trusting in any of the institutions that try to claim our loyalty, and when we build on his firm foundation then it is harder to be manipulated and led astray by people who want to use, or even create, chaos for their own benefit.
There’s a lot we do not know…but we do know the One who holds all things, including both us and our unknown future, and we do know his instruction: to rely on God and to live and work with hope, preparing for Christ’s kingdom to come, even in our own generation.
May it be so. Amen.
Online Hymn 513: Courage, Brother
Sanctuary Hymn 710: I Have A Dream
Sanctuary Offering and Offering Response 374 v. 4
So let us learn how to serve,
and in our lives enthrone him;
each other’s needs to prefer,
for it is Christ we’re serving.
This is our God, the Servant King,
he calls us now to follow him,
to bring our lives as a daily offering
of worship to the Servant King
Prayer and Lord’s Prayer (Rob)
Gracious and Loving God,
We come before you our with hearts filled with gratitude and reverence, celebrating your presence among us.
We are thankful for your persistent presence with us, your constant companionship. That we can come before you, speak to you, be in relationship with you – in any place and at any time.
We celebrate that you are with us oh Lord, in the grandest of buildings, designed by creative people and built by skilled workers. In simple homes, or in grander ones. You are with us in the wilderness. You are with us in the workplace, shopping market or on the playing field. What a privilege it is to be your people, your Church, united by our love for you and your love for the world.
With thankful hearts, we lift our voices to praise you for the blessings you have given us. We are grateful for the gift of life, for the beauty of creation that surrounds us, and for the love and support of this community.
We give thanks for the times of joy and abundance, for the moments of laughter and celebration that remind us of your goodness.
Yet, amid our gratitude, we recognise the challenges and uncertainties that we face. We pray for those amongst us facing trials and tribulations, the sting of loss and the dread of exhaustion.
We lift up to you all of those who are experiencing hardships, those who are facing illness, loss, or despair. Grant them comfort and strength.
We pray for those who have not come to know the difference between the happiness of the world, which is fleeting and the joy of knowing you which comforts us even in the darkest moments.
We pray for those who do not know you. We especially bring before you those who feel forgotten, as though nobody cares for them or could possibly be praying for them. Those who the Church has failed, who we have failed. We ask for your help to reach them, to change the parts of ourselves that cause us to overlook your lost sheep.
As we look to the future, we acknowledge our constant need for guidance and wisdom. In a world filled with turmoil and unrest, help us to discern your will and to follow the path of righteousness and justice. A path that is not always so simple or so clear as we would like, help us to put down our assumptions and listen to those we call our enemies.
Lord, we intercede on behalf of those who are suffering around the world, those who are victims of violence, oppression, and injustice. We pray for peace and reconciliation in places torn apart by conflict and strife. May your love and compassion reign in every corner of the earth, bringing hope and healing to all who are in need.
We especially think of those places we call the ‘Holy Land’, a region that it seems to us is hopelessly given over to vengeance and anger. Where every day the reasons to seek war and violence are multiplied. Where every day the hunger for peace and reconciliation is reduced by grief and trauma and hopelessness.
You are the light in the darkness, the consuming flame, the one true and living God. We have hope for peace in the ‘Holy Land’ and beyond, because we know your power can overcome the darkest inclinations of the human heart.
On this the 17th Day of March we join our hearts together as a congregation no matter where we are to pray especially
For Inverclyde Royal Hospital, the Larkfield Unit, and Orchard View — for the doctors, nurses, and all the staff, and for the patients and families who are served there. May your Spirit of Healing be in that place.
For the leaders of St John’s congregation: for the elders, the Kirk Session, the Session Clerk, the Treasurer, the pastoral care team, the flower team, and the many other volunteers.
For the land, people, and governments of the nations of Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Iran.
As we await the return of your Son, Jesus the Christ, in glory, help us to be vigilant and prepared. May we be faithful servants, ready to do your will and to spread the message of love to all people. Until our king returns.
And now we join our voices together, praying as the Lord Jesus taught His disciples:
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.
Sanctuary Hymn 513: Courage, Brother
Benediction
Whatever the state of the world: keep up the kingdom work of love, justice, peace, and hope, trusting that in God’s time all manner of thing shall be well.
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. Go in peace. 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
* Bowl & Blether is TOMORROW, 18 March, with doors opening at 11:30 and soup served from 12 noon. We can use volunteers so if you’re free please come along to help make soup at 9:30, to serve at 11:15, or to clean up at 1:30. Thanks!
* We worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 11am and at 5pm, and also online. 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.
* We are nearly through the season of Lent, but there are still several opportunities over these 40 days to deepen our spiritual lives, to worship and study together, and to prepare our hearts and minds and lives for Easter.
1. There’s a daily devotional booklet available.
2. Each Wednesday at noon there will be a brief CONNECT service held in OGA, followed by a simple lunch together at 1230. Join our CONNECT friends for this time of worship and reflection and fellowship.
Looking ahead to Holy Week:
Sunday 24 March, 11am: Palm Sunday family service, and 5pm evening service
Wednesday 27 March, 7pm: CONNECT Holy Week service in St Margaret’s.
Thursday 28 March, 7:30pm: Maundy Thursday communion service in St. John’s.
Friday 29 March, 10am: Gourock cross-walk (TBC), followed by 12 noon Good Friday service in St John’s.
Saturday 30 March, 7:30pm: Easter Eve service in St John’s — a service that takes us through the whole story of salvation and brings us to the new light of resurrection.
Sunday 31 March, Easter Day: 7am service on Tower Hill, followed by breakfast communion in the large hall; 11am family service in the sanctuary.
**If you’d be willing and able to help with the Easter Breakfast, please speak to Anne Love, Charlene, or Graham Bolster. Thanks!
* Starter Packs are in need of of Tea-bags, cleaning cloths, soap, soap powder & kitchen towel, and Easter Eggs.
The FoodBank are in need of Diluting juice, Long life juice, Rice pudding, Tinned Ham & Tinned Tuna. You can bring donations to the church and place them into the boxes in the vestibule. Thank you!
* Wednesday Evening Bible Study meets in the manse at 7:30pm most weeks.
* Free period products are available in the church toilets for anyone who might need them, thanks to Hey Girls and Inverclyde Council.
* Greenock Philharmonic Choir’s Spring Concert is on Saturday 23rd March at 7:30pm, in Lyle Kirk, Union Street, Greenock. They will perform Mozart’s Requiem, plus two of the Handel Coronation Anthems, including ‘Zadok the Priest’, and featuring Glasgow Chamber Orchestra. For information or tickets (£15) – contact Calum on 07847 250529 or email info@greenockphilharmonic.co.uk. Tickets are available at the door on the night. Tea, coffee, cakes included. There is further information on the choir’s website and Facebook page.
* A funeral service to celebrate the life of Mr Robert Henderson will be held here in St John’s on Tuesday, 26th March, 2024, at 11.45am, followed by a committal at Greenock Crematorium at 1pm.
* Did you know that the ministry we do at St John’s costs about £3000 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 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!
* The Contact Group last meeting of the session is on Tuesday, the 19th of March at 1pm with a meal at Gourock Golf Club. If you wish to join them please speak to Anne Armour or Fiona Webster.
* Free period products are available in the church toilets for anyone who might need them, thanks to Hey Girls and Inverclyde Council.
*** Our new evening service is happening at 5pm!
Graham Gardiner is doing a placement with us this spring, focused on a project, and we hope everyone will support it!
Excited to explore faith in a new way?
Inspired by Teri’s recent sermon on New Wineskins, we’re launching a new Sunday Evening service starting March 10th at 5 pm.
What’s different?
No traditional sermon! Instead, we’ll dive deeper into the morning message through an engaging interview with the preacher.
Guitar-based music, Bible readings, and prayer will create a relaxed atmosphere for reflection and worship.
Did you miss the morning service? No worries! We’ll get you caught up before the discussion.
Imagine:
Gaining fresh insights from the morning message in a conversational format.
Discovering practical ways to apply the message to your life.
Enjoying a chilled vibe that fosters connection and reflection.
Join us for this exciting new experience!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Graham
Ps. Spread the word and invite your friends!
