Sunday service for 30 June 2024

Sunday 30 June 2024
Gourock St. John’s Church of Scotland
Service prepared by Rev. Teri Peterson
Manse: 632143 
Email Teri: TPeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk
Email Charlene, Parish Assistant: CMitchell (at) churchofscotland.org.uk

Prelude Music (praise band)

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: Come, for we are the Body of Christ:
1: hands that reach out, feet that dance, hearts that care, minds that open.
2: filled by the one Holy Spirit, following the One Lord Jesus Christ,
3: though we are many, we are One Body,
All: and only together do we find wholeness.
One: Come, for we are the Body of Christ:
1: hearing the hope of God’s promise,
2: seeing the riches of God’s grace,
3: knowing the power of God’s love,
All: we are called to embody the presence of Jesus on earth.

Sanctuary Hymn 127: O Worship the King

Prayer
Powerful and Holy God,
Before the beginning of the world,
you loved,
and in love you chose us to be your people,
to live for your glory and to reveal your grace.
We confess that we have sometimes withheld the gifts you have so freely given,
revealing not grace but judgment to our neighbours.
We confess that we have not always honoured you in our words or our deeds,
and have sought our own advancement rather than your kingdom.
We confess that we have prayed for you to open the eyes of our hearts,
but then refused to look at what you showed us.
Forgive us, loving God,
and give us today a spirit of wisdom and clarity,
a sense of your presence and power,
and a commitment to the hope of your promise and calling.
For you are the one who brings life out of death,
and we trust you can also bring new life
where our hearts are hardened or broken,
where our spirits are dry or overwhelmed,
where vision has failed and energy flags;
new life, revived, where we have known disappointment in ourselves or others or even you.
Forgive us and renew us today,
to live as your Body,
filled to the brim with your abundant grace.
We ask in the name of Jesus and through the promised power of your Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Sanctuary Children’s Time

Hymn: Open the Eyes of My Heart (praise band)

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1.1-6, 15-23 (New Revised Standard Version)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

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: Reputation
Today we begin a series that will take us chapter by chapter through the letter to the Ephesians, so it seems a good idea to start with a little background! Ephesus is in modern-day Türkiye, on the west coast just across from Greece. The people who were the early church there were not Jews as in many other places, but Gentiles who had left behind the Greek and Roman gods and temples and the accompanying social life.

This letter begins by saying it’s from Paul, though it’s actually more likely to be what I call “from the workshop of Paul” — students of Paul who continued to use his name as a way of honouring him and also getting their work read. The reason scholars think that has to do with a few things that are unusual about Ephesians. The vocabulary and sentence structure is different from Paul’s letters, but even aside from that there’s the fact that Paul spent nearly three years in Ephesus, and yet the letter has no personal greetings or actually any personal touches at all, not like you would write to people you’d spent so much time with. Rather, the letter reads a bit like it’s meant to be shared around several church communities, a type of letter called a circular. Unlike most of Paul’s letters that are written to specific churches about a particular issue they’re having, this one is a letter of encouragement to churches that are doing pretty well but need a little morale boost to keep going, to persevere and get through a plateau or a challenge. They don’t need correcting or new teaching, they need reminding and encouraging.

The letter is full of Paul’s theology, though, so it is obvious it comes from his school of thought, his understanding of the gospel and the church. Most likely, then, people who have learned from Paul, maybe even traveled with him, listened to him, perhaps served him in prison or helped to deliver his letters and read them out to other church communities, have also taken up writing his message. So from the workshop of Paul we get this letter to churches on the west coast of Türkiye, building them up and encouraging them to keep following the path, keep being the Body of Christ, keep working together for God’s glory.

And right away the letter begins with “I’ve heard about you.” Not something Paul himself would need to say, of course, since he knew the people in Ephesus personally! But for someone from far away to have heard about the church there is quite a feat, especially in a world before social media or telephones or even widespread literacy. That means people were talking about the church in Ephesus and surrounding areas.

And what were they talking about? Their faith in Jesus, and their love for others.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, and wondering about that reputation the church there had — a reputation that spread far enough to be the first thing mentioned in this letter.

Can you imagine if someone said to you “oh I’ve heard about St John’s in Gourock”…what would they have heard about us? Depending on where they’d heard, it could be that they attended an organ recital at Kelvingrove and saw that Philip is our organist, so they’ve heard that we have wonderful music here. Or maybe they received a gift from one of the Greenock organisations we’ve supported with an Advent Gift Day, or saw a post about the BB charity ball donations, so they’ve heard that we’re generous and care about the work of other charities. Maybe they’ve been here for a school service or Remembrance Day or to drop their kids off for Brownies, so they know about our building’s flexibility and the importance we place on being together. Maybe they received a bottle of water when they were out for a walk last weekend, or got off the train while we were unveiling the anti-racism window on Friday, and so they’ve heard that we’re invested in the well-being of our local community here in our parish.

Or maybe they haven’t heard of us but they have heard of the Church of Scotland…what reputation would precede us then? Again depending on where they heard…perhaps they still have a mental image of dour, boring, serious, or judgmental people who withhold rather than give…or perhaps they’ve encountered us through Crossreach, or the Guild, or our work around the world in supporting people and education and healthcare and development, so they have an image of a church that reaches out to help others.

Maybe they’ve never actually heard of the Church of Scotland but they’ve certainly heard of Christians. What reputation would they attach to us then? Would they ask if we’re protestant or catholic? What football team we support? Who we hate? Who we allow in? Or would they change the subject or try to get away? Or…perhaps this is naive and idealistic…would they say “oh I’ve heard about Christians, about how they love one another, work for peace, insist on kindness, are so joyful and patient and hopeful”?

What reputation do we have, as the Body of Christ? As the family of faith here in this parish? When people talk about us, what do they talk about?

The letter begins with the reputation of the church family as people whose faith in Jesus is known and visible, which means they must be living out their faith in public, not only during worship. Otherwise how would people in a non-christian society know anything about their faith? And after their faith the second most famous thing about them is their love for others — not just some others, but all the saints, people across the church and known world.

What a reputation to have: to be world-famous for faith and love!

Then the letter goes on to pray that they’ll experience God’s hope, the immeasurable greatness of God’s power, and the riches of God’s promise, because that’s what is supposed to happen to the Body of Christ. During Jesus’ human life on earth, he was the One who embodied God’s kingdom — he said that the kingdom of God is here, in him. Promise fulfilled, Word Made Flesh. When he ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to the church, that means that now we, the Body of Christ, are the ones who are meant to embody God’s kingdom. Word made flesh in our community of faith. One scholar wrote: “The church should have the same effect on earth as Jesus did when he was here.”

Can you imagine what that would be like, if we, the Church, had the same effect on earth, the same effect on people, the same effect on the community, on justice, on peace, on institutions, on relationships, the same effect on hunger, on healing, on faith, on hope, on love, the same effect on people’s sense of belonging…the same effect on earth that Jesus did when he was physically here.

That’s the prayer in this first chapter of the letter to a church that needs a bit of encouragement to keep going without growing weary or disappointed: Your reputation for faith and love precedes you, and I pray that you’ll experience the hope and power of God filling you up so that you can be the Body of Christ, having the same effect on earth that our Lord Jesus had when he walked the earth among us. So that when you walk the neighbourhoods you live in, the places you work, the social media you scroll, you’ll be so full of the power of God who raised Jesus from the dead that you won’t be able to stop yourself from also being life-giving. With the eyes of your heart enlightened, you’ll see God’s power at work in you….and so you’ll take up your place in embodying God’s kingdom here and now, because that’s who we are as the Body of Christ…and when we do it, our faith and love are famous.

What a reputation to have.

May it be so.
Amen.

Online Hymn: The Church of Christ Cannot Be Bound (words: Adam Tice; tune: McKee)

Sanctuary Hymn 713: Come, All Who Look to God Today

Sanctuary Offering

Sanctuary Offering Response: We Are An Offering
We lift our voices; we lift our hands;
we lift our lives up to you:
we are an offering.
Lord, use our voices; Lord, use our hands;
Lord, use our lives; they are yours:
we are an offering.
All that we have, all that we are,
all that we hope to be,
we give to you, we give to you.
We lift our voices; we lift our hands;
we lift our lives up to you:
we are an offering;
we are an offering.

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
You created in love, O God,
and in love you have saved us,
and in love you hold us fast, keeping our every breath.
Your power is love,
overcoming even the worst the world can do.
We give you thanks for the immeasurable greatness of your power:
for grace that heals us,
for hope that sustains us,
for community that nurtures and challenges us,
for your Spirit at work within and through us.
We are grateful today for all who have been leaders and examples to us,
those whose faith feels legendary, whose love and generosity are famous,
whose reputation is well-deserved as they have served you
and revealed only your glory without thought for their own.
We remember those who have taught us your way,
and those who even from afar have shone with your light.
We pray we may learn well, and in turn be an example to others.
We lift up this day those among our neighbours who are struggling,
those not sure how to keep children safe and fed during the holidays,
those in the midst of addiction,
those caught in a cycle of violence,
those living with poverty,
those who are unwell and waiting for or undergoing treatment.
May they know your presence with them,
your healing that infuses every breath,
your courage to help face each day,
your providing that eases the burden of anxiety and hopelessness.
We lift up all those who are standing for office in this week’s election,
praying that they may be seeking your will and the common good,
that they may desire to serve rather than be served,
and that you would give them wisdom and compassion alongside the strength to do what is right.
And for all those who will vote this week,
give them discerning minds,
clear their hearts of cynicism and self-centredness,
and guide them as they make decisions based on faith and values and a vision of the nation.
And we lift up your Church, O God, your Body,
praying that we might indeed to filled with all your fullness,
that we will recognise you as our Head and follow your lead,
that we will each take up our place in your Body and work to your glory,
having the same effect on the world that Jesus had,
revealing your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
Encourage us where we are on the right track,
redirect us where we have wandered off,
and give us a sure sense of your Spirit
that all we say and do would be in service to you.

And on this 30th day of the month we join our hearts as your church family to pray:
*For the whole community of Gourock, for our beautiful natural environment: the river, burns, lochs, soil, air, flora and fauna of all kinds, and for all who live, work, play, pray, and pass through in this place.
*For the youth organisations of St John’s: for the Anchor Boys, Junior Section, and Company & Senior Section of the Boys’ Brigade, for the Smurfs, Brownies, Guides, and Rangers, and for the Exploratorium holiday clubs. For their leaders, volunteers, young people, and families. May they grow in faith, hope, and love together. — and as summer holidays begin, may all the young people and families associated with our church have the chance to relax, to explore the world around us, to have fun. Keep them safe and well, wherever they may roam.
*For the land, people, and governments of the nations of Mexico, the USA, Canada, and Greenland

Your power is at work in every place and time, O God,
and we ask for your blessing to be visible and tangible to all,
for you are the source of all life and the love that sustains us together.
And so we pray these and all things, trusting your promise and power,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, word made flesh, 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.

Sanctuary Hymn: We Are Called to Be God’s People (words: Thomas A Jackson b. 1931; tune: 339 Nettleton)

Benediction
May we, the Body of Christ, have the same effect on the world as Jesus did: living with love and faith, serving others and seeking only God’s glory.
And as you go to live as Christ’s Body on earth, 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 Go, go before you to show you the way and behind you to push you into places you might not go alone; 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, 1 July, with doors opening at 11:30am and soup and toasties from noon. Three soups on offer, great chat, and a friendly atmosphere — why not bring a friend?

* We worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 11am, and Sunday worship is 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.
The Sunday evening service is on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. We’ll have toasties and sandwiches together from 5:30 and the service will start at the back of 6. All are welcome for this simple meal and time of worship. The Sunday evening service is informal and reflective, with guitar-based music, Bible readings, and prayer for our parish. Come along and discover practical ways to apply the word to your life, in a chilled vibe that fosters connection and reflection.

* Starter Packs are in need of Shampoo, Soap, Shaving Foam, Cleaning Cloths and Soap Powder
The FoodBank are in need of diluting juice, cereal (but not porridge), tinned potatoes, pasta sauce & tinned meat. You can bring donations to the church and place them into the boxes in the vestibule. Thank you!

* The Kirk Session will meet on Tuesday, 9th July at 7.30pm, to continue its discussions on our 2024 Vision.

* A funeral service to celebrate the life of Mrs Jane Findlay will be held in the church on Monday, 15th July at 12 noon. That service will be preceded by a committal at Greenock Crematorium at 11am.

* 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!

* Wednesday Evening Bible Study has a very sporadic summer schedule….we WILL meet in the manse on Wednesday 3 July at 7:30pm. 

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

* Join us at “God’s Kitchen Table” for the summer exploratorium, the week of the 29th of July! Registration for this holiday club for children entering P1 – P7 is now open on the church website. If you’d like to volunteer please speak to Teri, Charlene, or Graham Bolster.