Sunday service for 31 August 2025

Sunday 31 August 2025
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

Prelude Music (praise band)

Welcome

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: The world belongs to God —
All: the earth and all its people.
One: Everything we have is a gift from God —
All: every skill and talent, every resource and asset.
One: God gives freely to us,
All: and invites us to give freely in return.

Sanctuary Hymn: God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending (words: Robert Edwards; tune: Beach Spring)

Prayer
Generous God, you are the giver of every good gift.
All we have and all we are, our very being and breath is from you.
You have filled this world
and shown us how to live in harmony
so that all creation has what it needs to flourish —
enough resources to share,
enough land and water and air and food
enough skills and talents,
enough.
You have given us all that we need to answer your call,
to fulfil your purpose,
to build your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
We confess that we often believe we do not have enough.
We always want more.
We keep your bounty for ourselves.
We see the unequal distribution of all the earth provides,
and we act as if we deserve the privilege of more,
and others deserve their lack.
We hear your instructions and your desire, we see your vision,
but we believe we don’t have what it would take to put it into action,
so we sit on our hands and wish things were different.
Forgive us, Lord.
Forgive us when the truth we are afraid to admit
is that we just don’t want to do what you ask.
Forgive us when our hearts are hardened by greed and pride,
so we cannot be moved to generosity.
Forgive us when we have decided that giving what we have leftover is plenty.
Forgive us and stir our spirits, soften our hearts, open our minds,
to reflect your image —
your grace and love, your welcome and compassion,
your generous heart and your open hands,
through our own open and generous ways.
We ask in the name of the One who poured out his very life for us,
Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Online Hymn: God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending (words: Robert Edwards; tune: Beach Spring)

Sanctuary Hymn: Great God of Every Blessing (words: David Gambrell; tune: Aurelia)

Children’s Time and Bible Story: Exodus 35.4-36.7
Last time we heard about God meeting the people at Mt Sinai and giving them instructions for everything — everyday life, and big mistakes, and organising their community, worship and sacrifices, and even how to build a worship space. From the little to the big things, God cares about how we live our lives and how we live together as a community: close to God’s heart, revealing what relationship with God looks like, and being a priestly people that enable others to have a relationship with God too. Even when they made a huge wrong turn, God chose to forgive and called them to try again to follow this new way of living.

We pick up the story today in the next chapter, and we’ll hear today from chapters 35 and the beginning of chapter 36.

Moses spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites and invited them to make an offering to the Lord, so that they could build a new tent of meeting — this one wouldn’t be outside the camp like the other one, this was going to be right in the middle, and would go with them wherever they went. The tent would be the place where God would abide with them, in the centre of their community, and they could meet with God and worship anytime. It would be the most beautiful tent, a visual glimpse of the beauty of God’s kingdom in their midst.

Their offering would show their gratitude for God being with them, and also their dedication of themselves and their commitment to living God’s way as God’s treasured possession. Also, just practically, the same as is true today, there was no one outside giving those resources, the people have to do it themselves if they want to have a place and a program of ministry. So God called them to bring an offering of gold, silver, and bronze, of linen and wool dyed in bright colours, animal skins and leather, wood, oil and spices, and beautiful stones and gems.

All the Israelite people heard this call to bring an offering. They went into their own tents and prayed about it, and then they started to come out. Men and women and even young people started bringing out their brooches and earrings and necklaces, their finest linen, their bronze lamps, their pieces of wood, their leather, and their bright coloured wool. The skilful women spun new wool into yarn and dyed it blue and purple and red. People brought their secret stashes of spices and oil. Everyone whose heart was stirred by the Holy Spirit brought what they had and gave it as a freewill offering to the Lord.

God also called two men called Bezalel and Oholiab to use their gifts of design and craftsmanship, to make the designs, carve the wood, work in gold and silver and bronze, mix spices for incense and oil, and weave and embroider in rich colours. They were to make a tent, complete with poles and coverings and walls and curtains and pegs and cords, tables and lamp stands and oil lamps and incense holders, an altar and basins to go round it, even robes for priests to wear. That’s a lot for just two people, however gifted they are, so they needed people who could work with wood, metal, and fabric, people who could follow directions and also people with artistic vision, people who understood measurements and how things would fit together. God gave Bezalel and Oholiab the gift of teaching, and then called all those who were willing to give their time and energy, the labour of their hands and their minds, to come forward and use their gifts to put these offerings to good use, creating a beautiful space. Anyone who was willing to learn and to serve came forward. All these workers took the offerings the Israelites brought, and they created the tabernacle and all the furnishings.

As they were doing the work, people kept on bringing more offerings. Every single morning, more people’s hearts were stirred to bring an offering. And the artisans and craftsmen and workers who were learning from Bezalel and Oholiab, who were using these offerings to create this beautiful place for God to abide with the people, said to Moses: “the people are bringing much more than enough for us to do what the Lord commanded us to do!”

So Moses had to send out orders to stop the people from making anymore offerings, because what they had already brought was more than enough to do all the work.

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: more than enough
Can you even imagine these words: they had to be stopped from bringing more offerings because what they had already brought was more than enough for all the work God had called them to do!

I don’t think I have ever been part of a community where the offerings were more than enough for the ministry the community was already doing…let alone more than what the community wanted to be able to do. More often than not, we are scaling back on what we feel called to do because we don’t have the budget to support it. We want to keep up the things we currently do, and most of the time we barely have the offerings for that, let alone anything new or bigger, even if God is calling us to something more.

So it’s hard to imagine what it must have felt like, to be the artisans who had come forward to offer their skills and to learn from Bezalel and Oholiab — they had to actually pause their work one day and find Moses to tell him that they were so inundated with resources, they didn’t need anymore, and could he get people to stop bringing offerings!

It becomes even more difficult to imagine when we remember that the Israelites had fled from slavery in Egypt only a few months ago. They had “borrowed” the jewellery and other valuables from their Egyptian neighbours before going, and so looted Egypt even as they ran away from generations of enslavement, oppression, and abuse. But still….they didn’t even take food, but it seems they must have taken everything valuable that they could carry. Some of that gold had already been turned into a golden calf, then ground up and sprinkled on the water so they couldn’t remake the jewellery, but somehow when God stirred their hearts to give an offering, they brought silver, bronze, gold, brightly dyed fabrics, leather, wood, and gems. People spun goat and sheep wool into yarn and dyed it with dyes that were rare and expensive. They brought oil and spices.

Where did all this stuff come from? I always picture the Israelites as not being fully prepared for their wilderness journey…but it turns out the situation is more like what an elder in my first church used to say: “everything we need is here, you’re just sitting on it” and then he would pat the back pocket he kept his wallet in!

What if that’s still true?

What if everything we need is already here, and we’re just sitting on it? Or it’s at the bottom of our packs, tucked away for safekeeping…

It wasn’t just the stuff either, not just precious metals and jewels and fabrics and leather and wood and oil and spices. It was also the people — their time, energy, and labour. They offered themselves to do the work, even to learn new skills for the tasks that God needed them to do. Everything they needed was already there among them, in the community, even though most of them would never have done much weaving or embroidery or woodwork or sculpting before. But they were willing to learn, to put in the time, to work together to make it all happen.

The story says that everyone whose heart was stirred, everyone whose heart was willing, gave this offering of precious items and of time and labour.

Their hearts were stirred and willing…and they realised that not only did they already have all the resources they needed, they actually had more than enough when they all chipped in together.

What might happen if we all chipped in together, time and talents and skills and willingness to learn and precious resources?

First, of course, our hearts would have to be stirred.

I often remind leaders that people won’t just give an offering just because…people give because we are inspired, because we believe in the mission or goals or plans…not just because there’s a budget.

In other words, we give of ourselves and our resources because we want to be a part of something bigger. Something that matters. A common task brings people together, opens our hearts to participate, and we find that the more we give to it, the more inspired we are.

What, then, is our common task? What big thing is God calling us to do that inspires us and stirs our hearts? For the Israelites, it was building a place where God could abide in their midst — a tent that would live in the middle of their camp, not out beyond the edges like the one we heard about last week. A sign that their relationship was renewed after their huge failure with the golden calf, and that God and people were making this journey together. They wanted it to be perfect for God — vibrant, beautiful, and functional. The description of them designing the lamp stands and tables and curtains and curtain rings and bowls and spoons and bronze grates and poles to carry the tent and all sorts takes up the next three chapters of Exodus. It’s a big undertaking, and it took all of them giving and working together to make it happen.

What big undertaking is God asking us to do? What is it that our community needs in order to see God in our midst, a sign that we are on this journey together? No dream is too big…if we really believe that God has already placed in our community all the resources we need to actually do it. The only challenge is seeing the vision and then being willing to give the offering.

We have big dreams here at St John’s — dreams of being known for loving God and loving Gourock, dreams of our building becoming a community hub where all are welcome in a space for spiritual growth, wellbeing, healing, creativity, justice, and friendship in a world where we’re increasingly isolated, in an area where drugs and alcohol and mental health are ever-increasing concerns, in a society that is often so divided. We want to see development of our halls so that more people can encounter God’s peace and love here through a variety of groups and programs and services and ministries. We want to see development of us as a church family so that God’s grace is spreading outward in our every action. We want to see people fed and nourished, body and mind and spirit. We want to see young people learning the joy and support of a relationship with Jesus. We want to see school leavers with places to go that aren’t just the pub, and with options that aren’t just moving away. We want to be a place where people can use their Spirit-given gifts and talents to make the world better. We want to be at the heart of this community, because we believe that our community is close to God’s heart.

It feels impossible. Impossible that we could dream bigger than the restricted church budgets we’ve always known. Impossible that the resources could actually already be here among us. Impossible that we might find the energy and time and willingness to give. Impossible that there would be enough — enough of anything, whether money or people. Every finance report that has a deficit makes it feel impossible. Every plea for volunteers that gets little response makes us wonder if God is stirring hearts or not. Every event that reaches the community but isn’t well supported by those of us already here is a question about whether the insiders and outsiders can ever mix into one. But we believe that God is at work here. I believe that God is at work here. The Holy Spirit is on the move. Something is happening. People long for hope, for peace, for community, for support, for the opportunity to serve others. The world is full of people looking everywhere for a spiritual connection — to the universe, to the loved ones we have lost, to random signs, to internet influencers, seeking a bigger picture or a bigger purpose — and we have that! We know that the living God is right here in our midst, abiding with us, traveling with us, showing us glimpses of the beauty of the kingdom. But do we know it only in our heads, while our hearts remain unmoved and our spirits cling to the security we think we get from holding on to the things we save up for later or for just in case?

We are so used to working with not enough, we can barely imagine what enough, or even more than enough, would be like. And we are so used to doing what we’ve always done, we often can’t imagine what big thing God might be calling us to do.

But with God, all things are possible. God gives visions and dreams. God calls. God equips. God stirs hearts. Everything we need is already here…we’re just sitting on it. God opens our eyes to see that we have enough…if only we will give it.

May it be so. Amen.

Hymn: Take My Life (praise band)

Sanctuary Offering and 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.

Concerns of the Church
Youth Groups
Bible Study Wednesday
Bowl & Blether tomorrow 11:30-1:30
Muriel speaking on Thursday the 4th at 7pm
Prayer Groups — Sundays 10:15, Intercessory

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer (Charlene)

Let us come before God in prayer, let us pray.

Gracious and most loving God,
We come before you with hearts full of gratitude, thanking you for the gift of your presence and the assurance that you hear us when we pray.
We thank you for your promise to answer, not always as we hope or expect, but always according to your perfect will, in your perfect time.
Help us to trust in your wisdom, your kindness and your unfailing love.
Loving God, we humbly ask for healing, provision, and hope for those in need.
We lift up to you our broken and hurting world.
In the midst of war, injustice, suffering and natural disasters, we ask for your healing power.
Bring peace where there is conflict, justice where there is oppression, and hope where there is despair.
We are grateful, Lord, for all who dedicate themselves to making our world a kinder and safer place.
We give thanks for peacemakers, caregivers, teachers, volunteers, and all whose compassionate actions bring hope to difficult circumstances.
We ask that you strengthen and uplift them, renew their energy when they get tired, remind them they are seen when they feel invisible, and fill them with joy as they share your love in this world.
May our leaders and those in authority be guided to seek truth, demonstrate integrity, and exercise their responsibilities with wisdom and compassion.
Lord, we pray for the lonely, the sick, the unemployed, struggling families, and those seeking purpose.
We remember especially those without shelter, safety, or a place to rest, as well as those who are uncertain about their next meal or struggling with addiction.
May we feel compelled to respond with compassion, to share what we have generously, and to offer support without judgment.
We also take time to pray for those who do not yet know you – those who have never heard your name or have never encountered your love.
We ask that you reveal yourself to them in ways they can understand. Open their hearts and minds to receive your grace.
May they come to meet you personally and know the joy of walking with you.
Help us to remember, Lord, that you have entrusted us to be your witnesses in this community.
May we reflect you in every word we speak and every choice we make.
Use our lives to shine your light, that others may be drawn to you.
And on this 31st day of the month we join our hearts as your St John’s family to pray for:
The whole community of Gourock, for our beautiful natural environment: the river, burns, lochs, soil, air, flora and wildlife of all kinds, and for all who live, work, play, pray, and pass through this place.
For those who use the building at St John’s – may they encounter your grace in our hospitality – and for the volunteers who keep the building clean and in good repair.
For the health of the whole creation, all the nations of the world, and the work of the United Nations, that we may know ourselves as a global community.
Thank you, Lord, for your goodness and forgiveness. We entrust all our prayers to you, and we surrender our lives to your will.
Trusting in your promises, we join together to pray as Jesus taught us, saying:
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: I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (African-American Spiritual)

Sending

And as you go, may the Spirit of God go above you to watch over you…and 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 if you thought you were 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

* 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 first Sunday of the month at 11am is an all-age service, with different ways of encountering God’s word without a traditional sermon. All people — young and old, different personalities and learning styles, are welcome! You’ll find a more informal service with a variety of music, a Bible story, prayer, and some more interactive elements. The online service for the first Sunday will therefore also be different — there will still be a reading, prayers, and music, but usually not a sermon.

* We are receiving a special offering for Tabeetha School in Jaffa-Tel Aviv, the only Church of Scotland School. It serves children from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish families, as well as international students, in a Christian, English-language school that builds peace across the barriers of an incredibly divided Israeli society. They are running a “Hope at every desk” campaign to equip classrooms for the academic year just about to start. Please consider giving generously to support this important mission! You can give during the service, during the Thursday evening event with mission worker Muriel Pearson who is also school chaplain at Tabeetha, or online — just ask Teri for the link. Thank you!

* Starter Packs are in need of Bathroom/Kitchen Cleaner, Washing up Liquid, Cleaning Cloths and Hand Wash.

The FoodBank are running low on tinned meat, tinned meals, tinned fruit, UHT milk, diluting juice, pasta sauces, and mens & ladies deodorant.
You can bring donations to the church and place them into the boxes in the vestibule. Thank you!

* The next Bowl & Blether is TOMORROW Monday 1 September. Doors open at 11:30, and soup & toasties are served from 12 noon – 1:30pm. All are welcome! If you’d like to volunteer we have three shifts available: 9:45-12 for preparation and set-up; 11:30-1:30 for serving; or 12:45-2pm for clean up. Speak to Teri, Graham Bolster, or Charlene!

* We look forward to welcoming Church of Scotland mission worker the Rev. Muriel Pearson to speak on Thursday the 4th of September at 7pm in the sanctuary. Muriel will talk about her life and work experiences in Israel and Palestine over the past four years, the current situation there, our Church partners and work on the ground, and what we can do. She will also answer some audience questions. All are welcome!

* Sunday the 14th of September will be a Songs of Praise service — if you have hymns/songs you would like to request, let Teri know by next Sunday the 7th.

* Did you know that the ministry we do at St John’s costs about £3000 per week and we are currently running about £500 short? 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 item in the budget.

* Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Youtube, and to sign up for our email newsletter! 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. 

* Wednesday Evening Bible Study is at 7:30pm in the Manse and we are reading Luke! 

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