Sunday service for 28 July 2024

Sunday 28 July 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
Teri: Come, people of God—make a joyful noise and lift up your offering of praise!
1: We gather in the presence of mystery, grace known and unknown, promises fulfilled and still awaited.
2: We have received beyond measure, building our hope on a foundation of love.
1: The Spirit of truth fills this place, empowering us to lead lives worthy of Christ’s calling.
2: The Spirit of truth fills this place, revealing the Way: to love as we have been loved.
1: In the triune God we live and move and have our being, and so we come to worship, one by one,
to be remade as the Body of Christ, 2: together and whole,
making God’s justice and peace visible
even in our days.
Teri: Come, Body of Christ—see what God has done
All: and see what God will do!

Sanctuary Hymn 202: Stand Up and Bless the Lord

Prayer
Loving God,
you are before and behind us, around us and within.
We give you thanks for your constant presence,
even as we admit that we don’t always recognise you.
We pray for your path to be clear, to show us your way,
but we confess that sometimes we see but we are afraid
and so we stand back and hope for a different answer.
We long for comfort, stability, familiarity.
We admit to you that we prefer the easier way of what we have always done,
even if it is not where you currently call,
and so we stand still, hoping things can stay the same forever.
We pray for the world to look more like your kingdom,
and we also confess that more often than not,
we stand by and do nothing when you show us how to put our prayer into action.
Forgive us, O God.
Forgive us for our selective memory,
our tendency to nostalgia,
our hearts set on self-preservation,
our feet turned to stone while your way leads on.
Remind us that you are our God, and will never leave us.
Give us faith to see your way, and courage to go with you.
Focus our minds, hearts, and strength on your love,
that we may know you fully…
for to know you is to love you, and to love you is to serve you,
whom to serve is perfect freedom. It is with faith and hope that we ask these things
through the power of your Holy Spirit
and in the name of your Son, Jesus the Christ,
whose love casts out all fear and leads us into new life with you.
Amen.

Online Hymn 202: Stand Up and Bless the Lord

Sanctuary Children’s Time

*Sanctuary Hymn: The Lorica (praise band) (setting of St Patrick’s Breastplate by Steve Bell)
 I bind unto myself today
The gift to call on the Trinity
The saving faith where I can say
Come three in one, oh one in three

Be above me, as high as the noonday sun
Be below me, the rock I set my feet upon
Be beside me, the wind on my left and right
Be behind me, oh circle me with Your truth and light

La da da da da da….

I bind unto myself today
The love of angels and seraphim
The prayers and prophesies of saints
The words and deeds of righteous ones

Be above me, as high as the noonday sun
Be below me, the rock I set my feet upon
Be beside me, the wind on my left and right
Be behind me, oh circle me with Your truth and light

La da da da da da…

I bind unto myself today
The hope to rise from the dust of earth
The songs of nature giving praise
To Father, Spirit, Living Word

Be above me, as high as the noonday sun
Be below me, the rock I set my feet upon
Be beside me, the wind on my left and right
Be behind me, oh circle me with Your truth and light

La da da da da da…

I bind unto myself today
The gift to call on the Trinity.

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5.8b-17, 6.10-18, 23-24
Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, ‘Sleeper, awake!  Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

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: Stand (v3)
Be careful. Be strong. Stand firm. Take a stand. Stand up. Keep alert. Persevere. Pray.

I confess that I am usually one of those people firmly against using war metaphors for faith. Military clothing and tactics, battle imagery…it doesn’t seem to jive with following the Prince of Peace, the one who defeats death. Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek and to pray for our enemies. The letters of Paul tell us to clothe ourselves in compassion and kindness, to bear one another’s burdens, to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice, to work together the way a body works together, to turn swords into plows and rely on the power of love.

And yet in this stirring speech to end the letter, the writer of Ephesians calls us to battle.

Or, more accurately, calls us to stand firm. To hold the line against those powers and principalities that would dearly love to claim every inch of culture and creation for their own purposes. To stand up and let light shine, so that all may see.

The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the sword of God’s word…these are the uniform of the Body of Christ, and not a single one of them is a weapon for attacking. None of them give us even a smidgen of power over another person on earth. The battle the letter is exhorting us about is not against human beings anyway. There’s nothing here, not one word, about fighting each other—it’s all about standing fast in the face of powers larger than any one of us, the systems of the world that want us to serve them rather than serving God’s kingdom.

Sometimes it seems that those who take a stand for truth and peace are indeed embattled in our world of spin and justification. Grace is often in short supply, and even two thousand years after Christ defeated death we still face death-dealing powers every day: powers of sexism and racism, of nationalism and greed, of fear and power-mongering and self-interest. These cosmic forces are so much bigger than any one of us, and even when we try individually not to give in to them, we can’t help it—it’s the water we swim in and the air we breathe. It’s “just the way things are.”

These are not enemies of flesh and blood—there’s no one person or nation or religion or ethnicity we can fight. Nor should we—that is the opposite of our call.

Our call is to stand firm. To hold the line. To refuse to cede another centimetre to hate and fear, to violence and greed, to racism and sexism.

Our call is to be salt and light—to be the agents that reveal God’s goodness in and around all things, despite the bitter shadows that so often seem to win the day. To help people taste and see that God is good, all the time. To live as children of light: exposing the truth about the things that masquerade as good-enough, just-how-it-is, nothing-we-can-do, no-one-will-know, what-else-could-we-do, not-my-problem. Exposing the truth that these are unfruitful works of darkness, and also to expose the path that leads into more light, the truth that there is a more excellent way and it leads to abundant life and that path is available even now in this life. When the children of light shine, God’s kingdom becomes visible amidst all the other stuff that clamours for our attention.

Easier said than done, I know. But here is some good news: this letter, remember, is addressed not to individuals, but to the whole community, the whole body of Christ—the church that is already doing this work and needs some encouragement to keep going. This is not about individuals tying each other up and beating each other over the head with the truth as we see it—it is about the whole body of Christ being held together by the truth of God’s love. It is about the whole body of Christ lacing up shoes that will carry us near and far with a message of peace. This is about the whole body of Christ wearing these gifts together, standing together.

The shield of faith is the perfect visual. The shields of the Roman army were one-and-a-half people wide. So when the army stood together there was no break in the line, because each person was holding a shield that covered themselves and their neighbour. As long as the whole body stands fast and holds the line together, everyone is shielded by the faith of others. And, as John Bunyan noted in the Pilgrim’s Progress, there is no armour for the back or sides. There is no option to turn back, only to stand together. It is the big picture version of turning the other cheek, which was a nonviolent way of resisting the powers that be, by forcing them to back down or to acknowledge your equality and treat you accordingly.

And stand we must. When the powers call for violence as the way to solve a problem, we must stand together for peace. When the powers call for silence because they refuse to listen, we must stand together and speak up. When the powers call for ignoring the plight of the poor, the orphan, the widow, the immigrant and the refugee and the asylum seeker, turning our back on those who suffer, we must stand firm for justice. When the powers call for going along to get along, for endless expansion at the expense of creation, for using people for our own profits, we must stand firm against them and insist on Christ’s more excellent way.

The Body of Christ is clothed in the armour of God…in compassion and kindness, in willingness to bear one another’s burdens and to rejoice with those who rejoice, in the belief that every member of the body is equally important.

Will we hold the line of justice when big companies avoid taxes while people sleep on the streets and children go hungry and the NHS is understaffed, and we can’t find the political will or the money to help, let alone pay a living wage…Will the Body of Christ stand in the gap between wealth and poverty by insisting on God’s economy of compassion and dignity?
Will we hold the line of hope when our culture is fractured into political parties and football allegiances and accents and skin colours, focused on those who belong here and those who don’t deserve to belong, those we believe are good enough to associate with and those who aren’t…Will the Body of Christ withstand the onslaught of those who would divide and conquer with greed and self-interest by insisting on God’s desire for right relationship and wholeness?
Will we plant our feet on peace when world leaders call for fear and violence as a means to achieve their ends, or as a way to amuse themselves or feed their egos at the expense of millions of lives, or as a way to assuage one guilt while causing another…Will the Body of Christ stand up for those in danger by insisting that violence can never drive out violence—only love can do that?

It feels like an impossible task. And it is—but nothing is impossible for God. Remember when the Israelites left Egypt, and the Egyptian army pursued them to the banks of the sea—the people were terrified, and God spoke: “Stand firm, and see what the Lord will do.” Remember that Jesus is the light of the world, and when he calls us to be salt and light, he does so as the head of the Body, not as if he expects us to do it alone.

The end of the letter to the Ephesians is like the big speech the king gives as the army stands arrayed before him, to give them courage and hope as they make their stand. It even has a name, this part of a speech: the peroration, the bit at the end that is supposed to stir us to action.

In the classic allegory of the battle between good and evil, the Lord of the Rings series by JRR Tolkien, the day comes when the men who stand for justice and peace are lined up outside the gates of Mordor, the land of shadows and terror and despair. They are surrounded and outnumbered by all the monsters of greed and hatred and violence and fear. The king rides up and down the line and speaks to them as they try to hold the line to give Frodo a chance to accomplish the task of destroying death, and he says:

Hold your ground!
My brothers,
I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.
A day may come when the courage of men fails,
when we forsake our friends
and break all bonds of fellowship,
but it is not this day.
An hour of wolves and shattered shields,
when the age of men comes crashing down,
but it is not this day!
I bid you stand!

Here in this place and time, in the bonds of fellowship and friendship, we make our stand, with prayer and action that reveal God’s vision of the kingdom of justice, peace, truth, and grace.
Here in this place and time, we stand, children of light, the Body of Christ, clothed in truth, righteousness, peace, carrying God’s word dwelling in us richly, that we may be instruments of God’s kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.
Stand firm.

May it be so. Amen.

Hymn: Make Me An Instrument (Praise Band) (setting of the prayer of St Francis by Ken Stewart)

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
God of grace and glory, we give you thanks this day
for your presence surrounds us with hope and peace,
and with challenge too.
We are grateful for all the ways you reveal yourself to us,
through words from friends and strangers,
in stories and in silence,
around every table,
in the changing of seasons and the rhythms of life.
You, Lord, are in this place, and in every place,
calling your world to wholeness,
offering a more excellent way to live together and make your kingdom come.
You clothe us with your love, your compassion,
your justice, your righteousness, your peace.
Strengthen us as we try to stand firm in your way,
for the world is in need of your good news.
Here as the Body of Christ,
we call to mind those who are alone,
who feel isolated or abandoned or rejected,
with no place to go, no friends to laugh with or to break bread with.
May they know the companionship of your Spirit,
and may we have the courage to reach out even when we aren’t sure what to say.
Here as the Body of Christ,
we lift up those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit…
Those who are ill or in hospital,
recovering from surgery,
longing for comfort.
May they be filled with your healing Spirit,
strengthened and held in your hand.
Here as the Body of Christ,
we pray for those who live with violence and fear,
those who seek justice day after day,
those who wait for help and those who begin to lose hope.
We ask for peace and justice for those who suffer in the midst of war,
especially in Gaza, in Ukraine, in Yemen, in South Sudan.
And we remember the people struggling through natural disasters,
especially where fire rages in Canada and California,
where wind and water bring destruction in the Philippines, Taiwan, China, and Ethiopia.
May they experience hope and peace,
and may we be strengthened to stand up for them,
speaking out and giving of ourselves until all know the fullness of life.
As the world turns its eyes to the Olympics,
we pray for athletes and coaches and spectators to be safe and healthy,
to know the joy of sport and camaraderie,
and to celebrate their achievements together.
And we pray too that our eyes may be open to all,
not only the spectacular but also the mundane,
not only the feats of glory in Paris
but also the reality playing out in other parts of the world
that so rarely get seen on the world stage.
And, O God, we ask your blessing on the Exploratorium,
gathering children and leaders and families together around your table.
May all who come through the doors of St John’s this week
find themselves fed by your grace,
welcomed by your love, and surrounded by your light.
May the leaders have the energy to serve,
may the children have hearts open to learn,
and together may we become your family,
sharing the hope of your kingdom.
Re-member us, O God,
gathering us from all our individual lives
into your one spirit, one body, one church.
Arm us with your righteousness, your truth,
with faith and the gospel of peace
so that we can move forward with courage to change what we can,
to defend the defenceless, to empower the powerless,
to heal the sick, the sad, the grieving.
Surround us with your presence and lead us in your way,
for we pray in the name of 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.

Sanctuary Hymn: Together We Serve (words & tune by Dan Damon, tune: San Anselmo)

Benediction
Body of Christ, put on your uniform of love, truth, righteousness, and peace, and stand firm. Live in the Light, and see what God will do.
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

* The summer Exploratorium begins tomorrow morning. We have 38 children registered and we hope you will be praying for them and for the leaders throughout the week.

*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 TONIGHT and 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!

* 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….our next meeting is likely to be this Wednesday 31 July, but check with Teri about possible dates!

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

Sunday service for 14 July 2024

Sunday 14 July 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

Call to Worship
1: Believing God made and loves the world, we gather.
2: Following Jesus who surprised the world with grace, we gather.
3: Trusting that the Holy Spirit has planted gifts within each of us to serve God’s world, we gather.
All: Let us worship God, who is Love, together.

*Sanctuary Hymn 481: Jesus is the Name We Honour (praise band)

Prayer
Loving God, you made us in your image
and you planted your word within us,
you pour yourself out for us and give us all we need.
You reveal your will for the world
stretching out your arms to gather us in
breathing life into all creation
calling again and again and again.
We give you thanks for the boundless riches of your grace,
continually making all things new,
shining light that the shadows can never overcome.
We confess that we have obscured your image and distorted your word,
making it hard to see you in us,
and we confess that we have not looked closely enough to see you in one another.
We have chosen to see only what we want to see,
or what we have always known,
rather than what you are showing us now.
We find it difficult to accept that you love without limits,
that you love even us,
and more to the point,
that you love even those we find unworthy or beyond what’s reasonable.
We admit that we have sometimes looked at other people
and refused to see them as someone you love.
We admit that we have sometimes looked at other parts of creation
and refused to see them as your delight.
We admit that we have sometimes looked at ourselves
and refused to see what you see.
Forgive us, Lord.
Forgive us for putting up boundaries as fast as you tear them down.
Forgive us for hardened hearts and closed minds.
Forgive us and help us to live as you created us to live,
rooted and grounded in your love,
built on your firm foundation so that we can share your grace,
always only for your glory.
We call on your Holy Spirit to pray in our weakness,
trusting that you will strengthen us to serve you with joy,
in Christ’s name. Amen.

Online Hymn 481: Jesus is the Name We Honour

Sanctuary Children’s Time

Introducing Tamsin
I am Tamsin Munro. I am just entering my third year as a candidate for full-time ministry of word and sacrament and my third year of university. This will be my third of four placements. My previous placements have been in a priority area and with the Navy. I also have former church experience as a youth worker in a rural parish. But I ask you to still go easy on me and be gentle as I am still a student and learning… Learning an awful lot.

Now, I will never take criticism. However, I will always take feedback. I am happy to hear what you think is good or not so good and even if you would prefer I pray in a different way, or speak a little slower. I can’t guarantee I will action all feedback as some aspects of how I am in ministry is just because it’s a part of who God has made me to be. Although I always appreciate the feedback as it is so important to helping me grow in my understanding of what people value in their minster.
As a slightly younger member of the church, I understand the extra struggles people may face. As a female I have experienced discrimination and one of the things that God has placed on my heart is working to ensure that those who have traditionally been marginalised by the church are made aware of their value, worth and how loved they are by God.

One of the ways in which I have been trying to contribute to not only a more inclusive church but a church that actively seeks to repair the damage experienced by many known as church trauma is through my work within the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group.

This is all very well and good, but ultimately, I am here to contribute to the ministry of your church. So, what am I bringing to the table?

As a former youth worker, I am very much looking forward to the holiday club and have a catalogue of games to help keep the young people entertained and active.

As a woman in a same-sex marriage, I have first-hand experience of juggling the issues placed upon those who identify as LGBT within the church. I may not have wanted this to become a niche that I find myself in, but due to lived experience, it is an area that I have become focused on. From supporting those throughout coming out, to helping grandparents understand what this means for their grandchildren and having open conversations with some who are strictly opposed to my identity.

I also have a strange hidden talent for resource finding. If there is anything you are struggling with that Teri or I can’t help you with, I will very likely be able to find the right people and help you get in contact.
One of those most endearing factors about myself is my dog. So, if you happen to be having a bad day and cats aren’t your thing, just ask about my dog and I will happily start showing photos of my fluffy princess Paige.

You will have plenty of opportunities to get to know me more over the coming weeks as I will be around full-time. I am so looking forward to getting to know you all better very soon.

*Sanctuary Hymn: Goodness of God (praise band) 

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3.5-19
In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

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: Comprehend
Sometimes it can feel like reading letters like this is really difficult. Not only because we so rarely write letters anymore, but also because even when we did write letters they were mostly newsy, right? We wrote to each other about what was going on in our lives, what we thought about things that happened in the world, and sometimes even sharing our feelings in ways that led to romantic relationships down the road. The letters written to the early church don’t feel much like that, and especially Ephesians, since it is not written for a particular circumstance but rather as an encouragement to a church that has been doing well and just needs a boost to support them through upcoming challenges. It’s not so personal, and doesn’t talk about specific issues or situations or people, it’s a reminder of what God has done in creating them as the Body of Christ, and what to focus on if they want to faithfully live up to what God made them for.

But in another way it is actually kind of about what’s going on in life. At the start of today’s chapter we got this bit of news: something that our ancestors didn’t know about has now been made clear. All those who came before us and worked so hard to build up their families and communities did so without a pretty major piece of information. And isn’t that how life really is? Every generation does the best we can with what we have…and when we have more, whether that’s more knowledge or more resources, we shift and do something differently. We learn something new that our grandparents never got to know and it changes us. The first thing that I think of when I think of that is actually about vegetables! Previous generations had pretty limited options of vegetables, and they mostly boiled them down to almost mushy. I know that was true even just 40 years ago when I was a child! But we have learned a lot that our forebears didn’t know about…like the wonders of roasted broccoli, or sautéed asparagus, or glazed carrots, not to mention the things we have access to now that they couldn’t have dreamed of. So silly but still true: in previous generations, they didn’t know how delicious and more nutritious their veggies could be. But somewhere along the way, new information was learned and passed to the next generation and now look where we are! Imagine what might be possible even just a couple more generations into the future!

The mystery that has finally been revealed, according to this letter to the Ephesians, is that Gentiles are actually members of the same Body of Christ, heirs of God’s promise along with the Jews. No one knew before, but now we do know: we’re actually all one family. Indeed the writer says farther down in today’s reading that every family on earth takes their name from the same one God.

At the time this letter was written, the idea that all humanity was actually one family, not subdivided by tribe or religion, was preposterous. Of course the chosen people and the gentiles are different and don’t belong together. There’s a reason it’s called a mystery — the truth was shrouded, not visible to the human eye. But to God’s eye it was clear, and God chose to reveal it to us.

And then throughout history we have chosen not to see. How often have we humans continued to believe that we don’t belong together, that we aren’t responsible for one another, that some people are unworthy and on the outside while the rest of us are welcome and loved? We’ve declined the opportunity to enter real reality, and chosen instead to cling to the shroud that keeps the truth hidden. Even though in Ephesians it says the mystery is revealed: that in Christ, all of us are members of the same Body, regardless of where we’ve come from before.

No wonder then that the prayer the Body of Christ needs to really receive this news is “to be strengthened in your inner being, that Christ may dwell in your hearts, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.” It takes some fortitude to be willing to lay aside the ways our forebears have seen and understood the world, and take on a new set of lenses, and make adjustments to the way we think and act. Tradition can be a powerful thing, but hopefully God’s truth inviting us to enter a bigger picture is even more powerful.

Then comes the last verse of today’s reading, a sentence that I think is one of the most confusing prayers in all the Bible…at least in English. “I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

How on earth are we supposed to comprehend something that surpasses knowledge?

Something about this phrase, though, sort of tickled my memory…and I realised it’s the word COMPREHEND.

If anyone was at the Longest Night service last Christmas, you might remember that we talked a lot about that word, because in John’s gospel, chapter 1, in the older translations, it says “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.”

And that word, comprehend, is not in fact a knowledge word, despite how we use it in English today. The Greek word used there means something like “claimed for myself” — often in a sort of forceful way. Took it and made it my own. So the light shines in the darkness and the darkness could not make the light its own.

And here in this prayer for the church, we have: I pray that you may have the power to take possession of this and make it your own: the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.

Imagine if we took possession of that truth and made it our own. Not so that we can enforce the boundaries we think God’s love should have — which is a temptation the Church has fallen to far more often than we should, especially given how many times this letter has used words like “boundless” and “immeasurable”!
Rather the letter gives us the reason for us to making this truth our own: so that we can be filled with all the fullness of God — other possible translations for that word “filled” is “flooded” or “completed” — so not just filled like how we might fill a glass of water, but actually all the way full to overflowing…with the full breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love.

Previous generations didn’t know…it was a mystery, just what is the height and breadth and length and depth of God’s love. But now it has been revealed: in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus we see there is no height or depth God will not go, no length beyond God’s reach. In the immeasurable grace of God, it turns out there’s just one human family, not some in and some out. Our predecessors did the best they could with what they knew, and God has revealed more and more boundless love to the next generation of the Body of Christ so that we too can do the best we can to comprehend: to seriously and purposefully claim and take hold of this truth, this love that stretches beyond every boundary we can imagine, and make it our own — so that there is no other way to live. No other way but to reach out, to go out, to share, to let love overflow outside of our own hearts, our own building, our own group, because it’s who we, the Body of Christ, are made to be. Let’s take hold of the truth and live it as our own.

May it be so. Amen.

Online Hymn 622: We Sing A Love

*Sanctuary Hymn 722: Spirit of God, Come Dwell Within Me

Sanctuary Offering : choir to sing

*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: Tamsin
Almighty God, parent of all,
See our hearts and know our gratitude,
Gratitude for your glory and sacrifice,
For all our sake,

We thank you that no matter our struggles you are near,
Remind us today when we feel alone in challenging times,
That you are near and you love us,

When we feel weak,
remind us that we can lean on your strength.

As we ground ourselves in your love,
Help us to share that love with others who need to know their value.
May we bring you those in prayer who can’t pray with us today,
Because of business,
Because of insecurity,
Or because of stress.

God be with those in our hearts, near and far,
Both on earth and in heaven,
Release us into peace with you,
Reduce the suffering of our family,
Biologically, adopted, chosen and through your family of all people created.

For those under stress that we cannot understand,
Provide them rest,
Provide them strength,
Provide them resilience,
Feed those who hunger,
With food,
With love,
And with faith.

Move the clouds that surround our community,
The ones that overshadow joy,
The clouds that hinder growth.
But where possible God,
We ask that these clouds rain down your blessings,
Especially to those most in need.

God, we ask you turn your hand to the newly established government.
Let your will be known and followed as they bed into the new ways of working,
Assist those grieving for their loss to accept those newly elected,
And God let us see more positive changes for all people across our nation.

Whilst we ask for your strength God,
We pray for strength for your church,
May we see our siblings in Christ freed to worship you in all ways,
May we see your church grow in confidence to challenge injustice, just as Jesus would.
May we know our siblings in Christ who are struggling in faith can re-root themselves in your love,
God, we pray that all people of your church may be filled with your fullness,
We pray this for others as it has been prayed for us in Ephesians.

And on this 14th day of the month, we join our hearts as your church family to pray: For all who live and work in the Cardwell Bay and upper Cardwell Bay areas.
We pray for the youth organisations of St. Johns; 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.

For the land, people, and governments of the nations of Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Comoros.

We lean our personal prayers of gratitude and concern on you, Our strength and sustainer. And we take time in the silence to remember those on our hearts today God

We pray according to the riches of Jesus’ glory, may you grant us strength and power through the Holy Spirit and that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, keeping us rooted and grounded in love. We ask to deeper understand the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we may be filled with all the fullness of God. We pray these and all things,  in the name of our Lord Jesus 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.

*Sanctuary Hymn 622: We Sing a Love

Benediction
Friends, today may you comprehend, may you take on and live out the truth of God’s immeasurable and boundless love in Christ. There is no height or depth or breadth or length that God will not go, and we are made in the image of God, made and called the Body of Christ, filled with all the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Go to comprehend and so to live. 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

* 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 TONIGHT, and 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 Washing Up Liquid, Kitchen Towel, Bathroom/Kitchen Cleaner and Shaving Foam.
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!

* Teri is off from 16-23 July. If you have a pastoral need, please contact Charlene or Cameron.

* Wednesday Evening Bible Study has a very sporadic summer schedule….our next meeting is likely to be Wednesday 31 July, but check with Teri about possible dates!

* 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.

****WE ARE IN NEED OF SOME ITEMS for the Exploratorium. If you have flat white bed sheets (the bigger the better) that you don’t need back, could you bring them to church please? Also the tube from inside toilet rolls, and large glass jars with openings big enough to get a hand inside — clean and labels removed, please!  We are also asking for donations of food for lunches and snacks: pick up a post-it note or two of items and bring them back to church by Sunday the 28th, if you’re able! Thank you!

Sunday service for 7 July 2024

Sunday 7 July 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

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship
One: Come, Body of Christ, gather in spirit and truth.
All: From everywhere God has placed us,
with everything God has given us,
as the people God made us—
we come.
One: Come, receive again the gift of grace!
All: Not for owning, not for boasting,
but for celebrating—
we come.
One: Come, discover again the way that leads to life!
All: Remembering who we are,
seeking who we are yet to be—
we come.

Sanctuary Hymn GWA198: Let’s Walk Together

Prayer
Creator God, by your power we are fearfully and wonderfully made.
We come before you as your people,
seeking your face, seeking your abundant life, seeking your purpose,
offering you our praise and worship and prayer.
Lord Jesus Christ, by your grace we are loved beyond measure.
In love you gave yourself,
in love you gather us,
in love you save us.
Not by our own doing, but by your gracious gift,
and we thank you with all our hearts.
Holy Spirit, by your breath we are filled with life,
by your whisper we are called—
called to love you, Triune God, with every particle of our being,
and to love our neighbour as you have first loved us.
We confess that it is easier to hold a bit of ourselves back—
just a wee corner of our heart, for nursing grudges and hiding brokenness;
a dark corner of our mind, for the things we’d never get away with saying out loud;
a bit of our soul just in case, to hedge our bets;
a bit of strength in reserve so we can rely on ourselves if we need to.
But you call us to love as we have been loved,
to empty ourselves, break down walls,
and allow your love to live through us.
You have promised that nothing can come between us and your love.
Nothing: not our hesitation or doubt,
not our failure or our hiding.
Forgive our holding back, our holding on, our fractured selves.
Make us whole again, O God.
Heal us in ourselves, and in our community,
that we may be found wholly in you,
loving and forgiving, making peace and giving grace,
standing firm on the foundation of your Living Word, Jesus the Christ,
who calls us his Body.
It is in his name, and the promised power of your Holy Spirit, that we pray.
Amen.

Online Hymn GWA198: Let’s Walk Together

Sanctuary Children’s Time

Sanctuary Hymn GWA82: Here and Now We’re Bound Together (words: Ally Barrett b.1975; tune: Hyfrydol)

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2.1-22 (New Revised Standard Version)
You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by those who are called ‘the circumcision’—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.

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: but now
Have you ever paused to think about the turning point moments in your life, or in the life of our community? Like the moments when there’s a clear before and after. Sometimes they aren’t obvious until later, when we look back and say “that was the moment everything changed” and other times we know even as it’s happening that it’s a defining moment. What moments like that come to mind when you look at your own life? Are there any moments in our church or community that strike you as marking a clear before-and-after?

For me I had a clear before-I-was-a-Christian and after, though the moment was perhaps three years long from the time my mind and heart were changed until my life was. More obvious, perhaps, is how I feel like my life has a clear demarcation: before my mother died and after, and also before I moved to Scotland and after. Many of us still talk about before, during, or after covid — though the after isn’t clear yet. Maybe you have similar obvious moments…or maybe more subtle ones, like before and after learning a new skill that now you use all the time. Even children have these: for instance, before they learn to read, and after. Or even earlier, before and after they learn to walk. Perhaps there’s even something like before and after you read a particular book, or had a particular experience that now you can never un-see or un-know.

When those moments happen, they change the way we see the world, and often that changes the way we respond to life. This is a silly example, but it was only maybe two months ago that I learned how car number plates work, with the car’s year being part of the number. And now it’s like I’ve learned to crack a code and I cannot stop my brain from obsessively working out the model year of every single parked car I walk past. That is irrelevant information for my life, of course, and realistically kind of a waste of mental energy, but now that I know it, I can never un-know it. Before, I used to just be oblivious to cars and number plates because it was all meaningless to me. Now I’m still fairly oblivious to just about everything else about cars, but the number plate has meaning it didn’t have before, and I can’t help but read that meaning.

Chapter 2 of the letter to the Ephesians has a lot of this before-and-after in it.
Before, we were dead, caught in the ways of empire and broken systems that harm everyone in them. But God made us alive in Christ.
Before, we were not a part of God’s chosen people, excluded by those who thought that they had a monopoly on relationship with God. But in Christ we have been brought near. In Christ, the dividing walls have been broken down. In Christ there is one humanity, not an in and out, chosen and not chosen. In Christ, we all have access to God.
Before, we were strangers and aliens, but now we are members of God’s household.

The moment when before turned to after was this: by grace you have been saved. God gave a gift, and it changed everything.

There is a clear before-and-after in this letter, a reminder that the way things used to be is not how things are anymore. We have been changed. Our situation has been changed. The world has been changed. And therefore, because we live in the “after,” we ought to see differently, behave differently, interact with the world differently. During the before, God was already preparing the way of life we were to have after: a life of good works that embody Christ in the world. It’s like knowing what car number plates mean: we see something that was previously a mystery, a code…but now we know, and we can never be the same. We can never just walk by oblivious. We can never un-know.

And perhaps more to the point: we can never go back. We have no choice but to go live the life God prepared for us.

The dividing wall of hostility between people has been torn down…and we cannot rebuild it.
The gap between us and relationship with God has been closed…and we cannot reopen it.
Strangers have become family…and we cannot be separated again.

The Jerusalem Temple had a series of courtyards to pass through on your way to the Holy of Holies…allowing progressively fewer people access to get closer to God. the first one as you came through the gate was the courtyard of gentiles. And the wall that divided it from the next area was sometimes called the wall of hostility — archaeologists have even found an inscription saying gentiles could go no further on pain of death. So those who were not members of God’s chosen people, bearing the physical human mark of circumcision, could go no further than the outermost courtyard. Access to God was carefully controlled, and only some people were allowed to get close, and ultimately only one priest was allowed into the holiest space of all.

We still have things like this, of course. Access to important people is often symbolised by an impressive building or a tall fence, and entry is carefully controlled. If you can get through the door, then there’s probably at least a receptionist, or a security guard, or an assistant, and a bunch of other rooms to get through before you finally get to see…the doctor, or the CEO, or the king or president or whoever. Or even just to see their office, or state dining room, or the artwork on the walls.

If the dividing wall has been torn down, so there’s no physical building keeping people at the outskirts of holiness, that means it’s only the household — both family members and staff — left to be gatekeepers. Or, as Ephesians invites us to think of it: as entry points.

Because Ephesians describes the church now — all these gentiles who have been brought near, the one humanity in Christ, citizens in God’s kingdom, when before they only ever got to be immigrants, second-class at best — all of us are the household of God. We could talk for a long time about that image, but Ephesians moves straight on from there to mixing up the metaphor with another, that we, the household of God, are the actual house itself! Built on the cornerstone of Christ and the legacy of the faithful who have gone before, we are the actual literal house of God. We, the Body of Christ, are God’s DWELLING PLACE.

The early church had no buildings, statues, inscriptions, or media, which meant no presence in the public sphere, and no physical place for people to go to access their God. Here the letter says that it isn’t through the building that people gain access, but rather through the community. We don’t go to the Temple, we ARE the Temple, we are how others can experience God’s presence.

Remember that in chapter one it was all about the Body of Christ being the presence of God’s kingdom on earth, having the same effect on the world as Jesus did when he was bodily present. Chapter two really digs its heels in on that: We, the Church, are the location of God’s presence, God’s dwelling place, God’s house. Not the impressive building that used to control who got close, but the community of God’s people.

That can also mean that we, the community of God’s people, can end up thinking we get to control who can meet God. There have certainly been times when the church has openly decided who can access God and who can’t. But there have also been times when we have said with our words that all are welcome, that God is love, that there is no separation…but then we haven’t been willing to make room for people to join the Body, so they end up pushed to the margins after all. We haven’t always been willing to give up anything to make room for someone new, or to do things in a different way that is more accessible or relevant or meaningful to different people who have found God among us. Instead we’ve said all are welcome but meant “as long as you change to be like us.”

Ultimately, that’s just another form of trying to go back to the before time — rebuilding the dividing wall that Christ himself tore down.

But there’s no going back. In Christ, God has done the work: bringing us near, making peace, and building us up on a firm foundation into the dwelling place for God. Whatever has happened before, the new truth is that by grace we have been saved, and that changes everything…it changes how we see, how we act, who we welcome, and how we love. And however tempting some aspects of “before” may be, in Christ we live in the after, in the “but now…” and there’s no going back. We can’t un-know the gift we’ve been given. And now we know, we do. Because even beforehand, God was preparing a way of life for us, creating us as the Body of Christ to do the good works that would help others to see the kingdom of God, just as Jesus did.

May it be so. Amen.

Hymn 739: The Church’s One Foundation

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.

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer (Charlene)

Loving God,
We praise you for the opportunity to worship you, for this time set aside week by week, and for this place of fellowship where we experience something of your love, and above all, we praise you for the assurance we have that, as we meet together you are here amongst us.
Teach us to bring our prayers to you, not just on a Sunday but every day, to speak freely, openly, and spontaneously to you of what is on our hearts, knowing that you delight to hear us, and certain that you will respond to our cry, and that, in your time, you will give us your answer.
Lord, we thank you for the privilege and power of prayer, but we admit that we do not always know what to ask for in our prayers for there is so much that we do not know or understand, yet we do know that you are active in our world, moving in human hearts to fulfil your purpose.
So, we come to you now and, in quiet faith, we place ourselves and our world into your hands.
We bring to you, the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak, the well fed and the hungry, the employed and the unemployed.
We pray for those suffering the consequences of war-
Those who’s way of life has been overturned, their livelihoods shattered, and their countries destroyed.
Loving God, we lift up to you all those for whom life is hard, who have difficulties to overcome and for whom day to day life is a struggle. We remember those who are grieving at this time. Surround those who mourn with your compassion, we pray, and fill their emptiness with cherished memories. In their darkest moments, grant them strength to face each day. May they feel you near at this difficult time and be comforted by your loving presence.
Loving God, we pray for those afflicted in body-
Those enduring physical pain, overwhelmed by disabling disease, those waiting for an operation or further treatment, and those living with the knowledge of a terminal illness and who are fearful of what the future may hold. Whether at home or in hospital, grant to them your calming presence. Help soothe their anxieties and replace their fears with your hope. Please bless the hands of the medical professionals and all those who work to bring help, wholeness, and healing to the sick and suffering.
Loving God, we remember the young people in our church and community, who are on their school holidays. Draw near to the young folk who struggle during these times. For those who miss a place of structure, routine, and a place of safety. With so much free time on their hands, may they when faced with peer pressure and awkward choices, choose Good over evil, right over wrong and love over hate.
Lord we pray for the churches and ministers of our town, who are striving to make known the love of Christ in our community. We pray especially for Teri, asking that you will grant to her vision and discernment, a living knowledge of your presence, and a daily sense of your unconditional love for her.
Gracious God, in these moments of quiet we offer up to you the people and situations which we carry on our own hearts. Knowing that you hear all our prayers spoken and unspoken.
Silence
And on the 7th day of the month, we join our hearts together as your church family to pray:
For the Church worldwide, that your people may be the Body of Christ in every place;
And especially for those places where Christians live in fear or under oppression or persecution.
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.
We pray for the land, people, and governments of the nations of Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Kosovo.
Lord God, teach us to open our hearts to one another, sharing our joys and sorrows, offering support and encouragement to any one in need, remembering each other in prayer, demonstrating compassion and belief that you, O God are the source of love and support for all. We ask these and all things in the name of the One who lives among us and taught us to pray together:

*Sanctuary Hymn GWA216: Build a Longer Table (words: David Bjorlin b.1984, tune: Noel Nouvelet)

Benediction
Friends, by grace we have been saved, and this gift leads us into new life. Turn away from the before, and look forward to live in the now and the future that God has prepared for us.
As you go to live as God’s dwelling place, the Body of Christ, 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.

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 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 Washing Up Liquid, Kitchen Towel, Bathroom/Kitchen Cleaner and Shaving Foam.
 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.

* Wednesday Evening Bible Study has a very sporadic summer schedule….our next meeting is likely to be Wednesday 31 July, but check with Teri about possible dates!

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

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

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:

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.

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.

* 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.

Sunday service for 28 July 2024

Sunday service for 14 July 2024

Sunday service for 7 July 2024

Sunday service for 30 June 2024

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