Sunday service for 12 March 2023, third Sunday in Lent

Sunday 12 March 2023, NL1-33, 3rd Sunday in Lent
Gourock St. John’s Church of Scotland
Service prepared by Rev. Teri Peterson
Manse: 632143 
Email: tpeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk

Prelude Music

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship
One: You are invited!
All: God, help us lay aside the things that prevent us from accepting your invitation.
One: You are not just welcomed, but wanted!
All: God, help us let go of our desire to control who else is here with us.
One: You are called!
All: God, help us to live each day according to your word,
so we’ll be dressed and ready when we hear you.
One: Come!
All: We come to worship, to prepare, to listen, and to respond.

Sanctuary Hymn 129: The Lord is King

Prayer
You fling wide the gates, O God,
for all is ready.
You have prepared a place for us,
and offered the best of yourself,
and removed all the barriers we thought were keeping us away.
You continually reach out to us, Holy God,
pouring yourself out to draw us into your love.
We confess that we sometimes think we have more important things to do,
and we bristle at your reminder of what our priorities are meant to be.
Forgive us when we are preoccupied with maintaining the status quo,
and we reject the new thing you are doing.
We confess that much of our energy is taken up with stuff —
material things, and the responsibilities that go with them —
and we don’t have time to turn aside to join you if we can’t see the return on investment.
Forgive us when we take you for granted,
assuming you’re doing nothing special enough to warrant disrupting our routines.
We confess that we’re happy to say “all are welcome”
as long as we get to qualify both the “all” and the “welcome.”
Forgive us when our community is so narrow
we can’t even recognise the box we have built for you and ourselves.
We want to be as ready as you are,
so clothe us this day in compassion and kindness,
in humility and righteousness,
and open our hearts as you have opened the doors to your kingdom,
that all may enter in.
Give us a glimpse of your kingdom feast,
and make us ready not only to respond, not only to come in,
but to participate in your vision.
We ask in the name of Christ,
through whom we are called as your beloved.
Amen.

Online Hymn 623: Here In this Place (Gather Us In)

Sanctuary Children’s Time

Reading: Matthew 22:1-14 (New Revised Standard Version)
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
 ‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’

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: The Worst Parable Ever

The last time this parable came up in the Narrative Lectionary, four years ago, I cleverly scheduled the annual meeting for during worship and we followed a different order of worship that day, so I didn’t need to read or preach from it. Four years before that, I put the title “The Worst Parable Ever” in the printed order of service, but I never wrote a sermon! I must have turned up at church on Sunday morning and either led a discussion or just talked extemporaneously…or else whatever I said was something I didn’t want to commit to paper! So this time around, I thought I would re-use the title but obviously have to write something that would hopefully be worth saying and that I’d be willing to have out on the internet for eternity…
But the temptation is strong to walk away from it again!

This is another parable where an allegory, where each part corresponds to something else, is tricky. It’s also a story that lays bare the ways in which our idea that the New Testament is somehow warm and fuzzy and gracious while the Old Testament is wrathful is both untrue and unhelpful, in addition to being anti-Jewish. If we think the king in the story is meant to be like God, then this is a God who sound an awful lot like many kings throughout history — petulant and short-tempered, returning evil for evil, a tyrant whose invitations are actually orders that you only disobey on pain of death. That’s not the God the rest of scripture talks about — the Old Testament is full of descriptions that say God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, alongside the places where people understood God to be commanding violence; and other parts of the New Testament, including other sections of Matthew’s gospel!, describe God as loving and full of grace, alongside stories like this one.

So what is Jesus trying to show us by telling us this story? A parable offers a whole field of meaning that revolves around a point without ever just stating it outright, so that we can enter into the story and find different things God wants to say to us at different times. So what is it that we’re meant to learn from this story, in this time in which we live?

The king is hosting a wedding banquet — the party that celebrates a new family forming, the start of something new. Presumably he invited the great and the good, the elites and the important people you would expect to be on any king’s guest list, and they treated this honour as just another ho-hum daily detail like anything else in their home or business, all the stuff of everyday life that they were so caught up in. They then took exception to being reminded of their duty to both respond to the king’s summons and to their duty to celebrate with a new family at a wedding, and responded with anger when they were held accountable for failing to uphold that obligation. The king responded to their anger with anger of his own, and it seemed the cycle could go on forever — as we know it does. We have seen how hitting back prolongs the fight.

Then something fascinating happened. The king sent for literally everyone else. All the people who would never have made the guest list because they weren’t rich or important or interesting, all the people who would normally have been beneath the king’s notice. Everyone is ushered into the banquet hall: good and bad, no distinctions made…just like in the story of the weeds and the wheat when the workers were meant to tend the whole field. The king erased the usual barriers that kept people out or apart, and gathered the whole big community into the feast to celebrate the beginning of this new chapter.

In Luke’s gospel, that’s where the parable ends. It’s a beautiful vision, of God gathering in the least and the last and the lonely, all of us who don’t seem to fit together, regardless of what sort of lives we’d led before or what sort of future might have been mapped out for us by the ways of the world and its restrictions based on skin colour or gender or disability or social class. Everyone is not just invited into the kingdom feast, but ushered in, gathered up from the back alleys and the doorways and the street corners and the random workplaces and the playgrounds and everywhere.

A big part of me wishes that Matthew also ended the story there! I love this vision and it is exactly what I want the kingdom of God to look like. It reminds me of Isaiah and so many other prophets who talk about the abundance of God’s goodness being given freely to everyone without background checks or bank details.

But Matthew keeps going. The king — not the servants, who did their job of bringing in everyone, the king himself — comes to mingle with the guests on this big day and he sees one person who stands out. One man. I think sometimes we overlook that it was one guy because the last line of the story makes it sound like only a handful of people will get to stay at the heavenly banquet, but actually it’s one person who gets singled out, because he isn’t wearing a wedding robe.

My first reaction, of course, is to wonder how on earth everyone else had on a wedding robe, if they were just gathered in from the middle of their daily tasks? How is it that there’s one guy who doesn’t have one?

There have been lots of people who have tried to make the story easier — similar to how they’ve tried to explain away the camel and the eye of the needle — by claiming that the king would have provided the robe at the door, and this guy refused it. But there’s no evidence of that being a common practice of the day, so there must be something else…

I’m reminded of a service I went to many years ago where we were all given a wee paper fish with some words on it. The phrases all came from scripture, mostly from Colossians or Galatians or Romans, and all began with the phrase “clothe yourself with…” — clothe yourself with compassion, clothe yourself with kindness, clothe yourself with humility, clothe yourself with patience, clothe yourself with gentleness, clothe yourself with righteousness, clothe yourself with Christ. My fish has been in my bedside Bible for more than 20 years now, as a reminder. Sometimes it falls out when I turn the pages, almost like those films where a ghost pulls a book off a shelf to try to give a clue: pay attention!

Sometimes we are so preoccupied with our own stuff that we forget to clothe ourselves with compassion for others. Sometimes we are so defensive about being held accountable for our actions that we forget to clothe ourselves with humility. Sometimes we have bought into the rhetoric about us-and-them so we shrug off the clothing of kindness so we can be more comfortable saying things we know we oughtn’t say about another child of God. Sometimes we like our priorities just as they are, thank you very much, so we can’t clothe ourselves with righteousness because we don’t want the shake-up that comes with prioritising loving God and loving our neighbour and loving our enemy. Sometimes the temptation to use what little power we have to put down other people is so great that the clothing of gentleness just doesn’t fit. Sometimes we are too caught up in ourselves to remember that we have been clothed with Christ.

And that could be the moment when God’s call comes to us. The moment when God breaks down the barriers that have kept us from full participation in the kingdom of heaven come on earth…and then the question will be: are we ready? Have we been getting dressed every day with compassion, kindness, righteousness? Or have we dressed ourselves in self-righteousness instead, or in power, or selfishness, or arrogance, or perhaps worst of all: apathy?

Every week when I’m praying through what to preach about, I ask God to show me two things in whatever scripture reading we have for the week: what is the good news in this text? And what is the challenge or call to us in this text? Especially in this worst parable ever?

I think the good news here is that God does break down those barriers and bring everyone into the kingdom, and there is abundance we can barely imagine when we join the feast of all God’s people, good and bad, great and small, expected and unexpected guests. And the challenge here is that we still have a part to play in being ready when the door opens and we see the kingdom finally made visible on earth as in heaven. Regardless of where we are or what we’re doing, we need to clothe ourselves with Christ, with righteousness, with compassion, with humility, with kindness…every day. If we don’t, we can guarantee we won’t see what God is revealing, because we’ll be caught in that outer darkness, the place of the never-ending cycle of anger and retribution and violence. If we do choose our clothes carefully, every single day, there’s a better chance of the world being transformed, person by person, day by day, into the abundant community grace of the feast of God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

May it be so. Amen.

Online Hymn: In the Light of Your Mercy (Resound)
Sanctuary Hymn 489: Come Down, O Love Divine

Offering (Sanctuary only)
The ministry we currently do here at St John’s costs over £10,000 per month, which is actually a bit more than our current income. But we believe God is calling us to serve this community, and we can only do that because of your generosity which helps God’s kingdom grow and flourish in this place. Your morning offering will now be received.

Sanctuary Offering Response 680 v. 4 (tune: Picardy)
May the One whose love is broader
than the measure of all space
give us words to sing the story,
move among us in this place.
Christ be known in all our living,
filling all with gifts of love.

Tell Me A Story of Hospitality (Rab & Eileen Gowans)

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
We give you thanks, O Lord our God,
for the many ways in which you bring together a community
to glorify your name and to work toward your purpose.
You invite, you make room, you gather us in,
even those who never expected to be allowed to join.
We ask your help this day for
those people who have believed they weren’t good enough to belong,
those who have been excluded or rejected,
those who have never experienced a joyful or generous welcome.
May they find themselves in a place made for them at your table.
We ask your help this day for
those who struggle to do what is right,
those who find the clothes of humility or graciousness uncomfortable,
those who have benefitted from the status quo
and so choose to avoid self-reflection or accountability.
May they be encouraged and strengthened to be doers of your word, not only hearers.
We ask your help this day for
those who offer hospitality to others,
those who give of themselves,
those who create places and opportunities for community to be built.
May they be supported and empowered to be truly inclusive and welcoming.
We ask your help this day for
those who live in the midst of violence,
and those who are caught in cycles they see no escape from —
we pray you would break apart cycles of violence, of poverty, of isolation, of addiction,
and bring your people into the abundant life you have prepared.
We ask your help this day for your Church,
to put your word to us into action,
to clothe ourselves with compassion and kindness and righteousness,
to reflect your priorities of justice, grace and peace,
rather than our own fears or desire for comfort.
Fill your world with your grace and peace, O God.
We ask these and all things in the name of Jesus the Christ
who draws us all to himself,
and 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 521: Children of God (tune: Lord of the Years)

Benediction
Every day, put on your wedding robe: clothe yourselves in righteousness, always expecting to meet Jesus in the midst of your daily business.  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.

Sanctuary Postlude Music

Announcements

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

* The choir rehearses in the sanctuary immediately after the service, and finishes before 1pm. All who enjoy singing are welcome!

*We are looking for a new Property Convenor — the role mainly involves keeping track of contracts (ie utilities/works) and contacting and following up with contractors to get works done in accordance with the Kirk Session’s instructions, plans, and budget. The administrative/reporting duties have thus far been done entirely using Microsoft Word, so no particular technological skills required. If you might be interested in volunteering for this role, please speak to Cameron, Donald (the current convenor), or Teri to learn more. 

* Did you know that it costs us about £10,500 per month to do the ministry we currently do at St. John’s? That includes heating and lighting the building and keeping it in good repair for church and community groups, programming, events, and pastoral care for people of all ages, our contribution to minister’s stipends, and other ministry costs. The Kirk now has online giving! If you have not already 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 Peter Bennett, our treasurer, or Teri and she can give you his details. You can also send your envelopes to the church or the manse by post and we will ensure they are received. 

* 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 meets in the manse at 7:30pm. All are welcome as we continue reading through the Bible in somewhat more than a year!

* Young Adult Bible Study meets in the manse on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 7pm for a meal and discussion of the gospel according to John. Everyone in their 20s is welcome!

* Our Lent study is with all of Connect, meeting in the Lyle Kirk on Thursday evenings. We gather at 7pm for tea and coffee and then start at 7:30pm. We are studying “Another Story Must Begin” based on the musical Les Miserables. All are welcome, no experience necessary.

* The Stated Annual Meeting of the congregation will be held immediately after morning worship on Sunday, 19th March. The minute of last year’s meeting will be available next Sunday. You can download a copy of the Annual Report by clicking here.

* March 2023 marks the 125th anniversary of the 2nd Gourock Boys’ Brigade. Tickets are available now for two anniversary events: the Reunion Dinner Saturday 18th March 6.30 for 7pm in Masonic Hall John Street — this is now sold out but there is a waiting list so please contact Alan for more information. Our anniversary Grand Charity Ball will be Saturday 9th September 6.00 for 6.30pm in Greenock Town Hall. Tickets priced £50 or £500 for a table of 10 will be available soon. The benefitting Charities have been selected and will be announced shortly. We are delighted to announce that every penny raised from ticket sales and our charity auction on the evening will go directly to our chosen charities. This event is open to all so please spread the word, book your table, put the date in your diary and look forward to what we are sure will be a Second To None evening of enjoyment and celebration.

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

* Greenock Philharmonic Choir’s Spring Concert will be on Saturday 25th March in Lyle Kirk, Union Street, Greenock at 7-30pm.  They will perform ‘Elijah’ by Mendelssohn. The conductor is Andrew McTaggart, and the choir will be accompanied by the Glasgow Chamber Orchestra.        Soloists are Catriona Hewitson, Penelope Cousland, William Searle, and Ross Cumming. Tickets, priced £15, including refreshments, are available from Calum Harbison on 07847 250529,  or by emailing  info@greenockphilharmonic.co.uk.

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The Presbytery of Clyde will meet in Inchinnan  Parish Church, Old Greenock Rd, Inchinnan, Renfrew PA4 9PE  on Saturday 18th March  2022 at 10.a.m.

At a Special Meeting constituted for the purpose of finalising the Presbytery Mission Plan, Presbytery will discuss the draft Mission Plan proposals for the Cluster in which your congregation is located.

Your congregation sits within Cluster A. Your congregation is cited to attend in its interest and is entitled to respond to the report through the contribution of one person representing the congregation.

Indications of a desire to contribute to the debate should be made to the Presbytery Clerk, Rev Dr Peter McEnhill, by email at clyde@churchofscotland.org.uk prior to the meeting.

Please return a copy of this citation digitally signed indicating that it has been intimated to the congregation at public worship on Sunday 5^th and 12^th of March respectively. Alternatively table a signed hard copy to the table at the Presbytery meeting itself.

Rev Dr Peter McEnhill
Presbytery Clerk