Sunday service for 29 January 2023

Sunday 29 January 2023, NL1-24
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: In the kingdom of heaven,
All: there is plenty.
One: In the kingdom of heaven,
All: everyone and everything is in God’s care.
One: In the kingdom of heaven,
All: no one is out on their own.
One: The kingdom of heaven has come near,
All: and we come to re-orient our lives in it.

Hymn 716: Come and Find the Quiet Centre

Prayer Reflection
Today, O God.
Just today.
We come to this place carrying multitudes,
but we pray you would focus us just on today.
In our deep breath, help us slow down,
for we have been rushing about and borrowing worry.
…
Silence
…
In our exhale, help us let go,
for we have been holding more than we can carry.
…
Silence
…
In this pause, give us a glimpse of your more excellent way.
…
Silence
…

Provider God, you created a world with enough,
and some of us wanted more than enough.
We confess that we have no answer to “how much is enough”
because we are never quite secure, never quite satisfied.
We hold on to what we have, and we gather more —
more stuff, more accomplishments, more money,
more opportunities, more education,
more social media friends, more gadgets,
more more more.
We admit that the more we have, the more we want,
and we can’t seem to stop.
Forgive us.
Not so we can add forgiveness to our list of achievements or possessions,
but so we can experience freedom.
Set us free from always trying to get ahead:
ahead of others, ahead in the business, ahead of the bills, ahead of ourselves.
In that freedom may we learn to trust,
and so turn our eyes and hearts and hands first to your work,
to find your care is enough for us all.

Clear the chaos and clutter,
that in this space, you might move freely in us.
…
Silence
…
Quiet the plans and the lists and the what-ifs,
that we may know what it is to be satisfied,
even for a moment.
…
Silence
…
Amen.

This is love: that before we could do anything right, or anything wrong, God loved us and chose us as God’s own people. Without our effort, God loved us and saved us. And even now, God loves us enough to want more for us: not more stress or more expectations or more to-do lists, but more life, more grace, more truth, more depth, more wonder, more trust. In Christ, we are made new so that we can experience God’s abundance. Let this love and forgiveness bring you into new abundant life. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Sanctuary Special Music: Alleluia by S Albrecht (choir)

Reading: Matthew 6.24-34 (New Revised Standard Version)
‘No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?* And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

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.

Sanctuary Hymn 641: Seek Ye First

Sanctuary Reflection/Testimony: Charlene Mitchell

Online Sermon: Getting our priorities in order

Easy for Jesus to say, right? He knows what’s coming and has people around him ensuring that he and his disciples are provided for. Most of what we worry about is the unknown, and Jesus doesn’t have unknowns.

Of course lots of Jesus’ teachings would be easy for him and hard for us! So maybe we shouldn’t be surprised when he tells us to do something that feels frankly impossible. How are we supposed to simple not be concerned about taking care of ourselves or our futures?

As usual, I think the important bit is in the details — two, in particular, this time.

The first of those is the word “therefore.” As in “therefore, do not worry…” — therefore is a signal that we should look at what he said just before! And the sentence before “do not worry” is “you cannot serve God and wealth.” It is impossible to be fully committed to them both at the same time, and trying to multitask them doesn’t work very well… so we’ll have to choose which one will occupy our hearts, minds, and lives: God? Or the pursuit of money? And once we have made that choice, then Jesus says: therefore, do not worry. Of course that assumes we choose to serve God! Because if we choose to serve wealth, then all our lives will be about worry since it will be impossible to ever have enough, we’ll always think we need just a bit more to really feel secure.

The second detail I want us to notice is in the word that is here translated as “worry.”

The Greek word that’s used here literally means “to be pulled apart in two directions” or to be “distracted from your purpose.” Which is what worry feels like sometimes, isn’t it? To be distracted and pulled apart by conflicting feelings and desires and information. Or, given the previous sentence: to be pulled apart by wanting God’s way on the one hand, and wanting the security of wealth on the other hand. We may even think that we can focus better on God once we have our security taken care of…once we know we have enough for today and tomorrow and retirement and to pass on to our children, then we can put our energy and attention to God. But Jesus says that will pull us apart, tearing our lives into pieces we can commit to one thing or another, instead of being whole-heartedly invested in anything.

The struggle here is real and probably familiar to most of us — do we spend ourselves, our time and energy and resources, in acquiring things, making ourselves comfortable, projecting an image that makes us look good to others, cultivating networks and relationships that help us or our families get ahead in this world? Or do we spend ourselves, our time and energy and resources, in seeking God’s kingdom? After all, Jesus says that God knows we need those things — God knows we need food and shelter, God knows we need to feel we belong and fit in to a community, God knows we need a sense of security for the future. And Jesus promises that when we seek God’s kingdom first, and God’s righteousness — which remember is a relational word, righteousness is about having our relationships with God and each other and ourselves in the right order and right size priority — when we seek God first, we’ll find those other things happen as well.

This promise tells me two things.
First, that if seeking God’s kingdom means God will also provide those other things, then God’s kingdom must be a place where there is enough food and water and shelter and clothing, enough community and belonging and acceptance and inclusion for everyone. Because we aren’t supposed to be pulled off course trying to seek those things separately means they must be a core part of God’s kingdom…and that also means that when we work for everyone to experience belonging and love and having enough, in God’s name, we are part of making God’s kingdom visible here on earth.

Second, I think this is a clue that Jesus isn’t only, or maybe even mainly, speaking to individual people here. When he says “do not be pulled apart in these conflicting directions, trying to give half your attention to God and half to money and the security it can buy you,” I think he’s actually talking to the whole community.

Imagine Jesus saying to the church: do not worry about what you will eat or drink or wear. Do not be torn apart by some of you focusing on the building, and some of you focusing on the attendance and offering numbers, and some of you focusing on the security of having a minister. Especially do not be distracted by what other churches are doing or what they’ll think of what you’re doing. All of that is fleeting and ephemeral anyway, and it isn’t the point, and that will pull you off course. Do not be pulled apart, do not let your attention be divided. Seek first the kingdom of God, and God’s righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you as well.

Seek first, foremost, primarily, only: God’s kingdom. God already knows you need places and leaders and resources. But those things are all tools for kingdom work, and if you’re not doing kingdom work then you don’t need the tools.

Just to round out my sets, I think this all leads me to two conclusions.
First, that our usual meeting agendas and reports and concerns are backwards. We put a lot of time and effort into trying to figure out how to save our buildings and finances and leadership. And if we were to question that agenda, the answer would be “but we have a responsibility to manage our resources well.” Which is true…but also where do those resources come from? What is their purpose in our life? And to whom is our primary responsibility?

Second and related, that perhaps the reason we are where we are as a church, nationally and locally, is because we haven’t made a clear choice to seek God’s kingdom first. We have talked about trusting God but lived as if we have to trust ourselves. We have believed that if we prioritise our security, our tradition, the image of what a church should look like, the things we remember from the past, the ABCs — attendance, building, and cash — then we’ll be able to somehow force that empire worldview into serving God’s kingdom. In other words, our energy and attention has been divided, and we have been pulled off course. Jesus could not be more clear that it doesn’t work that way, it only works the other way round. We have to pursue God’s will and then — and only then — the tools we need to do the work will be provided. We have to trust that God will take care of his church, and follow God’s lead rather than trying to get God to follow our lead in taking care of our church.

And that, friends, is a day by day practice. Just as Jesus says that today’s trouble is enough for today — today’s disrupting of the world’s attempt to pull us off course is enough to deal with today. Pausing and taking a deep breath when we begin to fret, insisting our agendas turn round to focus on what God is doing and what God is inviting us to do, choosing to be together as a community rather than trying to go it alone, asking where we have seen God’s kingdom emerging and how we can help…we have to do it every day. Because tomorrow there will be more attempts to divide our attention and our community and our energy, more attempts to pull us down another path of comparison to other places or nostalgia for a bygone era, and we will need to take a breath and remember Jesus’ promise and re-focus again. And again. And again.

No one can serve two masters, or we’ll never ever be satisfied. Therefore: seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and the Spirit will provide all these other things that God knows you need, so that you, the Body of Christ, may live trusting his promise and doing his work.

May it be so. Amen.

Online Hymn : God of Justice

Sanctuary Hymn: Never Once (praise band)

Sanctuary: Offering
God pours out every good gift and promises that when we use those blessings to bless others, all we need will also be provided. Doing the ministry we already do here at St John’s costs over £10,000 per month, and our ability to continue to join in God’s mission here in this place is because of your trust in that promise. Our generosity is our response to what God has done for us, and we trust that God will use our offerings to reveal the kingdom of heaven here and now. Your morning offering will now be received.

Sanctuary Offering Response 808 (old hundredth)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures here below;
praise God, the Trinity of love,
before, beneath, around, above.
Amen

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
You, O God, are our creator and sustainer.
You continually offer yourself and your world,
and you call us into community that reflects your image.
In this world where the birds of the air are cared for,
we pray that our neighbours might also experience that care.
You have given enough that no one need go hungry,
and so we ask for the humility to take only what we need,
and the compassion to share what we have,
and the courage to demand equity even when it costs us.
May the day come when indeed no one is in want.
In this world where the flowers of the field are lovelier than the highest-fashion label,
we pray that we would recognise beauty in our neighbours.
You have made us in every shape and size and colour and accent,
and so we ask for the grace to accept one another, and ourselves,
and the desire for our community to reflect the diversity of your meadow,
and the peace that comes from truly knowing one another in all our glory and thorns.
May the day come when indeed we live together in unity and it is more beautiful than royal robes.
In this world where there is so much to worry about,
so much to prepare for, though we are never truly ready,
so much to keep up with,
we ask for the blessing of community committed to one another’s well-being,
for a sense of responsibility for others, not only ourselves,
and for a deep trust in your promise to provide.
May the day come when the kingdom of heaven is lived on earth.
We ask in the name of the One who calms the sea, and us, with a word, Jesus the 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: God Beyond Knowledge (words: Pat Bennett; tune: Slane)

Benediction
One day at a time, focus on Christ’s presence and promise. One day at a time, seek first God’s kingdom. One day at a time, the Spirit will give you all that you need. May you know and live the blessing, one day at a time.
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.

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 immediately after worship, in the sanctuary.

* 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 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. Remember: no one is coming to your door to collect your envelopes, so please be safe!

* 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 slightly 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!

* Bowl and Blether is here in St. John’s on Monday 6 February, from 11:30am, and in St Margaret’s on Saturday 11 February from 11:30.

* The Contact Group meets on 7 February and 21 February, at 2pm. On the 7th they’ll hear from Ros Gallacher about Ukrainians in Scotland, and on the 21st from Clare Cunning about Smalls for All.

* The chaplaincy team will be doing Firm Foundations workshops for Primary 7 pupils the week of 6 February. If anyone would like to be the hot-chocolate-maker-and-deliverer for Moorfoot on Tuesday 7 February, please let Teri know ASAP. All the supplies except milk will be delivered to you, and you make hot chocolate and then deliver the flasks to the school at 10:15am.

* The Kirk Session meets on Sunday 5 February at 10:15am to attest the records, and on Thursday 9 February at 7:30pm for a regular meeting. 

* Smalls for All: During January and February the Contact Group is facilitating this year’s Smalls For All appeal, and everyone is invited to contribute packs of pants for ladies, girls and boys. There is a box for contributions at the Bath Street entrance to the church building. Thank you for your generosity.

* 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, tickets are £20 for a 3 course dinner menu and programme. Places are filling up fast so please get in touch to reserve your place as soon as possible. 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.