Sunday service for 18 May 2025, fifth Sunday of Easter

Sunday 18 May 2025, Fifth Sunday of Easter
Gourock St. John’s Church of Scotland
Service prepared by Rev. Teri Peterson
Manse: 632143 
Email: TPeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk
Email Charlene, Parish Assistant: CMitchell (at) churchofscotland.org.uk

Prelude Music (praise band)

Welcome

We Gather As God’s Family (As the Bible is brought in, we stand and sing)
A family gathered in love,
striving for justice and joy,
blessing the broken-hearted,
and sharing the hope of God’s kingdom.

Call to Worship
One: The Risen Christ has made us his Body,
All: to love, serve, and care for each other.
One: The Risen Christ has made us his Body,
All: calling us in every language and from every background.
One: The Risen Christ has made us his Body,
All: giving us grace to live his way.
One: We join with God’s people in every time and place to seek the Spirit’s purpose.
All: Come, let us worship.

Sanctuary Hymn: Christ Was Raised (praise band)

Prayer
Gracious God, you have been with us in every time and place.
From age to age you travel beside us,
and we are grateful for your presence and providing.
You, Lord have gifted us with all we need to serve you and one another.
Forgive us when we try to keep the power contained,
holding too tightly and discouraging others you are calling.
You have set us in community and taught us to love.
Forgive us when we overlook those neighbours we think we have less in common with,
leaving them to fend for themselves.
You have given us the words to speak up about your life-giving power.
Forgive us when we withhold our testimony
and allow others to distort your story.
Revive us with your word today, O God,
and renew us not only in faith but also in vision and courage
to live as your Body in this place.
We pray in the name of Jesus the Christ,
trusting in the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Online Hymn: Christ Was Raised (Resound)

Sanctuary Children’s Time

Scripture Reading: Acts 6.8-7.2, 51-60
Last week we heard about the calling of the first deacons — seven men from among the Greek-speaking disciples who were gifted by the Holy Spirit and chosen by the community to join the leadership and ensure a wider diversity of perspectives and experiences so no one would be overlooked. Among those seven was Stephen, who was gifted for both word and service. We pick up his story this week in the next verse of the book of Acts, chapter 6, beginning at verse 8.

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.” And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Then the high priest asked him, “Are these things so?” And Stephen replied:
“Brothers and fathers, listen to me.
…and then he recounted the story of God leading Abraham to a new land and new life…the story of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph going down to Egypt and saving the people, Moses leading the people out of slavery, the whole nation wandering in the wilderness, and God going with them every step of the way. He told the story of settling in the land, and the first kings building themselves a palace and then building God a Temple, and the prophets speaking to the powerful people in every age.
We rejoin his speech to the priests and elders in chapter 7 verse 51:
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.”
When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him, and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.

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: things have already changed
I think this is one of the most challenging stories of the early church. It doesn’t often come up in the lectionary and in 19 years of ministry I’ve only preached on it one other time — four years ago, here!

One of the things I find so sad about this story is of course the loss of life, and the loss of a life that was described as full of grace and power, filled with the Holy Spirit — a gifted young leader in the church. But maybe even more than that, I cannot get over my sadness about the reason for his death.

The people who killed Stephen did so because they listened to testimony about the worst possible thing that someone could do. Did you catch it?
The worst thing his detractors could get people to say he did, the crime so great he deserved to die, was: “we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.”

They killed him over a church building and their traditions.

They killed him because he dared to say that God doesn’t live in this place made of stone and wood.
They killed him because he insisted that God was bigger than the way they’ve always done it.
That was the literal worst thing they could imagine to charge him with: changing the building and the tradition handed down a hundred generations ago.

I think part of the reason this makes me so sad is that I’m not entirely certain things have changed much in the past 2000 years. Sometimes I think those are still the worst things we can imagine accusing people of — saying that our building and our traditions are not all there is to God and faith.

When he was called before the council of priests and elders to defend himself against such a heinous accusation, Stephen spoke about the relationship between their common ancestors and God over a hundred generations, and pointed out that things had already changed. After all, during the time of Moses, God lived in a tent and traveled with the people in the wilderness. When David got everyone settled in peace in the land, God denied him his desire to build a permanent Temple. Eventually Solomon did build that Temple, and that was already a significant change from the way Moses did things! From a traveling God who lived close to the ground among the people, to a massive gold-plated temple with different sections for different people where God would live behind many thick stone walls…and then through the changes of the destruction of that Temple, the exile and discovery that God was with them even in a foreign land, then building a new smaller Temple…and on down to where they sat, in that second Temple, now surrounded and infused by trappings of the Roman Empire, discussing whether God could have taken on flesh in Jesus, whom thousands were now following as the Messiah.

Things had already changed. Stephen was simply inviting the people of God to catch up to what God was already doing. But the council leaders did not want to hear about how God might be doing things that were different from the way they’d always done it. And they especially did not want to hear that from an immigrant who didn’t even speak their native tongue. Stephen called them “stubborn” and said that they set themselves against the Holy Spirit — they insisted that God could not do a new thing, and even if God did, they weren’t having any part of it.

And they didn’t want to hear this truth about themselves, or about God. They covered their ears and shrieked when he described the beauty of God’s kingdom to them….and they picked up their stones and threw them until he was quiet.

I wonder whether we are willing to hear how God’s story sounds from someone else’s perspective?

I wonder whether we are willing to share the story of God from our own perspective, even if it isn’t exactly the same as those around us?

As the General Assembly begins, I wonder whether we are so tied to our traditions and our buildings that the worst thing we can imagine is that God might do something outside them. After nearly 500 years of the Reformed church in Scotland…200 of which we have considered “innovation” to be a bad thing avoided at all costs, which you have to admit is a little ironic in a church known primarily for protest and reform starting in the 1500s, claiming to be always reformed by God’s word. How can we be reformed by the word of God if we won’t admit that there is more to what God has said than what we understand?

Things have already changed. It’s mind-boggling that we look at the changes in the world in the past fifty years and think anything other than that God must be doing a new thing for a new world. It’s beyond me that we can see the decline of the church in our generation and think “what we really need is to dig in on doing things exactly the way we always have”…rather than, like Stephen, following the Holy Spirit in the way of Jesus, speaking to people and telling the story, even when it means something new and unknown.

So I think this story is difficult and sad. But there is good news hidden here: that God has no intention of being bound by our ways. Whether we are willing to hear it or not, God is moving beyond the structures and traditions of our churches, our culture, our language, our buildings. We are the ones meant to follow Jesus, not the other way around. And the Spirit is calling and gifting people — us, the Body of Christ — to follow where God is already moving and working. Stephen saw the truth: that Jesus was indeed God’s word made flesh, and his resurrection changed everything, including us…so that we can change the world.

The question is: what if the Spirit wants us to start changing the world by first changing the church?

What if the Spirit wants to start changing the church by first changing us?

Are we willing to let the Spirit work, to listen to how God speaks in different voices, to open ourselves to understanding our own story in a new way, to allow that maybe there’s more to following Jesus than our buildings and our favourite traditions? Or will we kill the messenger who alerts us to the fact that…things have already changed, even if we haven’t?

God has no intention of being bound by our ways. God’s ways are always higher than ours, God’s thoughts are always more expansive than ours, God’s love always reaches farther than ours…and the Holy Spirit will blow where she will. The invitation is open: to follow where God is already working even though we could never have imagined it ourselves, or to be the ones who pick up the stones.

May we choose wisely.
Amen.

Online Hymn 513: Courage, Brother, Do Not Stumble

Sanctuary Hymn: God of History — Recent, Ancient (text: Jane Parker Huber 1926-2008; tune: Hyfrydol)

Sanctuary Offering and Response (PRAISE BAND): Draw Near the Tomb v 3/choruses (Resound Worship)
Fall at his feet, pour out your love and praise,
and see the world through brand new eyes.
Hear Jesus say, “There’s no need to be afraid.”
As resurrection people, rise.

“He is not here. He is risen from the dead!
Come see the stone is rolled away.
He is alive, he is risen like he said.
Go tell the world it’s resurrection day.”

Jesus is here. He is risen from the dead,
and worthy of eternal praise.
He is alive, he is risen like he said.
Now every day is resurrection day.

Now every day is resurrection day.

Concerns of the Church

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
You create and re-create by your word, O God,
and we are so grateful for the power of your story
giving us strength to live faithfully in this world.
We give you thanks for writing your covenant on our hearts,
and giving us a role to play in your ongoing work.
We pray for ears to hear you speak,
and for lips ready to share your good news in ways others can receive.
And we pray for those who are not able to hear a different perspective,
as well as for those whose style of sharing makes it hard to listen.
May we hear one another well, and find new grace revealed through new voices.
We lift up to you today those whose gifts and voices have been overlooked,
silenced or left out, pushed to the edges and dismissed,
and those in our midst who have felt neglected and unheard.
We ask for your Spirit to keep moving,
to empower your people to serve your kingdom.
And we pray for our community to celebrate the gifts we never expected,
to recognise your presence in the lives of our neighbours,
and to grow as your Body.
We lift up to you today those who push the boundaries and boxes we have created,
those who have questions we have not asked before,
those who see you in a different way than we have thought.
We thank you for their courage to ask,
and we pray for our own courage to ask too,
trusting that you are not confined in any building or box or tomb or idea.
Ground us in your truth while keeping us open enough to the new thing you are doing.
We lift up today those around the world who are persecuted for their faith,
those who cannot legally gather for worship,
those who must not share your good news for fear of imprisonment,
those who are not allowed to serve in your name at the margins of society.
Strengthen their spirits and protect them from harm,
that they may live faithfully, witnessing to your grace and love in every place.
Today we pray especially for the General Assembly, meeting this week…for commissioners, for staff, for committees. Give them wisdom and patience, concise speeches and listening hearts. Give them wonder at your grace and courage to pursue your purpose in order that we may all be fruitful together. Fill the Assembly Hall with your tangible power that all may see and know your presence among your church. We pray that they may discern the movement of your Spirit, and lead this part of the Body of Christ in Scotland in the way you would have us go.

On the 18th day of the month we join our hearts as your St John’s family to pray
*For the Gourock Health Centre and for our local Dental surgeries — for doctors and dentists, nurses, pharmacists, specialists, and other staff. May they be calm and compassionate. May people treat them with kindness and respect. May they seek always to be agents of your healing grace. And may those who seek their care experience your help through their hands.
*For the Contact Group and other fellowship groups at St John’s, that they may learn and deepen friendships together in your presence.
*For the land, people, and governments of the nations of Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.

You are the God who brings life,
the One who changes the world with resurrection power,
Holy and Loving
and for the world.
Hear our prayers this day, and guide us into your glory,
in the name of the risen 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 513: Courage, Brother, Do Not Stumble

Sending
Go from this time of worship to love and serve the Lord who is always doing a new thing, even beyond our walls and our traditions.
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

*If you’d like to join one of our prayer groups, or ask them to pray for someone or something, please be in touch with the coordinators:  Sunday morning 10:10 in the vestry (Brian Ross), Intercessors who pray at home (Fiona Webster)

* 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 a break for Lent so that we can focus on the Monday evening book group (more info below). The Sunday evenings will re-launch after Easter.

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

* Starter Packs are in need of Bathroom/Kitchen Cleaner, Shampoo, Shaving Foam, Razors, Ladies Deodorant
.
The FoodBank are in need of toothpaste, diluting juice and tinned tomatoes.
You can bring donations to the church and place them into the boxes in the vestibule. Thank you!

* The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland began yesterday, Saturday the 17th of May. You can watch online at the Church of Scotland website to keep informed about all that the Church is doing!  Teri is a commissioner this year so will be away during this week (from the 18th after worship). If you need anything, please contact Charlene or Cameron. Teri will have access to email and text messages for urgent matters but responses may be delayed. 

* Bowl & Blether is on the first Monday of the month through the warmer months, our next one is Monday 2 June, doors open 11:30-1:30. If you’d like to volunteer please speak to Teri or Graham Bolster, and of course all are welcome for a bowl of soup and a toastie and some friendly chat!

* The Kirk Session will meet on Thursday 5 June at 7pm and the meeting will include discussion of the book “Finding Our Voice.” Elders should have a copy but there is one left in the church if anyone still needs to pick one up.

* A funeral service to celebrate the life of Mrs Rene Brown will be held at Greenock Crematorium tomorrow,  Monday 19 May at 1pm.

* 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 item in the budget.

* Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Youtube, and to sign up for our email newsletter! Midweek you can watch Wine and the Word on Youtube, pray with video devotions on Facebook, and consider a new angle on something with a devotional email. 

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