Sunday 9th August

Welcome & Introduction to Worship

Today’s worship has been put together by Linda.

Prayer of Confession

We come seeking God in mighty earthquakes.
We come listening for God in resounding thunder.
We come expecting God in sweeping victories. 
Yet God is found in a baby's touch. 
Yet God speaks in silence. 
Yet God is found in the least of these. 
Save us, O God, from our aimless wandering.
Save us, O God, from our idols.
Save us, O God, from our self-induced chaos. 
God in your mercy, 
Hear our prayer. 
Amen. 

Hear the good news of God's love for us;
not in the earthquake, not in the storms, not in the mighty deeds
but in the silence, in the gentle touch, in the quiet rain
God says, 
again, 
" You are my Beloved. I love you."

written by Katherine Hawker (1995)

Song of Worship

I simply come, 
bringing something that will bless your heart. 
It's all about you, it's all about you, Jesus.

Memory verse

This weeks memory verse is from Romans 8: 38-39. A spectacular verse of encouragement, victory and beautiful humility in praise of what God has done for us through Christ

For Children and Families

I wonder what was the most exciting thing you found out about Joseph last week? This weeks Summer superhero is Moses. Question for you… How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it ha ha ha

For those who like to take notes during the sermon

Bible Reading – Matthew 14:22-33

Read by Chris Clarke

Jesus Walks on Water

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

(If you would like it, the second reading for today is Romans 10:5-15)

Sermon

Delivered by Laurence

Song of Worship

The word ‘creed’ comes from the latin ‘credo’ meaning ‘I believe and trust’. Every day God calls us to ‘come’ to step out in faith with him.. to believe and trust. As we sing/say the creed we are joining with Christians all over the world proclaiming our common faith.

Prayers

Prepared by Virginia Patterson

Dear heavenly Father, we come to you today with hearts full of grief for all those many people who are suffering as a result of the huge explosion in Beirut this week. We feel helpless as we see pictures of the devastation and realise that so many people have lost their lives, their homes and their whole family. Only you can bring them the love and comfort and rescue that they need, so please Lord, send your servants in that city to bring relief and help to all who so desperately need it. We pray especially for children who have been left orphans and who may not know where to turn for help: give strength and wisdom to all who are trying to find those who need the greatest help. Comfort and relieve all those who are still unaware of the whereabouts of their families. Remembering all that this city has suffered from the recent war, we cry to you to redeem its people and give them fresh hope to rebuild and to face the future with new faith in you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dear Lord, we are so thrilled to be able to come into your presence, whether in our homes or once again in our church building. Thankyou so much for protecting us all over the past months and for caring for us even though some have been ill. We thank you again for all our NHS staff who have worked with such dedication and care to keep us all in good health. We thank you for all who have recovered from the Corona virus and we give you special thanks for those of our church family who have worked so hard, for Sukha, Diba and Rebecca (the doctors) and for all who are nurses or health assistants: may they know how much we appreciate them.As we think of our own country and our own NHS, we bring to you all the other places where Covid 19 is rampant, and we ask that your Spirit may be working powerfully to save people. We think especially of those we support who are working where the Virus may be stronger than here: for Lamb Hospital in Bangladesh, for the Ray family in Tanzania, for Kimbilio and the street children in DR Congo and for the Fletcher family in Bangkok. All these people are living where the population is high and some in those areas may not be aware how deadly the virus can be. Please, Lord, we pray for your protection and care of those who are working as messengers for you in difficult countries. Please especially bless their message and give them ability to share it with many, just as we read today in Romans.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Now spend a few moments thinking and praying for those you specially care about.

Heavenly Father, across our nation and the world many of our church buildings remain shut and in many others we can’t worship as we long to do. We’re scattered and we lament that, especially as we are still divided in many ways. But we proclaim that your Church has not been closed. It is open and living in each one of us by your Holy Spirit. We are your Church: enable us to be your hope on earth. You call all of us to serve you: empower us to be your messengers in these changing times. By your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ, help your Church to build your kingdom, not with walls but beyond them. Heavenly Father you are the all-knowing, all-powerful God; in our weakness strengthen us and empower us so that others may see how much they too are loved and may want to know you better.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

The Lord's Prayer
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 for ever.
Amen.

Song of Worship

In Old testament times God’s presence was in the ‘temple’, here the Psalmist refers to the tent where God dwelled on the wilderness journey. But Jesus changed that and we can experience God’s presence wherever we are. The psalmist longed to be in the presence of the living God … do we?

Blessing

God calls us to step out in faith, 
to follow where He leads
even if what he calls us to do seems impossible. 

So, let's go from here with courage,
trusting in God's presence and power,
and eager to do God's will. 

And may the blessing of God, 
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be among us and within us
wherever we find ourselves this week. 
Amen

Thank you for joining us for worship at home today! We look forward to welcoming you again. You can connect with us throughout the week on Facebook and Slack, and tickets are available to attend worship at St James’ Church next week here: www.stjameswoodley.eventbrite.co.uk