Liturgy of Love

A Communion Story Liturgy

When God looked at the world, God saw that the people were toiling; seeking; searching; they were lost and alone; they knew God, but they still strayed, they were caught up with life and living and distractions surrounded them.

So God saw this and chose to make things better for them

God sought to show them a new way, a better way, a gentler more compassionate way of living. How to do this?

How deep was God’s love?

How deep was the Father’s love?

He sent his Son – not as a conquering hero; not as mighty Warrior King – though he could have done. Instead he sent him into a peasant community; away from the hustle and bustle of the city, to grow and live and learn of humanity’s ways. And when the time was right – the Son moved!

He travelled the world, sharing stories of God’s love and compassion.

He worked wonders and left signs for those who sought to know God more.

He criticised those who abused the poor; manipulated God’s love; twisted God’s laws.

He found the lost and lonely; he spent time with the outcasts and sinners; he forgave sins, healed hurts, soothed troubled minds and showed them God’s love in action.

The people loved him!

The people were also scared of him…

The people also feared what he would do… for change is scary.

Eventually those who were fearful began to question – who is this man?

And they began to plot – they wanted to go back to the old ways; to using others, to choosing who was in and who was not… they wanted him gone.

And so, Jesus knew his time was ending; that enough of the people had heard of love and compassion, and that they would become stronger, that the stories would grow and take on their own mission – that, still there would be the scared and the fearful ones; the mean and the selfish ones, but there would also be the kind and compassionate ones.

And so, knowing that the time on earth was to end, Jesus found a way for those who loved him to remember him… he invited them to a feast! A party! A magnificent celebration of life and love.

As they enjoyed the feast he sat and looked at his friends. And he was filled with love and sadness, for he knew what would happen; he knew that ahead was a fearful hate filled night and a long, lingering death. Yet he also knew that it must be done. That one day the world would remember, would know of his story, his love, his love in action.

Catching their attention, he picked up a piece of bread.

Just ordinary bread – bread that had been used in the feast, bread that would from that day forward take on another more special role.

He showed them the bread – look, see – here is bread – here is my body –my body which will be torn apart; broken for you. My body, this bread – take and eat, and when you do, remember me.

And he shared it round the table, and they all took some, and passed it round, and shared the mystery – even though they were not sure why.

And then. When they had all had a piece of the bread; when they had all shared in the body, he lifted up a cup of wine. Just ordinary wine – fruit of the vine, worked and crushed to release precious juices…

He showed them the cup – look, see – here is wine – this wine is my blood – this wine poured into the cup, is my blood which will be poured out, spilled,  for the forgiveness of sin. For the renewing of love. For the people of God. Her – take, drink, share, and as you do remember me.

And he passed the cup, and they each sipped, each shared, one to the other, amazed and awed at such love – Oh Jesus! Such Love.

See

Here

This is your Saviour coming to you again this day; this act of love in bread and wine, torn and shed, broken and poured, for you, for love… take eat, drink. Believe.

Share the bread and the wine…

Communion Prayer

Holy God we are amazed at Such Love

Such amazing love

You sent your Son into the world; to show us the way, to bring us the Good News – God still loves us!

Even when we turn way; forget; deny; pretend we never knew.

Even then

Even now

God still loves us!

We have shared in this special meal; we have witnessed again God’s love; God’s hope; God’s blessing.

Holy God we thank you; help us to remember long after the meal is done

Help us to carry this remembrance out into our world and share the joy, the love the Good News with all those we meet

Today and always

Amen 

Sermon for 9 August - seeking wisdom

Sermon 9 August

Wisdom – ask and it will be given....

Proverbs 2:1-15; James 1:2-8

From the psalms, to the teacher in Ecclesiastes, to the Wisdom of Solomon.... and it all sounds so easy doesn’t it?

Ask for wisdom and it will be given

You will know what to do

Your insight and understanding will prevent you from doing the wrong thing...

And yet.

How many of have not put our foot in it?

Made an error of judgement

Spoken out of turn

Jumped to conclusions

Done the wrong thing...

We read these bold statements in scripture; assertions and assurances that tell us if we only believe enough; pray enough; follow enough then all will be well.

But life isn’t like that!

Life throws stuff at us before we are even aware

And we can pray and pray and pray that something will or will not happen, and find that our prayers were not answered.

Or at least, not answered the way we wanted.

Young people die too soon

Accidents happen

Illness and disease invade our loved ones

Jobs, and homes and dreams go...

Yet, the bible tells us in our readings today: “your understanding will protect you and prevent you from doing the wrong thing”... and “make sure your endurance carries you all the way without failing so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing”

GOSH!!

Well how does that work?

I must be not praying hard enough

Or maybe I am not wise enough?

Or maybe my faith isn’t strong enough – because I’ve been praying long and hard, and still some things do not go the way I hoped for... so how can this be?

And by the way!

 I do not consider it fortunate when life throws trials my way – I rail and protest.

 I do not need to have my faith tested any more thank you very much!

So,

 If that isn’t what real life is like; if that isn’t what being human is like – then how on earth can we work to reconcile scripture to real life?

Last week, Tom was talking about turning the other cheek – about how to respond when under attack... and he surmised that prayer is our first port of call in every circumstance – whether that is the Russians coming over the Carter Bar; or protesting about the injustice we see all around us.

How does the call to peace; to unity; to justice sit with the seeking of wisdom and knowledge?

How do all these things fit together?

Wisdom: Sophia – the Spirit of God herself – personified as Wisdom, running through the streets calling and advising; encouraging and warning; cajoling and persuading... wisdom alternates between exhortations, and dire warnings.

Do this and if you don’t beware!

Life goes on

The world is full of good folks and wicked folks

(as we explored a couple of weeks back in Ecclesiastes)

Those who see the world and seek hope and joy and love

And those who see the world and look only to better themselves, to look after their own needs; to use and abuse the poor and marginalised.

The collection of wise words that makes up the books of wisdom is if you like not so much a full instruction book as a guide or manual. It is a guide to help us live in the world, without always being of the world. It helps us see a way forward to respond to the ways of the world.

Modern Society sets great store by individualism – by looking after you and yours; by drawing lines and building up walls of protection.

Christian belief however sets a great store by community, looking after each other; caring for the little ones, the weak ones, those who cannot fight for themselves.

I do not know how many of you have picked up on the latest Calais migrant furore? Not this time about migrants trying to travel through the tunnel, but because the Christian programme, BBC Songs of Praise has been visiting the camp, and will broadcast a special programme from the tent church in the camp next Sunday – the 16^th August at 5.00 pm

It is a brave thing to do

The backlash has been swift and vocal

There are voices in support

And there are voices of dissent

But – where would Jesus be?

Jesus actively sought out the marginalised; the dispossessed the refugee; Christians, who truly follow his teaching, who truly seek his wisdom will  be right there, in the camps, offering food and warmth and support.

When we pray for refugees – in a makeshift camp in Calais; or in a rickety old boat on the Mediterranean we must (as suggested by James) believe that God will hear and answer; the world needs God’s Spirit of Wisdom like never before

We have so much:

We have jobs and support; a good health service and great education system

We are richly blessed, when others on the world do not even have access to basics like clean water.

I know it easy for us – we do not live on the south coast; we do not have immigrants on our doorsteps. But I like to think, to hope, that if we were called on, we would act generously, offer a warm welcome, to use God’s wisdom for the good of others, for the good of all

In seeking wisdom, the writer of Proverbs tells us – “you will succeed in learning about God” we are assured that those who treat others fairly will be protected.

What does God’s wisdom tell us to do about the refugees?

Listen to these words, written by Liz Crumlish minister of Castlehill Church in Ayr

Queued at ferry ports
Hanging around dock yards
In the cold light of day and under the cover of darkness
Gathered up like cattle
Escorted back to persecution and death
As you see these now familiar sights O God
What are your thoughts?
As you see small boats washed up without their many occupants
who now lie at the bottom of the ocean
What are your thoughts, O God?
As you see prosperous nations refusing to offer aid
or even temporary shelter or asylum
What are your thoughts O God?
And as you witness us redrawing boundaries
feeling our security threatened by the plight of others
Or, worse, turning to look the other way
What are your thoughts, O God?
Your son was often far from welcome
in our streets and towns
seen as a threat to security
a challenge to the authorities of the day.
What are your thoughts O God
as you see your children today
still closing ranks
still refusing to share
still condemning others to death.
God help us to see what you see
and to be convicted by your thoughts
until we open the borders of our hearts and our minds
to make room for all your people.

by Liz Crumlish in Sanctuary First

There are no easy answers; the wisdom of God calls us to act, to trust, to believe  - to make room in our hearts, in our prayers to include everyone – even, or especially,  those who challenge our sensibilities

Wisdom is running through the streets and calling to all who will listen

Beg for knowledge and insight

Listen for God!

Listen

And act

Amen

Sermon July 26:Try all the Things and ask the question– where do you place your trust?

Ecclesiastes 1: 1-18 & 12: 9-14 

There are phrase that are in common use that folks quote regularly that are sourced from the bible; and there are popular songs that use words based from scriptures...
And today we read from a book that is often used as a source.

The book of Ecclesiastes is one of the wisdom books: a collection that provides advice and reflection and philosophy... and it is from here that we get such phrases as

“cast your bread on the waters”
“nothing new under the sun”
“eat drink and be merry”
“what goes around comes around”
“a time for everything”

And of course – immortalised in song in the 1960s: For every season – Turn, turn, turn, the Pete Seger song written in 1952, and popularised by the Byrds in 1965, that is taken right from Ecclesiastes Chapter 3. And which, if you were asked to quote from Ecclesiastes is the one that is most likely to be identified: a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance, etc...

So, to today’s reading, for one of the other most easily identified phrases, is “vanity, vanity, all is vanity” which is the King James Version.
All is hevel to use the Hebrew word (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The refrain runs throughout the book (25 times in all).
Though traditionally translated “vanity”, the Hebrew word hevel is better translated “absurdity, meaninglessness, vapour.”

There is clearly much debate for the word hevel is translated differently in virtually every translation:
Meaningless; vanity; useless; smoke; nothing makes sense; futile; and pointless to name but a few!
I chose the NIV translation today because I feel that for us the word meaningless is the most clear. We know what it means. We can understand the phrase at least...
But.
And here’s the thing!
I have studied Ecclesiastes many times; and very often, especially if you use a study guide, the focus is on all the things the Teacher (King, Philosopher, ruler...) tried in his quest to gain some understanding of the ways of the world. He tries good and he tries evil – and finds that both ultimately are meaningless – a chasing after the wind (you’ll never catch it!)
He tries hard work and toil; and he tries laziness and pleasure – and finds they carry no satisfaction either. They are simply vanities; they are pointless occupations; they carry no deeper sense of meaning or importance when you break down what you are doing.
This may sound like a pretty dismal way of looking at life – at what we do. But when reading Ecclesiastes, and the musings of the Teacher, and all of his research, contemplating, reflecting really will be meaningless, unless, you do as we did today, and read to the very end of the book. For the conclusion is the most vital ingredient, it is the key to all that has gone before.

If you read the order of service you’ll see the title for today’s sermon is a question “Where do you put your trust?” the longer working title went like this:
Try all the Things and ask the question– where do you place your trust?

Because that is the whole of Ecclesiastes in a sentence: try it all if you must, but at the end of it all there really is only one question, one conclusion worth anything: where is your trust?
The answer comes in those final few verses:

"Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

When it all comes to the end; when we take the tally – however you want to phrase it, the end of all things comes down to one thing only: trust God (remember that phrase from our look at Psalm 27 last week?)
trust God, keep God’s commandments;
in the church Good News Bible the phrase “fear God”, is translated “have reverence for God”.
I like that – have reverence for God

Imagine what the world would be like if we all did that?
If we all gave God due reverence, and kept God’s commands; if we treated our brothers and sisters with respect and honour – that would be a world!!
Treating everyone – no matter their creed or race or colour or gender with honour and respect – that, that would be something!
That would be the world as God created it to be.

And that would be a wonder.
And we, God’s people – all God’s people
Would be blessed

Amen

The first of firsts....

Today would have been my dad's 83rd birthday.

So, today we reach the first in a year of firsts....

And because it's a first, and not long into this weird year, the calendar reminds me.

As if I needed reminding.

There it is.

In big bold letters

Dad 83 

July 22nd.

Today I am feeling, more keenly than ever, the distance between my home and the homes of my siblings.

Between where I live, and where the rest of my family live.

Thinking of you all

With love and tears

Rest in Peace Dad - Happy Birthday 

Sermon 19 July: To be a Pilgrim

Psalm 27

"From one ancestor God made all nations to inhabit the whole earth . . . so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for God and find God, though indeed God is not far from each one of us." ~ Acts 17:26-27

As many of you will remember, back in the spring – so long ago! I undertook some study leave: Two different courses in February and April. The first was all about transformation through conflict – a strange concept, but one which gave me some very helpful and interesting insights, and the second one was about being a pilgrim: a traveller moving from one place to another; either physically or spiritually. It was about travelling to the Holy Land – Palestine / Israel; but it was also about travelling within yourself to discover more about God: for we are all pilgrims, even though we will not all travel to the Holy Land. 

Some of the journeys we make are completely life-changing: as we make discoveries, or encounter new things, new people, new places, new situations our view of the world changes; our place in the world changes; and who we are changes as we encounter God in the most unexpected corners of life.

During the course, Ruth our speaker, told us about a journey she had made to Jerusalem and the holy places, with a group of total strangers. She quoted from the book she had written. She took us with her, not into Jerusalem and Bethlehem and Galilee, but rather into an encounter with God. And although we did not travel out of the conference room in Edinburgh – we felt that we had journeyed long and hard during those four days, Ruth used some interesting and often challenging quotes through the different sessions.

“A pilgrim is open to where the Spirit leads...even if that’s uncomfortable...”

The words of the Psalm remind us of this:

It describes times, places and situations which are frightening and difficult- but assures those who listen that in all these things – God is there.

And the psalmist responds, by praising God!

Thus when we too journey into the unknown we are reminded that:

“A pilgrim has the opportunity to brush against the presence of the Divine.”

Being in God’s presence – in the presence of the divine can happen in so many different ways: up on a mountaintop, down by the sea, in the beauty of a new born child, in the holiness of holding the hand of a beloved one who struggles.

And, for me in recent times, in the holy moments of grief and death.

In all of these different times and places, I am sure each of you has your own story to tell, your own experience of discovering God, when you least expected it, for,

“What you expect to happen on a spiritual journey will not happen.”

The psalmist concludes his journey into difficulty and out the other side with a pilgrim statement:

Trust in the Lord. Have faith and do not despair. Trust in the Lord.

So we too travel;

through sickness and health;

through success and failure;

through hard times and good, knowing that it may be hard or painful or confusing or distressing, but in it all, we are never alone.

For God travels the road with us, sending other pilgrim travellers to shine the light, and share the load

Press On, Claim your Prize! sermon for 5th July

Isaiah 40: 28-31
Philippians 3: 10-14

“Do you not know? Have you not heard?”
In our scriptures lie many truths; many visions and inspiring words, that can offer us wisdom, insight and hope.

Last week, those of you who were in the marquee may remember me talking about Paul’s letters, and his trait of using the phrase – “And finally...” which is not always a final statement, but more often than not does highlight a particular point or insight.
So it is also with Isaiah, who uses the phrase “Have you not heard?” on more than one occasion to remind people of God’s love, mercy and compassion.

Here we hear, following “have you not heard...” that God is tireless; that God can keep going whatever the circumstances, and, that those who call on God, may find that they too are tireless, they too can find strength they did not know they had.
For to put trust and hope in God, is to tap into extraordinary strength and power.
It is a great promise!
It is our great hope.

And then also back to Philippians, this week to an earlier chapter, still with the same message, the same sense of hope and assurance that comes from knowing Jesus in our lives.

Many years ago, when I was first interviewed when I applied to go into ministry, one of the questions I was asked was if you could preach on any verse in the bible, what would it be?
I hadn’t been forewarned of the question, so I came out with one of a number of verses I knew well – “I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus” – it is a verse that has given me much strength over the years; reminding me that it is God who calls; reminding me that the strength I have comes not from anything I can do, but from the one whom I serve – God: Father, Son and Spirit. And reminding me most of all, that ultimately the prize for faithful living is beyond all, it is out of this world. It is a heavenly prize.

And finally...
Have you not heard?
Do you not know?

God – our God can overcome all things – if we are able to accept it
We can do anything; achieve everything; through God’s strength and power.

For Isaiah, it was the hope of something away in the future – he was a prophet – God gave him a vision of things to come, of possibilities, and Isaiah was charged with turning that vision into words that would stand the test of time, and bring meaning to future generations.
Thus we have the image of the eagle, rising high above; the most majestic of birds, the very word conjures up power and might in our minds; all because of Isaiah’s vision all those thousands of years ago.
We do not think of the eagle as a fragile or weak animal; we think rather of a magnificent bird of prey; indefatigable, powerful with no equal amongst the other birds.

Both Isaiah and Paul were blessed with the gift of visioning and interpreting; a gift that came straight from God; a gift that enabled them to see the world through God’s eyes – even for a short time. And through that vision to inspire others; to lead, to guide, to chastise and admonish if necessary, but to move those who listened, those who read – those who still read from where they were, to where they could be.

That is exciting news!
Have you not heard?
God calls us!
Press on then... press on and win the prize that God calls you to.
For with God – everything is possible!

Tribute to Dad

He taught us well

Respect and humour

Love and curiosity

Equality, not that we knew what that was - just that everyone should do and learn the same. That we should all achieve our best, be our best, seek out the best.

He showed kindness and grace

He was sharp witted and quick tempered

Good with his hands, he crafted beds and boxes, shelves and cupboards

He restored bikes, and fixed our broken toys 

He taught us to swim in the sea, to love each other, to never take ourselves too seriously - laughter was never far away. 

Growing up, we would sit together at the table, us doing homework, dad working late into the night with work he'd brought home. 

Our holidays, our family meals were filled with laughter and noise and wit. 

He and mum have shown us life is all its wonder, their devotion to each other has been a shining example to us, his children, and to our children. 

His faith seemed unassailable. 

And he taught us of it, leaving each of us to find our own way into the world, our own ways of expressing life and eternity. 

In full health he was a towering strength for the family

He took such delight in his grandchildren, and was so proud of them. 

Always, he wanted to know what they'd done, where they were, what their plans were, his love was unstoppable. 

As his health began to fail,  he fought every step of the way. Determined that for as long as possible he would carry on as usual.

He achieved all he wanted to achieve. 

He showed us how to be. 

His grandson, George, who now lives in Canada, wrote of his granddad:

"Whether you knew it or not, you taught me the importance of being a gentleman. You were an amazing man, kind and patient. You will forever be in my heart, mind and spirit,

Rest in peace granddad"

J Bernard Marginson

22 July 1932 - 4 June 2015