Sunday 24th May 2020
This short act of worship has been prepared for you to use whilst we are unable to use Methodist Church premises. If you are well enough why not spend a few moments with God, knowing that other people are sharing this act of worship with you.
Opening Prayer
Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds—his name is the Lord—be exultant before him. (Psalm 68)
As I come before you God help me to praise your name. Focus my mind on your presence with me and remind me that I am joined together with people around the world worshipping at home. May your name be glorified in our worship. Amen.
Hymn: Earth’s creator, everyday God
Singing The Faith 45
Sing, read or pray the words or listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1oNP4vaW_c
Earth's creator, everyday God,
Loving Maker, O Jesus,
you who shaped us, O Spirit,
recreate us, come, be with us.
In your presence, everyday God,
we are gathered, O Jesus,
you have called us, O Spirit,
to restore us, come, be with us.
Life of all lives, everyday God,
love of all loves, O Jesus,
hope of all hopes, O Spirit,
light of all lights, come, be with us.
In our resting, everyday God,
in our rising, O Jesus,
in our hoping, O Spirit,
in our waiting, come, be with us.
In our dreaming, everyday God,
in our daring, O Jesus,
in our searching, O Spirit,
in our sharing, come, be with us.
God of laughter, everyday God,
God of sorrow, O Jesus,
home and shelter, O Spirit,
strong and patient, come, be with us.
Way of freedom, everyday God,
star of morning, O Jesus,
timeless healer, O Spirit,
flame eternal, come, be with us.
Word of gladness, everyday God,
word of mercy, O Jesus,
word of friendship, O Spirit,
word of challenge, come, be with us.
Gentle father, everyday God,
faithful brother, O Jesus,
tender sister, O Spirit,
loving mother, come, be with us.
Our beginning, everyday God,
our unfolding, O Jesus,
our enduring, O Spirit,
journey's ending, come, be with us.
Alleluia, everyday God,
now and always, O Jesus,
alleluia, O Spirit,
through all ages, come, be with us.
Bernadette Farrell (b. 1957)
Let us pray together
Everyday God,
We praise you that you are with us in every part of our lives and you never stop loving us.
We praise you for the world you created and the beautiful things we see around us.
We praise you that you came to earth in Jesus to show us in person how much you care about us and the world we live in. As we remember your ascension we thank you that you did not leave us alone but sent your Sprit so that we can always know you are with us.
You invite us to join in your work of loving people and the planet and we pray that you show us how we can share in your mission of love. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
A Collect for Aldersgate Sunday
God of overwhelming grace,
you ignited the spark of your grace in John and Charles Wesley and a passion for holiness, justice and sharing your great love with others.
Warm our hearts that we may trust in you.
Renew our conviction and inspire us to embrace new opportunities even in difficulty.
Pour out your spirit on your people that we may be united in your love and ready to share hope with the world through Jesus who is one with you. Amen
Today’s Readings Acts 1: 6-14 John 17: 1-11
Time to Reflect
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven?”
They hadn’t really had a chance to think about it. Surely it’s the most human thing in the world to keep watching the space where someone was, to need to see to be able to believe and start to understand, to need some time to adjust to a huge change in the features of your everyday life?
There has started to be talk in the media about a “new normal”. Many of us had already started to experience the creeping realisation that things will not quickly or immediately go back to exactly how they were. Our lives are going to look different for a significant period of time, or for some of us forever if we too have lost people who made up the fabric of our lives.
Jesus’ disciples have a promise, of the Holy Spirit to help them, but they don’t know when. Like us they must adjust as best they can to the new circumstances of their lives.
I wonder what they understood of the ascension they had witnessed and the prayers they may have heard Jesus utter like the one we read in today’s Gospel.
In this Jesus asks that he be glorified, not for himself but for his followers. As Jesus ascends he brings all his human experience with him so that it is known within God. Remember that how ever you are feeling today God is with you.
Jesus asks that God will protect his followers so that they might be united, one as Jesus and the Father are one.
What might we learn about unity and fellowship from our experience of isolation? How might we draw closer to God and to other people as we emerge into a new normal?
Take a time to sit quietly
A time of prayer
God our protector,
We come before you in prayer for your world, your children and ourselves.
We pray for the world that you have made. We thank you for the renewal of creation springing up as human activity has been restricted. We pray that we will learn to value these gifts and to live more gently in the future.
We pray for the leaders of nations making impossible decisions on our behalf. We pray that they will speak and act with integrity and protect those who are most vulnerable.
We pray for our church communities. We bring you our sadness at not being able to meet together and we thank you for the people finding it easier to explore faith at this time. We pray that we will find new ways to reach out to the world.
We pray for the people we miss. Our friends and families and those we long to see face to face. We pray for safety and protection for our loved ones.
We pray for those who have lost someone they love and haven’t been able to say goodbye. We pray that they will know the comfort of your loving presence and that you will show us how to reach out in love and friendship.
We pray for ourselves in these difficult days shared by so many people but also lived in isolation. Help us to know your protecting love and to live in the power of your Spirit.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn: 332 Singing the Faith
Lord, I lift your name on high
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Q7S0Dedms
Lord I lift your name on high,
Lord, I love to sing your praises;
I’m so glad you’re in my life, I’m so glad you came to save us.
You came from heaven to earth to show the way,
From the earth to the cross my debt to pay,
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky:
Lord, I lift your name on high.
Rick Founds
A prayer of blessing
Holy God,
be with me as I leave this time of worship.
May I know your presence in my everyday and live your message of love and hope. Amen.