Worship

 

Opening Prayer

Loving God as we gather to worship draw us closer to you. Make us open to receive the message that you have for us. Amen.

Hymn: StF 666 Master speak thy servant heareth

Sing/ Read /pray /proclaim the words or listen to it here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raPJHiezEhw

Master, speak! Thy servant heareth,

waiting for thy gracious word,

longing for thy voice that cheereth;

Master, let it now be heard.

I am listening, Lord, for thee;

what hast thou to say to me?

 

Speak to me by name, O Master,

let me know it is to me;

speak, that I may follow faster,

with a step more firm and free,

where the Shepherd leads the flock

in the shadow of the rock.

 

Master, speak! Though least and lowest,

let me not unheard depart;

Master, speak! For O thou knowest

all the yearning of my heart,

knowest all its truest need;

speak, and make me blest indeed.

 

Master, speak:and make me ready,

when thy voice is truly heard,

with obedience glad and steady

still to follow every word.

I am listening, Lord, for thee;

Master, speak! O speak to me!

Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

 

Let us pray together

Loving God you are always with us.

We praise you for all that you have done for us and all that you do for us each and every day which isn’t always obvious to us but we continue to put our trust in you. We offer you our praise and our worship.

 

We are sorry for the times we have let you down. For the times that we have gone our own way instead of responding to your call. Help us to be the people that you have called us to be. We go forward knowing that you through Jesus tell us that we are forgiven.

 

Guide, strengthen and equip us for the tasks to which you have called us. Help us to continue to answer your call wherever it may lead us.  We ask these and all our prayers in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

Today’s Reading from the Old Testament Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13)

Today’s Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11

Time to Reflect

Each and every one of us is called by God. Sometimes he can call us to a specific individual task which can also be rather challenging. It can take us completely out of our comfort zone. One thing that we are all called to do however is to share the good news with all we meet. Although in the circumstances that we have found ourselves in these last two years it can be quite a challenge to do just that. But it is important that we do so. That we give people the hope and the light that they need right now. Hope and light they can find in Jesus.

Our reading from Luke today talks about the calling of the first disciples. They had no idea what would happen when they were first called by Jesus but they took a risk, a chance. They left everything else behind to follow him. They weren’t the people that you would have expected Jesus to pick to follow him and to help him in his mission. But they were the people that would change the world. Jesus equipped them to carry out the tasks that he had called them to just as he equips us all to enable us to do the same. You may be thinking what can I do? He won’t call me. I can’t do this or I can’t do that. But actually you are wrong. For he calls and equips every one of us because he knows what we can and can’t do and enables us to fulfil his calling on our lives. We just need to listen and to trust. Then to go out and do what he asks us to do knowing that he goes with us and will never leave us. I am a Brownie leader and whenever one of the girls says to me I can’t do this my reply to them is something along the lines of “can’t” is not a word in the Brownie Guide dictionary. Yes you can do it. So just as you may think I can’t do what God is asking me to do actually you can because he will equip and support you so that you can carry it out. For nothing is impossible with God.

So what is God calling you to do? Have you answered that call? If not then why not? Trust in him, continue to follow him and answer his call knowing that he is with you every step of the way. God calls each and every one of us to change the World in some way. So let us do just that. Let’s change the world together bringing hope and light to all we meet.

Take a time to sit quietly

A time of prayer

Loving and gracious God we come before you to pray for our world. A world in which there is so much suffering and pain, violence and hurt. We often wonder how we can change things in the world. Help us to make a difference that the world may be a better place for all.

 

We come to you to pray for the church. We are still in the midst of a pandemic and people need hope more than ever. Help us to share that much-needed hope with others. We ask too for your guidance as we continue to respond to the pandemic. Help your church to share your gospel with the world.

 

We come before you to pray for those going through a difficult time at the moment.  We bring the names of those we know who are in need of our prayers lifting them up to you. We think of those in hospital, those for whom it is a difficult time at the moment. Be with all who need our prayers right now those we know and those we don’t know. May they know your love.

 

We place into your loving arms those whom we have lost knowing that you welcome them home. May they now be at peace. Comfort the bereaved and may they know your peace, love and strength as they face the days ahead without those whom they have lost.

 

We pray for ourselves Lord. You call us each and every day to serve you. Equip us for the tasks to which you call us. Help us to fulfil our calling and bring about your kingdom. You know the challenges that each and every one of us face. We ask that you will guide us through each and every challenge that we face. As we enter into a new week we go knowing that you are with us every step of the way. We ask these and all our prayers in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father ……

Hymn: Listen to StF 660 Called by Christ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5fI0N6umzc

or sing a verse of a hymn that comes to mind

 

 

 

Called by Christ to be disciples

every day in every place,

we are not to hide as hermits

but to spread the way of grace;

citizens of heaven's kingdom,

though this world is where we live,

as we serve a faithful Master,

faithful service may we give.

 

Richly varied are our pathways,

many callings we pursue:

may we use our gifts and talents

always, Lord, to honour you;

so in government or commerce,

college, hospice, farm or home,

whether volunteers or earning,

may we see your kingdom come.

 

Hard decisions may confront us,

urging us to compromise;

still obedience is our watchword --

make us strong and make us wise!

Secular is turned to sacred,

made a precious offering,

as our daily lives are fashioned

in submission to our King.

Martin Leckebusch (b. 1962)

 

A prayer of blessing

Lord we are called by you to be your disciples and to share your gospel with others. Wherever we go this week and whatever challenges we may face may we know that you are with us. Help us to continue to faithfully answer your call now and every day. Amen.

Original Materials by Rebekah Fairhurst Bolton Methodist Mission

All  Hymns reproduced under CCLi 1144191.  Local Churches please insert CCCLi No here 3382 / 761 

 

We are grateful to all the Ministers and Local Preachers from around the Connexion who have contributed to Worship at Home. This resource is administrated by Ministries: Vocations and Worship in the Connexional Team.