Worship
Sunday Morning
First Prayer
God of all good things - we've woken up on this bright, warm and sunny
morning, ready for a new day; but being dutiful church members, we haven't
gone to relax on the beach or explore Portsmouth's maritime treasures –
though some of us may be tempted.
We've come inside, away from the sun-loungers, the tourists, the
ice-cream cones and seaside entertainments, not because those things are not
good, not because they do not speak of your love for life – but because
sometimes we need to be alone with you for a while. Life will carry on
around us – and your interest and care and purposes extend way beyond these
four walls.
So for now, we join with other congregations up and down the country and
across the world who today are gathering for worship. Thank you that we are
numbered amongst those who worship and witness to the risen Christ – in city
centre, country village, housing scheme, suburban estate, coastal resort; in
two and threes, or hundreds or thousands; in English, in Russian, in
Chinese, in Spanish, in Xhosa, in Arabic, in Tamil, in Guaranay; in the open
or in secret; with music, dance and singing, or in quietness and silence.
What a glorious company we belong to!
So let us be more than content to be here; fill us with joy and
expectation as we meet in each other's company and listen for the breaking
open of your living Word.
Mysterious and eternal One, in whom we live and move and have our whole
being, to you be the glory. Amen
Sunday Morning
Second Prayer
Exile and Lament – the discipline of remembering
Holy God, ancient of days -
When we look back on the 'good old days' we often think we have an
accurate and complete picture – remembering when the Sunday School filled a
dozen double-deckers for their summer outing; when the vast majority wanted
to celebrate rites of passage within a Christian setting; when church played
a key role in the local community and wider society; if that is even half
true, what has happened? Where are you God?
These days – our souls are easily disquieted: financial and people
deficits; responsibilities left unmet; the call of superficial celebrity;
too many secular distractions; Where are you God? Do you not care?
Forgive us when we forget that the church has been going a lot longer
than we have; when we forget that the church in other parts of the world is
growing; when we forget that the church in other parts of the world is
persecuted. Forgive us when we forget that it is your church – not ours.
Forgive us when we confuse time with eternity.
Remind us that your foolishness is wiser than our best wisdom;
remind us that you are our vision;
remind us that our purpose is
to keep remembering your faithfulness,
day by day
to keep remembering Christ's body in the world
here and now
O God, the rock from which we are hewn – if we remember you, you will not
let us down. When we forget you, you will not forget us.
During this Assembly we will remember things that have been positive in
our lives and the life of the URC;
Spirit who hovered over the waters at creation,
free us from using our memories to keep us in the past – let them
liberate and energize us to let go into life with God.
Bless us now as we work our way through today's programme; keep our eyes
fixed on Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith that we will
make bold and wise decisions for the unity of the church and a just peace in
the world.
May our concerns be inspired by the Gospel not by our personal agendas;
may our speeches be passionate and thoughtful – and brief;
and if, perchance, we take ourselves too seriously and fill our
individual or collective mind with the helium of pomposity – send an angel
with a pin! Amen.
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