prepared by Rev David Jebb – 5th October 2025
Call to worship
Loving and Almighty God, Present with us throughout our lives
in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of fulfilment and in times of struggle
Make us aware of your presence now as we worship you.
Draw us together as one family as we worship in our separate places
for, although we worship in different places, we are gathered together as we worship.
Give us strength and inspiration as we walk through this strange land and strange times
May we still sing you praises, voice our questions, cry our grief and know that you hold us in our fear.
We ask this in your name
Amen
STF 20 – Be still, for the presence of the Lord
We read Psalm 23 together:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil.
for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long
Prayer of Praise and adoration
Holy God, holy and true, faithful and loving, we praise and adore you.
Your presence is beyond our understanding, Your nature too great for us to grasp
And yet you are with us, yearning for our good, grieving our hurts.
Lord Jesus Christ, God made one of us, we praise and adore you.
You lived our life, knew its struggles and limitations, its possibilities and abundance.
You laughed and wept with those you loved
Through your life death and resurrection, you bring healing, hope and life in all its fullness.
Breath of God, Holy Spirit, we praise and adore you.
Present before time began, brooding and midwifing life
your life flows within us and beyond us now, drawing us into worship, forming us into one people.
Holy God, faithful and true, three in one, we praise and adore you now and forever. Amen.
A Prayer of Confession
For the things we have done or said that would have been better not said or done
Lord have mercy
For those things left undone or unsaid that we should have said or done
Lord have mercy
Almighty God, for whom nothing is impossible
you continually work for the abundance of your creation.
Take all that we are and all that we have been
the times when we have walked in your steps and the times we have turned away
transform and recycle them in your love and for your kingdom. Amen.
In Christ God makes all things new. Our sins are forgiven
Thanks be to God
HYMN: STF 481 – The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want
| The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want; he makes me lie in pastures green, he leads me by the still, still waters, his goodness restores my soul. And I will trust in you alone, and I will trust in you alone, for your endless mercy follows me, your goodness will lead me home. | He guides my ways in righteousness, and he anoints my head with oil; and my cup — it overflows with joy, I feast on his pure delights. And though I walk the darkest path — I will not fear the evil one, for you are with me, and your rod and staff are the comfort I need to know. © Stuart Townend (b 1963) |
Reading: John 9:1–41
9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
8 His neighbours and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.
11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
12 “Where is this man?” they asked him.
“I don’t know,” he said.
The Pharisees Investigate the Healing
13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”
16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”
But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.
17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”
The man replied, “He is a prophet.”
18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”
20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”
28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”
30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
Spiritual Blindness
35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
39 Jesus said,[a] “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
MEDITATION: “FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT”
The story of the man born blind is both a miracle and a revelation. Jesus’ encounter with him begins not with a question of sin or blame, but with a simple, profound act: “I am the light of the world”. In a society quick to judge, quick to assign guilt, Jesus stops to see the man for who he truly is. He does not see limitations, only possibility.
The act of healing—spitting on the ground, making mud, and placing it on the man’s eyes—is intimate and tactile. It reminds us that God often works in ways that engage the whole of our being, not just our minds or our spirits. Healing can be messy, personal, and unexpected. God’s touch invites participation, not passivity.
When the man’s sight is restored, it is more than a physical gift; it is a calling. Suddenly, he sees the world differently, and his response is immediate and courageous. He begins to testify, even under scrutiny and challenge. His story challenges the authorities, those who claim knowledge but are blind to truth. Sometimes those who claim to “see” are the ones most in need of enlightenment.
We too can experience blindness in subtle ways through fear, prejudice, or spiritual complacency. Jesus’ question, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”, calls us beyond comfort and certainty. True sight comes when we recognize Jesus not just as a healer of physical ailments, but as the light who opens our hearts to understanding, compassion, and faith.
The tension in this chapter between sight and blindness, knowledge and ignorance invites reflection. Who are the ones in our lives whom society has dismissed or overlooked? Where do we cling to old assumptions, resisting the transformative light God offers? Healing and insight often require courage: courage to step out, to see differently, and to speak truth even when it challenges authority or convention.
Finally, the story is a reminder of God’s patience. The man was blind from birth, yet Jesus’ timing was perfect. Sometimes our spiritual or emotional healing unfolds slowly. God meets us where we are, guiding our eyes toward light, even if the journey is gradual.
Reflection Questions:
- What blinds me in my daily life—fear, anger, pride, or doubt?
- How am I being called to “see” differently, both spiritually and practically?
- Who in my life or community needs my witness, my voice, or my action to help them encounter God’s light?
- How can I embrace God’s healing touch in the messiness of my own life?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Light of the World, open my eyes—not just to see the world as it is, but as You call it to be. Heal the blindness in my heart, remove the obstacles to understanding, and guide me to walk in Your truth. Teach me to see others with compassion, to speak boldly when truth is challenged, and to bear witness to Your love in all I do. Amen.
Hymn: STF 556 – Just as I am, without one plea
Prayers of Intercession
Prayer for Healing and Compassion
God of love,
You sent Your Son, Jesus, so we might learn to serve others with justice and mercy. We bring before You the needs of our world, our communities, and ourselves, asking for strength to meet them with compassion.
God of healing,
Just as Jesus healed the sick and comforted the suffering, come to our aid now. Heal those who are ill, restore their strength, and let Your love be our guide.
In our hour of need, Lord, hear our cries.
God of justice,
We lift up the vulnerable across the world, those living where resources are scarce and governments fail. Inspire leaders to act with charity and concern, seeing the needs of their people and cooperating for the common good.
In our hour of need, Lord, hear our cries.
We pray for Your Church everywhere.
Encourage all who serve to stand alongside the suffering and give us courage to support those in need—those who are unemployed, homeless, weak, or elderly.
In our hour of need, Lord, hear our cries.
Be with the medical professionals who care for the sick. Strengthen, guide, and protect them in their work.
In our hour of need, Lord, hear our cries.
Calm our fears, God of peace. Help us follow wise guidance, take practical steps to protect ourselves and others, and trust in Your presence.
In our hour of need, Lord, hear our cries.
Faithful God,
Be near those who are dying, and comfort those who grieve. May Your peace surround them.
We pray for our church and circuit. Give our staff—Revs David Jebb, Daniel Yovan, Rosemary Mutopo, and Deacon Nigel Perrott wisdom, energy, and protection as they serve. Help us bring Your love and light into the lives of those around us.
May we be patient, kind, gentle, humble, peaceful, forgiving, and steadfast, reflecting Your love in all we do.
Lord, we thank You for Your enduring love.
May it flow through us to others now and always. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer: Our farther…
HYMN: STF 465 – Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
Closing Prayer:
God of love, Thank You for being with us today.
Help us to live out Your love in all we do, and to share Your peace with everyone we meet.
Keep us safe this week and guide our steps in Your ways. Amen.
Blessing:
May God’s love surrounds you,
May Christ’s peace fill you,
And may the Spirit guide you in all you do.
Go in God’s joy and grace. Amen.
