Circuit Service – 23rd April 2023
Worship at Home – Deacon Nigel Perrott
Psalm 116 (The Message)
I love God because he listened to me,
listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently
as I laid out my case before him.
Death stared me in the face,
hell was hard on my heels.
Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn;
then I called out to God for help:
“Please, God!” I cried out.
“Save my life!”
God is gracious—it is he who makes things right,
our most compassionate God.
God takes the side of the helpless;
when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.
1st hymn – STF 65 – Sing of the Lord’s Goodness
Words and Music: © 1981 Ernest Sands
Prayers of adoration and confession
Lord, we praise you because you died to be our Saviour,
you rose again to be our Lord,
you are alive and present among us,
our true and living Lord.
We praise you for the peace and well-being
that your presence brings into our lives,
for the joy and hope for the future,
wherever that takes us and whatever it brings.
We thank you for your appearances to the disciples,
in the ordinary moments of their lives.
We thank you for the way you have come
to men and women throughout the ages
and we thank you,
that you come into our lives too.
Lord Jesus, you come full of grace to save us,
But even though we believe this,
we confess we like to keep you secret,
we keep our faith hidden behind locked doors,
We confess our foolish attempts to live our own way,
we confess that again and again we turn our back on you,
we confess the lack of our faith and our struggle to believe.
We confess we find it easier to follow others
than to put our trust in you.
Lord Jesus, cast aside our doubts
and fill us with the assurance
that your love is eternal,
and bring us to eternal peace with you,
one where we believe and know completely
that we are assured by you
that our sins are forgiven.
We ask these prayers in the name of our
Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Amen
2nd Hymn STF 57 “let all the world in every corner sing”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5h1RgCih1A
George Herbert (1593–1633)
Please read: Luke 24: 13-35
Reflection
No Hope
The beginning of our story from Luke today is one of lost hope. It is easy to read this account about this famous walk with a mind that tells you how the story will end. I am sure that most of us know what is going to happen, we know that eventually Jesus will reveal himself and it will end on a brighter note.
It is important that we do not miss the point of this story, it is important to revisit and remind ourselves of the point of this story. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16 that all scripture is “God Breathed” Breath is not a constant, it changes to suit every situation we find ourselves in. For example, when we run our breath becomes quickened, when we sit or walk it changes. So in the same way, so does the way we read our bible. Each story we read, each account of what Jesus taught can change as we apply it to our daily lives.
The psalms are a very good example of how this can work: I often read the psalms when I am feeling a bit lost or sometimes when I want to praise God for something that is going well. The situation I use them in can be very different but the words of the psalms are a constant.
Our story today, is a picture of how a lost hope can be revived by an encounter with the risen Jesus. I noticed this week that that the travellers no longer referred to Jesus as the Messiah, but as a prophet. They no longer say Jesus was the “Messiah” or “Christ.” They’ve lost faith. They’re finding it too hard to believe. It’s too dark. Jesus is dead he must have just been a prophet like the prophets of old who died. He can’t possibly be the Messiah chosen by God. The Messiah is supposed to come and liberate his people. They were sad, and they had lost all hope in the person they thought was going to set them free. Like us they knew the scriptures, they understood the importance of God words through them, yet they had forgotten their meaning and relevance in their own lives. They were lost and had their faith and hope had gone.
I wonder if you have ever tried to find something that is in plain sight?, my wife often asks me for something from the fridge, I reply, “ Sorry I can’t see any” , Jane will go straight to the fridge and take it out! This is a little like our reading today, Jesus is in plain sight and yet they cannot see him. Jesus uses scripture to remind them of what is going on, he is going straight to what is needed and giving it to them.
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
I think Jesus may have been a bit frustrated, as he explained the scriptures to them, just in the same way Jane is with me when I can’t see what she wants! Jane will often tell me where in the fridge the item is, before opening the door and presenting me with it! This is exactly what Jesus is doing in our reading. He is opening their eyes to scripture and preparing them for what is to come. As the two travellers listen to Jesus talking they begin to realize they’ve missed something. Jesus had come to liberate his people, but not as a mighty warrior but as a sacrificial lamb. But still they don’t recognize the one standing in front of them is Jesus. But now they’ve seen him in the Scriptures and so they’re ready.
Then in the ultimate reveal, Jesus breaks bread and gives thanks, just like he did while feeding the 5000, and in the last supper. The penny drops and Jesus is revealed in all his glory.
So how are we going to read this story in a new way, today on the 23rd April 2023?
I am certain that all of us are going to have times when we feel the burden of life, we may well feel we are losing faith, and can’t see Jesus for the trees. He is right in front of us and yet we may not see him. In the same way, Jesus uses scripture for our travellers, so we can to, find Jesus in God’s word. As we read our bibles with fresh eyes, as we read the inspiring word of God, we can allow our breath to quicken and be reminded of God awesome love for us, a love made real through the ultimate love and sacrifice made by Jesus
Amen.
Hymn STF308 On the journey to Emmaus with our hearts cold as stone.
Marty Haugen (b. 1950)
Prayers of intercession
The risen Lord comes to us in our doubt and
fear, inviting us to to leave with him our prayers
and troubles.
Lord, we live in an uncertain world,
a confused and broken world.
Lord, we pray for all those in our world who feel
vulnerable today,
in war-torn communities,
in places of drought and severe poverty,
for those whose lives are so scarred or broken.
By your risen presence, fill them with hope.
Lord give them your peace,
and accept our prayers.
We live in a society of broken relationships,
sadness and loneliness are abundant,
made even worse through the pandemic.
and many are suspicious and fearful.
Lord, we pray for all those feeling isolated,
uncared for, unloved and abandoned,
those who find daily living difficult to bear.
By your risen presence, fill them with confidence.
Lord give them your peace,
and accept our prayers.
Many families are living under great pressure;
social and financial concerns create tension,
family life is fragmented and fraught.
Lord we pray for all those who feel helpless,
for whom everyday life is out of their control.
By your risen presence, fill them with courage.
Lord give them your peace,
and accept our prayers.
We live in a world needing to be made whole,
medical research has made huge
advancements, but we still cannot heal those
who seek wholeness of mind and body.
Lord, we pray for any today who are seeking
healing, whether from weary and damaged
souls or from physical illness bodies….
(bring your personal prayers for those you know)
By your risen presence, fill them with comfort.
Lord give them your peace,
and accept our prayers.
Our lives are full of joy and sorrow,
at times we are full of light,
but sometimes shrouded in darkness.
Lord, we pray that everything we do
may radiate the joy of your Resurrection.
By your risen presence, fill us with joy.
Lord give us your peace,
and accept our prayers. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who is in heaven,
Hallowed be your name:
Your kingdom come;
Your will be done;
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
are yours,
now and for ever Amen.
5th Hymn – STF 345 – And can it be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ5dOxqJ2NQ
Charles Wesley (1707–1788)
A Celtic Blessing
The Guarding of the God of life be on you
The guarding loving Christ be on you
The guarding of the Holy Spirit be on you
Every night of your lives
To aid you and enfold you
Each day and night of your lives
Amen
