Fifty Acts 41. Small Act at the Big Kirk

I was asked by a friend if I would be able to do their lunchtime prayer service this week as they are off to the General Assembly.  Well I was flattered to be asked, it's the biggest building I've ever spoken in, and I particularly like shorter acts of worship.  Last week I went along to hear the normal service, so i had a pattern to work from.

Today met with the Church officer who set me up with the radio mic.  I then had a few minutes to wait before noon.  I was informed that a tour group was going to be visiting, so of course, one of them cornered me and started asking questions about the history of the building.  I bluffed a couple (Is it still a church? Yes. Do they do weddings? Yes. etc) of answers before handing over to Mrs G for the finer points of Scottish church history.

12 noon arrived and I started off.  It was a small audience in the side chapel, but I was aware that I was also preaching to some people who were in the main part of the church, and the radio mic covered the whole building.  It's just a bit unusual to be in a position where you don't have the undivided attention of everyone present. 

So I think it went well, and I was thanked by a couple of those present - I've not been there often enough to know if they were regulars or just visiting.  I'm certainly grateful for the experience.

My rough script is below.

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Every Wednesday at twelve noon there is a short service of prayer and reflection in the memorial chapel, to the right of the pulpit.  You are invited to join with us or to continue to explore and absorb the atmosphere of the building.

Good afternoon,

Our minister is attending the General Assembly in Edinburgh today, and I am privileged to have been asked to lead worship this morning.  My name is [spotthegerbil] and I am currently training for ministry within the church.

Let us come before God in prayer.

Almighty and eternal God,

You are great beyond our understanding, we cannot seek to understand your magnificence.

All glorious God,  We give you thanks that,

You chose us as your holy people, even before the world was made.

You adopted us as your children in Christ, and through his blood, you set us free from the burden of sin.   All praise and glory be to you o God.

And yet we know that we fall far short from the example that Christ showed us.

We fail to live up to his standards

We have not loved our neighbours

And we have not honoured your holy name.

We struggle with the pressures of life, when,

You would unburden us if only we turned to you in prayer.

So Lord,  Help us to change what we have been,

And set us on a new path

That we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways.

To the greater glory of your name.  Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

We hear from Psalm 119:

¹⁶¹ Rulers persecute me without cause,
    but my heart trembles at your word.
¹⁶² I rejoice in your promise
    like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and detest falsehood
    but I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous laws.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I wait for your salvation, Lord,
    and I follow your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I obey your statutes,
    for I love them greatly.
¹⁶⁸ I obey your precepts and your statutes,
    for all my ways are known to you.

And from the Gospel according to Mark, chapter nine, verses 38 to 40:

³⁸ “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

³⁹ “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, ⁴⁰ for whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

And may God add his blessing to these readings from His holy word.

Let us come again before God in prayer.

We give thanks this week for all those you have called to serve your church.  To the parish workers, Missionaries, Deacons, Readers, Ministers, Priests and lay members, regardless of their denomination.  Bless the work they undertake, and help us to recognise that anyone who works in your name is not against you. 

And as our Ministers gather in Edinburgh for the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, bless the Church as it struggles with all the conflicting cries upon it and within it. Ease its tensions. Calm its fears. Give it strength. Bring reconciliation where personalities argue and differences of opinion distract it from its purpose of showing Your grace to the world. Help it to find true unity in Christ and, where there is division bring healing and the ability to live in Christ’s love in harmony with those who hold alternative views.

May the Church be truly the Body of Christ, continuing to hold his love and forgiveness out to a world desperately in need of them.

Lord, we pray for those in the community around us who may not realise this church exists not just for those in the congregation, but for everyone that is in the parish.  Bless those who live around us, those who work in offices or shops, or those who have their own reasons for visiting this place of pilgrimage.  May this place be truly somewhere they may receive comfort.

Lord, look after those in our communities who suffer illness, whether they are in hospital, or bearing up at home.  Support those who care for the sick and frail in our communities and bring comfort and strength to all who are affected by illness.

We remember those who at some times feel

detached from you at this moment. Those who feel that
you may not be present in their daily lives, or find it difficult to
turn their thoughts towards to you. We pray that they are able to once
again experience your ever present and glorifying nature and realise
that you had never left them, but were always there waiting.

We remember today the families in Oklahoma affected by the Monday’s tornado, and also those affected by the cyclone in southeast Asia. Bring comfort to those who have lost loved ones, and give strength to those involved in the rescue operation. 

And as we are here gathered, Lord, we pause together in silence to reflect on the troubles laid heavy on our hearts and known unto you. 

Paws

Heavenly Father, help us to remember, that, even in our darkest times, of worry, doubt and pain, you are there for us, and you are accompanying us at all times along life’s journey. 

These and all our prayers are offered in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who taught us when we pray to say :

Our Father, who art in heaven,           hallowed by thy name;            thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;          on earth as it is in heaven.      Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,        as we forgive our debtors.      And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.            For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,             for ever.          Amen.

I was given this prayer card at the Heart and Soul event and asked to pass it on....

May God watch over you
and be your shade and shelter
so that the sun may not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

May God guard you from all harm
and watch over you
all the dayys of your life
both now and forever more
amen.