Cruden Parish Church

10.00am, Sunday 18 October 2020

 

This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 
1 Timothy 2: 3

Welcome

Welcome to Cruden Parish Church. We are a congregation of the Church of Scotland serving the communities of Cruden Bay, Winnyford, Hatton, Longhaven, and the many scattered farms, cottages and dwellings in this beautiful part of the world. Whether you are joining us in the church or online via Facebook you are welcome! We pray you will be blessed and enriched by our words and worship.
More details about the church can be found on our Website (crudenchurch.org.uk) and Facebook Page.

Please feel free to join in the words printed in bold.

(Rev Sean Swindells, Parish Minister)

Call to Worship (based on Isaiah 12:1-6)

In that day you will say:
“I will praise you, O LORD.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.”

Surely God is our salvation;
We will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD is our strength and our song;
he has become our salvation.”

With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say:
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.”

Surely God is our salvation;
We will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD is our strength and our song;
he has become our salvation.”

Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things;
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you!

Hymn  Colours of day

  1. Colours of day dawn into the mind,
    The sun has come up, the night is behind.
    Go down in the city, into the street,
    And let's give the message to the people we meet.

  2. So light up the fire and let the flame burn,
    Open the door, let Jesus return.
    Take seeds of His Spirit, let the fruit grow,
    Tell the people of Jesus, let His love show


  3. Go through the park, on into the town;
    The sun still shines on, it never goes down.
    The light of the world is risen again;
    The people of darkness are needing a friend.

  4. Open your eyes, look into the sky,
    The darkness has come, the Son came to die.
    The evening draws on, the sun disappears,
    But Jesus is living, His Spirit is near.

Prayer of Approach to God

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
you will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
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 forever.

Amen

Bible Readings

John 3: 1-21 Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

1 Timothy 2: 1-7 Instructions on Worship

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

 

Sermon   ‘The Whinnyfold Revival of 1922

Points for reflection

God wants everyone to come to faith. He will do everything possible to bring us to Him.

  • Are there times when God has warmed your heart and felt very close? How did you respond? Did you commit to following and serving Jesus?
  • Are you praying for friends, family and neighbours to encounter the great riches of God’s grace?
  • Are we praying for our church, parish and nation that God will bring spiritual renewal?

For more information about the Winnyfold Revival, a short account is provided at this website http://www.bibleteachingprogram.com/floods/5whinnyfold.htm or the book ‘Glory in the Glen by Tom Lennie.

Church News (Intimations are the end of the Order of Service)

Prayers of the people

We bring before God our concerns for the people in our hearts at this present time, our church, community and world.

Prayer of Dedication

You call us to be your light in the darkness,
your voice in the wilderness,
your hope for the hopeless.

You give us strength in our weakness,
peace and gentleness, words and boldness,
help us to proclaim more of you
and of us, less. Amen

Hymn   How deep the Father’s love for us

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Stuart Townend Copyright © 1995 Thankyou Music

Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

(Numbers 6:24-26)

Scottish Charity number SC 011353
Cruden Parish Church CCL licence No 17874
Streaming licence number 1606813


WHAT'S ON AT CRUDEN PARISH CHURCH

Online Study & Discussion Group
Restarts on Sunday 25th October – more details soon.

Pastoral Care
The latest Covid-19 guidelines include restrictions on visiting people in their homes. However, this does not affect pastoral visits by the minister or representative of the church where the purpose is to offer pastoral care or a religious rite (Home Communion, prayer etc.). However, these visits can only take place by invitation. For more information or to request a pastoral visit, please contact Sean, tel.07791 755976.

Online Community Coffee Morning
Due to ongoing lockdown we are restarting the coffee morning, meeting every Thursday at 10.45 am, beginning on Thursday 29th October. The Coffee Morning is open to everyone – not just members and friends of the congregation. If you would like a copy of the link, please contact Sean.

Walking for Health and Well-being
Meet this Tuesday at 10.30 am outside the St Olaf Hotel, Cruden Bay. Everybody welcome. (This is a permitted activity under the current Covid-19 rules and an officially recognised ‘Health Walk.’)  Group members are requested to make use of the track and trace smartphone app. Sorry no canine companions!

Kirk Session
meets online via Zoom on Wednesday 28th October 2020 at 7.30 pm.

Worship
We meet every Sunday at 10.00 am. In order to provide a safe environment, we are strictly following the appropriate rules and guidance, including social distancing. Members and visitors are asked to reserve seating by contacting Robert Esson either by phone on 01779 813049 or by email at robertesson@btinternet.com before 7.00pm on the Saturday evening prior to the service.

Facebook
Our morning service will be broadcast live via the Church Facebook Page. In order to follow the service, you may have to reload the page just before the broadcast begins at 10.00 am.