Cruden Parish Church

10.00am, Sunday 20 September 2020

(Photo: Mark Fletcher-Brown)

‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10b’

Welcome & Words of approach to God

Here in this place, there are no foreigners,
for all are welcome in God’s house.
Here in this worship, there is acceptance and grace,
for love is the language of faith.
Here in our lives, there are no divisions,
for God dwells in each of us.
Come, let us worship in unity and love

.Hymn

Be Still

Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
Come bow before Him now
With reverence and fear
In Him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here

Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around
He burns with holy fire
With splendour He is crowned
How awesome is the sight
Our radiant King of Light
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around

Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister His grace
No work too hard for Him
In faith receive from Him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place

Prayers 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

Matthew 5: 1-11

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

He said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 28: 16-20

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

Sermon ’Don’t panic – the answer is 42!’

Church News

Prayers of Intercession

Hymn

In Christ alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Blessing

Go now, with God’s foolishness and weakness
as your only wisdom and strength.
Proclaim Christ crucified,
and seek riches only in the love of God’s Word
and in zeal for God’s house.

And may God’s just demands be your nourishment & delight.
May Christ be the power and wisdom of God to you.
And may the Holy Spirit keep you, thought and word, in God’s good grace.

Go in peace to serve the Lord

Amen.

Church News

Online Study & Discussion Group meets this evening at 7.00 pm. No previous knowledge is expected or required! Everybody welcome. For more details, please contact Sean. 07791 755976 sswindells@churchofscotland.org.uk

Pastoral Care-During the lockdown indoor pastoral visits were not permitted. The situation has now changed, with pastoral visits allowed, but only by invitation. (This is to ensure that people do not feel obliged or pressured into allowing people into their homes.) Other options include visits by phone!

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 will shortly become an officially recognised ‘Health Walk.’) Group members are requested to make use of the track and trace smartphone app.
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. 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. (Sorry for the glitches last Sunday!) In order to follow the service, you may have to reload the page just before the broadcast begins at 10.00 am.

Re-opening Cruden Parish Church
For where two or three gather in my name, there are I with them. Matthew 18:20
The Scottish Government have now granted permission for churches to open for worship under strict conditions and the Church of Scotland have issued guidance to congregations which need to be followed.

The necessary risk assessments have been successfully completed and permission received from Presbytery to open the church.
The Session have agreed that we will meet for Sunday worship at 10.00am on 13 September and every Sunday thereafter.
The church will be cleaned midweek and again on Sunday mornings prior to worship with antiviral and antibacterial cleaning solutions.
Seating in the church is limited to 30 due to the social distancing requirements.
Members 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.
Hand sanitisers will be available at both church doors for worshipers to use.
It is planned to enter through the Welcome area and exit via the Vestry door
The wearing of a face covering in the church is mandatory
The seats in the church were worshipers can sit are clearly marked and a member of the welcoming team will advise where to sit
There are a few areas in the church where two people from the same household can sit.
Worshipers will be required to complete an attendance slip, which will be at their seats, to comply with Trace and Protect regulations. These will be collected at the end of the service and sealed in an envelope.
Please try to maintain social distancing at all times.
Stephen Calder will be present to play the organ before, during and after the service. Singing is however not allowed.
The service will be broadcast live on the church Facebook page.
We request that all worshipers comply with the above requirements which at the time of writing are either current regulations or best practice as advised by the Church of Scotland. These regulations will change to reflect any changes issued by the Government and or the Church of Scotland.