Cruden Parish Church

10.00am, Sunday 25 October 2020

‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8)

Welcome

Welcome to Cruden Parish Church. We are a congregation of the Church of Scotland serving the communities of Cruden Bay, Winnyfold, Hatton, Longhaven, and the many scattered farms, cottages, and dwellings in this beautiful part of north-east Aberdeenshire. 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.

Rev Sean Swindells, Parish Minister

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

Come and worship!
Be still and aware of God’s presence
within and around you.

Come and worship!
Be still and aware of Jesus’ presence
within and around you.

Come and worship!
Be still and aware of the Spirit’s presence
within and around you.

Be still and know the presence of the Triune God,
the Father to whom we come,
the Son through whom we come,
the Spirit by whom we come.

Hear his word: Be STILL and know that I am God.

Hymn Great is thy faithfulness

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
all I have needed thy hand hath provided--
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

(Thomas Chisholm)

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

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.

Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.
When I kept silent,
    my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
    your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
    as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
    my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
    will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
    or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts in him.
Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Romans 12: 1-8

A Living Sacrifice

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Sermon ‘Seeking God’s Guidance? Be prepared for change!’

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 Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong deliverer,
Be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of deaths, and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee.

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 tonight at 7.00 pm Sunday 25th October – please contact Sean for the link and password which are required to join the group.

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!

Remembrance Sunday
Arrangements for Remembrance Sunday this year are:

10.00 am at Cruden Parish Church (limited capacity - booking recommended)
11.00 am Cruden War Memorial – Act of Remembrance
12.00 noon Hatton War Memorial – Act of Remembrance

Due to the current Covid-19 guidelines large gatherings of people are not permitted and people are advised to observe the two minute silence at home. However, for those who wish to attend the local Acts of Remembrance, please observe social distancing. A record of people attending will be required for Track and Trace.

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
O ur 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