Cruden Parish Church
(Church of Scotland)

‘A hospital for sinners & a school for saints!'

The Fourth Sunday of Lent
10.00am, Sunday 14 March 2021

Welcome & Call to Worship

(Isaiah 40:28-31)

Have you not known?
Our God is the everlasting God, Creator of the ends of the earth.
Have you not heard?
God does not faint or grow weary.
Have you not known?
God’s understanding is unsearchable.
Have you not heard?
God gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless.
Have you not known?
Those who wait for God will renew their strength
they shall mount up with wings like eagles.

Let us worship God

Hymn 154:           How great thou art

1.            O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
                consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
                I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
                thy power throughout the universe displayed:

                Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee
                ‘How great thou art, how great Thou art!’
                Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee
                ‘How great Thou art, how great Thou art!’

2.            And when I think, that God, his Son not sparing,
                Sent Him to die - I scarce can take it in,
                that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
                he bled and died to take away my sin:

3.            And when I think, that God, his Son not sparing,
                Sent Him to die - I scarce can take it in,
                that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
                he bled and died to take away my sin:

Prayers of Approach & The 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

Ephesians 2:19-22

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

John 15: 9-17

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other"

Sermon ‘A hospital for sinners & a school for saints!'

Church News

Prayers of Intercession

Response: Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Hymn 251: I the Lord of sea and sky

1.            I, the Lord of sea and sky,
                I have heard my people cry.
                All who dwell in dark and sin
                my hand will save.
                I, who made the stars of night,
                I will make their darkness bright.
                Who will bear my light to them?
                Whom shall I send?

                Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord?
                I have heard you calling in the night.
                I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
                I will hold your people in my heart.

2.            I, the Lord of snow and rain,
                I have borne my people’s pain.
                I have wept for love of them.
                They turn away.
                I will break their hearts of stone,
                give them hearts for love alone.
                I will speak my Word to them.
                Whom shall I send?

3.            I, the Lord of wind and flame,
                I will tend the poor and lame.
                I will set a feast for them.
                My hand will save.
                Finest bread I will provide
                till their hearts be satisfied.
                I will give my life to them,
                Whom shall I send?

A blessing for the season of Lent

Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
fill you with radiance.
and scatter the darkness from your path.
Amen.

Christ, the Sun of Righteousness,
gladden your eyes and warm your heart.
Amen.

Christ, the Dayspring from on high,
draw near to guide your feet into the way of peace.
Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Time for coffee…

CRUDEN PARISH CHURCH NEWS

Sunday Worship
According to the latest updates from the First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon) it is anticipated that the church will be able to reopen the church in the near future, but still with social distancing, wearing of facemasks and no singing. For Cruden Parish Church, this is subject to a decision by the Kirk Session. Until a decision is made, Sunday morning services will continue to be broadcast live via Zoom at 10.00 am. For a copy of the link please contact Robert or Sean. (07791 755976)

Recording of Services
As we are now using Zoom the service can no longer be relayed live via Facebook. However, from this Sunday onwards, we will be recording the service which will be made available via the church website. If you do not wish your name or face displayed on the recording, please switch off your camera or change your name you use for the broadcast.

Walking for health and well-being
The group meets this coming Tuesday morning at 10.30 am, outside the St Olaf Hotel. Everybody welcome. (In case of inclement weather please check the Facebook page to ensure the group is going ahead!).

Kirk Session
Meets via Zoom this coming Wednesday, 17th March at 7.30 pm.

Pastoral Care
Please advise the minister if you know of anybody would appreciate a pastoral phone call. Sean can be contacted on 07791 755976 or sswindells@churchofscotland.org.uk

Coffee & Chat
Takes place at the end of the service. Please stay online if you wish to participate.

LENT & EASTER 2021

Reflection
Each day of Lent there will be a reflection posted on the church Facebook Page. Contributions from friends and members would be appreciated! For me details contact Sean. [Go to the Reflections Page]

Lent Discussion Group
Our 'online' Lent discussion group meets each Sunday in Lent at 7.00 pm. We will be continuing to explore the theme of God's help in times of crisis through selected readings from the Old Testament book of Isaiah. New participants to the group are always welcome.

Holy Week Reflections
For each day of Holy Week (Palm Sunday - 28th March to Holy Saturday - 3rd April) there will be a video reflection, seeking to link the story of Jesus’ final week with places in and around the Parish of Cruden.

Easter Coffee Morning
Come and join our virtual Easter coffee morning on Thursday 1st April from 10.30 am to 12.00 noon. (No April fool jokes!)

Holy Week Services
Maundy Thursday Virtual Communion Service – 7.00 pm, Thursday 1st April. The link to the service will be available nearer the time.

More information, please contact
Sean @ sswindells@churchofscotland.org.uk Tel. 07791 755976