Cruden Parish Church of Scotland
Fourth Sunday of Easter
10.00am, Sunday 25th April 2021
ORDER OF SERVICE:
Click here to print out the Order of Service
FACEBOOK PAGE:
Click here to join the Service live on Facebook or to view a recording later.
(Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, survivor of Treblinka Concentration Camp)
‘Getting your revenge – God’s way!’
Welcome & Call to Worship
While some follow fad and fashion, changing with the seasons
we follow the man from Nazareth.
While some put their hope in a big lottery win,
or chase profits no matter the cost on people and planet.
we put our hope in loving one another as our Christ has loved us.
While some may give in to a sophisticated cynicism,
or some fall into apathy or despair,
we put out faith in the God who has given us his only begotten son.
While some may boast of their superior education,
culture, race, or standard of living
we boast in the self-giving love of the Son on a Cross.
Because of Jesus, we believe in the living God,
by whose Holy Spirit, all things are open to change and renewal.
Let us worship God!
Hymn 189 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 & Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your 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 23 (King James Version)
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Matthew 18:21-35 The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go.
“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Sermon: ‘Getting your revenge – God’s way!’
(Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, survivor of Treblinka Concentration Camp)
Doxology (Hymn 807)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayers of Dedication and Intercession
Hymn 16 The Lord’s my shepherd I’ll not want (Tune Brother James’s Air)
- The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; he leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
- My soul he doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E'en for his own name's sake.
- Yea, though I walk through death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For thou art with me; and thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
- My table thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
- Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God's house forever more
My dwelling place shall be.
Dismissal & Blessing
My friends in Christ, this service has come to an end.
As you journey into the week ahead
May you trust in God’s promises to his people:
Peace and hope, forgiveness, and blessing,
even when they are difficult to believe.
May you know that God’s news is good news,
Nourishing and true, liberating and affirming,
even when people tell you it is not.
And when you encounter doubt and fear,
may God strengthen your faith,
guiding you in His perfect wisdom and counsel.
Go now in peace.
May the blessing of God,
the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit
Be with you all forever more.
Amen
CRUDEN PARISH CHURCH NEWS
Although the church is now open, Covid restrictions are still in place. We appreciate your support in maintaining social distancing, the wearing of facemasks, no singing, and sitting in the marked spaces. Also, a special thanks to our volunteers on door duty and providing an enhanced cleaning regime.
The service will also be broadcast live via the Facebook Page and be available for later viewing. If you would like a copy of the Order of Service, which includes the words of the readings, hymns, intimations etc., please contact Sean.
Songs of Praise Service
As we are unable to sing in church, we will be having an online song of praise’ of service at 6.30 pm, Sunday 30th May (Pentecost Sunday. Please let Sean or Robert know your favourite hymn choices.
Walking for health and well-being
The group meets this Tuesday 27th April, at 10.00 am outside the St Olaf hotel. Everybody welcome, including hounds with well-behaved owners!
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
Kirk Session
Meets Thursday 13th May at 7.00 pm via Zoom.
Fitness at Cruden
Our local fitness group – run by the minister! – restarts on Wednesday 19th May at 7.00 pm, in Mill Park. All ages (16+) and abilities welcome! More details for Sean.