Cruden Parish Church of Scotland
Sixth Sunday of Easter
10.00am, Sunday 9th May 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.
The Gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world. (Colossians 1: 6)
Welcome & Call to Worship
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Let us worship God!
Hymn 457 All hail the power of Jesus name
- All hail the power of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!
- Crown him, you martyrs of your God,
Who from his alter call;
Praise him whose path of pain you trod,
And crown Him Lord of all
- Let every kindred, every tribe,
Responsive to the call,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!
- Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!
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 22: 25 – 31
From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.
The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him—
may your hearts live forever!
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,
For dominion belongs to the Lord
and he rules over the nations.
All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him
Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!
Acts 8:26-40
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”
The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and travelled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
Sermon ‘The infectious Word!’
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 & Intercession
Hymn 458 At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow
- At the name of Jesus
every knee shall bow,
every tongue confess him
King of Glory now.
'Tis the Father's pleasure
we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning
was the mighty Word:
- Brothers, sisters, name him,
with love strong as death,
but with awe and wonder,
and with bated breath;
He is God the Saviour,
he is Christ the Lord,
ever to be worshipped,
trusted and adored.
- In your hearts enthrone him;
there let him subdue
all that is not holy,
all that is not true:
let his grace support you
in temptation's hour;
let his will enfold you
in its light and power.
- In his Father's glory
Christ shall come again,
angel hosts proclaiming
his return to reign;
for all wreaths of empire
meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him
King of glory now.
Dismissal & Blessing
Almighty God,
we thank you for the gift of your holy word.
May it be a lantern to our feet,
a light to our paths,
and a strength to our lives.
Take us and use us
to love and serve
in the power of the Holy Spirit
and in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
May the grace of God uphold you,
the peace of God surround you,
the love of God flow from you
and the strength of God protect
for this day and evermore.
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 on Tuesday, at 10.00 am, outside the St Olaf hotel. New walkers always welcome.
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.