Cruden Parish Church of Scotland
10.00am, Sunday 20th June 2021
'Chosen'
ORDER OF SERVICE:
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FACEBOOK PAGE:
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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. (John 15:16)
Welcome & Introduction.
Welcome to Cruden Parish Church! We are a congregation of the Church of Scotland serving the communities in and around the villages of Longhaven, Hatton, Cruden Bay and Whinnyfold. We also extend a special welcome to those unable to be physically present with us this morning and are following the service online. Wherever you are and whatever your circumstances, we pray that you may know God’s blessing and presence during this time of worship.
Call to Worship
Come to God who gathers us in.
We come to God who loves us like a father.
Come to God whose arms are open and waiting.
We come to God who welcomes and forgives us.
Come to God who journeys with us.
We come to God who sees us as we really are
and loves us anyway.
Let us worship God
Hymn 200: Christ is made the sure foundation
1. Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord and precious,
binding all the church in one;
holy Zion's help forever,
and her confidence alone.
2. To this temple, where we call you
come, O Lord of hosts, today:
with your constant loving-kindness,
hear your servants as they pray;
and your fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.
4. Here bestow on all you servants
what they ask of you to gain,
what they gain from you forever
with the blessed to retain,
and hereafter in your glory
evermore with you to reign.
5. Praise and honour to the Father,
praise and honour to the Son,
praise and honour to the Spirit,
ever Three and ever One,
One in might, and One in glory,
while unending ages run.
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
STORY: ‘Chosen’ (From “With an Open Eye” by Tom Gordon)
Bible Reading
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.’
But Samuel said, ‘How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.’
The Lord said, ‘Take a heifer with you and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.” Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.’
Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, ‘Do you come in peace?’
Samuel replied, ‘Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.’ Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’
But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’
Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, ‘The Lord has not chosen this one either.’ Jesse then made Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, ‘Nor has the Lord chosen this one.’ Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’ So he asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’
‘There is still the youngest,’ Jesse answered. ‘He is tending the sheep.’
Samuel said, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.’
So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; this is the one.’
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
Sermon ‘Chosen!‘
Hymn 540: I heard the voice of Jesus say
1. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘Come unto me and rest;
lay down, thou weary one, lay down
thy head upon my breast’:
I came to Jesus as I was,
so weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting place,
and he has made me glad.
2. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘Behold, I freely give
the living water, thirsty one,
stoop down and drink and live’:
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.
3. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘I am this dark world’s Light;
look unto me, thy morn shall rise,
and all thy day be bright’:
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my Star, my Sun;
and in that light of life I’ll walk,
till travelling days are done.
Prayers of Intercession
Hymn 644: O Jesus I have promised
1. O Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
be now and always near me,
my Master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If you are by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
If you will be my guide.
2. Oh, let me feel you near me;
the world is ever near:
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me, and within;
but, Jesus, draw still nearer,
and shield my soul from sin.
3 . O let me hear you speaking
in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will;
Oh speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
true guardian of my soul.
4. O Jesus, you have promised
to all who follow you,
that where you are in glory
your servant shall be too;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
now give me grace to follow,
my Master and my friend.
Dismissal and Blessing
The Lord God almighty is our Father:
he loves us and tenderly cares for us.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Saviour:
he has redeemed us and will defend us to the end.
The Lord, the Holy Spirit is among us:
he will lead us in God's holy way.
To God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be praise and glory today and forever.
May the blessing of God,
the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit
Be with you all forever more.
Amen
CRUDEN PARISH CHURCH NEWS
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, 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.
Update- following advice from the Church of Scotland and discussion at the Kirk Session we are delighted to announce that congregational singing is now permitted! This is still subject to social distancing and the wearing of facemasks. We would also request that people remain seated.
Also due to the increased numbers of people wishing to attend church, the Kirk Session has agreed to make parts of balcony available. Like the main body of the church, social distancing is still required, and available seating will be appropriately signed.
Walking for healkth and wellbeing
Our next walk will be Tuesday 22nd June meeting outside the St Olaf Hotel at 10.00 am. Everybody welcome.
Summer Discussion Group
Starting later in June we will begin a series of occasional discussions on aspects of spirituality and faith. The themes will not be chosen by the minister, but by you the congregation! No topic is off the table. (Must be respectful.) The discussions will take place via Zoom on Sunday evenings. For more information or suggested themes, please contact Sean.
Our first online discussion takes at 7.00 PM, Sunday 27th June via Zoom. The topic (which came up at the recent General Assembly) is The Westminster Confession of Faith.
The report to the General Assembly can be found here: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/80303/10-Theological-Forum.pdf
‘On your marks!’ Summer Holiday Club
Our holiday club runs from Wednesday 11th to Friday 13th August 2021 at Mill Park, Station Road, Cruden Bay. We are looking for volunteers to help in an assortment of roles, including crafts, refreshments, admin, organising games for the very young etc. Please speal to Sean (O7791 755976) or Jamet (07790 934031) for more info.
Christian Aid
Due to Covid 19 restrictions we have been unable to do our usual collection and fund raising for Christiam Aid. However, support for the work of Christian Aid is desperately needed as they seek to support some of the most vulnerable groups and communities around the world. Whilst there is so no clear date for when we can resume events like the Buttery Morning at Hatton etc., one suggestion that has been made is a sponsored walk in Bennachie later in the summer! More details soon! Also, Sean will be joining the Christian Aid team on the Great North Run (September) and London Marathon (October), which were cancelled last year. Sponsorship details are available on request.
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