Cruden Parish Church of Scotland
10.00am, Sunday 19 September 2021
‘Jonah 1: Running away from God!’
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There is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called in one glorious hope for the future.
(Ephesians 4:4)
(Jonah and the Whale by Peter Lastman, 1621)
Welcome to Cruden Parish Church! Wherever you are and whatever your circumstances, we pray that you may know God’s blessing and presence during this time of worship.
In our service this morning we begin a new series of studies into one of the most unusual books of the Old Testament – Jonah. Best known as the story of the man who was swallowed by the great fish, closer inspection reveals a rollicking adventure, full of unexpected twists and turns. This ancient parable is steeped in poetry, mystery, metaphor, comedy, and adventure. Jonah, the main character, is a portrayed as a insubordinate prophet, who despite his despite his very best efforts, is used by God to great effect!
Call to Worship
In mystery and grandeur
we see the face of God
in earthiness and the ordinary
we know the love of Christ
In heights and depths
in joy and sadness
the spirit of God
is moving among us
Let us worship God
Hymn 147 All creatures of our God and King
- All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voices, and with us sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Bright brother sun with golden beam,
Clear sister moon with softer gleam,
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
- Thou rushing wind so wild and strong,
high clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise him, Alleluia!
New breaking dawn, in praise rejoice,
And lights of evening, find a voice,
- Cool flowing water, pure and strong
make music for your Lord to hear
Alleluia, alleluia!
Fire with your flames so fierce and bright,
Giving to all both warmth and light,
- Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfolds God’s blessings on our way,
O praise him, Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in you grow,
let them his glory also show:
- Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One:
Prayers of Approach
Before we speak, God knows our needs,
yet our words open our hearts to God's grace.
Let us prepare ourselves for God's healing
as, in words and silence, we tell of all that separates us from God and one another.
Please join me as we pray…
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 Reading Jonah 1: 1-17
Jonah Flees From the Lord
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.
Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.
But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.”
Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”
He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)
The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”
“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.
Jonah’s Prayer
Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Sermon Jonah 1: Running away from God!’
Hymn 531 My Jesus, my Saviour
My Jesus, my Saviour
Lord there is none like you
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of your mighty love
My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You
Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of your hands
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have
In YOU
Repeat
Prayers of Intercession
Hymn 166: Lord of all hopefulness
- Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares can destroy,
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.
- Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.
- Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
- Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.
Dismissal and Blessing
Loving God,
thank you for this time of worship
feeding us with your word,
hearing our prayers
and encouraging us in our meeting together.
Take us and use us
to love and serve you, and all people,
in the power of your Spirit
and in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Go in peace
And the blessing of God the Father,
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
be with you all forevermore.
Amen
CRUDEN PARISH CHURCH NEWS
Cruden Parish Church News
Although many of the Covid restrictions have been eased, we continue to appreciate your support in using the hand sanitiser on entering and leaving the building, the wearing of facemasks etc. 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. A copy of the Order of Service, which includes the words of the responses, readings, hymns, intimations etc are available via the church website, Facebook page or on request via email.
Walking for health and well-being
We meet this Tuesday at 10.00 am outside the St Olaf Hotel for our usual social walk! Everyone welcome.
Looking ahead to the Autumn/Winter
- Celebration of Holy Communion – 10.00 am Sunday 26th September
- Evening Study Group –the 5 marks of mission and future shape of the church (More details soon!)
- Kirk Session – 7.00 PM Thursday 7th October
- Harvest Festival/Eco Sunday – 10.00 am Sunday 24th October
- Remembrance Sunday - Sunday 14th November
- 10.30 am Cruden Parish Church
- 12.00 noon Hatton War Memorial