Cruden Parish Church of Scotland
10.00am, Sunday 3 October 2021
‘Nenikekamen – We are victorious!’
Click here to print out the Order of Service
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Click here to join the Service live on Facebook or to view a recording later.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)
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 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
If God is for us, who is against us?
He who gave us his son, now gives us the Spirit in power!
The Holy One is in our midst:
equipping us for life in the service of Christ.
In Christ we are more than conquerors,
for nothing in creation can separate us from the love of God!
May the all-surpassing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And the unshakable love of God be with you.
The joyous communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.
And also with you!
Let us worship God
CH4 154: How great thou art
1. Oh Lord, my God! when I, in awesome wonder
consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling 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. When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look up from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
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:
4. When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
and take me home - what joy shall fill my heart!
Then shall I bow, in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!
Russian hymn translated Stuart K Hine (1899-1989)
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 READCINGS
Romans 8: 31-37
More than conquerors
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
‘For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Sermon: ‘Nenikekamen – We are victorious!’
CH4 517: Fight the good fight with all your might
1. Fight the good fight with all your might;
Christ is your strength, and Christ your right:
lay hold on life, and it shall be
your joy and crown eternally.
2. Run the straight race through God's good grace,
lift up your eyes, and seek his face;
life with its path before us lies,
Christ is the way and Christ the prize.
3. Cast care aside, lean on your Guide
His boundless mercy will provide.
Trust, and your trusting soul shall prove,
Christ is its life and Christ its love.
4. Faint not, nor fear; his arms are near;
he does not change and you are dear;
only believe, and Christ shall be
your all in all eternally.
John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811-1875)
Prayers of Intercession
CH4 425: The Saviour died but rose again
1. The Saviour died, but rose again
triumphant from the grave;
and pleads our cause at God's right hand,
omnipotent to save.
2. Who then can e'er divide us more
from Jesus and his love,
or break the sacred chain that binds
the earth to heaven above?
3. Let troubles rise, and terrors frown,
and days of darkness fall;
through him all dangers we'll defy,
and more than conquer all.
4. Nor death nor life, nor earth nor hell,
nor time's destroying sway,
can e'er efface us from his heart,
or make his love decay.
5. Each future period that will bless,
as it has blessed the past;
he loved us from the first of time,
he loves us to the last.
Scottish Paraphrases 1781
Romans 8:34-end
Dismissal and Blessing
So now we leave this space of worship
And while so much of the road ahead is uncertain,
the path constantly changing,
we know some things that are as solid and sure
as the ground beneath our feet,
and the sky above our heads.
We know God is love.
We know Christ’s light endures.
We know the Holy Spirit this there,
found in the space between all things,
closer to us than our next breath,
binding us to each other,
until we meet we again,
Go 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 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.
London Marathon
Today Sean is running the London Marathon in support of Christian Aid. Due to generosity and support for friends and members of the congregation more than £4000.00 has been raised to help support the work of Christian Aid in some of the most fragile parts of the world. Thank you. What we have achieved at Cruden Parish Church, despite the restrictions placed upon us by the two lockdowns will make a real difference.
Looking ahead to the Autumn/Winter
- Evening Study Group – a new online study & discussion group beginning at 7.00 pm, Sunday 17th October will explore the 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 31th October
- Remembrance Sunday - Sunday 14th November
10.30 am Cruden Parish Church
12.00 noon Hatton War Memorial