Call to worship
We gather to worship as diverse people
We are a gift to each other from God.
We come as we are,
because it is God who invites us.
We come as important parts
of the body of Christ in this place.
So together let us worship God who calls us, delights in us, and invites us to share in the joy of communion.
Candle Lighting
For gathering today in this sacred space,
We light the flame.
For receiving the welcome of Christ by grace,
We light the flame
For sharing together in the mystery of holy communion,
We light the flame
And to honour the presence of Christ in all: We light the flame.
Pause for beauty
Connecting with each other
Scripture Reading
Mark 10:2-16
Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?”
They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you.
But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.
He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Reflection – status, power and the kingdom of God
The Lord’s Prayer, and prayers of the people
Sharing in Communion
God is with us. We are not alone.
Christ is present here. The Spirit is among us.
Let us give thanks to God, in memory and in hope.
Loving God, you made this world marvellous for us to enjoy. You gave Jesus to be our friend and to bring us to you. You send your Spirit, to make us one family in Christ.
For these gifts of your love we thank you, and join with angels and saints in this joyful hymn of praise:
Loving God, through your goodness we have this bread and wine to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made.
May we know your presence in the sharing of this bread, so that we may know your touch in all bread, all matter.
We celebrate the life that Jesus shared among his community through the centuries, and shares with us now.
Made one in Christ and one with each other, we offer these gifts and with them ourselves, an offering of gratitude, joy and humility. Amen
The Lord be with you and also with you
Lift up your hearts We lift our hearts to you, O God, and we praise you, for you are rich in love and you are the source of our joy.
Send your Holy Spirit on us and these your gifts of bread and wine, that we may know Christ’s presence, and be his faithful followers, showing your love for the world.
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory is yours, almighty Father, for ever. Amen.
Breaking of the Bread.
Christ is the bread of life, food for healing and wholeness.
May we who share these gifts be found in Christ and Christ in us.
Christ is the cup of hope, wellspring of resurrection life.
May we who share these gifts be found in Christ and Christ in us.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
We receive the bread and wine
Prayer After Communion
Loving God, We thank you for feeding us, body, mind, heart and soul.
May we live each day in the unforced rhythms of your grace. Amen
Blessing
Christ is our peace.
We are reconciled to God and to one another through his suffering love.
A love that knows no end; A love that seeks out and cherishes each of us and all of us;
A love that holds us together in a bright web of belonging.
So rooted and grounded in this Love, may you go forth into this day held, carried and connected.
And as you go, may you offer the same hospitality you have received at this table to all those in your bubble and every circumstance that arises.
AMEN
