Call to worship
In stillness and rest you are present Lord God.
In action and activity, you are alongside us,
In the silence of our days, in the noise of laughter and talk,
In our waiting, in our waiting, in our waiting
You are here, standing close.
Embrace us with your love as we worship you this day. Amen.
Candle Lighting
There are many kinds of darkness
The darkness of fear
The darkness of hate
The darkness of racism
The darkness of anger
The darkness of sin
But there are many kinds of light
The light of grace
The light of kindness
The light of respect
The light of love
The light of letting go
We light our candles
Not because we fear the darkness but because we love the light.
We light our candles and welcome the light of Christ into our lives.
Milestones and messages
Catch up time: breakout rooms.
Reading:Psalm 148
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike, old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD!
Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?”
Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbour as oneself,’ –this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
Break out question: Who is our neighbour?
Prayers of the people
Blessing:
The way is long, let us go together.
The way is difficult, let us help each other.
The way is joyful, let us share it.
The way is Christ’s, for Christ is the Way, let us follow.
So this week, in silence, in action, in noise, in calm
Let us go; with the love of God,
The grace of Christ,
And the communion of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
