Call to Worship
Lord, where should we go if we did not follow you? You have the words of eternal life.
Let us come and follow the One who gives us life, who calls us by name, and delights in our love, Jesus the Christ.
Let us worship together.
Candle Lighting
We light the candle remembering God with us,
Light from light –
Light of the world, And Light for the world.
May this light shine in our hearts And be known in our kindness and compassion, In our passion for justice and grace, In our suffering and our rejoicing.
The candle is lit.
We celebrate this day And the signs of God in our midst.
Opening Responses
God of our lives, you are always calling us to follow you into the future,
inviting us into new ventures, new challenges, new ways to care, new ways to touch the hearts of all.
When we are fearful of the unknown, give us courage. When we worry that we are not up the task,
remind us that you would not call us if you did not believe in us.
When we get tired, or feel disappointed with the way things are going,
remind us that you bring change and hope out of the most difficult situations. Amen
Songs of praise and worship
Scripture Readings Jeremiah 17:1-10
Psalm 1
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.
The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Setting the Scene – The trees and the forest
A moment to reflect and engage
You’ll need paper and a pencil (or coloured pencils if you like) for this part…
Conversation and feedback
Offering and blessing
Prayers of the people and The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn: For the beauty of the earth
Blessing
Blessing and laughter and loving be yours
the love of the great God be yours
who names you
and holds you
while the earth turns and the flowers grow
this day
this night
this moment
and forever.
In the name of the Creator, Redeemer and giver of life
Amen
