Sunday Sermon - 13th September

CTW: A Candle is lit - Genesis 1: 1-5 and John 8: 12

 

Offering & Prayer: (from John)

 

Words of Welcome:

 

Prayer of Thanksgiving & Confession:

 

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. We thank you, Lord God, that your light has given hope to us…when all we knew was a troubled conscience and the  darkness of a life bound by sin, lived in the dark shadow of a fearful death. We praise you, Lord, that you are indeed our light and our salvation and that we need fear nothing or no-one…and that you sent your light to us. It is by your grace alone that we have become children of God and that we can walk in your light and ways.

Lord, we are all too aware that so often we do not live according to who we are in you…in the light. Lord, we are mindful that (according to your Word), if we confess our sins, you who are faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and forgive us from all wrongdoing. Lord we confess now to the moments of darkness in our lives…to dishonesty…our selfish ways…our greed…our thanklessness…the judgments we make of others…Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer…

We thank you that you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful…abounding in steadfast love who, in Christ, will never forsake us! We dare not ask these things, save we do so in the holy and great Name Of Jesus Christ, our Lord…Amen!

 

Intercessions: (from Ann Alden)

 

Gracious God, Thank you for bringing us safely here this morning to offer you our praise and worship together. Help us not to be overwhelmed by our own troubles. You are always there for us when we call on your name. We can continue to reflect your love in our words and deeds in our daily lives.

We pray for those who are needy and unwell and for those who mourn. We praise you for all those involved in Health Care and for the researchers working to produce a vaccine for the virus. We pray for our local and national leaders who have to adjust their advice as the pandemic continues.

Although the Corona virus continues to dominate our news we cannot overlook the reality of other situations in our world where prayer is needed. We lift up the people of Beirut who are still suffering the consequences of the massive explosion in their city affecting over 30,000 lives. We pray for the people of Yemen, presently experiencing the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. We pray for Sudan hit by flooding and the states in America hit by wild fires.

Faithful God, you see the whole picture. We pray that you will help us to listen to your voice, to trust you and obey you. Give us patience and persistence to follow your guidance in these difficult times.

Thank you Lord.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

 

Reflection:  “A Light Inextinguishable!” (Read John 1: 1-9)

 

Light… God’s first act: let there be light!  God’s final act: in eternity He will be the light of those who chose to follow Him…nothing will live without it…you can’t see colours without it, nothing will grow without light. The Rumanian orphans were starved of love and of light. We need light to live a full life. Light gives life. The apostle John said, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men…” “I have come that they may have life and life abundantly…”

Light gives guidance:  we cannot see where we are going… without light…we are lost…the tiniest pinprick of light will light the way and restore lost hope…

Light gives heat: one small candle, properly reflected, will raise the temperature of an igloo from below freezing to over 45 degrees?

In Scripture light and darkness speak not only of the realm of the material (functional) world but also of the spiritual. Light reveals:  “I believe in Jesus in the same way that I believe in the sun – not because I see it but because things are seen by its light…”  (CS Lewis)

 

And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God. (John 3:19)

 

I am the light of the world – this famous saying was uttered (by Jesus) at the end of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles – a week during which two gigantic candelabra were said to have illuminated every rooftop and courtyard in Jerusalem, and where people danced and sang in praise of the God who was “my light and salvation”… who had protected and saved their forebears during a time of wilderness wandering…

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people” (Exodus 13: 21-22). The God who had made it safe for them to both make and break camp – the God who always lit the way for the people and made it possible them to follow Him wherever He went 24/7/365, if they wanted His Presence, His Provision, His Guidance…

On their return home from exile Nehemiah (in his great prayer of confession, Chapter 9) reminded a stiff-necked and rebellious people of the Lord’s great compassion for them…in never once forsaking pilgrims through a barren land. The Shekinah fire…the light… never went out…

 

The crowds have dispersed (all but a few of his critics) and the extinguished wicks are now guttering in the growing gloom. As night time approaches, a voice is heard, “I am the light that never goes out, the true light, not only of this city but of the world!” “What God is I AMand I AM that for you…” He doesn’t just lead us to the light. He is the light…God is light and in Him there is no darkness

“…he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12b)

LIGHT separates. Light reveals.

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome itThe light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not extinguished it. (John 1: 4-5)

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Not for want of trying! It seems as though all the powers of the world are trying to put out the light Jesus brought, and they’d think it was a birthday celebration if they succeeded. But weak though it seems, the candle flame of love flickers on, dispelling the darkness around it, ready to ignite new lights wherever there is faith and commitment (to follow). (The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it). Why should it be like that? Why is there such opposition? Because the darkness has not understood it. The light looks like a threat. It frightens, shows up things we’d rather have hidden…disturbs us. We don’t understand that the truth is different. The light promises life, freedom and an end to fear. It takes courage to make a leap of faith through the darkness…but is it really such a risk? The candle flame of power burns with the love and power of God, and it has been burning for a long time, in spite of all the huffing and the puffing of the world…”

 

Lord, there are moments when it seems that darkness has the upper hand. Light burns dim, only a flickering candle blown sideways by capricious storms. Clouds roll in, the sheepdog wind herding them tightly, penning them beyond the limits of my sight. Their shadows race across my meadow. The air bites chill. The picnic’s over//Sometimes the darkness welcome me; embraces, hides my imperfections, masks my sin, from everyone but me…and you. Holds me clamped tight lest I reach out to you// And darkness covered the earth; covered it twice, Lord. First at creation, when you brought order out of chaos…gave life and light. Then at the recreation of the world. Signed by the cross. Darkness triumphant or so it seemed for one brief pause. Then, in confused retreat, before the risen Lord of life and light//Shine in my darkness, Lord. Dispel the doubt and fear that cling so close. Turn the weak moonlight of my faith to brighter day in which I see your radiance…know your love.” (Eddie Askew, Facing the Storm, p. 14-15)

 

These are dark days, indeed but we know:

The Lord is my light and salvation – of whom shall I be afraid?!” (Psalm 27:1)

 

These are dark days, indeed but we know:

“Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.” (Isaiah 60:20)

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Closing Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer

 

The Grace: 14 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and  forever more. Amen

 

MFR 13-09-20

 

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