{"id":16515,"date":"2021-03-14T09:45:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-14T09:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/urc-daily-devotions-sunday-worship-14th-march-2021-the-revd-clare-downing"},"modified":"2021-03-14T09:45:00","modified_gmt":"2021-03-14T09:45:00","slug":"urc-daily-devotions-sunday-worship-14th-march-2021-the-revd-clare-downing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/urc-daily-devotions-sunday-worship-14th-march-2021-the-revd-clare-downing\/","title":{"rendered":"URC Daily Devotions Sunday Worship – 14th March 2021 – The Revd. Clare Downing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
URC Daily Devotions Worship for<\/strong> Sunday 14th<\/sup> March 2021<\/strong>

\nThe Fourth Sunday of Lent<\/strong>
 
The Rev\u2019d Clare Downing
Moderator of URC General Assembly<\/strong><\/div>\n

 
Opening Organ Music – <\/strong>Prelude in E Minor<\/strong> by Johann Sebastian Bach
 
Introduction<\/strong>
 
Hello. My name is Clare Downing and I am delighted to be able to share in today\u2019s service. My \u2018day job\u2019 is as Synod Moderator for Wessex, and I am based in the centre of the synod, near Basingstoke. I am also serving as one of the current Moderators of General Assembly.
 
Call to Worship<\/strong>
 
People of God, on this wilderness journey, what will you eat?
The word of the Lord is our daily bread.<\/strong>
People of God, in this time of temptation, how will you live?
Our faith is in the faithfulness of God.<\/strong>
People of God, at this kingdom crossroad, whom will you serve?
We worship the Lord our God alone.<\/strong>
 
Hymn<\/strong>       Uyai Mose
Traditional Shona song from Zimbabwe
 
Uyai mose, tinamate mwari (x3)
Uyai mose zvino
 
Translation
 
Come all you people, come praise your maker (x3)
Come now and worship the Lord
 
Prayers of Approach, Confession and Forgiveness<\/strong>
 
God who spoke in creation and brought light into the world, we come to bring our thanks and praise to you.
 
God, who came among us in Jesus, whose life, death and resurrection are the core of our faith, we come to learn from you.
God who works in the world through the spirit of truth, we come to be challenged and changed by you.
We come, knowing that we do not live up to our own standards, let alone yours. For the times when our thoughts, our words, our actions are subject to darkness, to falsehood, to death, forgive us.
 
The God of light, of life, of truth, offers forgiveness, restoration and renewal to each of us. Thanks be to God. Amen.
 
Prayer of illumination<\/strong>
 
Lord, shine your light on the words we read and hear, that we may understand your truth, and live in the fulness of life that you promise to those who walk your way. Amen
 
Reading:  <\/strong>St John 3:14-21<\/em>
 
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. \u2018For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. \u2018Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.  But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.\u2019
 
Hymn       <\/strong>Christ Be Our Light<\/em>
Bernadette Farrell
 <\/p>\n

Longing for light,
we wait in darkness
Longing for truth,
we turn to You.
Make us Your own,
Your holy people
Light for the world to see.
 
Christ, be our light!<\/em>
Shine in our hearts.<\/em>
Shine through the darkness.<\/em>
Christ, be our light!<\/em>
Shine in Your Church <\/em>
gathered today.<\/em>
 
2: Longing for shelter,
many are homeless.
Longing for warmth,
many are cold.
Make us your building,
sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
 
3: Many the gifts,
many the people,
many the hearts
that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants
to one another,
making your kingdom come.<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

Sermon<\/strong>
 
We\u2019ve probably all been there \u2013 that moment when you decide to watch a TV drama, thinking that the episode is a complete story in itself, and then discovering that not only is it the second half of a particular story, but if you didn\u2019t watch the previous series very carefully you will have missed out on some vital bits of back story.
 
It\u2019s the same with our gospel reading today. We come in half way through a conversation, and then it\u2019s immediately referring back to an obscure storyline from the Old Testament.  So in true TV drama style, here are the flashbacks from the previous episodes to put this passage in context.
 
Jesus is talking with Nicodemus, a Jewish leader and teacher, who had come to him under cover of darkness. The conversation has been a challenging one \u2013 with strange references to the idea of being born again. Nicodemus is struggling to keep up.
 
And way back in the book of Numbers, there\u2019s a story of the Hebrew people. Under Moses\u2019 leadership in the desert they are impatient and grumbling (again). God sends poisonous snakes among them. Moses prays, God tells him to make a bronze serpent, put it up on a pole, and if those who were bitten by the snakes looked at this image they would be saved. More of an antidote than a vaccination, but you get the drift.
 
So back to our conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus \u2013 with a quick warning that the subtitles on our TV drama are rather lacking in punctuation, so it\u2019s not altogether clear as to whether Jesus is speaking, or the narrator has taken over\u2026
 
There are three words that stand out. All concepts that recur in John\u2019s gospel – light, life, and truth.
 
The purpose of this gospel, as the writer tells us, is that \u2018you may believe…and you may have life\u2019. In the first few verses of John we\u2019re told that \u2018in him \u2013 the Word \u2013 was life\u2019. Here, looking back at the bronze serpent story, the people needed to look at the thing that was bringing death in order to receive life. Nicodemus is told that the son of man must be lifted up so that life may be received. And in  twist that doesn\u2019t show up in translation, the concept of lifting up on the cross, and being exalted in resurrection and ascension are both encapsulated in that image.
 
We\u2019ve already noted that this conversation happens at night. Back in chapter one, we\u2019re told of the light shining in the darkness, and the darkness not comprehending it, not overcoming it. Jesus is challenging this intelligent, accomplished man with the idea that he \u2013 and by extension we \u2013 might prefer to be in the dark. We might reject the light that is offered because it exposes what we would prefer to stay hidden.
 
Then there is truth. \u2018The Word became flesh..and we have seen his glory…full of grace and truth\u2019 we are told in the prologue of this gospel. And here \u2018the one who does truth\u2019 \u2013 comes to the light. Truth is not simply the opposite to lies, nor the correct teaching. Truth is the revelation of God. If Nicodemus \u2013 or we \u2013 are to \u2018do the truth\u2019 it\u2019s about the whole of our being, not just avoiding fake news. Later in the gospel, Jesus talks of testifying to the truth, to which Pilate responds \u2018what is truth?\u2019. He cannot see that the one before his is<\/u> the truth.
 
Life, light, truth. Recurring themes in this gospel \u2013 and we haven\u2019t even touched on the \u2018I am\u2019 sayings. In one short passage, Nicodemus is invited to consider both the concepts, but more importantly, to consider the one who he is speaking with. There is no neat ending here. The episode finishes, but the story is not complete.  We will meet Nicodemus again, as he defends Jesus rights before his fellow pharisees, and then as he, along with Joseph of Arimathea, take Jesus body to be buried.
 
And we \u2013 hopefully the not so secret followers of Jesus \u2013 continue to be challenged to live in the light, to be set free by the truth, to accept the tenacious love of God who gave his son that we might have abundant life.
 
Affirmation of Faith<\/strong>
 
As followers of Jesus Christ, living in this world\u2014
which some seek to control, but which others view with despair\u2014
we declare with joy and trust: our world belongs to God!<\/strong>
 
From the beginning, through all the crises of our times,
until His Kingdom fully comes, God keeps covenant forever.
our world belongs to God!<\/strong>
 We rejoice in the goodness of God, renounce the works of darkness,
and dedicate ourselves to holy living, for our world belongs to God!
 
As committed disciples, called to faithful obedience, and set free for joyful praise, we offer our hearts and lives to do God’s work in his world, for our world belongs to God!<\/strong>
 
With tempered impatience,  eager to see injustice ended, we expect the Day of the Lord. And we are confident that the light which shines in the present darkness will fill the earth when Christ appears for our world belongs to God!<\/strong>
 
Prayers of intercession<\/strong>
 
God of light, we pray\u2026
         \u2026 for those who are oppressed by unjust systems and rulers
         \u2026 for those who are in the depths of depression
         \u2026 for all those who feel that they are living in darkness
God of life, we pray\u2026
         \u2026 for those who are coming to the end of their lives
         \u2026 for their loved ones, and those caring for them
         \u2026 for those who are bereaved
God of truth, we pray\u2026
         \u2026 for those who serve in governments, both national & local
         \u2026 for those who work in, and those who control the media
         \u2026 for your church
 
In a moment of quietness we bring our own particular concerns to you.
 
And we pray for ourselves, that we may live in, and be sharers of your light, your life, your truth.
 
We bring our prayers together as we share the prayer that Jesus taught his first followers:<\/p>\n

Our father\u2026<\/p>\n

Offertory<\/strong>
 
God is the giver of every good gift. We bring our offerings as a response to God\u2019s generosity to us, and you are invited to dedicate your gifts alongside others who are sharing in this act of worship.
 
Generous God, we bring our offerings to you, asking that you will use both the gifts and the givers \u2013 all that we have and all that we are \u2013 to bring your life into the world. Amen
 
Hymn:<\/strong>      Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast<\/em>
John L. Bell (1949- )
 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Shout for joy!
The Lord has let us feast;
Heaven’s own fare
has fed the last and least;
Christ’s own peace
is shared again on earth;
God the Spirit
fills us with new worth.
 
2: No more doubting,
no more senseless dread:
God’s good self
has graced our wine and bread;
all the wonder
heaven has kept in store.
now is ours
to keep for evermore
 
3: Celebrate
with saints who dine on high,
witnesses that love
can never die.
‘Hallelujah!’ \u2011
thus their voices ring:
nothing less
in gratitude we bring.
 
4: Praise the Maker,
praise the Maker’s Son,
praise the Spirit \u2011
three yet ever one;
praise the God
whose food and friends avow
heaven starts here!
The kingdom beckons now!<\/p>\n



\nCommunion<\/strong>
 
Apart, and yet together, all who love Jesus are welcome to share in communion. We \u2013 with our brothers and sisters across the miles, and the centuries – are Christ\u2019s body on earth.
 
We come because Jesus invites us. We come both to remember, and to look forward.
 
In sharing supper with his friends, the night before he died, Jesus gave us the pattern of blessing, breaking and sharing bread and wine. And so we pray\u2026
 
God of light, through your generous creation we have grain and grapes, bread and wine. For this we give you thanks.
 
God of life, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus you offer us new life. For this we give you thanks.
 
God of truth, we ask that you will send your spirit of truth on these gifts of bread and wine, and on each of us as we offer ourselves afresh to you. AMEN
 
Together, despite being apart, we are gathered around the table.
 
Jesus blesses and offers us the bread, tells us of his body broken for us, tells us to eat and to remember him.
 
Jesus blesses and offers us the cup, the sign of the new relationship with God. Tells us to drink and to remember him.
 
So take the bread and wine, eat and drink the gifts of God. Remember with thanksgiving, look forward in faith.
 
Music for sharing\u2026<\/em>
 
As you have given yourself for us, we give our lives afresh to you. Take us, change us, use us in your service. AMEN
 
Hymn:      <\/strong>Praise, I will Praise You Lord<\/em>
Claude Frayss\u00e9, tr. Kenneth J. Morse,
 
Praise, I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart.
O God, I will tell the wonders of your ways,
and glorify your name.
Praise, I will praise you Lord, with all my heart.
In you I will find the source of all my joy. Alleluia!
 
Love, I will love you, Lord, with all my heart.
O God, I will tell the wonders of your ways,
and glorify your name.
Love, I will love you Lord, with all my heart.
In you I will find the source of all my joy. Alleluia!
 
Serve, I will serve you, Lord, with all my heart.
O God, I will tell the wonders of your ways,
and glorify your name.
Serve, I will serve you Lord, with all my heart.
In you I will find the source of all my joy. Alleluia!
 
Blessing<\/strong>
 
May the God of light illumine our paths,
May the God of life give us life in all its fulness,
May the God of truth set us free
And the blessing of God,
creator, son and spirit,
be with us today, and always. Amen<\/p>\n

Closing organ music – <\/strong>Wir Glauben all\u2019 an Einen Gott<\/strong> (\u201cWe all believe in one God\u201d) <\/em>by Johann Sebastian Bach
 
Sources and thanks<\/strong>
 
Prelude in E Minor<\/strong> by Johann Sebastian Bach (organ of The Spire Church, Farnham \u2013 2020)
Wir Glauben all\u2019 an Einen Gott<\/strong> (\u201cWe all believe in one God\u201d) by Johann Sebastian Bach  (organ of St Thomas-on-The Bourne, Farnham \u2013 2001)
 
Both pieces played by, and received, with thanks, from Brian Cotterill http:\/\/briancotterill.webs.com<\/a>
 
Uyai Mose <\/em>– Traditional Shona song from Zimbabwe.  Sung by the Chorus Pro Musica, Alison Adam & John Bell, \u2117 2008 GIA Publications, Inc.
Christ Be Our Light <\/em>\u00a9 1993, 2000, Bernadette Farrell, Published by OCP Performed by The Orchard Enterprises Choir \u2117 2012 OCP. All rights reserved.
Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast<\/em> – John L. Bell 1949 \u00a9 Wild Goose Resource Worship Group sung by The Choir of St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Edmund Holt (Conductor), Heather A Rendall (Conductor \/ Organ)
Praise, I will Praise You Lord – <\/em>Claude Frayss\u00e9, tr. Kenneth J. Morse, sung by the Anabaptist Community Choir
Music during Communion the Sanctus from Missa Luba arranged by Fr Guido Haazen, sung by Les Troubadours Du Roi Baudouin
 
Liturgy<\/strong>
Call to worship <\/em>from Feasting on the Word<\/em>
Affirmation of Faith <\/em>taken from Stanzas 1 and 2 of Our World Belongs to God <\/em>– a contemporary testimony of faith available in the worship edition of the Psalter Hymnal of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC Publications, 1987; 1-800-333-8300; www.FaithAliveResources.org).
All other prayers by the Rev\u2019d Clare Downing.
 
Thanks to Lorraine Webb, Christopher Whitehead, Deborah Dawes, Barbara Redmond and Ray Fraser for reading various spoken parts of the service. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

URC Daily Devotions Worship for Sunday 14th March 2021 The Fourth Sunday of Lent The Rev\u2019d Clare DowningModerator of URC General Assembly  Opening Organ Music – Prelude in E Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach Introduction Hello. My name is Clare Downing and I am delighted to be able to share in today\u2019s service. My \u2018day job\u2019 is as … <\/p>\n

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