{"id":21361,"date":"2023-11-05T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-05T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/sunday-worship-5-november-2023"},"modified":"2023-11-05T09:30:00","modified_gmt":"2023-11-05T09:30:00","slug":"sunday-worship-5-november-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/sunday-worship-5-november-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Worship 5 November 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Sunday Worship from the United Reformed Church<\/strong>
for Sunday 5 November<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

 
Today\u2019s service is led by the Revd Walt Johnson <\/em><\/p>\n

 
Call to Worship<\/strong>
 <\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good.
God\u2019s steadfast love endures forever!<\/strong>
From the East and West, from the North and the South, we come.
And the Lord has saved us.<\/strong>
In our times of need, we have cried to the Lord.
And God has led us out of our distress.<\/strong>
Wonderful are the Lord\u2019s works to humankind.
Let us tell of God\u2019s deeds with songs of joy.<\/strong>
Let us call on the name of the Lord, our God:
Who was, who is, and who is to come.<\/strong>
 
This lively song, written by Sidney Carter in 1963 and sung to The Shaker Melody, retells Jesus\u2019 time on Earth. It was not an easy life. He was questioned, criticised, persecuted and eventually executed at the hands of the religious leaders of His own people. In today\u2019s Gospel reading, we read Jesus\u2019 words against hypocritical religious leaders.<\/em>
 
Hymn    <\/strong>I Danced In The Morning (Lord of the Dance)<\/em>
Sydney Carter, 1963 \u00a9 1989, Stainer and Bell All rights reserved. Reprinted & Podcast permission under ONE LICENSE # A-734713. All Rights reserved. Performed by the singers and musicians of St Michael\u2019s Church, Solihull and used with their kind permission.
 <\/p>\n

I danced in the morning 
when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon 
and the stars and the sun;
and I came down from heaven 
and I danced on the earth,
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
 
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, <\/em>
wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all<\/em>
in the Dance, said he.<\/em>
 
I danced for the scribe 
and the pharisee,
but they would not dance 
and they wouldn’t follow me.
I danced for the fishermen, 
for James and John –
they came with me 
and the Dance went on.<\/p>\n

I danced on the Sabbath 
and I cured the lame;
the holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high,
and they left me there 
on a cross to die.
 
I danced on a Friday 
when the sky turned black –
it’s hard to dance 
with the devil on your back.
They buried my body 
and they thought I’d gone,
but I am the Dance, 
and I still go on.
 
They cut me down 
and I leapt up high;
I am the life that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me –
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. <\/p>\n

Prayer of Approach<\/strong>
 
Creator God, we come to come You today as we are.
We give You thanks for the freedom we enjoy to worship You. 
We remember our brothers and sisters in Christ 
who must worship You in secret.
We come with the joy and the sadness in our hearts. 
We come with our strength and our weakness. 
We come with our health and our illness.
We offer this time to you today: 
to bring to You the burdens of our hearts and minds; 
to raise our voices and our souls in worship to You; 
to hear Your word \u2013 
that we might be strengthened and renewed in the days ahead.
You lead us in Your truth in the perfect example of Your love 
in our Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Help us by your Spirit to worship You. 
Thanks be to God. Amen.
 
Prayer of Confession <\/strong>
 
There are times when we have all failed to love others, failed to love God, and we have even failed to love ourselves. We bring these now to God. Listen for the Words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: \u201cYou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.\u201d
 
Short period of silence<\/em>
 
Lord God, most merciful, we confess that we have sinned,
through our own fault, in thought, word and deed,
and through what we have left undone.<\/strong>
We ask to be forgiven.<\/strong>
By the power of your Spirit, change us to do good,
help us to forgive others, and keep us in Your ways
of righteousness and love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<\/strong>
 
Assurance of Pardon<\/strong>
 
Listen for the assurance of pardon as found in the Word of God, Psalm 103
 \u201cThe Lord is tender and kind. God is gracious. The Lord is slow to get angry. God is full of love. The Lord loves those who have respect for God\u2019s ways. The Lord\u2019s love is as high as the heavens are above the earth.
God has removed our sins from us. The Lord has removed them as far as the east is from the west.\u201d Thanks be to God. Amen.<\/a>
 
Our second song was written by Isaac Watts over 300 years ago. Its message is just as relevant today. How can we respond to God\u2019s mercy and forgiveness, that we do not receive what we do deserve? How can we respond to God\u2019s grace, that we receive that which God freely gives.<\/em>
 
Hymn    <\/strong>When I Survey the Wondrous Cross<\/em>
Isaac Watts, 1707, Public Domain. Courtesy of St Andrew’s Cathedral & Choir, Sydney, Australia.
 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
 
Forbid it, Lord, 
that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ my God!
all the vain things 
that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.<\/p>\n

See from His head, 
His hands, His feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e\u2019er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
 
His dying crimson, like a robe,
spreads o\u2019er his body on the tree;
then I am dead to all the Globe,
and all the Globe is dead to me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

  <\/p>\n

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
 
Prayer of Illumination<\/strong>
 
Lord Jesus, You who are the Word made flesh: You say to us: \u201cOne does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes the mouth of God.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lord Jesus, You say to us: \u201cI am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lord Jesus, our prayer is in the words of Your disciples at Emmaus: \u201cWere our hearts not burning within us while\u2026 he was opening the scriptures to us?\u201d Amen.
 
Shortly, we will hear the Scriptures read us to. We put into song our prayer for illumination.<\/em>
 
Hymn    <\/strong>In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified<\/em>
Words & Music: Bob Kilpatrick, 1978; \u00a9 Triune Music All rights reserved. Reprinted & Podcast permission under ONE LICENSE # A-734713. All Rights reserved. Sung by Emmaus Music and used with their kind permission.
 
In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.
In my life Lord, be glorified today.
 
In Your Church, Lord\u2026
 
In our hearts, Lord\u2026
 
In my life, Lord\u2026.
 
Sermon Introduction<\/strong>
 
Leaders. We find them in every expression of human community. The dictionary defines a \u2018leader\u2019 as \u201ca person who rules, guides or inspires others\u201d. In many ways, parents lead their children. At school, the class teacher leads the children; in turn, the headteacher leads the school.
Many young people have their first experiences of leadership in roles such as form-captain, team-captain in sport, even specific roles in uniformed organisations such as the Scout-movement or cadet forces.
 
In our democracy, individuals are selected by their peers as having the necessary skills to lead \u2013 their suitability and on-going service is determined in elections. 
 
In business and public service, individuals are promoted to lead others based on their merits and achievements.
 
What about the church? That depends on the denomination. In the United Reformed Church, the authority rests with the church meeting to elect elders, who alongside the minister, lead the congregation. These elders and ministers comprise the other councils of the church \u2013 Synod and General Assembly.
 
If we take a moment to reflect\u2026 who are the leaders whom you have experienced in your life who have been good, and those who have inspired you? 
 
And what about poor leaders \u2013 ones who have been ineffective or absent? Or worse, those who may have abused their positions and power? 
 
In the UK today, 5 November, some will be remembering Guy Fawkes and the plot which sought to overthrow the incumbent leaders of his day.
Do you remember the 1980s political comedy \u201cYes, Minister\u201d? Jim Hacker once said: \u201cIt\u2019s the people\u2019s will. I am their leader. I must follow them.\u201d
 
And what happens when leadership changes? When there is a new headteacher of a school? A new boss at work? A new political party in power? A new minister in our church pastorate? Uncertainty and expectation are just two emotions which may ensue.
 
When we start reading the Old Testament with Exodus, we read about Moses, the leader of Israel. With God\u2019s help, he led them out of slavery in Egypt, through the wilderness and receiving God\u2019s law at Sinai, and as far as the Promised Land.
 
The book of Deuteronomy ends with Moses\u2019 death: he only gets to see the Promised Land from the top of Mount Nebo, where he died. The leadership passes to Joshua. The reading we are about to hear concerns the start of Joshua\u2019s leadership.
 
Reading       <\/strong>Joshua 3: 3 \u2013 17 <\/em>
 
The Lord said to Joshua, \u2018This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that I will be with you as I was with Moses. You are the one who shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, \u201cWhen you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.\u201d\u2019 Joshua then said to the Israelites, \u2018Draw near and hear the words of the Lord your God.\u2019 Joshua said, \u2018By this you shall know that among you is the living God who without fail will drive out from before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites: the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is going to pass before you into the Jordan. So now select twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan flowing from above shall be cut off; they shall stand in a single heap.\u2019
 
When the people set out from their tents to cross over the Jordan, the priests bearing the ark of the covenant were in front of the people. Now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest. So when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the water, the waters flowing from above stood still, rising up in a single heap far off at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, while those flowing towards the sea of the Arabah, the Dead Sea, were wholly cut off. Then the people crossed over opposite Jericho. While all Israel were crossing over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, until the entire nation finished crossing over the Jordan.
 
Sermon Part 2<\/strong>
 
Moses is revered as a great leader of the people; and he led them under God\u2019s guidance. But he was far from perfect. After all, he had killed an Egyptian and fled to Midian which led to his first encounter with God at the burning-bush. Moses was often annoyed by the stubborn people he led. His own impatience at Meribah was the reason cited in Numbers why Moses was not allowed by God to enter the Promised Land.
 
Joshua is the new leader. In this passage, we see God\u2019s action to confirm Joshua in this role \u2013 \u201cin the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that [the Lord] will be with you, as He was with Moses.\u201d
 
This reading is a retelling of the crossing of the Red Sea (sometimes called the Sea of Reeds). We see the familiar dividing of the water. The flow of the River Jordan is held back, and the people cross over on dry land. (The Jordan river flows South through the Sea of Galilee down to the Dead Sea.)
There are three things which confirm Joshua as leader over Israel and Moses\u2019 successor. Firstly, we have the Divine action damming the river and allowing the people to cross dry-shod, fulfilling God\u2019s promise to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. 
 
Secondly, we have the Ark, the symbol of God\u2019s covenant \u2013 the Law \u2013 which directs all aspects of the lives of God\u2019s people.
 
Thirdly, we have the Lord commanding Joshua to select one person from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolic of the whole people. The Twelve have a further role if you keep reading into Joshua chapter 4.
 
If you watched the Coronation of HM King Charles III back in May, you will have seen similar symbolic actions and words spoken by individuals who represent the people of the UK and the Commonwealth, thus recognising the new King\u2019s authority and position.
 
While ceremonies are important, the words and deeds of a new leader are more important. That is how they will be respected (or not) by those whom they lead; and how history will judge them.
 
Reading on, in Joshua 4:14 we find: \u201cOn that day, the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him, as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.\u201d 
 
If we are a leader, or if we have been a leader \u2013 what will be, what is our legacy?
 
For Israel, the quality of leadership went downhill from there: if you read further in the Old Testament through the books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles, there are plenty of bad leaders \u2013 just as we would find in any history textbook about any country or empire. 
 
This week\u2019s Lectionary readings also offer us responses to poor leadership. In Psalm 43, we read of the cry to God in the face of oppression and injustice. In Micah 3, we find God\u2019s word through the prophet condemning corrupt and unjust leaders. In 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul describes good and Godly leadership in the church.
 
But the harshest words against bad leaders were spoken by Jesus. While Jesus could have spoken out against the Imperial Roman rule, He didn\u2019t. While Jesus could have spoken out against the corrupt and decadent rule of Herod, He didn\u2019t. 
 
Jesus\u2019 harshest words were against the Jewish religious leaders, which we find in this week\u2019s set Gospel reading, but I\u2019ve deliberately extended the reading by two verses to include the harshest of Jesus\u2019 harsh words.
 
Reading<\/strong>       St Matthew 23: 1 – 14<\/em>
 
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, \u2018The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses\u2019 seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father\u2014the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. <\/a>All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
 
\u2018But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them.\u2019
 
Sermon Part 3<\/strong>
 
When I read the Gospels, I always find it useful to consider the passage in the wider context of the book. 
 
This passage is in the final block of teaching which begins in Matthew 21, after Jesus\u2019 triumphal entry into Jerusalem and continues to the end of Matthew 25. In these chapters, there are occasional references to Jesus\u2019 teaching taking place in the Temple. 
 
The preceding chapter (22) ends with Gospel writer telling us that no-one (meaning the Pharisees and other religious leaders) dared ask Jesus any more questions!
So even though today\u2019s passage does not explicitly mention the Pharisees and other religious leaders being present, it is very likely that they were there, or not too far out of earshot.
 
But the passage is silent as to the crowd\u2019s reactions. Were there murmured noises of agreement? Depending on the tone of Jesus\u2019 delivery, He may have reduced the crowd to laughing in His parody of the Pharisees\u2019 misuse of power? Imagine perhaps the tone used by modern-day political satirists\u2026
 
Jesus begins His criticism of the religious leaders with reference to Moses\u2019 seat. This is the seat mentioned in Exodus 18:13, where Moses acted as judge for the people and their day-to-day issues which required adjudication. For Jews, Moses is the example of a good and Godly leader. Jesus, however, sees the Pharisees and others as anything but: they are usurpers, unfit to lead.
 
That, too, was Guy Fawkes\u2019 assertion when he conspired with Thomas and Robert Wintour to destroy the building where the most powerful in the land ruled.
 
Jesus goes on to explain, summarised in these words: \u201cthey do not practise what they teach\u201d. He then gives examples, particularly the things they do for show. At the end of the passage, Jesus bluntly calls such people \u201chypocrites\u201d.
 
Rarely does a week go by without some new revelation in some organisation where the leadership has been woefully lacking. For over two years now, UK politics has been dealing with the aftermath of Party-Gate: hypocritical politicians who made rules for the many, but they chose to act as if those rules did not apply to them. What are the consequences? Respect for elected lawmakers is eroded. Leadership has failed.
 
Hypocrisy is often a criticism also levelled at churches and Christians, often cited as a reason why some people do not attend church. There are too many occasions when those frequent scandals in the news have involved church organisations. Again, leadership, and leadership by example has failed.
 
For me, Jesus\u2019 harshest words to the Pharisees are in verse 13: \u201cyou lock people out of the kingdom of heaven\u201d. Elsewhere in Matthew, Jesus\u2019 likens His death and resurrection to the miracle of the prophet Jonah. Jonah was grumpy prophet \u2013 instead of rejoicing over Nineveh\u2019s repentance, he was angry at God for saving them!
 
Who did Jonah think he was? Who did these Pharisees think they were? Who do some churches think they are? It is not up to humans to choose whom God loves.
 
In my time, I have met so many people who have felt that the church has rejected them. Many of them have even been told so to their face by church leaders. How dare they! God loves every person \u2013 everyone in the amazingly diverse creation!
 
Going back to my introduction, when I invited us to consider examples of good leaders we have met in our lives. They were almost certainly people who drew others in, welcomed and encouraged them. They were the people who spent quality time with us and got to know us. They were not just leaders: they were servants, too.
 
Moses and Joshua were such leaders. Jesus Himself is such a leader. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he humbled himself, and as a servant, He washed His Disciples\u2019 feet. Finally, Jesus teaches us that to be a good leader: \u201cThe greatest among you will be your servant\u201d. 
 
Our next hymn is called “Let Us Build A House”, but more commonly known by the first line of the refrain “All are welcome”. It may seem like a straightforward intention, but to be honestly welcoming to all is a genuinely difficult calling.<\/em>
 
Hymn    <\/strong>Let Us Build a House<\/em>
Marty Haugen \u00a9 1994 by GIA Publications, Inc Reprinted & Podcast permission under ONE LICENSE # A-734713. All Rights reserved. Performed by Frodsham Methodist Church Cloud Choir, accompanied by Andrew Ellams, and used with their kind permission.
 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Let us build a house 
where love can dwell 
and all can safely live, 
a place where 
saints and children tell 
how hearts learn to forgive. 
Built of hopes and dreams 
and visions, 
rock of faith and vault of grace; 
here the love of Christ 
shall end divisions: 
 
All are welcome, all are welcome, <\/em>
all are welcome in this place. <\/em>
 
Let us build a house 
where prophets speak, 
and words are strong and true, 
where all God\u2019s children 
dare to seek 
to dream God\u2019s reign anew. 
Here the Cross shall stand 
as witness 
and as symbol of God\u2019s grace; 
here as one we claim 
the faith of Jesus: 
 
Let us build a house 
where love is found
in water, wine and wheat:
a banquet hall on holy ground
where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, 
through Jesus,
is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ 
the feast that frees us:
 
Let us build a house 
where hands will reach 
beyond the wood and stone 
to heal and strengthen, 
serve and teach, 
and live the Word they\u2019ve known. 
Here the outcast and the stranger 
bear the image of God\u2019s face; 
let us bring an end to 
fear and danger: <\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
 
Affirmation of Faith<\/strong>
 
We believe in God \u2013 the Shorthand:<\/strong>
Shorthand for justice and love,<\/strong>
Shorthand for dignity and compassion,<\/strong>
Shorthand for humanity\u2019s deep spiritual yearning,<\/strong>
Shorthand for courage, beauty, and extra miles.<\/strong>
The Shorthand of parent-language, of creator-language:<\/strong>
speaking of the divine permeating all life.<\/strong>
The Shorthand of son-language:<\/strong>
speaking of the intimacy of this God,<\/strong>
the human-being-Jesus expressing love and grace,<\/strong>
beyond imagining.<\/strong>
The Shorthand of spirit-language:<\/strong>
speaking of the on-going desire to reach for tomorrow\u2019s day,<\/strong>
to be the doers of beauty and the tellers of good.<\/strong>
Thanks be to God. Amen.<\/strong>
 
Prayers of Concern<\/strong>
 
At the bidding, \u201c<\/em>Lord of hope, lead us out of darkness\u2026\u201d, please respond with, \u201c\u2026and lead us into light\u201d.<\/strong>
 
Loving God, our Prince of peace: we pray for those in the dark brutality of war and conflict. We cry out to You for the people whose lives are broken and torn apart by violence. We pray for those who put themselves in harm\u2019s way to protect others. Lord of hope, lead us of out of darkness\u2026 \u2026and lead us into light.<\/strong>
 
Son of God, your Word says to us, You have nowhere to lay Your head. We pray for those who no longer have a safe place to live. We pray for refugees and asylum seekers: for those fleeing war, for those escaping injustice and persecution. We pray for those who stand alongside others.Lord of hope, lead us of out of darkness\u2026 \u2026and lead us into light.<\/strong>
Lord Jesus, You who are the Cornerstone of the Church, we pray to you. We pray for ever-greater unity in Your church. We weep when we hear how some who claim to speak in Your name deny Your love to others. We pray for our United Reformed Church. We give thanks for and ask your blessing on those taking the first steps in faith\u2026 Lord of hope, lead us of out of darkness\u2026 \u2026and lead us into light.<\/strong>
 
Compassionate God, we despair when we see those whom we love are in pain \u2013 in body, mind or spirit. We pray for wholeness. We rejoice when they again know peace. In a moment of silence, we pray for those known to us\u2026.
pause<\/em>
 
Lord of hope, lead us of out of darkness\u2026 \u2026and lead us into light.<\/strong>
 
Blessed Saviour, we pray for ourselves\u2026
pause<\/em><\/p>\n

Lord of hope, lead us of out of darkness\u2026 \u2026and lead us into light.<\/strong>
 
We bring all our prayers together, as we say the prayer Jesus taught to us say\u2026 <\/em>
 
Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name!<\/em>
Your kingdom come, <\/em>
Your will be done on earth as in heaven.<\/em>
Give us today our daily bread.<\/em>
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.<\/em>
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.<\/em>
For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,<\/em>
now and forever, Amen.<\/em>
 
This lively, quirky song reminds us that our God is the best leader, and that on our journey through our lives individually and together, God will always be with us.<\/em>
 
Hymn    <\/strong>Moses, I Know You\u2019re The Man<\/em>
Estelle White, 1925-2011; \u00a9 McCrimmond Publishing Co. Ltd., Stainer & Bell Reprinted & Podcast permission under ONE LICENSE # A-734713. All Rights reserved.
 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cMoses, I know you\u2019re the man\u201d 
the Lord said.
\u201cYou\u2019re going to work out my plan,\u201d the Lord said.
\u201cLead all the Israelites 
out of slavery,
and I will make them 
a wandering race
called the people of God.\u201d
 
\u201cDon\u2019t get too set in your ways\u201d the Lord said.
\u201cEach step is only a phase\u201d 
the Lord said.
\u201cI\u2019ll go before you 
and I shall be a sign
to guide my travelling 
wandering race.
You\u2019re the people of God.\u201d 
 
So ev\u2019ry day hey we\u2019re on our way,
for we\u2019re a travelling, <\/em>
wandering race<\/em>
called the people of God.<\/em>
 
\u201cNo matter what you may do,\u201d the Lord said.
\u201cI shall be faithful and true,\u201d 
the Lord said.
\u201cMy love will strengthen you 
as you go along,
for you\u2019re my travelling 
wandering race,
You\u2019re the people of God.\u201d 
 
\u201cLook at the birds in the air,\u201d 
the Lord said.
\u201cThey fly unhampered by care,\u201d 
the Lord said.
\u201cYou will move easier 
if you\u2019re travelling light
for you\u2019re a wandering 
vagabond race.
You\u2019re the people of God.\u201d 
 
\u201cFoxes have places to go,\u201d 
the Lord said.
\u201cBut I\u2019ve no home here below\u201d, 
the Lord said.
\u201cSo if you want to be with me 
all your days,
keep up the moving 
and travelling on 
You\u2019re the people of God.\u201d <\/p>\n



\nBlessing<\/strong>
 
Thank you for joining in with our worship today. 
We close with some verses from Scripture (John 14:27; Numbers 6:24-26)<\/em>
 
Jesus said, \u201cPeace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.\u201d
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord turn His smile towards you and give you peace. Amen.
 
Sources<\/strong>
 
Prayer of Confession<\/em> from the URC Worship Book<\/em>, 4th<\/sup> Order for Communion with an introduction by Walt Johnson. Affirmation of Faith<\/em> from the URC Worship Book<\/em>(Encircled By Prayer) by John Humphreys. All other material by Walt Johnson.
 
Opening Music: Adagio<\/em> by Bennett (1735-1784), Jenny Gill Crawley URC <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Closing Music: Trio du premier ton by Jacques Boyvin (1650 – 1706), Man IV, Jenny Gill Crawley URC – 2021<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 
 
Thanks to Sharon Lloyd, Lorraine Webb, Graham Handscomb, Sarah Wilmott, Kath Haynes, Sue Cresswell, and Diana Cullum-Hall for recording the spoken parts of the service.
 
Copyright: Where copyright material has been reproduced in terms of OneLicence # A-734713. All Rights reserved.<\/p>\n

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This material is only for use in local churches not for posting to websites or any other use.  Local churches must have copyright licences to allow the printing and projection of words for hymns.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Sunday Worship from the United Reformed Churchfor Sunday 5 November  Today\u2019s service is led by the Revd Walt Johnson   Call to Worship  O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good.God\u2019s steadfast love endures forever!From the East and West, from the North and the South, we come.And the Lord has saved us.In our times … <\/p>\n

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