Sunday, 29 March 2020

Coping with Isolation

Kia ora! Good morning!

Isn’t this strange!

We are meeting for Sunday worship in a very different way for the foreseeable future.

We will all have to find our way doing this in the comfort of our own homes and somehow create a rhythm.

So here goes!

Can you find a way to relax in your chair and observe a few moments of quiet before you begin? Can you find a Bible to have beside you for the service?

Maybe you could light a candle as a sign that you are entering this more deliberate sacred space and or find something beautiful to look at like a flower, a picture, a view out the window, or even something in your mind’s eye.

Here’s an image of the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus went for prayer (but also longs his Disciples would support him in his struggles. You can use it or reflection.

Call to worship

Feel welcome to dwell in the words below, to read them several times if it helps you to engage with them more deeply. Note what is happening with your breathing. Can you slow it down and still yourself as part of your preparation for this time with God?

We are pausing to acknowledge the presence of God in our lives.

We are meeting as part of a church community, albeit a scattered one.

We are stilling ourselves, our fears, our anxieties, and all the distracting things around us, to seek and delight in God’s life with us. Let us worship God!

A reminder of God’s goodness- inspired by Psalm 23

Caring Shepherd, you lead us by still waters, restoring our souls.

Good Shepherd, you take us by the hand and lead us through the dark and fearful times in life.

We celebrate Your Leading, compassion and understanding.

Gracious Shepherd, your goodness and mercy nurture and bless us, and enriches our souls.

As we worship you, our cups overflow and goodness and mercy are with us all the days of our lives.

Our prayer – Inspired by Psalm 23 and 121

Draw me today into fresh encounters with Jesus, O God.

Make me a servant of love so that others may know how much You love them and I may know how much You love me.

[pause]

Let me not be afraid of new pastures, whether they be green or brown or parched.

[pause]

And as I pass through whatever the day’s valleys, keep my head lifted up to the mountain, from whence my help comes.

[pause]

Never let me forget the people Jesus welcomed…

the greedy and the great, the bad and the good, the respected and the cheats.

[pause]

Even as the world becomes more callous and chaotic,

may I never underestimate Your capacity

to fashion the miraculous from the monstrous,

even to make me a choice masterpiece from the mire and the clay. Amen. [written by Leonard Sweet, posted on Preach the Story.]

If you are with others share your highs and lows for the week. If you are doing this with just you and God, pause and ponder the things of your week that you are grateful for: the people you know and love, the food you have enjoyed, the company you have shared, the beauty that has surrounded you.

What happens to your heart when you think of these things?

Don’t forget the low points – what have you struggled with this week?

Hymn The King of love my Shepherd is

Listen and sing along by clicking the Blue words

The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his

And he is mine for ever.

Where streams of living water flow

My ransomed soul he leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow

With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,

But yet in love he sought me,

And on his shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death's dark vale I fear no ill

With thee, dear Lord, beside me;

Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spread'st a table in my sight;

Thy unction, grace bestoweth:

And O what transport of delight

From thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
Within thy house for ever.

Our Bible Readings:

[Maybe you can read these out loud. Did you know that people did not read quietly in their heads before 300 years ago!]

Or listen to Brett read them on the youtube video play list

Matthew 26:31-46

Psalm 31

Brett’s Ponderings

Read this or Listen to his sermon by clicking this

Obviously it is ok to complain – These types of Psalms are called Laments. They are more common than psalms of praise.

Obviously it is ok to wrestle with God about the difficulties of putting his will into action – if its ok for Jesus...

The good news is it is ok to tell God exactly what we are feeling whether Gratitude or Lament and all about our struggles.

It is likely that the background to Psalm 31 is David’s Son Absalom has been gathering supporters for a coup against his father.

Verses 9-13 highlight this and the torment they cause David (tears, exhaustion, feeling like everybody is against him…)

But the psalm is also a psalm of confidence in God’s power to get him through and his reliance upon God

· V 5 I place myself in your care. You will save me, Lord; you are a faithful God. (GNB)

Or the more familiar “Into your hand I commit my spirit… (NIV) words Jesus quotes from the cross.

Another line of many that reflects this is the Psalms last words are “Be strong, be courageous, all you that hope in the Lord.” V24

David’s faith was not based on his circumstances but in the character of God.

· As you read the psalm what Characteristics does David Highlight?

· How does he describe that?

· Eg God’s faithfulness, God’s role as a defender, his goodness ..

Highlighting in your bible is a good thing to do – maybe you could underline God’s characteristics in your bible.

I Think Laments are a form of saying “Yes –But” Yes I am going through a hard time But God is still a god of love, He is still a god of grace a God who saves.

Maybe you could use the Lows of the week you shared and add a “Yes, But…” and finish the sentence.

When Jesus was in Gethsemane – he also faces his upcoming suffering with a strong sense of God’s goodness and love. He calls God his father twice (v39,42) and knows that even if Peter will betray him and his disciples will sleep when he needs their prayer support God will never leave or abandon him.

How do you feel about the idea that Jesus was in deep turmoil over the things that were happening. I am surprised by his words in v 38 “The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Who do I know who is overwhelmed and needs me to stand beside them in this time?

How can I pray and support them as they need at this time?

Is there other connections between your bible readings and your highs and lows for the week?

· Was there a word, sentence, or phrase that stood out to you in the readings today?

Pray for those who shared their highs and lows giving thanks for the blessings and asking for God’s help with the struggles.

Use this prayer or the Prayer Abbie recorded on youtube

A further Prayer

Loving God, in this time of uncertainly we hold before you our cares and concerns, our fears, and our sense of weakness – we admit that we, or people around us, are a little overwhelmed. We seek your peace. We pray for your Spirit of love to come upon us and those around us in ways that bring out the best in all of us.

God, know that there is much that is outside our control – there always has been, but it feels like this more than ever! We also know that carrying the load of care is something you are particularly interested in helping us with. We recall Jesus’ words, in Matthew 11:28-30:

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Loving God, we pause in the quiet, to name our burdens, and to offer them to you in hope and trust.

We bring to you our cares and concerns for the people about us:

We pray for our leaders – nationally, regionally, and internationally, grant them wisdom, courage, and compassion in all of their decision making, as well as deep peace and sanctuary in their opportunities to rest and relax.

Bless those who feel the distance of friends and loved ones because of the closure of borders and towns and cities.

Bless those who are already struggling with their health and are fearful of what the virus might bring, but also of the isolation being forced on them.

Bless people who find their lives shrinking and the proximity to the people around them at times stifling! Help us all to find rhythms in our daily lives that enable inner and outer harmony.

And we pray for those who are feeling the loss of loved ones as they walk through this strange season. May they find comfort in their memories and thoughtful helpful people who they can talk to.

We pray, O God, that you will help us find the opportunities in this season

– for slowing down – for deepening companionship, either with those who we share our home with, and those who we can catch up with in a conversation – for preparing and eating food slowly – for reading and remembering – for the calming of the frantic ways we humans live our lives – for the opportunities to think about what kind of future we can create with you guiding us and shaping our living in the way of Jesus.

Finally we pray for our friends at St. Columba’s. Help us find our way in this time of being church without being face to face. May we find new and creative ways to look out for and care for one another, until we meet again in a community free from this awful virus.

Loving, comforting, faithful and interesting God, we offer these our prayers, the read ones and the thought ones, in the name of Jesus, who lived and loved with your fullness of life despite the trials of life. Amen.

We close by reading, praying or singing the hymn:

I am the light of the world

Listen here

‘I am the light of the world; you people come and follow me!’ If you follow and love you’ll learn the mystery

of what you were meant to do and be.

When the song of the angels is stilled,

when the star in the sky is gone,

when the kings and the shepherds have found their way home, the work of Christmas is begun;

‘I am the light of the world…’

to find the lonely and the lost, to heal their broken souls with love, to feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,

to feel the earth below, the sky above;

‘I am the light of the world…’

to free the prisoners from their chains, to make the powerful care,

to re-build the nations with strength of goodwill,

to be at one with people everywhere;

‘I am the light of the world …’

to bring hope to every task you do, to dance at a baby’s new birth,

to make music in an old man’s heart,

and sing to the colours of the earth.

‘I am the light of the world…’

Jim Strathdee

Say this to one another – (and yourself)

The Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord be kind and gracious to you;

the Lord look upon you with favour and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24ff

SING

Go now in peace, Go now in peace. May the love of God surround you, Everywhere, everywhere, you may go.

Notices

Help during the health crisis: We are wanting to be able to offer help where we can and where it is needed. For example, this might be to pick up some groceries and leave them at the door of someone who feels unable to be in contact with people at that time. It might be a ride to an appointment. If you wish your name to go onto a list of those willing to help please let anyone Brett or the church office know. Please note - in order to protect everyone, you must be in good health yourself to be involved in this.

The Prayer Team: If you or someone you know would benefit from having some prayer support we have a prayer chain so please feel free to send your requests to office@stcolumba-taradale.org.nz and the team will spring into action. (You can be assured of confidentiality).

Minister’s all the people

Parish contact details

Website: www.stcolumba-taradale.org.nz

Church office

Will be unstaffed but if you leave a message via email and Anna will answer

For all needs or questions Phone Brett Walker

Home 06 8442256

Mobile 0274083658

brettjwalker@gmail.com