https://vimeo.com/445249388

These are contentious times, Author of Life.
We are constantly wrestling with something.
We wrestle with each other:
over opposing points of view, and their varied interpretations,
our differing experiences, or lack thereof,
over how to mend the rips and tears in the fabric of our lives,
who will or should stand in the gap.

We wrestle with ourselves:
our competing interests, obligations, time constraints,
our doubts and fears,
our cans and shoulds, our wants and needs.

And we wrestle with you, Holy One.
We wrestle with your Word –
with what it says, and what it means.
Preferring Holy Certainty to Holy Mystery,
we chafe against your inscrutable ways.
There is already too much uncertainty in these pandemic days.

We don’t like it.

Equating the wrestling with our most negative
perceptions of conflict, we seek to avoid it at all costs.

Forgive us, Holy One.
In so doing, we miss possibility; we short-circuit hope.

An integral part of discernment, it is in the wrestling
that we discover what we truly believe, what really matters,
where clarity, understanding, and positive change are birthed.

It is where we find you.

Cleanse and renew us, Author of Life.
Put a right spirit within us.
Replace our fear with tenacious faith, and stubborn, defiant hope.

May we choose, like our ancestor Jacob –
to stay present; to keep wrestling,
not letting go until your blessing is recognized and received.

A Prayer of Confession, based in Genesis 32, from Kathy Swaar

https://vimeo.com/441031209

An apology to Kanthi, I had intended to put subtitles into the video of this week’s readings but a technical issue (I had a few this week) stopped me from being able to to so. Instead I encourage people to listen to the reading and enjoy hearing Kanthi bring you the Gospel today.

Call To Worship: 

A song that invites us to reflect on the words of Psalm 31

Reflect:

When In Need – A reflection after Psalm 31 by Rev Dr Sarah Agnew

Prayer:

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Song:

Thine Be The Glory

Readings:

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
John 14:1-14 (Kanthi reads this week’s reading in Sinhalese)
Acts 7:55-60
1 Peter 2:2-10

Song: 

Nada te turbe – A Taizé Tune (Lyrics & Translation)

Reflection on the scripture: 

Darren reflects on this week’s reading from the Gospel of John

Song: 

I Will Sing Of Your Love Love Love

Prayers For Others:

Caroline leads us in this week’s prayers for others

Song:

Christ Be Our Light

A Blessing:

https://vimeo.com/411060602