Sunday service (part two)

Meditation

Because of the Resurrection of Jesus, we are God’s people we have a new status, a new relationship with God, and a new outlook on life. Read though the mediations on the right slowly, putting emphasis on the words in bold. The you these passages refer to are YOU – you are a child of God, saved by his gift. Jesus died that you might be forgiven and have a new relationship with him.

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name,
you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;  and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. (Isaiah 43:1-3a)

Hymn: Who You Say I Am

Listen to the words of this hymn. They are about you. Take them onboard for yourself

Meditation II

So what does that mean for how we face life? →

Because we know who we are before God, saved, forgiven, protected, we can look at the world in a different way, we don’t need to be looking after number one, someone far more powerful has that already covered. We now see others in a different light and have compassion on their plight.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23)

I am not here to pass judgement

or point the finger at anyone.

My name was written in the sand

as one who is forgiven.

Strengthened with hope, 

impervious to shame,

I will walk freely like the freshness

of the dry lands after rain.

Let light spill out of heaven through my life,

dispelling mediocrity and silent blame.


Too many people, 

guilt-stricken, 

wounded, 

walk in regret,

feeling bad about failing,

apologise even for breathing.

Raw belief, 

a passion for others grows in me,

encircling each moment

with instinctive prayer.

I will carry the freshness of the dry lands after rain.

Compassion lives in me again. (Andy Raine)


Prayer:

O Jesus Christ, risen master and triumphant Lord, we bow before you in sorrow for our sins, and confess to you our weakness and unbelief: We have lived by our own strength, and not by the power of your resurrection. In your mercy, forgive us: Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived by the light of our own eyes, as faithless and not believing. In your mercy, forgive us: Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived for this world alone, and doubted our home in heaven. In your mercy, forgive us: Lord, hear us and help us.

Lift our minds above earthly things, set them on things in heaven; show us your glory and your power, that we may serve you gladly all our days.  And today we especially pray for those for whom Easter is no more than an empty egg, which promises much but delivers little.  For people who face an uncertain future alone, while you cry out for them to come to you. 

Lord, may the uncertainties of life at the moment, open the eyes of the blind, that they might see you. Lord, break into their lives through the power of your Spirit.  We are your people. People who know your love. May you use us to speak to others. Just as you called Mary by name, might you us to speak that directly, that personally, into the lives of those around us. Amen