The Book Chapter 11

Chapter 11 - 

This chapter contains a snap shot of some material I have written over the years which usually arose out of a need for a particular event. 

A Blessing for a Junior Church

Bless this day O God 

the oceans wide and deep

the droplets small that form the streams

the tiny streams that form the mighty rivers

that feed the oceans of your creation.

Bless O God 

the Oceans that keep safe the droplets 

that leave and return.

Bless this day O God 

the church wide and deep

our children that form the churches

the churches that form your church

that feeds the Kingdom of your Love.

Bless O God the church 

that keeps safe the children

that leave and return.

Creator 

source of water

source of the church

keep both droplets and child

safe in the ocean of your love.

Amen

This reading is based on Jesus appearance to Thomas post resurrection.

 Thomas

And if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed it.

I saw him touch a blind man and then the man could see.

I saw him offer a hand to lift a paralysed man from his mat and he walked.

And if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed it.

I saw him reach out and touch the awful skin of a Leper and the skin became like new, it was smooth and supple.

I saw him talk to a woman by a well, not one of us, yet she was changed.

And if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed it.

I saw him love an adulteress as he stopped the stones and set her on a new path to tread.

I saw the men; the hypocrites turn away, had they used her?

I saw him enable a small in stature cheat give all his stolen wealth away.

And if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed it.

I saw meals with outcasts

I saw storms at sea stilled

I saw hungry thousands fed.

And if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed it.

I saw a friend dead yet walk from his tomb.

I saw tables overturned in the temple. 

And if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed it.

I saw, I saw so much and I knew he was to die and I said lets also go that we might die with him.

I loved this man yes even willing to die with him

And I saw this man who had done so much, so much that

And if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed it.

I saw this man die.

He died a terrible death.

And I who had seen so much,

Believed so much

So willing to die as well.

I had to be alone.

And so I did not see

I did not see when he came into my friends midst

I did not see that he had conquered death

I did not see that he was alive for ever

I did not see for myself and so I did not believe.

Call me a pessimist.

But I did not see!

I saw my Lord and My God

I needed my eyes to see and believe

Thank God for sight that comes with the eye of faith

That people too can believe.

But don‘t be too hard on me will you,

I who had seen so much,

I withdrew from the fellowship.

You can miss so much

When you withdraw from the fellowship.

But don’t be too hard on me,

Have there not been times

When you don’t believe something 

because you haven’t seen it.

Don’t claim to understand what you don’t 

Or that you believe what you don’t believe.

Be honest and deepen your faith

With the struggle of honest doubt.

I saw the risen Christ.

And if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes

I would never have believed it.

But when you are sure

Go the whole way

With me you can say

My Lord and My God.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Closure of the chapel

They die

and all around

unsettled.

Vulnerability

sets in

life appreciated more

mortality is faced.

Time passes

life moves on

mortality recedes

and false security sets in

until the next death.

Hope for lasting change

is lost,

Chance to change is wasted.

Life returns to its normal pattern.

But is it Life?

This was written for an evening service as a monologue  and I played David which was fun. –

David

Oh hello!

I didn’t see you there at first.

I was bit preoccupied. 

Lots of things on my mind. 

Hmm well it’s been a strange sort of day. 

It started out fairly normal but,.. Oh you don’t know me, sorry. 

I must seem rude. 

Some young boy having the cheek to interrupt you.

But I’m a bit confused to tell you the truth. 

Pardon!

Oh I’ve done it again sorry let me start over.

My name is David and well I come from a fairly typical family,

mum, dad and seven brothers.

No they weren’t all born at once 

How could anybody have seven children at the same time? 

I might be young but I’m not stupid.

So what am I doing here? 

Well I don’t really know. 

I hadn’t planned on being here, neither had my dad.

 I was off doing what  I’m always doing.

 You see I’m the youngest, 

Now don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining.

 My brothers are in fact kind to me, 

well they tease me a bit

 and mum and dad are fond of me, 

but not like Joseph’s dad, who spoilt him and treated him special. 

But don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining 

I get what I need most of the time.

 Mind you I do have to wear a few hand me downs, 

and after seven others well you can imagine. 

Anyway I’m getting off the point. 

You see being the youngest I get the exciting jobs to do.

 Like looking after the sheep all day.

 Conversations incredible. 

I can barely keep awake. 

I was told it’s a responsible task protecting the sheep

 and that I would learn so much about life from doing it.

 What a con 

All that about talk about protecting the flock from wild animals 

it hardly ever happens.

 I sometimes spend my time practising with the sling on old wine jars. 

I’m not bad you know, 

goodness only knows if it’ll ever come in handy.

 

My dad keeps saying 

Just you be careful not to hit someone with one of those stones. 

I mean look at me

 Do I look like the kind of lad to act like a Philistine?

 Mindlessly shooting at people. 

Any way being a shepherd has its good moments 

Just can’t think of any at the moment. 

So what else do I do all day?

Well I’m actually trying to be a songwriter,

 But you know what it’s like trying to find ideas for a song, 

I tried writing about something I knew, being a shepherd. 

Mum says lovely words David, but what a lousy tune. 

She said it might take off if someone writes a better tune for you.

 Look I said no one’s going to nick my stuff 

There’ll only be allowed to sing my words 

to someone else’s tune

 at my funeral, hmm the very idea.

So what do I want to be when I grow up? 

Don’t really know. 

I guess I’ll just stay at home looking after the sheep. 

Might get married,

 I mean marriage is important you know 

finding one good woman who you love and staying with her all my life,

 I know it sounds boring but actually I think it’s important.

 You won’t get me going off with other women, 

anyway who’s going to want to?

 I mean I’m not exactly rich; 

It’s not as if some far eastern Queen’s going to come along and seduce me. 

The very thought. 

Oh I’m sorry I’m day dreaming again

 I get moaned at for that.

 In fact your question about what I want to be is quite important.

 It’s why I’m a bit confused.

 

You see I was looking after the sheep earlier today. 

One of dad’s servants came

 ‘David you’ve got to go your dad wants you it's urgent.

 The prophet’s there and they won’t do anything until you get there’

 So I went 

And the servant said something about dad and my brothers going to sacrifice with Samuel.

 Well I mean 

Samuel 

he’s a living legend. 

Very important man. 

What was he doing in our part of the world?

 Perhaps the King had sent him. 

You see he speaks for God.

 Well the servant said that Samuel had asked to see all my brothers 

but something was not quite right.

 Every time one of them came into Samuel’s presence

 he smiled 

and then looked sad 

and asked to see the next. 

So I arrive. And this old man,

 sorry I didn’t know you knew him. 

Well he looks old to me. 

Well any way this senior gentleman looks at me,

 I could tell he wasn’t impressed,

 there was no smile. 

Well I hadn’t had time to dress properly

 as I told you I’d come straight from work,

 I probably smelt a bit,

 have you ever worked with sheep?

 

Any way he looks at me disappointed at first

 and then it’s as if he’s having a conversation with someone.

 I don’t know perhaps he was praying.

 He then looks totally gob smacked.

 

Then he says to me to come forward and kneel.

 Well you don’t argue with a Prophet do you?

 and dad was giving me a glare so I kneel.

 Then he pours a load of olive oil on my head,

 okay so I know my hair needs washing, 

but it was odd 

because he was saying something about 

God appointing me as a King.

 

Well the old man must have gone off his chariot, 

I mean Saul’s the King

 and he’s got a son. 

I reckon all that talking with God has meant he’s gone a little peculiar.

 I mean anyone who spends a lot of time praying 

it can’t be good for them 

and they get strange sorts of ideas.

 

Only thing is ....

and this is why I’m feeling confused. 

I felt something strange happen to me. 

As he poured oil on my head and said a prayer. 

I felt a force come over me and within, 

it wasn’t spooky like when you’re out in the fields late at night alone.

 It was something very good

 but powerful, 

something that made me feel a sense of awe.

 I guess if I was truthful;

 I felt like God had come over me. 

But why would God come to me? 

I mean I’m the youngest, 

I’m nothing special

 so you see I’m confused. 

I wonder what I will do with the rest of my life. 

What’s going to become of me? 

Could he be right?

Could I a shepherd be a King?

----------------

Dear God,

Are you only the God of Christians?

I don’t think so!

So how does the uniqueness of Christ fit in?

If say your Jewish, Hindu or Muslim?

No wonder people doubt.

Help me though to live by the light you have given me

But not to diss others

Help me to know what is true 

from that which is made up by us, our culture our history.

I doubt not your existence

But I doubt your church,

Doubt people believe the same thing

Yet pretend they do

Help me to teach and guide them into your truth

So lead me in truth and make me strong to do so.

Amen.

Hello Magazine presents a very special December edition. We have won the exclusive rights to the nativity of the millennium. In glossy high resolution colour see the happy couple make their way by donkey to the birth place. Share in those first moments of Joy when the baby is born. You get to see it first with Hello’s religious correspondent.

We won’t mention how much it cost to bring you this event, but we can hint it took everything the creator had.

See the celebrity visitors arrive from far and East wearing the latest designer clothes.

But it wasn’t just for the elite to share in as the people’s baby saw the locals make their way to the happy event. 

Shepherds in the latest black wool clocks and pub landlords.

Yes see how ‘Hello’ made it possible for the happy couple to take an all inclusive paid honeymoon to Egypt to see the pyramids and so get away from the prying eyes of the King.

See the brutal shots of the troops massacring the infants of Bethlehem. Who said hello wasn’t a serious magazine.

Yes get your copy of Hello today

Iona 2007

Iona to me!

Meals!

Worship

Chores

Talks

Walks

Pattern and order

Ebb and flow

Sun and rain

Wind and cloud

Space

To talk

To listen

To be silent

To be silence

This is community

It’s easy and hard

Iona an island left behind

But community remains

Wherever you are.

Columba’s Bay 10^th May 2007

‘Light dancing on water

Sunshine falling like rain’  

God who is

Light

Dance on the ocean of my life.

Jesus who’s love

Falls like rain

Soak me.

Spirit

Of light

and love

fill me that

I may glisten

On the ocean

That is God

Amen.

Levi

I told them it would cause confusion

They said it would save time and money for the department.

It’s always the same some bright civil servant wanting to please their political master. And why?

So the politician can please everyone and remain popular.

I mean what was wrong with the old system. Quite straight forward we set the tax, they paid it. I mean self assessment was just asking for trouble. 

Look at this question. How many fish did you catch and sell today? 

Well what fisherman is going to tell you the truth. They just say you should have seen the size of the one that got away. So they declare 50 small when you jolly well know it was 100 large ones. 

You see that was the advantage of being a local on the spot tax man. You knew what people were up to. You get a nose for these sorts of things. Like when they try to smuggle goods past you on a camel. I mean how many camels do you know that have three humps? I was always good at my job having a real feel for figures. 

Oh I know we tax collectors have a bad press, that’s natural, nobody likes paying taxes, but people soon complain if there’s disorder on the streets, or the road from Jericho to Jerusalem is full of pot holes. And it’s not right, it’s not fair that because of the job we get sidelined, regarded as traitors to our own people. 

We don’t even count in the eyes of our religion. 

Strange how you have to pay taxes up at the temple. 

At least we’re not hypocrites. 

I guess that’s what first drew my attention to Jesus. He seemed to recognise that hypocrisy and say something about it. He saw in me an individual of worth and something to bring to his work. 

You see I’ve got a nose for people. I can tell when they are lying, lying to themselves, 

Jesus says it’s a gift of God; he calls it a gift of discernment. I call it a nose for these things. I can tell when a person’s hurting, and draw it out from them. I know what it is to be hurt. 

When Jesus sent us out in pairs, I was dead scared but he said just use your gift.  And it worked, I saw lives change. It was hard I was sent off with one of those fishermen types, dead boring to be told how hard it was toiling all night for fish. Mind you I feel a bit of an intellectual snob really, well you have to be bright to do the job of a tax man, as I said its more than knowing about figures, its management, its leadership, its working with people. 

Of course James was good at that too, managing a small business working with his dad and brother got to have good human relationship skills for that working with your family. 

And it’s like Jesus saw that in me and the others. 

Now I don’t need to skulk away with my friends, I know I’m valued by God. It’s good to know you can be useful and when he said follow me he was asking me to give away what  I had, and it wasn’t just money, it was me and my God given life. 

Mind you I’m still here doing the self assessment tax forms for James and John, Oh Levi you’re so much better at it than us. 

Oh yes I’ve got a nose for it all right, I know when I’m being used. 

Oh yes I’ll follow you Lord. But I am a tax man and I’m not ashamed.

The following sketch was written for a special synod looking at how we might regroup for mission.

The Dead Circuit Sketch

Minister: Good morning is this the stationing committee of the Methodist Church?

Assistant: Yes. Can I be of assistance?

Minister:         Yes. I’d like to complain about this dead circuit you sold me only a week 

        ago.

Assistant: But we don’t sell dead circuits. Are you sure it’s dead?

Minister:         Well I wouldn’t be complaining if it was alive, would I?

Assistant: But how do you know it's dead?

Minister:         Well it does not appear to have moved in a hundred years.

Assistant: Could I suggest that you try to wake it up?

        Sometimes we find that they are just sleeping.

Minister:         And how do you propose I wake the dead?

Assistant: Well you could mention raising the assessment? 

Minister:         They are dead, not broke.

Assistant: Well say they are losing a minister!

Minister:         They’ll be glad to see the back of them!

Assistant: Well we find, if all else fails, threaten to close a church!!

Minister:         Close a church you moron, I’ve got fourteen of them, and they are all 

        Dead, nobody would notice

Assistant: Well you could try a mission week

Minister:         A mission week, are you trying to wind me up, 

        It’s a dead circuit, not mission impossible should I choose to accept, 

        It has already self destructed. 

Assistant: Oh come now sir it can’t be that bad.

Minister:         Not that bad! Have you ever tried to work with the dead?

Assistant: Well what are the signs that it’s dead?

Minister:         Well for a start it doesn’t know it's dead. 

        It’s going through the motions, 

        Meetings’ for the sake of them

        Buildings so close to another doing the same things, 

        but having nothing really to do with each other

        Worship that is often dull and ineffective

        Nobody new wanting to join.

         Do I Need to go on?

        Look I was told this circuit was alive and it’s not!

        Now I want a new circuit, one that is alive, and I’m not leaving this stationing committee         till you give me one.

Assistant: Well sir could I suggest that you revitalise the said circuit

Minister:         Revitalise the said circuit

Assistant: Yes sir, just give it a fresh expression, and you’ll be amazed at the results.

Minister: Excuse me for saying, but you haven’t been doing this job for long have you?

Assistant: Well no sir.

Minister: No sir indeed. A fresh expression! It’s going to require more than a quick fix, this circuit is         dead, it has expired , it has popped its clogs, kicked the bucket, passed away, it is not                 lukewarm it is as cold as the proverbial snow, it has ceased to be.

Assistant: I think you mean ceased to meet!

Minister:         No! It is dead!

Assistant: But sir! Alive circuits are very rare 

        and we don’t have enough to go round, 

        but don’t say we are not fair. 

          We will be happy to replace the said circuit with another.

        How about Jerusalem Central?

Minister:         Is that one alive?

Assistant: Well it’s not yet been formed; it’s just a twinkle in the eye, a possibility of something new,         something different!!

Minister:             Something different! I’ll take it.

                                                    January 2010

Christmas always sees the round of nativity plays where the various accounts are merged creating in people’s memory just one story. At one level it may not matter but at another we collude with the populism of society that wants a ‘nice story’ to underpin their materialistic Christmas celebrations. The following sketch was written to give people the feeling they were attending a nativity but also to reveal the two accounts as we have them in Matthew and Luke’s Gospel. It was also written to maximise the numbers able to take part but which only required narrators so every word could be heard easily. We were fortunate to have a parent whose design skills and willing boss created two very colourful backcloths in a stain glass format, one based on Matthew and the other on Luke’s Gospel. So one side had Mary Joseph, angel, Bethlehem, Herod, Wise men and gifts, the other Herod, Zechariah & Elizabeth, John, Gabriel, Nazareth, Caesar Augustus, Joseph, Mary, manager, animals, Shepherds, Angel , heavenly host.

 

Matthew and Luke wore caps with their names on

Narrator A: Welcome to our Children’s Christmas service

Narrator B: We are here to celebrate the Christmas story

Narrator A: It’s a well loved and known story

Narrator B: But do you really know it? 

Narrator A: Of course I do I’ve been coming here for donkey years!

Narrator B: So you know the different stories?

Narrator A: Pardon! Stories? There’s only one.

Narrator B: Well you had better listen and watch!

Matthew:         The Gospel according to Matthew

Luke: The Gospel according to Luke

Narrator: A What about Mark and John?

Narrator B: Oh they don’t really mention it. Just listen and watch

Matthew:     The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.             Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob was the father     of Judah and his brothers...

B:         Not exactly exciting is it?

Matthew: Excuse me I have 17 verses of Jesus family tree to recite. I’ve been to a lot of trouble to get it right.

B:         If I might make a small suggestion

Matthew: Well

B:         Skip the boring bit

Matthew: If you insist

B:         I do and so do they (indicates the congregation)

Matthew: It begins my story with Mary betrothed to Joseph (Enter Mary & Joseph)

Matthew: Mary is already pregnant and Joseph is unhappy about that. But the angel tells him a dream (enter angel) that the baby comes from God, that the baby will be a boy whose name will be Jesus for he will save the people from their sins.

A:         Cor fancy knowing all that without an ultra sound scan.

Luke:         Call that a story. My version sets the scene. Imagine if you will. Herod is on the throne. (Enter Herod) A nasty piece of work.

                Anyway the angel Gabriel (enter angel) is sent to Nazareth in Galilee to Mary a young girl betrothed to Joseph (enter Mary)

Matthew: That’s what I said!!

A:         No actually you didn’t mention Gabriel or Nazareth

Luke:         Thank you I’m glad someone appreciates the importance of detail. Now as I was saying Gabriel informs Mary that she is to have a baby who is to be called Jesus

B:         because he’s a boy.

Luke:         No! Because God said so.

                    After a bit of confusion and worrying about what it would all mean Mary said it would be okay.

Matthew: Picking up the story again. Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea

A:         Where’s the journey and donkey?

Matthew: Clearly you have never read my story I advise you to do so. Now when Jesus was born Herod was on the throne (enter another Herod) and wise men came from the East to Jerusalem wanting to know where the King of the Jews had been born. (Enter wise men) For they had followed a star and wanted to worship the new King. The King was a in a terrible state and called in his advisors (enter chief priest and scribes) and asked where the Christ was to be born, Bethlehem was their reply. Being a sneaky King he called the wise men and told them to go and find the child and then let him know. So off they went to Bethlehem.

B:         Meanwhile back to Luke’s story.

Luke:         Caesar Augustus decided to find out how many people there were in the empire so everyone had to go back to their home town. So Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem from Nazareth. While they were there.

A:         Wait a minute where’s the donkey?

Luke:         What is this obsession with Donkeys? Have you ever tried to ride a donkey when you’re pregnant? Forget the donkey stick to the story and stop adding bits in that aren’t there. While in Bethlehem the baby was born but the place they were staying in was crowded so the baby was placed in a manger down amongst the animals.

A:         At last a donkey!

Luke :         I said animals

A:         Sorry

Matthew: So the wise men travelled to Bethlehem and before you ask I don’t know if they rode donkeys alright?

A:         I was only going to ask how many wise men?

Matthew: I don’t know. The wise men who may have ridden donkeys, camels or walked.

A:         Oh I don’t think they would have walked It’s a long way from the east, I’m sure they must have come on donkeys!

Matthew: The wise men followed the star and came to the place where the child was. So delighted were they that they fell down and worshipped him and gave gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

A:         I make it three wise men.

Matthew: Okay three wise men, I guess it will catch on like the Trinity. And the wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod and went home another way.

Luke:         If we might just return to the text, MY TEXT. It just so happened that when the baby was born some shepherds were out in the fields looking after the sheep. (Enter shepherds). And an angel of the Lord told them the good news of the birth of a Saviour who could be found lying in a manger in swaddling clothes. Then a multitude of the heavenly host appeared and sang songs praising God (enter angels)

                Then the shepherds made their way to the town and saw the Baby and then went home.

A & B: So what happens next?

Matthew: Joseph has yet another dream and is warned to get away as Herod’s after them. They flee to Egypt, Herod sends the troops into Bethlehem and kills all the male babies then they go to Nazareth to live after Herod is dead.

Luke:         No Mary and Joseph take the baby to the temple in Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice before they finally go to Nazareth.

A:         Well at least you both agree about that

Matthew

&         Agree about what

Luke

A:         Going to Nazareth, I was beginning to think there were two different stories

B:         Yes and no Donkey!

A:         Are you sure Mark and John can’t cast a little light on the matter?

Mark:         I like to keep it short I begin with Jesus already grown up I don’t have a birth story.

John:         I think I can and have. Just listen to another way of telling the story.

Young person carry’s large candle from rear of Church as John Chapter 1:1-14 is read

Then soloist sang ‘Kindle a flame’ (Iona Community) as young people all lit a candle from the one

Candle. Then all processed out singing ‘This little light of mine’

Prayer is a vital part of the life of the church. It does however need to be given focus. Following a Saturday workshop on prayer everyone in worship was given the opportunity to write prayers of blessing and to take away a prayer to use for the next few weeks. In our congregation a lady with terrible hearing problems and other health issues, who also was the carer for her husband Jack, was having a tough time. So the following prayer was offered as part of the way we could support her.

A Blessing for Marion

Father God, 

who hears through the noise.

Listen to your need.

Jesus, who felt the pain of 

heartache.

Heal your heart.

Holy Spirit,

Who binds us in relationship

keep you and Jack

And may the Trinity of love

Hold, heal and keep you

Strong.

Amen.

Prayers can be for many things and many things can move us to pray.

Firework blessing

May the darkness of your night

 be illuminated by your firework box

with colour and glow.

May the silence be broken by bangs

 and may you be kept safe from danger and from harm.

May the Creator bless you with lights in the darkness to show

you the way.

May the word of the Son bring meaning to your life.

And may the Sprit guide you away from danger. Amen

This monologue was written for an evening service when the lights were turned low and candles lit to create a sense of being in the temple.

 

Samuel

Oh hello didn’t see you all sitting there, I was just about to lock up for the night. I was checking the lamp of the Lord was still okay for oil before I head for bed.

Who am I?

My parents are older than most,

And I don’t really know them; I was for a time an only child. Born late in life, but now mum has had three boys and two girls. It would be good to have them to play with but my life’s different.

I live with a Priest and have jobs to do for him.

He has sons of his own, but I live with him.

But just between you and me, well you wouldn’t think they were the children of a priest, I mean you expect them to behave better than other people’s children, don’t you? Sit quietly in services, never be cheeky.

I guess that’s not fair. After all they are just like us.

Oh I see mum from time to time, she brings me a new robe each year oh and dad comes, well they come to make the yearly sacrifice.

Can you imagine seeing your mum and dad once a year?

I had never quite worked out why I got left here; you know what parents are like, 

I was a toddler when she left me with the priest,

It wouldn’t be allowed these days.

I cried myself to sleep every night for weeks,

In the end I got used to it.

I’d lay there in bed at night imagining mum had tucked me into bed

Telling me stories of famous leaders of the nation.

I’ve quite an imagination I’m told.

Mum would when visited say

One day you’ll understand

Typical parents

I used to say what do you mean?

She’d say well you’re called Sam because I asked God for you and God gave you to me as a gift.

Well if God gave me as a gift why didn’t you keep me?

Oh so we would fall out, she’d get cross and I got in a strop.

Then she’d cry and I would cry and before she left we made up.

But she still left me. How could a mum do that?

Don’t get me wrong it isn’t all bad.

The priest has been good to me.

But as he’s got older he’s looked troubled.

He knew what his sons were like.

He didn’t stop them though.

Some parents are like that,

 Just can’t discipline their own. 

It’s as if they have a blind spot.

Yet everybody else knows the kids are a pain.

And when they are older nobody will like them.

The Priests kids well! They couldn’t take on his job, he told me, God had it in for them, he was sad.

I guess he felt as if he had failed as a Father.

You try your best, set an example, but off the rails they go, abuse their position, perhaps they 

couldn’t cope with dad as a priest. I don’t know, perhaps they were just bad.

Oh well this is the bit I want to tell you about, I mean bear in mind I’ve got an imagination

particularly when I go to bed.

Well this particular night

I was lying asleep in the temple

I heard my name called.

So I did what anybody would do I ran to the priest.

He reckoned he hadn’t called me.

Must have been imagining it,

I went back to lie down

Blow me I heard him call again.

I thought you’re winding me up,

Well he did from time to time

He had a sense of humour.

Well he needed it with sons like his.

So I run to him, 

This happened three times

Then it got weird

Because the priest says

Look it can only be one thing you’re hearing

It must be God,

So don’t run to me if you hear the voice

Answer it and say your servant hears

Well the hairs on the back of my neck were on end

I went back and I just hoped I wouldn’t hear anything

But there it was again

Samuel

So I did what Eli said

Speak for your servant hears

I just wanted to say yes but you don’t argue with Eli

So I get this message, not nice all about doom and gloom for Eli’s sons

But Eli accepted it saying it was God’s will.

Well people keep saying I’m a prophet,

How can that be?

I’m only young

What does God want with young people?

What have we got to offer?

Nobody listens to us until we get experience

But then why did God call to me?

The Mother

One Sunday in worship we explored the characters around the prodigal son. The son and dad are obvious so the other brother was reflected upon as was the mum. One individual objected to imagining a character not mentioned in the story. It wasn’t a very radical reflection it’s printed below. But we are surely called to be creative people and if our view of the bible is too rigid we stop the work of God in its tracks.

My husband and I have two sons

They are very different.

One is solid and reliable, never really had to tell him off.

Calm-ish by nature one who just got on with life. Some might say boring, but you could always trust him to do what he said. Yes he’s the stable dependable stick ability type.

The other is lively, adventurous and always pushing boundaries. Do I have to go to bed now? Can’t I stay up just a bit longer? Oh I’m old enough to go out hunting! He wasn’t even a man not twelve. He’s quick witted, makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you worry.

Two lads very different but both special to their mum.

Both loved for their uniqueness, wouldn’t want to change them, well maybe just a little, but you can’t can you?

We treated them fairly; well I did, fairly but differently

Well you do don’t you.

You know, you who have children, you can’t treat them exactly the same after all they are unique.

But when it came to matters deciding their future because I’m a woman I seemed to get left out of the picture. That’s not right. Well you didn’t hear about me in the story did you, didn’t you ever wonder what mum thought, what mum was doing letting her son go off like that, or the hours she listened to the other complaining about being left on his own. What was my husband thinking – giving all that money to the adventurous one, without even asking me what I thought? Oh yes I know my place. But I still have a view, they are still my children. How come I get excluded from it all, the decision making. Yet I’m still here in the background and now he’s home, now what. I’ve shed a few tears over the years but now he’s back, I’m still excluded, as my man just welcomes him home. Oh I know he won’t get to run the business, but actually I’m not bothered about that. I’m bothered that the man who I married treats me like I don’t count. I’m excluded from this family, its decisions. I think it’s time to put that right. I have a voice that needs to be heard. I think I need a conversation and it’s not with the lads it’s with their dad. Oh I wonder do you ever feel excluded, do you know why? Perhaps you need to have a conversation...

This prayer was written when living in Wolstanton (Stoke – on- Trent) and Literacy was all the rage in schools and we were working on our Junior church celebration in workshops. So we decided on numbers.

The Numeracy Prayer

Let us pray

One is for the world God has created 

Help us God to care for it.

Two is for the light and dark, 

the two parts of the day.

Help us to live in the light of Christ, 

and rest secure in his peace as we sleep.

Three is for the Trinity,

 Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The way God is known to us.

Help us O God to live in love with you

 and each other in a community of love

Four is for the four Gospels which tell us of Jesus life,

We thank you for their stories that keep your truth alive,

Help us live that story.

Five is for our senses, 

Touch, taste, hearing, sight and smell.

Keep us alert to our world and each other 

that we might show your love.

Six is for the six towns of the Potteries

May they live together in love.

Seven is for the Millennium,

We pray that the poor will be set free from debt

And that our church will grow

Amen.

The following small liturgy was written for a local school that had recently had a new layout and equipment for its foundation stage. The school being a joint Church of England and Roman Catholic school meant a short service was required. The irony being a Methodist wrote the liturgy.

Blessing of the Foundation Stage Outdoor Classroom

Led by

Right Reverend John Rawsthorne Bishop of Hallam

&

Right Reverend Steven Croft Bishop of Sheffield

Bishop John: Our school is called Emmaus because two 

friends of Jesus walked together. It was only 

when they arrived at Emmaus they realised 

Jesus had walked with them.

Bishop Steven: Our school seeks to create a special place that will enable our children to reach their God given potential. And we take this time to bless the new layout and equipment for this purpose.

Bishop John: Let us pray

    Father God who is our shelter in the             storm, 

    Bless now the wind break 

    that it might give shelter from 

    the Wybourn elements of wind and rain, 

    and that as your light brings colour to our lives so 

    may the sun light shine on these panels to create 

    patterns of colour and beauty.

Bishop Steven: Lord Jesus who welcomed all 

        and accepted Zaccheus who climbed a tree to 

        see you, 

        bless this climbing tree

         that from it our children may see the world and the city you love,

        and come to see it as  you see it 

        and love it as you love it.

Bishop John : God the holy Spirit

of energy and joy

Bless the children 

to run with laughter, 

climb with ambition

and grow the desire 

to care and respect this space. Amen

Bishop Steven: Children and staff will you                                     promise to look 

        after this outdoors with care                                 and love.

Children & Staff: Together we will.

Bishop John and Bishop Steven now cut the ribbon.

With the news highlighting the decline of the Methodist Church the following sketch was written for the circuit service at the beginning of a new Methodist Year September 2014. 

Pointless Methodists

A: We made radio 4 on Tuesday!

B: Did we?

A: Yes, What’s the point of the Methodists!

C: Oh I heard that. Something about early Ministers being enthusiastic, Methodists standing up for others having a cutting edge, temperance, toll puddle martyrs and trade unions...

A: and Mrs Thatcher!

C: Bit of a caricature in parts

B: Well what did you expect? .....Any way it’s not the same now.

A: What do you mean?

B: Well these modern ministers, it’s so much easier. They don’t know they are born! You know I can remember when a light Sunday was three services

C: Three services huh, I had to do four, and take an afternoon Sunday school talk.

A:  An afternoon Sunday school you lucky lucky.... I had four services, had to stay for hospitality with a family making polite conversation, and then lead a young people’s fellowship at the manse in the evening.

B: You had a young people’s fellowship! I had five services, Sunday school, and the Wesley Guild.

A:  A Wesley guild! I would have died for a guild. I had the bright hour and the sisterhood.

B: You know my first church was a barn of a building with a coke boiler. In the winter the water in the pulpit would freeze, you had to break the ice to drink it.

C: You had a coke boiler. In my first church if it was cold we broke up the small wooden chairs and lit an open fire.

A: What you had chairs! We had pews rows and rows of pews! All filled, (pause) at the back.

C: What pews I’d have died for pews we had flip up seats. I’d have given my MHB for flip up seats and a pulpit! We only had a lectern.

B:  What you had hymn books. We had to learn our hymns from a great big book hung from the ceiling.

C: What was that?

B: oh just an earlier version of a multimedia projector and screen.

B: So what was the conclusion about the point of Methodists?

A: We would be stronger together

C: What congregations uniting and refocusing their liberated resources?

A: No don’t be silly, getting together with the Anglicans

B: Like that’s going to happen!!

A: Mind you I liked the thought that when institutions get to melt down, its then they sometimes re-invent themselves and do something new.

C: Yes Becoming Christ’s people afresh. I think it’s called Church.

The following responses, prayer and words for communion were written for an advent service when a new local preacher’s was being recognised.  The service included various symbolic actions.

In this act of worship we will listen for God’s Prophetic voice calling us to a way of living that is both the means and the end.

Opening responses 

Leader: What does the Lord ask of us?

ALL: That we do justice.

Leader: What does the Lord ask of us?

ALL: That we love mercy.

Leader: What does the Lord ask of us?

ALL: That we care for the widow, orphan and refugee.

Leader: What do we ask of the Lord?

ALL: The grace to live this way

The strength to live this way

Leader: How shall we then worship?

ALL: In Spirit and in truth

Leader: When will we do this?

ALL: Now

Mark Goodhand

Let us pray

Leader: God of our past, present and future

hear now prayers.

Leader: In the face of God’s word spoken and made flesh

ALL: We acknowledge we close our eyes and ears

to what needs to happen.

.

Leader: We need to say

ALL: kindle afresh 

a new desire to put into practice our mission.

Leader: We know we can say

ALL: We are sorry for messing up.

For shying away from tough choices,

but thank you for still believing in us.

Leader: We are glad to say

ALL: In so many ways we are

feeding the hungry,

giving time for the lonely,

creating wholeness for lives.

Help us then,

to see more clearly the opportunities to 

serve, which are just waiting to be met.

.

Leader: And so we pray

ALL: Help us journey the way of our destination.

To offer pardon in the face of hurts.

Love in the face of hatred.

Light in the darkness.

Fairness in the face of injustice.

For your way God, is a way of journeying.

Leader: So we say with gratitude

ALL: Thank you for loving and forgiving us.

For disturbing us, 

and making us wrestle with our faith,

until we become relevant for the world

Leader: God of our past, present and future

  In whose existence we live.

The God’s whose word is spoken and made flesh.

Take us all, 

and make us your living presence.

ALL: Amen.

Mark Goodhand

A story - Blessing bread and wine.

Leader A: It was a promise by God. 

        To come.

        To open the eyes of the blind.

Leader B: To get the lame moving and set those in captivity free.

Leader A: To proclaim that now was the time for change,

        not tomorrow!

Leader A: So God came,

        and lived to the full.

Leader B: He turned water into wine,

        and had an amazing group of friends.

        Women and men,

        fishermen and a terrorist.

Leader A: So God came, 

        and lived life to the full

Leader B: He told stories that turned the world upside down

        of everyone getting the living wage  regardless,

        of migrants and outsiders having a place in the kingdom.

Leader A: So God came 

        and lived life to the full

Leader B: So full. 

        So challenging.

        He had to be silenced.

Leader A: So on that fateful night

        he turned a Passover meal

        into a gift for his friends

Leader B: He was betrayed,

        Friends ran away

        Tried unjustly

        Crucified and died

        and out into a cold tomb.

(Taking the bread and wine)

Leader A: This is my body broken for you

        My blood shed for you.

           This is my way of life.

Leader B: said God 

        who had come as promised.

        My way of living and dying

        must be your way of journeying

        and your destination

         if you would follow me.

Leader A: Now they and we know the truth

        On the third day 

Leader B: Jesus

    was raised to life.

    And we, who put our trust in him,

    are now invited afresh 

    to become like him. 

Leader A: May then this broken bread

Leader B: And this wine 

ALL: Remind us afresh God

        To be your body,

        Healing, forgiving, 

        Loving and caring in the world

        Until your kingdom comes.

        Amen.

Mark Goodhand

These responses and prayers were written for a farewell service and recognition of new preachers.

Leader: We have travelled together

ALL: and another has been with us.

Leader: We have wrestled in our faith

ALL: and we are still standing.

Leader: We have travelled together

ALL: and another has been with us.

Leader: We have not always understood

ALL: But our eyes have been opened

Leader: We have met with each other and with God

ALL: And we are amazed!

Let us pray

Leader: Father Son and Holy Spirit 

One God in perfect Community 

hear now the prayer of your community

created by your love.

We need to say

ALL: We gather with fixed feelings

        We are glad to have known each other

        Sad that some are moving on to new challenges

Leader: We need to say

ALL: Thank you for shared laughter and tears

        Thank you for shared insights and dead ends

Leader: We want to say

ALL: Thank you for believing in us

        and holding us together,

        when our natural inclinations would

        at times tear us apart.

Leader: We need to say

ALL: Thank you for loving and forgiving us.

        For disturbing us, 

        and making us wrestle with our faith,

        until we become relevant for the world

Leader: We want to say

ALL: We are stunned by the people you call to serve you,

            Us!

        and that through us, 

        glimpses of your life are seen.

Leader: So take us all, 

God who is one. 

Make us one with you.

            Bless tonight those who have already,

            and those who are about to 

            commit themselves in service to you

            with your abiding presence,

            that eyes will be opened and truth experienced.

ALL: Amen.

Mark Goodhand

A  story - Blessing bread and wine.

Mark: It was at the end of a journey with friends

He took bread and their eyes were opened.

Liz: It was at the beginning of a journey 

a loving God

became like us.

Mark: Vulnerable as baby. 

Who lived in a family.

Learnt his story at the synagogue.

Played with his friends in the street,

and learnt his craft in the carpenter shop.

Liz: Like us

he felt the call upon his life.

So he left behind security and took to the road.

He told stories that helped people see God.

He changed peoples’ lives by acceptance.

Mark: He asked others for help, 

and as if by mistake he helped them,

to see the truth of their lives,

and the possibilities of living differently.

Liz: Like us,

he annoyed and irritated people 

because of his call.

Some closed their ears to him.

Some turned their backs on him.

While others shut him up.

Mark: Like us

He became vulnerable again.

But he did not resist

It was not his way.

Liz: So a loving God,

who had become like us,

was put to death upon a cross

and his friends had run away and hid.

Song

Mark: But on the night before he died

He gave a gift to his friends.

He broke bread and blessed wine.

Liz: ‘When you do this together 

Remember me’

Mark: Bread broken for your wholeness

Liz: Wine poured out for your joy and thanks

Mark: It was at the end of a journey

He broke bread,

Liz: and their eyes were opened.

Mark: Now they and we know the truth

On the third day 

Liz: Jesus

was raised to life

Liz: And we, who put our trust in him,

are now invited afresh 

to become like him. 

Mark: May then this broken bread

(Taking and breaking the bread)

Liz: And this wine 

(Taking the cup of wine)

ALL: Remind us afresh God

To be your body,

Healing, forgiving, 

Loving and caring in the world

Until your kingdom comes.

Amen.

Mark Goodhand

The new Sheffield circuit saw the creation of a circuit office and so the need to write a short liturgy for a blessing for the Furnival and its staff. The opening and closing responses come from the Iona community daily office.

Tuesday 10^th September 10am

Opening Sentences

Leader: The world belongs to God

All : The Earth and all its people

Leader: How good it is, how wonderful

All: To live together in unity

Leader: Love and faith come together

All: Justice and peace join hands

Leader: If Christ disciples keep silent

All: These stones would shout aloud

Leader: Open our lips, O God

ALL: And our mouths shall proclaim your praise. (Iona Community)

Prayer of Blessing for the Building

Bless this place

where the phones will ring

and the screens light up.

Where it has once served beer

may it now serve information

with clarity of thought

and gentleness of speech

Where it was once smoked filled

may it now bring disperse the gloom

of schedules and schemes

to allow Christ mission 

be fulfilled.

And may the feet that pass through

this space

find welcome 

and warmth. Amen.

Prayer of Blessing on the equipment

God bless the computers switched on each morning

May their memory successfully guard hard-wrung thoughts;

May their programmes accommodate a lack of know-how;

May their ‘help’ processes be clear when folk get lost’

May their spell check speak English and not American;

May they be humble enough to let us think we are still in charge;

And may each day’s relationships be short and satisfactory. Amen

Prayer of Blessing upon the staff.

May the God 

who creates unity

Bind you as one.

May the perceptive Christ

see your potential

and draw it out with love.

May the Spirit

Who brings order out of chaos

Enable you to do the same.

May the Blessing of God 

rest upon

Dave, Geoff, Geraldine, Heather and Sue.

With wisdom, patience and laughter. Amen

Mark Goodhand

Closing response

Leader: This is the day that God has made

All: We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Leader: We will not offer to God

All: Offerings that cost us nothing.

Leader: In the name of the Trinity of Love

All: God in community, Holy and One.

 Iona Community

The following material was part of the Inaugural Service for New Sheffield Circuit held on 1^st September 2013 at The Octagon Centre, Sheffield

Opening responses   

Minister: Before we were born

ALL: You knew us God

Minister: Before we were born

ALL: You loved us God

Minister: You call us all to serve you

ALL: We offer ourselves afresh to do your will

Minister: To the Creator who made us, 

to the Christ who saves us, 

to the Spirit who fills and equips us

ALL: be the offering of our lives in worship and service.

(Mark Goodhand)

Prayer – 

Let us pray,

God who knows what is possible even before we think of it,

we praise you for bringing us to this point of our journey.

We thank you for inviting us to work with you in transforming your world into your Kingdom.

We praise you the God of community

that within our churches you provided many with the insights that have led us to this place. 

We thank you for those who while uncertain, are willing to place their trust in this new beginning.

God who is restless until all is made new,

We praise you for your disturbing Spirit that seeks to lead us to new work, while valuing and blessing the witness of the past.

Understanding God, help us to let go of things that no longer work, sustain or nourish. 

Silence

Demanding God, 

equip us to rise to the new challenge before us 

to be a people of mission 

who transform 

and are transformed.

God, who knows what is possible 

even before we think of it, 

plant now new ideas in our hearts,

and nourish them 

until they too find fulfilment and a harvest.

Amen.  (Mark Goodhand)

Prayer for the New Circuit

We make our new circuit
in the fellowship of God

On the roads of the city,
in the lanes of the villages,
in the housing estates and tower blocks,
to the noise of the tram,
to the cries for love.

We make our new circuit
in the fellowship of God
in the offices and factories,
the schools and universities,
and in the shopping centres.

God has no favourite places.
There are no special things.
All are God’s and all are sacred.

By the community that is God,
Father, Son and Spirit,
may each step we take
weave us together as one
until we become
what you, our God, are calling us to.

Amen.

Reading Hebrews 13:1-8, 15 &16  

A:         Keep on loving each other 

B:         Do not forget to entertain strangers

C & D For by doing so some have entertained angels without knowing.

B:         Remember those in prison

A:         As if you were a prisoner with them

C:         Remember

D         those ill treated as if it was you who suffered.

A         Honour marriage

B         Keep your life free from the love of money

C         Be content with what you have for God has said

D         Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

A:         With confidence we can then say

B:         The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. 

A         What can people do to me?

C Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you

D         Reflect on the outcome of their way of life

        And imitate them.

ABCD:     For Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

A:             So let us through Jesus 

B always offer up praise by our willingness to speak his name

C And do not forget to do good and share with others

D In this way we please God.

The Lord Mayor 

‘I bring the greetings of the City of Sheffield

 recognising the important role that traditionally Methodism has played in the life of this City.  

I wish you well in your new exciting venture. 

We share a common cause.  

The well being of the people of this the fourth largest city in the country.  

I invite you to work with us and we will work with you to that end.

Muslim Chaplain –  

We are a rich and diverse City.  

A city of sanctuary.  

A place where people of faith can engage without the need for fear. 

May we keep open hearts for each other and work for the common good.  

As part of the Islamic community I wish great success in what you are seeking to do.

Bishop Steven: - On behalf of the Anglican Community 

I bring you greetings in your venture for Christ.  

We will work with you in partnership and we will pray for you.

Bishop John: - On behalf of the Roman Catholic community 

I bring you greetings.  

May your work in the name of Jesus be blessed.  

We too will work with you and pray for you.

Superintendent

I thank you on behalf of the Methodist people for 

your words of encouragement.  

Our people and 

our resources are to be found in this city and its surrounding areas. 

We seek to place them at the service of all by sharing, 

in word and action, a love that can change lives. 

We will work with you our civic authorities, with those of faith and no faith. 

And I invite you now to join with us in prayer as we pray for this city and our work.

Prayers 

Let us pray,

Creator God whose heart reaches out to all

Hear now our prayers for this city and our circuit.

We give thanks for the city’s creativity and diversity.

Yet we acknowledge that the wealth created and

 resources are not shared fairly.

May what we do and say break down the barriers 

caused by wealth until all share the good things of life.

God of Justice and truth

ALL: Hear our prayers

Bishop Steven: Loving God we pray that we might be one,

though in reality we so often are not.

We pray that you would stir up within Christians of all traditions, a desire to let go of the things that needlessly separate us

and bring us to a new place when we are one in reality.

Grow in us all a deeper sense of service to the people of this city.

May your love shape what we do and say

until we more clearly reflect your image.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit 

God in perfect community

ALL: Make us one as you are one.

Bishop John: We pray for the work of the individual congregations.

We ask a blessing on their work with children and young people.

Praying that they may come to know they are unique and valued by God.

We ask for a blessing on new ways of being the church. That this might touch those who once knew, or have never known, there is God who cares about them.

We ask a blessing on the numerous pieces of unsung work with older people, that creates friendships and a sense of well being.

God who in Christ has shown all are precious 

Bless the work undertaken in your name.

ALL: Through us make your community and hear our prayers.  Amen

An Idea.

Using the 'Underground' sign you can create your own stations of the cross. I did this for a Good Friday Procession of witness and for a Labyrinth on the evening of Good Friday. It means you can use local stopping off points for the procession to give new meaning to the act of witness. 

Churches Together 

Good Friday Procession of Witness

Today we follow the cross. We walk in the steps of Jesus from his childhood to this holy day when he lays down his life for all.

We are invited to walk in silence and stop at various stations to hear scripture and to pray. After each prayer we move on.

Leader : Why have you gathered here?

ALL : To walk the way of the cross.

Leader : In whose footsteps do you tread?

ALL : Jesus of Nazareth- the Christ.

Leader : Then let us walk with him from childhood, and 

learn from him till we too find ourselves at the 

cross.

The Old Library

Reader

When Jesus was twelve he went with his parents to the Passover at Jerusalem. When they realised he wasn’t with them on the way home they searched for him and found him in the Temple.

“Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man.”

Leader : Let us take a moment of stillness to reflect on 

a young boy who discerned who he was and 

what he must be.  And who then are you

and what is it God wants’ you to be?

Silence

We pray

ALL : Walk with us O Christ, help us to become the 

people you know we can be. Amen

The Surgery

Reader

Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Leader :  Through his life Jesus brought wholeness to those 

who were sick in body, mind and spirit. He restored 

broken relationships and set people on a new and 

exciting journey. Let us take a moment of stillness to 

reflect on what healing our life needs.

Silence

Leader: We pray

ALL : Spirit of the living God, present with us now, enter 

our body, mind and spirit, and heal us of all that 

harms us, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

    Iona Community

The Bank

Reader

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Leader : Jesus on his journey made choices. He chose 

not power or wealth. He knew these things do not 

bring happiness. Instead he kept his journey towards 

God, and lived the life of the Kingdom. Let us take a 

moment of stillness to reflect honestly on the things 

we put our trust in, and ask will they need to be 

nailed to the cross if we are to be free?

Silence

We pray

ALL : O Christ, the Master carpenter, who at the last, 

through wood and nails, purchased our whole 

salvation, wield well your tools in the workshop of 

your world, so that we who come rough-hewn to 

your bench may here be fashioned to a truer beauty of your hand. We ask it for your own name’s sake. Amen.

Iona Community

Children’s Centre

Reader

Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

Leader Jesus said many things that disturbed and 

challenged. His teaching provoked people to 

oppose him. His way of life provoked people to do 

away with him. Let us take a moment of stillness to 

reflect on the challenges we face in being true to 

Leader : Jesus from childhood sought to discern his 

path in life. Always it was with and towards 

God. This morning we have travelled with 

Jesus from that Childhood to be reminded that 

we too have determined to travel with and 

towards God.

We sing then his praise.

The service proceeded with familiar Hymns, songs readings and a short word.Silence

Leader: We pray

ALL : O God, you have set before us a great hope that 

your kingdom will come on earth, and have taught 

us to pray for its coming: make us ready to thank 

you for the signs of its dawning, and to pray and 

work for the perfect day when your will shall be 

done on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of 

Jesus Christ. Amen

Iona Community

We walk now to the grounds of the church to sing our songs of witness and to be a witness.

Churches Together 

Good Friday service of Witness

Leader : Jesus from childhood sought to discern his 

path in life. Always it was with and towards 

God. This morning we have travelled with 

Jesus from that Childhood to be reminded that 

we too have determined to travel with and 

towards God.

We sing then his praise.

The service proceeded with familiar Hymns, songs readings and a short word.