BURTON JOYCE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Sunday 16 May 2021
ASCENSION
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK
Prepared by Phil Colbourn
Prayers: Helen Snowball & Christian Aid (adapted)
Hymns from Songs of Fellowship
Call to worship. Psalm 47
Clap your hands, all nations,
Shout with cries of joy;
For our God goes up with shouts of joy!
Hymn: SoF:470 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Jesus returns to his Father and, as we saw last week, his followers are left on their own. But not quite. The Spirit of Jesus is with them
Let's pray
Living water, flow through our lives, wash away all that hinders, the past we cling to, the accumulated debris of our daily lives. Cleanse. Refresh. Revive. Make us fit for service, that we might be your hands, your feet, your words, however you might need us.
Creator God, forgive us when our dreams of the future are shaped by anything less than a glimpse of your kingdom of justice and peace and an end to poverty; when we speak without thought, act without care or compassion; when we walk by, stay silent and switch off from situations that are unfair and unjust; are selfish and thoughtless and do not act as you would want us to. Amen
Jesus says: “You are forgiven, go and sin no more.”
Bible Readings:
Ephesians 1:15-23
Psalm 1
Hymn: SoF:41 Be still and know that I am God
A tree by the water
The image of a tree by water runs all the way through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and here in Psalm 1. The tree is us-in-Christ. (We explored this two weeks ago when we looked at the vine. Christ is the rootstock. We are the branches bearing leaves and fruit.)
The river is the Spirit of God.
Consider a tree. Trees are coming into leaf right now. Think about the tree. What does it do? It stands its ground, drawing up water and nutrients, converting sunlight into food for thousands: insects, animals, birds, us. It doesn’t do much. It stands there doing good. (Or, as Paul says in Ephesians 1, we sit with Christ, we abide.) That’s all. And that is what we aspire to be: a tree planted by the water, with leaves (as it says in Revelation 22 & Ezekiel 47) for the healing of the nations.
Be free and fruitful. Be a tree. Amen
Hymn SoF:344 Like a river glorious
River of Prayer
Spirit of God, who hovers over the waters, harness your power in us to live faithfully in harmony with the rhythms of righteousness, for the restoration of creation and the glory of your name.
Creator God, thank you for the vision, from trees of the garden of Eden and the city of God in Revelation, of the healing of creation. Help us to restore and tend the earth, healing the nations.
God of all the nations, your children are crying out, worn down by injustice and suffering. Help us to make real your Kingdom of God where justice reigns. Help us foster compassion, not tolerate damage and oppression. For those living with Covid19, help us work together to conquer disease and fear, trusting in your steadfast love.
Incarnate God, you teach us to speak out for what is right. Make us content with nothing less than a world that is transformed into the shape of love, where poverty has been abolished.
Breath of God, your abundant life inspires us with a vision of a world in which poverty has been eliminated. Give us the faith and courage and will to make it happen. Receive our prayers in Jesus name. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn: SoF:42 Be thou my vision
Final blessing
Let justice roll down like a river, may righteousness flow like a never-ending stream and may the joy of creation fill you anew as you pray, act and give for the restoration of creation and the flourishing of all people. In the name of the Creator, Son and Spirit. Amen.
Credits for images
Trees by water: Fr Richard Heilman, www.romancatholicman.com
Children Ascension: Christ Church and Holy Trinity Church of England Primary Schools,
Chelsea, London.
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