Sunday 21 November 2021

 BURTON JOYCE 

COMMUNITY CHURCH

in association with

Sunday 21 November 2021

Written by Local Preacher Susan Johnson, adapted for the Community Church by Phil Colbourn. Hymns from Songs of Fellowship (SoF)

Reflections on a season of Remembrance

Psalm 46 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble 

Hymn SoF 40

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the holy One, is here

Let us pray

O God of truth and life, during these unusual times – with the threat of infection and increased health concerns across the globe – help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world and put our faith in you. You are the source of life and health and hope, now and for ever. Amen. 

Gracious God, in this time of reflection draw us close to you, help us to lean on you and to hand over to you all our concerns. Your love reminds us that we are not alone, that we have your strength and guidance available to us all the time. And so, we ask that you would accept the worship of our hearts. 

In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen

We say together the Lord’s prayer 

Our gospel lesson for today

John 15:9-17 

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you 

Reflection by The Revd Paul Mellor (RAF chaplain) 

I remember the Boys Brigade, the War Memorial in our South Yorkshire village on cold November mornings, thinking: “What am I doing here?”

In 2003, as a chaplain, I found myself huddled in a concrete air-raid shelter, in Kuwait, with 30 or 40 others. Again, I asked: “What am I doing here?”

More than 80 times, I stood on the tarmac with a family, waiting for the return of a loved one killed in conflict. I prayed: “Lord, what am I doing here?”

My answer was and is, hope: hope that we do not ever forget the cruelty of war and that we know that, in the worst of circumstances, we are not alone. 

Let us pray

God of love, all people are members of your family. Help us reflect your love in all we do. Help us to build bridges across divides and become ministers of peace and reconciliation, letting your light shine in the darkest of places. 

We pray for our broken world. Help us. Lord, help us

We remember, in the words of Desmond Tutu: Good is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness; life is stronger than death. Victory is ours, through him who loves us. Amen

Hymn SoF 533

The King of love my shepherd is

What am I doing here? 

I wonder if we need to ask this question about our lives in general. 

As Christians, we live our lives in the service of others, as Jesus asked us to. To show the light of love. To be the friends Jesus has called us to be, to all we meet. And to remind people, as well as ourselves, that we are not alone. 

Let us pray 

We pray for all who suffer as a result of violence and conflict
God give peace. 

For all who suffer the distress of grief and the sadness of loss

God give peace. 

For all who work to relieve suffering and bring hope 

God give peace. 

For prophets and peace-makers, for singers and scientists

God give peace. Amen. 

Hymn SoF 148

Guide me, O thou great redeemer

Blessing

May peace surround us. 

May hope fill us. 

May the way of love be ours as we go out into the world. 

Amen

Acknowledgement: Methodist Forces Board. Resources for Remembrance 2021