The Lambeth Circuit 35/06

Sunday 22^nd March

While our churches are closed we will endeavour to provide a weekly “Worship at Home” sheet for all our members which will include the readings of the day and some other resources. You might like to use this at the time your church normally meets so that you know you are joining with others. During these unprecedented times we are learning what it means to be the Church without going to Church.

Opening Prayer

As I come before you Jesus, open my eyes that I might truly see you as my shepherd, comforter, and redeemer.  I want to be with others worshipping you but this is not possible, yet I know that I am being prayed for as part of the community of faith.  Thank you for this time where I remember you are with me.  Amen.

Hymn: Amazing Grace (Singing the Faith 440)

Sing/ Read /pray /proclaim the words or listen to it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvt6E9N7AQw

1   Amazing grace -- how sweet the sound --

    that saved a wretch like me!

    I once was lost, but now am found,

    was blind, but now I see.

2   God's grace has taught my heart to fear,

    his grace my fears relieved;

    how precious did that grace appear

    the hour I first believed!

3   Through many dangers, toils and snares

    I have already come;

    God's grace has brought me safe thus far,

    and grace will lead me home.

4   The Lord has promised good to me,

    his word my hope secures;

    he will my shield and portion be

    as long as life endures.

5   And, when this heart and flesh shall fail

    and mortal life shall cease,

    I shall possess within the veil

    a life of joy and peace.

6   When we've been there ten thousand years

    bright shining as the sun,

    we've no less days to sing God's praise

    than when we first begun.

John Newton (1725-1807) (alt.)

Reproduced from Singing the Faith Electronic Words Edition, number 440

Let us pray together

Lord, I worship you today. Help me to see your calling in my life.

Open my eyes to what is possible when I see things through the eyes of your Son.

Forgive what is passed, protect me from all that is to come

Today’s Reading from the Old Testament 1 Samuel 16: 1-13

Today’s Gospel Reading: John 9:1-41

Time to Reflect

Today’s readings both speak to us of seeing with the inner eye of God. Samuel, when called upon to anoint the new king, was guided to see in David what to most people was invisible. David was not the tallest or strongest of Jesse’s sons but the youngest and smallest, yet he had in his heart that which was needed.

The blind man, healed by Jesus, is not just cured of a physical disease, he is not just restored to his family and his community, but most important of all, he begins to see inwardly that God, through Jesus, has worked in his life. John contrasts this new vision with the blindness of the Pharisees.

It is interesting to note that the man’s inner healing is a slow process. It is only gradually that the truth is revealed. He needs courage and determination to keep working it all out.

We are facing a crisis now in which much of the normal way of life is being curtailed. The outer things are being stripped away – we cannot go to church, visit our friends, and on this Mothering Sunday many children will not be able to visit their families.

Yet this creates new opportunities. We can look more deeply into our inner lives. We have more time to sit with God and pray. I urge you, if you can, to find a place in your home which you can set aside for simply sitting with God. You might want to use this prayer by Thomas Keating:

Here I am, Lord, desperately in need of your Holy Spirit. Give me your Holy Spirit, according to your promise. I don’t know how to ask rightly, so I just sit here and allow you to pray  in me, asking for what you most want to bestow, which is your own Holy Spirit – with the gifts through which the Holy Spirit takes over more and more of my life. Amen.

Take a time to sit quietly

A time of prayer

All seeing, all knowing God I call on you today. May your Spirit give your world a sense of calm and peace in these difficult times. On this Mothering Sunday, we pray for all Mums.  The good ones and the not so good.  We remember all those who would have liked to have children but for whatever reason could not. 

We pray for your church in this time of uncertainty:

For those people who are worried about leaving their home and those who cannot.

For those needing to make decisions in order to care for other. 

We pray for carers, doctors and nurses.

We continue to pray for those who will feel more isolated by not being able to attend and act of worship today.

I especially want to pray for …..

Holy God,

Present with us now, guide me in all I do and say – that it might reflect your love for the world.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father ……

Hymn: Listen to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Hrh4lMgn-g or sing a verse of a hymn that comes to mind

A prayer of blessing

Lord, I commit myself to you today.  At the end of this day, may I see you more clearly and love you more dearly, and follow you closer.  Amen. 

Original Materials by Heather Wilson and Paul Wood, adapted by Andrew Dart

Although our churches are closed, our ministers and pastoral visitors are still called to serve you. Please do not hesitate to ring any of the Circuit Ministers if you need help, pastoral support, or simply a listening ear:

Rev’d Andrew Dart              020 8769 6223

Rev’d Kristin Markay           020 7274 1972

Rev’d Dr Andy Lyons           020 7735 5814

Rev’d Graham Thomas        020 8677 4721

Rev’d Gordon Ashworh      020 8769 4870

Please note that the circuit office is closed until further notice.

www.lambethmethodistcircuit.or...