Paul Carter
If you would like to join this service of worship using just the videos playing one after another, you can visit our playlist on Youtube by following the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2KHyGgDaLucDWdTEMcbGKDbtXaIE9_X
Welcome
Hello. My name is Paul Carter, and I’m one of the ministers in the Oxford Circuit of the Methodist Church. Whether you’re joining us from a congregation in our circuit or from elsewhere, you’re very welcome. And I hope and pray that this opportunity for worship can help provide a space for encounter with God.
Song:
StF 20 Be still, for the presence of the Lord
Opening prayer
I’m always amused by finding a map somewhere I’m visiting, with a big cross marked with “you are here”. Well, of course I’m here. Wherever I am, I’m here.
We gather now in the presence of God because, wherever the place you find yourself today, whoever you are with, whatever’s going on, God is here. God is “moving in this place”. Wherever you are, whatever is happening, you are part of the gathering of the Body of Christ. And God’s Spirit can breathe in you.
God is as close as it’s possible to be to humanity. And so we can open our hearts to God in prayer. We’re going to share in five minutes of quietness. There will be some quiet sound recorded in my garden, of human activity and birdsong — because the world goes on as we pray.
You may like to call to mind what you are thankful for, how you feel in yourself, and what you can praise God for. Hear and know the good news that God is Love and, as we turn to God, God brings forgiveness and acceptance of who you are. Draw close. We pray.
[quietness]
Loving heavenly Father, we know that in your house there is room for us all. Help us as we turn to you once again, and guide us by your Spirit to walk the way of your Son, Jesus Christ, in whom we find our salvation. All praise and glory be yours, now and always.
Amen.
Reading
Psalm 69: 1–3, 9–15, 30–36
https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=481635604
Song:
StF 41 Blessèd be your name
Reading
John 2: 13–22
https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=481635634
Reflection/Sermon/Address
Prayer
We come to our prayer for others. To the words ‘God hear us’ I invite you to join in with the response: “God, graciously hear us”. Let us pray.
Let us pray for the Church of God throughout the world.
God, hear us.
God, graciously hear us.
Let us pray for those who have power and influence and for all who govern the nations.
God, hear us.
God, graciously hear us.
Let us pray for the powerless, for all victims of famine and war, and for all who strive for justice and peace.
God, hear us.
God, graciously hear us.
Let us pray for the afflicted and sorrowful and for all who need our prayers.
God, hear us.
God, graciously hear us.
Let us remember before God those who have died.
God, hear us.
God, graciously hear us.
Eternal God,
through the self-offering of your Son
you have filled our lives with your presence.
Help us in our sufferings and trials
and strengthen us in our weakness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Song:
H&P 494 God is in his temple
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ALyULYu-o
Blessing
May your body be part of the temple of the Holy Spirit,
may you know more and more what it is to be a member of the Body of Christ,
and may you know the room there is for you in the Father’s house.
Amen.
Organ Voluntary
Organ voluntary: Chorale prelude on ‘Rhosymedre’ (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Callum Alger plays the organ of St Peter’s Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton, UK