Call to Worship
Mat 11: 28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Song: Rejoice the Lord is King
Prayer of thanksgiving
Gracious God - we give you thanks and praise for the day you have made, for the life you have given, and for the love you have poured out. We thank you for Christ Jesus our Shepherd and for how he calls us by name and leads to safely to the waters that refresh and well up to eternal life. We thank you for the bread of heaven to earth come down and for the wine of salvation that lifts us up to you in glory. Help us to give to you all the praise and honour you so richly deserve and to worship you in truth and righteousness in this hour and all our lives through.Song: Be still for the presence v1 & 2
Intercessions:
This week the Lord has been with us - let us hold silence and give thanks.
Thank you Lord that you are faithful and true, thank you that you have been with us, and with your world in times of anguish, hopelessness, sadness and tragedy:
Pic Rover Chaplain.
For those facing unemployment, and the end of an era - come great God with your hope and your love
Pic: Paris Fire
For those for whom this week has brought tragedy and loss - come great God with your comfort and peace.
Pic: Blair Howard
For those who make promises to others, preparing themselves for service, totally dependant on others - come great God, with your wisdom and discernment to all concerned.
Pic: Kennedy Baby
We also remember those for whom this week has been a week of joy, blessings and new beginnings. Come great God, with your promise of new life and real joy.
Song: Be still for the presence v3
The Lord's Prayer
Notices and Offering
Bible Readings Psalm 23
John 10: 1-10. Heather Cameron
Song: Be thou my Vision
Sermon:
Pic: Walking away
This morning we continue on our Easter journey - moving away from the upper room where Jesus appeared to his disciples. Journeying on from the Emmaus Road, but still with the certainly of the journeying resurrected Christ, who is with us still on our journey.
Our journey is a walk of faith , a holy adventure, which is fraught with peril. We cannot avoid the dark night or the valley of death, they are before us, and we must go through them. But we go not alone, we have the presence and protection of God himself.
Threat is all around. Enemies abound. The night is dark. Strange noises terrify. But, we are safe because our Holy Shepherd will guide us to green pastures and safe haven.
Easter was early this year, usually it falls in April, and I have chance to listen to Hugh Robertson's "All in the April Evening", and to reflect again on this haunting melody and imagery of the Lamb of God.
Pic: All in the April evening
This Sunday is known to some as Good Shepherd Sunday. Psalm 23 is joined with Jesus’ description of the sheep, the shepherd, and gate to the sheep fold. (John 10:1-10) . Our readings today bring to us numerous images from the world of the sheep! Terminology such as; the sheep gate, the shepherd, the shepherd's voice, sheep and the gatekeeper.
Pic: Blackley
I may have told you this story before, but when David was minister of Blackley Baptist Church in West Yorkshire, our nearest neighbour was the farmer Pigells and his family, who lived right next door to the chapel. I read recently in their church magazine that he had died, and I remembered some of the things I learned from him.
Pic: Sheep looking
If you walked up the hill to the chapel from the manse, you passed many sheep, merrily munching the grass, they may lift their heads to see you, but never more than that. That is unless you were with Famer Pigells - then the story was very different. On hearing farmer Pigells voice, the sheep would all run towards him. It didn't matter if they were right down the hill, within minutes they were all there - waiting, watching, listening, sniffing the air for any signs of food. He once said to me, if ever you want that church filling, just let me know, I can fill it with sheep in seconds.
Sheep can tell the difference between their shepherd's voice and that of another. Sheep know who their shepherd is.
From my observations I saw the sheep at times as rather foolish, acting as one, following each other, rather a sad life really. And yet they also knew who to follow and who to ignore. Even my finest impression of Farmer Pigells, as I walked past them , never raised more than an inquisitive eye from the nearest sheep, but never a stampede - they knew better than that!
Pic: People in field
Often the Bible draw strong parallels with humanity and sheep. Is this how we see ourselves? Are we like sheep? Does our humanity demonstrate an inability to think for themselves, demonstrate a desire to follow others, and to run after the latest fad. With certain voices being given undivided attention, while other voices are blatantly ignored. Scary to say - yes I fear we do!
Through the Bible Readings today we the congregation are invited to align themselves with sheep, and to participate with the good shepherd, wisely and well.
Pic: Shepherd
Those in Church leadership might think of themselves as shepherds. I know some ministers see themselves more like sheep dogs. (Although personally I would not like to be the kind of leader who would bite you if you exercised free will!)
In some ways those of us called into church leadership are shepherds offering oversight and leadership to the people of God, standing in, as it were, for Christ himself. This leaves questions then, and I particularly turn to those in leadership in this church on this day of new beginnings and ask - how do we provide protection for those inside the sheepfold? What does the common voice calling the flock sound like on the ears of the listeners? It is a voice of comfort and hope, or a voice of disappointment and criticism?
Pic: Gate keeper:
Another images in these readings is that of the gatekeeper.
There is a beautiful "Gatekeeper" butterfly. Bright yellow, with two eyes - one on each wing - it appears to be all eyes - watching, waiting, scanning the you as you closely look at it.
The gatekeeper, one who opens the gate freely for all who ask for entrance.
The gatekeeper, the one who bars the gate and keep out unwelcome visitors?
The gatekeeper - ones who needs to exercise discernment to know who is welcome and who is not. A gate is made to open and shut. It is neither a wall, nor is it a barrier. Jesus says "I am the gate", open to admit all and closed to protect. Jesus is the gate through which his own enter into his protection and move out when he calls them by name.
Pic: hands (bandw)
Those of you who serve on the door on a Sunday morning become like the gate keeper - your words of welcome, your smile and warmth demonstrate the spirit of the gate-keeper to the newcomer who timidly comes in for the first time, and to those old faithful as they come to this place, after a week of work.
Jesus calls us to help keep the gate, to open widely as we demonstrate God's love and mercy, to make sure that this is indeed a safe place to be, where the wounded can find healing, the vulnerable know protection, and the weak renew their strength. Jesus calls his people to speak with his voice of Love and grace, his familiar voice that demonstrates the heart of the Father who all will recognise as they respond to his love.
Does this church speak with his familiar voice? Can others hear the voice of the father in what we say?
In our time in history within our pluralistic society, all too often we are aware of many voices competing for our attention. In the noise we may even lose the voice of our shepherd and go astray from time to time and fall into danger, perhaps following a voice that sounds strong and smart and seductive, but different.
Yet today - Whose voice do we follow and with what voice do we speak?
What gate do we enter?
What gate do we lead others to enter?
Pic: Lost sheep
Jesus is the good shepherd, never distancing himself from this imagery, but paints himself into this role time and time again in his stories, and the language he uses. How often have we known his tender voice, his healing touch, his protection and recuse in our own lives.
Pic: Bound Lamb
Yet Jesus is the lamb of God - who takes away the sin of the world.
One who is our protection, yet one who knows our frailties and humanity, and understands us intimately.
William Blake (1757-1827) wrote the poem, little lamb - as we come to Communion, let us spend a moment focusing on this image of the bound lamb and remember Christ.
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life & bid thee feed,
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!
Little Lamb who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little lamb I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb I'll tell thee!
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb;
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little child;
I a child & thou a lamb,
We are called by his name.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
.Little Lamb God bless thee. - William Blake
Let us pray:
You discern correctly, O God, the secrets of the human heart. You know the barriers that discourage human dialogue and encourage enmity. You break the sounds of silence with invitations to serve. Help us to know for ourselves what you have promised for the world - that you are "the Living Water" from which no one returns thirsty, that you are the Christ who comes "to explain everything" and save us from ourselves, that yours is the field that is ready for harvest. As you embraced the Samaritan woman with compassion and understanding, so will you embrace us. Help us to remove the obstacles that isolate us from one another. Renew our pledge to witness for truth and justice in all places. Refresh us with the Living Water of your Spirit. Amen.
Song: Only by Grace
Ordination of Carol - Induction of Beverly, David and Nelsia
Introduction:
Within this united church, Baptist and United Reform Church members serve the Lord in unity and love. We embrace our heritage, as we serve in today's world. This morning we are privileged to witness a beginning of a new era in leadership at Leytonstone United Free Church.
Beverly Collins, Nelsia Hardy, Carol King and Rev David Mackay have been dominated and duly elected to serve Christ and his church here as Church Counsellors. Our Church rules states that Church counsellors shall be inducted as Baptist Deacons and ordained as United Reformed Church Elders. The Church Council shall be responsible for the spiritual leadership, oversight and day to day administration of the church, subject to the approval of the church meeting.
Today we shall Ordain Carol as a United Reform Church elder, and Induct Beverly, David and Nelsia as Baptist Deacons - all of whom will serve in an equal capacity on our Church Council, with the acknowledgment and support of the wider denominations, this local congregation and the help of Christ Jesus himself.
Let us pray:
Father God, at this moment of dedication and faith, will you come to us with your spirit, bringing your sealing and appointment on Beverly, Carol, David and Nelsia. Amen
Turn to Carol: (Beverly, Dave and Nelsia to sit)
Through baptism, members of the Church are called to serve God in the world and to proclaim the love of Christ by the way they live. Some are called to particular responsibilities as ministers of Word and Sacraments, and in the United Reformed Church some are called to be elders, to share with the minister in the pastoral oversight and leadership of the local church. Today, according to the decision of the church meeting, we are to ordain Carol King to the office of elder, and to induct her to serve in this congregation.
As an Elder of the United Reformed Church, Carol is asked to read and accept the Statement concerning the Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church. This Carol has done, and as a public sign of covenant, Carol will now sign this statement in the presence of this congregation.
Carol to sign Statement
Will the congregation please stand.
Carol, do you accept this statement concerning the Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church and do you confess again your faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
I do.
In dependence on God’s grace do you reaffirm your trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and do you promise to follow him and to seek to do and to bear his will all the days of your life?
I do.
Do you believe that the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments, discerned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the supreme authority for the faith and conduct of all God’s people?
I do.
Do you accept the office of elder of the United Reformed Church in this congregation and do you promise to perform your duties faithfully?
I do.
The minister and elders (Jacqui, Wendy and Martin) lay hands on Carol as she is ordained, praying:
Empower her with your Holy Spirit, give her humility and grace, so that by her faithfulness, she may show your love to your people: in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gracious Lord: In your name, and trusting it to be your will, we now ordain Carol to be an elder.
Thank you, God, for the various gifts which you give to your people,
and for the varieties of ministry in the Church. Thank you for all women and men of faith and integrity who have served this local church. Thank you, now, for Carol.
Charge to the congregation:
Do you, the members and friends of this Leytonstone United Free Church accept and receive Carol King to serve as an elder among you?
We do
Will you encourage and support her and respond to her ministry acknowledging that it comes to you from God?
We will
Then let us pray.
Eternal God, you have called us all to serve you in the world and to share your love with each other and our neighbours. Through the decision of this local church you have called Carol to serve us as an elder. Give her the promised blessings of your Holy Spirit and fill her with fresh vision and courage, to lead us in the work you have called us to do.
Make her wise with the mind of Christ, and give her the gifts she needs to fulfil this service faithfully; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
7. Declaration of Ordination
Carol, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and according to the decision of the church meeting, and the declaration of this local congregation I declare you to be ordained as an Elder and welcome you into this office.
Congregation to sit - Turn to Nelsia, Dave and Beverly.
Bible Reading: Romans 12: 1-5
12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function,
5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.
Introduction:
The office of Baptist Deacon, whilst not requiring ordination, still calls for a life presented of God in service within the local church. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we now receive and welcome Beverly, David and Nelsia whom the Church meeting have called to serve as deacons.
As servants of Christ in this church, they are called to share with myself, your minister, the tasks of pastoral leadership and administration. Trust them, and pray for them, and at all times help the in the work of the Lord.
Charge to Beverly, David and Nelsia:
Beverly, David and Nelsia, do you believe in one God, Father, Son and Holly Spirit, and do you confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?
We do.
Do you believe that God has called you though his church to this office, and do you promise, in dependence upon His grace, to exercise this ministry faithfully?
We do.
Do you accept the office of deacon in this congregation and promise to perform the duties of this office faithfully and to the best of your ability?
We do.
(Please kneel - while other Deacons lay hands upon you - (Gwen, Freda, Bob)
Our Father and our God, we thank you for Beverly, David and Nelsia whom you have called to service. Thank you for their individual gifts and qualities and for their strength as a team. As we set them apart for this ministry, we ask for your blessing on them. Guide and equip them by your Spirit that your church may grow in wisdom, love and unity, and that your name may be glorified' Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Charge All Four together
Carol, Beverly, Nelsia and David as you now serve in your various roles, as Deacons and Elder - I induct you to serve Leytonstone United Free Church on our Church Council. To work together for the growth of God's Kingdom here. To exercise spiritual leadership and oversight of God's people, and to be practically involved in the day to day running of the church, under the wisdom and guidance of the church meeting.
Will the congregation please stand:
Friends of Leytonstone United Free Church: Do you, the members and friends of this congregation, reaffirm your faith and calling to follow Jesus Christ, acknowledging Nelsia, David, Beverly and Carol to serve amongst us as a Church Counsellor of this church, and do you promise to support and encourage them as they serve amongst us.
Congregation: We do.
Beverly, Carol, David and Nelsia, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, and in accordance with the decision of this church, I am delighted to induct you to the office of Church Counsellor, and pray for God's blessing upon you in all your work and life for him.
I offer you the right hand of fellowship.
The minister and others give the right hand of fellowship.
Prayer:
May the God of peace sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit, soul and body be kept sound and blameless. The one who calls you is faithful, and will do this.
8. Renewal of Commitment
Call for Unity:
And now as church together, let us confirm our commitment to each other and to the gospel. Let us pursue what makes for peace and build each other up in love.
We will grow together in humility, gentleness and patience;
we will nurture each other in faith;
we will bear with one another in love;
we will make every effort to maintain the unity of the Holy Spirit in the bond of peace,
so that we may faithfully proclaim the gospel of Christ.
The God of peace will make us complete in everything good.
The Lord of peace will give us peace, at all times and everywhere.
To Him be glory for ever and ever Amen
Eternal God, accept this commitment made in your presence,
and give us grace to make it true, so that we may not fail you in the end,
but give you glory and honour by the way we live and through everything we say and do, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Please be seated
Communion
Many grains were gathered together to make this bread.
Many grapes were mixed to make this wine.
They represent for us that we who are many are joined as one in Christ.
Come to the table of Jesus Christ and share with him and each other.
Come, not because you must, but because you may,
Come, not because you are strong, but because you are weak,
Come, not because you are righteous, but because you sincerely love Christ,
Come, not because you wish to receive the benefits that Christ may bring, but that you wish to be his disciple,
Come, not to express an opinion or to make a statement But to seek his presence and to pray for his spirit.
Gathered around this table, we tell again the story and remember that on the night when Jesus was given up, he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying:
`This is my body which is given for you.
Take and eat in remembrance of me.
'In the same way after the supper,
he took the cup and gave it to his disciples saying:
`This cup is the new covenant sealed with my blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
'In this time and in this place we do as our Saviour has commanded and so let us come to God with our prayers of confession and thanksgiving.
Gracious Lord, who knows the thoughts of our minds, the words of our mouth, the desires of hearts and the work of our hands - forgive us our faults, and cleanse we pray - Amen.
Prayer over the bread and wine:
Hear us now, O Christ, and breathe your Holy Spirit upon us
and on this bread and wine.
May they become for us your body, vibrant with your life,
healing, renewing and making us whole.
As the bread and wine which we now eat and drink are changed into us,
may we be changed again into you, bone of your bone,
flesh of your flesh, loving and caring in the world.
Amen.
On the plate with the bread are some grapes – these are particularly for the children who do not yet take the bread and wine, but available to whoever wishes to partake. This isn’t a second rate communion, for the grape is a vital part of the life of the vine, just as our children our a vital part of church life. The grape – not yet trodden down by the feet of those who would seek to make it into something else; not fully matured, but full of potential and possibilities. I would invite you to take two grapes – one to eat immediately, and the other to eat when we drink the wine as a park of our unity in Christ.
If there are any babies in arms, who are not yet up to eating grapes. This is the time to come forward for a prayer of blessing - and I would invite you to come just now.
Look, the body of Christ is broken for the life of the world.
Look, the blood of Christ is shed for the life of the world.
Here is Christ coming to us in bread and in wine.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Receive His with joy and gladness.
Sharing:
As the wine is about to be drank:
God says: See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. - Let us drink and be thankful.
Stand together - reach out and offer the peace to each other, on your left and your right in front and behind you - The Peace of Christ be with you.
Benediction:
Go, blessed with the goodness and mercy of God,
the comfort and love of Jesus Christ,
the insight and guidance of the Holy Spirit
Now and for evermore.
Amen