This week we are looking at John 2: 13 – 16 or the Cleansing of the temple and taking the theme of Jesus as the original disrupter looking at the question is all disruption a bad thing?
The service is designed to be used with the service sheet circulated by e-mail but which is available here to down load 25. Christ the Original Disrupter
To join the service on YouTube follow this link https://youtu.be/3epbFbkJAw0
Song of preparation
Still – Hide me know under your wings.
Call to worship
And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.’
(Isaiah 56:6-7)
Opening prayer
Gracious God, we come rejoicing in your presence, for your love is stronger than death, your mercy reaches from the heavens to the very depths, and your kindness is seen in your grace in Jesus our Lord. We praise your holy name! Amen.
Confession
We come with humble hearts before you, Lord, and confess our sins.
Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.
May God our Father forgive us our sins, and bring us to the fellowship of his table with his saints for ever.
Amen.
Opening song
Here I am and I have come (I will always love your name)
Book review
I dared to call him Father by Bilquis Sheikh
Reading: John 2: 13 – 16 (NET)
13 Now the Jewish feast of Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 He found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at tables. 15 So he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, with the sheep and the oxen. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold the doves he said, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!”
Reflection – Mike Acaster
Jesus the original disrupter. Is all disruption bad?
Prayers of intercession
Loving God, we pray for your church at this time. We pray for wisdom and courage for our church leaders; wisdom to know the direction you are leading us by your Spirit, and the courage to follow you in that way. Forgive us for desiring the form of worship more than we desire you. Free us to worship you and focus on your ways of love and mercy.
Loving God, we continue to pray for this nation during the pandemic. We pray for those who are unwell and are still self-isolating. May the rate of infection stay low so that people can start to see the way ahead and not live in fear. We pray also for other nations where the virus is spreading. May those in authority, who are tasked with making life-changing decisions, have godly wisdom and compassion. May they not be driven by self-interest or greed.
Loving God, thank you that in a world in despair, you are our hope. Help us to remain true to you with all our hearts. In this season, where some are reaching out for you, draw us to those people and give to each one of us the ability and desire to speak your word.
Loving God, we pray for all those who have lost loved ones. We pray for Christine McGrath and her sister-in-law Anna following the death of her brother Tony. Be with the family and all who have lost loved ones at this time. Comfort them with the closeness of your presence. All these things we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Song before communion
Holy Communion
The Lord is here
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
It is indeed right and good, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give You thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ the King of glory.
Born of a woman, He came to the rescue of our human race. Dying for us, He trampled death and conquered sin.
By the glory of His resurrection He opened the way to life eternal and by His ascension, gave us the sure hope that where He is we may also be. Therefore the universe resounds with joy and with choirs of angels we sing for ever to your praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
On the night he was betrayed Jesus took bread, and after he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying, `This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me’
After supper he took the cup and gave it to them saying, `This is the cup of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.’
Lord, send your Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break may be for us the Body of Christ, and the cup we share may be for us the Blood of Christ. May we and all who share this food offer ourselves to live for you, and be welcomed at your eternal feast where all creation worships you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Lord’s prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Giving of communion
Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people.
The Body of Christ keep you in eternal life
The Blood of Christ keep you in eternal life
Prayer after communion
Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.
Closing song
Closing prayer and blessing
Now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and all whom you love, now and for evermore. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.