Morning Service Sunday 9 July 2023

Welcome and Intimations

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.

MP 756 When Morning Gilds the Skies

1. When morning gilds the sky,
   our hearts awaking cry:
   May Jesus Christ be praised!
   in all our work and prayer
   we ask his loving care:
   May Jesus Christ be praised!
   

2. To God, the Word on high,
   the hosts of angels cry:
   May Jesus Christ be praised!
   Let mortals too upraise
   their voices in hymns of praise:
   May Jesus Christ be praised!
   

3. Let earth's wide circle round
   in joyful notes resound:
   May Jesus Christ be praised!
   Let air and sea and sky
   from depth to height reply:
   May Jesus Christ be praised!
   

4. Be this, when day is past,
   of all our thoughts the last:
   May Jesus Christ be praised!
   The night becomes as day
   when from the heart we say:
   May Jesus Christ be praised!
   

5. Then let us join to sing
   to Christ, our loving King:
   May Jesus Christ be praised!
   Be this the eternal song
   through all the ages long:
   May Jesus Christ be praised!

1. Psalm 45:10-17
2. Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67

Children’s Message

CH4 598 Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire

1. Come Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,
   let us thine influence prove;
   source of the old prophetic fire,
   fountain of life and love.
   

2. Come, Holy Ghost, for, moved by thee,
   thy prophets wrote and spoke:
   unlock the truth, thyself the key,
   unseal the sacred book.
   

3. Expand thy wings, celestial Dove,
   brood o'er our nature's night;
   on our disordered spirits move,
   and let there now be light.
   

4. God, through himself, we then shall know,
   if thou within us shine;
   and sound, with all thy saints below,
   the depths of love divine.

Meditation

MP 628 Tell me the old, old story

1. Tell me the old, old story
   of unseen things above,
   of Jesus and His glory,
   of Jesus and His love.
   Tell me the story simply,
   as to a little child,
   for I am weak and weary,
   and helpless and defiled.
   

   Tell me the old, old story,
   tell me the old, old story,
   tell me the old, old story
   of Jesus and His love.
   

2. Tell me the story slowly,
   that I may take it in -
   that wonderful redemption,
   God’s remedy for sin.
   Tell me the story often,
   for I forget so soon:
   the early dew of morning
   has passed away at noon.
   

   Tell me the old, old story,
   tell me the old, old story,
   tell me the old, old story
   of Jesus and His love.
   

3. Tell me the same old story,
   when you have cause to fear
   that this world’s empty glory
   is costing me too dear.
   Yes, and when that world’s glory
   is dawning on my soul,
   tell me the old, old story;
   ‘Christ Jesus makes you whole.’
   

   Tell me the old, old story,
   tell me the old, old story,
   tell me the old, old story
   of Jesus and His love.
   

Offering

Prayer of Intercession

CH4 680 You Are Called to Tell the Story

1. You are called to tell the story,
   passing words of life along,
   then to blend your voice with others,
   as you sing the sacred song.
   Christ be known in all our singing,
   all with songs of love.
   

2. You are called to teach the rhythm
   of the dance that never ends,
   then to move within the circle,
   hand in hand with strangers, friends.
   Christ be known in all our dancing,
   touching all with hands of love.
   

3. You are called to set the table,
   blessing bread as Jesus blessed,
   then to come with thirst and hunger,
   needing care like all the rest,
   Christ be known in all our sharing,
   feeding all with signs of love.
   

4. May the One whose love is broader
   than the measure of all space
   give us words to sing the story,
   move among us in this place.
   Christ be known in all our living,
   all with gifts of love.
   

Ruth C. Duck

Blessing