Order of Service

Order of Service - Sunday 25th August 2019

Good morning and welcome to everyone who has come to St. Ninian's this morning.  We hope you will enjoy our fellowship as we worship God together today. As a congregation our mission is to, 'Worship God together, encourage personal faith and prayer, spread the Good News about Jesus Christ, and love and care for others in our community.'

For children there is a crèche and a Sunday School in different classes split by age.  Visiting children are feel free to join in, please ask those on the door for guidance.  The organist is Anne Kirkpatrick, the minister is Rev. James Aitken, the readers are Cara Short and Donna Short.

There is a Visitors' Book at the front door, please sign it if you are a visitor, and join the congregation after the service in the Martin Shields’ Hall for tea and coffee.  

St. Ninian’s uses the Revised Common Lectionary is an approved week-by-week three-year cycle of biblical readings.  The readings lead us from Advent through the Christian year, the Bible, and Jesus’ life through birth, baptism, his public ministry, his death, resurrection and ascension:

http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/weekly_worship/misc/revised_common_lectionary

ENTRANCE

The service begins with a sentence from the Bible (2 Timothy 1:2), a call to stand (please do so if you are able to), an introit from the choir, and the entrance of the Bible.  For the rest of the service the words in bold are read or sung by everyone.  We sit to pray and stand to sing.

WELCOME, INTIMATIONS and SHARING OF THE PEACE

We welcome one another with a handshake of fellowship, and Christ's words 'Peace be with you'.

APPROACH TO GOD

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 103: 1 – 4)

HYMN 124        Praise to the Lord, the Almighty 

PRAYERS OF APPROACH, CONFESSION & 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

SCRIPTURE:        Luke 13: 10 - 17                    Pg 858

CHILDREN'S ADDRESS

HYMN 142        A small thing like a hazelnut

Caring about people is more important than keeping rules that make others feel important.  This hymn celebrates the absolute importance of care.

Children leave for Sunday School.  Visiting children are welcome to join in.

SCRIPTURE:        Isaiah 58: 9b - 14                    Pg 607

HYMN 184         Sing to the Lord a joyful song

If you call the Sabbath a day of joy … then you shall find your joy in the Lord (Isaiah 58: 13 & 14).  This hymn celebrates the importance of joy in our lives.

SERMON

HYMN 718        We cannot measure how you heal

Joy comes from healing: this hymn commemorates our pain and suffering, and prays for spiritual healing that ‘mends the body, mind and soul’. 

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD 

OFFERING

Freely given, our offering supports the work of Christ's church and symbolises our spiritual dedication to the building-up of the Kingdom of God.

PRAYERS OF DEDICATION, THANKSGIVING and INTERCESSION

We dedicate our gifts to God, give thanks for our blessings, and cry out for help for others and ourselves.  During the prayers this response is used periodically:

Minister:    Lord in your mercy,

All:        Hear our prayer.

SENDING OUT

HYMN 404        I danced in the morning         

BENEDICTION 

Go now in peace, never be afraid. 

God will go with you each hour of every day.

Go now in faith, steadfast strong and true.

Know He will guide you in all you do.

Go now in love, and show you believe.

Reach out to others, so all the world can see.

God will be there, watching from above. 

Go now in peace, in faith and in love.