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Introduction by Chris Nicoll (Peebles Old)

Welcome to this service for the linked charge of Eddleston, Peebles Old with Stobo and
Drumelzier.

Say not the struggle nought availeth
The labour and the wounds are vain.
The enemy faints not, nor faileth
And as things have been, things remain.

For while the tired waves, vainly breaking
Seem here no painful inch to gain,
Far back through creeks and inlets making
Comes, silent, flooding in, the main.

Good poems, like this extract from one by Arthur Clough, are like good stories. They stand
the test of time because they enshrine an eternal truth. Some things in life are worth fighting
for and fighting against. We shall ponder that thought from a well known Old Testament
story this morning.

After the bells have stopped we shall sing, 'Who would true valour see'.

HYMN: Who would true valour see

4th Sunday after Pentecost

PRAYER

Said by Very Rev David Arnott

Almighty and eternal God
Our heads are bowed
-Not out of fear or cowardice
But out of reverence and respect.
For you have set us in this glorious garden of your creating.
All around us we see the burgeoning signs of growth
-the promise of even greater things to come.
Colours strike our eyes, scents assail our nostrils
as we marvel at the rich variety of life that you have given us.

But more you set before us the pattern and example of Jesus Christ.
In him, and through him, you promise forgiveness to people like ourselves
Who so often disappoint and fall short of expectation.

But your forgiveness never fails,
Your love is never withheld
And we in turn are empowered and enriched, ennobled and strengthened,
Not because of who we are
But because of who you are,
A God who loves us to the uttermost
Who will never leave us or forsake us.

So grant us Lord God, a faith and a resolve
To hold fast to the love
You show to us so that in turn
We might show that same love to others
In the name of Jesus who taught his disciples to pray saying:

THE LORD'S PRAYER

LESSON

Read by Julian Birchall (Stobo/Drumelzier)

1 Samuel; 17; 32-40, 48 & 49

And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.”

But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and smote him and delivered it out of his mouth; and if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him and killed him. Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”

And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

Then Saul clothed David with his armour; he put a helmet of bronze on his head, and clothed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword over his armour, and he tried in vain to go, for he was not used to them.

Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these; for I am not used to them.” And David put them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in his shepherd’s bag or wallet; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine.

When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone, and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.

Reflection

HYMN: Courage, brother, do not stumble

PRAYER

Said by Very Rev David Arnott

June days are without end.
Light floods the sky and the fields and shines off the rivers.
It creeps into our homes unannounced and is reluctant to depart.
So for those who find the light hard to bear, Lord God we want to pray.

For those who think the darkness is a friend, because there they can hide
from their fears and inhibitions,
there they can conceal their anxiety and their pain.
Lord let your light shine to bring warmth and healing
To lives that are fragile and breaking for whatever reason.

We pray for those who prefer the darkness because the shame of the past,
Who cannot forgive themselves for the hurt they caused.
May the light of God’s forgiveness be soft and gentle
Upon their awakening, to enable them to return to living again in community.

We give thanks for those who cause the light to shine more brightly in our lives;
For those involved in the manufacture and delivery of the vaccines.
For the countless people at every level striving to ensure we emerge from the darkness
And live in the light of hope once again.

And for those with whom we share life most intimately,
Be they close at hand or far away,
Let your light shine upon then to direct their path and guide their ways.

Lord of June days, Lord of light
Hear our prayers in Jesus name
Amen

Hymn: Summer suns are glowing

THE BLESSING and BENEDICTION

Said by Very Rev David Arnott

And now may the blessing of Almighty God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with you and remain with you
and all those whom you love,
today and for evermore.
Amen.

 


Voluntary

For any who are unable to access all the above links, I have, especially for you, recorded the audio for the whole service here.

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