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Introduction by Willie Nicoll  

Good morning and welcome, as the bells of Peebles Old Parish ring out
on the 4th Sunday of Lent.

Half way through each of the two periods of preparation and fasting in the mediaeval church there is a Rest Day!
Half way through Advent it’s called Gaudete Sunday. Half way through
Lent - today in other words - it is called Laetare Sunday. 'Rejoice
Sunday!' It’s there to remind the worshipper that there is a happy
ending coming - Easter Day. So keep going.

It’s also Mothering Sunday - so in our worship we shall remember the
one thing we all share. All of us have a mother to remember today and
give thanks for.

When the bells end, we shall have our first hymn. It’s a translation of an
old German hymn written around 1800. "Beim fruhen Morgenlicht” - “in
the early morning light”

We sing it as “When morning gilds the skies.”

The 4th Sunday in Lent

HYMN: When morning gilds the skies 

PRAYER

Said by Rev John Smith

God of the covenant,
in the glory of the cross
your Son embraced the power of death
and broke its hold over your people.
In this time of repentance,
draw all people to yourself,
that we who confess Jesus as Lord
may put aside the deeds of death
and accept the life of your kingdom.

Steadfast God,
you reach out to us in mercy
even when we rebel against your holy call
and prefer to walk in disobedience
rather than in the way of your divine truth.
soften our hearts with the warmth of your love,
that we may know your Son alive within us,
redeeming us
and raising us up into your eternal presence. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

LESSON

 Read by Andrew Henthorn
John 3; 14-21

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the
Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the
world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not
believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the
name of the only Son of God.
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and
people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.
For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that
their deeds may not be exposed.
But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be
clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."

REFLECTION

Hymn: Great is thy faithfulness

PRAYER

Said by Rev John Smith

My brothers and sisters:
reconciled to God by the mercy of Christ,
we pray with confidence for the needs of the church and the world.

O God, creator and preserver of all,
we pray for people of all sorts and conditions.
Make your purpose known in the earth,
your saving power among the nations.

We pray for the well-being of your church
So guide and guard it by your good Spirit,
that all who profess your name
may be led into the way of truth,
and hold that faith in the unity of the Spirit
and in righteousness of life.

We pray for your world and for populations heavily burdened
by natural disaster, famine or drought.
And especially in this global health emergency,
That generosity and compassion may set the tone among nations,
and that those who suffer or grieve may find healing in body and soul.

We commend to your generous goodness all those who are in any way
afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or circumstances.
Comfort and relieve them according to their individual needs.

And, Lord, on this day in which we honour mothers, may we love and cherish
the special women who have borne us, who have nurtured us, and who have
prayed for our well-being. May our hearts overflow with gratitude to you, who
formed and knitted each of us in a mother’s womb.

Through Christ you make us a new creation, O God,
for with him we pass from sin to the new life of grace.
Accept our prayers in the warm embrace of your compassion,
and welcome all people to the festive banquet ,
where we may rejoice in your love
and celebrate the inheritance you have given to us.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

HYMN: Now thank we all our God

THE BLESSING and BENEDICTION

Said by Rev John Smith

Satisfy us at daybreak with your love
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

And the blessing of God, Creator, Saviour and Sustainer
be with you this day, and in all the days to come.
Amen

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