THIS SERVICE CAN BE HEARD AT - 0113 467 8156
Good morning. Today is the 2nd of August, and it’s the ninth Sunday after Pentecost. The bells
of Peebles Old Parish Church ring out to welcome us to worship - even although because of the current situation we are sharing that worship in our own homes.
The theme of today is around the story of Jacob, and a strange night that he spent by the river.
Here he came to meet a stranger face to face in a terrible struggle. And here Israel as a nation
was given its name.
Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
Hymn: The Lord's my Shepherd
PRAYER
To fulfil the ancient promise of salvation, O God, you
made a covenant with our ancestors and pledged
them descendants more numerous than the stars.
Grant that all people may share in the blessings of
your covenant, accomplished through the death and
resurrection of your Son and sealed by the gift of your
Spirit.
Through dreams and visions, O God, you broaden the
horizon and hope of your people, that they may
discover the meaning of your covenant, even in the
midst of trial and exile.
Increase the number of those who believe in your
word so that all people may joyfully respond to your
call and share in your promises.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
LESSON
Genesis 32:22-31
The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had.
Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.
Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me."
So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob."
Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed."
Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him.
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved."
The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
Hymn: Come O thou Traveller unknown
Solo by Tom Fairbairn
REFLECTION:
by Rev John Smith
Hymn: O Love that wilt not let me go
PRAYER
Lord God, friend of those in need,
your Son Jesus has untied our burdens
and healed our spirits.
We lift up the prayers of our hearts for those still burdened,
those seeking healing,
those in need within the church and the world.
God of mercy and healing,
you who hear the cries of those in need,
receive these petitions of your people
that all who are troubled
may know peace, comfort, and courage.
Life-giving God,
heal our lives,
that we may acknowledge your wonderful deeds
and offer you thanks from generation to generation
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
PRAYER IN TIME OF CRISIS
Lord Jesus,
In the midst of a storm,
You said, ‘Peace be still.’
Bid our anxious fears subside,
Sustain your church in faith, hope and love,
Bring our nation, and our world through this tumult, Grant wisdom to those with heavy responsibilities, And healing and hope to those who are infected.
Amen.
Hymn: Fight the good fight
BENEDICTION
God beyond all seeing and knowing
we meet you in the night of change and crisis,
And wrestle with you in the darkness of doubt,
Give us the will and spirit
to live faithfully and love as we are loved.
And the blessing of God, who creates us, and saves us, and sustains us,
Father, Son and Spirit, be with you all. This day and in all the days to
come.
AMEN
Thank you again for another lovely service. Well done all who took part.
Thanks to all the team once again for this service. The prayers seemed particularly inspiring today.
Thank you for another very interesting and thought provoking service, and very co-ordinated with well chosen hymns. I particularly appreciated Sarah's voluntary at the end. It was not familiar to me but fitted very well with the ethos of the service, and showed the capacity of the organ very favourably.
Lovely service once again. Great solo Tom.
Excellent service. Appreciated hearing the lovely hymn "O love that wilt not let me go" and Sarah's beautiful organ playing
I’ve just listened to last weeks service. (I don’t always remember it’s Sunday, so forgot last week) ! Well done to all, particularly Tom and Sarah.