Welcome to this service from the charge of Eddleston linked with Peebles Old.
Today is All Saints, the day when we remember all those who have gone before us in the faith. As once these people inspired us here on earth, still they continue so to do.
Today especially we remember that we never worship God alone, but that we are surrounded by that glorious cloud of witnesses who compass us about. So wherever you are we invite you to join with us, and with those, whom for a little, we see no more, to offer our worship to Almighty God.
The service this morning is led by Very Rev David Arnott and the second prayer by Rev Pamela Strachan
All Saints
HYMN: Jerusalem the Golden
Keep us close Lord God
Keep us close when we have to be far apart.
Keep us close so that we may always sense your presence about us.
Strengthening, affirming and encouraging.
Keep us close so that we might never stray from your ways
Nor lose sight of the way ahead.
Keep us close so that when our heads go down and our spirits falter
We may stretch out our hand and put it into the hand of the one
Who never falters and never fails,
The one who continues to believe in us
Not because of what we might become
But rather because of who we already are.
Keep us close Lord God as together worship you
and say the Prayer that Jesus taught his disciples
THE LORD'S PRAYER
LESSON
1 Peter 1: 3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Reflection
HYMN: Blest be the everlasting God
PRAYER
Almighty God, we thank you for the many ways you ‘keep us close’ -
to you and to one another
As we remember those who have gone before us
Those known to us whom we hold close in our hearts.
And those Saints of old whose virtuous and godly living
Have served as an example and shining light,
Reflecting your truth and glory.
But above all, we thank you for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ
And through Him, we commend to you all who continue to
Suffer throughout earth’s wide bounds.
Those who suffer -
From warfare and violence, from disease and wild weather
From neglect and indifference
From prejudice and from malice.
Be with the lonely and the lost and those who despair and feel their courage failing.
Strengthen and encourage us all - As all are in need of your presence and comfort.
We offer these prayers through
Our Saviour and Lord of all, Jesus Christ.
AMEN.
HYMN: For all the Saints
BENEDICTION
And now may God give you grace to follow the saints
in faith, hope, and love.
And the blessing of God almighty
Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you
and remain with you
and all those whom you love
now and forever more . . . Amen