Welcome as the bells of the Old Parish Church of Peebles ring out
their morning message - “May Jesus Christ be Praised”
For the moment, we all are worshipping, not in church, but
probably at home. So a special thank you as you invite us into
your home today to share this time together.
Today is a special day for peeblesoldonline. This is the
anniversary of the day that we launched the present form of digital
worship. It’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed, how
many people view or listen to us every week, and how many
people have been involved in the production of these services.
And here we are, a year on, arriving at the 5th Sunday in Lent.
Next week brings us to Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy
Week. Don’t forget that we shall be online everyday through that
time.
In the meantime, let us worship God.
When the bells stop, we shall begin by listening to, or singing along
with, “Let all the world in every corner sing”.
The 5th Sunday in Lent
HYMN: Let all the world in every corner sing
PRAYER
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.
Lord God Almighty, shaper and ruler of all creatures, we pray for your
great mercy, that you guide us towards you, for we cannot find our way.
And guide us to your will, to the need of our soul, for we cannot do it
ourselves. And make our mind steadfast in your will and aware of our
soul’s need.
Strengthen us against the temptations of the devil, and remove from us
all lust and every unrighteousness, and shield us against our foes, seen
and unseen.
Teach us to do your will, that we may inwardly love you before all things
with a pure mind. For you are our maker and our redeemer, our help,
our comfort, our trust, our hope; praise and glory be to you now and
forever.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
LESSON
John 12; 20-33
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were
some Greeks.
They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said
to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told
Jesus.
Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to
be glorified.
Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and
dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this
world will keep it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my
servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.
"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say--' Father, save me
from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.
Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have
glorified it, and I will glorify it again."
The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder.
Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."
Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.
Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be
driven out.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to
myself."
He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die
REFLECTION
Hymn: Take up thy cross
PRAYER
Loving and merciful God,
In this season of Lent, we’re reminded of our own difficulties and
struggles. Sometimes the way has seemed too dark. Sometimes we feel
like our lives have been marked by such grief and pain, we don’t see
how our circumstance can ever change. But in the midst of our
weakness, we ask that you would be strong on our behalf. Lord, rise up
within us, let your Spirit shine out of every broken place we’ve walked
through. Allow your power to be manifest through our own weakness, so
that others will recognise it is You who is at work on our behalf.
We ask that you would trade the ashes of our lives for the beauty of your
Presence. Trade our mourning and grief for the oil of joy and gladness
from your Spirit. Trade our despair for hope and praise. We choose to
give you thanks today and believe that this season of darkness will fade
away. Thank you that you are with us in whatever we face and that you
are greater than this trial.
We know and recognise that you are Sovereign, we thank you for the
victory that is ours because of Christ Jesus, and we are confident that
you have good still in store for our future. We thank you that you are at
work right now, trading our ashes for greater beauty. We praise you, for
you make all things new. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
HYMN: Lift high the cross
THE BLESSING and BENEDICTION
Almighty God, grant that we who deserve to be afflicted for our evil
deeds may mercifully be relieved by the comfort of your grace; through
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
And the blessing of God who creates and saves and sustains be with
you, this day and in all the days to come. AMEN
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