September 8, 2019

THEME: A Purpose Formed in God's Own Hand

NOTES: Today's pairing of scriptures offers us a powerful and rich metaphor - that of clay in the hands of the potter. Both the prophet Jeremiah and the Apostle Paul draw on this metaphor to talk about the mystery and the the inherent complexity of finite humanity living in a right relationship with and infinite God. God sees purpose where we see mud. God's hands bring shaped and meaning to situations that to us are pointless struggles. Our lives and our efforts are fragile but God's work is eternal. How can this be? Both Jeremiah and Paul were speaking to communities conflicted in their understanding of who they were meant to be as God's people. Jeremiah raises the question, "At what point in the work to get the shape just right, does the potter (does God), give up and start over?" And what does that mean for the clay? Paul points out that none of us are beyond flaws and faults, but that having an eternal treasure-a heavenly calling and purpose, in a fragile container is a blessing not a curse. And what does that mean for the clay jar?

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-11 & II Corinthians 4:1-12

Jeremiah 18:1-11
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.
5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. 9 And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10 but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. 11 Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the Lord: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

II Corinthians 4:1-12
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11 For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.



8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn#93 "Praise Him! Praise Him! (verses 1 & 3)
Call to Worship
Leader: May this worshiping moment today be one of discovery:
People: Discovery of the love of God, the peace of Jesus,
and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit,
Leader: Just as shape and purpose emerge from the clay in the hands of the potter,
People: We all can emerge with deepened and refined sense of purpose in God's kingdom.
Leader: Let us worship God together.
People: We worship God in Spirit and in truth.

~ posted on Third Space. http://third-space.org.uk/


Invocation
Take the clay of our lives and shape it to love
Take the clay of the church and shape it to grace
Take the clay of the world and shape it to peace
Take the clay of today and shape it to hope
And then breathe your spirit into all
again
For ever and ever
Amen

~ written by Cheryl Lawrie, and posted on [hold this space].  http://holdthisspace.org.au/
 

We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#588 "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" (verses 1, 2, & 4)
Praying Together

Opening Comments:
Pick up a lump of clay and mold it in your hands
Think about the creation of the world—
the touch of God’s hands on the very substance of the universe

As you change the appearance of the clay with the touch of your hands,
think how the world you live in has touched and changed you...

Think of how your hands have touched other people –
in love, in anger, in sorrow and in joy...

Think of the things and people who have touched your life
and molded you into the person you are today...

“Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

Prayer:
Look, Lord, on an empty vessel that needs to be filled.
In faith we are weak—strengthen us.
In love we are cold—warm us and make us fervent
so that our love may go out to our neighbours.
We doubt and are unable to trust you completely.
Lord, strengthen our faith and trust in you.
You are all the treasure we possess.
We are poor, you are rich,
and you came to have mercy on the poor.
We are sinners, you are goodness.
From you we can receive goodness,
but we can give you nothing.
Therefore we shall stay with you
and let our lives be our gift..
Amen.

(Martin Luther)

~ posted on the Leicester Cathedral website.

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#420 "I Come with Joy" (verses 1, 2, & 3)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#344 "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" (all verses)
Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship 
Leader: May this worshiping moment today be one of discovery:
People: Discovery of the love of God, the peace of Jesus,
and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit,
Leader: Just as shape and purpose emerge from the clay in the hands of the potter,
People: We all can emerge with deepened and refined sense of purpose in God's kingdom.
Leader: Let us worship God together.
People: We worship God in Spirit and in truth.

~ posted on Third Space. http://third-space.org.uk/ 
Praise Hymn#93 "Praise Him! Praise Him! (verses 1 & 3)
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation
Take the clay of our lives and shape it to love
Take the clay of the church and shape it to grace
Take the clay of the world and shape it to peace
Take the clay of today and shape it to hope
And then breathe your spirit into all
again
For ever and ever
Amen

~ written by Cheryl Lawrie, and posted on [hold this space].  http://holdthisspace.org.au/
Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn"He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" (verses 1, 2, & 4)

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#588 "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" (verses 1, 2, & 4)
Praying Together
Opening Comments:
Pick up a lump of clay and mold it in your hands
Think about the creation of the world—
the touch of God’s hands on the very substance of the universe

As you change the appearance of the clay with the touch of your hands,
think how the world you live in has touched and changed you...

Think of how your hands have touched other people –
in love, in anger, in sorrow and in joy...

Think of the things and people who have touched your life
and molded you into the person you are today...

“Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

Prayer:
Look, Lord, on an empty vessel that needs to be filled.
In faith we are weak—strengthen us.
In love we are cold—warm us and make us fervent
so that our love may go out to our neighbours.
We doubt and are unable to trust you completely.
Lord, strengthen our faith and trust in you.
You are all the treasure we possess.
We are poor, you are rich,
and you came to have mercy on the poor.
We are sinners, you are goodness.
From you we can receive goodness,
but we can give you nothing.
Therefore we shall stay with you
and let our lives be our gift..
Amen.

(Martin Luther)

~ posted on the Leicester Cathedral website.

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#420 "I Come with Joy" (verses 1, 2, & 3)
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#344 "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" (all verses)
Blessing
Closing Hymn #433 "Go My Children, With My Blessing" (verse 3)