APC 27th September 2020            “Love always hopes.”
 
Welcome and Introduction           Michael
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  Today we will be reflecting on the words of St. Paul, “Love always hopes.”  What will it mean for us to remain hopeful in these difficult days and through that, to bear witness to our Christian faith to those around us?
 
But before we consider that, let me lead you in a prayer of worship as we thank God for His faithful presence in all circumstances and for the hope that we enjoy in Him.
Let us pray…
 
Opening Prayer      “Hope in despair”
Gracious God, we thank you that you are always with us, in the bad times as well as the good, the difficult as well as the easy, the sad as well as the happy.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
We thank you that though we have sometimes been unsure of the way ahead, you have always been there to guide us, though we have felt discouraged, you have offered us fresh inspiration, though we have been in despair, you have given us hope.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
We thank you for the assurance this brings us that your steadfast love never ceases, that your mercies are new every morning, that great is your faithfulness.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
May that conviction give us confidence in the days ahead, so that whatever problems we face, whatever disappointments we experience, whatever sorrows may befall us, we will still find reason to look forward, reason to believe in the future and reason to hope.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
In Jesus name we ask it, Amen.
 
Join with me as we say the Lord’s Prayer together…
 
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Readings
Jeremiah 29 v 10 – 14
This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
 
Romans 5 v 1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
 
1 Corinth 13 v 4-7    
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
Reflection                       “Love always hopes.”
Without this, students get discouraged and drop out of college.  Sports teams fall into a slump and continue to lose.  Addicts return to their habits, marriage partners decide to divorce. Inventors, artists, entertainers and entrepreneurs lose their creativity.  What am I talking about?.....Hope! 
Hope isn’t merely a nice option that helps us temporarily clear a hurdle.  It is something that is essential to our very survival.  One of the greatest examples of this can be found in the experience of the psychologist Victor Frankl.
In 1941 Frankl married his first wife, Tilly Grosser who later that year was forced to have an abortion by the Gestapo to prevent Jewish overpopulation.  In 1942 Frankl, his wife and parents were relocated to the Theresienstadt Ghetto where his father was laid to rest due to starvation and exhaustion. Frankl’s wife and mother were then murdered in the gas chambers at Auschwitz.
Over the next three years, Frankl was subjected to the horrible conditions of the concentration camps. During his imprisonment in the camps Frankl dug ditches, set up a suicide prevention program, and volunteered at the typhus ward.
In addition to these activities, one of the things that kept Frankl alive was the hope that if he himself could mentally and emotionally survive the holocaust then one day in the future he would be able to help other people who were suffering from mental and emotional problems.  Here is an extract from his book “Man’s Search for Meaning” where he describes one incident in the concentration camp where he discovers the power of love to conquer evil and to bring hope in a situation of complete despair…
“We stumbled on in the darkness, over big stones and through large puddles, along the one road running through the camp. The accompanying guards kept shouting at us and driving us with the butts of their rifles. Anyone with very sore feet supported himself on his neighbour's arm. Hardly a word was spoken; the icy wind did not encourage talk. Hiding his hand behind his upturned collar, the man marching next to me whispered suddenly: "If our wives could see us now! I do hope they are better off in their camps and don't know what is happening to us."
 
That brought thoughts of my own wife to mind. And as we stumbled on for miles, slipping on icy spots, supporting each other time and again, dragging one another on and upward, nothing was said, but we both knew: each of us was thinking of his wife. Occasionally I looked at the sky, where the stars were fading and the pink light of the morning was beginning to spread behind a dark bank of clouds. But my mind clung to my wife's image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look then was more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.
 
A thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth--that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love. I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world may still know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved. In a position of utter desolation, when a man cannot express himself in positive action, when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way--an honourable way--in such a position man can, through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved, achieve fulfilment. For the first time in my life, I was able to understand the words, "The angels are lost in perpetual contemplation of an infinite glory."
 
It was the belief that his suffering had a greater purpose that enabled Victor Frankl to survive the Holocaust.  It was his focus on the love of His wife that enabled him to sustain hope in a situation where that seemed impossible.
So too, writing to the Corinthian church which was riddled with problems, strife, division and colourful characters whose actions could easily have graced many a tabloid headline, Paul encourages them to persevere with the reminder that, “Love hopes all things.”
You see, given the circumstances, it would have been so easy for people in the Corinthian congregation to throw in the towel and walk away.  At that time in history, in that part of the world, that would not have meant simply joining a neighbouring parish.  The truth is there wasn’t one.  It would have meant giving up on Christianity altogether.
“I know you’re sorely tempted,” says Paul, “I can totally empathise with what you’re feeling”, “but please, please hang in there, because love always hopes.” 
The word Paul uses for hope is the Greek word ‘Elpizo’ which means to ‘trust’ or ‘expect’.  It describes an assured expectancy and belief that however difficult life is, God has a plan and purpose for us that is good.  It is to hold onto the promises that
God is always for us, not against us and that He can do immeasurably more than we can ever ask or imagine.  It is to understand that nothing is impossible for God, that with Him we can do all things.  It is to be assured that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness and to know that ultimately nothing, not even death itself, can ever separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.
Listen, I’m aware that we’re all continuing to find this pandemic a challenge physically and emotionally.  I’m aware of some of the other challenges that many of you are facing.  And be assured by the way, that if you share something with me, it will be kept in the strictest confidence.  But there will also be things that I’m unaware of or that you don’t feel you can share.  And there are things that to be honest, I would never really be able to empathise with because I’ve never experienced it personally.  But whatever those things are, however painful or difficult, however much they cause you to despair, or tempt you to walk away from God or to give up on life altogether, let me encourage you that “love hopes all things.” 
That’s what Victor Frankyl discovered.  Against all the odds, the love of his wife and the hope that somehow his suffering had a purpose, enabled Victor Frankyl to survive the Haulocost.  As he had hoped, his experiences enabled him to become one of the greatest psychologists of all time, helping thousands of people to find purpose in their suffering.
You know there is an old Arabian proverb that says, “All sunshine brings a desert”.
It’s a way of reminding us that often the greatest lessons we learn are through our failures or the mistakes we make.
Often the things we see as our greatest weakness are also our greatest strength.  It’s learning to cope with a chronic illness that creates within us the strength of resilience and the empathy to draw alongside other people in ways that no one else can.
Often it’s the thunderstorms in our lives that cause the ripest fruit to grow in our hearts.  
You know, when silver is being purified it must be held in a hot flame until all the impurities are burned away.  If it is held in the flame for even a fraction too long it will be destroyed.  When a silversmith was asked, “how do you know when to remove the silver from the flame”, she replied, “When I can see my reflection.”
So often, it’s the times in life when we feel the burn, that the character of Jesus will be reflected most brightly. 
Love hopes all things.  It believes that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are being conformed into His likeness.  Hope trusts in the long-term game plan of God to make us like Jesus.  It never considers anyone a lost cause.  It motivates us to stop and pick one another up when we fall down however badly.  It accepts that we are all a work in progress especially on those days when it’s hard to see.  It is slow to criticise and quick to encourage.  It has the courage to gently challenge rather than quietly letting someone drift out of the game.  It trusts that God has a plan and a purpose – to purify us into the likeness of his Son.  To transform the entire cosmos one day and restore it to its former glory.  To give us a share in that future new heaven and earth where there will be no more sickness, suffering or death.
God has begun this work in our world and even within us.  He will never walk away from that and will bring what he has started to completion.
So let me ask you as I’ve asked myself this week…
What is it that is causing you sleepless nights?
What is holding you back personally?
Who have you almost given up on?
Let the spirit of God fill you once again with Hope.  Hope to believe that God is still at work, in you, in other people and in this world, even in the things that are tough.
Love always hopes.  Let us pray…
 
Prayers for Others         “Broken Dreams”
Loving God, we pray for those whose dreams have been destroyed, those who no longer have the heart to look forward, who have lost their vision for the future.  So many people, known and unknown – whose happiness and hopes have been dashed by tragedy, whose faith in loved ones has been betrayed, who face poverty, unemployment, homelessness, disease, starvation, even death p whose trust in you has been tested beyond the limit.
God of hope, light a new flame in their hearts.
We pray for all those who plod wearily through life with no sense of purpose – those who feel the future is empty, bereft of promise, and those who live only for today, fearful of tomorrow.
God of hope, light a new flame in their hearts.
Touch their hearts we pray, stir their imagination, rekindle their faith, renew their hope.  And so may new dreams and new visions be born in the most broken of lives.
God of hope, light a new flame in their hearts.
Take a few moments in quiet now to pray for the renewal of your own hope and for the renewal of hope and purpose in people who you know who are struggling at the minute…
God of hope, hear our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
 
Closing Words
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on. 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days.  Take time to reflect on the truth that love always hopes.  Then ask God the Holy spirit to fill you with real hope that God has a plan and purpose for you that is good.
 
Two weeks ago we recommenced our midweek bible study.  We’ve been enjoying a fantastic time reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer together using the video series called the Prayer Course by Pete Greig.  If you are unable to join us, you can catch it online by searching the Prayer Course online or on our website and clicking on Sessions 1, 2 and 3.  Even if you missed the last few weeks you are still more than welcome to attend this week.  It will be in the church again tomorrow night from 7pm to 8pm.  The premises will have had a deep clean, hands will be sanitised on entry and exit, we will be socially distanced and all participants are asked to wear face coverings.
 
Next Sunday we will be having a special presentation to Emily Kearon to thank her for the amazing commitment she has given to our church over nearly 20 years as the Clerk of Session.  Emily will be retiring from this role while maintaining her responsibilities as an elder.  We will also be officially welcoming Edna Crammond as our new Clerk of Session.  We are so thrilled that Edna has agreed to take up this important position.
 
On Sunday 18th October we will be celebrating Harvest.  At that service we will be hearing brief reports from the two charitable organisations that we have agreed to support this year.  That’s Purple House Cancer Support and the Arklow Lifeboat.  So please do put that in your diary.
At our session meeting a few weeks ago we agreed to the phased opening of a number of our activities.  Sunday School and Youth Fellowship and the Women’s Bible Study hope to start back at some point in October.  The Wednesday Club and Coffee Doc will begin after the Halloween holidays and the Friday club will start in January.   The Sunday School hopes to restart a week or two after the Harvest service.  Further details for the other activities will follow in the days to come.
 
Next Sunday we will be thinking about how love ‘always perseveres’.  In these difficult days that will be an important reminder for us to help us keep positive.
 
With changes to government guidelines we are now able to have two pods of up to 50 providing each pod is separate and socially distancing of 2m is maintained within each pod.  This will enable us to have more than 50 people in total safely accommodated between our church sanctuary and the hall.  So in short, we are now allowed a few more people than 50.  The same rules of socially distancing, hand sanitising, wearing face masks and pre booking apply.  So don’t forget, if you’re coming to church, to send Aleida a text by Friday evening at the latest.
 
Do stay tuned at the end of this recording to listen to a beautiful song reminding us of the wonderful hope we have in Christ. 
 
In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
                               
Benediction
We thank You, Lord, for re-igniting the flame of hope within us, for filling our hearts with light and evicting the darkness,
and for giving us a new vision of the hope that we have in Christ.
 
So go now, as light-bearers to a world in darkness,
Go now, as hope-carriers to a world in despair;
 
And May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and forevermore, Amen.
 
 

APC 20th September 2020            “Love always protects.”
 
Welcome and Introduction           Michael
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  We bring a special congratulations to David and Agreneth and their families and friends as they gathered in church today for the baptism of their son Luke.  And so it’s very appropriate today that we will be reflecting on the words of St. Paul, “Love always protects.”  What will it mean for you and me to protect not only our children and family members, but everyone whom God has created?
 
But first, let me lead you in a prayer of worship as we tell God how much we value His love and protection in our own lives.
Let us pray…
 
Opening Prayer
Glory and honour are offered to you,
O Lord Most High, Almighty King of creation.

In you, O Lord my God, do we trust!
You have been our refuge, our shelter from the storms of life,
and we rest securely in you,
for you are our dwelling place.

You protect us from the evils of the day and night.
You guard and guide our footsteps,
and even when we trip and fall—you are there,
to hold us fast in your strong hands of love.

We rest in you, O Lord our God;
we trust in your holy Name;
we cling to your side,
trusting in your saving and redeeming power.

Whenever we call, you are always there for us.
You give us a deep sense of satisfaction,
because we know our lives are in your hands.
 
Heavenly Father, as we gather to worship you today, we pray that you will draw near to us to encourage us, reassure us and give us confidence in you.  May the knowledge of your protection inspire us to do all we can to love and protect everyone we know and all the people of our world. 
 
Let us now thoughtfully and sincerely share in the words of the Lord’s Prayer together…
 
The Lord’s Prayer         
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
        
Bible Reading 1     Psalm 91         ‘God our Protector’
 
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”
Bible Reading 2      1 Corinth 13 v 4-7       “Love explained”
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
Reflection               “Love always protects” 

Let me introduce you to the “Deborah Savings Group” (See image above).   It is a happy band of 14 women and two men, from a church in Haiti that is a partner to the aid agency Hope International.
Inspired by the Old Testament prophetess, Deborah, they faithfully gather to battle against the isolation, fear, and injustices of poverty—not only in their own lives, but in those of their neighbors as well.
One member of the group, Kerline, describes what they do like this…
“If there is a community member in need, even when that person isn’t part of the group, we collect money together. We have an offering within the group to support that person,”
The group means everything to Kerline who runs a small restaurant alongside a bustling highway in Haiti.
At one point she and her children were on the verge of losing their home and the restaurant.  She told the savings group about her situation.  They gave her a small loan and through that she was able to secure her accommodation and continue her business.
Being a member of the savings group has meant more to Kerline than just housing and income, though. On her birthday, group members visited her home to clean it and bring her gifts to celebrate. “I felt like I was part of a family,” she shares. “I feel valued when I’m part of the group—and I know that when I’m with the group, I feel important.”
And Kerline says that the hope she’s found is rooted in Christ: “It’s really different when I’m comparing my spiritual life before the saving group and after the savings group. Sometimes, before, I used to think, ‘What am I going to do with these children that I have to raise?’ But now, I don’t think about these things, because I have more confidence that God will sustain me.”
Kerline’s story is a perfect example of what Paul means when writing to the Christians in Corinth he says, “Love always protects.”
The word that he uses is the Greek word ‘stegei’ which literally means ‘to cover’.  It carries the idea of protecting or preserving.
We all know what it’s like to get caught out in a heavy shower.  What a relief it is when a friend runs over and allows us to stand under their umbrella.
Baptism is a bit like that.  When we baptise a child, as we did in church this morning, they are brought under God’s umbrella.  They are brought under the protection of God’s family the church.
It’s important for us as parents and as God’s people to realise that and to take our responsibility to protect children seriously.  That’s why all churches including the Presbyterian church are legally obligated to have a Child Protection policy in place and to ensure that any people who work with children are Garda vetted.
But loving our children and loving each other the way God loves us will also involve so many other things…
It will mean providing physical protection.  Sometimes we become weary of Health and Safety Policies including everything that we are currently trying to do to prevent the spread of Covid 19.  But at the end of the day, these are practical ways of showing God’s love by protecting people from danger.
Driving within speed limits, putting warning signs on chemicals, having age limits for drinking, providing a dependable car and a secure home for your family, resisting the temptation to gamble with our finances, acting with discretion with the opposite sex, and implementing a GDPR policy can all be ways of physically protecting those we love.
But as well as physical protection, it’s important that we also provide our children and other people with emotional protection.  Taking time at the end of a school day to listen to our children, a spouse or a work colleague, praising and encouraging people rather than always pointing out their faults, refusing to use an aggressive tone or hurtful words, avoiding racist or homophobic attitudes, giving people proper breaks from work and taking any form of bullying seriously- these are all examples of how we can afford people the emotional protection that they deserve.
The last thought I want to leave with you is the responsibility we have to protect someone’s reputation and humanity even when they have let themselves, us and others down.
A beautiful example of this comes from the story of the birth of Jesus.  When Mary became pregnant, Joseph was faced with a choice.  To expose her to public disgrace or to divorce her quietly.  Joseph being a righteous man, decided to keep the matter quiet, covering what he saw as the fault of Mary and protecting her from public shame.
When someone sins, it’s very tempting to become self-righteous like the religious leaders who dragged a woman who’d had an affair into the public eye.  But that is not love.  Love seeks to cover other people’s failures.  Even when we’ve been hurt, love shows mercy and discretion.  When we are tempted to gossip and say, “Here, did you hear about so and so…” we are not acting in love.  Rather, love conceals what is not attractive in another person and refuses to tarnish their reputation.  In a similar way, even when we have to say difficult things to someone, love cushions the blow.  Instead of pointing the finger, when correcting someone, we should approach people with grace and in a way that will make it clear to them that we understand the truth, “but for the grace of God there go I”.
Of course, none of what I’ve said means we excuse or seek to hide wrongdoing.  It doesn’t mean that we try to avoid the seriousness or devastating consequences of some sins.  Love always seeks to strengthen what is weak, shield those that are vulnerable and provide healing to those who have been hurt.
But it also mean that we seek to protect our own sanity and souls by somehow finding it in our hearts to forgive.  And it demands that we somehow look to see the image of the divine in every human being however marred, and hope beyond hope that somehow they might find the transforming power of God to change their ways and make amends.
 
Reflection
Love always protects…
Who or what is God calling you to protect?
What will that look like physically, emotionally and spiritually?
 
Prayer for others
Sovereign God, we pray for the weak and vulnerable in our world – those who feel powerless in the face of the massive problems that confront them.
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
We pray for the poor, the hungry, the diseased the dying.
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
We pray for the oppressed, the exploited, the abused, the tortured,
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
We pray for the frightened, the lonely, the hurt, the depressed,
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
We pray for those who live in lands racked by tension, those who face famine and starvation, those who are unemployed, those who are homeless.
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
Sovereign God, you have expressed a special concern for the bruised, the needy and the weak of our world.  May that concern bring strength to all in such need, and may it inspire people everywhere to work for a more just society, standing up for the needy, and working for that time when there will be an end to suffering, mourning and pain; that time when your Kingdom will come and your will be done.
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
In the name of Christ, Amen.
 
Closing Words
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on. 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days.  Take time to reflect on the truth that God is your protector.  Then ask God to show you the ways that he would like you to protect other people. 
 
Two weeks ago we recommenced our midweek bible study.  We’ve been enjoying a fantastic time reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer together using the video series called the Prayer Course by Pete Greig.  If you are unable to join us, you can catch it online by searching the Prayer Course online or on our website and clicking on Sessions 1 and 2.  Even if you missed the last 2 weeks you are still more than welcome to attend this week.  It will be in the church again tomorrow night from 7pm to 8pm.  The premises will have had a deep clean, hands will be sanitised on entry and exit, we will be socially distanced and all participants are asked to wear face coverings.
 
At our session meeting last week we agreed to the phased opening of a number of our activities.  Sunday School and Youth Fellowship and the Women’s Bible Study hope to start back at some point in October.  The Wednesday Club and Coffee Doc will begin after the Halloween holidays and the Friday club will start in January.   We will give you further details in the days to come.
 
Next Sunday we will be thinking about how love ‘always hopes’.  In these difficult days that will be an important reminder for us to help us keep positive.
 
Don’t forget, if you’re coming to church, to send Aleida a text by Friday evening at the latest.
Do stay tuned at the end of this recording to listen to a beautiful song that we sang in church this morning.  It’s St Patrick’s Breastplate and it reminds us that whether we are just starting out on life, or we’ve been on the road for many years, Christ our Protector walks beside us every step along the way.
 
In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction
As you go from here remember the promise of God: “I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honour them.”  So go from here with joy, confident that the love and mercy of God goes with you. 
 
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 
 

APC 13th September 2020     “Love always trusts / believes all things.”
 
Welcome and Introduction          
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  Today we’ll be asking ourselves - what did Paul mean when he says “love always trusts and always believes all things?” 
 
Let’s begin by reminding ourselves why we’ve tuned in – because God has called us to worship Him, to learn from Him and receive His help.  And so as always let’s take a moment to talk to God, let’s pray…
 
Let us pray…
 
Opening Prayer
 
Almighty and loving God, we thank you for the assurance we have that you are always with us, that in you we will find help and strength in times of trouble, that whatever we face you will always be there to reach out and save us.
 
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We thank you that you are present not only here but everywhere, that no one is outside your love and no place beyond your concern.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We thank you that you hold firmly to us, even when we try and struggle from your grasp.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
We thank you that your mercy never runs dry despite our repeated faithlessness.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We thank you that your patience is never exhausted, no matter how many times we let you down.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
So now we worship you, you who alone are God, worthy of praise and honour.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We come with gladness and thanksgiving, joy and celebration.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We come in awe and wonder, hope and faith.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We come to make our confession, offer our petition and bring our intercessions.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
Almighty and loving God, take our faith, weak though it is.  Kindle the sparks of life within us and fan a new flame of love within our hearts; and so may we set out into another week with renewed purpose, resolved to live and work for you, in the assurance that you are with us, now and always.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
Thanks be to God, Amen.
 
Join with me as we say the Lord’s Prayer together
 
The Lord’s Prayer          On Screen (All say together)
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Reading 1      Acts 9: 19-31 (Barnabus ‘believes’ in Paul)
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
 
Bible Reading 2      1 Corinth 13 v 4-7           
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
Short Reflection             “Love always trusts / believes all things” 
 
“When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be,
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.”
“You Raise Me Up” was composed by an Irish-Norwegian duo known as ‘Secret Garden’, performers of primarily instrumental music.   The music was composed by Rolf Lovland.  The song was originally written as an instrumental piece, with parts of the melody drawing on inspiration from Londonderry Air, which is the tune used for Danny Boy.
Lovland performed the song the first time at his mother’s funeral.  He noted “there’s something about the song people are embracing – which becomes emotionally strong. I believe people think of it as a song they use for their own stuff.”
The melody was originally titled “Silent Story”.  When in studio, the original mix was made with the violin.
Lovland then approached author and songwriter Brendan Graham to write the lyrics.  Graham is said to have finished the song that very night with no rewrites needed. The song was first performed in 2002 by the group, with Brian Kennedy, serving as lead singer.  The song was released on the Secret Garden album ‘Once in a Red Moon’.   When Brian Kennedy became ill and unable to tour, Jan Werner Danielsen, a Norweigan singer took his place and later recorded the song with the group. The release had moderate success but did not chart. In 2003, Producer David Foster was introduced to the song and decided on an up-and coming young musician Josh Groban, to record the song.
Groban’s version made it to #1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart in early 2004 and remained there for six weeks.  This version was nominated for a 2005 Grammy Award.
When Groban performed the song at the 2004 Super Bowl, on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and various other television appearances, the song gained national and international exposure.
In 2007, Groban appeared on the BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, and soon after charted in the UK.
There have been over 125 covers of this song over the years and my personal favourite is the one sung by the Irish singer Brian Kennedy.  But the person who made it famous was the singer Josh Groban.
‘You raise me up’ is not specifically a Christian song but it’s been a song that over the years I have turned to again and again when I have been going through ‘stuff’. 
Perhaps Rolf Lovland was recalling his mother’s encouragement when he composed this music for her funeral.  Perhaps Brendan Graham was thinking about all the friends and mentors in his life when he added the lyrics.
For Josh Groban, the song has spiritual significance for he says that it is God who raises him up. 
I begin with this introduction because I believe this is exactly what the apostle Paul is referring to when he reminds the Corinthian Christians that ‘love believes all things’ or as it’s often translated, ‘love always trusts’.
Of course, Paul is not saying that love is naïve or gullible.  He is not advocating that we should never stop to make wise judgements especially when we get phone calls from a complete stranger asking us to send them our bank details!
He is not saying that we can believe and act anyway we want.  No, God is real, the bible is His word and the guidelines for living that we find in its pages are wise and will help us to get the greatest enjoyment out of life and our relationships.
What Paul is saying is that love trusts God, love believes that He has our best interests at heart even when the dark clouds come.  Even when church life is painful as it was for the Corinthians, we need to trust that God will help us through.
Do you know, for me the Christian church has been the place where I have received the greatest encouragements and the deepest hurts.  I’ve also lived long enough and sat in enough front rooms and beside hospital beds to know that some of life is just painful.  There are things that have happened in my life and the lives of people I’ve walked with and things that I see happening in our world today, which, if I’m honest, at times make me question my faith.  I call these things my ‘coffee shop’ moments.
What I mean by that is this-  If I said, “I’ll meet you at Costa at 11.00am”.  By 11.30am you still haven’t arrived.  At 11.45 there’s still no sign of you.  By 12 noon I realize you aren’t coming.  At that moment I don’t know why you haven’t shown up but I know there must be some explanation.  In that moment I don’t suddenly think, “right that’s it, our friendship is over”.  I go back to what I do know about you and realize that there must be some genuine reason you couldn’t make it and weren’t able to get in touch. 
In the same way, there are many things in my life and many things I see in the world around me where it seems as if God hasn’t shown up – my ‘coffee shop’ moments.  In those times I go back to what I do know about God.  I try to visualize Jesus on the cross and I remember that it cost Him very dearly to restore me to Himself.  I look at the beauty of the world and consider all the seeds, fruits and vegetables that grow.  All of these things remind me that God loves us and cares deeply about us.  I try to remember some of the promises of God.  Especially where he says that a day is coming when Christ will return.  On that day I will have many genuine questions to ask Him and I believe in mercy He will give me the answers.  But I know that ultimately, however long the delay, God has promised to bring redemption to this entire universe – to put it back into the perfect state it had at the beginning.  And on that day, He will judge the world in righteousness and every wrong will be righted for those who failed to receive justice on earth.
This side of heaven I won’t get answers to some of the questions I have, but I know without any doubt that God loves me, that He is good and fair and kind. I know that He has promised to right all wrongs and to restore this universe to its former glory. That, for me, is enough to keep me wanting to be His friend.
That’s what I think Paul means when he says, “Love believes all things”.  Love takes God at His word and trusts that however much circumstances or other people may be telling us otherwise, God is good, God is love, and He is ultimately for us, not against us.  When we exercise this love, we will find God raising us up to overcome our sorrow, to find healing for our hurts, to find the energy to wash our hands and don our face coverings one more time.
But there’s something else in Paul’s words.  In fact, given the circumstances which led to Paul writing this phrase, I think this is probably the primary lesson Paul is teaching when he says, “love always trusts” or “love believes all things.”
Given the divisions and internal fighting within the Corinthian congregation it was tempting for people to just give up on each other.  It was tempting for people to allow the hurts and the hypocrisies that they had experienced to cause them to stop interacting with each other, to stop including certain individuals or even to walk away from church altogether.  So Paul writes to them to say, you’ve got to keep believing.  You’ve got to keep looking for the potential in one another.  You’ve got to keep trusting that people can change and that there will be better days ahead.
Commenting on this passage the commentator William Barclay says, “We make people what we believe them to be.  If we show that we do not trust people we may make them untrustworthy.  If we show people that we trust them absolutely we make them trustworthy.”
History is full of inspirational stories of how people have fulfilled their potential because someone believed in them despite all the odds or signs to the contrary.
Two examples are the lives of Helen Keller and Emily Blunt.
When Helen Keller was just nineteen months old, she developed an illness that resulted in both blindness and deafness. As Helen grew into a young girl, she and her family became increasingly frustrated with her inability to communicate and her violent outbursts. Not knowing what to do, Helen’s parents consulted Alexander Graham Bell, who worked with the deaf. He suggested they hire a young woman by the name of Anne Sullivan as Helen’s teacher and mentor. This decision changed Helen’s life forever.
After establishing what would become a lifelong friendship, Anne began to teach Helen the alphabet by finger-spelling the sign language letters into the palm of Helen’s hand. The most challenging lesson was to help Helen make the connection between a word and a concept. The world-changing breakthrough happened when Anne pumped well water into one of Helen’s hands while finger spelling the word water onto her other one. At that moment, Helen understood that a word represented a concept or a thing. Soon, Helen began recognizing the letter combinations and this lit a fire within her soul. From that point on, Anne had helped Helen develop a relentless desire to learn. With Anne’s help Helen soon learned how to read Braille, write, and even started trying to speak. With her newfound love for learning, Helen began to have a strong desire to attend college. Although she experienced many trials and hardships along the way, she didn’t allow her physical challenges to set her back from dreaming big and then acting on those dreams.
In 1903 she published ‘The Story of My Life’ at the age of 22. It has since been widely published and is still in print in over fifty languages. It was adapted into the famous Tony award winning play and Oscar winning Hollywood film both entitled ‘The Miracle Worker’. In total, Helen Keller wrote 12 published books during her writing career.
In 1904, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and in so doing became the first deaf blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree.
In 1915 along with George Kessler, she founded the Helen Keller International. This organization combats the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition throughout the world.  Today, it is active in 22 countries and ranks among the most effective charities in the world with its programs benefiting millions of people.
Helen Keller was a member of the Socialist Party and actively campaigned and wrote in support of the working class from 1909 to 1921. She was a vocal supporter of women’s right to vote and their right to birth control and campaigned for equal rights for black people.
In 1924, Helen Keller began work for the American Foundation for the Blind, which she continued for more than 40 years.  She devoted much of her later life to raising funds for the organization. Today it is a leader in expanding possibilities for more than 20 million Americans living with vision loss.
Helen Keller was a world renowned speaker.  She travelled across the world making appearances and giving motivational speeches. Many of her speeches are preserved in the Helen Keller Archives owned by the American Foundation for the Blind.
In 1964, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States. In 1965, she was one of the 20 women who were elected to the National Women’s Hall of Fame at the New York World’s Fair.
In 1999, the TIME magazine included Keller in its list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
Her appearances around the world drew considerable attention to the plight of people with disabilities in the countries she visited leading to improvement in their conditions. Her life story, achievements and speeches continue to be a source of inspiration to millions of people across the globe.
But none of this would have been possible without the influence and intervention of someone who ‘believed all things’ and who ‘always trusted’ in the innate potential of all humanity.  I wonder how different Helen Keller’s life would have been if a blind teacher called Anne Sullivan had not dedicated her life to helping Helen succeed?
The second inspiring story about the power of ‘love always believing’ comes from the life of Holywood actress Emily Blunt.
Blunt was born in Wandsworth, London.  Before Blunt was getting nominated for Golden Globes and landing leading roles on the stage and big screen, she could barely carry a conversation with her classmates: Between ages seven and 14, Emily had a major stutter. As she told W magazine, "I was a smart kid, and had a lot to say, but I just couldn't say it. It would just haunt me. I never thought I'd be able to sit and talk to someone like I'm talking to you right now."
When asked by a journalist – “So what happened?” Emily said this…

“It was a combination of a few things. One was just growing out of it. Another one was gaining some kind of confidence. I had a really amazing teacher at that age, when I was 12, and he was really kind and helpful and encouraged me to be in the class plays, which previously I had no interest in being in ‘cause I couldn’t talk. He said, “Well, why don’t you try it in a different voice? Try to do a funny voice or an accent. Maybe that would help.” But it really did, I was actually able to speak fluently. Once you’re able to hear yourself speak fluently, albeit in a ridiculous accent, you gain the confidence to think this could happen again and again. It was easier after that night, of that school play. It all became a bit easier.”
Emily has gone on to win a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and was nominated for two British Academy Film Awards.
She is best known for her roles in the comedy-drama The Devil Wears Prada, the science fiction films Looper and Edge of Tomorrow , the crime thriller Sicario (2015), the mystery thriller The Girl on the Train , the horror film A Quiet Place and the musical fantasies Into the Woods and Mary Poppins Returns.
Like Helen Keller, we are left wondering what would have become of this stuttering child if it hadn’t been for the love of a secondary school teacher who never stopped believing and always trusted that Emily could overcome her speech impediment and be on the stage.
 
It would have been so easy for people to write off both of these now famous women.  How easy it is for us to do the same in the Christian church.  When conflicts arise, or things don’t go the way we want it’s so easy to start judging and stop loving.  We stop giving people the benefit of the doubt.  We expect others to fail, we think they won’t respond the way they should, we doubt if they will keep their promises, we suspect their motives and intentions.  We analyze every remark, anticipate being offended and rehearse our responses in our minds.  But this is not love and sadly when we live like this, there are consequences.  Above all, it costs us friendship.  Even when we do it to protect ourselves from being hurt, when we doubt others, we close the door to developing deep relationships and strengthening the bonds of Christian fellowship.
Ultimately to live with these attitudes is an offense against God. To doubt people is to doubt the power of God to change people.  It is to doubt God’s promise to complete the work He begins in us to make us more like Christ.  When we refuse to believe in one another and trust in our potential in Christ, we question God’s work and think of Him as someone who begins and then forgets.
Love says Paul is radically different.  It “believe all things.”  That means that we give others the benefit of the doubt. It means that we expect the best. It means that we are able to overlook the offences and failure of others. It means we believe that over time we can commit ourselves to one another. “Believing all things” means that we are willing to trust one another.
Let us love one another here this morning.  Let’s trust others to come through for us when we need them. Let us trust one another’s motives. Let us trust that others have our best purposes in mind. Let us trust that other are looking out for us. Let us believe that God is at work is the lives of other. Let us see the innate potential in others.  Let us open ourselves to others, not fearing being hurt or let down, but being willing to endure momentary offences and failures in light of what God is doing in each of our lives.
Let me finish by quoting again the words of William Barclay who said, -
 “We make people what we believe them to be.  If we show that we do not trust people we may make them untrustworthy.  If we show people that we trust them absolutely we make them trustworthy.”
When times are difficult, let us look to God to raise us up to keep trusting Him and in His plans and purposes for us.
And through our encouragement and prayers let us raise one another up to be all that that God wants us to be.
 
Prayer for others   
Living God, we pray for those people who have lost hope – in their dreams, their circumstances or in life itself. 
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who have lost the hope of finding a partner or of raising a family, the hope of going to college, university or further studies, the hope of finding a home or any permanent roof over their heads, the hope of securing employment or a use for their skills.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who despair of seeing freedom, justice, peace or reconciliation; those who despair of finding adequate food and clothing, those who despair of receiving help and healing.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who have given up on life – those with terminal illness, who have lost the will to keep fighting; those whose spirits have been crushed so that they can no longer bounce back; those who want to take their own lives because they have lost all hope; those so afflicted by starvation and disease that they cannot carry on.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
Living God there is much despair in our world, and for many there seems little reason to hope. Reach out we pray to all whose belief in the future has been destroyed, and grant new dreams where the old have died, rekindled purpose where confidence has been undermined, support when there seems to be nothing left to hold on to, and hope that one day your Kingdom will come and your will be done.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
In the name of Christ, Amen.
 
Closing Words
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on. 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to encourage you to believe in yourself.  Ask Him also to give you the gift of encouragement so that you might learn to always look for the potential in other people.
 
Last Monday we began our midweek bible study.  It was a fantastic evening as we explored the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer together using the video series called the Prayer Course by Pete Greig.  If you missed last week you can catch it online by searching the Prayer Course online or on our website and clicking on Session number 1.  Even if you missed last week you are more than welcome to attend this week.  It will be in the church again tomorrow night from 7pm to 8pm.  The premises will have had a deep clean, hands will be sanitised on entry and exit, we will be socially distanced and all participants are asked to wear face coverings. If you would like to come to the bible study please let Philip or myself know in advance.  Even if you can’t come to the bible study for the whole year, it would be fantastic to see as many of us make time to come to this amazing course.  It will inspire all of us to go deeper in our prayer as individuals and as a community of God’s people. 
 
At our session meeting this last week we agreed to the phased opening of a number of our activities.  Sunday School and Youth Fellowship hope to start back at some point in October once the teachers and youth leaders have had time to be trained and discuss how our programs might be run safely within the current restrictions.  The Wednesday Club and Coffee Doc will begin after Halloween holidays and the Friday club will start in January.   We will give you further details in the days to come.
 
Next Sunday we will be thinking about how love always protects and we will be celebrating the baptism of Luke Redmond.  It will be fantastic in these difficult days to be able to share in such a happy occasion.  There are 13 people in the baptismal party which leaves us 37 further spaces for anyone else who wishes to attend.  So if you would like to attend church next week please book in early so you will not be disappointed.  Next Friday evening is the final deadline so that we can arrange the seating on Saturday morning.
 
Stay tuned at the end of this recording stay tuned to listen to the wonderful voice of Pete Groban as he sings “You raise me up”.
 
In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction   
Gracious God, send us back into the world with your eyes rather than ours.  Help us to see not only the bad but the good, not simply the ugly but the beautiful, not just the worst but the best.  Help us to see around us the seeds of your Kingdom and to nurture them lovingly until that day comes when your will is done and you are all in all.
 
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 
 
 
 

APC 6th September 2020       “Love is not hot tempered.”
 
Welcome and Introduction           Michael
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  Today we have gathered because God calls us to worship Him.  We come gladly because God is worthy of our worship.  Part of that means listening to what God says and with his help aligning our lives to his wise advice.  One of the most important things God calls us to, is ‘Love’.  We find one of the greatest descriptions of what love looks like in Pauls’ letter to the Corinthians.  That’s what we’ve been thinking about over the last number of weeks.  As we understand what Love looks like and as we begin to live more like this we worship God with our minds and our lives.  So far we have discovered that true love ‘is not selfish’ that ‘it keeps no records of wrongs’ that ‘it is not jealous’, ‘it is not proud’, ‘it does not take delight in the misfortunes of others,’ it is patient, it is kind and it is not rude.  Today we will be reflecting on the truth that ‘love is not hot tempered’ and seeing what that means for us.  But as always let us begin by talking to God.  Let us pray…
 
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus we thank you for all those who have heard your call across the ages- all those from different walks of life who have come together, at different times, in different ways and in different places to be your people. 
 
Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks.
 
We thank you for the way you have consistently brought together the most unlikely of individuals – from different races, different cultures with different characters and different gifts to become your church.
 
Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks.
 
And above all we thank you that you have called us here with our different outlooks, contrasting temperaments, diverging backgrounds and variety of experiences to be your church in this place.
 
Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks.
 
Lord Jesus Christ, teach us that whoever we are you can use us – you can use anyone and everyone for your Kingdom.  Help us to accept one another and ourselves as we really are- united in our diversity by one common cause.  Take us and use us just as we are, to demonstrate your transforming love and to work for the coming of your Kingdom.
 
Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks.
Amen.
 
The Lord’s Prayer 
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Reading 1      Ephesians 4 v 26 – 32
26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
 
Bible Reading 2      1 Corinth 13 v 4-7           
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
 “Love is not Easily Angered”
 
“If you can keep your head when all around are losing theirs and blaming it on you….you’ll be a man, my son.” 
Those are the opening and closing words of one of Rudyard Kipling’s most famous poems.  Secretly we probably aspire to be a person who always exhibits the unruffled composure he describes.  If only we could sail through the storms of life with calm and peace.  If only we could sleep at night no matter what the day had brought or the morning promised.  But perhaps as Kipling is suggesting by the title of his poem, to be able to live like that, is all a big “If”.
You see the truth is none of us are like that.  None of us are unflappable never mind infallible!  All of us are susceptible to anxiety and stress.  And sometimes, if the right buttons are pushed for long enough, all of us can explode with anger.  This can happen at home, at work and at the clubs and societies we’re involved in.  It can even happen within the church.
It was obviously happening within the church in Corinth.  People were boasting about the gifts they had and despising the abilities of others.  They were forming cliques based on who their favourite preacher was.  The rich were arriving at their communal communion lunches with fancy picnic hampers and refusing to share with their poor brothers and sisters who had nothing.  There was anarchy in their worship services as people talked over the top of one another and shouted out questions.  As a result, tensions were high, divisions were wide and tempers were flying into angry words that were causing deep hurts.
That’s why in the 13th Chapter of his letter, Paul reminds this group of Christians that if they don’t get back to loving each other they will simply implode.  Then he spells out practically what this will look like in one of the most famous descriptions of love ever composed.  In the middle of that poem Paul says “Love is not easily angered.”
You see the truth is that many of us are like walking time bombs.  The frustrations of life and the words of others, have caused a deep pool of anger to well up within us.  At any moment we might suddenly explode and potentially damage our relationships with friends, colleagues and family.
The good news is that bombs can be defused.  So it’s imperative that as Christian people we learn to become experts in recognising and defusing anger within ourselves and the people we live and work with.
As Christian people and as a Christian minister this can be particularly challenging for a number of reasons.  Firstly because there is a perception that Christians and Christian ministers in particular are never meant to be angry.  Through the Holy Spirit they are always expected to be full of peace.  If we’re honest, we often feel the pressure of this public perception.  We try our best to never let the side down and to always present an exterior that seems calm and content.  The problem is that inside we can be full of suppressed anger and bitterness.
So the very first thing that we all need to do is allow ourselves permission to feel angry and frustrated at times.  Whatever else Paul is saying here, he is not saying that we should never disagree, or never feel frustrated or angry.  Conflict is normal.  It will always occur when you get people together.  So we need to release the pressure valve and allow ourselves to feel this way and not feel guilty when we do.  It is not a sin to feel angry or frustrated or to have differences of opinion which at times may even lead to conflict.  That’s why in his letter to the church in Ephesus Paul says, “Be angry, but don’t sin.”
The second positive truth it’s important to realise is that feelings of frustration and anger and having conflict are not just normal, they are neutral!  They have the potential to be destructive but they also have the potential for learning important lessons, deepening our relationships and can even be the seedbed for positive change.  So what’s important is not whether we experience these strong emotions – we will!  What’s important is how we handle them!  The good news is that we can all develop the necessary skills to help us deal with feelings of anger and frustration. 
One of those skills is to remember that we all say and do things at times that cause offence.  We all make decisions that even with the best intentions, may not be the best ones.  For that reason, all of us need to try not to be too prickly.  We need to be willing to accept that when people are tired or under pressure they can easily say or do things which might annoy us.  But most of those things we need to let go of and forgive.  We don’t need to be pulling people up for every little thing they may say or do that wasn’t quite right.  That’s probably the very literal meaning of what Paul is saying here – don’t be too sensitive, don’t allow yourself to get upset too easily.
Having said that, there will be times when things are said or done in a way that causes us deep frustration and anger that is not easily brushed aside.  Those issues may be keeping us awake at night or causing us to give someone a wide birth or dread the thought of meeting them.  Or perhaps we can’t wait to meet them so we can tell them exactly what we think of them!  How do we manage these feelings of anger in a constructive way? 
Well, unwise ways of dealing with it would be to repress it.  That will only allow bitterness and malice to develop inside us with all the unhappiness they bring.  So Paul exhorts the Ephesian Christians not to internalise things by saying “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… along with every form of malice.”
Another way would be to gossip about it to as many other people as will listen.  Paul describes this as “slander.”  While that might make us feel better in the short term, long term it will simply escalate the problem.  When we choose to gossip, an issue which begins as a small spark can quickly become a forest fire.  These fires are much more difficult to extinguish whether they happen in a family, a company or a Christian fellowship.  The third unwise way to manage our feelings is to allow our anger to simply explode by lashing out angrily and aggressively with words or actions.  So Paul says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen.” And he adds “no brawling!”  Again. in the long term this is only likely to make the problem worse and to cause us significant public embarrassment.
So what are wise ways to manage our anger?
Well one way might be to talk to a trusted friend or colleague.  In doing this we can be discreet so that we don’t undermine the person who has hurt us.  At the same time we can be honest knowing that they will listen and help us understand the reasons why we are angry.  They will affirm us and help us to develop a plan for addressing the situation. 
It’s good to remind ourselves that God loves us and is there to help us.  It’s also good to talk to ourselves, to pray to God and ask Him to help us try and understand ourselves.  Even to ask ourselves- “why am I reacting so strongly?”  It may be that others are being unreasonable but often there’s more to it than that.  Our reactions are often wrapped up in our own ego or sense of security or ambitions or whatever.  God, family, friends, church leaders or even counsellors can all be important sources of help for understanding ourselves and why we might be reacting the way we are.
Above all, we need to make time to prayerfully reflect and to try and identify the issue that is causing such a strong response within us.  If we simply focus on the person or persons that have caused these emotions or even if we focus on the emotions themselves we will probably end up responding in unconstructive ways.  We must learn somehow to focus on the issues that have given rise to our frustrations.  Once we have identified and are clear about the issues and why we feel so frustrated or angry, then we will be in a better position to address things.  Once we have done this we must choose to act rather than simply brushing things under the carpet. So how do we address the issues in a constructive way?
Take the initiative -
Approach the other person and arrange a time when you can both talk, rather than dealing with it immediately.  You may need time to cool down.  The other person may be unaware that there is a problem and need time to think before discussing.  If it’s a committee of people, then ask for the issue to be placed as an item on the next agenda.
 
Speak directly to the other person -
Don’t phone, don’t write a letter and resist the temptation to talk to other people about it.
Think beforehand about what you want to say so that you can express how and why you feel and enable the other person to understand. 
 
Speak to the person privately -
Choose a good time and place.  Allow enough time.  Choose a place where you won’t be disturbed and where you won’t feel trapped.  A public place is often good because it means that neither person feels trapped, and it has a natural capacity to encourage a moderate approach to discussion.
 
Speak to them humbly -
Don’t blame or focus on the other person’s character.  Don’t blame them or tell them what should be done.  Focus on the issue or the behaviour rather than personality.
Be specific and give specific examples.
Listen carefully.  Give the other person time to talk and find out how they feel.  Let them see that you are listening and are glad that you are talking.
Give information (about how you see the problem)
Talk it through, even the difficult areas that bother you.  Don’t forget to ask ‘Is there anything else?’
Agree on the best way forward and be specific about what you have agreed.
 
Have a rain check - Meet up again privately a few weeks down the line just to see how things have been improving.
 
Refuse to get involved -
If someone comes to you with a complaint about George, politely say to them, “I think you need to talk to George about that.”
 
99 times out a hundred following these steps will lead to a resolution to a conflict and the defusing of our frustration and anger.  On the rare occasions this does not work, it is wise to seek the help of someone more senior or a mutual friend who can mediate well.  In that situation in my experience it is always best to discuss things with everyone who is involved around the table. 
 
It’s also important to remember in group or committee situations that despite feeling at times that others are blocking our plans, it is good for all of us to take constructive feedback, to acknowledge that something might not be working or might not be the best idea after all.  We must always be willing to step back and take another look. 
 
Last but not least, whatever happens after following the advice explained, we have a very important choice to make however strong our emotions.  We must choose to forgive. 
We have a right to feel hurt and angry and we have a right to respond.  It is good to own that right.  But then we must sacrifice that right by choosing to forgive.  Forgiveness is surrendering my right to hurt you back if you hurt me.  When we forgive it is for our benefit.  It releases us from the burden of carrying that person or that group around with us everywhere we go.  But it also means that we can receive the forgiveness of God.  George Herbert said,
 
“He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven for everyone has need to be forgiven.” 
 
It can be hard to forgive but meditating on the cross of Christ can help us to do this. That’s why Paul says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as Christ forgave you.”
 
Ultimately we must forgive because God has forgiven us.  We may never forget but we must choose with God’s help to let go.
                                                                                                                                           
Prayerful Reflection…
 
Are you bitter or angry about something or with someone?
 
What is God saying to you today about what you should do about that?
 
Think about Jesus dying on the cross.  Think how differently it would be if he treated you as your sins deserved.
 
Now ask the Lord to give you the grace to let go, to choose to forgive those who have hurt you because He has chosen to forgive you…
 
Prayer for others
Living God, we rejoice that you are a God who is slow to anger and full of steadfast love, infinitely patient, understanding and merciful, always seeking to forgive, to forget, to restore and renew.  Yet do not let us become complacent fro there are times when even your patience is tested to the limit and your anger blazes against us – when we wilfully and stubbornly disobey you when our actions or failure to act causes harm to others when our faithlessness becomes a stumbling block to those who seek you.  Forgive us those times and help us to put right our mistakes.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving God help us to realise there are occasions when you have no choice but to feel angry and help us to recognise sometimes that we should feel the same.  Help us to know when those occasions are.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Teach us when anger is unjustified, foolish, petty selfish, when it is more about our hurt pride than right and wrong, when it says more about ourselves than the cause we attribute anger to.  Save us from the errors it might lead us into – thoughtless words, careless deeds and destructive attitudes – and help us then to control our anger.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
But teach us also when we ought to be angry.  When we are faced by anything that denies full living, that demeans and destroys that feeds injustice or exploitation, that cheats corrupts wounds or hurts, that leads the innocent astray, that divides people from one another and from you, teach us then to feel a genuine fury and to express that with proper passion, translating anger into action, speaking out against falsehood, working to right wrongs, overcoming evil with good, giving all for your Kingdom.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Take a moment now to pray for people or circumstances that are on your mind at this time…
In the name of Christ our Lord, Amen.
 
Closing Words
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  I hope that you have felt part of our congregation as they are meeting at the same time as this online broadcast.  We are sorry that you aren’t able to join us because of your current circumstances but we hope that in the near future  you will be able to be with us. 
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to show you any blind bittermness or anger in your life and to guide you and give you courage to address it.  May you ask the Lord to give you his grace to forgive.
 
We are hoping to restart our midweek bible study.  This year we are holding it on a Monday night from 7 - 8pm in the church starting on the 7th of September.  We will observe all recommendations for hand hygiene and social distancing and all participants are advised to wear face coverings. For the first semester we will be running a short course on Prayer called ‘The Prayer Course’ designed by Pete Greig.  Each week we will watch a short video focussed on one line of the Lord’s Prayer.  Afterwards there will be opportunity to discuss the video among ourselves and then to spend some time together in prayer.  There is a book which accompanies the course which you can read at your leisure.  If you would like to come to the bible study please let Philip or myself know in advance.  If you would like to pre-order a book, then again please speak to Philip or myself.  Even if you can’t come to the bible study for the whole year, it would be fantastic to see as many of us make time to come to this amazing course.  It will inspire all of us to go deeper in our prayer as individuals and as a community of God’s people.  There is a link on our website to the course if you would like to find out more…
 
We are currently looking tentatively at what it might look like for our Sunday School and Youth activities to restart.  Our denomination has advised that if these do recommence, they should not start until nearer October.  This will allow children time to readjust to returning to school and give us time to assess how that is progressing.  There will be further details on this soon. 
 
Remember if you are planning to come to church next Sunday- do bring your signed Covid 19 policy if you haven’t already emailed that to us.  Remember, we will aim to start at 10.00am as usual but if you can be there earlier than normal that will enable us to get everyone safely seated before we start.  Don’t forget to let us know you are coming by emailing Aleida before next Friday evening.  That will give us time to arrange the seating for Sunday.  In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction   
Our worship has not ended it has only just begun for God is with us every moment of every day.  Go then and offer the worship He desires – to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with Him every step along the way.
 
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 
 
 

APC Service Order 30th August 2020           “Love is not rude”
 
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  Today we continue our studies on what it really means to love using Paul’s description we find in 1 Corinthians 13.  So far we have discovered that true love ‘is not selfish’ that ‘it keeps no records of wrongs’ that ‘it is not jealous’, ‘it is not proud’, ‘it does not take delight in the misfortunes of others,’ it is patient, and it is kind.  Today we will be reflecting on the truth that ‘love is not rude’ and seeing what that means for us.  But as always, let’s begin by talking to God. Let’s pray…
 
Opening Prayer
Loving Father, we thank you for your guidance during these difficult days, for leading us safely through times when the future seemed dark and the present uncertain. 
Whenever we have needed you, you have been there.
We thank you for the support you have given when we have felt disheartened, the courage to keep on believing when we have been tempted to doubt, the strength to persevere despite adversity.
Whenever we have needed you, you have been there.
Loving Father, may all we have experienced, force us to lean hard into you and to trust in your continuing purpose for us.  May you give us food for our faith that will sustain us in times of difficulty yet to come.  May you inspire us to serve you just as you have served us.
Whenever we have needed you, you have been there.
Lead us forward we pray and help us to continue in the path you set before us, secure in the assurance that whatever we face your grace will be sufficient for us and your strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Whenever we have needed you, you have been there.
Thanks be to God, Amen.
 
The Lord’s Prayer          (All say together)
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Reading 1      Ephesians 4 v 17-32
Instructions for Christian Living
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Bible Reading 2      1 Corinth 13 v 4-7           
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
Reflection                       “Love is not rude” 
If you’ve ever thought that people are becoming more and more rude then let me assure you that you aren’t becoming senile nor are you just becoming boring in your old age.  In fact, rudeness is becoming so much of an issue in our modern world that Universities and Businesses are funding large research projects on the subject and popular writers are embracing the topic with enthusiasm.  In his very funny book “I can’t believe you just said that,” Danny Wallace investigates this new wave of rudeness that threatens to overwhelm us.
But what does rudeness look like in our modern world?  Well, when I googled “What is rudeness?” this week, I was surprised at the endless number of possibilities.  The exercise, definitely made me reflect on my own way of living, even though I probably consider myself to be someone who tries to be kind and polite.
At home rudeness can express itself as leaving cups and wrappers for someone else to clear, reaching across someone at the dinner table, entering a room before knocking, being noisy when someone else is trying to sleep, hogging the remote, not recharging the laptop, being late for dinner, leaving razors in the shower tray – and those are just the things that I need to work on!
At work rudeness can look like turning up late and clocking off early, constantly interrupting others with idle chit chat or irrelevant messages, taking the credit for other people’s work, whispering in the corridor or gossiping about the boss, belittling an employee or ignoring them when a superior enters the room, not answering an email or throwing work onto someone else at the last minute or making decisions with just a few people before the wider meeting even starts.
In church rudeness raises its ugly head when people talk or answer their phones regularly during the service.  When we refuse to sing a particular song, when we interrupt someone’s conversation to get home more quickly, when we embrace someone inappropriately or without asking their permission, when we constantly arrive late or ramble on too long in our preaching and praying, when we gossip about someone or ignore them entirely, when we always take the best seats or the first cakes and sandwiches at a function, when we go ahead and organize something without running it through the proper channels.
In the wider context of our day to day lives here are some of the most common examples of behaviors society considers ‘rude’-
Arriving late, checking your phone during a conversation, playing your music on speaker in a public place, rsvp-ing at the last minute, arriving at a party empty handed, talking exclusively about yourself, interrupting a conversation, not introducing someone, asking ‘prying’ questions, telling white lies, gossiping, bringing up touchy or controversial subjects, posting obnoxious comments on social media, texting or emailing rather than talking, littering, excluding someone from information or ‘forgetting’ to invite them, taking credit for the work of others, spreading rumors, being unkind to shop or restaurant staff, blocking aisles, not picking up your dog litter, not caring about your kid’s behavior, being noisy, skipping the queue, allowing your dog to bark incessantly, not returning your trolley, treating the elderly with disrespect, putting the nose of your car out at a junction or tailgating someone, using the last of something and not replacing it, taking a disabled spot or parking on double yellow lines, putting someone down, dressing inappropriately, pretending not to see someone you know, not greeting someone you pass or not thanking someone who lets you out in the car with a wave, not saying please or thank you, sharing information with a third party or ignoring the opinion of someone else, constantly questioning a referee’s decision.
When you really look into it, one thing is for certain, on occasions and in particular circumstances, all of us can be, and at times are, rude.
Given that fact, does it really matter?  I mean, if everyone’s rude at some point what harm can it be?  Isn’t it just something we should learn to shrug off with a bit of humor?
Well, no.  That’s why Paul says to the Corinthian Christians “love is not rude.”  If you read Paul’s entire letter to the Corinthians you will discover that they were being rude in a number of different ways.  They looked down upon others, they didn’t value the gifts or the opinions of others and they acted selfishly and disruptively in their worship services.  This manifested itself by people interrupting one another to speak during the service and by others shouting out difficult questions during the service rather than asking them more discreetly or at a more appropriate time.  We know that this created huge tension and division in the church and that ultimately history records that the church in Corinth had no lasting impact on its community.
The reason that businesses and universities are currently researching and publishing so many materials on this subject is because people are very concerned about the growth of rudeness in society.  It seems that rudeness is equated with strength and power and that politeness and humility are regarded as weak.  As such, rudeness is sadly often rewarded by promotion and the media spotlight.  Politicians rant and name call and get elected.  Journalists who shout the loudest get the most air time.  TV and radio hosts interrupt and belittle their guests.  Movie and book reviews that use the harshest language receive the highest google rankings.  Another worrying trend is the deeply negative impact all this is having on individuals’ lives and the effectiveness of businesses.
Scientists have discovered that just one rude comment in a life and death situation can decrease a surgeon’s performance by as much as 50%.
In a survey of 800 managers and employees who had been treated rudely, 47% decreased their time at work, 38% deliberately reduced their quality of work, and 78% were less committed to the organization.
One study called the ‘Looking Glass Effect’ examined the consequences of ignoring the common courtesy of maintaining eye contact with those with whom we work.  One group were positioned around work stations where eye contact was essential, the other were placed in cubicles and only communicated via computer terminals.  The group that interacted visually were less aggressive, more cooperative and more creative.  The study proves that when we see humanity, we receive a running commentary on how someone else is perceiving us.
Other studies have proven categorically that rudeness damages creativity and collaboration because people waste extra mental energy trying to avoid interacting or worrying about will happen if they do.  They have shown that witnessing just one unpleasant interaction leads customers to generalize about other employees, the organization and even to avoid the brand.
Where rudeness is not challenged, performance, team spirit and productivity soon deteriorate.
You know, it’s the same for us in the Christian church.  If we do not ‘love’, if we are ‘rude’ to one another and don’t take that seriously, it won’t be long before our relationships are affected and our witness to a watching world will be damaged irrevocably.  That’s why love is the most important thing and why we must learn by God’s grace to be polite and courteous instead of being rude.
So how can we do that?  Well one thing I would advise is to educate ourselves about the different ways that it is possible to be rude.  You know we all have blind spots.  It’s only when we read books like Danny Wallace’s “I can’t believe you just said that,” or when we research a topic online that we really begin to see areas of our lives where we might need to change.  God uses these things and we should not despise them.  But of course the other thing we must do in tandem with this, is to pray.  We need to regularly ask the Lord to search our hearts and lives by His Holy Spirit to see if there are areas of our lives either in our attitudes or our behaviors where we are being rude and actually causing hurt or offence to other people.  Even when we have discovered things about ourselves that we did not know, nor may not actually like to admit to, we then need to pray and ask God for the help and the power to change.  Unfortunately this is not something that is a one off experience that will do us for life.  This is something that we must do on a constant basis from now until we reach heaven.  Trust me, I wish there was some other way, I wish it was easier and more immediate than this but this is what it means to embrace the process of ‘sanctification’.  As the song says, “little by little every day, little by little in every way, Jesus is changing me, sometimes it’s slow going but there’s a knowing that one day perfect I will be”.  So read, reflect in quiet, and pray, pray, pray.
The last thing I want to mention is “How should we react to rudeness in others?”
Again there are so many things that I could say.  It’s really a whole topic on its own.  So I would encourage you to google it and to look for both scriptural advice and wise advice from people who have experience in this field.  Here are a few quick-fire tips to help stop the spiral of rudeness.
When someone is rude, try not to take it personally or to react immediately and in your anger.  Bite your lip, take a deep breath and pray.  Ask the Lord to help you to love, even if someone is treating you as an enemy.  Try to respond with a quiet word and with kindness.  If you can, use humor to diffuse a situation.  Try not to escalate the situation.  Try to empathize if you can.  It may be that behind someone’s rudeness there is constant pain, some stress at home or a deep hurt that is the root cause.  Take time to weigh up whether to let it go, or to have a face to face chat about your concerns or about how you are feeling.  Choose the right time and place to have this discussion.  Always be a good role model and remember there are times when we are rude too.  If all else fails despite all your efforts it might best to involve a superior or third party or to avoid the person as much as possible.

Conclusion
Paul says, Love is not rude.  Sadly rudeness is on the rise and it is part of all of our lives.  It’s something that is potentially very destructive for all our relationships and our witness as a church.  Therefore it’s something to educate ourselves about and to pray regularly for God to help us with.  If we do that God will guide us how to live in ways that are courteous and considerate and how to learn to live with difficult people.
 
Prayer for others
Father today we pray for all those we know who have been recently bereaved, especially those who have lost loved ones in tragic circumstances.  Bring your comfort, strength, patience and hope for all who are passing through difficult days of grief.  Thank you that our loved ones who have died are safe in your presence and that one day in the future we will be reunited with them.
We pray for all those who are in residential care.  We remember especially Hilda and Johe.  May they know that they are deeply loved by you, by their families, by the staff who care for them and by us, their church family.  Give them the grace they need and help them to find little things to delight in each day.
We pray for all who are struggling with their emotional health in these strange and difficult times.  Give them the courage to talk about their feelings and enable them to receive every encouragement and every help that they need to feel better in time.
We pray for all those in positions of leadership in government, in health care, in businesses, in sports cubs, in schools and colleges and in churches.  Give each person great wisdom, courage and perseverance to make good decisions and to enable life to continue to move forward as safely as possible.
Be with our children as they start back to school.  Calm their fears, keep them safe and enable them to have good fun and to make good friends.  Help them to be happy in themselves, to discover the gifts and abilities you have given them and to continue to develop emotionally, physically and intellectually.
Father we pray for all the people of Lebanon as they attempt to rebuild their lives following recent explosions. Comfort those who have lost family members and bring courage, hope and the necessary resources to enable people to start afresh.
We pray too for many Christians throughout our world who face hardship and severe persecution because of their faith.  We think especially of the situation in Nigeria.  Lord God, hear the cries of your people. May what is happening in Nigeria to Christian people be brought to the attention of influential leaders in many other countries.  May diplomatic efforts come to pass that will bring an end to the suffering of your people and may there be peace once again between neighbouring Christians and Muslims.
Take a few moments now to bring your own prayers to God…
All these we offer in Jesus’ name and for His sake,  Amen.
 
Closing Words
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  I hope that you have felt part of our congregation as they are meeting at the same time as this online broadcast.  We are sorry that you aren’t able to join us because of your current circumstances but we hope that in the near future  you will be able to be with us. 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to show you any blind spots in your own life and what it means for us to live in ways that are courteous and polite.
 
Last week and this week in church we announced an appeal from our Moderator to help alleviate the suffering of people in the Lebanon.  If you would like to find out more about this appeal and how you can contribute to it please visit our website where you will find out the details or alternatively you can write a cheque to Arklow Presbyterian Church and post it in an envelope marked ‘Lebanon Appeal’ or make an online debit to our church bank account and marking it ‘Lebanon Appeal’.  The details of the church bank account are on the website.
 
Also, we are hoping to restart our midweek bible study.  This year we are holding it on a Monday night from 7 - 8pm in the church starting on the 7th of September.  We will observe all recommendations for hand hygiene and social distancing and all participants are advised to wear face coverings. For the first semester we will be running a short course on Prayer called ‘The Prayer Course’ designed by Pete Greig.  Each week we will watch a short video focussed on one line of the Lord’s Prayer.  Afterwards there will be opportunity to discuss the video among ourselves and then to spend some time together in prayer.  There is a book which accompanies the course which you can read at your leisure.  If you would like to come to the bible study please let Philip or myself know in advance.  If you would like to pre-order a book, then again please speak to Philip or myself.  Even if you can’t come to the bible study for the whole year, it would be fantastic to see as many of us make time to come to this amazing course.  It will inspire all of us to go deeper in our prayer as individuals and as a community of God’s people.  There is a link on our website to the course if you would like to find out more…
 
We are currently looking tentatively at what it might look like for our Sunday School and Youth activities to restart.  Our denomination has advised that if these do recommence, they should not start until nearer October.  This will allow children time to readjust to returning to school and give us time to assess how that is progressing.  There will be further details on this soon. 
 
There will be no midweek recording this Wednesday.  Remember if you are planning to come to church next Sunday- do bring your signed Covid 19 policy if you haven’t already emailed that to us. 
Remember, we will aim to start at 10.00am as usual but if you can be there earlier than normal that will enable us to get everyone safely seated before we start.  Don’t forget to let us know you are coming by emailing Aleida before next Friday evening.  That will give us time to arrange the seating for Sunday.  In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…

Benediction   
Go into your week knowing you are loved perfectly, saved eternally, and empowered as a disciple of Jesus to share God’s love with everyone you meet.
 
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 
 

APC 23rd August 2020           “Love is Kind”
 
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for all the ways you have supported me and our family through these very difficult days of mum’s illness, her passing and her funeral.  Thank you for all your lovely cards expressing your condolences.  Please do continue to pray for dad, my sister Karen and myself in the days ahead.
 
Today we continue our studies on what it really means to love using Paul’s description we find in 1 Corinthians 13.  So far we have discovered that true love ‘is not selfish’ that ‘it keeps no records of wrongs’ that ‘it is not jealous’, ‘it is not proud’, ‘it does not take delight in the misfortunes of others,’ and it is patient.  Today we will be reflecting on the truth that ‘love is kind’ and seeing what that means for us.  But as always, let’s begin by talking to God. Let’s pray…
 
Opening Prayer
Loving God, we thank you for the world you have given us and all within it that speaks of you. 
You have blessed us in so much and we are glad.
We thank you for all that is beautiful, all that causes us to catch our breath in wonder and points to your hand in creation.
You have blessed us in so much and we are glad.
We thank you for the gift of love, given and received, speaking to us of your own great love for us.
You have blessed us in so much and we are glad.
We thank you for family life, reminding us of the great family of your people to which we belong.
You have blessed us in so much and we are glad.
We thank you for our food, our clothes, our homes; all the comforts we enjoy and the innumerable ways you provide for us.
You have blessed us in so much and we are glad.
We thank you for this new morning, for the warmth of the sun and the richness of life, giving a foretaste of your gift of eternal life.
You have blessed us in so much and we are glad.
Loving God, open our eyes to your presence around us, to your love that surrounds us each day, and to your hand that is always at work.
You have blessed us in so much and we are glad.
Speak to us through both the ordinary and the special things of life, that through them we may know you more fully and serve you more truly.
You have blessed us in so much and we are glad.
Receive then our praise and thanks for all your kindness to us.  We offer them to you in the name of Christ our Lord.  Amen.
Please join with me as we gently say the Lord’s Prayer together…
And so we pray…
 
The Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Readings
Psalm 107
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story--
    those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
    from east and west, from north and south.[a]
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
    finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
    and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
    to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
    prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
    and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
    they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
    and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
    and cuts through bars of iron.
17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways
    and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
18 They loathed all food
    and drew near the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them;
    he rescued them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
    and tell of his works with songs of joy.
23 Some went out on the sea in ships;
    they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the Lord,
    his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
    that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
    in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
    they were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
    the waves of the sea[b] were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
    and praise him in the council of the elders.
33 He turned rivers into a desert,
    flowing springs into thirsty ground,
34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,
    because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
35 He turned the desert into pools of water
    and the parched ground into flowing springs;
36 there he brought the hungry to live,
    and they founded a city where they could settle.
37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards
    that yielded a fruitful harvest;
38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
    and he did not let their herds diminish.
39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
    by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
40 he who pours contempt on nobles
    made them wander in a trackless waste.
41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
    and increased their families like flocks.
42 The upright see and rejoice,
    but all the wicked shut their mouths.
43 Let the one who is wise heed these things
    and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.
 
1 Corinthians 13 v 4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
Reflection                               “Love is Kind”
In writing to the Corinthians Paul says that ‘love is kind’.  But what does he mean?  And what will it look like for us to live this way?  In the dictionary kindness is described as being friendly, generous and considerate, without expecting reward or credit.  In the bible we don’t get a definition of kindness but we do see it in the way that many people act towards each other and especially when we look at the life of Christ.  It’s also interesting that the word Paul uses for kindness in his letter is the same word that is used in many of the Psalms to describe the ‘goodness’ of God.
Nowhere is this seen more clearly than in Psalm 107. 
As we read this Psalm we see how God’s actions towards His people, show us what true goodness and kindness looks like.  Seeing God’s kindness in turn motivates us to be kind to others.  So what do we discover about God’s kindness when we read this psalm and how can we apply it to our lives? 
 
1      The nature of God’s kindness
 
The first thing we discover is the nature of God’s goodness.  The Psalm writer here tells us that God is good and that his love endures forever.  The word the Psalmist uses to describe God’s kindness and love is a word used throughout the Old Testament and it is very important for us to understand its meaning because it tells us so much about the nature of God.  It is the word ‘hesed’.
 
‘Hesed’ is the word used to describe God’s covenant love.  It means love and loyalty.  It implies commitment, faithfulness and a generosity of Spirit.  It is similar to the promises people make when they get married.  It is a binding commitment to love and to cherish someone in every circumstance of life.
 
The amazing thing is that this is what God does for us when we embrace Christ by faith.  He says to us ‘from now on I am committed to loving you, no matter what.’
 
Isn’t it amazing to know that because he is so deeply kind and good that in Christ God has committed himself to loving us unconditionally.  Even on those days when we let God down, when we fail to thank Him, or to even acknowledge Him, God remains committed to us.
 
You know if that’s how kind God is to us, then we should be kind to ourselves.  Let me encourage you to meditate on the truth that God loves you ‘just because’ He made you and that He is committed to you no matter what.  Let that begin to create within you a healthy love for yourself, the way God made you, no matter how different you are from anyone else and no matter what other people have said to try and knock your self-worth.  You are unique, beloved of the father.  He is committed to showering you with kindness, so be kind to yourself- love yourself for who you are and delight in the person God has made you to be.  Look after yourself, take time to rest and relax and to do the things you enjoy.  Forgive yourself when you make a mistake, don’t listen to those who would constantly try to put you down.  Feel the freedom that God gives you to choose to do the things you love rather than being driven by someone else’s agenda.
 
God is love and love is kind.  If God has committed himself to loving us and being kind to us then we need to learn to love and be kind to ourselves.
 
Reflect    Do you know how precious you are to God?  Have you learned to love yourself?  How can you be good and kind to yourself?
 
 
2      The way God expresses His kindness
 
The second thing we learn in Psalm 107 is the way God expresses His kindness.  In this Psalm the writer recalls the goodness and love of the Lord in His faithfulness to listen to the cries of his people in distress and to deliver them out of trouble.  The writer describes four different types of people in four different circumstances of life. 
 
First there are the migrants, searching for somewhere to live, unable to provide for themselves, hungry and thirsty, almost at the point of starvation.  Next he describes the plight of the prisoner, depressed and confined, reaping the consequences of their own foolish actions, isolated and with no one to help.  Then there are those who are seriously ill, who have lost their appetite and whose lives seem to be ebbing away.  Lastly the writer recounts the tale of a fishing crew- tossed about on huge seas like a cork in the ocean, frightened to their core that they are about to drown.
 
Having explained graphically the tragic circumstances of each group of individuals the psalmist repeats a wonderful phrase of reassurance and hope-
 
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them from their distress.”
 
In each case the Psalmist explains how God answers the prayers of these people in their distress.  He provides the wanderers with somewhere to live, with food to eat and water to drink.  He sets the prisoner free and delivers them from their despair.  He brings healing and reassurance to those who are ill.  He stills the storm and guides the endangered crew to the safety of the harbour.
 
This is who God is.  He is the God who so often hears the cries of those in deepest need and who does everything in His power to help them.
 
If this is what it means for God to be kind, then this is what it will mean for us too.  It will mean opening our eyes as we go about our daily lives to look out for the needs of others especially those who are in trouble or distress.  We will stop to let people out at a junction, or to help someone stuck at the side of the road.  We will welcome the newcomer to our classroom or sports team.  We will want to help those who are trapped by addiction rather than avoiding them or looking down our noses at them.  We will care for our elderly parents, our children and our teenagers.  We will do all we can to eradicate disease and ensure that all people are enabled to live and work in a safe environment and given a fair wage for their labour.  We won’t judge people by the colour of their skin or the estate they grow up in, and so much more besides.  Kindness includes being considerate of the feelings of others and learning to empathise by putting ourselves in other people’s shoes.  It expresses itself in politeness, being willing to say sorry and taking care not to cause offence.  At times it will mean pointing something out to someone in a caring and diplomatic way.  It will mean we don’t take offence easily, we won’t gossip and we won’t speak down to someone or offer unsolicited advice.  It is to be positive, supportive, helpful and encouraging. 
 
As well as being kind to ourselves and other people love includes caring for the planet whether that expresses itself in rescuing a dog from the shelter, planting trees in a park, picking up rubbish from the shoreline or by practicing the 3 r’s - reduce, reuse, recycle.
 
Christian goodness is not about wrapping ourselves in spiritual cotton wool so that we aren’t somehow contaminated by the world.  It is about seeing and hearing the cries of the needy, rolling up our sleeves and getting involved in the work of helping to alleviate their suffering and to do all that we can to help our planet.  This is what it means to live a righteous life.
 
Reflection       Who are the people, animals or things most in need in our community?  How might God be calling us to get involved in helping them?
 
3      How we should respond to God’s kindness
 
The last thing we discover about God’s kindness from this Psalm is how people should respond when they realise how good God has been to them and how He has answered their prayers.  The Psalmist repeats this wonderful phrase:
 
“Let them give thanks to the Lord, for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds to men.”
 
On September 8th 1860, The Lady Elgin sank in lake Michigan.  A young ministerial student named Edward Spencer dove repeatedly into the icy waters and rescued seventeen people.  The prolonged exposure permanently damaged his health, however, and he was unable to complete his studies.  Some years later at his funeral it was noted that not one of the seventeen people he saved ever returned to thank him. 
 
Thankfulness is basic to Godliness and goodness.
If we are to be kind, it will mean cultivating an ‘attitude of gratitude’.  It will mean that we regularly take time to thank people for the ways they have helped and blessed us.  It will mean that we regularly take time to thank God for all the good gifts he has given us.
Conclusion
 
Paul says, ‘true love is kind’.  Let me encourage you to meditate on how kind God has been to you and your family over the years.  Let me encourage you to read Psalm 107 and to think deeply about the goodness of God.  When you’ve done that spend some time in prayers of thanks.  Ask God to fill you afresh with the wonder of His goodness.  Invite Him to help you appreciate just how kind He has been to you, not least in the fact that He came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ to die on the cross for your sins.  Allow that knowledge to help you to love and be kind to yourself.  Ask God to help you to express your gratitude in ways that are tangible - by being generous to God and by living a life of kindness, concern and generosity for others, especially those who are in greatest need.
 
Today we are going to pray for children parents and our school communities as they prepare God-willing for a return to school.  Let us pray…
 
Prayer for others
God our heavenly teacher,
thank you for the gift of learning,
that enables us to grow in wisdom and stature, 
in relationship with you and others. 
We pray for school life as it resumes again,
after months of lockdown and the long summer break.
Be with governors, principals, drivers, cleaners and others,
who have responsibility in arrangements,
for the smooth running of the school day.  
Be with teachers and classroom assistants,
as they help pupils settle again into learning.
Be with parents, grandparents and carers,
as they gently help loved ones readjust to the return of school.
Be with children and young people,
as they renew relationships with staff and peers,
embrace new rhythms and routines in familiar places,
pick up the threads of the curriculum again -
remembering what they have learned before,
and quickly making sense of new knowledge coming their way.
Be especially with those in crucial exam years,
taking away fear of months of learning lost,
giving confidence in what can yet be gained. 
Help whole school families grow in these days -
physically in their new environments for learning, 
mentally as new thinking is required,
emotionally as strains and stresses have to be negotiated,  
socially in community with one another,
spiritually as they recognise God at work among them.
Lord Jesus,
whose teaching amazed and astounded,
with its stamp of authority,
and left its lasting mark on many lives,
hear these our prayers for our schools this new term.

Take a few moments now to bring your own prayers to God…
All these we offer in Jesus’ name and for His sake,  Amen.
 
Closing Words
 
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  I hope that you have felt part of our congregation as they are meeting at the same time as this online broadcast.  We are sorry that you aren’t able to join us because of your current circumstances but we hope that in the near future  you will be able to be with us. 
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days reading Psalm 107 and reflecting on the goodness of God.  Take time to thank Him.  Ask Him what it will mean for you to be kind to yourself, and others. 
 
Today in church we announced an appeal from our Moderator to help alleviate the suffering of people in the Lebanon.  If you would like to find out more about this appeal and how you can contribute to it please visit our website where you will find out the details or alternatively you can write a cheque to Arklow Presbyterian Church and post it in an envelope marked ‘Lebanon Appeal’.
 
Also, we are hoping to restart our midweek bible study.  This year we are holding it on a Monday night from 7 - 8pm in the church starting on the 7th of September.  We will observe all recommendations for hand hygiene and social distancing and all participants are advised to wear face coverings. For the first semester we will be running a short course on Prayer called ‘The Prayer Course’ designed by Pete Greig.  Each week we will watch a short video focussed on one line of the Lord’s Prayer.  Afterwards there will be opportunity to discuss the video among ourselves and then to spend some time together in prayer.  There is a book which accompanies the course which you can read at your leisure.  If you would like to come to the bible study please let Philip or myself know in advance.  If you would like to pre-order a book, then again please speak to Philip or myself.  Even if you can’t come to the bible study for the whole year, it would be fantastic to see as many of us make time to come to this amazing course.  It will inspire all of us to go deeper in our prayer as individuals and as a community of God’s people.  There is a link on our website to the course if you would like to find out more…
 
There will be no midweek recording this Wednesday.  Remember if you are planning to come to church next Sunday- do bring your signed Covid 19 policy if you haven’t already emailed that to us. 
Remember, we will aim to start at 10.00am as usual but if you can be there earlier than normal that will enable us to get everyone safely seated before we start.  Don’t forget to let us know you are coming by emailing Aleida before next Friday evening.  That will give us time to arrange the seating for Sunday.  In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction
 
To the one whose kindness is without equal, whose love is beyond comparison, whose mercy is beyond understanding, and whose power is beyond words, be praise and glory, worship and thanksgiving now and always…
And
 
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 
 

Restart to Midweek Bible Study – ‘The Prayer Course’
 
After a long delay because of the Covid restrictions we are hoping to restart our midweek bible study.  This year we are holding it on Monday nights from 7 - 8pm in the church starting on the 7th of September.  We will observe all recommendations for hand hygiene and social distancing and all participants are advised to wear face coverings.
 
For the first semester we will be running a short course on Prayer called ‘The Prayer Course’ designed by Pete Greig.  Each week we will watch a short video focussed on one line of the Lord’s Prayer.  Afterwards there will be opportunity to discuss the video among ourselves and then to spend some time together in prayer.  There is a book which accompanies the course which you can read at your leisure. 
 
If you would like to come to the bible study please let Philip pwhelton3@gmail.com or myself manderson@presbyterianireland.org know in advance.  If you would like to pre-order a book, then again please email or speak to Philip or myself. 
 
Even if you can’t come to the bible study for the whole year, it would be fantastic to see as many of us make time to come to this amazing course.  It will inspire all of us to go deeper in our prayer as individuals and as a community of God’s people.  If you would like to find out more about ‘The Prayer Course’ then please follow the link below…
 
24-7 Prayer - The Prayer Course
Utube Link to Promotional video:
https://youtu.be/uNLIFykoBfY

 Dear Friends,
 
Around 6 pm on 4th August, a 2,750 tonne stockpile of highly explosive chemicals was detonated in the port area of Beirut. As a result of the devastating explosion, more than 150 people were killed, and some 5,000 injured, with 300,000 residents made homeless as shock waves hit buildings up to 10 km away.
 
Almost immediately PCI were in contact with their partners located in Beirut. The National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL), a longstanding partner church, is responding through their development wing, the Compassion Protestant Society, seeking to provide emergency food aid and shelter for the homeless, regardless of a person’s faith background.
 
NESSL’s General Secretary, Rev Joseph Kassab writes, “We cling to the One who holds the whole world in his hand…. may the Almighty bring peace to our wounded humanity and city…It is a time where the Church has to step into the pain and suffering of innocent people”.
 
Dr George Sabra, President of the Near East School of Theology (NEST), writes, “We thank God that no one was injured at NEST …the damage to the building is extensive. All eight floors above ground and two basements were hit. Glass windows, glass doors, glass panels inside the building, as well as many internal wooden doors were shattered. Never has NEST been hit so badly…The devastation in the rest of Beirut is vast….the Beirut Port which was almost totally annihilated by the explosion is the storage place for all the necessary imports that Lebanon needs at this difficult time in its severe economic and pandemic crisis: wheat, medications, medical equipment, food, … all of these have been severely damaged, if not totally destroyed…”
 
The Television production studios of SAT7, Christian broadcasters in the Middle East and North Africa and a longstanding partner of PCI, was also damaged. Maroun Bou Rached, Executive Director of SAT 7 in Lebanon said, “We really need a lot of prayer for Lebanon to be able to get up and move forward. We are focusing now on what we can produce to help and encourage people and to look to God. We need a miracle to continue in this small country. Please pray for calm for everyone in Lebanon.”
 
These and others with whom PCI have related in Lebanon over many years, are not only expressing their shock and great need but also the feeling of being overwhelmed by expressions of support. Alia Abboud, Chief Development Officer of the Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development (LSESD) said, “Hope is a very rare commodity in my country today…yet we are deeply touched by the genuine concern and solidarity expressed from dear friends and partners from various parts of the world”. With their lives brutally disrupted and hope hanging by a thread, may I ask you, despite all the challenges we face here on the island of Ireland, to encourage your congregation to see that our prayerful, practical support for the people of Lebanon is paramount in the coming days.
 
While much thought is being given to launching a special appeal towards the end of this year aimed at tackling the impact of Covid-19 on the world’s poorest communities, PCI’s Mission Department is ready to channel any donations you may wish to make at this time to the emergency initiatives being undertaken by our partners in Lebanon.
 
Donations (with the option of gift aid) can be designated to any of the above-named partners by sending a cheque made out to “Arklow Presbyterian Church” or cash then placing it in an envelope marked “The Lebanon Appeal” and either putting it in the collection box on Sunday or posting (the cheque only) to our Treasurer (Aleida) or the church address.  Once all monies have been collected our Treasurer will forward the final amount to the The Presbyterian Church in Ireland ’s Mission Department.
 
Alternatively you can donate by electronic transfer.  Details of how to give by electronic transfer or online can be found on PCI’s website -www.presbyterianireland.org/donate.
 
PCI’s development partners, Christian Aid Ireland and Tearfund, are also engaged in the emergency response and details of their initiatives can be found on their websites: www.christianaid.ie and www.tearfund.org.
Thank you for taking time to stand with PCI’s partners and the people of Lebanon.
Rev Michael Anderson on behalf of our Moderator Rev David Bruce.
 

​Prodigal Son - Loving Father

Over the last few weeks Michael has been teaching us about real Christian love. How we should be less selfish, less proud, more patient, not keeping records of wrong and not delighting in evil. I have been very struck each week that the quality we look at is shown to perfection by God our Heavenly Father. I would like to spend a few minutes this morning looking at how God’s love for us is manifested by looking at the story of the Prodigal son. The parable is maybe better titled as the story of the Compassionate and Loving Father.
In the beginning we see the younger son ask his father for his inheritance. Our video showed an immediate response with a bag of gold being handed over. But in those times and also now getting a share of inheritance generally means selling land, livestock, building and property and shares. In doing that the remaining estate is less profitable. But the father in our story is willing to do that and give his son what he has asked for. The father is also willing to let his son go – a child he loves and delights in and also potentially an extra hand on the farm and someone to care for him in later life. Very unselfish traits. We see this again at the end of the story when the father is willing to put aside his own joy and celebration to go and chat and encourage the older son who refuses to come to the party. He puts his own interests aside for the benefit of his son. Also those words he says – everything I have is yours are again very unselfish. He leaves nothing for himself, no little nest egg for a pleasant life in old age, he has and will give it all away.
And God our heavenly Father does the same with us. He gave us His most precious possession- He beloved only Son, to come to this world and die to save us from our sins. We have heard it said that our salvation is a free gift , and it is for us, but it was a very costly act on God and Jesus’ part- it cost them everything, they kept nothing back. And just because they love us so much.  Our Father loves us with a truly unselfish love.
The younger son goes away, wastes all his money, eventually comes to his senses and heads back home. In verse 20 we read – while he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His father could only have seen him if he was looking out for him. I like to think that from the time the son left, the father spent a lot of his time sitting on his front porch or at the town gates watching and waiting and hoping that his son would come back. We are led to believe that he was a wealthy man and could have well afforded to send his servants to go looking for the son to see if he was ok. But he didn’t, he waited and waited, for weeks, months, years we don’t know but he waited patiently letting the son decide for himself when or if to return. A very patient love.
And our Heavenly Father is also very patient with us. He wants each person to come to Him, to be in relationship with Him, to fulfil the unique plans and purposes He has for everyone. But He is a real gentleman, He doesn’t coerce, force, push or pull us. It must be so hard for Him watching us struggle and go the wrong way, knowing all the rich blessing He has in store for us, that he could very easily give us. But He loves us and He waits for us to come to Him in our own time. He loves us with an amazingly patient love.
When the father sees his son, he runs to him. Men of his position and stature didn’t run in those days and certainly didn’t associate with dirty, stinking wretches which is what his son had become. But the father was willing to break all those cultural rules, without caring who saw him and run to his son, maybe even getting down on the dirty road, put his arms round him and kiss him. He probably got filthy and smelly in doing that, but he didn’t care, pride in his position didn’t matter any more because his son had come back. He was willing to humble himself in the eyes of his peers and get down on the same level as his filthy son.
And isn’t that what Our Heavenly Father has done for us. He the creator of the world, all powerful, all seeing, all knowing, everywhere present, King of kings. He was and is willing to come down to our level, to associate with us, human sinners, who really are filthy in His totally pure and Holy eyes. But He in Jesus came to this world to become one of us and as Philippians 2v8 tells us He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross- the worst and most cruel kind of death possible. And He did that because of His love for us – a love that is very humble and not proud.
The son begins on his prepared speech – Father I have sinned against heaven and against you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son. The message translation adds in some amazing words – But the father wasn’t listening, he wasn’t listening to the apology. I don’t know about you, but if I was in that position I would want to know that the son was sorry for all the wrong things he had done, and boy had he done a lot of wrong. He had forced the division of the estate. He had an arrogant disregard for his father’s authority as head of the family. He squandered his inheritance in wild living. He went to work for a pig farmer. Jews of that day did not go near pigs because they are seen as unclean. But this guy wanted to eat pig feed – he had really sunk to the lowest level possible. But his father wasn’t listening, he was not interested , he had no intention of keeping any record of the wrongs done to him. He was overjoyed to have his son back again.
And isn’t that a picture of how God deals with us when we come to Him in repentance. 1 John 1 v 9 tells us – if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Yes we do need to confess our sins to God and turn away from doing them again, But God will forgive us and cleanse us. And He even goes further. Hebrews 8 v 12 tells us – I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. Our loving Heavenly Father keeps no record of our wrongs. What an amazing blessing- there is no list, there is no record, all our sins are washed away and forgotten because of the blood that Jesus the perfect Lamb shed for us.
The father in our story doesn’t take the opportunity either to show some schadenfreude, or as the message translates it – he doesn’t revel while others grovel. Again if it was me there would probably be a bit of well you deserve what happened to you because of what you did. Bad actions always have consequences.  Didn’t I tell you this would happen. But the father isn’t doing any of that. He isn’t listening. He is planning a party. The past is in the past and will stay there. The only thing that matters is that the son is home again.
And our heavenly Father is the same. He won’t revel while we grovel in our confession and repentance. He is just so happy that we have come back to Him and ask for His forgiveness. The past is forgotten and He is celebrating our return to Him.
There is another quality of love that I think runs throughout this whole story. Kindness. Or as the message translates it – love cares more for others than for self. The father in our story is really only interested in making his sons happy. He knows the proposed course of action of the younger son is not beneficial, but he lets him find out for himself that that course of action is not the way to make himself  happy long term. The father spends time with the older son as well trying to encourage and help him see the bigger picture. When the son comes home, the father doesn’t tell the servants to put his son in the bath, launder his clothes and return them to him. No. There is a clean set of clothes, new sandals and even a robe and a ring. The father is restoring the younger sons position to a son at the heart of the family and not just a servant. And the party – that wasn’t just a family dinner for the household, I suspect everyone in the town was invited and it was an amazing party, an amazing celebration.
Our Heavenly Father is just as kind and caring to us. He didn’t let us take the punishment for our sins, He let that fall on Jesus. He watches over us 24/7, doesn’t sleep on the job. He has our names carved on the palms of His hands so He can look at us all the time. He has even numbered the hairs on our head. When we repent of our sins and come back to Him in repentance, He restores us and He even goes further. He adopts us into His family and makes us His heirs, co heirs with Jesus. He is so kind to us. But He is also very generous. We read in the Bible the words – how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him. How much more – there is always an abundance with God in His dealings with us. Those lovely words in Ephesians 3 v 20 – God does more than we could ask or even imagine. That is how generously and kindly He loves us.
There is within each of us some of the qualities of the younger son. There is within each of us some of the qualities of the older son. But God wants us to become like the father, loving others with the same love that He loves us with. A love that is not proud or selfish. A love that is patient. A love that keeps no record of wrong and doesn’t revel while others grovel. A love that is kind and generous. And may God help us as we strive for that ideal. Amen.
I would like to close with some words of saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3 v 16 – 19)
 
 

APC 26th July 2020                 “Love is Patient”
 
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  Today we continue our reflections on what it really means to love using Paul’s description we find in 1 Corinthians 13.  So far we have discovered that true love ‘is not selfish’ that ‘it keeps no records of wrongs’ that ‘it is not jealous’, ‘it is not proud and that ‘love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth.’  Today we will think about the fact that ‘love is patient’ and the areas of our lives where we need God to help us to be patient, particularly at this time.  But as always, let’s begin by talking to God. Let’s pray…
 
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are so patient.  You are not in a hurry and nothing ever takes you by surprise.  You see the beginning from the end in all things.  You knew when this pandemic would start and you know when it will come to an end. 
Thank you that despite the long wait, today we are able to meet again in church to worship you together.  Thank you for every way in which you have helped us over these last number of months and for every way that we know you will provide for us in the days ahead.
Lord, you know that these last few months have been extremely difficult for all of us, especially for those who have been critically ill, for those who have died and those who have been bereaved, for all those working on the front line, for parents, for people living on their own, for the elderly and for children and teenagers.  Lord for all of us in different ways, these days of uncertainty continue to be extremely challenging. 
Father, we admit that in the midst of that challenge there have been times when we have been very impatient.  We have been impatient with ourselves, impatient with our family members, impatient with our employers, impatient with our government, impatient while we’ve queued, impatient as we’ve sat in traffic, impatient with our computers, impatient with our churches and impatient with you.
Forgive us that at times we have lost patience with the restrictions and when our impatience has meant that we have put ourselves or other people at risk.
Lord, have mercy on us.  Please give us the strength and the grace that we need to keep being patient, especially if the phased return to normal life doesn’t happen as smoothly or as quickly as we might like.  Lord, help us to accept the challenges and the changes that necessary restrictions are creating for our day to day lives.  Lord, even though our worship today will look and feel very different to what we are used to, we pray that as we draw near to you, you will draw near to us.
Lord, please send your Holy Spirit to be present with us individually and collectively.  May we feel and sense His presence with us here today.  Fill us afresh with your hope and joy and peace.  And may that make all the difference to us for the week that lies ahead.
This we ask in the name of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ,  Amen.
Please join with me as we gently say the Lord’s Prayer together…
And so we pray…
 
The Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Readings
Isaiah 40 v 9-31
You who bring good news to Zion,
    go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,[a]
    lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
    say to the towns of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
    and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
    or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
    or weighed the mountains on the scales
    and the hills in a balance?
13 Who can fathom the Spirit[b] of the Lord,
    or instruct the Lord as his counselor?
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
    and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
    or showed him the path of understanding?
15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
    nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing;
    they are regarded by him as worthless
    and less than nothing.
18 With whom, then, will you compare God?
    To what image will you liken him?
19 As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,
    and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
    and fashions silver chains for it.
20 A person too poor to present such an offering
    selects wood that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
    to set up an idol that will not topple.
21 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
    and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
    and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He brings princes to naught
    and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,
    no sooner are they sown,
    no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
    and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
25 “To whom will you compare me?
    Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.
27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
 
 
1 Corinthians 13 v 4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
Reflection                               “Love is Patient”
Over the last few weeks we have been reflecting on what I think is the most important thing in life, especially life as a Christian.  That of course is love.  We have been learning more and more about what real love looks like.  It is not selfish, it is not jealous, it forgives, it is not proud, it does not take delight in other people’s misfortunes.  Today we want to think about the fact that love says Paul, is patient.   The word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 13 is the Greek word ‘makrothumia’ which literally means ‘long-burning’.  It describes how a decent log will last for hours on an open fire in contrast to light pine kindling which fizzes and sputters sending showers of sparks in all directions.  To be patient means to have a long fuse, to burn long and slow.  It describes a person who has deliberately determined to trust God and to wait His hand of intervention.  It’s this aspect of love that we need perhaps more than anything at this time.
I don’t know about you, but one of the hardest things I’ve found about the Covid 19 Pandemic is practicing patience.  I think most of us have felt the same.  All of us have been continually faced with situations that have required patience. 
There have been occasions when we’ve had to be patient with other people.  That might have meant queuing to enter the supermarket or waiting our turn to put petrol in the car.  It may have involved sitting for hours at the kitchen table encouraging our children with their online schoolwork.  For teenagers it’s also meant having to endure hours of being supervised by your parents rather than having the support of your teachers and friends in school.
There have also been times when we’ve had to be patient with ourselves.  In the initial days of lockdown many of us rejoiced at the opportunity to get some work done around the house that we wouldn’t normally have time to do.  We enjoyed spending extra time with our kids away from the constant demands of the office.  But as the weeks wore on, we’ve found ourselves getting deeply frustrated.  Perhaps we haven’t realized it until we’ve suddenly snapped at the kids or the dog or even just sat down and cried.  We must not underestimate how psychologically challenging this has been for us all.  And because of that, we need to be patient with ourselves.  We need to give ourselves a break and not beat ourselves up or get angry at ourselves when at times we’ve said or done something a little out of character or when we haven’t always been our positive and upbeat self.
In addition we’ve had to be patient with circumstances that have been almost completely outside our control.  Some of us haven’t been able to work.  Some of us have had to work in front-line situations which have been extremely stressful and where the goal posts have been constantly changing.  We haven’t been able to visit family in hospital or residential care.  We’ve had to bury our dead or celebrate a wedding in ways we would not have wished. We haven’t had the freedom to go to the cinema or a restaurant or to visit family and friends.  Holidays have been cancelled and sporting activities postponed.  We have had to be patient with so many circumstances.
But perhaps the hardest thing of all has been trying to be patient with God or as the Psalmist describes it to “Wait upon the Lord.”  It’s been really hard not being able to meet together for worship.  As time has gone on it feels as if our prayers for the removal of this virus and a return to normal life have got stuck in amber.  And for people who have lost family members to this terrible disease despite their prayers, it must sometimes feel as if heaven is silent.  At times we are all left wondering why God who is loving and who has the power to stop this virus in an instant, doesn’t do so.  It’s difficult for us in these times to be patient with God and to keep our faith.
So what are we to do?
Well one thing I find helpful is to remind ourselves that we are no different from all the people of faith who have gone before us.  At times they too were tempted to doubt and ask: “Has God forgotten us?  Does He not care? Can He help us?”
These are the exact questions many of the people of Israel asked when they were taken captive and were now living in exile under the rule and ridicule of their enemies the Babylonians.
The uncertainty of these circumstances had shaken their faith to the core! 
At this time the prophet Isaiah spoke the words that Edna read earlier to remind God’s children that because of who God is they could trust Him, even in the midst of great uncertainty.
In this passage we discover a number of questions that God’s people were asking in this time of uncertainty.  We also hear some very helpful answers that Isaiah gives.  Answers that enabled the people to love God by patiently waiting for Him. 
The first question we hear the people asking is- Does God not know the trouble we are in?
Here Isaiah reminds the nation of Israel that God knows the exact amount of water covering the earth, the size of the universe and the precise weight of all the hills and mountains.  There is nothing your God does not understand for He is all-knowing!
Whatever is keeping you awake at night whatever uncertainties with Covid 19 lie ahead let me encourage you – God knows about it, you can trust Him.
 
Having answered their first question, we hear the Israelites asking a second question…
Yes, we know God understands, but does He care?
Again Isaiah responds, “Yes He does!”  He reminds God’s people that God is the Shepherd who gathers the weak and vulnerable into his arms.  What a picture of who we are, and what God is like.  Here Isaiah encourages us that in the midst of our weakness, our failures and our difficulties, God still loves us, He lifts us into His arms and holds us close to His heart.
Whatever difficulties or however much uncertainty we will continue to face, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God knows best.  When we hurt, He hurts.  When we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit prays for us.  Yes God understands, but the even greater truth is that He also cares.  He seeks us out, He lifts us up, and He holds us close to His heart!  Let me encourage you in these difficult times to sit in the presence of the Good Shepherd and let His love fill you with comfort and patience.
The last question the people ask is, “Yes I know God understands and cares but can He help me?”
Again Isaiah booms, “Yes He can!”
Today because of Covid 19 and Brexit there is a growing fear of another collapse in the global economy.  There is uncertainty about our jobs, our kid’s education and when people on waiting lists for operations will be seen.
But in the midst of this all, we must also listen to the voice of the prophet.  Isaiah reminds us that while caring deeply about our situation, God has no such fear, for somehow He is in complete control. 
Our God is in the driving seat of this world.  He is in control of the present situation we are facing as a country and in the situations that affect us in our individual lives.  In the midst of every circumstance of life, in every part of this universe, God is there, ever present, willing to help us, wanting to teach us to cling more closely to Him, wanting to strengthen the muscles of our faith.
Isaiah’s words still thunder today, “God is in control, you can trust Him!”
Finally Isaiah reminds God’s children that, not only is He in control, He is also all-powerful.  What’s more, His power never weakens and He is willing to share it!  Listen to what Isaiah says about God’s willingness to help us by His power (v 30-31).
 
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
 
Are you weary of this pandemic and all the uncertainties that still lie ahead?
Then let me encourage you to lift your eyes to God and pray.
Isaiah’s words still thunder today, “God is in control, you can trust Him!  God is all-powerful.  When you cry out to Him he will help you.”  Let me conclude.
 
Conclusion
God is love and love is patient.  That above all other things is what we need at this present time.  So we need to get on our knees and pray and ask God specifically – Please give me patience! If we do that, He will answer.  He will give us patience with other people, patience with ourselves, patience with difficult circumstances and patience to trust that despite the uncertainty of the future, God understands, he cares about us deeply, He is somehow in control and He is able to help us and give us the grace that we need to carry on.
Prayer for others
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the many ways in which your Word has proved to be a lamp to our feet as we have walked the path of pandemic and lived through the days of lockdown.
We ask that you would continue to guide all those who feed us through preaching and teaching.
We thank you for all those who continue to give leadership in every sphere of life.  Give each one wisdom as they continue to decide on many difficult matters and carefully guide in days of ongoing uncertainty. 
We pray for those who manage others- Lord, please help them to be caring in every situation and to build increasing confidence in those who look to them for leadership as they resume working life.  
Father, we thank you for the many ways in which staff in care homes have shown great dedication and devotion to residents in a time of great stress and strain.
We pray for the ongoing battle to keep care homes infection free.  Be especially near to Hilda and Johe and all our family members who are in residential care.  Lord, please gradually restore normal patterns of daily life for residents and staff, and may all be kept safe as family and friends visit.
We pray for children and young people.  Lord, please use the summer months and a continued return to more normal patterns of life to restore peace of heart and mind. 
We thank you for those who are now recovering from contracting the COVID-19 virus.  Please continue to rebuild their strength and energy levels.
We pray for all who are sick or undergoing treatment for other illnesses.  We remember those who are terminally ill.  Surround all who are suffering or grieving with your love and comfort.
Father God, thank you for the lessons we have learned through the trials of recent months.  Grant us your grace to know our lives truly changed and wisdom in knowing how to better follow your ways.
Lord we pray that as individuals and congregations we would not lose the lessons you have sought to teach us through recent experiences in our rush to return to routine.
Take a few moments to pray for others…
We offer all our prayers in Jesus’ name, Amen.
 
Closing Words
 
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  I hope that you have felt part of our congregation as they are meeting at the same time as this online broadcast.  We are sorry that you aren’t able to join us because of your current circumstances but we hope that in the near future  you will be able to be with us. 
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to show you areas where you are finding it difficult to be patient and asking Him for help.  There will be no midweek recording this Wednesday.  Remember if you are planning to come to church next Sunday- do bring your signed Covid 19 policy if you haven’t already emailed that to us.  Remember, we will aim to start at 10.00am as usual but if you can be there earlier than normal that will enable us to get everyone safely seated before we start.  Don’t forget to let us know you are coming by emailing Aleida before next Friday evening.  That will give us time to arrange the seating for Sunday.  In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction
Go now and proclaim the good news, not just through words but deeds – through what you say, what you do and who you are.  May others as they meet with you, meet with Christ and know His living presence for themselves…
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”