Blue Care Sunday 2015

The people gather

We gather today to remember the work of all people who care for others in our community. In particularly we remember the work of the church where it has been called to participate in the mission of God in ways that we could not imagine, in places like Blue Care. We gather today to give thanks to a God who constantly calls us to "get ready", resources us to "get set" and then invites us into a future filled with hope.

[A blue candle is lit]

Call to worship – Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.

As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.

…cont

They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob!

Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed.

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favour and honour. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.

O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Hymn/Song

Prayers of thanksgiving and confession

Declaration of forgiveness

Hear then Christ’s word of grace to us: Your sins are forgiven!

Thanks be to God.

Passing of the Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you

And also with you

(Please exchange a sign of peace with your neighbours)

Children’s Time Get ready, get set, for God’s plan

Hymn/Song

Readings

1 Kings 8:1-30,41-43

Ephesians 6:10-20

John 6:56-69

Message

Affirmation of Faith

We are not alone we live in God’s world.

We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus,

the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new,

who works in us and others by the Spirit.

We trust in God. 

…cont.

We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil,

to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.

We are not alone.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn/Song

Offering

Notices and Concerns of the Church

Prayers of the People

Hymn/Song

Blessing and Sending Out

It is time now to go from this place, knowing that we have what we need to continue to participate in the mission of God in the world. Go therefore in faith and with you are the blessings of the creator, the redeemer and the sustainer.

Amen