Wellspring @ Home
July 19th
Way-markers and Milestones
Prepared by Jenny Few
The feet of Christ walk before us; God of our journeying, show the way
WANDERING IN THE MIST
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There’s never been anything in our lifetime like this pandemic and the lockdown. At first, in March, the total lockdown was acceptable – shocking, but we understood the reasons and we knew where we were. It was secure, even liberating. But now it’s being eased it feels more confusing and uncertain. We are confronted with choices which all carry a risk – we can go for a meal, and can get a haircut; we can mix with some people, but not others. And where should we wear a mask? What’s safe and what isn’t?
Where’s the signpost? How do we decide? Who should we listen to? It’s like walking on a footpath where the waymarks are absent or broken, and the mist has descended. There’s no familiar landmark, no view to lead us on; we are disorientated, nervous, unsure.…….
Where’s the signpost? How do we decide? Who should we listen to? It’s like walking on a footpath where the waymarks are absent or broken, and the mist has descended. There’s no familiar landmark, no view to lead us on; we are disorientated, nervous, unsure.…….
Song - A Prayer
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Reading
Psalm 42 v 1-6
Psalm 42 v 1-6
Prayer
'Loving God as we join our cries with those who are deeply distressed, and in despair; renew in us the spirit of hope, the yearning for life in you, and the expectancy that even when we are wandering in the mist of confusion, you will surprise us with joy.'
Jim Cotter Through Desert places p93 (altd)
'Loving God as we join our cries with those who are deeply distressed, and in despair; renew in us the spirit of hope, the yearning for life in you, and the expectancy that even when we are wandering in the mist of confusion, you will surprise us with joy.'
Jim Cotter Through Desert places p93 (altd)
Taking stock of where we are
The only thing to do when you’re lost in the mist is wait for it to clear. For some of us that’s ok, we are good at being patient and accepting that we are safer if we stay where we are; we might as well make the best of it (as long as it doesn’t last forever!) So in lockdown we’ve done more gardening, decorating, clearing out, baking; we’ve probably enjoyed it. And for those of us who are retired, it’s not been such a drastic change. But for people adjusting to new work routines and for children with no school, it’s been much harder. And for action men/women, it’s been very frustrating - we want to be moving, getting on, doing SOMETHING! Like the writer of this poem:
Pilgrimage by Nadine Brummer
Where are you going?
From nowhere to somewhere
How long will it take you?
From now till then
What will you find there?
The past as a present
How will you use it?
I know not. Amen
In Liturgy of Life ed Donald Hilton,
pub National Christian Education Council1991
Where are you going?
From nowhere to somewhere
How long will it take you?
From now till then
What will you find there?
The past as a present
How will you use it?
I know not. Amen
In Liturgy of Life ed Donald Hilton,
pub National Christian Education Council1991
Reading
Psalm 40 vs 1-3
Psalm 40 vs 1-3
Reflection
The fog-shrouded hills belie the promise beneath the soil, so we wait anon
God is with us, in the waiting time, the in-between time, the foggy time when the waymarkers and signposts are absent. Take some time now to recall how God has been real to you during the lockdown – in quiet moments, in familiar routines, through someone’s timely kindness, in birdsong or scent of flowers, through reading and prayer, in tears and aloneness, in conversation and laughter.
The fog-shrouded hills belie the promise beneath the soil, so we wait anon
God is with us, in the waiting time, the in-between time, the foggy time when the waymarkers and signposts are absent. Take some time now to recall how God has been real to you during the lockdown – in quiet moments, in familiar routines, through someone’s timely kindness, in birdsong or scent of flowers, through reading and prayer, in tears and aloneness, in conversation and laughter.
SONG : Safe in the Shadow
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Prayer
The storms of change are you; the peace of the tranquil waters.
You are all these things, friend God, and I thank you. Amen and amen
May I journey without fear through all your seasons,
In emptiness let me find fullness
In imprisonment let me find freedom
Render me passive in your will
And I shall be most active,
Moving with you in everything,
Seeing you in everything,
Knowing you in everything. Amen. Amen
Joy Cowley, from Aotearoa psalms
Emerging into a new future
There’s been a lot of talk about a ‘new normal’, about learning from this trying time as individuals, churches, communities, nations…..when will we begin to feel safe again? What will life be like?
We’ve been asked to think about what we value in our life together as Wellspring, and how we’d like things to be when the restrictions are over. The Trustees and Worship leaders with Kevin have talked and prayed and reflected on this, seeking to discern God’s new normal for Wellspring. Part of our on-going vision has been to try and do church differently – what is God saying now to us about the future?
There’s been a lot of talk about a ‘new normal’, about learning from this trying time as individuals, churches, communities, nations…..when will we begin to feel safe again? What will life be like?
We’ve been asked to think about what we value in our life together as Wellspring, and how we’d like things to be when the restrictions are over. The Trustees and Worship leaders with Kevin have talked and prayed and reflected on this, seeking to discern God’s new normal for Wellspring. Part of our on-going vision has been to try and do church differently – what is God saying now to us about the future?
Reading
Isaiah 43 vs 18-21
Isaiah 43 vs 18-21
We’ve heard these wonderful words from Isaiah in connection with the Annex, and when thinking about how Wellspring will evolve in the future. The prophet is poetic in his excitement at the possibilities for the future; streams in the desert and a way through the wilderness. After suffering comes joy and possibility, if we heed the Word of God and trust in Him.
Hymn: Guide me oh thou great redeemer
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Meditation
And when this all seems over, and we emerge,
cautiously look around, like ghosts among the tombs,
uncertain of each other, and wide eyed,
who will we live to be?
will we survive, our dream intact and viable to implement?
written by Andy Rain, on the Northumbria Community Facebook page May 2020
We want to return to the old normals that yield safety and happiness,
But you dispatch us otherwise.
Your new normal for us requires some adjustment by us.
But adjust we will. We will live and trust and share differently
‘All things new’ is a huge stretch for us,
But we know it is your good gift to us; we receive it, we embrace it,
and we give thanks to you for it.
Walter Brueggemann in Virus as a Summons to Faith Cascade Books 2020 page 60
Prayer
For Wellspring:
For each person, everything we value, giving thanks to God for them
For wisdom and stamina as decisions are made – when to open, and how it can be done
For courage to be true to our vision, to do things differently, whatever that means.
For ourselves:
For honesty, as we think about how we have changed in this time
For wisdom and courage to take the risk of living our lives fully
For faith, asking that God will open up the future for us, without fear:
For Wellspring:
For each person, everything we value, giving thanks to God for them
For wisdom and stamina as decisions are made – when to open, and how it can be done
For courage to be true to our vision, to do things differently, whatever that means.
For ourselves:
For honesty, as we think about how we have changed in this time
For wisdom and courage to take the risk of living our lives fully
For faith, asking that God will open up the future for us, without fear:
Song Christ of the Centre
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Prayer Will an awakened touch and sense, pour colour through us once again, inch by inch and limb by limb? We stretch, connect, reach out, solid remain: bright of eye, urgent of vision. … and somehow all around us through the silence, music is heard again. Andy Raine |
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The feet of Christ walk before us; God of our journeying, show the way
THE SONG WORDS...
...are now on the sheet emailed to everyone on the Wellspring mailing list.
Or you perhaps have a book for those that are from Mission Praise.
...are now on the sheet emailed to everyone on the Wellspring mailing list.
Or you perhaps have a book for those that are from Mission Praise.
Copyright details for the songs
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A prayer Song
original song Words : Horatio Spafford. Music : Philip Bliss Guide me O thou Great redeemer Arglwydd, arwain trwy'r anialwch William Williams, 1717-1791, translated Peter Williams, 1723-1796 |
Safe in the shadow of the Lord
Timothy Dudley-Smith Hope Publishing Company Christ of the Centre Paul Heppleston 2020 |