Wellspring @ Home
June 28th
Prepared by Sue Watts
IN THE NAME OF ...........
Welcome
Song: Holy spirit we welcome you. |
SONGS Holy Spirit, we welcome you Chris Bowater © 1986 Sovereign Lifestyle Music Let us build a house where love can dwell Text: Marty Haugen, b. 1950 Tune: Marty Haugen TWO OAKS, 9 6 8 6 8 7 10 with refrain.. Copyright © 1994 by GIA Publications, Inc. 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638 I’ll go in the strength of the Lord Source – the Song Book of the Salvation Army Words and Music - Edward Turney Public Domain |
The Gospel reading for today
Matthew 10:40-42
Jesus said to his disciples, "Wherever you go, if
people welcome you, then they are welcoming
me, too. And if they welcome me, then they are
also welcoming God."
He continued, "If someone welcomes a prophet
and welcomes them because they are a prophet,
then they will receive the same reward as a
prophet. If someone welcomes a good person and
welcomes them because they are good, then they
will receive the same reward as a good person.
And if someone helps one of these little ones – if
they give them only a cup of cold water because
they are one of my followers – then they will
certainly be rewarded."
Matthew 10:40-42
Jesus said to his disciples, "Wherever you go, if
people welcome you, then they are welcoming
me, too. And if they welcome me, then they are
also welcoming God."
He continued, "If someone welcomes a prophet
and welcomes them because they are a prophet,
then they will receive the same reward as a
prophet. If someone welcomes a good person and
welcomes them because they are good, then they
will receive the same reward as a good person.
And if someone helps one of these little ones – if
they give them only a cup of cold water because
they are one of my followers – then they will
certainly be rewarded."
Disney's Beauty and the Beast -
‘Be our guest’
Jesus probably didn’t intend for ‘our welcomes’ to be as crazy and extravagant as this Disney epic, but it kind of makes the point!
Please listen along to this song but If you would like to follow the song again after the service and see the words/lyrics at the same time, click here. Or you can watch it here
‘Be our guest’
Jesus probably didn’t intend for ‘our welcomes’ to be as crazy and extravagant as this Disney epic, but it kind of makes the point!
Please listen along to this song but If you would like to follow the song again after the service and see the words/lyrics at the same time, click here. Or you can watch it here
Listen to Kevin's message
Time to reflect
There is a comparison to be found between the words of Jesus in our reading today, and the story’s told in the book of Ruth. The names of Orpah, Naomi, Boaz and, of course Ruth, are names we have become familiar with over the last few weeks and in making a simple comparison, we see Ruth welcomed as a foreigner, the small acts of kindness offered to her by Boaz as their lives become intertwined. Naomi’s status is restored and fulfilment and reward are given by God, which ultimately shaped history forever through David’s line, as the Psalmist tells.
You said, “Here is the covenant I have made with my chosen one. Here is the promise I have made to my servant David. ‘I will make your family line continue forever. I will make your kingdom secure for all time to come”. From Psalm 89 v 3 and 4.
AND The name of Jesus secured for all time
Song: Let us build a house where love can dwell
Reflection Part 2
I’m reminded of the time when, as a ‘foreigner in a strange land.’ (BFG) I was invited to Frau Kreuger’s house for Coffee and cake, a small act of kindness that made all the difference to me. (I recall that the size of the piece of homemade Black forest Gateaux was by no means small!) AND during the ‘Black lives Matter’ protests, the small act of kindness by the Black guy lifting up the injured white guy onto his shoulder, did not go un-noticed, as seen on screens around the world, and must have inspired 10,000 sermons. Jesus meant for the simple cup of water to be a symbol of our caring, giving and sharing welcome to all who are unnoticed and unloved. Jesus’ wants us to be welcoming, to welcome everyone as if we are welcoming him, and if we love the Lord then we are to be as God’s representatives, and bearers ‘of his name….’ wherever we go. Quite a tall order!
If you have ever gone ‘house to house’ collecting for Christian Aid or a similar charity, you will know how it feels to be unwelcome. Not everyone welcomes Jesus’ offer of love and salvation. Some may reject us and our gospel message. For those who choose to welcome Jesus into their lives, there is an amazing reward in heaven, eternal life and peace with Jesus Christ. Like the disciples, our lives should reflect God’s generous love to others. How will you welcome the one who knocks on your door?
Meditation
(Part of a meditation by Eddie Askew)
Why do I so often suspect the worst of people, rather than encourage the best? Manufacture discord. Build walls. Why is it so much easier to fold my arms in self-defence, than to open them to another in welcome? Forgive me, Lord, and whatever my arms are doing, yours are always open. Open my eyes to the wonder of your Spirit working through them. It’s not always easy to accept, Lord, but if you can work through me, with all my problems, anything’s possible. Gloriously possible! And after all, if you waited for us all to be perfect before you shared your work with us, you would n’t get much done, would you, Lord?
(Part of a meditation by Eddie Askew)
Why do I so often suspect the worst of people, rather than encourage the best? Manufacture discord. Build walls. Why is it so much easier to fold my arms in self-defence, than to open them to another in welcome? Forgive me, Lord, and whatever my arms are doing, yours are always open. Open my eyes to the wonder of your Spirit working through them. It’s not always easy to accept, Lord, but if you can work through me, with all my problems, anything’s possible. Gloriously possible! And after all, if you waited for us all to be perfect before you shared your work with us, you would n’t get much done, would you, Lord?
A Hymn as a Prayer
StF 695. (Ruth C. Duck b. 1947)
1 ""Come now, you blessed, eat at my table, ""
said Jesus Christ to the righteous above.
""When I was hungry, thirsty, and homeless,
sick and in prison, you showed me your love.""
2 When did we see you hungry or thirsty
When were you homeless, a stranger alone?
When did we see you sick or in prison?
What have we done that you call us your own?
3 "When you gave bread to the earth's hungry children, when you gave welcome to war's refugees.
When you remembered those most forgotten,
you cared for me in the smallest of these.""
4 Christ, when we meet you out on life's roadways, looking to us in the faces of need,
then may we know you, welcome and show you
love that is faithful in word and in deed.
Amen.
StF 695. (Ruth C. Duck b. 1947)
1 ""Come now, you blessed, eat at my table, ""
said Jesus Christ to the righteous above.
""When I was hungry, thirsty, and homeless,
sick and in prison, you showed me your love.""
2 When did we see you hungry or thirsty
When were you homeless, a stranger alone?
When did we see you sick or in prison?
What have we done that you call us your own?
3 "When you gave bread to the earth's hungry children, when you gave welcome to war's refugees.
When you remembered those most forgotten,
you cared for me in the smallest of these.""
4 Christ, when we meet you out on life's roadways, looking to us in the faces of need,
then may we know you, welcome and show you
love that is faithful in word and in deed.
Amen.
|
The Lord's Prayer Our Father, Who 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 that 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. |
Song: I’ll go in the strength of the Lord.
A rousing hymn to encourage us, because we shall
need His strength as we go. In the Name of Jesus Christ
(Sing ‘ Name’ in-stead of ‘Strength’ in the last verse)
A rousing hymn to encourage us, because we shall
need His strength as we go. In the Name of Jesus Christ
(Sing ‘ Name’ in-stead of ‘Strength’ in the last verse)
|
|
Blessing:
(Especially in these days of Semi-lockdown)
Lord give us time for people and each other.
Because when we can open the door to them,
You ’ll be able to step in too.
And that’s where the difference starts!
and the joy!
Amen
As we go out to a new week, listen to a song
written by John Bell in April about our needs
in this time of pandemic.
Words and Music by John Bell © 2020 WGRG c/o Iona Community, Glasgow.