Reflective music
We are going very Celtic in this item, with ‘The deer’s cry’, sung by Rita Connolly. The music is by Shaun Davey and also includes part of the hymn, ‘St. Patrick’s breastplate’. You can find the full details, as well as the video at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGHWiAGpIP0&t=39s
Prayer
O sing to the LORD a new song, sing to the LORD, all the earth.
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, let our hearts be filled with awe.
Let us pray.
Holy and merciful God, we thank you for being able to worship you, and for your love and forgiveness. We praise you for how you reach out your hand to help all who call upon your name. You know, O God, the weights that we carry, the concerns that we have, you know our waking and our sleeping, our every thought and every deed.
We pray, lift our burdens from us as we now come before you with prayer and praise.
Grant us your peace, and by the power of your Holy Spirit, may we follow the example of Christ in all that we do. We ask these things through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
From the Bible
Our main Bible reading for today is from Exodus 33:12-33. If you would also like to see the Gospel reading from Matthew, a dramatic video from Lumo is included after the words below.
Exodus 33:12-23
Moses said to the Lord,
“It is true that you have told me to lead these people to that land, but you did not tell me whom you would send with me. You have said that you know me well and are pleased with me. Now if you are, tell me your plans, so that I may serve you and continue to please you. Remember also that you have chosen this nation to be your own.”
The Lord said, “I will go with you, and I will give you victory.”
Moses replied, “If you do not go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you are pleased with your people and with me if you do not go with us? Your presence with us will distinguish us from any other people on earth.”
The Lord said to Moses, “I will do just as you have asked, because I know you very well and I am pleased with you.”
Then Moses requested, “Please, let me see the dazzling light of your presence.”
The Lord answered, “I will make all my splendour pass before you and in your presence I will pronounce my sacred name. I am the Lord, and I show compassion and pity on those I choose. I will not let you see my face, because no one can see me and stay alive, but here is a place beside me where you can stand on a rock. When the dazzling light of my presence passes by, I will put you in an opening in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back but not my face.”
Message
The message, ‘Show me your ways’, is brought to you by Nigel Hawken. This was recorded in 2020 at the height of the pandemic and after some very difficult experiences in Nigel’s life.
Can you think of some times when you felt held by God in times of trouble? What have you heard in God’s Word and message today?
May you know that you are held by God, behind you, beside you, and in front of you. Before a time of prayer you may like to spend some time in silence sitting still. Close your eyes lightly. Sit relaxed but alert. Simply be still and open to God.
Prayers for others and blessing
Go to the video below for the ‘Prayers for others’, which are led by Rev. Keith Robinson, and was first recorded in 2020. The video includes the Lord’s Prayer and a closing blessing by Keith.
Song
The closing song is, “Your Hand, O God, has guided”, and it is sung at Dunfermline Abbey, Scotland (tune ‘Thornbury’). The video is shown below, but can also be found at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44RNKCp-hCY