Introit call to worship St F 768 The peace

Introit/call to worship St. F 768 The peace of the Lord be always with you The Peace of the Lord be always with you, I greet you in his name. Words: Brian Hoare © Brian Hoare/Jubilate Hymns Ltd

Hymn St. F 410 Lord, your Church on earth is seeking your renewal from above; teach us all the art of speaking with the accent of your love. We would heed your great commission: sending us to every place preach, baptise, fulfil my mission, serve with love and share my grace.

Freedom give to those in bondage, lift the burdens caused by sin. Give new hope, new strength and courage, grant release from fears within: light for darkness; joy for sorrow; love for hatred; peace for strife. These and countless blessings follow as the Spirit gives new life.

In the streets of every city where the bruised and lonely dwell, let us show the Saviour's pity, let us of his mercy tell. In all lands and with all races let us serve, and seek to bring all the world to render praises, Christ, to you, Redeemer, King. Words: Hugh Sherlock © Successor to Hugh Sherlock/administered by Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes

Prayer of adoration God of peace, As we look around this world, we see your fingerprints all over the beauty of creation we realise your power in the remarkable strength of the planet we trust in your steadfast love as night once again returns to day we seek your peace as we find silence in busy and noisy lives. Creator God, whose peace passes all understanding we come, seeking you. May we find you in this place today. Amen.

Psalm 34 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.

The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.

Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. NRSV

Hymn St. F 710 Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord. Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends. Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.

Love, perfect love, is the gift of Christ our Lord. Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends. Love, perfect love, is the gift of Christ our Lord.

Faith, perfect faith, is the gift of Christ our Lord. Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends. Faith, perfect faith, is the gift of Christ our Lord.

Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord. Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends. Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.

Joy, perfect joy, is the gift of Christ our Lord. Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends. Joy, perfect joy, is the gift of Christ our Lord. Words: Kevin Mayhew

Prayer of confession Prince of Peace, we come to you knowing that we are not always people of peace. For the times we’ve used words that have harmed and not used words that would have helped Lord we are sorry, Lord forgive.

For the times we’ve built walls rather than bridges Lord we are sorry, Lord forgive. For the times we’ve broken peace rather than made it Lord we are sorry, Lord forgive. Gift us your peace so we may be known as your friends in the world. In your name we pray. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer

Hymn St. F 720 We turn to you, O God of every nation, giver of good and origin of life; your love is at the heart of all creation, your hurt is people's pain in war and death.

We turn to you, that we may be forgiven for crucifying Christ on earth again; we know that we have never wholly striven to share with all the promise of your reign.

Free every heart from haughty self-reliance, our ways of thought inspire with simple grace; break down among us barriers of defiance; speak to the soul of all the human race.

On all who rise on earth for right relations we pray the light of love from hour to hour. Grant wisdom to the leaders of the nations, the gift of carefulness to those in power.

Teach us, good Lord, to serve the need of others; help us to give and not to count the cost. unite us all to live as sisters, brothers; defeat our Babel with your Pentecost! Words: Fred Kaan © 1967, 1991, 1997, Stainer & Bell Ltd

Story 1: Raing and Mervyn Mc. Cullagh are mission partners in Sri Lanka.

Raing with some local women

Story 2: John Howard is a mission partner in Israel/Palestine.

Daoud and Dahare Nassar with Bishop Ivan Abrahams

Tent of Nations farm

Tent of Nations welcomes visitors

Story 3: The following story comes from Sheila Norris in Japan.

Hinako Ogawa

Kwassui Girls’ High School

Hymn What peace is there for tarnished lives, when love is challenged, hate survives? Remember in that Upper Room, Christ came and offered peace.

What peace for Peter who denied his friend who hung, his friend who died? And yet within that Upper Room Christ came and offered peace.

What peace for those who slept away, while Jesus sweated blood to pray? And yet within that Upper Room Christ came and offered peace.

What peace for Thomas full of doubt, with questions hedging all about? And yet within that Upper Room Christ came and offered peace.

What peace for those who fled away, when darkness covered brightest day? And yet within that Upper Room Christ came and offered peace.

What peace when we have let God down, denied God’s call and made God frown? And yet within this present place Christ comes and offers peace. Words: Andrew Pratt © Stainer & Bell

Prayers of intercession God our refuge and strength; we pray for people in the war-torn places of the world, for corrupt leaders and violent insurgents. For people removed from their homes, fleeing danger… God give peace, God grant peace.

God, our refuge and strength, we pray for the people of Sri Lanka: the women, mothers, daughters, widows and breadwinners. For the important transformational work of Raing, Mervyn and the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka, so that all communities, postconflict, can live together: truly reconciled without fear, and with no animosity, hatred or suspicion in their hearts. God give peace, God grant peace.

God, our refuge and strength, we pray for the Tent of Nations: a community of peace in a region of conflict. We place Daoud, his family and the community there into your hands, along with the Revd John Howard, the mission partner. We pray for a just peace where all refuse to be enemies. God give peace, God grant peace.

God, our refuge and strength, we pray for Japan; for the work done by our mission partner Sheila Norris in the Nagasaki High School’s peace groups and educational exchanges. May they inspire generations to be people of peace and reconciliation. God give peace, God grant peace.

God our refuge and strength, we pray for ourselves and those known to us; the people we struggle with and people we would rather avoid. Give us eyes to see others as you see them… God give peace, God grant peace. Amen.

God of peace and reconciliation, may this money and those who have given it be channels of your peace. May the World Mission Fund all our Partner Churches enable your peace to dwell in communities all over your world, and may we do our part to seek peace and pursue it in our lives. Amen.

Hymn St. F 619 Thanks for friends who keep on loving, finding ways to help us grow, celebrating our achievements, sharing in our pain and woe. God is glimpsed where love is faithful: mirrored here in time and space. Thanks to God for friends who love us: Christ revealed in every face.

Other people help to shape us when they take the time to share words of wisdom, honest actions through our journey in God’s care. In our faithful, honest learning we discover things unknown. Thanks to God for friends who teach us: seeking talent yet ungrown.

When we find our friendships challenged through mistakes and different views, we discover deeper living as the love of God renews. For in Christ we see forgiveness; know a strength still to embrace. Thanks to God for friends who keep us: making real the gift of grace.

Praise to God for this great gifting of relationship and friend: imaging divine relating; found in heaven with no end. Bless us Maker, Word and Spirit as companions on the way. Thanks to God for friends who help us to fulfil our lives each day. Words: Gary Hopkins

Hymn St. F 662 Have you heard God’s voice; has your heart been stirred? Are you still prepared to follow? Have you made a choice to remain and serve, though the way be rough and narrow? Will you walk the path that will cost you much and embrace the pain and sorrow? Will you trust in One who entrusts to you the disciples of tomorrow?

Will you use your voice; will you not sit down when the multitudes are silent? Will you make a choice to stand your ground when the crowds are turning violent? Will you walk the path that will cost you much and embrace the pain and sorrow? Will you trust in One who entrusts to you the disciples of tomorrow?

In your city streets will you be God’s heart? Will you listen to the voiceless? Will you stop and eat, and when friendships start, will you share your faith with the faithless? Will you walk the path that will cost you much and embrace the pain and sorrow? Will you trust in One who entrusts to you the disciples of tomorrow?

Will you watch the news with the eyes of faith and believe it could be different? Will you share your views using words of grace? Will you leave a thoughtful imprint? We will walk the path that will cost us much and embrace the pain and sorrow. We will trust in One who entrusts to us the disciples of tomorrow. Words: Jacqueline G Jones © 2008 Jacqueline G Jones

Blessing Let us go as God’s people to seek peace and pursue it. Amen.

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