Worship For 21st February 2021
Lent 1 – A Rainbow Promise
Prepared for us By Rev’d Derek Grimshaw

Opening Prayer

We come before you Almighty God, ever mindful that you have called us as your own. Lead us in your truth and teach us your paths of steadfast love and righteousness. Amen.

Hymn   Singing the Faith 18:              Watch on Youtube

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
In you, O Lord, I put my trust.
In you, O Lord, I put my trust.
In you, O Lord, I put my trust.

Let us pray:

O Lord we lift up our hearts and minds and bless your holy name. For you have created all things and your glory is seen in the heavens and on the earth. Thank you for your bountiful provision and your love that goes before us. May this time of Lent enable us to walk humbly and be mindful of your covenant with us. Forgive us Lord for the words said and deeds done that have been selfish, inconsiderate, or hurtful to others. We thank you for your mercies that are new to us each day and that wash us clean. In Jesus Name. Amen

Bible Reading:                Genesis 9: 8-17

Hymn Singing the faith 636              Watch on Youtube

O Love that will not let me go
I rest my weary soul in Thee
I give Thee back the life I owe
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be
O Love, that will not let me go.

Oh Joy, that seekest me through pain
I cannot close my heart to Thee
I trace the rainbow through the rain
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be
O Love, that will not let me go.

Oh Cross, that liftest up my head
I dare not ask to fly from Thee
I lay in dust life’s glory dead
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be
O Love, that will not let me go.

Reflection:

During the season of Lent this year we are following the theme “God’s Promises” and for this first Sunday in Lent we go right back to the early teaching recorded in the book of Genesis when God makes his covenant promise to Noah and we reflect on the image of “God’s Rainbow Promise”  I love seeing a rainbow and it is somehow special when we see a double rainbow, one with very vivid colours, and second , much fainter.  The point with rainbow’s is that we tend to only see their glory when we have experienced rainfall.  

Consider:

• Think for a moment about a time when you have seen a rainbow.  Where were you? How did it make you feel?
• During the early part of the lockdown last year, people used the image of the rainbow and displayed pictures in their windows.  Why do you think they chose the rainbow? What do you see the Rainbow symbolising?
• At the beginning of Lent 2021 as we embark on the journey, you may like to use the Rainbow as the first symbol of the promises God makes with his people.  For Noah, it was a promise that God would always protect his people, how does that feel in the light of our current situation?

Prayers for Others.

Lord God, we pray for those who find themselves in restricted spaces and unexpected places.
We pray for places affected by climate change, areas where water is scarce and crops fail, places where flooding is affecting people’s homes.
We pray for those who are homeless and have lost everything through earthquake or fire.
We pray for those who wait for medical results, for those who are ill in hospital or at home,.
For those who have lost their jobs and those who await news about benefits.
We pray for our healthcare workers, nurses and doctors, essential service workers, teachers and police.
For our children whose education has been so badly affected, and parents who are juggling time constraints.
For those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.
For Religious leaders and funeral parlours who minister to the bereaved.
For those who are working on the Vaccine rollout, scientists, government leaders, economists, and medical aid associations.
Breathe new life into your people and all circumstances as we approach Easter. May we always know your presence with us. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father ……

Hymn: “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah” Stf 465              Watch on Youtube

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore;
feed me now and evermore.

Open thou the crystal fountain
whence the healing stream shall flow;
let the fiery, cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through:
strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield;
be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell’s destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side:
songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee;
I will ever give to thee.

The Blessing

May Almighty God, who has called us by His grace bless and keep us by confirming and strengthening us through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit to His instruments of peace in the world.
Amen.