The Parishes of Clent and Hagley
Worship for 16th March 2025
Café Church
Call to worship and Opening Prayer
Come, let us remember the promises of God,
who keeps his promises for ever.
God created and cares for all living creatures,
and keeps his promises for ever.
God sent to us his Son Jesus,
and keeps his promises for ever.
God lives among us through the Holy Spirit,
and keeps his promises for ever.
A Gathering prayer
Loving God, we gather today
to explore your promise to always
have our best interests at heart.
Help us as we think about the promises we make too.
Amen.
Hymn: - 337 I, the Lord of Sea and Sky
Activity
Prayers of Confession & Forgiveness
Lord, you gave Abraham a promise
that seemed far-fetched at first,
yet you confirmed it in holy visions.
Lord, we are sorry when we fail to believe in your promises,
when we think we must have heard you wrong.
Forgive us for doubting and not trusting enough.
Help us to have faith like Abraham and deepen our trust in you,
knowing that your promises may not have been fulfilled yet.
Forgive us when we lose heart.
Help us to wait upon you and bless us with faith
that nothing can shake.
Amen.
Father God, you fulfilled your promise of a Saviour
in your Son Jesus Christ,
who grants forgiveness of sin.
We are forgiven.
Amen.
Hymn: - Our God is a great big God.
Reading: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
The stars in the sky were beautiful. There were too many of them for Abram to count. Abram’s head was tilted back and he was staring at the heavens because the Lord had come to him in a vision and told him to look up. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the Lord had said, ‘I will protect you like a shield, and you will be greatly rewarded in your life.’
But Abram was afraid . He was afraid that everything he lived for would come to nothing, because he did not have a child. Even if he died a wealthy man, there was nobody to inherit his wealth and his property, nobody to carry on his family name.
Abram was afraid of dying childless and he blamed God, ‘You haven’t given me children and so everything I earn in life will be passed on to a slave born in my house.’ But God had said, ‘Look up Abram.’ So, Abram looked up at the uncountable number of stars in the sky. ‘How many are there?’ The Lord asked, and Abram was unable to reply . ‘That’s how many descendants you will have.’
And even though it seemed impossible, Abram looked at the stars and believed God. God said, ‘I am the Lord and I have brought you from the place where you were born to this land of Canaan. I will give you this land for your own.’ Abram made a sacrifice to God in thanks for this promise and then he fell into a deep sleep.
Reading: Luke 13:31-35
31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’
Reflection
Hymn: - 76 Blessed be Your name.
Intercessions/ Action prayers
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in Heaven,
hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on Earth as it is in Heaven.eavam
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Amen
Children’s time to share
Hymn – Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Closing prayers
Faithful God, as we leave this place,
help us to trust your promises,
(place hands over heart)
even when it’s hard.
Loving God, as we go out into the world,
(move arms around in a big circle)
help us to keep our promises to others
(extend arms out towards those either side)
and bless all that we do.
Amen.
Lord, you have kept your promises to your people throughout the ages.
Send us out with renewed confidence
that you are faithful to your Word.
Help us to see signs that you are at work in our lives
and the wider world this week.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen
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