A goody bag of links and stuff to play with

As summer is approaching, here's another chance to download and use material which has come out of the life of the churches in our movement, and the chaplaincy :

Sing, pray, read, think (scroll down to see)

As you emerge from lockdown in various ways, and perhaps begin to sing again: give some thought to singable hymns and songs which also deal sharply with our global situation.

Friends and troublemakers

 is a collection of easily-singable, thoughtful songs written for visits to our churches.

For Climate Sunday services and/or any climate-themed or creation-aware worship in the months ahead,  please creatively plunder this extensive resourceassembled as the URC contribution to the Climate Sunday Worship page. [https://www.climatesunday.org/service-resources]

We’re grateful to the churches and musicians who have made these recordings available ( below) . Visuals from Rev David Coleman ( and  very occasionally, but legally, other sources). Names of performers are on-screen in each case,  and words are in the ‘Friends and Troublemakers’  PDF file. ( above)

SONGS

What will change your life’s direction

Now Christ lives here ( Blaenwern)

Now Christ lives here ( Courage brother)

Deep our longing to dwell with you

Our legacy is dire ( to Kingsfold)

Whilst still the ground is hard ( best early in year)

Additionally: ‘Guide me O thou Great Jehovah’  with thoughtful visuals. 

From the waters’ fond embrace

Prayers:

A prayer for COP

Teatime prayer for Christian Aid

Prayer framework for Creation Time 

Candle with prayer for EcoCongregation Ireland

Aaronic Blessing: for Glasgow Churches Together

The Glasgow Crest Bell Litany ( with introduction)

Litany of the elements ( at St Andrews)

The Friend’s Prayer ( reflection on Lord’s prayer)

Our Father with perspective ( on the top of Beinn Damh)

Reflections

Footwashing reflection

Pavestones gravestones  ( Reflection on ‘The Stones will shout aloud” 

A thought on the way

A second thought on the way

Pastor Martin ( puppet) Martin Luther, the sheep and the goats!

The sermon: a story from the Middle ages

Readings

Matthew 28: the Great Commission

Matthew 15: the Last judgement ( on the Pentland Hills)

Matthew 13: Parable of the Sower

Mark 1 9-12: baptism of Jesus

Mark 11:1-11:Palm Sunday

Psalm 8 as a pilgrimage 

Psalm 23 on the Pentland Hills

Psalm 36 by a mountain stream

Isaiah 55: ‘As the snow and rain” 

Psalm 95 with strangers 

Psalm 121 on Sgurr  Alastair