02/08/2025
Our service tomorrow is led by John Pipet, the following is the order of service - including responses, hymns and Bible readings. We look forward to sharing in worship with you:
12th Church
Sunday 3rd August 2025
Call to Worship
Leader: In the beginning, God breathed life into the dust— the wind stirred, the waters danced, the Word sang. Let us come into the stillness.
All: We come seeking rest— body, soul, and spirit— to pause in the presence of love.
Leader: Christ says, “Come to me, all who are weary...” In fields, on shores, beneath olive trees— he walked with burdened hearts and welcomed them home.
All: We come with our burdens, carried in hand and held in silence. We come to be held by grace.
Leader: The Spirit hovers still— over chaos, over quiet, over us— a breath that does not rush, a whisper that does not wound.
All: We wait in holy silence, like heaven held in awe. We rest in the deep mystery of God.
Leader: Blessed be the Creator who rested, the Redeemer who invites, the Spirit who sustains.
All: Blessed be God—Three and One— in whom all things find peace. Let us worship in reverence, and rise renewed.
Hymn (Every Morning I Will Praise You) – by Wayne Drain & Noel Richards
Prayers of praise & adoration
Leader: In the beginning, God breathed life into the dust— the wind stirred, the waters danced, the Word sang. Let us come into the stillness.
All: We come seeking rest— body, soul, and spirit— to pause in the presence of love.
Leader: Christ says, “Come to me, all who are weary...” In fields, on shores, beneath olive trees— he walked with burdened hearts and welcomed them home.
All: We come with our burdens, carried in hand and held in silence. We come to be held by grace.
Leader: The Spirit hovers still— over chaos, over quiet, over us— a breath that does not rush, a whisper that does not wound.
All: We wait in holy silence, like heaven held in awe. We rest in the deep mystery of God.
Leader: Blessed be the Creator who rested, the Redeemer who invites, the Spirit who sustains.
All: Blessed be God—Three and One— in whom all things find peace. Let us worship in reverence, and rise renewed.
Hymn (Still, My Soul Be Still) by Stuart Townend & Keith and Kristyn Getty
Reading :Genesis 2:1-3
Hebrews 4:1,9-11
Introduction
Prayer of confession
Leader: Creator God, you shaped the world from formless soil, set stars on their courses, and breathed rest into the seventh day— but we confess we have not lived in rhythm with you.
All: We have hurried past the quiet spaces, ignored the call to lie down in green pastures. Forgive us, for we forget to rest.
Leader: Christ Jesus, you walked among the weary and welcomed the burdened, yet we confess that we have clung to our labour and called it worth.
All: We have carried loads never meant to be ours, tightened our grip when you asked us to let go. Forgive us, for we forget to trust.
Leader: Holy Spirit, you hover with gentleness, whisper in silence, stir us into life— but we confess we have filled the silence with noise and our hearts with restlessness.
All: We have feared the quiet, hidden from your breath of peace. Forgive us, for we forget to listen.
Leader: Be still. The silence of heaven is not condemnation, but the echo of grace.
As creation was blessed, as the Son forgave, as the Spirit renews— you are held, you are healed, you are whole.
All: Thanks be to God. In rest, we are restored. In Christ, we are released. In the Trinity, we are made new.
Hymn Singing the Faith 495 (Dear Lord & Father – N&A Hague tune)
Readings : 1 Kings 19:3-9
Jeremiah 31:25
Dorothy’s Meditation/thoughts
Readings:
Revelation 8:1-6
Matthew 11:25-12:8
Hymn (All Who Are Thirsty) by Brenton Brown
Sermon
Hymn Singing the Faith 633 ( My Soul Finds Rest In God Alone) by Stuart Townend & Aaron Keyes
Prayers of Intercession
Leader: Eternal Creator, who set the world on its axis and called it good, we hold before you your fragile, beautiful earth— burned and battered, yet still breathing.
All: In the silence of heaven, hear the cries of forests and seas. In the rest of God, may creation be renewed.
Leader: God of justice and mercy, who knows the heart of nations and the weight of power, we pray for this country— for leaders who carry heavy loads, for neighbours who feel unseen.
All: In the silence of heaven, unclench fists and open hearts. In the rest of God, may peace be sown.
Leader: Spirit who moves in quiet winds, hover over this community— in high street bustle and village stillness, in laughter and loneliness, in welcome and weariness.
All: In the silence of heaven, gather our stories into grace. In the rest of God, may kindness grow.
Leader: Christ, Companion of the broken, we bring you our friends and families— those rejoicing, those aching, those whose names we carry tenderly within.
All: In the silence of heaven, wrap sorrow in your mercy. In the rest of God, may love find a way.
Leader: Comforter Spirit, draw near to the ill and the grieving— to those whose bodies feel heavy, whose minds seek refuge, whose souls long for light.
All: In the silence of heaven, be a balm, be a breath. In the rest of God, may healing come.
Leader: And now, O God—Three and One— we bring ourselves: tired or thankful, confused or clear-eyed, still searching or finally still.
All: In the silence of heaven, we are known, we are held. In the rest of God, we are home.
Lord’s Prayer
Hymn Singing the Faith 481 ( The Lord’s My Shepherd ) by Stuart Townend
Blessing
Leader: Go now into the stillness, where the stars remember their place and the rivers forget to rush. May the Sabbath wrap round you like a soft cloak.
All: We go, held by holy rest, woven into the rhythm of grace.
Leader: Go now with Christ, who walked through weary lands and called the burdened to himself— not to strive, but to be.
All: We go, yoked in gentleness, learning the unhurried way of love.
Leader: Go now in the Spirit’s breath, that stirs the leaves, hushes the chaos, and hovers with care.
All: We go, hearts open to mystery, held in silence deep and wide.
Leader: Go now in the blessing of God— Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer— Three and One, who invites you to rest, renew, and rejoice.
All: We go, not alone, but companioned by the Holy Three, resting in love, rising in peace.
