Cruden Parish Church of Scotland
Seventh Sunday of Easter
10.00am, Sunday 16th May 2021

ORDER OF SERVICE:
Click here to print out the Order of Service

FACEBOOK PAGE:
Click here to join the Service live on Facebook or to view a recording later.

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; 
but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’
(Luke 24:49)

Welcome & Introduction.

Welcome to Cruden Parish Church! Whether you are joining us in church or following the service online you are welcome here! We pray that you may know God’s blessing and presence during this time of praise and worship, listening and reflecting. Please feel free to join in the responses printed in bold and italic. Also, if you are following the service via Facebook, why not send a greeting in the comments page!

Call to Worship

A love that never ceases.
A creativity that designed the universe
A hope that cannot be quenched
A pursuit of reconciliation no matter the cost:
These are the things that are of God.
Then let us worship God

Hymn 154: How Great Thou Art

  1. O LORD my God! When I in awesome wonder
    Consider all the works Thy hand hath made;
    I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
    Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

    Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
    How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
    Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
    How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
     

  2. When through the woods and forest glades I wander
    And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
    When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
    And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze: 

  3. And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
    Sent Him to die - I scarce can take it in:
    That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
    He bled and died to take away my sin: 

  4. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
    And take me home - what joy shall fill my heart!
    Then shall I bow in humble adoration,
    And there proclaim, my God how great Thou art! 

Prayers of Approach & Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen

Bible Readings

Psalm 1 (Responsive reading)

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff
    that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Luke 24:36-53 

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Sermon    ‘Divine empowerment!’

Doxology (Hymn 807)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; 
Praise Him, all creatures here below; 
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host: 
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Church News

Prayers of Dedication & Intercession

Hymn  465: Be thou my vision

  1. Be thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
    naught be all else to me, save that thou art;
    thou my best thought, in the day or the night,
    waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. 

  2. Be thou my Wisdom, be thou my true Word;
    I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
    thou my great Father: thine own I would be;
    thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee. 

  3. Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
    be thou my dignity, and thou my delight;
    thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tower:
    raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

  4. Riches I heed not, nor earth's empty praise,
    thou mine Inheritance, now and always;
    thou and thou only, the first in my heart,
    High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

  5. High King of Heaven, after victory won,
    may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun!
    Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
    still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Commission and Benediction

As people of faith, we have gathered for worship.
As people of faith, we now return to the world.
Go out to share the story of God’s love,
the story of life, with the world around you.
We share the story of God’s love in word and in deed,
in speech and in action.

As you go out to give a living witness,
as you go out to testify to God's love active in the world,
go knowing that God goes with you,
sharing the laughter and the hope, the fears and the tears.

Go now in peace.
May the blessing of God,
the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit
Be with you all forever more.
Amen



CRUDEN PARISH CHURCH NEWS

Although the church is now open, Covid restrictions are still in place. We appreciate your support in maintaining social distancing, the wearing of facemasks, no singing, and sitting in the marked spaces. Also, a special thanks to our volunteers on door duty and providing an enhanced cleaning regime.
The service will also be broadcast live via the Facebook Page and be available for later viewing. If you would like a copy of the Order of Service, which includes the words of the readings, hymns, intimations etc., please contact Sean.

Walking for health and well-being
The group meets on Tuesday 18th May, at 10.00 am outside the St Olaf hotel. New walkers always welcome.

Fitness at Cruden
Our local fitness group – run by the minister! – restarts this Wednesday 19th May at 7.00 pm, in Mill Park. All ages (16+) and abilities welcome! More details from Sean.

General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The 2021 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland begins next Saturday. You will be able to follow proceedings which we will be live streamed via the Church of Scotland Website at https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/general-assembly
Please remember the buisness of the Assembly and the Commissioners in your prayers. Cruden Parish Church will be represented by Sean & Robert.

Mrs Janet Dick – Mission & Discipleship Development Worker for Buchan Presbytery
We are delighted to welcome to Janet who will be joining us next Sunday (23rd May). Janet will be spending some of her allocated time working within the parish as we seek to develop our Family & Children’s’ Ministry, including our forthcoming Holiday Club ‘On your marks!’ which begins on Monday 9th August. More details soon!

Online Songs of Praise service
Many thanks for your many and varied hymn suggestions – we hope to include as many as possible! Due to unforeseen circumstances, the date of the service has been changed to 6.30 pm Sunday 13th June.