Worship from Tenandry Church on Sunday 16th May

​

A warm welcome to worship from Tenandry Church

in the heart of Strathtummel.

Call to worship:

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his[. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever:

His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100

We begin our worship by singing hymn number 132 in CH 4:

Immortal, invisible, God only wise.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish, but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render: O help us to see
'tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee.    Words: Walter Chalmers Smith (1824 – 190

Opening Prayer
Gracious and merciful God, you are the One who brings light and love into our lives.  You are the God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  There is no shadow of turning with you.  You welcome us into your presence where there is peace and joy.  You forgive us when we come to you seeking renewal and healing.

Compassionate God, you are the One who touches our lives to refresh us and bring new life.  As Jesus touched people during his ministry on earth, so you, by your Holy Spirit touch us and give us a deep sense that we are your children and that nothing can separate us from your love,

Jesus, the One who came from God to be one with us, and is always with us, be real to us now and help us to see our human frailty in the light of your love and sustaining power.

O God, who entered our world that we might enter yours, enable us, by your Holy Spirit, to know your love and forgiveness, your truth and peace.  Thank you that in your presence is your transforming power that moulds and shapes us as the people you call us to be.  Thank you that by your grace and mercy you are a continual source of goodness and blessing.  Give us, we pray, a deep trust in you.

You are the Rock on which we depend, a strong fortress to strengthen us, a steady hand to hold us.  Your abiding presence brings contentment to our souls, encouragement to our minds and joy to our hearts.

Loving God, come to us this day by your Holy Spirit, so we may worship you in spirit and in truth.  Blow away the cobwebs and dust that so easily accumulate by our desire for the Status Quo.  Enliven our minds and hearts with new ideas and directions, so that in our serving you we may bring glory to your Name.

Gracious God, these prayers we bring to you in and through the precious Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

We share together in the words that Jesus taught us to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen

Our next hymn is Come People of the risen King.

Come people of the risen King
Who delight to bring Him praise;
Come all and tune your hearts to sing
To the Morning Star of grace.
From the shifting shadows of the earth
We will lift our eyes to Him,
Where steady arms of mercy reach
To gather children in.

Rejoice, Rejoice! Let every tongue rejoice!
One heart, one voice; O Church of Christ, rejoice!

Come, those whose joy is morning sun,
And those weeping through the night;
Come, those who tell of battles won,
And those struggling in the fight.
For His perfect love will never change,
And His mercies never cease,
But follow us through all our days
With the certain hope of peace.
 

Rejoice, Rejoice! Let every tongue rejoice!
One heart, one voice; O Church of Christ, rejoice!

Come, young and old from every land -
Men and women of the faith;
Come, those with full or empty hands -
Find the riches of His grace.
Over all the world, His people sing -
Shore to shore we hear them call
The Truth that cries through every age:
“Our God is all in all”!

Rejoice, Rejoice! Let every tongue rejoice!
One heart, one voice; O Church of Christ, rejoice!

Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend: © 2007 Thankyou Music

Our first Bible Reading is Psalm 1: 1 – 6

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,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
   and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 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.

4 Not so the wicked!
   They are like chaff
   that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
   nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
   but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

The Gospel reading is from John 17: 6 – 19

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

6 “I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of[b] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by[c] that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[d] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Sermon - Spiritual Struggles in a Life of Faith

Introduction

It has been said quite often that people who become very religious seem to lose touch with life and reality.  As the 19th century American writer Oliver Wendell Holmes put it, “Some people are so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good.”  We talk of people going around with their heads in the clouds.  The Bible presents a view that supports having our minds set on things above.  Paul writes in Col 3:2, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

The prayers of Jesus in John chapter 17 address this dilemma.  Jesus teaches us that otherworldliness and realism are to be held in tension.  We’re citizens of heaven and belong to our heavenly Father.  We’re also citizens of the world and must be realistic about the spiritual battles of life.  To adapt Oliver Wendell Holmes quote, ‘some people are both heavenly-minded and of earthly good.’ 

John Chapter 17

The prayers of Jesus in John 17 verses 1 to 26 are prayers not just for the 12 but for all disciples, past, present and future.  They’re the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in the NT.  It wasn’t the first time the disciples had heard Jesus praying.  They did, for example, when Lazarus was raised from the dead in chapter John chapter 11.

Jesus didn’t invite the disciples to join him in prayer.  We can only guess as to why he allowed them to hear him on that occasion.  Maybe it was because he was preparing himself for death and interceding for the disciples and his future church.   Jesus gives us a clear insight into how close, in his earthly ministry, he’d been to his Father.  As we read the prayer, we marvel at his composure and for his words on the future beyond his death.

Despite the human weakness, desertion and failings of the disciples, following Jesus’ death, they stayed together to experience Easter and, 40 days later, the energizing and renewing power of the Holy Spirit, which made them more than conquerors through his love.

Remaining True to Jesus’ Teaching    John 17: 6-10

In these opening verses of our passage today from John 17, Jesus is praying that his disciples remain true to his teaching, that their delight and conduct remains “in the law of the Lord,” reflecting words from Psalm 1, and stay on the narrow road that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).

In his gift to the world of his Son, God chose to reveal his desire to relate to us in love.  In the nature and character of Jesus, we have a proper concept of who God is.  And this shapes our discipleship: acceptance of Jesus’ teaching, knowing that Jesus is the Son of God, and belief in him as Lord and Saviour.  We are adopted into God’s family as sons and daughters of God and by his Holy Spirit, we say, “Jesus is Lord” and “Abba Father.”

When I was in ministry in London, my wife and I ran an after-school club.  Most of the young people came from a large estate across the road from the church.  It was hard work but worthwhile, as is often the case in Christian work.  After the club had been running for some time, a number of parents began to take a keen interest in what we were teaching their children.  Their interest arose because their children were going home talking about Jesus and asking questions to which the parents had no answers.  My wife and I spoke to a number of parents who’d had Christian teaching in their younger days but had drifted away.  Now they wanted to come back, to rediscover Jesus’ teaching on life and relationships.  Many of the parents wanted to learn the Lord’s Prayer, which their children knew, but they didn’t.  It was a good news story in so many ways.  Jesus’ teaching about faith, life and relationships is always relevant no matter the century, the culture the nationality, the ethnicity.  And in living out the values of Jesus in daily life, glory comes to his name (v10). 

Awareness of the Spiritual Struggles    John 17:11-16

Jesus knew temptation.  He encountered it in the wilderness as a prelude to embarking on his ministry (Mt 4).  The devil tried, in various ways, to tempt him to shortcut his path to glory by avoiding the cross and resurrection.  Why take the road of suffering when power, authority and status can be gained in much easier ways? 

Jesus didn’t use his supernatural power for his own ends, or to win a large following or to compromise with the devil.  He defeated Satan by using a weapon available to us “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph6:17).  He met the three temptations with God’s word, the word of truth.

Jesus is our merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, as the writer to the Hebrews puts it in 2:17, who is “able to help those who are being tempted (Heb2:18; 4:15-16).  This biblical truth is important for us as we look at John 17:6-19, where Jesus prays for his disciples, which includes you and me.  And in the core of this passage, Jesus emphasises that we are involved in the spiritual struggle against the power of evil.  The reality of this is often underplayed in our Christian thinking and reflections, and yet Jesus doesn’t underplay it here.  In John 17, He stresses the need for heavenly truth and spiritual power to enable his disciples to continue their work in the world.

Possibly, in asking God’s protection for the 12, Jesus might have been thinking that they would be looking for a way to escape from a troubled world.  Few in number, weak in strength and surrounded by enemies and persecution, they might long for release from the conflict and ‘go home.’  Even king David once said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!  I would fly away and be at rest.” (Ps55:6).

Jesus wants us to stay in the world as his disciples but protected “from the evil one.” (v15).  We don’t have to look very hard to see evil in our world and not just in a global context.  The treatment of refugees, abuse of the elderly and vulnerable, increasing numbers of people having to sleep rough, people trafficking, sex trafficking, poor concerns about public safety, the drugs trade, modern-day slavery, beggars on the streets, the benefits system, are just some examples.

There’s always a temptation to pass by on the other side.  It’s easy to think we can’t really help or make a difference.  Yet we’re called to demonstrate the power of grace and forgiveness, to prove our faith, courage and patience as servants of the Lord.  It’s by our own suffering that we identity with the suffering of Christ.  For Christ, the crown of glory was through the Cross of suffering.  We’re to be light in the midst of darkness.

Consecrated to Serve God    John 17;17-19

In my early days as a Christian, I joined with a group of people to form a Christian Praise band.  I played the guitar and also sang.  I thought we were quite a good group, but I’m bound to say that.  We travelled around village halls and churches in Kent, leading worship events.  One thing we couldn’t decide on was a name for the band.  At a Baptist church on the Isle of Sheppey we happened to mention the problem of finding a name for the group.  The Baptist minister said, “You could call yourself ‘Consecration.’”  Our immediate reaction, apart from being dumbstruck, was ‘I don’t think so.’  It sounded too highfalutin – a bit grand and pompous in a self-important kind of way.  We eventually decided on ‘New Life.’

Here, In John chapter 17, Jesus calls on his heavenly Father to sanctify his disciples (v17).  It’s a call that his disciples be consecrated, be holy, be set apart to continue his work, living out, sharing and speaking about the kingdom of God.  Just as Jesus solemnly set himself apart to do God’s will, so we are to have the same desire.  Jesus carried out God’s will unto death on a Cross.  This was not only to save us but also to consecrate us to God’s service.

Realism Mingled with Triumphant Faith

There’s no doubt that the spiritual dimensions of this prayer of Jesus in John chapter 17 are consistent and overwhelming.  It causes us to think about issues that seldom cross our minds.  We spend time, day by day, praying about our health, our projects, our decisions, our finances, our family, our friends, but not very often praying about the dangers of the evil one, Satan.  At heart we’re materialistic.  We seldom discern the spiritual struggle that the apostle Paul, for instance, highlighted in his writings (Eph6).  In the Lord’s Prayer we say, “Lead us not into temptation,” but do we see that as a call to be aware of who is the chief enemy of the Church and the Christian?

John chapter 17 is not a prayer of doom and gloom.  It’s a prayer of encouragement.  It’s a prayer of realism mingled with triumphant faith.  And it’s this combination that we hold in tension as we seek to do God’s will in a world that isn’t always listening. 

Final Thoughts

Some years ago, one of the glossy Sunday newspapers supplements included a feature with the title ‘One Day in the Life.’  In the feature, a well-known celebrity described how he or she spent a typical day in their life.  Whenever I read their stories, it seemed as though the celebrity was recounting the highlights of what might be called an ideal day, or perhaps a day she wished had happened.  Sometimes, I was left wondering how that many activities could be packed into 24 hours and what did it all add up to?

The gospels have accounts of what happened to Jesus in a 24-hour period.  For example, in Mark chapter 1 we see Jesus ministering in a variety of ways and in a variety of situations.  In John’s gospel, we have another account of a day in the life of Jesus in chapters 13 to 19.  7 of the 21 chapters in the gospel focus on those 24 hours. 

The day includes the Last Supper, Judas’ betrayal, the command to love, Peter’s denial, comfort to the disciples, Jesus is the way and the truth and the life, teaching on the Vine, the work of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus then leads very moving, considerate and powerful prayers which are full of grace, hope, concern, love and compassion, and then goes to face his Fate.

‘A Day in the Life’ of Jesus that gives us an assurance that, whatever may befall us in our days, God is always in the know about our circumstances.  God really cares about us and is journeying with us, for God’s Son, our Lord and Saviour, has already experienced the worst as he went ahead of us.  From this one day in history flows true life, true love, true humanity and blessedness, for not just one day in our lives, but for all our days. AMEN.

Prayers of Intercession

Compassionate God, we pray for people who need to discover new beginnings in life.  We pray for those from broken homes and broken relationships, for those who are friendless and lonely, those who have lost a loved one, the bullied and those ground down by life.  Bring to them the light of hope, the ear of those who will listen, people who will act for them, and those who will bring peace.

God of life, we praise you that you are the God of new beginnings, the God who can do seemingly impossible things.  Be present with those who seek the ways of peace, that they may triumph over evil.  Be present with those who seek to alleviate poverty that they may overcome injustice and unfairness.  Be present, we ask, with those who seek to help people in need, that they may have all the resources, help and aid they need.

We pray for the victims of conflicts in the Yemen, Syria, Libya and Jerusalem, for people oppressed for their faith, for people suffering from the armed gangs operating in many parts of Africa.  We pray for the peacemakers in a multiplicity of situations.

We continue to pray for all those helping to combat the Covid pandemic as medical practitioners, vaccinators, researchers, and vaccine distributors.  We pray for continuing and upscaled help to be given to disadvantaged countries.

We give you thanks for people whose life and vitality and energy, in the face of adversity, is a joy and an inspiration to others.  May the hope that’s in their hearts, ignite the hearts and minds of others to see new possibilities in their own lives.

Loving God, we pray for newness of life, strength and patience for those who are carers to family and friends.  We pray for those who are cared for and name before you those who are in our thoughts today……..PAUSE……….Provide for their needs through the glorious riches you promise in Christ Jesus.

Thank you, loving God, that our faith is based on the realities of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Thank you, too, for your promise in Him of fullness of life.  Help those things to shape us as people of faith, new life and hope.  Give us, we pray, a positive approach to life that looks for the good in others and offers the hand of friendship.

Lord, make us people of hope.  Give us, we ask, a deep trust in You in our journeys of life.  Help your Church to be a light to the world that the light of Christ’s love may shine through words and deeds.

Loving Father, all our prayers we bring to you in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Our closing hymn is number 438 in CH4:

The head that once was crowned with thorns….

The head that once was crowned with thorns
is crowned with glory now;
a royal diadem adorns
the mighty Victor's brow.

The highest place that heaven affords
is his, is his by right,
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
and heaven's eternal Light.

The joy of all who dwell above,
the joy of all below,
to whom he manifests his love,
and grants his name to know.

To them the cross, with all its shame,
with all its grace, is given;
their name an everlasting name,
their joy the joy of heaven.

They suffer with their Lord below,
they reign with him above;
their profit and their joy to know
the mystery of his love.

The cross he bore is life and health,
though shame and death to him,
his people's hope, his people's wealth,
their everlasting theme.

Thomas Kelly (1769 – 1855)

Blessing

And now, may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen

Let us go forth in the name of Christ.

Linkage Newsletter –16 May 2021

Sunday Services –13 May 2021

SUNDAY MORNING ONLINE WORSHIP WITH GEOFF DAVIS FROM TENANDRY KIRK

YouTube Services

Sunday onwards

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpA-Ianua69JOCtTV2zBDxw

Traditional Dial-In

Sunday morning onwards

Dial 01887 440446

Zoom Service

10.30am

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9205989200

or Zoom from tablet or phone:

Zoom meeting room 920 598 9200

Password  - 316316

Dial in

One tap mobile

+442080806592,,9205989200#,,,,*316316# United Kingdom

+443300885830,,9205989200#,,,,*316316# United Kingdom

Dial by your location

        +44 208 080 6592 United Kingdom

Post-service Zoom coffee and biscuits

11.30am

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9205989200

or Zoom from tablet or phone:
Zoom meeting room 920 598 9200

Password  - 316316

Private Prayer and Worship

Unfortunately, Church Hymn books and Bibles cannot be used at the present time. Please take your own or a copy of the weekly service sheet if your Church is planning to follow this. ( attached at the end of this email)

Dull and Weem Parish Church

Worship - 9.30am every Sunday

As many will know the Church building is currently undergoing major building works which has restricted the available space and changed the décor!

Grantully, Logierait and Strathtay Parish Churches

Private prayer has resumed at both Churches on alternative Sundays.

Both Churches will be open on 5th Sundays

Logierait Parish Church - 10 - 11am with bell ringing

Strathtay Parish Church – 11.30 am – 12.30 pm with bell ringing at 12.00 noon

Strathtay will be open on the 2nd and 4th Sunday

Logierait will be open on the 1st and 3rd Sunday

Funerals

Donna McDougall – Aberfeldy Parish Church -17 May -11.30am

Tina Arnold – Aberfeldy Parish Church – 20 May - 12.00pm

Both ladies were well known in the town and their sudden deaths have shocked and saddened many in the community. Unfortunately, numbers are restricted at their funeral services.

For further information please contact - Gaulds Funeral Services, Aberfeldy.

Christian Aid

Christian Aid week runs from the 10th to the 16th of May 

If you would like an envelope for your donation please contact Iona Smith – iona@casarchitect.co.uk

The e-envelope/method for giving and the newsletter can be viewed by using the following link to their website https://donate.christianaid.org.uk/Donate/Step/1?ApproachCode=CAM-001391

The global Sunday Service celebrating 75 years of Christian Aid is on the 9th of May at 6.30pm. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/pray/join/75-anniversary-service-sign

Breadalbane Community Larder

As you may know, Breadalbane Community Larder has been Aberfeldy Co-op’s ‘FoodShare’ partner since March, 2020 taking ‘Best Before’ and ‘Use By’ food which would otherwise be thrown away or sent to their bio-digester.  Not wanting to lose this valuable partnership, we will continue to collect these items and have this food available outside the rear of the church building for people to come and help themselves during Larder opening times (11.00am -12.30pm each Saturday).

We are also be piloting two other ideas:

·      alongside the ‘FoodShare store’ on a Saturday morning, customers can come to the Larder and collect items from the stock indoors, for a nominal fee. This reduces the stigma and helps maintain customer dignity

·      emergency deliveries of food parcels will continue.  This service can be accessed by calling 0345 30 111 00 Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

If you know of anyone struggling to make ends meet please let them know about the support provided by Breadalbane Community Larder.

The Larder is a joint initiative of several local churches and also involves members of the local community.  If you would like to be involved please contact the team on 07513 652597 or email breadalbanecommunitylarder@btinternet.com

In addition to food the Breadalbane Community Larder is able to offer disposable face masks for those struggling to buy them.

Support

We recognise that for many the current restrictions and uncertainty can make life very stressful. The ministry team are able to offer pastoral support, but for a few this may not be enough. Perth and Kinross Council have an excellent directory of services. You can type in:

Perth and Kinross Mental Health Directory 2020 or hit the hyper link below.

https://www.pkc.gov.uk/media/46386/Mental-Health-Directory-of-Services-Covid-19/pdf/Mental_Health_Directory_of_Services_Covid19_(1).pdf?m=637353449218700000

Contact details

Neil’s email -  nglover@churchofscotland.org.uk

Neil’s mobile – 07779 280074

PA – Judy Ewer – judy.ewer@adwgls.org.uk

Mobile – 07836 565528

Future Online Services

May

23 - Robert Nicol

30  – Youth Service

June

6 – Neil Glover- Aberfeldy

13 – Margaret Yearsley -  Weem

20 – Neil Glover - Strathtay

27 – Robert Nicol

Judy Ewer
PA to Neil Glover

Minister - Aberfeldy (SC007899), Dull and Weem (SC001465) and Grantully, Logierait &  Strathtay (SC004275) Churches of Scotland 

judy.ewer@adwgls.org.uk

mobile - 07836 565 528

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