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Vocations Sunday 2004
Prepared by men and women, lay and ordained, who exercise different ministries in Northern Synod.
Commended to the churches by the Ministries Committee of the United Reformed Church
Bible readings are from the lectionary for 8th February 2004, although you may prefer to hold your Vocations Sunday service at another time of year.
The readings are:
Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13); Psalm 138; 1Corinthians 15:1-11 and Luke 5:1-11
The material in the pack contains the group's reflections on the readings - we are all known to God and have something to give in is service.
Preparing an act of worship might be likened to making a cake. You have the final product in mind. Gather the ingredients, mix stir and bake and then it is ready for all to share and enjoy.
These 'ingredients' for Vocations Sunday 2004 are offered to us by Northern Synod. Among them, you can find the ingredients you need to make your unique 'cake'. They come to you with love from Northern Synod and every blessing on your act of worship.
The Ministries Committee has once again asked for the material to be produced in loose leaf format. The material includes;
A hymn selection
Material for all age worship
Sermon notes
Prayers
An end of the day reflection
Here I am, Lord CG 50 Sent by the Lord am I CG 105 Sing for God's glory CG 111 Santo, Santo, Santo M&G 14 Gloria in Excelsis RS 6 Gloria RS 7 or 8 or other Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme RS 93 O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder RS 117 Loving Spirit, loving Spirit RS 326 Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult RS 355 Angel voices ever singing RS 405 Almighty Father of all things that be RS 485 Dear Master, in whose life I see RS 493 If thou but trust in God to guide thee RS 502 'Moses, I know you're the man', the Lord says RS 547 O for a closer walk with God RS 551 To Abraham and Sarah RS 553 Will you come and follow me RS 558 Round the Lord in glory seated RS 665 How could our language frame the form WNorC 10 Hymnbooks
CG = Common Ground M&G = Many and Great, Wild Goose publications RS = Rejoice and Sing WNorC = Whatever name or Creed - Andrew Pratt
1. Theme: No matter how small and insignificant you think you are, you are important.
Tell the story of 'The Enormous Turnip'. Use whatever you feel comfortable with - pictures, puppets, volunteers from the congregation or you may be able to borrow a large book version from your local primary school.
If you are unfamiliar with the story, here is a basic version. Add, adapt, embroider as you wish.
It was harvest time and the farmer fancied a bowl of turnip soup for his supper so he set out to pull one up from the field. He saw one which had a good clump of leaves sticking up from the earth and he started to pull it up and he pulled and pulled but, to his surprise, he could not pull up the turnip.
He called to his wife to come and help him so she left her ironing and came and put her arms round his waist and pulled and pulled but they couldn't pull up the turnip.
'This must be some huge turnip!' said the farmer and called to his son to come and help. Peter stopped playing with his Lego and came and put his arms round his mother's waist and pulled and pulled, but they still couldn't pull up the turnip.
'I'll go and get Suzie to help,' said Peter and went off to find his sister who was playing with her play station. She ran over and joined onto Peter, who held on to his mother, who held on to the farmer and all four of them pulled and pulled, but they still couldn't pull up the turnip.
'It must be enormous!' said Suzie. 'I'll go and get the horse to help'. She fetched the horse who held onto Suzie and they all pulled and pulled but they still couldn't pull up the enormous turnip. (You've got the idea of the story by now and can spin it out or shorten it depending how fidgety the congregation is getting. The important thing is that the last one fetched to help is a very small mouse.)
'How can I possibly help?' said the mouse. 'I'm so small and light that I can't possibly help.'
'Come on,' said all the rest of the line of people and animals. 'You are our last hope.' So the mouse joined on to the end of the line and they all pulled and pulled and, with a mighty sound of ripping as the roots let go of the soil, the turnip at last came free and everybody fell into a great heap. Luckily the mouse was not at the bottom. They were all so pleased that when the farmer's wife invited them all to supper, they all ate so much turnip soup that they were ready to burst.
The mouse was so pleased and surprised that he had been the one person who made the difference that he never said he was too small for anything ever again.
We can be like this; we think we can't do things and say no when we are asked to do them. God knows we are all important and will be there to help us when we have something to do even if it seems too big. Remember the mouse!
2. Theme: We don't have to be clever or have special gifts to be accepted by God.
You may find a flip chart useful to make notes as you get feedback from the congregation.
You could begin by asking if anyone has a special skill or party trick that they could show. You may get no response so either have a 'plant'you have prepared earlier or have something you can do.
Ask if people need special skills for what they do - examples: lorry driver, doctor, cook, minister (be prepared for this one to have answers you don't expect). Jot down some of the skills as they are suggested but don't spend too much time writing.
Include things like the English football team where one of the answers has got to be a certain nationality. It's good to finish with this as the next question leads on. 'What do you need to be part of God's team?' The answer is of course 'Nothing'.
God doesn't need us to be clever, athletic, or good at anything and certainly not a member of any group or nationality. All God needs is us- the basic, plain us and He will give us all that we need to be a good member of His team. You may want to refer back to the readings from Isaiah or from Luke to show how God did this in the past, but of course He still does it - even with you and me!
3. Set Apart
You may choose to use the dialogue 'Set Apart' page 79 from 'Off the record conversations Jesus and Peter' written by John Bell and Graham Maule, Wild Goose Publications.
If so you will need to rehearse the dialogue.
4 GOD'S CALL
A REFLECTION FOR THREE VOICES
The 'voices can speak from the front of the church, but it can be vary effective to have them in different parts of the church, depending on the sound system you use. You will need to rehearse this.
1: God calls
2: In the darkness of night, in the brightness of day,
3: In the silence of solitude, the clamour of crowds.
1: God calls
2: In a voice which speaks no words
3: In a language unheard by the ear
1: God calls
2: Whispering to the soul in that most private, secluded place where no other human resides or walks.
3: Chasing the spirit in every way; in prayer, by questions, through conversations, in the things that happen, in joy and sorrow, peace and disturbance.
1: God's call troubles, unsettles, stirs up chaos, disrupts the calmness and control of life, runs against the flow of certainty.
2: God's call cannot mean me!
3: God's call is for other people.
1: God only wants good people.
2: Go away God. Give me peace!
3: But God does want me, whether I like it or not.
1: 'Follow me' is the invitation.
2: 'Love me as I love you'.
3: 'Go out into the world'.
1: I will challenge you to be me in the world.
2: Be my voice in business, in politics, in school, in society,
3: Confronting injustice, healing wounds, reconciling division,
1: Showing my love in every community of faith.
2: Not hiding in the church, but being the Church.
3: Proclaiming by living the Gospel, not to the converted but in the world of the everyday.
1: Speaking honestly, getting involved, taking risks for God's sake.
2: I can't do it - me? Be serious!
3: Oh yes you can. You're just the one. But you won't be alone.
1: The saints of yesterday and today are all around you. They too have responded and will enfold you with love courage and vision.
2: They will sustain and support you.
3: God, give every one of us the ears to hear you call.
1: The courage to step out into the darkness of faith.
2: The strength to handle frustration and futility.
3: The faithfulness to hold on in adversity.
1: The confidence to speak out clearly at all times and in all places.
2: God calls.
This may be followed by quiet recorded music or a short period of silence Janet Turner 1997 ©
(Use this as a skeleton if you wish, fleshed out with your own ideas and experiences.)
Do you dread being found out? Not for some huge crime or terrible sin but that people will one day find out that you are not as capable or as 'good' as they think you are. I suspect that this is a fairly common experience and is shared by many groups of people including teachers and preachers. What will happen to us when the truth comes out? Will we lose face, or much worse, be seen as the people that deep down inside we fear we are?
If this is how we feel, how much more terrible was it for the people whose stories we have heard in our readings - Isaiah, Simon Peter and Paul, for they were faced with the truth about them being known by God, who knows every thing anyway. This truth is very conveniently forgotten by most of us in our everyday lives, but imagine coming face to face with God Himself! No wonder that the common reaction was 'Leave me alone; I'm not good enough; I am too sinful.'
Isaiah had a vision of God in all His glory and the terror of being recognised by this God. Yet God brought about a huge change in Isaiah by the touch of His forgiveness and, from a man cringing in abject terror, he found himself offering to be God's messenger. In the second part of the reading he has learned that with God's support there is nothing to fear at all.
This is a message that the Psalmist has learnt. In Psalm 138 he says 'When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and strong hearted.' With the support of God, nothing is impossible.
Imagine the fear which overcame Simon Peter. You meet what you think to be a man but, in a flash, you realise you are also in the presence of God. Simon was only going about his ordinary job when he was brought up sharply with the reality of his own self. No wonder his first reaction was to tell Jesus to leave him. Would this be our own reaction?
We don't expect to be brought into God's presence as we go about our everyday jobs but we must be alert to the fact that it can happen and does. What will our answer be?
Paul really was a person we would put on the list of 'baddies' when we first meet him in the Bible. When he came face to face with God he was actively working against Him. What a complete turn-around of someone's life! Paul probably felt he didn't deserve forgiveness and God's grace but the acceptance that Jesus had died even for him literally made him see the light.
The interesting thing about the people we have considered is that they would have considered themselves to be the most unworthy of men to do God's work and yet they are probably the most well known of God's workers in the Bible. Perhaps it was the knowledge of their failings that made them the hardest workers.
Of course there is also a message there for those of us who dread being found out. We have been found out! God has known about us all the time and the really wonderful news is that He accepts us as we are. That doesn't mean we can stay as we are. If we accept God's call for us to be used by Him, we must expect to change and be changed. The good news is that whatever God has in mind for us, He doesn't expect us to do it alone. As Paul and the Psalmist knew, God is with us all the way and is our protector and our strength. Can we really not accept the challenge?
Welcoming God, you invite us to be partners in your purpose, not merely subjects to random chance, nor only submissive to natural order, but full participants in creating meaning in the universe.
Companion Christ, you invite us to be friends on the way not merely slaves to your cause nor only servants to your will but full members in bringing love and peace to all.
Enabling Spirit, you invite us to be colleagues in community not merely shells to be filled nor only students to be taught but full practitioners in ministering grace in the world.
So, we come in response to your invitation offering worship demonstrating commitment and celebrating life. May our discipleship be renewed, our friendship strengthened and our love fulfilled; in the name and Spirit of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
We bless you, great God for the life you have given us - for physical strength and mental agility for a place of our own in this world of great beauty and a part to play within the human story. We bless you for gifts and graces that heighten emotions and deepen our insight and strengthen our sense that life has a purpose centred for ever in your love. We bless you for the time that is ours and the opportunities given us to use ourselves and lose ourselves in the service of love. We bless you, great God for the life you have given us - may our lives become a blessing for others Amen.
We thank you, loving God for gifts and talents and opportunities to develop them. We thank you for the tokens of our love and the symbols of our service that we offer here today - for words suffused with meaning seeking to express what in truth lies beyond words; for music that lifts us up expressing our longing for harmony on earth and our hope to share in the songs of heaven; for silence rare and precious in which we strain to hear the whisper of your voice; for things made visible in composition of line and colour reflecting the beauty at the heart of creation; and for all the art and craftsmanship the humble preparedness and openness to new experiences that your people have brought and gathered here today. There is so much among us for which we offer our thanks and our praise - but above all we give our thanks for Jesus and for this new life into which we are called in his name. Amen.
We admit we are tempted to avoid the pain in the world by escaping into fantasy or private holiness. Loving God, break us open to your wonder and involve us in working for peace.
We admit we are tempted to limit our love and care by focussing on the needs of those closest to us. Compassionate God, shake us to the foundations and send us to tend the hurts of strangers.
We admit we are tempted to preserve our own health by keeping a balance between stress and rest. Healing God, enable us to use our wounds to learn how to heal all who are dis-eased.
We admit we are tempted to stay in safe surroundings by doing what we know and meeting those like us. Friendly God, show us how to use the differences to celebrate the variety of other peoples and cultures.
We admit we are tempted to avoid causing trouble by being soft-spoken and inoffensive. Wonderful God, give us the courage to dare to be courageous in the cause of justice.
Release us from our fear and wake us to the wonder of working with you in the name and the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.
For one or more voices or as a responsive congregational prayer, the congregation saying the text in bold type.
Some are caught by the Good News, grace and glory of Christ alongside them in their daily life, and find a calling to be disciples of the Word and signs of God's presence.
Calling God, we pray for those whose hearts and minds are stirred by the call to be where they are. May the passion that dwells in them never compromise and the Spirit that fills them never weaken.
Some are attracted to the mystery, wonder and awe of holy places and the rituals of worship. and find a calling to be servants of the Word and Sacraments.
Calling God, we pray for those whose hearts and minds are stirred by the call to lead worship. May the vision that draws them never fade and the Spirit that fires them never die.
Some are challenged by the pain, tragedy and need of the real world and secular self-sufficiency and find a calling to be prophets of the Word and agents of God's justice.
Calling God, we pray for those whose hearts and minds are stirred by the call to work in the world. May the urgency that drives them never lessen and the Spirit that fills them never fail.
Calling God, we pray for ourselves, whose hearts and minds are stirred by your call. May vision, urgency and passion inspire and sustain us in our service, in the name and Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Each of these prayers is preceded by a short paragraph written by the prayer-writer. S/he describes something of her/his area of work. The prayer connects with this. This is a good opportunity to use different voices with a pause in between.
Alternatively, why not ask selected members of the congregation to write and share their own paragraphs and prayers?
HEALTH CARE
I work as a Staff Counsellor for a private practice, mainly working with staff from the NHS and a local authority. I also do Chaplaincy work in the local hospice once a week.
Father God, we are called to be your disciples. Give us courage to take risks to let go of the securities of the world and to follow in your ways.
In our service for you, may we know discomfort enough to challenge vision enough to inflame, love enough to make a difference.
Father God, we place this our life in your hands. Our hands are open to receive, our hearts are open to give. Take all that we bring and use it for your kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Is accountancy a vocation? No, but it is a discipline with training focussed on thoroughness, logical thinking and honesty, leading, it is hoped, to integrity and reliability in being able to see, in figures, which is true and fair. When some in my profession deal dishonestly, then the whole profession suffers and people get hurt. There is a need in Christian life, to be able to offer honesty and truthfulness in helping others, and to be able to sort out difficulties with justice, fairness, when possible, with God's help.
We prayer for all those who betray the trust others place in them. May they see the harm they have done.
For those who try to uphold standards and to give of their best May they have the strength to continue.
For those who speak out against sharp practice and wrongdoing May they be supported.
For those who strive in all the ways they can for that which is true and fair May they be blessed. Amen.
COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY
As Community Chaplain in Teesside, my days are rich and varied, working with politicians, council officers, businesses, shop workers, community groups, churches and other faith groups, people seeking asylum, musicians, dreamers and visionaries. My role is catalyst, match-maker, bridge-builder and fence mender. The community's regeneration, healing and wholeness are my goal, and my engine is the Christian Gospel.
Loving God, we pray for those who work as chaplains in communities and institutions hungry for healing, justice and hope.
May they feel encouraged and supported by the wider Church, and testify to your inclusive and unconditional love among the most vulnerable and voiceless, as well as movers, shakers and policy makers.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
EDUCATION
Teaching is tough! People tell me it's a vocation and maybe it needs to be to deal with all that comes our way. Still, there are good things too, not least when one of your pupils makes a leap of discovery, learns something new, finally achieves something they have been striving for. There is something very satisfying knowing you have played a part in helping someone develop their potential.
Loving God, hold out your hands to all who teach and nurture the young. Fill them with your love, wisdom and insight, that they may see beyond the burdens of bureaucracy to their role in building enquiring minds, curious spirits and fulfilled gifts. Amen.
MINISTRY OF THE WORD AND SACRAMENTS
Being Christian É.means developing a relationship with God, out of which grows a life style of relating to people and the environment in positive ways, aiming to be present to people, to spend time, money and energy wisely. Failing, I return to God for forgiveness, renewal and wisdom.
Father, When I'm fed up with giving, Which I often am, Love me And then I can give some more. Amen.
CARING FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS
Responding to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers is an extraordinarily enriching and exhausting experience. It is a privilege to learn from those who have shown such courage and determination in the face of adversity. Every day presents new challenges which demand new strength!
Lord,
We celebrate diversity! We thank you for the opportunity to offer sanctuary to asylum seekers from all over the world. We pray for those who work with the marginalized on the edges of society. Give them strength as they try to support the vulnerable and the damaged. Give them confidence and courage to enable them to challenge the widespread ignorance, fear and misunderstanding which can lead to so much hatred, resentment and violence. Amen.
These prayers are quite personal. They could be spoken aloud in an act of worship, but could be printed in an order of service or church magazine for individual use.
I can't help but notice that everyone around me seems to be in a hurry, indeed the whole world appears to be using the fast lane; yet no one seems to have time for each other Time to just acknowledge each other, even smile and say hello. Time to listen to each other. Even if they do listen, I am not convinced that they take time to think anything through. I would not be surprised if in all this use of valuable time, they forget to listen to you Lord.
That's the world Lord, but I must not overlook that I am in that world.
Lord, help me to be more aware of my use of time, and more particularly the time I allocate in your service. I get so amused at how my friends and fellow Christians seem to be so engrossed in church life. Fund raising and social events; things that everyone says are necessary to keep the place going. Yet they do get so excited that at times they become quite emotional, relationships become strained. It's that organised and constant routine thing. Sometimes it is a bit of drag and requires so much effort to stay involved. My concern is that all this routine activity may cloud out the purpose and reason for what is really the activity of being in your service. I wonder if folk have lost sight of the real purpose of 'Christian Vocation' I don't like to think I'm cynical Lord, I just want to get matters into perspective.
Lord, help me not to lose sight of the vocation and service you have given to me. Help me to see the true vocation and good in others and not what I want to see.
Whenever I go into the community or I simply visit the shopping centre, it seems that I am on an obstacle course. I don't what to appear to be unconcerned and uncaring, but there is a limit. Someone shoving the 'Big Issue' in your face, or asking you to drop something in a tin - even sign a petition for rights or other. I know that there are genuine people out there who need some assistance, but there are facilities. Some are not looking for anything substantial, just contact; that refugee who is looking for the warmth of a smile; the lonely student away from home who might appreciate a few words of encouragement; the elderly neighbour who would like to share a cup of tea and a chat just to fill that empty space in their lifestyle. Someone needs to tell them that life is what you make of it. I know the service you have given me Father, but I so wish that others who have less to do would offer of themselves a little more.
Lord, I know what you want me to do, and I am comfortable with that task, and I trust with your help I get on and do it. But, have I become too comfortable Lord? Am I avoiding the opportunities of real service that you are offering me every day? Lord, help me not to become blind to your total service and opportunities for mission.
keep me conscious of; The value of time. The task that needs to be done. The opportunities that arise for me in your service.
Amen.
Offertory
When our resources are plentiful may we be both thankful and generous. When our needs outstrip what we have may we live simply and share. When we need to give and receive may we enjoy the mutual caring. When we are self-sufficient may we be open and receptive. So may gifts and graces always bring glory to life, in the name Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessing
May the strength of God surround us; the promise of God protect us; and the grace of God guide us; so may we be markers of God's mercy to those whom we love and serve. Amen.
This reflection may be printed on the order of service, in the church magazine or on cards distributed to worshippers for use over time.
At the end of the day, take a few moments to think about how the day has been.
and world?
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