Grateful thanks to Rev Sara Embleton who led worship during July while the minister was on holiday.
There have been a number of changes to the Covid regulations in the past month with more anticipated. Distancing within our buildings has been reduced to 1 metre which means we can accommodate many more people. Face masks, hand sanitising and trace and protect are still required. There are different options for joining in worship so please do what is right for you. Following the First Minister’s next statement we will have a clearer idea of the way ahead and we will (hopefully) be able to start planning for the autumn.
Worship
We meet for worship at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk and 11.00am in Melrose Church when we will return to our journey through the Old Testament, looking at the story of the call of Samuel. You can join us live at 11.00am on Sundays on both Facebook and our website www.bowdenandmelrosechurch.org or watch the recording thereafter. The hymn sheet is attached so you can sing along…. A Sunday Worship podcast will be posted on Facebook and Instagram at 6.00pm on Saturday evening. You can also listen by phoning 01896 808551. A mid-week reflection will be posted on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/BowdenandMelroseParishChurch/
Television and Radio
There are other worship opportunities on Sunday. Songs of Praise is on BBC 2 at 1.15pm. New Every Sunday is at 7.30am on Radio Scotland and Sunday Worship at 8.10am on Radio 4. Both will be available afterwards on BBC Sounds.
Prayer
This Sunday Christians across the country – and further afield – will once again join together in prayer and reflection at 7pm in response to the pandemic.
“‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’
The words of the Gospel resonate in the hearts of all who have searched for spiritual sustenance in a dry land. They are words spoken to those who searched for Jesus and could not, at first, find Him. They are words spoken to those who are ‘looking for Jesus’. On finding Him, Jesus speaks to them of the ‘bread from heaven’ and in turn they ask: ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ In response, Jesus says: ‘I am the bread of life.’ (John 6: 24-35)
We pray:
Gracious Father,
Who gives to us bread from heaven,
Hear us when we hunger
And cry out to the One who is the bread of life.
Renew us by Your gift and restore us by Your presence.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Gracious Father,
Who gives to us bread from heaven,
Hear the cry of all who hunger this day
And who long for the gifts that renew and restore life.
Renew our concern for Your Creation and for all who inhabit the earth.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Gracious Father,
Who gives to us bread from heaven,
Hear us when we thirst
And long for living water.
May all who thirst drink deep from the rivers of living water.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Gracious Father,
Who gives to us bread from heaven,
Hear the cries of those who long for clean water
And who live in parched lands.
May all who thirst find living water for daily life.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Gracious Father,
Who gives to us bread from heaven,
Hear our cry to the One
Who is the bread of life:
Give us this bread always.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
