Liturgy for 30th April

QUEENSFERRY PARISH CHURCH

MIDWEEK SERVICES
APRIL

We are now in the Easter season and our theme today is about another of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. This material is for 30th April.
One person suggested that there is too much material included. My thinking is that, at this time, folks might want a bit of extra material. The material I produce is only a guide. If you are the leader then feel free to miss out a lesson or a reflection or to substitute something of your own.

Week 5 – Jesus at the Lakeside

Leader:
Encounter with us now, enlivening God. Spring us from the safety-net of our sanctuaries; expose us to the challenge of your Gospel; coax us to throw our caution to the wind.
May we, who call ourselves Christ’s followers, obey the command to be his witnesses in the world, to teach and care, to revive and reconcile.
AMEN.

Opening Responses
In the night and in the morning,
WE WILL COME TO YOU
Full of sadness, tired and hungry
WE WILL COME TO YOU
Lost and puzzled, glad and hopeful,
WE WILL COME TO YOU
You welcome us and feed us
YOU QUESTION US WITH LOVE

Read:​John 21 verses 1 – 14 – you may wish to read only one part of Chapter 21 but, if you choose to reflect on all of it, you might want to split the reading, with half here and half later as I have suggested.

Hymn or song: singing is a bit challenging by zoom! You might want to read together Hymn 417: “Now the green blade riseth”, or any of the Easter hymns.

Read: Psalm 30

Prayer
The stranger on the shore that morning waited for the returning fishermen who had trawled all night and caught nothing.
Help us to see your presence in all that we do, especially when we feel we are getting nowhere or when we have no work and feel a deep sense of frustration or unworthiness.
Beaching the boats, tired and dejected, they heard his confident prediction: “Cast out your nets again the other side.” And soon the shoals leapt into the nets and they had to haul them in.
Help us, when we are tired and dejected; help us when we feel depressed in our present circumstances; show us ways in which it is possible to serve you and to show care to those around us even with the restrictions imposed on us.

Dragging the catch ashore, they found the stranger waiting and knew that he was no stranger but rather their familiar friend who was breaking bread and inviting them to share in a meal.
Help us to recognise you in all people and in all situations, especially when they are strangers. They might only need a welcoming word to make them friends.

Then the questions, searching Peter’s soul: “Do you love me?” asked three times. Then follow me and be the guide and guard of all my sheep.
Stranger and friend, you take us unawares, flawed as we are, unwilling, ill-prepared to be the people we profess to be. Forgive and bless us; open hands and hearts to give with grace and share without reserve. Absolve the past and affirm your promise to us that you will be with us to the end of the age.

​
And now hear us as we pray further in the words Jesus taught his disciples saying:
OUR FATHER

Read:​John 21 verses 15 – 24.

Reflection
Reflect for 5 – 7 minutes You might choose to reflect on the miraculous catch of fish; on the reaction of the disciples to meeting with Jesus there; on the other hand you might choose to reflect on the conversation between Jesus and Peter or between Jesus and John – or both. These are only suggestions – lots of other ideas may come to mind.
This part of the service might involve music or a short drama; it might involve the use of “props” or something else visual; it might involve silence.

You might also like to reflect on this short meditation:
VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY

At sunset the boat slipped out, criss-crossing the lake, seeking the shoals.
Peter knew these waters like the back of his hand. That is why he had come, seeking solace in the familiar. Yet, as soon as he said: “I am going fishing”, he was joined by others - seven in all – because they all wanted to make some sense of what had happened and they thought the best way to clear their minds was to follow familiar patterns.
Hours pass without success and suddenly it is day-break, and a figure is revealed in the mist.
Words are exchanged, action follows. Net cast once again on the other side. Hauled ashore, full to breaking point. Failure turned into success.

Realisation dawns.
At the water’s edge stands the risen Christ!
Weary workers find bread and a fire. There is time to share food and fellowship with the Lord.
Jesus is here in Galilee as he said he would be – in the work-a-day world. He’s breakfasting with the night shift.
Christ is risen and is engaging with all humanity.

Prayer
This is a time for prayers for the world, for the communities in which we live; for the Church and those who minister here in any capacity; for those who are sick at this time, whether with coronavirus or other illnesses; for all health workers and carers; for those whose income is uncertain; for those known to us to be in particular need of our prayers; for ourselves.

CLOSING RESPONSES
Take our hands in your hands
YOU KNOW THAT WE LOVE YOU
Wrap our lives in your life
YOU KNOW THAT WE TRUST YOU
Call our names in friendship
YOU KNOW THAT WE WILL FOLLOW YOU
Risen Jesus
SEND US OUT IN JUSTICE AND JOY

This material has been adapted from “Fire and Bread” by Ruth Burgess, a Wild Goose publication and “Let Justice Roll Down”, a Christian Aid anthology. It has been added to by me!