Worship, Sun 22 March:

Dear friends,
We are living in quite odd, and unsettling times. While we can't physically meet together for worship, there are other ways that we, as followers of Jesus can find other ways of being together while apart. Sharing worship reflections online via our blog, or posted through letterboxes for those who aren't online and have requested it, is one way. I'll aim to post online for Sunday by 10.30am and post through the various letterboxes at some point in the afternoon. 

Other ways we might do something together, while separate:

• Sundays: at some point between 10.30 and 11.30, our normal gathering time in the church building,
  take a moment to pause...
  - Remember who it is you worship - give praise to God - adoration
  - Give to God those things you may have said or done this week that you regret - confession
  - Find something [challenge: at least 3] that you're grateful for - thanksgiving
  - Remember the world, others, and your own particular needs - intercession
• When you're able to access the reflections, think about them, pray the prayer given
  for the day - or your own prayer.
• 7pm each day [or just Sunday]:
  you might like to stop and pause - perhaps light a candle...
  [although if that's not your thing, that's fine - sometimes just the act of lighting a candle and looking at the
  light is a helpful reminder of God, light in our darkness - or of Jesus, the Light of the world] 
  remember:
  those working on the 'front lines' NHS staff in all their many different occupations;
  those involved in the food and essential items supply chain;
  those having to make policy decisions;
  those anxious about work/ finance;
  those who feel isolated and alone;
  those who have the virus...
  Also, call to mind, as you can, 3 things that you're grateful for, and give thanks to God.
  After you've done this, think of a friend or neighbour who may be feeling isolated -
  why not give them a call and have a chat?

READING FOR TODAY: Ps 23
A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, 

   I lack nothing.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,

   he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.

   He guides me along the right paths 

   for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk

    through the valley of the shadow of death

   I will fear no evil,

   for you are with me;

   your rod and your staff,

   they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies.

   You anoint my head with oil;

    my cup overflows.

6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me

    all the days of my life,

    and I will dwell in the house of the Lord 

forever.

A wee note:
a couple of years ago, we did a 6 week series on this psalm - if you click THIS it will take you
to all 6 sermons - scroll down until you get to week 1 and feel free to work your way through
them if you like. I'm doing some borrowing from week 1 for today's reflection...

REFLECTION:
A friend said to me via a text on Saturday 'who thought that 4 weeks ago people would be
panic buying in the supermarkets?' The reference to four weeks was when we'd last caught up
over a cheerful lunch and then movie matinee in Edinburgh. My friend's text went on about how
now, even the cinemas were shut and the restaurants as well, and that she was in self-isolation
at the request of her grown children.
These are strange days we're living in. And, thinking of that, and of Ps 23, I'm wondering about
the whole notion of panic buying and verse 1 of the psalm...
'The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.'

I'm a great fan of the Guild in the Church of Scotland, and the impressive energy and enthusiasm,
and vision it has when thinking about particular projects to support. Especially, time and time
again, I'm drawn to their great motto 'whose we are, and whom we serve.' At any time, and
particularly in times such as these, it's helpful for us as people of faith to remember just whose
we are. Ps 23 reminds us that we are the Lord's: He is our shepherd, the One who watches over
us constantly, the One who guides us, the One who rounds us up when we're a little all over
the place. We are His, and, equally, He is ours - we are in a relationship built on love. And this
faithful Shepherd is reliable, trustworthy: we have all we need in Him, we 'lack nothing.'

If David did, indeed, write this psalm, he knew what it was to be a shepherd, the dangers
involved in protecting the flocks from wild beasts, from wild weather, and sometimes from
themselves when taking a wrong turn had landed them in a tricky place with no clear way out.
He knew where the best pastures were to be found and, in a dry and arid land, where the watering
places were. He knew their needs, and tending to his flocks, made sure they lacked nothing. Later,
as king over Israel and tending the nation, he writes the psalm.

When David writes about the Lord as a shepherd, he catches a small sense of the greater work
of tending the world, and of tending us, that the Lord does. And, having known the dangers
that go along with shepherding flocks and people, to think of the Lord as the Great Shepherd
gives him comfort and a particular perspective on life. While knowing all the difficulties and
challenges, while aware of all that may be lacking - no luxuries in the shepherding business -
he doesn't focus on the lack. Instead of thinking about what he doesn't have, what isn't available,
what can't be done, David's focus is upon the Lord, who is shepherd.
The Lord in whom we lack nothing; who supplies our needs.
What do we have?
David simply answers the Lord, and he is enough.
In this odd time where many are focusing upon lack to the point of stripping supermarket
shelves bare, the psalm reminds us that we need not fear:
we belong to the one who is constant.
As we focus on him, in this odd time of physical distancing and self-isolation,
perhaps this is just the right time to think a little more creatively about
what we do have, what we can do, and just what our true needs really are -
and how, even from our homes, we might still follow, and serve, the One to whom we belong.
We have been through difficult times before, there will be difficult times in our future,
and in the meantime, we will get through this, together for:
'The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.'

Hang on to those words, for they've been the source of strength and comfort for generations

upon generations of the faithful - the ones who Jesus calls his friends. Amen.

PRAYER:

God,
we are living through trying times,
when fear and worry can overwhelm some,
while others ignore good advice.
May we all work together to get through this pandemic
as safely and as carefully as we can.

We are thankful for all those people whose job it is to help and assist,
particularly for doctors and nurses,
carers and support staff in surgeries and hospitals,
putting themselves at risk in order to fulfil their calling to bring healing.
May they know that their work is life-affirming,
and may they be resilient and resourced.

We are also thankful for those people
who, often under the radar, make society work:
from delivery drivers to supermarket stockers,
from school staff to volunteer visitors,
and all manner of other roles in-between.
May they know they are valued and honoured,
and that we uplift them for the cohesion they bring to our communities.

We recognise that we are called at the moment
to look out for ourselves and those closest to us,
we are challenged to keep a healthy distance, physically, from each other,
but may that not deter us from making connections,
building new friendships,
tending existing relationships,
through all the tools we now have to hand,
from a phone call to a WhatsApp,
from an email to a postcard.
May we use this opportunity to build community,
to look out for one another,
not to be blind to the needs of our neighbour,
but to find ways to help.

We know that there will be lots of people and families
who will be struggling over these next months,
with tensions due to family circumstances,
with loneliness and isolation,
with money worries and job security fears,
and we hold them close in their anxiety.
May we provide encouragement and support
as best we can in these trying times.

We also pray for those who are unwell at this time,
for those with raised anxiety due to their age
or to underlying health conditions,
for those who are currently infected with COVID-19,
and for the families of those who have died.
May we offer kindness and hopefulness, even in the darkest of moments.

And when we emerge from the other end of this pandemic,
a vaccine having been found,
may we not lose sight of the power that comes
when we work together to be good neighbours.

Let us remember Jesus’ answer to the question,
“Which of all the commandments is most important?”
He replied:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your mind
and with all your strength.
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.”
And let us remember:
The Lord is our Shepherd -
in him, we lack nothing.
Amen.

MOTHERING SUNDAY:
On this Mothering Sunday, let's give thanks for:
all who are mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and even great-great grandmothers;
for all who have stepped into our lives and been like mothers to us;
for all who have nurtured us, and loved us, and championed us...
and may those of us who have known such love, share that nurturing love with others.
On this day, when many try so hard to spend time together, but now can't because of self-isolation,
may the love that is there be felt even though hugs can't be shared right now, and may we find
fun and creative ways to be present even when we can't be physically present.

PASTORAL:
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Minister - whether just for a blether or a listening ear,
or if you're needing a prescription collected and delivered, or if she can be of help in any other
way. You may at times get the answering machine, but she will get back to you as soon as she can.
In the meantime, follow the latest advice from the Gov't, keep safe, and stay well!!

MISC:
Just to note that the Easter edition of the Parish magazine is back from the printers and will be
coming through letterboxes very soon. There's an insert noting some of the changes we've had
to make due to COVID-19.

A LITTLE TOPICAL HUMOUR:

Feel free to leave comments and let me know how I can improve this!