Praying for NEXUS Scotland
2. The Growing Friendship Between Scottish Christian Resources Exhibition and the Clyde Presbyteries
2.1 Friendship with Christ
Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, "Come along with me." Matthew stood up and followed him.
(Matthew 9: 9)
There are always footprints beside yours, O Jesus,
of those who accompanied you:
your roadside friendship with the friendless.
that always journeyed,
always moved people:
a man born blind,
a woman bleeding,
a tax collector hiding,
never leaving people where they were,
but accompanying them to a new place,
and a new community,
of inclusion,
of vision,
of renewal,
of life.
May our footprints,
and those with whom we join
on this journey of faith
always be close to yours.
Amen
2.2 New Relationships
Back and forth they talked. "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?"
(Luke 24: 32)
That word,
that look,
that touch,
that breaking of bread,
that table,
that moment,
that light,
that awareness,
that excitement,
that realisation,
that impulse,
that alleluia.
May each encounter we have,
find that moment where heaven breaks in,
and we recognise our brother and sister,
and grow a new bond,
a new connection,
a new synapse,
of your Realm, O God.
Amen.
2.3 Unexpected Meetings
He came into Sychar,
a Samaritan village that
bordered the field
Jacob had given his son Joseph.
Jacob's well was still there.
Jesus, worn out by the trip,
sat down at the well.
It was noon.
(John 4: 5-6)
If only the church
would meet beside watering holes,
or round a beach-fire at dawn,
or by a leafy sycamore tree,
or where fishers mend nets,
to whom would you introduce us, O God?
If only the church would meet in swing parks,
or in soft play areas,
of at the finger-painting table,
or in the naughty corner,
what would you teach us, O God?
If only the church would meet in chaos,
or where creativity is celebrated,
or where faith becomes poetry,
or where silence speaks more than words,
what would you say it us, O God?
If only the church would speak in new languages,
or dance on the edge,
or throw away the map,
and meet for an adventure,
where would you take us, O God?
May we hear you calling,
from unexpected places,
and when we arrive,
find unexpected people.
When shall we begin?
Amen.
2.4 The Gifts of Friendship
The sisters sent word to Jesus,
"Master, the one you love so very much
is sick."
(John 11: 3)
When you listened to Mary
and thanked Martha and her preparations;
when you wept for Lazarus
and let Mary pour perfume;
there we saw not merely the heavenly ways of a saviour,
but the deep down acts of a friend.
Jesus,
may we have the time,
as you had the time,
to create,
not acquaintances,
or networks,
or contacts,
but friendships,
that spend time listening to each other,
affirming each other,
that weep and praise together,
and allow gifts to pour out towards each other,
being all we need to be,
through each other.
When you broke bread with the twelve,
knelt and prayed for the disciples,
questioned them and believed in them,
there we saw the kind of friend
you are with us.
Thank you,
friend.
Amen.
NEXUS Scotland 2007
23-25 August 2007
SECC
Glasgow
Scottish
Christian Resources Exhibition
