Praying for NEXUS Scotland
6. The Gifts of the People of God in Local Congregations Serving God’s World
6.1 God's Gifts
And now faith, hope, and love abide,
these three;
and the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13: 13)
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above,
so thank you Lord,
Oh thank you Lord
for all your love.
Amen.
6.2 Diversity of Gifts
Now there are varieties of gifts,
but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of services,
but the same Lord;
and there are varieties of activities,
but it is the same God
who activates all of them in everyone.
(1 Corinthians 12: 4 - 6)
So much to do and so little time!
Time is always marching on
and there is so much to do.
Lord,
when we are overwhelmed by the task,
remind us that you shared your work,
not just with the 12,
remind us you chose to share the task with at least 72 others
remind us you now share the task with us.
If you,
the Saviour of the world,
can share your work with us,
help us to know we too must share our tasks.
We do not all have the same gifts,
no one person can do it all,
please save us from the error of trying.
No one is indispensable –
save us from the mistake of believing we are.
Help us to see gifts in others;
help us to your hand working through others;
help us to see how the people of God are equipped
for all you call us to do, together.
And together, may we lift up our cross
and boldly reach out beyond the walls of our churches
where we will meet the people with whom you call us to journey.
Amen.
6.3 The Value of Gifts
A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury."
(Mark 12: 42)
We’ll bring you hearts that love you,
we’ll bring you thankful praise,
and souls for ever striving to follow in you ways:
and these shall be the treasures
we offer to our King,
and these are gifts that ever
our grateful hearts may bring.
Amen.
6.4 In Serving the Least We Serve God
"Truly I tell you,
just as you did it to
one of the least of these
who are members of my family,
you did it to me."
(Matthew 25: 45)
The man sits on his piece of cardboard,
his sign says, "Hungry and homeless."
I want to hurry by yet, hear you whisper,
"Just as you did it to one of the least, you did it to me."
The young woman stands before us, emaciated.
Her only joy lasting for the briefest moment of her next hit –
suffering hell in between.
I want to be safely at home, yet hear you cry out,
"Just as you did it to one of the least, you did it to me."
Sometimes the task is just too large;
I cannot change the world on my own.
Yet that is not what you ask.
You gently whisper,
"Just as you did it to one of the least, you did it to me."
You cry out in the streets,
"Just as you did it to one of the least, you did it to me."
You shout in the housing schemes,
"Just as you did it to one of the least, you did it to me."
And so, slowly we reach into our faith,
we reach our hands up to heaven and
strengthened we reach out to serve,
we join hands with others and we join hands with the other.
And then we know the truths of word …
blessed.
In serving with others we become your touch;
in serving the other, we touch your hand;
we touch your heart
and you touch us
and we are blessed.
Amen.
NEXUS Scotland 2007
23-25 August 2007
SECC
Glasgow
Scottish
Christian Resources Exhibition
