QFC Sunday the 17th of May 2026
We will gather as Forest Church. Please meet outside the Crichton chapel at 2pm and dress for the weather.
We meet in Peace
All are invited. Whether you consider yourself a close friend of Jesus, or are just a wee bit curious we meet in his name and share his peace.
We will meet in Peace and make peace through meeting.
Collect prayer
O God, the King of Glory, hear our prayer: that as we believe your Son Jesus Christ to be exalted with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven; so also we may know his presence with us now, and to the end of time; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Reading from the book
17 After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all people,[a] to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
6 ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
John 17:1 – 11
Reading from Creation
A time to practice Terra Divina. There is a guide to this here. The principle is to
- Read the landscape – similar to reading a book. Don’t just glance, enquire, notice things
- Meditate – Spend time with what you notice. Perhaps it will relate to the text we have read, perhaps the Holy Spirit will guide you elsewhere.
- Pray – Take things deeper. Perhaps this could be described as #SensingSpirituality. Perhaps praying with the wind in the trees. Perhaps recognising an eternal truth in the fleeting moment of experiencing the elements. Perhaps it is simply laughing.
- Relax, contemplate – spend some time with the experience and let it sink in
Just as with Shampoo, rinse and repeat if necessary – or perhaps ‘beneficial’ is a better word. Everyone works differently and the simplicity of meeting outside is that we can do this through running around, shuffling in leaves, sunbathing or imagining we are the animals we see. As a group, or sitting still on our own.
Gathering
A song to gather to, vintage! From the 1980’s
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His SonGive thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His SonAnd now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”Give thanks with a grateful heart (with a grateful heart)
Give thanks to the Holy One (to the Holy One)
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His SonGive thanks with a grateful heart (with a grateful heart)
Give thanks to the Holy One (to the Holy One)
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His SonAnd now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Give Thanks (Don Moen 1986)
Let the poor say, “I am rich (I am rich)
Because of what the Lord has done for us”
Give thanks
Sharing
We will pause to contemplate what has happened, and build each other up through discussion.
Refreshment
We will retire to the central cafe to share some snacks.
