17th of August 2pm , outside the Crichton Chapel.
We will gather this August to meet with each other and God. To bathe in the green, and look for signs of harvest.
As is our custom we will gather outside the Crichton chapel at 2pm on the third Sunday of the month. Everyone is welcome to join us, and we adapt what we do according to the people who turn up. Have a look around this website to get an idea of what to expect and please dress for the weather.
There are no facilities other than what is publicly available in the park.
Welcome and #SensingAwareness
We start by taking time to become aware of the time we are gathering in, the place we are standing in, and the people around us.
O God, you make known your almighty power
in your merciful compassion:
increase your mercy towards us;
that we, being eager for your promises,
may inherit the treasures of heaven;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.COLLECT (Proper 20)
We meet in Christs peace
You are welcome whether you consider yourself a close friend of Jesus or are simply curious, we make peace when we meet in peace.
Reading Words
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm.
1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might;
come and save us.3 Restore us, O God;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.4 How long, Lord God Almighty,
will your anger smolder
against the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
6 You have made us an object of derision[b] to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.7 Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.8 You transplanted a vine from Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
9 You cleared the ground for it,
and it took root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches.
11 Its branches reached as far as the Sea,[c]
its shoots as far as the River.[d]12 Why have you broken down its walls
so that all who pass by pick its grapes?
13 Boars from the forest ravage it,
and insects from the fields feed on it.
14 Return to us, God Almighty!
Look down from heaven and see!
Watch over this vine,
15 the root your right hand has planted,
the son[e] you have raised up for yourself.16 Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire;
at your rebuke your people perish.
17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
18 Then we will not turn away from you;
revive us, and we will call on your name.19 Restore us, Lord God Almighty;
Psalm 80
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
Reading Creation
Last year at this time we went looking for brambles. Trying to find the fruit amongst the thorns. The grounds we meet in are beautiful, manicured, but where is the fruit?
We will discuss this and think about what we can learn from last year, what changes we should make this year, and then try a new plan.
- Reflect on the difference between patience and unwillingness to adapt
- To what extent is discernment looking to see what God is doing, and then joining in? Is there more to it than that? What can we learn from our attempts to find fruit?
Music
For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light.Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight.Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.For each perfect gift of Thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven.Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
For the Beauty of the Earth, Lyrics by Folliot Pierpont 1864
This our hymn of grateful praise.
and for those who join us online!
Prayer
We used this prayer in springtime. We are approaching the other end of the growing season, so lets return to it.
For the promise of harvest
contained within a seed
we thank you.
For the oak tree
within an acorn
The bread
within a grain
The apple
within a pip
The mystery of nature
gift wrapped
for us to sow
we thank you.When we rest
Hold us
When we need to transform
Forgive and help us
When we need to let go
Free us
And when it is time to grow
Nourish us
For you are the source and the destination
The seed and the harvest.
Refreshment
We will find somewhere to share a cup and a bite to eat! Perhaps we will have brambles.