Today's Service: 11 October
This is best viewed in Landscape orientation
You will appreciate the sound better if you use earphones or an external loudspeaker, whatever type of device you view on.
If you are reading this prior to the normal service time, please read the following now: Clickhere to read the Zoom guide for the farewell meeting.
WELCOME
to this the Farewell Service of Stephen and Hilary Collinson on their retirement after 40 and 37 years in Ministry and 7 years in the Tees and Swale Pastorate
We join together, even in our separate places, to worship God.
CALL TO WORSHIP
(Based on Psalm 121):
Come to the Lord in this time of change:
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Come to the Lord in this time of uncertainty:
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Come to the Lord when life seems overwhelming:
5 The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
Come to the Lord as you look to the future:
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and for evermore.
Come to the Lord with confidence:
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
HYMN: 497: Give to me, Lord, a thankful heart
TUNE: Gatescarth, with full verse Intro.
1. Give to me, Lord, a thankful heart
and a discerning mind:
give, as I play the Christian's part,
the strength to finish what I start
and act on what I find.
2. When, in the rush of days, my will
is habit-bound and slow
help me to keep in vision still
what love and power and peace can fill
a life that trusts in you.
3. By your divine and urgent claim
and by your human face
kindle our sinking hearts to flame
and as you teach the world your name
let it become your place.
4. Jesus, with all your Church I long
to see your kingdom come:
show me your way of righting wrong
and turning sorrow into song
until you bring me home.
© Caryl Micklem
PRAYER
We thank you, God, for the wonder of Creation
forming the landscape around us with its richness of plant and animal life
and delights of sight and sound and taste.
We thank you, God, for family and friends,
for their love and support, help and encouragement,
and the joy they bring.
We thank you, God, for the communities to which we belong:
Keld, Low Row, Darlington and Northallerton,
large or small, bustling or more peaceful,
but each a community of people and organisations working together.
We thank you, God, for the church fellowship of which we are a part:
for their different settings and character, and different activities.
Above all, we thank you for each other in that fellowship
as together we seek to grow in faith and serve you more faithfully
ever open to your leading as circumstances change and new opportunities arise.
We thank you, God, for
the guidance of the gospel,
the example of Jesus,
and the empowering of the Spirit.
Lead us now in worship, as we mark an ending and new beginning,
in the knowledge of your love and care, vision and challenge. Amen.
LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3: 14 - 21
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:: 25 - 34
25 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith? 31Therefore do not worry, saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear?" 32For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.
HYMN: 107: The love of God comes close
TUNE: Rhosymedre, with Intro.
1. The love of God comes close
where stands an open door
to let the stranger in,
to mingle rich and poor:
the love of God is here to stay,
embracing those who walk his way.
2. The peace of God comes close
to those caught in the storm,
forgoing lives of ease
to ease the lives forlorn:
the peace of God is here to stay,
embracing those who walk his way.
3. The joy of God comes close
where faith encounters fears,
where heights and depths of life
are found through smiles and tears;
the joy of God is here to stay,
embracing those who walk his way.
4. The grace of God comes close
to those whose grace is spent,
when hearts are tired or sore
and hope is bruised or bent:
the grace of God is here to stay,
embracing those who walk his way.
5. The Son of God comes close
where people praise his name,
where bread and wine are blest
and shared, as when he came:
the Son of God is here to stay,
embracing those who walk his way.
John L Bell (born 1949) and Graham Maule (born 1958)
© 1988, 1997 WGRG, Iona Community, 4th floor, Savoy House, 140 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3DH, Scotland
REFLECTION
What has been, what is, what is to come are all held within the deep love and care of the steadfast love of God.
The words 'steadfast love' appear at certain times especially in the Old Testament - it is just one way of describing 'hesed', a Hebrew word that, like many such words, carries a multiplicity of meanings. Perhaps its most well known appearance is in Psalm 23 v 6 - 'surely goodness and 'hesed' shall follow me all the days of my life'. Of course we know it better as 'surely goodness and mercy...'
This is a real indication that we are talking particularly about God and God's relationship with creation, and because we are human, God's relationship with us. The word is also used for other relationships - human relationships, one in particular is Ruth and Boaz relationship to each other. For there is a sense that 'hesed' is about the divine but also how the divine inspires people.
Some people have listed it as 'unfailing love, faithful love, steadfast love, loyal love' others have sought to sum it up as 'God's eternal, limitless, generous compassion, grace and mercy'. Even Paul writing to the Ephesians has to say 'may you...comprehend... the breadth and length and height and depth (of God's love). All these are mouthfuls - how much easier just to think of the richness of the word 'hesed'.
This word is not however merely describing an emotion or feeling but involves action. It is God's action towards creation, not just setting the universe in a vast spinning ocean of galaxies but being intimately involved in that creation. In that vastness caring not just for one planet but caring for its life, and not just caring for all life but caring enough for human life - caring enough to become human - in Jesus Christ - in order to show how much 'hesed', how much love God has for us.
This vastness can however leave us reeling and almost breathless until we read not only in Paul but in the words of Matthew too, that God's 'hesed' is about action in provision too. Provision for life but also provision in giving us the call to relationship to show 'hesed' to others in our striving for the Kingdom of Heaven. The compassion, care, justice and love that is contain in 'hesed'
God has always chosen to call and work through people. God has called them on journeys or asked them to stay in times of crisis. God was with the people in Egypt and in the desert. God despaired of them at times but never gave up on them. God was in the exile and in the return. God was in Jesus on the cross and in Christ as he appeared to the disciples. God was in the joys and sorrows, successes and failures of the early church. God has continued throughout the generations when God's people have done exceptional things and even when they have done very wrong things. For 'hesed' also encompasses that word mercy, as we saw earlier, God is willing to forgive those who really do want to say sorry and turn their lives back to seeking the Kingdom of Heaven.
God has been with us - us as congregations and ministers - over these last years, through the successes and failures, through the joys and sorrows, there are things we should say sorry for and things we should rejoice over as communities - but the 'hesed' of God has been there.
So we look forward to the future, our paths will diverge at this point, but 'hesed' will follow us all the days of our lives - our lives in retirement from active ministry, but not from discipleship; and yours as congregations looking to the future of continually seeking that Kingdom of Heaven, not just for the future but making that Kingdom here on earth.
Our prayer is that you may know the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
PRAYERS
Lord of all life, we bring to you now in our prayers
our world, our church and ourselves.
Your steadfast love enfolds and upholds us.
For a world facing uncertainties:
about climate change and the way to avoid ecological disaster;
about post-transition relationships with the EU and trading agreements with other countries;
about the outcome of the US Presidential election and its impact on world politics.
Your steadfast love enfolds and upholds us.
For a world still struggling with Coronavirus and the restrictions on life it has necessitated;
For those who are isolating and those who are most cut off from family and friends by restrictions on travel;
For the increasing numbers who are ill with the virus, especially those who have been hospitalised, and for those suffering long-term effects from it;
For those who mourn the death of loved ones or close friends in the pandemic.
Your steadfast love enfolds and upholds us.
For local communities in their diversity seeking to respond to the particular challenges that face them:
the pressures on the rural, industrial and retail economies;
inequalities in provisions for education, healthcare, transport and broadband.
Your steadfast love enfolds and upholds us.
For the churches of the Pastorate
rejoicing in their strengths and the vibrance of their witness;
living the gospel in each local community, enriched by their sharing one with another;
seeking your guidance for the challenges ahead.
Your steadfast love enfolds and upholds us.
For one another in our own lives of faith
whether new or long-standing, confident or questioning,
renewed and renewing by our worshipping together.
For one another in our own lives of service
in recognised offices or in a myriad of other ways
all vitally important as parts of Christ's body,
all contributing to the work of the Kingdom.
For one another now at this parting of ways,
guide and sustain each one of us
as we continue in thankfulness for the time we have shared
and look to the future in hope and in confidence
because you are with us every minute of every day.
Your steadfast love enfolds and upholds us.
So, Lord,
take what we have been and take what we are,
lead us and mould us into your future
to be all we can be as faithful disciples,
achieving in faith far more than we could ever imagine,
for yours is the power to equip and transform.
Your steadfast love enfolds and upholds us,
yesterday, today, tomorrow and for all time.
In Christ's name we offer our prayers and ourselves.
Amen.
HYMN 471: Bless, and keep us, Lord, in your love united,
TUNE: Komm, Herr, segne uns, with 40 sec. Intro.
1. Bless, and keep us, Lord, in your love united,
from your family never separated.
You make all things new as we follow after;
whether tears or laughter, we belong to you.
2. Blessing shrivels up when your children hoard it;
help us, Lord, to share, for we can afford it:
blessing only grows in the act of sharing,
in a life of caring; love that heals and glows.
3. Fill your world with peace, such as you intended.
Teach us to prize the earth, love, re-plenish, tend it.
Lord, uplift, fulfil all who sow in sadness,
let them reap with gladness, by your kingdom thrilled.
4. You renew our life, changing tears to laughter;
we belong to you, so we follow after.
Bless and keep us, Lord, in your love united,
never separated from your living Word.
Komm Herr, segne uns by Dieter Trautwein (born 1928) translated by Fred Kaan (1929-2009)
English Translation (c) 1985 Stainer & Bell Ltd
BLESSING
As we say farewell, let our parting words to you be borrowed and adapted from those of Paul to the Thessalonians:
We urge you, our friends, be at peace among yourselves, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. At all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people.
Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.
Pray also for us, friends.
And the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:13-18, 25, 28 (Good News Translation) adapted
Hymns Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 88966
Dear Friends,
Following our Final Online Mini-Service for Sunday 11th October, Hilary and I will host a Farewell Event by Zoom at 3pm for any who wish to ‘zoom’ in. This is all very different to our original plan , but in the circumstances it is the best compromise.
What to expect? This will be just a short event with designated speakers, each of no more than five minutes. Hilary will begin and I will conclude the event. In between there will be short ‘farewells’ by one spokesperson from each church and the Moderator will lead prayers for all of us as we enter a new phase of discipleship.
How it will work?
- So that we can start at 3:00pm you would need to ‘join’ the meeting from 2.50pm.
- It isn’t possible for everyone to speak and so to avoid a cacophony and possible technical feedback, everyone will automatically be muted on joining.
- Although muted, you will be able to hear. Those who are to speak will be unmuted at the appropriate point.
- In order to see who is speaking it would be best to be in ‘Speaker View’. This automatically brings the speaker to a full screen view rather than just highlighting their thumbnail. (This option is found near the top right corner of the screen – you may need to move your mouse to make it visible).
- Although we will not be able to speak with you individually, you can add your own short personal ‘farewell’ during the event using the ‘Chat’ facility of Zoom – a text form of the handshake at the church door. (This is found at the bottom of the screen).
- At the close of the event, we will suggest you change to Gallery View in which you will see more faces, and we will conclude with a mass wave ‘farewell’.
- Touch screen users need to touch the screen to make the Speaker View and Chat buttons visible.
Here is the link: (highlighted in yellow, below.)
(It also enables you to install Zoom, in case you have not done this already - allow an extra 5 min. for this.)
Note:
The point of using the Link is to enable you to join the meeting WITHOUT any typing of Meeting ID and password, which only enables errors.
Why not leave this device open on this page until 2:50pm and then click the link.
If you try to join from the link sent in Stephen's email, you must open the email on the same device as you plan to use for the Zoom meeting.
So, either click the link on this page at 2:50pm or earlier, or open Stephen's email on the device that you will use for the Zoom meeting, and click the link at 2:50 pm.
Whatever you do, don't open the email, write down the meeting details and then attempt to type them in to access the meeting - 9 times out of 10 you will get it wrong!
Why type when you can just click!
Stephen and Hilary's Farewell Event by Zoom
Time: Oct 11, 2020 03:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting (click on the link at 2:50pm)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3618882963?pwd=S2hYQllxUDF5R1V4bVJSSGFXalZ2UT09
Meeting ID: 361 888 2963
Passcode: 5L4wQ1
With every best wish,
Stephen and Hilary
Don't forget the live streamed hymns on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. from Zöe (via Facebook)
These are available to view later as well. (via YouTube, for those without Facebook, and also Facebook)
The streamings are proving to be a great success - well done, Zöe!
The recorded streamings are now, thanks to Harry Marshall, available to all on YouTube - search for 'Northgate URC Darlington'.
Ask Harry to invite you to the Northgate Facebook Group 
and you will get a notification of the live stream.
- Or you can just search for 'Northgate URC Darlington' in Facebook.
The URC denominational church audio Services (podcasts) at https://devotions.urc.org.uk/ are excellent, with well-delivered prayers and readings using a selection of voices and well-presented hymns.
Do give these a try - they are excellent.
(Just start the sound playing and scroll down to the written words)
Why not put the time aside for Zoe at 10:45, Stephen's service after that and follow up with the podcast - you will feel as if you had been IN church, as well as WITH church.