St Andrew's Scottish Episcopal Church, Kelso
Main Image of the Stained Glass Window Courtesy of George Westwater Photographer
A special place for personal reflection and contemplation
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over
your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Our current theme - Prodigal Son
Return of the Prodigal Son By Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)
The original painting hangs in the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and is based on the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 in the New Testament – a story of homecoming. The picture can speak to us on a number of levels and enable us to ask questions of God and of ourselves.
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), a Dutch priest, wrote a book of the same name based on this painting. In it he writes, “Coming home meant, for me, walking step by step toward the One who awaits me with open arms and wants to hold me in an eternal embrace”. As he contemplated the picture this was his question: “Had I , myself, really ever dared to step into the centre, kneel down, and let myself be held by a forgiving God?”
God whose name is Love,
You make yourself known to us
As the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sustain us in the knowledge of your love through the times in which we live.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God whose love endures,
May we hear the words of your Son
That echo down the ages:
I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God whose love is generous,
You gift to us your Holy Spirit,
The very giver of Life.
Renew our lives and the life of the community in which we share.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God whose love is steadfast,
You know us as we are for you have made us.
In your compassion, be with all who struggle and grieve at this time.
Remember them and hold them safe in your keeping.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God whose love is from everlasting to everlasting,
Give strength to the weary and power to the weak,
That we might renew our strength
And soar on wings like eagles.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God whose love inspires,
May we love you with all that we are
And love our neighbour in response to your love.
Through our service of others, may your love be revealed.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We have to be candles,
burning between
hope and despair,
faith and doubt,
love and hate,
compassion and indifference,
life and death,
all the opposites
That is the disquieting place
where people must always find us.
And if our life means anything,
if what we are goes beyond the church walls
and does some good,
it is that somehow,
by being here,
at peace,
we help the world cope
with what it does not understand.
Adapted from William Brodick’s Prayer
O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
Amen
We found this video very moving
See video here
Lord, you walk beside us, each moment of each day.
You know us by name, see each joy and sorrow.
You have created within us the potential to love and nurture.
You offer us patience and understanding in an uncertain and a complex world.You have laid upon us the responsibility to carry and care for others.
You have crafted in us minds and imaginations that are able to solve problems and see possibilities.
You have given us the gift of life woven through with colour, texture and variety. As we gather together may we know and experience your love for us.
Heal us.
Guide us.
Inspire us.
And lead us to reflect more and more of your life within our own.
Amen
Rev Grace Redpath 2020
Main Image of the Stained Glass Window Courtesy of George Westwater Photographer