QFC Sunday 16/7/23

Peace

“We meet in Jesus name. Whether you consider yourself a close friend or are just curious, we meet in Christs peace. Peace be with you”

share a sign of peace.

Psalm 85

Prayer for the Restoration of God’s Favour

To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

¹ Lord, you were favourable to your land;

    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

² You forgave the iniquity of your people;

    you pardoned all their sin. Selah

³ You withdrew all your wrath;

    you turned from your hot anger.

⁴ Restore us again, O God of our salvation,

    and put away your indignation toward us.

⁵ Will you be angry with us forever?

    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

⁶ Will you not revive us again,

    so that your people may rejoice in you?

⁷ Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,

    and grant us your salvation.

⁸ Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,

    for he will speak peace to his people,

    to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.^[a]

⁹ Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,

    that his glory may dwell in our land.

¹⁰ Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
    righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
¹¹ Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
    and righteousness will look down from the sky.
¹² The Lord will give what is good,
    and our land will yield its increase.
¹³ Righteousness will go before him
    and will make a path for his steps.

Psalm 85
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

OR if this song might be helpful if you are online and unable to join in with the psalm in person.

First Reading

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”…
… “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Matthew 13:1-9 then 18-23

Second reading from the book of water

June has been a dry month this year, but with the school summer holidays rain has arrived!

Take some time out to smell the moisture in the air. Look for the river flowing into the sea. look around and become aware of the presence of water in the growing things.

We are part of this cycle, water flows though us and makes up a large amount of our body. Without it we become very thirsty, very quickly.

Practice #SensingMeaningfulness. (Don’t try to do all of these! pick one which appeals to you most, but then perhaps you’ll find time for another).

• Creatively interact with the area around you. What things are wet? Are some leaves juicy and full of water while others are dry? Are there things you can make a picture from, or can you make sounds which represent all the forms which the water that surrounds us takes (pattering of rain, rippling river, beating heart…). Dance like no-one is watching!
• Use the “doorway” card to learn about the water cycle, and follow the prompts to think about it.
• Let your mind rest and become aware of your senses and experience the moment. As your mind wanders through the sensations of water, what truths do you become aware of? Are you inspired? Where do you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. Drink deeply.

• Look at the ways in which water brings life to the seeds and plant around you. Are you spiritually thirsty? What areas of your life need “watering” and how could that be helped?

Discussion

We will make time to listen to each other learn from the different ways in which everyone has experienced water.

Blessing

May the blessing of the rain be on you—
the soft sweet rain.
May it fall upon your spirit
so that all the little flowers may spring up,
and shed their sweetness on the air.
May the blessing of the great rains be on you,
may they beat upon your spirit
and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there many a shining pool
where the blue of heaven shines,
and sometimes a star.

Anon – sourced from A Rocha website