Congregational Board Meeting, To Receive a Blessing

Light Reflective Music

Bible Enters (Organ)

Welcome / Intimation (Rev. Bosch)

I greet you in the Name of God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe - in the care of Christ Jesus.May it be that we receive mercy, peace and love.

Intimations, Funerals, Baptisms (remember to share this before Sunday Worship)

Monday, 2nd of June, Kirk Session Meeting at 19:00 in Church

Sunday, 8th of June, Communion at 11:00 in Church

Monday, 9th of June, Funeral of Jesse Denholm, led by Mailynn Steele

Wednesday, 11th of June, Midmonth Alternitive Service in the Church Hall

Sunday, 15th of June, Fathers Day (Special Sunday)

16th until the 30th of June we will be away. Alternitive plans will be made to cover me during this time.

Testomony (Try to identify someone.)

Call to Worship: (Psalm 8)

Minister: How majestic are you our God!  ‘ ‘

All: Your glory is above the heavens.

Minister: How majestic are you our God!

All: Your glory is above the heavens.

Let us worship God!

Hymn: CH 166 -  Lord of all hopefulness

Declaration:

Blessed be the name of the Lord now and evermore.From the rising of the sun to its setting, the Lord’s name be praised. Let us pray:

Prayer of Approach and Confession (Rev. Bosch)

God of glory, we stand in awe before You. Your majesty fills the heavens and earth. We gather as Your people, seeking Your presence. You call us to be like children, trusting and humble. Help us approach You with pure and open hearts. Quiet our minds from the cares of this world. Guide our Church meetings with Your holy wisdom. Let our Church business today reflect Your kingdom’s values. Pour out Your blessing on all who are here. Grant us forgiveness of sin, for we fall short. Give us courage to admit our mistakes. Renew us by Your Spirit to walk in Your truth. May our words and actions glorify Your name. Unite us as one body, bound by Your love. Lead us in this time of worship and service. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, as we pray together.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Hymn: CH 755 - Be still and know that I am God

(Children enter.)

Children’s Address: Blessing from Jesus!

Hymn: CH 351 - Jesus hands were kind hands

(Children exit.)

Reading: Numbers 6: 22-27/ Mark 10: 13-15

Aaron’s Blessing (Numbers 6: 22-27) 22 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, 24  The LORD bless you and keep you; 25  the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26  the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 27 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Let the Children Come to Me (Mark 10: 13-15) 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Sermon: (Rev. Bosch)

A blessing. A blessing can be received or it can be handed out. We can understand a blessing to be a word of encouragement, some kind of support, or even a gift of some kind. The purpose of a blessing is to build someones confidance and to make them aware of exsternal support. This is done so that the receiver could know he/she is unique and connected to others. The person giving the blessing wants the best for the other person.

Both readings, this morning, talks about a blessing. The blessing in the book of Numbers refers to a public blessing. The leaders, in the reading, used official words to make the people of Israel aware of God’s blessing on them. The blessing that Aaron and his son’s spoke over Israel are not just empty words, but rather, a official declaration of Israel’s identity. The identity entails that they are connected to God and that God wants the best for them. Also, the receivers of the blessing becomes aware of who their God is. The blessing entails that God wil keep them, will be gracious towards them and will provide peace. The blessing then has two functions; first, to build the confidance of the Israelites and to remind them of their responsibility towards God; second, to make known who God is and that the Israelites belongs to God.

The second type of blessing in the NT entails a blessing directed to children. Jesus blessed little children and through doing so he teach’s about the kingdom of God. Whereas the blessing in Numbers were directed to the public and corporate, the second blessing is much more personal. Jesus blessed children whilst they were sitting on his lap and surounding Him. It was likely that Jesus embraced many of the children warmly conveying love and peace. Doing so He communicated the importance of children and that the small bundles of joy are true gifts from God. What is striking in this reading is that the disciples was preventing access to Jesus and was chasing the children away. Jesus had to rebuke them so that the children could enjoy His company and blessing. We learn simple that even today we should not prevent someone to meet the Lord Jesus. In other words, clear the path so that people may encounter Christ.

Children are vulnerabile and because of this they need to trust the jugdement and maturity of an adult. The emphises is on the adult to act maturilly and with wisdom so that the child can learn the correct behaviour. In other words, a child receives the correct skillset at a young age from healty balanced parents. Saying this reemphesis the point that a child is vulnerable to the will of an adult. In our reading, we see how these vulnerable children are running to Jesus. They epitomise trust in God.

Christ then used this as a opportunity to teach how to enter the kingdom of God. In other words, to cultivate faith we should consider how the children ran to God. The picture of children running to Jesus should become a blueprint in how we should approach faith. To enter the kingdom of God, or to incorporate faith and believe into our lives, we should consider vulnerability and trust. Yet, not in a tyrannical God who destoys, but rather in a trustworthy God. The image that we receive from our NT reading is of a trustworthy Jesus. The qualities we then can presume from this image is of maturity and wisdom. We may then trust and be vulnerable knowing God is trustworthy, mature and wise.

Understanding this theology will help us enter the kingdom of God, or rather incorporate the machinary of faith into our lives. To be vulneribile in the presence a trustworthy God will open the doors for us to realise we are blessed. We are connected in God with God declaring we are special.

We should not underestimate the great need for people to hear that they are special. They are special and God wants to bless them. In Jesus they can become blessed or realise that they are special and blessed.

“And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.”

I think it is appropriate if we say that Prestongrange Church should be a blessing. Blessing to our community. Blessing to our members. Blessing to children. Blessing to parents. Blessing to nature.

Can we imagine Prestongrange Church to be a vechile of blessing? Can we imagine people saying Prestongrange Church is such a blessing to the community? Can we imagine Prestongrange Church to be a cornerstone of maturity, wisdom, trust and peace?

We have learned from the readings today the importance of a blessing. In Numbers the blessing is of a public kind which entails the connection to God and His special qualities. God wil keep, be gracious and will provide peace. Mark tought how Jesus showed the importance of children, blessing them and also using it as an opportunity to teach about the kingdom of God.

Congregation, may we realise this morning that we are blessed as church and as individuals in the Lord. God bless’ us in the public sense, but he also takes His arm around us embracing us as his own. As he holds us we may know we are blessed and special.

May we conduct our business today knowing that God wants the best for us and that we may trust in his greater judgement. May we also conduct our business with the aim to be a blessing revealing all of God’s good qualities to our community. Amen.

Hymn: CH 553 - Just as I am

Prayer for Others (Rozelle Bosch):

Heavenly Father,

We come before you to lift up those struggling with low self-esteem, feeling broken down and lost.

Wrap them in your affirming love, rebuilding their confidence in who they are in you.

For those who do not trust God, soften their hearts and reveal your faithful presence.

Comfort those without a healthy father role model, filling that void with your perfect love.

We pray for farmers in Africa, facing hardship and uncertainty in their toil.

Grant them resilience, resources, and hope to sustain their livelihoods.

Ease cultural tensions that divide communities, fostering understanding and unity.

Guide all these souls with your wisdom, helping them navigate their unique struggles.

May they find peace in your embrace and strength to rise above their challenges.

We also give thanks for the blessing of children, precious gifts who bring joy and light.

Provide them with mature and trustworthy role models to guide their paths with integrity.

Let your grace shine through every trial, drawing all closer to your heart.

Amen.

Offering (The person at door duty brings the plate to the table.)

Prayer of Thanks

Hymn: CH498 - Angel voices, ever singing

Rethink and Blessing (Rev. Bosch)

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

In the presence of the Holy Spirit, may the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding, guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Amen

Sing/Play Amen (Organ)

Bible Exits (Organ)

Business