Weoley Hill Order of service 12 July 2026
Led by Ann Evans
Welcome and notices given by Elder on duty
Call to Worship
God has called us here today; we’ve chosen to come. God calls us to come closer;
God invites us to be present to his presence… [pause] May we choose to say ‘Yes’ to God today.
Father God, you knew us and loved us before we were born; you have known us and loved us every moment of our lives. Forgive us for failing you and forgetting you, and help us to know you more and love you more today.
Amen.
Hymn MP 664 The spirit lives to set us free
Opening prayers
God’s lamp lights up our path, allowing us to tread with confidence. No need to hesitate. Come, let us choose to draw ever nearer, to worship and wait on him.
Lord God, you are full of blessing and faithfulness: as shown in your promise to Isaac and Rebekah; As shown in your Son, Jesus, whom we choose to follow;
As shown in your Holy Spirit, residing in and with us. You are God, full of blessing and honour, continuing to promise much today. Even if we must wait a while,
you are faithful, your timeline is not ours. As we wait, we hold close your blessings and promises, treasuring them as you treasure us.
We cherish, honour, and adore you.
Lord, we chase after many things, money, possessions, even relationships –
things we feel we need, must have should have and are entitled to. We act on impulse, wanting things now. In our instant world, waiting is a struggle. Lord, we are sorry for chasing such things, for being selfish and for making poor choices. Help us to look to you first, to trust and wait for your guidance.
Lord, we are sorry.
Amen.
Assurance of forgiveness
Jesus’ sacrificial blood has been poured out so we can be forgiven, our sins washed clean. We are dead to sin and alive in him – forgiven and free.
Amen.
Sharing Good News
LYCIG (Leading your church into growth) Prayer said together
God of Mission,
Who alone brings growth to your Church,
Send your Holy Spirit to give,
Vision to our planning,
Wisdom to our actions,
Joy to our worship
And power to our witness.
Help our church to grow in numbers,
In spiritual commitment to you,
And in service to our local community,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading(s) Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11
Hymn 512 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
Reflection
Hymn 509 O Jesus I have promised
Prayers for the people
Life is made up of choices large and small, many of which carry consequences.
Esau chose to give away his birthright for a dish of stew. Did he choose well? Do we choose well?
Lord, we pray today for all who have important choices to make. May they be aware of all consequences.
We pray for parents and their children and for the maternity services in this country
and all who work in this field including doctors, nurses and midwives.
We pray for those having to make difficult decisions. We pray for the mothers whose choice was taken from them as they were forced to give up their children for adoption and have lived for decades with the consequences of other people’s actions.
Lord, heal broken hearts and lives. Guide all in their choices.
We pray for all those holding political power in this country. We pray for the public shortly having to make choices voting in a surprise by-election. We pray for the person expected to soon move into the position of Prime Minister. Days will be filled with a great many choices to be made. Choices that will affect us all. Choices that will affect the health of this country. We pray for our country’s defences, that they be fortified. We pray too that all in our armed forces will be more than adequately equipped to carry out their duties.
Lord, may your hand guide all in their choices, particularly those in power as they make choices that impact us day by day and that of the safety of our country.
We pray for those choosing to help others, often at risk to their own lives. We think of the International Search and Rescue teams helping in Venezuela. We pray for those miraculously rescued from the earthquakes’ destruction, for those still missing and for the huge number grieving loved ones.
Lord, may your love sustain, strengthen and provide for all those impacted by catastrophic events.
We pray for your church, Lord and all who commit to ministry. We pray for Naomi Sakala and her family with the news her visa at this stage was not granted. We pray for Melanie and the people of church house who will try to find ways to overcome this upset. May we, your people, reach out to all in need, showing your love in action. We pray for all in need, overseas and at home, and particularly those within our own communities. We pray for those in our prayer book
Lord, guide us, your church, as we shine your light amid the dark uncertainty facing many today. Help us to inform people’s choices with the knowledge of your love.
As this country endures a third heatwave we pray for the young, old and all who are vulnerable and susceptible to heat. We pray for those who have previously lost loved ones through cold water shock and ask that you guide those who may be tempted by open water during the hot weather.
Lord, we lift our prayers, looking to you to direct our ways, enabling us with your wisdom to make good choices that will impact well on our lives and the lives of those around us.
We offer all these prayers to you, our Saviour Jesus Christ
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Offertory prayer
Take, Lord, bless and use the offering we bring; our treasure and time
Our talents and ourselves – for Christ’s sake, in the Kingdom’s cause.
Loving Father, all that we have, all that we do, all that we are, we offer to you In Jesus’ name
Hymn 345 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
Blessing
Guide us, O thou great Redeemer: guide us in our thinking, guide us in our speaking, guide us in our doings, guide us always to choose what pleases you.
God is our hope.
Amen.