Time-out in Advent

The Kirk is getting ready for Christmas times! The diary is looking a bit busier as we step into December!

As a Church we set aside a Tuesday each week and provide a place with space – the UPPER ROOM – a place for time-out in these busier days. In the early weeks and months of lockdown it was not possible to open and run this space…but it is now still available for one and all…whether you belong to Liberton Kirk or not.

You are invited to come….perhaps for the first time…..

* A place with space in a busy world
** For time-out in this Advent season
* Private prayer or with others
** With God – Father Son and Holy Spirit

Above the Kirkgate Cafe…..7.30am-7.30pm

Opportunites to pray with others will be possible at 8am…12 noon and 7pm

There are guidelines to follow…..including wearing a face covering.

But…..our Tuesdays – and every day – can still be an opportunity for time out…..with God…..where we are…at home or at work

You are invited to pause regularly at some time during the day and be still with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

You are encouraged to speak with Him….to listen to Him.…to receive from Him…especially at this time as we seek to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church in our times.

The PATHWAY of PEACE around the Kirkyard is now closed but you can still walk around the Kirk and as you walk and think and reflect and pray in these days know that God is still walking with you. You will find that there are timely prompts for this time of year to consider from the Bible as you prayerfully walk around.

You are invited to share in the Midday Prayers and Evening Prayers that will be posted online at 12noon and 9pm on various days on the Kirk website and on our social media pages. We are also encouraged to pray with others in our city and across our land at 5pm….focussing on all those affected by the coronavirus…..and during this particular week you are invited to join with others and pray for all those affected afresh by the new coronavirus restrictions.

We are all invited to pray with others in our Church family as we journey through these latter weeks of 2020 together…..and to listen for what God is saying to us in these particular days.

Tuesday Time-Out with the Holy Spirit

The times are a-changing indeed!
Jesus said His followers have a Helper, a Counsellor….the Holy Spirit.

As a Church we set aside a Tuesday each week and provide a place with space – the UPPER ROOM – a place for time-out. In the early weeks and months of lockdown it was not possible to open and run this space…but it is now still available for one and all…whether you belong to Liberton Kirk or not.

You are invited to come….perhaps for the first time…..

* A place with space in a busy world
** For time-out in these days
* Private prayer or with others
** With God the Holy Spirit

Above the Kirkgate Cafe…..7.30am-7.30pm

Opportunites to pray with others will be possible at 8am…12 noon and 7pm

There are guidelines to follow…..including wearing a face covering.

But…..our Tuesdays – and every day – can still be an opportunity for time out…..with God…..where we are…at home or at work

You are invited to pause regularly at some time during the day and be still with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

You are encouraged to speak with Him….to listen to Him.…to receive from Him…especially at this time as we seek to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church in our times.

The PATHWAY of PEACE around the Kirkyard is now closed but you can still walk around the Kirk and as you walk and think and reflect and pray in these days know that God is still walking with you. You will find that there are prompts to consider from the Bible as you prayerfully walk around.

You are invited to share in the Midday Prayers and Evening Prayers that will be posted online at 12noon and 9pm on various days on the Kirk website and on our social media pages. We are also encouraged to pray with others in our city and across our land at 5pm….focussing on all those affected by the coronavirus…..and during this particular week you are invited to join with others and pray for all those affected afresh by the new coronavirus restrictions.

We are all invited to pray with others in our Church family as we journey through the latter weeks of 2020 together…..and to listen for what God is saying to us in these particular days.
You are therefore encouraged to meet with others on Tuesday evening as we gather to pray – with thanksgiving, for others, as we approach Advent – via Zoom at 7.30. Gary or Alastair can help with the link if you haven’t received it. You don’t need to pray audibly. You don’t need to be part of any team or group. Our Father God welcomes one and all.

Thy Kingdom Come

As a Church we took part in the global prayer venture of Thy Kingdom Come earlier this year.
This ran during the 11 days between Ascension and Pentecost.

Each Saturday at 12 noon we are continuing to ask and seek and knock on Heaven’s door…..’Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done’…..and to pray for up to 5 people we know to meet with Jesus and to experience God’s Kingdom reign in their lives.

This week we focus on the theme of THY KINGDOM COME as we pause to pray with others.
We are invited to spend time with the LORD our God….asking…..receiving…..

Our Father God

Thy Kingdom Come

In our lives

In the lives of those we name before You

In our city

In our nation

In this world

As it is in heaven

We ask in Jesus’ name

Amen!

Daily Devotions for AUGUST 2020

Praise the LORD, O my soul; All my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Psalm 103 verse 1

During 2020 we have been looking at standing on the promises of God – as well as dipping into a Psalm most weekends – pausing in prayer at our times of Midday Devotion for others in our church family, our city and our world at this time.

In August we continue to consider words from the PSALMS – including the words of Psalm 101 each weekend.

We are all encouraged to listen for God’s voice and make our response as we journey together in our ‘rhythm of devotion’ during this particular year of 2020.

These Devotions are but one way to feed on God’s Word in the morning, at midday, in the evening… to pray with Him continually through the day and even to share with others the treasures or hurdles you discover.
The Church website and Facebook page (even on a handy mobile) provide a fuller daily devotional page. However it all follows the pattern below which the information provided fits into, based on the Kirk’s origins of the Celtic and Northumbrian traditions which we started as a church family in 2015.

Morning
Reading and Meditation on the content and Prayer of response
Midday
Prayer – mostly for others
Evening
Verse(s) from the morning reading
Reflection and Prayer at the end of the day

A Prayer for the Month
A Prayer for August….from Denis Turner

I’d like you to look at your hands. Have you ever thought about them? Are they big and strong or are they fine and delicate? And do you ever think about our children’s hands? When newly born their hands are not much bigger than a 50 pence piece, the amazing thing is they already have 27 bones.
So, I’m thinking we are indeed “fearfully and wonderfully made” Ps 139 v 14.
But this is only the start, what about our senses, we have five right, hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and touching. Yes, those are the physical senses but what about the two we’ve forgotten? Common sense, which the bible often refers to as understanding and combines it with wisdom. Also, there is the greatest sense of all Love.

Consider these verses before we pray.
Wisdom & understanding Psalm 49 v 1,2,3 Proverbs 3 v 13&14 19&20
Love Ephesians 5 v 25 1Corinthians 13 v 13 John 3 v 16

As we consider being “fearfully and wonderfully made” in Your image God, we think of what makes us special. Our five physical senses which enable us to experience joy, pleasure, and wonderment, at your creation Also, we, like you, have knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Most of all our heavenly father you have imbued us with love, that deep sense of care and empathy which raises us above your creation, We receive your love to dispense your love, may we continue to do so in Jesus name. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your kingdom come
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
Now and for ever
Amen

Time Out Rhythm

As a Church we set aside a Tuesday each week and provided a place with space – the UPPER ROOM – a place for time-out. However in these times sadly it is not possible to open and run this space….at the moment! July would normally be our sabbatical month however from this rhythm.

But…..our Tuesdays – and every day – can still be an opportunity for time out…..with God…..where we are at home or work

You are invited to pause at some time during this closing week of July and be still with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

You are encouraged to speak with Him….to listen to Him.…to receive from Him…especially at this time as we seek to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church in our times.

You are encouraged to visit the PATHWAY of PEACE around the Kirkyard which is open 8am-8pm during July and August and visit the prayer stations as you walk and think and reflect and pray in these days.

Peace Pathway Poster 2020

You are invited to share in the Midday Prayers and Evening Prayers that will be posted online at 12noon and 9pm on various days on the Kirk website and on our social media pages. We are also encouraged to pray with others in our city and across our land at 5pm….focussing on all those affected by the coronavirus.

You are invited to pray with others in our Church family as we journey through this week together…..and to listen for what God is saying to us in these particular days of 2020…For this reason this month’s GATHERING FOR PRAYER on Tuesday evening via Zoom will include a time for us to be still…listen to God….and respond.

You may wish to visit the Kirk for PRIVATE PRAYER when the building is open 2-4pm on a Sunday afternoon.

Daily Devotions for Sunday 19th July, 2020

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from the Living God

Reading : PSALM 23 verse 5

Meditation : take time to consider this part of the psalm on this Sunday.
My cup overflows.
What words or images stay with you?
What are you grateful for at this time?

And then pray in response,
Using the words as part of your own prayer of praise

‘Give thanks with a grateful heart’
In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Midday
Pray the Prayer for the Month as your midday prayer

Loving Father,
We face a wide river and we long to reach the other side;
And we must use the stepping stones offered to us.
You say, ’When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
When you pass through rivers, they will not sweep over you’.
Our trust is in you, O Lord.
In Jesus’ name. Amen

(Isaiah 43.2)

Evening
Reading : read these words again from PSALM 23.5
Reflect on the words and images and then Pray in response at the end of your day

O LORD, our Provider and Protector
We bring our evening sacrifice of praise to you.
As we return our thanks to you
As we acknowledge You our Saviour and Help even this day.
As we pray for all corners of our world
To know of Jesus.
In His saving name, Amen.