Liturgy of the Word

Rest
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 Welcome and Call to Prayer
We gather today to reflect on how God
can be a source of strength and rest,
especially during stressful times. This time
of year, we tend to feel the weight of what
needs to be done. We must remember
that God is our help and He is also a
source of rest for us. He is an all-sufficient
Saviour, who provides for our every need.
We must remember to spend time with
Him, even in the midst of our busyness.
 Opening Prayer
Lord, we thank you for your many
blessings. You are an incredible God, who
can be our strength and our rest when we
need it. We ask that you would renew our
strength and be our resting place. May we
be renewed so that we can be a source of
strength and rest to others who are in
need. Amen.
First Reading (Isaiah 40:25-31)
"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says
the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who
created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by
one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great
power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why
do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is
hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my
God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is
the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding
no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and
increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired
and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those
who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They
will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not be faint.
 Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in
trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its
waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their
surging. "Selah" There is a river whose streams make glad
the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break
of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice,
the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of
Jacob is our fortress. "Selah" Come and see the works of the
Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes
wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and
shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. "Be still,
and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the
nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD Almighty
is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. "Selah“.
 Gospel (Matthew 8:23-27)
• Then he got into the boat and his disciples
followed him. Without warning, a furious
storm came up on the lake, so that the waves
swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke him, saying,
"Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He
replied, "You of little faith, why are you so
afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the
winds and the waves, and it was completely
calm. The men were amazed and asked,
"What kind of man is this? Even the winds
and the waves obey him!"
 Reflection
Regardless of what season we are in, God
is available for us. He can provide our
every need. When we feel stressed, we
must be still and know that God is loving
and all-powerful.
 Reflection
• Dr. Shadrach Meshach (S.M.) Lockridge was an
African-American Pastor in California from 1953-
1993.
• He was active in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement
of the 1960s, where his church served as an
outlet for African-American leaders to speak.
• One of his most famous sermons was compiled
into a video. As you watch the video, consider
Jesus Christ as the ultimate answer to all of life’s
joys, stresses and problems.
 Prayers of the Faithful
1. For those who are stressed about school and/or
work and are in need of the peace of God. We
pray to the Lord. Response.
2. For those who are stressed about finances and
finding work, we ask that God would provide for
their needs. We pray to the Lord. Response.
3. For those who are homeless and hungry, we
ask that God would comfort them and that we
would reach out to help these people. We pray
to the Lord. Response.
 Closing Prayer.
Lord, thank you for this opportunity to
gather in your name and to rest. We ask
that as we continue on finishing this
semester that you would help us and that
we would look to help those around us.
You are a marvellous God, may we
remember your strength and sufficiency.
Amen.