Below you’ll find the words that we’ll be using in worship this week as we continue our series, “When It Feels Like God is Not Enough.” You can also download and print a copy here.

PRELUDE – You Are My All In All

CALL TO WORSHIP – I Samuel 2:1-10

‘My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God.

My mouth derides my enemies; because I rejoice in my victory.

‘There is no Holy One like the Lord,

   no one besides you;

   there is no Rock like our God.

Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth;

for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty are broken,

   but the feeble gird on strength.

Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,

   but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.

The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.

The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.

The Lord makes poor and makes rich;

   he brings low, he also exalts.

He raises up the poor from the dust;

   he lifts the needy from the ash heap,

to make them sit with princes

   and inherit a seat of honour.

For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,

   and on them he has set the world.

‘He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;

   for not by might does one prevail.

The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered;

   the Most High will thunder in heaven.

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;

   he will give strength to his king,

   and exalt the power of his anointed.’

SONG – Joyful, Joyful  #581

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Most High and holy God, we were made in your image, created in your likeness. We are told that faith, working through love, is all that matters. But, we confess that your good news gets lost in the noise and the news of the world around us. Too many of us are enticed by wealth or power. Too many of us are more concerned with being right than finding ways to reconcile. Too many of us devote all we have to avoiding suffering rather than relieving it. There is too much that matters to us and we are confused. Do not withhold your Spirit from us. Renew our minds and transform our lives. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

ANTHEM – Waymaker

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.

 Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Brothers and sisters, believe this good news and live in its peace.

SONG – What the Lord Has Done In Me

SCRIPTURE – I Samuel 1:3-18

              Now this man used to go up year by year from his town to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year after year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah said to her, ‘Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?’

              After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. She made this vow: ‘O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.’

              As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, ‘How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.’ But Hannah answered, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.’ Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.’ And she said, ‘Let your servant find favour in your sight.’ Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer. They rose early in the morning and worshipped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, ‘I have asked him of the Lord.’

SERMON

SONG – Speak, O Lord  #755

PRAYERS

OFFERTORY – David Crowther

BENEDICTION

SONG – Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow  #964