Pray : Almighty and gracious God, we acknowledge your divine majesty and faithful love shown to us in Jesus Christ your Son. We offer you our adoration and praise and affirm our readiness to serve you by loving our neighbour and working with you to further your reign of love in our community and beyond. Remind us that it isn’t we who do you a favour by worshipping you, but you who are gracious beyond measure in accepting us in Jesus, in granting us forgiveness and the privilege of fellowship with yourself and of letting us share in the building up of your kingdom. Draw near to us afresh as we gather, bless us here and be close to those who, of necessity, are not able to be present. Bind us together with one another in your Son and, let your Holy Spirit endue us with all the grace we require to live lives worthy of the Lord of lords and King of kings – and let it show that others might be encouraged to accept him too. As we think about Jesus’ authority this morning may we be encouraged rather than put off – may his love and grace shine through and come to lift our spirits and cheer our way to accept him and his ways. As we break bread and drink wine may we know the power and presence of the Lord Jesus who gave his life for us and who is risen and present with us now and for all eternity. Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our God all authority is yours and we your people here offer you our love and obedience, our heartfelt worship today and for ever. Amen.

Thought- Often these days people can be less willing to accept authority, to be predisposed  against it, possibly because there have been many instances where authority has been misused even abused. We can mix up legitimate authority and authoritarianism. We may not all be out and out rebels, but we’re far more likely to question authority than we might have done a generation ago. What struck people with Jesus’ teaching was that he taught with authority unlike other teachers of his day who tended to rely on quoting endlessly from famous rabbis. Not that Jesus was bossy, or forever wagging his finger. It was the content that carried conviction. He taught as though he believed he had a message from God; he said what he meant and meant what he said; his life squared with his teaching and bore testimony to its truth; he didn’t flinch and worry about what the powers that be thought; ultimately he went to the cross as a result. We rarely talk about Jesus’ authority or that of the scriptures but if Jesus didn’t have authority why would we heed his teaching? If he does, why wouldn’t we? At its deepest level it is Jesus’ love and sacrifice that points to the truth of his teaching and it is our love which will demonstrate whether or not we believe his teaching. Authority may not be a popular concept these days but we would do well to heed Jesus’ authority and his love.

Pray: Hear our prayers for the world. Liberating God, we pray for those who suffer under the oppressive abuse of authority-the disappeared, abused children and vulnerable ones. Bring your healing, O God. We pray for those who struggle daily because of mental and physical illness, debilitating pain, trauma, or other ailments. Bring your healing, O God. We pray for those who experience alienation-immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees, children and the aged, or those who have been marginalised and silenced. Bring your healing, O God. O Lord, show your healing power again for we know you have authority to cast out every darkness and all that ails us. Your healing power repels that which stands between communion with you and others. By your loving hand, we are drawn into a community of wholeness. Bring your healing, O God. Lord, we pray for our community and for our churches – that all who are heavy of heart – among them our loved ones, our neighbours; Bring your healing O God. And for those who are called upon to make difficult decisions whether in our congregations, in government or in business Bring your wisdom and compassion O God. In our prayer walk we remember esp those who work or use The Harbour, Glaxo and RNLI. SILENCE
Lord, hear our prayers whether spoken or silent and answer them for Jesus’ sake. AMEN.

Blessing - May the Lord bless you. Amen.