30th November 2022

A thought from George Ford

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
(Matthew 4:18-20)

Reflection

Apart from being the patron saint of Scotland St Andrew is also the patron Saint of at least five other countries: Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Spain, & Barbados. Andrew, brother to Simon Peter, was the first disciple Jesus called to come and follow Him, and immediately he did. We are also told in St. John’s gospel that the first thing he did was to bring his brother Simon Peter to Jesus. We may not be called to leave our worldly employ as Matthew was, but Jesus does call us to follow Him and His ways and to tell others of Jesus. Not just by what we say, but by the way we live out our lives too.

Prayer

Loving Lord Jesus may we here you calling us to follow you, and your way. In whatever situation we find ourselves today may we each tell, or show, you, the Jesus we know, love and follow. And as Andrew did bring others to know and love you too.
Amen.

Worship

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown, will you let my love be known, Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me? Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same. In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show; thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
(Graham Maule & John Bell, 1987)