Sunday Focus
25th October 2026
Hymn - All my hope on God is Founded
Song - From Everlasting (Psalm 90)
Merciful God, teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty, that trusting in your word and obeying your will we may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bible Reading
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
The death of Moses
34 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, opposite Jericho. There the Lord showed him the whole land – from Gilead to Dan, 2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, 3 the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the Lord said to him, ‘This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, “I will give it to your descendants.” I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.’
5 And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. 6 He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. 7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. 8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.
9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.
10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt – to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Song - Faithful One
Deuteronomy ends on a surprisingly poignant note. After forty years of leading God's people through the wilderness, Moses stands on Mount Nebo and looks across to the Promised Land. He sees it, but he never enters it. At first glance, it can feel like a disappointing ending. Yet the passage does not dwell on what Moses did not achieve, celebrating instead faithfulness and a willingness to follow God every step of the journey, rather than reaching a destination.
We live in a culture that values results. We like measurable outcomes, visible success and clear achievements. Churches can fall into that way of thinking too, asking whether ministry is successful because numbers have grown, or projects have been completed. Moses reminds us that God's measure of faithfulness is often very different from ours.
In many communities, especially those facing poverty or long-term challenges, change is slow. Relationships take time. Trust takes time. Sometimes we may never see the full impact of the seeds we have planted. Moses encourages us to trust that faithfulness itself matters.
How do I measure success? Am I more concerned with reaching the finish line, or with walking faithfully wherever God leads?
Song - By Faith
Merciful Father,
forgive us for the times we have failed to love You with all our heart, soul, and mind,
or to love our neighbour as ourselves.
Lord today we ask that You renew our minds and fill us with Your Holy Spirit
so that our daily actions reflect the love of Christ –
the love that You showed us, sending Your only son to die that we might live.
Strengthen us today Lord,
fill us anew that the love may overflow and bless those around us.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen
Hymn - He will Hold Me Fast
So, may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and our minds, this day and always.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen