Sunday Focus

26th October 2025

This week is Bible Sunday, when we look at the work of the Bible Society. In church we will be using material from The Scottish Bible Society.

 
Welcome to this weeks Sunday Focus, we pray you will be blessed.

 

Hymn -  Praise to The Lord

 

Song -  Jesus Restore to us again

 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word, for the hope that it brings, for the blessings that are promised and for the wisdom that we can live by in our daily lives. Thank you that the beautiful message of the Gospel is seen throughout the whole Bible, speaking truth, freedom and salvation to all.
Lord Jesus, we have spoiled the beauty of your creation, forgive us for our neglect of your world. Not only have we damaged your creation, but we have damaged each other. There are so many wars, nation fighting against nation, families destroyed, evil being shown one person to the other. Have mercy Lord, have mercy on us we pray.
Amen
 

Hymn -  We have a Gospel to Proclaim

 

Isaiah 55: 6-11
6. Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,’
declares the Lord.
9 ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    it will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire 
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah uses the analogy of harvest when speaking about God's word.  As we think about the work of the Bible Society and the sending out of God's word, it is like a seed being planted.  It takes time to grow, but brings abundant, overflowing and transformed lives.

Bible Societies all over the world share the same testimony: God’s word is changing lives. And the same is true here in Scotland.
Here in Scotland, it seems that our patient waiting and sowing of the seed of God’s word and longing for national spiritual renewal is being rewarded. Research shows a huge spike in interest in the Bible among young people, and a massive upturn in those attending church.

There is waiting involved in the spiritual harvest that comes from planting God’s word. The work of God through his word is a hidden one: And that transformation is rarely instant. It takes time for that seed to grow; for the hidden work of God in human hearts to bud and flourish. Patient waiting is rewarded with a harvest. What part are we playing in this patient work of sending God’s seed out into the world, and of sharing God’s word here in Scotland with those that we know?

More information can be found on the Bible Society's website 
https://www.scottishbiblesociety.org/


 

Song -  Facing a Task Unfinished

 

Thank you, Father that your Word shows us the way to true forgiveness. We pray for those who still don’t know you that by your Spirit you will speak into people’s lives, transforming and changing, bringing hope and forgiveness to those who are seeking you. Many people are living without hope and so we pray that the reality of the Gospel will bring understanding and joy as they turn to you.

As our world waits may you fill us with joy as we read the truths, the promises, the wisdom you give to us as we read your Word. Help us to know the reality of your Holy Spirit guiding our thoughts, words and deeds and leading us into a deeper relationship with you our heavenly Father.
Amen

 

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 -  I The Lord of Sea and Sky

 

 

May God's Word be in your heart.
May God's Word be on your lips.
May God's Word be in your touch.
May God's Word direct your feet.
On this day and all your days to come
May God's Word be the life you live. Amen