Welcome - Scouts - Scouts' Own 27 June 2003

 

PARKWOOD

SCOUTS OWN

To commemorate the renovation of the Chapel

Sunday, 8th June 2003

BRIGHTON DISTRICT SCOUTS






This is the story of a boat - a boat whose time in water had long since passed and which had sunk into becoming a garden arbour of no great beauty, its days well numbered.

Its distress and imminent destruction (and therefore availability) came to the attention of David Hunt, sparking off the idea of a renovation of the Chapel at Parkwood with the boat forming an appropriate focal point behind the altar.

The project inspired further ideas along the way. The work was motivated in memory of Lynne Wordingham and her support of Scouting in Russia, Gary Hooson who had been a Scout with the 29th Brighton, and others who had enjoyed their times at Parkwood.

When we look at the boat we may remember how it gave inspiration to a group of members and friends to renovate the Chapel and form a quiet area for services, for prayers, and contemplation.

CHORUS (as a round) 
The Lord is my shepherd, I'll follow him always
Beside the still waters, I'll follow him always
Always, always, I'll follow him always
Always, always, I'll follow him always.
INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME
 
 
GOSPEL - Matthew 14: 22 - 33

22 Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go on ahead to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people away. After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone; and by this time the boat was far out in the lake, tossed about by the waves, because the wind was blowing against it.

25 Between three and six o'clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water. When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. "It's a ghost!" they said and screamed with fear.

27 Jesus spoke to them at once. "Courage!" he said. "It is I. Don't be afraid!"

28 Then Peter spoke up. "Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you."

29 "Come!" answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat, and started walking on the water to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. "Save me, Lord!" he cried.

31 At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, "How little faith you have! Why did you doubt?"

32 They both got into the boat, and the wind died down. Then the disciples in the boat worshipped Jesus. "Truly you are the Son of God!" they exclaimed.
 
 
HYMN - Bind us together, Lord 
Bind us together, Lord bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken
  Bind us together, Lord bind us together
  O bind us together with love.

There is only one God, there is only one King
There is only one body, that is why we sing
  ...Bind us together...
 
Made for the glory of God, purchased by His precious Son
Born with the right to be clean for Jesus the victory won
  ...Bind us together...
 
You are the family of God, you are the promise divine
You are God's chosen desire, you are the glorious new wine
  ...Bind us together...
READING

(A story of Peter arriving in Heaven and being concerned that the Gospel was entrusted to men who might fail and asking if there was an alternative plan. No, he was told, they are the only way there is to tell the Good News.)
 
 
PRAYERS
 
 
HYMN - One more step along the way 
One more step along the world I go
One more step along the world I go
From the old things to the new
Keep me travelling along with you.
   And it's from the old I travel to the new
   Keep me travelling along with you.

Round the corners of the world I turn
More and more about the world I learn
And the new things that I see
You'll be looking at along with me
   And it's from the old I travel to the new
   Keep me travelling along with you.

As I travel through the bad and good
Keep me travelling the way I should
Where I see no way to go
You'll be telling me the way, I know
   And it's from the old I travel to the new
   Keep me travelling along with you.

Give me courage when the world is rough
Keep me loving though the world is tough
Leap and sing in all I do
Keep me travelling along with you
   And it's from the old I travel to the new
   Keep me travelling along with you.

You are older than the world can be
You are younger than the life in me
Ever old and ever new
Keep me travelling along with you
   And it's from the old I travel to the new
   Keep me travelling along with you.
BLESSING
As can be seen, the weather for the event was perfect. Those there had the oportunity to appreciate the thought and hard work that went into the renovation project. Capt. Bob Carrington (County Chaplain) who led the Scouts' Own was able to coax a few people into telling what Parkwood meant to them, and also to get a few of those who worked on the project to admit to it.

On offer afterwards were refreshments (the lucky ones found the cherry cakes!) and a chance to see the Thailand Jamboree 2003 display brought along by Matt. Oh, and to admire Dave's "Parking Director" hat. Thank you, Dave.

The Graphic at the top of the page, together with most of the text is reproduced from the Order of Service leaflet used at the Scouts' Own. The gospel reading is from the Good News Bible, © The American Bible Society. The photographs are low resolution versions of some of those I took at the event.