Holy Ground

In the first part of this morning's service I told the story in Exodus 2 and 3 of Moses's flight and welcome as an alien in an a foreign land.

Then we read of the way Moses sensed the presence of God in the burning bush that was not consumed with fire and the account of the way the name of God was disclosed to Moses from Exodus 3:13-15

But Moses said to God, 

‘If I come to the Israelites and say to them,

“The God of your ancestors has sent me to you”, 

and they ask me, 

“What is his name?” 

what shall I say to them?’ 

God said to Moses, 

‘I am who I am.’ 

He said further, 

‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 

“I am has sent me to you.” ’ 

God also said to Moses, 

‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 

“The Lord, the God of your ancestors, 

the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, 

has sent me to you”:

This is my name for ever,

and this my title for all generations.

We then noticed the way Jesus echoed this name for God in describing himself as the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life and in the other 'I AM' sayings of John's Gospel.

We then shared a meditative prayer which led into singing

Treasured Words of Jesus

Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here

Bring to mind the Word of God

‘I AM WHO I AM.’ 

This is my name for ever,
and this my title for all generations

Hear again the treasured words of Jesus

‘Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I AM.’

Where two or three are gathered in my name,

I am there among them.’

Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here

‘I AM the bread of life.

‘I AM WHO I AM.’ 

This is my name for ever,
and this my title for all generations

Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here

 ‘I AM the light of the world.

‘I AM WHO I AM.’ 

This is my name for ever,
and this my title for all generations.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’

Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here

I AM the gate.

‘I AM WHO I AM.’ 

This is my name for ever,
and this my title for all generations

Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.

Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here

I AM the resurrection and the life. 

‘I AM WHO I AM.’ 

This is my name for ever,
and this my title for all generations

Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 

and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. 

Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here

 Be still for the presence of the Lord

 The Holy One is here

 Come bow before Him now

 With reverence and fear

 In Him no sin is found

 We stand on holy ground

 Be still for the presence of the Lord

 The Holy One is here

 Be still for the glory of the Lord

 Is shining all around

 He burns with holy fire

 With splendor He is crowned

 How awesome is the sight

 Our radiant King of light

 Be still for the glory of the Lord

 Is shining all around

 Be still for the power of the Lord

 Is moving in this place

 He comes to cleanse and heal

 To minister His grace

 No work too hard for Him

 In faith receive from Him

 Be still for the power of the Lord

 Is moving in this place

 We shared in further reflections inspired by the wonderful art installation, Holy Ground, by Paul Hobbs that has been in St Matthew's church through the week as part of the Christian Arts Festival.