Morning Worship at Middlesbrough Corps

Sunday 2 August 2026 at 10.30 am

Welcome & Introduction

Thank you, everyone, and good morning. It's a real privilege to be with you today. Whether you're here every Sunday or visiting for the first time, whether you're young or not so young, I hope you'll know that you're very welcome.

Today we're following the Church's Lectionary readings, and although they come from three very different parts of the Bible, they all ask the same searching question: What really matters? In a world that encourages us to collect more, achieve more and build bigger, God invites us to stop and think about what we're really living for.

You may have noticed a treasure chest and a Jenga tower at the front. Don't worry, they're not just decorations, and I'm not going to explain them just yet! We'll come back to them later, and together they'll help us explore the theme of our worship this morning: Treasure and Towers.

As we worship, I'd simply like to leave you with two questions to carry with you. What is your greatest treasure? And what are you building your life on? My prayer is that, as we sing, pray, listen to God's Word, and spend time together, each of us will hear God speaking into our own lives.

So let's begin by worshipping the one who is himself our greatest treasure, as we sing, "Come, now is the time to worship."

Our opening song is an invitation. Whatever kind of week we've had, whatever we're carrying with us this morning, God welcomes us into his presence. So let's put aside our distractions for a while, open our hearts to him, and together declare, "Come, now is the time to worship."

Song 332 (TB 596/Come, now is the time)
Come, now is the time to worship

Call to Worship

Come, let us worship the Lord with thankful hearts. He is the Creator of heaven and earth, the giver of every good gift, and the one whose love endures for ever. He knows us completely and invites us into his presence just as we are.

As we gather today, we're reminded that so much of what fills our lives is temporary. Success fades, possessions wear out, and achievements are soon forgotten. But God's love remains constant, and his kingdom lasts for ever.

As we turn to our first reading from Ecclesiastes, we're invited to reflect on a question that every generation has had to face: What really matters? Listen as the Teacher wrestles honestly with that question and begins our journey into today's theme, Treasure and Towers.

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14, & 2:18–23

Prayer

Loving God, we thank you that we can gather in your presence today. Thank you for the gift of life, for the people around us, and for the countless ways you bless us each day. We come with different experiences of the past week - some carrying joy, others carrying burdens - but each of us is known and loved by you.

As we've heard the words of Ecclesiastes, reminding us how quickly the things of this world can pass away, help us to look beyond what is temporary and fix our hearts on what truly lasts. Open our minds to understand your Word, open our hearts to receive your Spirit, and open our lives to your transforming love.

Teach us to treasure what you treasure. Help us to build our lives on foundations that will stand firm, and make us rich towards you through faith, hope and love.

Bless our worship together today. May everything we say, sing and do bring glory to your name and draw us closer to Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

We've been reminded already this morning that so much in life is temporary, but God is constant. Before we continue, let's lift our hearts in praise to the one who is the source of every blessing and the giver of life itself. As we sing, may these words remind us that our greatest treasure isn't found in what we possess, but in the God who created us, loves us, and is worthy of all our worship.

Song 56 (TB 735/Lobe den Herren)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation

Offering & Announcements

All-Age Introduction

Before we hear our next Bible reading, I'd like everyone to join in for a moment - children and adults alike.

Imagine you're at home and suddenly there's a fire. Everyone has got out safely, so there's no danger to anyone. You have just enough time to go back inside and rescue one thing.

What would you choose?

It might be something valuable. It might be a treasured photograph. It might be something that's been in your family for years. Or it might be something that no one else would understand, but which means the world to you.

I wonder what you'd save, and I wonder why.

Keep that thought in your mind, because today we're thinking about treasure - not just the things we own, but the things we value most.

In a few moments we'll discover what's inside this treasure chest, and we'll also find out what this Jenga tower has to do with our lives. But first, let's listen to Paul's words in his letter to the Colossians, where he encourages us to set our hearts and minds on the things that truly matter.

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:1–14

Young People's Talk (Treasure Chest & Jenga Tower)

I've brought two rather unusual things with me today.
One is this treasure chest, and the other is this Jenga tower.

Let's start with the treasure chest.

I wonder what you think might be inside? Any guesses?

(Open the lid.)

Well, let's see...

(Take out each item, one at a time.)

Here's a chocolate. Who likes chocolate. That's certainly a treasure for some people!

Next, a favourite toy. Have you ever had a toy you wouldn't let anyone else touch?

Here's a football. For some people, football is one of the most important things in life.

Here's a mobile phone. I wonder how many adults would miss theirs if it disappeared for a day!

Now we've got a family photograph. That's different, isn't it? It's not worth much money, but it reminds us of people we love.

And here's a Bible. God's Word is a treasure because it helps us know him better.

Finally, there's one last thing.

(Take out the mirror.)

What can you see?

(Allow children to answer.)

That's right, you can see yourself!

And do you know something? The Bible tells us that every single person is precious to God. He knows your name. He loves you. In God's eyes, people are always more valuable than possessions.

Now let's look at the other object.

(Point to the Jenga tower.)

Who knows how Jenga works?

Allow a brief explanation.

I've got a question.

Which block do you think is the most important one?

(Take a few answers.)

Some people might choose the one right at the top. Others might choose one in the middle.

But I wonder if the most important blocks are actually the ones at the bottom.

Because if the foundations aren't strong...

(Gently wobble the tower.)

...the whole thing can come tumbling down.

I'm not going to pull any blocks out just yet - we'll save that for a little later!

Today we're thinking about two questions.
What is your greatest treasure?
What are you building your life on?

Keep those questions in your mind as we sing our next song and listen to today's Gospel reading, because Jesus has something very important to say about both of them.

Song 675 (TB 818/Seek ye first)
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

Our Gospel reading begins with what seems like an ordinary family argument about money and inheritance. But instead of taking sides, Jesus sees a much deeper issue. He tells a story that challenges us to think carefully about what we value most, and what it really means to be rich towards God. As we listen, let's ask ourselves: Where is my treasure, and what am I building my life on?

Bible Reading: Luke 12:13–21

We've just heard Jesus' challenge about the danger of building our lives around ourselves and our possessions. Before we reflect more deeply on his words, let's lift our eyes to the greatness of God. When we see him for who he is, everything else finds its proper place. As we sing, let's worship the one who alone is worthy of our praise.

Song 64 (TB 664/How great is our God)
The splendour of the King, clothed in majesty

Bible Message: Treasure and Towers

I'd like to begin by reminding you of the two questions we've been carrying with us throughout our worship today.

What is your greatest treasure?
And what are you building your life on?

Those are simple questions, but they're not easy ones.

Earlier, we looked inside the treasure chest. We found all sorts of things that people value - chocolate, toys, a football, a phone, a family photograph and a Bible.

Then, right at the end, we found a mirror. Why? Because every one of us is precious to God.

People matter more than possessions.

We also looked at the Jenga tower and asked which block was the most important.

Most of us realised that the answer isn't the block at the top. It's the ones at the bottom. If the foundations aren't strong, eventually everything else is at risk.

Those two objects help us understand today's readings.

The writer of Ecclesiastes looks around at life and asks some uncomfortable questions. People work hard. They achieve success. They build businesses, careers and reputations. They accumulate possessions. Yet one day they leave it all behind.

His conclusion almost sounds shocking.
"Meaningless! Meaningless!"

At first sight that sounds depressing, but I don't think Ecclesiastes is saying life has no meaning.

He's saying that if we build our lives only on success, wealth or achievement, we'll eventually discover that they can't satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. Perhaps that's something we understand better as we grow older.

The things we once thought were so important often become less important.

Relationships matter more.
Time becomes more precious.
Kindness is remembered long after achievements have been forgotten.

Then Paul, writing to the Christians in Colossae, takes us a step further. He says, "Set your minds on things above."

Now that doesn't mean we ignore the world around us or spend all day with our heads in the clouds. Paul is talking about priorities. He's asking, "What shapes your life?"

He goes on to describe what a life built on Christ looks like:

Compassion.
Kindness.
Humility.
Gentleness.
Patience.
Forgiveness.
Love.

Those aren't glamorous things. They don't usually make the headlines. You can't put them in a bank account or display them on a shelf. But they're the foundation stones of a life that lasts.

Then we come to Jesus.

A man interrupts him with a family argument.
"Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
It's the sort of question rabbis were often asked.

But Jesus refuses to take sides.
Instead, he sees something deeper.
He sees that this isn't really about inheritance.
It's about the human heart.

So he tells the story of a rich farmer.

Now it's important to notice what Jesus doesn't say.

He doesn't say the farmer was dishonest.
He doesn't say he cheated anyone.
He doesn't even say it was wrong to be successful.
The farmer had worked hard, the harvest had been good, and his land had produced abundantly.

The problem wasn't his wealth.
The problem was what his wealth had done to him.

Listen to his words."I will do this... I will pull down my barns... I will build bigger ones... I will store all my grain... I will say to myself..."

Everything revolves around I, me and my.

There's no gratitude.
No generosity.
No thought of anyone else.
No awareness of God.
His treasure has become himself.

And that's why Jesus ends the story with those sobering words: "This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich towards God."

What does it mean to be rich towards God?

I don't think Jesus is talking about how much money we give.

He's talking about the direction of our hearts.

A person can have very little and still be rich towards God.
Another can have everything and yet be spiritually bankrupt.

Being rich towards God means recognising that everything we have is a gift.

It means living with gratitude rather than entitlement.
It means being generous rather than grasping.
It means loving people more than possessions.
It means allowing Christ to shape our character.

(Go to the Jenga tower.)

Let's come back to our tower.

Very often we judge people by how tall their tower looks:

Career.
House.
Car
Qualifications.
Success.
Achievements.

There's nothing wrong with any of those things.

But Jesus asks a different question.Not... "How tall is your tower?"
But... "What is it built on?"

(Begin removing one or two lower blocks.)

Sometimes we build on money.
Sometimes on popularity.
Sometimes on status.
Sometimes on being right.
Sometimes even on religion.

One by one those foundations can be taken away.

Illness comes.
Redundancy comes.
Relationships change.
Circumstances change.
Life changes.

(The tower begins to wobble.)

If it collapses, simply pause and let it happen.

Then say quietly, "That's exactly what Jesus was warning about."

The tallest tower in the world is no use if the foundations can't support it.

Jesus invites us to build differently.

To build on:

Faith.
Hope.
Love.
Compassion.
Kindness.
Forgiveness.
Generosity.
And above all, on himself.

Every day we place another block into the tower of our lives.

Every conversation.
Every decision.
Every act of kindness.
Every opportunity to forgive.
Every gift shared.
Every prayer offered.
Every day we're building something.

So I'll leave you with the same two questions we began with.

What is your greatest treasure?
And what are you building your life on?

May our greatest treasure always be Christ.
And may our lives be built on the only foundation that never fails.

We've been challenged today to think about what we treasure and what we're building our lives on. This next song is a beautiful response because it turns those thoughts into a prayer. Instead of building our lives around ourselves, we're invited to build them around Christ-like love and service.

Some of you will know this song well; for others it may be new. Either way, let's make it our prayer together as we sing, "Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You."

Song 1005 (TB 352/The servant song)
Brother, sister, let me serve you

Reflection, Prayer, & Response

Loving Father, we thank you for speaking to us today through your Word. As we leave this place, help us not only to hear what you've said, but to live it. May Jesus be our greatest treasure and the firm foundation on which we build our lives.

We pray for your Church throughout the world. Help all who follow Christ to be known not for what they possess, but for the love they show, the hope they share, and the compassion they offer. Strengthen those who are persecuted for their faith, and encourage those who are weary in your service.

We pray for our world, where so many people long for security, peace and justice. We remember those living with war, violence and fear, those forced to leave their homes, and all whose lives have been turned upside down by disaster or poverty. Guide those in positions of leadership, that they may seek wisdom, act with integrity, and work for the common good.

We pray for our own community here in Middlesbrough. Bless this Corps in its worship, witness and service. Help us to recognise the needs around us and to be generous with our time, our gifts, and our love. May we be people who build others up rather than tear them down.

We remember those who are sick, those living with pain, those who feel lonely or anxious, and those who are grieving. Surround them with your comfort, strengthen those who care for them, and give hope where hope is in short supply.

Finally, Lord, we pray for ourselves. In the week ahead, help us to choose wisely what we treasure and what we invest our lives in. Day by day, may we build on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, so that our lives reflect his love, his grace and his truth.

We offer all these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Throughout our worship today we've been asking what we treasure most and what we're building our lives on. As we prepare to leave, God doesn't simply send us away - he calls us to live out our faith in the places where we spend our everyday lives. This final song is both a reminder of God's call and our response to it. As we sing, let's make these words our own prayer, asking God to help us build lives that honour him and serve others. Let's sing together, "I, the Lord of Sea and Sky."

Song 1002 (TB 689/I, the Lord of sea and sky)
I, the Lord of sea and sky

Benediction

As you go from this place, may Christ be your greatest treasure and his love the sure foundation on which you build your life. May the Holy Spirit give you wisdom to choose what truly matters, courage to serve others with generosity and compassion, and grace to follow Jesus wherever he leads.

And may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always. Amen.