Sunday 31st January virtual service
Try to read a few verses a day of Psalm 119 through out the week.
Psalm 119: 72 – 73
The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.
1 Peter 3:V 3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyPT3lVSpmo
Prayer
Thank you lord for all the Seasons, this winter snowdrops lay dormant, then like you Lord they bloom in to life; we are living in sin, dead to you, but you laid down your life that we might live. We pray that you will bring life back to our buildings, that as a church we will be able once again to meet together to lift our voices, to sing praise to you holy name. Let the Covid 19 virus be eradicated as the vaccines begin to work.
We know in our hearts that as part of the world church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that your message of hope and everlasting life will be known to all through people. Lord fill us with your love and peace, build us up how you want us to be. Amen.
Acts 3:1-10.
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Silver and Gold by Dolly Parton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLxScqSZ9D4
Acts 5: 12- 16.
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
Sick People needed hope ( in Biblical times the sick were unclean) Our families and friends need to know the Hope and love of God ... we to need to know that God is there for us when things seem so hard , so let us turn to a time of prayer there will times of silence through out this prayer .
Prayer
Father God , we place into your hands The things we cannot do, the things that we've been through. .. ..........................… We put our hope and trust in you .
Father, we place into your hands our friends in the church and in the world especially.… (name ) .. … be with our brothers and sisters in faith around the word. ………………..
Father, we place into your hands The things that trouble us
The blood shed of war, the victims and their families, for refugees.......we bring these situations to you. ……………..
We pray for all children who are being educated at home during the lock down, keep them safe.
Father, We place into your hands the person you would like us to be, ...you know us better than we know ourselves, you forgive all our foolishness and pride, we thank you, help us to put our hope and trust in you.
Father,
we love to hear your voice speaking to us from your word .It is good
that we can unite to sing your praise. And in your name we
rejoice.
Father, we love to walk with you, and in your presence
we can rest, we thank you Father God, for we know we can put our hope
and trust in you. Father, we want to be with you, and do the things
you do, to speak the words that you have us speak. We thank you for
Peter and John and the other disciples for their faith - their
message of hope and love, that they through your spirit told others
the good news.
Father
God help us to love others and to share the message of hope.
Unite us as we join with our brothers and sisters around the world as
we say the prayer our Lord taught us.
The Lords prayer.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Father I place into you hands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBfRNrvvUfc
Let us read on The Apostles Persecuted Acts 5 from Verse 17
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life. 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
HYMN 1151 Amazing grace unending love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx-gstu0LeQ
Jesus can and does change lives, many seek him but do not know where to look
But God gives hope. Please watch this moving story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ax9qH6UJQ
In verse Verse 3 says of Amazing grace are the following words
The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.
We turn back to our Bibles and continue
Acts 5 from verse 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honoured by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
Peter and John did not have any cash on them, no silver or gold, no change, but what they offered was something better. This man had to look up at them. He had been crippled from birth what hope had he had in his life he has to be carried to the gate by some one or may be even more than one person
He was a sinner an an outcast. Let us now look at these two close friends Peter and John who had worked as fishermen they had gone through the same trauma of losing their teacher and friend overcoming the shock of Christ's resurrection, they are more like brothers.
So when they healed this man, the chains of sin that he had been wrapped around him from birth fell of him he was free. Amazing grace his chains have gone.
Peter never takes credit for the gift of healing, he was a witness to the power of God and the spirit as in verses 29 -32 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.
31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Are We we ashamed to own our lord,? If the disciples had not preached and given people hope where would we be to day? Luke who wrote the Acts of the apostles met some of these people who had been touched by God through the disciples. While Luke was on his travels he, being a doctor, was highly interested in healing and the power of God at work. The way God worked through Peter and the others. Even if they were cast out like sinners they were forgiven and healed.
People who are CAUGHT IN THE DARKNESS OF SIN, SHAME, LOSS, today can be
given the same gifts of healing and hope. Christians pray together to respond to the calling of the Spirit. It is this Holy Spirit who gives us the courage to respond. But why do we hesitate when the message is of good news love, hope, and eternal life? Is it because we find it hard, because life has been tough? The disciples were put in jail and been beaten for their faith. We must not be afraid of commitment. When prompted we must put our faith, our belief and trust in
Jesus, to reach out to others whether it is over the internet or face to face.
Just Trust and obey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB4KcleYiWM
The history behind this powerful hymn can be found following the link below
There is a saying when the going gets tough the tough get going, or as some say when the going gets tough, run ( meaning run away from it) , of course we cannot do it in our own strength, we may feel like running away but there is no running from God he knows where you are at all times He watches over you as a good parent watches over their child. But for Peter and John. They put their trust in Jesus Christ in his strength and in His name they acted.
So let us walk our land with fire of the Spirit in our hearts. To do all things in and through the power of Jesus,
There is a hymn written by the songwriter Graham Kendrick. We'll walk the land With hearts on fire And every step will be a prayer Hope is rising New day dawning Sound of singing Fills the air
Two
thousand years And still the flame Is burning bright
Across the land
Hearts are waiting Longing, aching
For awakening Once again
We'll walk for truth
Speak out for love In Jesus' name We shall be strong To
lift the fallen To save the children To fill the nation
With your song.
We'll walk the land
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXYxmU73-yo
As
you close from reading and participating in this virtual service
may the Living Lord go with you; May he go behind you, to
encourage you,
beside you, to befriend you, above you, to watch
over you,
beneath you, to lift you from your sorrows,
within
you, to give you the gifts of faith, love, and hope,
and always
before you, to show you the way. Amen.
Go Make Of All Disciples
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrHmgGJrMI8
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