Week beginning 25th July 2021

Today was a great day. We resumed regular worship at chapel after a break of over 16 months. This is most of the service at chapel this morning.

Opening Hymn:

And are we yet alive? MHB 709

(We specifically referenced verse 3)

We sang this hymn to the tune “Cranbrook”

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night (Cranbrook) - YouTube

1 And are we yet alive,
And see each other's face?
Glory and praise to Jesus give
For His redeeming grace.

2 Preserved by power divine
To full salvation here,
Again in Jesus' praise we join,
And in His sight appear.

3 What troubles have we seen,
What conflicts have we passed,
Fightings without, and fears within,
Since we assembled last.

4 But out of all the Lord
Hath brought us by His love;
And still He doth His help afford,
And hides our life above.

5 Then let us make our boast
Of His redeeming power,
Which saves us to the uttermost,
Till we can sin no more.

6 Let us take up the cross
Till we the crown obtain;
And gladly reckon all things loss,
So we may Jesus gain.

Charles Wesley 1707 - 1788

Bible reading Psalm 23. Taken from the Authorised Version.

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

We are meeting to celebrate an important step on our journey, the return of at least some of our freedoms, in particular the ability to meet together to worship God. It is right that we celebrate this, and give thanks to God for our safe deliverance from at least some of our problems.

But of course, some have less to give thanks for, and we also need to remember their situations and needs.

How often have we heard recently something like “we are living in strange times”? Certainly, I cannot ever remember living through a time like this. Restrictions on what we can and cannot do; where we can and cannot go; how we can travel, and in some cases being unable to travel. Being unable to meet together for worship for months at a time. I have never been so long without being able to go to church in my life.

These recent months have brought out the best in some people; community spirit, volunteering, helping: and the worst in others; argumentative behaviour, refusal to follow rules “you can’t make me……”: tale-telling and selfrighteousness.

For many, these have been very difficult times from a mental health point of view. Those of us who can only stand so much of our own company have at times been in a very dark place. Some people have fallen victim to “cabin fever”. Of course, others have lost loved ones in trying circumstances, and been unable to meet to say goodbye.

Personally my dark time came fairly early in the first lockdown. Having survived a heart attack in December of the previous year, I was on my journey of rehabilitation. The realisation that I was not immediately going to drop dead without warning had only come on me gradually. Suddenly, I was faced with a small, but statistically significant, chance that I might contract a fatal illness and become another statistic. I’m sure that many people faced similar fears through this period.

Truly, for many people this was “the valley of the shadow of death”. But, we can have the assurance that, just as God is with us in the good times, the things for which we give thanks, so he is with us in the bad times as well. He has, and will enable us to meet the “the valley of the shadow of death” with his presence, just as we meet the “green pastures”.

The world will never be the same. Many of us will have started something new during the last 18 months, which we have never done before; There were various things which congregation members had started for the first time, including: writing poetry, joining a gym and origami There is no “undo” button on actions such as these, they are now a part of our journey, the world will never be the same. God is with us in this part of our lives as well. We are not “going back” to normality. We are going on. The church may have to adapt what we do, and how we do it. We need to ask how this aspect of our lives has changed.

What shall we offer our good Lord? MHB 784

#9 - Virtual Choir - What shall we offer our Good Lord - YouTube

The notices were read and the offering received

The sands of time are sinking MHB 637

The Sands of Time Are Sinking --Together for the Gospel III [Live] - YouTube

Our hymn book only had the first four verses.

Have you had time on your hands.? We often hear children say “I’m bored”

I have been travelling on trains quite a lot. The journey could be very tedious, but I have found looking at the route and landscape I can work out where steam trains took water and where the coal waggons empted. How the old line cut through the undergrowth and also old platforms that have been left to decay, how time has changed things I find fascinating, there are quite a few aspects of time in the Bible.

starting with Genesis 8:22. “As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

and in the 2^nd book of Peter Chapter 3 verse 8.he writes “ But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

It is only mankind that has made time run like clock work we know that a minute is a unit of time measurement that is equal to 60 seconds 60 minutes of an hour. And there are 24 hours in a day. There are also different types of calendars years such as the common calendar with a leap year. Also there is the Gregorian, and Julian. These calendars have a different number of days depending on the time the earth takes to make a single rotation around the sun.

We use calendars and diaries to remember and record important moments in time like birthdays and medical appointments and Sundays to keep them holy.

As a child one church that my dad preached at used an hour time glass. I must admit it kept my Dad focussed on the importance of the message. He told us that the timer ran out as he was saying the grace. This hour glass captivated me, At my high school the science lab. had one that sat on the windowsill. Sir gave as the opportunity to make one.

An hour glass is an ancient way of measuring time. Some are still use today to time eggs. Who has an egg timer ? I have. I love to tip it up to watch the sand fall so much better than a ticking ringer. As a child I had a game called  Boggle. Does anyone remember it ? It  is a timed word game where players attempt to find as many connected words as possible from the face up letters resting in a 25 cube grid. When the timer runs out, players compare their list of words and remove any shared words. It can still be bought today.

There is a saying you may have heard or used

“Time and tide wait for no man.”  It is a proverb which has found its way through history albeit with uncertain provenance.  The list of authors who may have penned it include St. Marher in 1225, Geoffrey Chaucer in 1368, later by Charles Dickens plus many more over the years

The notion of 'tide' being beyond man's control brings up images of the King Canute story. He demonstrated to his courtiers the limits of a king's power by failing to make the sea obey his command. That literal interpretation of 'tide' in 'time and tide' is what is now usually understood, but that wasn't what was meant in the original version of the expression. 'Tide' didn't refer to the contemporary meaning of the word, that is, the rising and falling of the sea, but to a period of time. When this phrase was coined tide meant a season, or a time, or a while. The word is still with us in that sense in 'good tidings', which refers to a good event or occasion and Whitsuntide, noontide etc.

Today we have made time to come together Jonathan and myself have taken time in planning for this service. God has given us time therefore we should us it wisely In the book of Jeremiah chapter 29 verses 11-12 he writes

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

Prayer

Lord help us to take time to be holy,
we come together to learn of about your love for us
there are many to day that are weak, frail and isolated, Lord strengthen them may they know your comfort and peace
Lord God the world rushes on; help us to spend time in secret with you Lord
Help us to be more like you son that through our conduct others will see His likeness Lord help us to take time to be holy, be our guide may we never get ahead of you that we lose our way or so far behind that we give up.
Lord In our joy or in our sorrow, may we follow you and trust in you word
Lord help us to take time to be holy, fill our souls with your peace may
each thought and each motive be beneath your control.
Lead us by your spirit to fountains of love, that we may soon be fitted
for your service above. Amen.

Take time to be holy MP 625

Take Time to be Holy - YouTube

Ecclesiastes 3 : 1 – 14 New International Version

1 There is a time for everything,   and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2   a time to be born and a time to die,   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3   a time to kill and a time to heal,   a time to tear down and a time to build,
4   a time to weep and a time to laugh,   a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5   a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,  a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6   a time to search and a time to give up,  a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7   a time to tear and a time to mend,  a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8   a time to love and a time to hate,  a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What do workers gain from their toil?

10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.

He has also set eternity in the human heart;

yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 

12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil – this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure for ever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

There Is A Time
By Walter E. Isenhour

There is a time to work and play, A time to eat and sleep;
A time to study and to pray, A time to laugh and week;
A time for fellowship that's sweet, A time for sacred song;
But never is there time to treat A human being wrong.

There is a time to lift men up And help them on life's road;
A time to drain their bitter cup And share their heavy load;
A time to bless them with our grace And boost them all along;
But never is there time and place To treat our fellows wrong.

There is a time to help men seek Our God who saves the soul;
A time to show them that the meek Shall reach life's highest goal;
A time to help them turn aside And leave the wicked throng;
But never did our God provide A time to treat men wrong

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. these words still speaks to us today

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.  For he says,

“In the time of my favour I heard you,  and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.

Luke recorded the Acts of the apostles in chapter 1 verses 1 – 8 he writes to Theophilus

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with  the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Go forth and tell, MP 178

Go Forth And Tell! (Tune: Woodlands) - YouTube

Lord, you have been our dwelling place  throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born  or you brought forth the whole world,   from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Benediction:

May God fill you with His love

may Jesus bless you with His Grace

May the Holy Spirit enfold you with peace.

Amen

Week beginning 18th July

 

Song:

Come let us sing of a wonderful love - YouTube

Reading: Psalm 40, verses 1 to 5.

Song: In loving-kindness Jesus Came.

He Lifted Me - YouTube

Reading: Matthew’s gospel, chapter 9, verses 9 to 12.

Reading: Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 13, verses 1 to 8

Recently, a writer in our local paper used references to scripture, and particularly the teachings of Jesus, to bolster their argument. A response by another writer stated that whilst they had not forgotten the teachings of Jesus, “we live in an age far removed from his original preachings. Yes, in an ideal world they are words of wisdom and compassion which we should all applaud.”

This is a serious misunderstanding of the Christian message. To suggest that the teachings of Jesus are only applicable “in an ideal world” takes no account of the fact that the world to which Jesus came was well short of perfect, in fact it was because it was imperfect that he came at all. This point is emphasised by Jesus’s words when he says that he came not to the righteous, but to sinners, “Those who are well do not need a doctor.” Similarly, the old testament prophets were called because the people had strayed away from the ideal.

Over the years, I have asked a number of people to come along to church, and on several occasions received a response along the lines of “Well, I’d like to come, but I don’t think I’m good enough!” Jesus does not call us to become “good enough”, he calls us to follow.

There was a preacher who was concerned that all he was doing was “preaching to the converted”. One Sunday, after the service, a steward came into the vestry with the news that a member of the congregation had had their coat stolen. The preacher’s response was unexpected, “Hallelujah!” he shouted, “We have had a sinner in!”

Many years ago, there was a TV situation comedy, broadcast on Yorkshire Television, called “Hallelujah!”, which featured Thora Hird as a Salvation Army Captain, and followed her misadventures. (Episodes are available on line, search for; Hallelujah TV series. In one episode, someone had said to her that they would not come to church “because it was full of hypocrites”. Her response was “No, its not full, there’s room for plenty more!” These two stories, (at least one of which is fictional” make the point that the church is for the sinners, something which is apparently lost on many Christians.

The newspaper correspondence referred to earlier centred around the debate about how we look after, welcome and control immigrants and refugees. Clearly this is not a simple subject, nor is it without controversy, and this is not the place to discuss the details. However, the writer of the second letter made reference to the need for a miracle on the scale of the feeding of the 5000 if numbers are not severely restricted. The old testament is quite lucid on the subject, referring several times to the need to look after the needs of the widow, orphan and foreigner. It also makes clear how this “miracle” is to be achieved. In Leviticus, one of the ways in which the foreigners are to be looked after, is by deliberately leaving produce in the fields for the benefit of those in need; another is by giving a part of your produce (income) so that the dispossessed can be fed. In modern terms, this amounts to not being greedy.

Finally, Paul reminds us of this obligation in his letter to the Hebrews, where he says that is we entertain strangers (foreigners) we may entertain angels unknowingly.  The implication is that by refusing to offer hospitality to foreigners, we may reject angels, (messengers of God). We can all learn about God from some of the most unexpected sources!

The church does not exist to make people feel happy in their comfortable worlds.  It does not exist so that the righteous can keep the others out. Rather, it exists to "comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable."  This quote is attributed to several different sources, but expresses my beliefs.

Song: I was sinking deep in sin.

Love Lifted Me with Lyrics - YouTube

Prayer:

Our God, you hold our lives in your hands.

You have promised to give us a new heart and to put a new spirit in us.

We pray: renew us everyday.

Forgive us where we have failed to be good stewards and to be good neighbours. Give us the courage to think beyond our own lives; to live and consume responsibly so that our near and far neighbours can experience their full dignity, and that we can help restore and admire the beauty of our communities and of this earth.

Our God, you hold our world in your hands. You hear your creation groaning but you have promised to liberate it from its pain.

We pray: renew our world.

Forgive those of us who haven’t used their power wisely.

Give us and our leaders the courage to think beyond our own economies; to seek genuine partnerships so that all people can experience the fullness of life, and that our planet is known to be the common home for all creation and future generations. Amen.

Taken from: renewourworld.net

Song:

Will you come and follow me - YouTube

Week beginning July 11th 2021

Sunday 11^th July

The love of God is greater far: please watch to the end they clap near the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzDit0V96I4

Psalm 86:15

“But you, my Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy; you are very patient and full of faithful love.”

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you that you are a loving, gracious God. Thank you that you’ve offered us forgiveness and the gift of new life in you. Thank you that your love is perfect, it never fails, and that nothing can separate us from your love.

We pray that our lives would be filled and overflowing with the power of your love so we can make a difference in this world and bring honour to you. We ask for your help in reminding us that the most important things are not what we do outwardly, it’s not based on any talent or gift, but the most significant thing we can do in this life is simply to love you and to choose to love others.

Lord thank you that your love is patient. Help us show patience with those around us.

Lord thank you that your love is kind. Help us to extend kindness to others.

Lord thank you that true love is not jealous. Help us cast aside feelings of jealousy or hatred towards others.

Lord thank you that your love does not brag and is not arrogant. Help us not to live with pride or arrogance, but to choose to walk with humility and grace.

Lord thank you that true love does not act unbecomingly. Lord help us to extend kindness instead of rudeness towards others. Help us to lay aside the critical tone and tearing down with our words, so that we can truly walk in peace.

Lord thank you that true love does not seek its own. Lord help us not to live selfishly, looking only to our own interests.

Lord thank you that true love is not provoked. Lord help us not to become easily angered. Help us not to be so quickly reactive, but instead slow to speak and slow to become angry. Lord thank you that your love does not take into account a wrong suffered. Lord help us not to hold grudges, but to choose to forgive, even when it’s difficult. Lord thank you that your love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. Lord help us to love your words of truth, may we walk in your freedom and wisdom. Let it be what drives our lives and choices every day.

Lord thank you that your love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, thank you that your love never fails.

Help us to love as you love. Fill us with your Spirit so that we can choose what is best. We are weak Lord, but we know also, that even when we are weak, you are strong within us. Thank you that it’s not all up to us. Thank you that you equip us to face each day with the power of your love, your forgiveness, and your grace. AMEN

Taken from www.debbiemcdaniel.com

1 Chronicles 16:34

“Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his faithful love endures forever.”

Forever

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUH_NzfRmbs

As we look back through history there were people who were held up as inspired leaders. They were of their time; statues that were revered are now being removed.

But as we look into Gods word, it spoke then, as it does now. He is forever faithful. Forever, never waning, never fickle, never hurting. Full of grace and love. God’s love is wonderful. Higher than anything we can imagine. The highest mountain I have been up is Snowdon in Wales, and once l was at the top the view was breathtaking. Made me appreciate the vastness and beauty of God, But soon a very low cloud descended and everything became obscure. It is like life when troubles overwhelm us, just as the clouds covered the vista, the panorama was there but out of sight, we cannot see God but He is always there for us, covering us in his love. When depression brings us low, God’s love is under us, he lifts us up and holds us in his love. When we look at the whole wide earth and see all the wars, hurt and bloodshed, famine, and the devastation and power of nature; even through all this, God’s love is so wide He wraps His creation in love, for God is Love.

God’s love is wonderful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNhdfOAvxJs

 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and 8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages  and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! 10 But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. 11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.[c] All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost, taught by thee, we covet most

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDy7aSN99_M

In the 1970’s there was a “Love is” ……… on calenders, tea towels, bags and lots of merchandise you may not be old enough to remember.

Please look at

http://the-perfect-line.blogspot.com/2012/04/love-is-kim-grove-all-comics-1960s.html

The “love is” inspired me to write these words when I was thirteen years of age

Love is the sea crashing to the shore,

Love is the sigh of winter knowing spring will come once more,

love is a prayer being silently said,

love is a pillow where ones lays their head..

God sends his love on gentle wings of a dove.

Giving His love to share. Giving His love to care.

For “Love is”. GOD x

Poem By S. Youdan

on the wings of a dove lyrics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re8zGk47GNM

For God’s love encompasses all. It reaches to every dark crevice and fills every need or longing. It gives power to forgive and to let go of the past. It releases sin’s hold and gives peace to the hurting. It is powerful and surpasses our own knowledge and understanding.

It is “wide.” It stretches to a greater expanse and extent than we can ever imagine.

It is “long.” It encompasses the length of our days, before and all beyond.

It is “high.” It reaches to the highest heavens.

It is “deep.” It extends to the deepest pit. His love never fails.

Prayer:

Dear God, We thank you that you indeed are powerful and loving, that out of your glorious riches you strengthen us through your Spirit in our inner being. We ask you for the fresh filling of your Holy Spirit, we ask for your power and love to fill us. We thank you that as believers we know that Christ dwells richly within our hearts through faith. We pray that you would strengthen our roots and establish our lives firmly in your love. When the world shouts hate, help us to love. When the past won’t let go, help us to love. When the enemy taunts with lies and surrounds with darkness, help us to love. When a relationship feels broken or we’re betrayed or rejected, help us to love.

Help us to love, and to keep on loving. By the power of your Spirit. Even when it seems impossible. Even when it doesn’t make sense. May our lives be filled with your goodness and power, today and every day, as we walk in your Spirit of love. Amen

By Debbie McDaniel

All people need to be loved, That is why God gave his only son to show how much he loved us and still does, therefore share love.

All people can be loved. how can they be loved if they have not heard? The message of Gods saving love is shown through Jesus. Therefore share and show His love.

All people can know they are loved. How can they know they are loved?

By our actions as we share that Love with with all we meet and we with our fellow Christians. .

All people can be loved to the uttermost. How is that possible? By Christ when he shed His blood on the cross to save us from our sins. Pure love in action. Go then and tell that. The greatest love of all is Gods love for it is

everlasting ever faithful.

I have often thought about the words of St Paul as he sat and wrote to the early church in Corinth. I have used most of his words in this next prayer.

Use the Pauses to think about the words you have just read.

Lord God If I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.

Pause Fill me with your Love O God  

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;  but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

Pause Fill me with your Love O God

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud  or rude.

Pause Fill me with your Love O God .

Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

Pause Fill me with your Love O God

Love does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, Pause

Fill me with your Love O God,

Love does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out Pause Fill me with your Love O God

 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  Pause

Fill me with your Love O God

Love never gives up, never loses faith,

Pause Fill me with your Love O God

Love is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Pause Fill me with your Love O God, this day and always Amen

Come let us all unite to sing. Hope you like this different tune

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcJKEk3XbB8

1 John 4:7-8 “Dear friends, let’s love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God. The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love.” —

St Paul writes to the Romans

Living Bible

5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Prayer

Thank you for loving me, for filling me with you your love. Thank you for your son Jesus your love coming from heaven to earth. Thank you for your spirit living in and guiding me, Thank you that I can share your Love with other. Thank you for taking away my sins. Father God fill me father with your love and peace amen.

Love Divine All Loves Excelling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGGcqhKShQ8T

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you, now and evermore.

Amen.
We end as we began
The love of God please watch to the end they clap near the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97w-I87urvo

God Bless you. Susannah.