Monday 23 May 2022

week beginning 22nd May

 

Loss and Hope


O God our help in ages past.

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


Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have not made us for darkness and death, but for life with you for ever. Without you we have nothing to hope for; with you we have nothing to fear.
Speak to us now your words of eternal life.
Lift us from anxiety and guilt to the light and peace of your presence,
and set the glory of your love before us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


There is one thing that is for sure, no one can live for ever on this earth.

Most of us know the sadness of losing a loved one, but it is is how we deal with this loss,, It can make us stronger, or break us.

Our emotions are all over the place; We may feel angry; the pain too deep to talk about.

We feel the need to blame someone or something, or even to blame God.


Two sisters in the Bible were mourning the loss of their brother


John 11:1-44 You can read it here.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011:1-44&version=NIV


I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygeOKX-ZiZY


No winter without a spring
And beyond the dark horizon
Our hearts will once more sing ….
For those who leave us for a while
Have only gone away
Out of a restless, care worn world
Into a brighter day

Helen Steiner Rice.


In the last few months my Mother and her sister have both left me for ever.

My mum was my best friend, The hardest thing is wanting to tell them something about the events of the day, and I find it hard. Mum and I spoke on the phone every day. And in the last few months I never left her. She had a faith in God, she knew she would be called to glory. Knowing her faith and bring me up in her faith, I came to faith myself. I have talked to Jesus a lot more, and I have asked him to help me, He understands. He felt the pain of the two sisters, he was moved to tears. By the miracle of raising Lazarus from death he showed he is the resurrection and the life. We know this for a fact, for we celebrate the risen Lord every Easter. So try not to blame God but to ask Him to be there when all things are hard.


The 23rd psalm Jesus would have known from being young;

when Jesus walked the road to his death through the darkest valley, God was with him. Jesus is our hope, our living Lord filling us with his peace and love. So friend, ask him for his comfort as you walk through your dark valley, He is always with you

Jesus said he is the good shepherd and he will lead us to everlasting love follow him.


A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2   He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths  for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;  my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me  all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.


The Lord is my Shepherd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm0bt175ZLs


H. Healing hands of God wait lo comfort you

O. Others know and offer you their care

P. Peace of God passes all understanding He will be by your side

E. Eternal life is for all who believe

He is God of all Hope.

There is a hope

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_yv5yGZnBc


Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I ask you to give me peace in my mind and body. I want you to heal me, fill me with your strength. Everything is causing me, grief, and sorrow. Please comfort me and guide my path through life, and lead me to the everlasting love of your arms. I ask this in your Name. Amen

I am in need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUQJzlmDSF4



Benediction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovMrbNAW-sI


Monday 16 May 2022

Week beginning 15th May

Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzM9P_Gqw-s


Friend although you are reading this alone you are united with your brothers and sisters in faith throughout the world. So through the power of the holy spirit you are joined together when you read this prayer.


As we stand in awe of your goodness and mercy today, we invite you to be present amongst us by the power of your Holy Spirit. Father, we declare that we love you. Thank you that you have made the way of love known through your son Jesus Christ. We pray that you would reveal this great love to us all today as we gather to worship. Lead us by your Spirit to praise you. May our hearts overflow with thanksgiving and our mouths proclaim your everlasting greatness. In the wonderful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.


Reading: Psalm 99


The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Great is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name-- he is holy. The King is mighty, he loves justice-- you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right. Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy. Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the LORD and he answered them. He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.
O LORD our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds. Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.


When we say the Lords prayer we use the word Hallowed. Hallowed means Holy,

We could use the words “most holy is thy name.”


Prayer of praise, confession & Lords prayer


Dear God, We praise you today with our hearts and songs, we praise you for your faithfulness, we praise you for your great power and love.

Teach us the power of a thankful heart. We know that Your truth dwells within us.

We give you thanks O LORD, how majestic is your holy name You have set your glory above the heavens. You who created each one of in your own image, teach us your ways, be ever merciful. Father God touch our hearts. For you O God are full of Love and mercy. Mighty Holy God, touch our lips and make them clean, take away our sin and guilt, make us pure and worthy to be in your presence, for Holy is your name. O God for ever Holy, We thank you father for you son who taught us when we pray to say together; 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.

Guy Penrod - Revelation Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3IUqz10ARE




O T Reading Isaiah 6: 1 – 6

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;   the whole earth is full of his glory.’ 4 At the sound of their voices the door posts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 ‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.’ 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.’

Prayers for world peace

Lord Jesus, You came that the world might know the peace that You have experienced with the Father eternally. Yet, You taught us that in this life there will be wars and rumours of wars. Nations will rise against nations as violence works itself out in the world. However, through You, the world may be saved. O Lord, send Your spirit into the hearts of all people, that the world might know true peace through Your abundant mercy. In the name of Jesus, hear our prayer

 Lord, put an end to the shedding of innocent blood around the world. Destroy the schemes of the wicked. We pray for those who create conflict. That peaceful solutions may be found, we pray for the innocent who have been hurt, for those who are mourning the death of their loved ones killed in conflict. For the destitute, the refugee, that they may find shelter love and your peace. Quench the insatiable fire of the greedy. May Your kingdom come and your will be done, may the prince of peace live in the hearts of all people. In the name of Jesus, hear our prayer. Amen


poem

Let there be Love& peace on earth And let it begin with you
Let there be Love & peace on earth
The peace that was given new
With God as creator
children all are we.
Let us walk with each other
In perfect harmony.
Let love & peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step we take
Let this be our solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With Love & peace eternally.
Let there be Love & peace on earth,
And let it begin right now

Altered by S Youdan 27 /4 /2022


Let there be love shared among us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be0PnbdKkkc

Reading: The Acts of the Apostles, chaptrer 4 : verses 1 to 31. Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin


Holy, is the Lord

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


The English word "holy" dates back to at least the 11th century with the Old English word hālig, an adjective derived from hāl meaning "whole" and used to mean "uninjured, sound, healthy, entire, complete". The Scottish hale ("health, happiness and wholeness") is the most complete modern form of this Old English root. The word holiday comes from the old English word  hāligdæg (hālig "holy" + dæg "day"). The word originally referred only to special religious days. In modern use, it means any special day of rest or relaxation, as opposed to normal days away from work or school.


What is the biblical definition of holy in the dictionary

Definition of holy. 1 : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness. 2 : divine for the Lord.

Holy is God Psalms 99

Holy dedicated or consecrated to God. The Holy Bible is filled with Holy scripture, the word of God. At Christmas we receive cards, some depicting the holy family, and sing carols filled with Holy works of God, one of the carols is O Holy night, another is Still the night, Holy night.

Holy Week In Churches, the week before Easter is called Holy Week. During this week Christians recall the events leading up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and his Resurrection. The week includes five days of special significance. The first is Palm Sunday which commemorates Jesus’ humble entry (on a donkey) into Jerusalem, Maundy Thursday marks Jesus’ institution of the Last Supper a central element of Christian worship. Good Friday commemorates Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross, Holy Saturday, also called Easter Vigil, This is the traditional end of Lent.  Easter Sunday is the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.

To be made Holy.

It is our nature to be sinful, None of us are fit to be in the presence of God, let alone to worship him. But Our God is a Loving God who by his son has washed our sins away.

Jesus took our sins by dying on the cross. He was free from sin; by his blood we are Purified, washed clean of sin, for he took our sins upon himself and God to forgive us. This why we can come to God as we are; he will fill us with His love and brings to us peace In our first reading Isaiah said   ‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.’ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.’

Holy Spirit

Being baptised is a dedication to God. Washing away the impure allowing the Holy Spirit to enter. When Jesus was baptised by His cousin John the baptist, the  Holy Spirit descended on Jesus  in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Holy Places We see these throughout the Bible holy sacred Places Moses standing on Holy ground at the burning Bush Exodus 3: 1 – 5

The Holy Land

is the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth and the site of his ministry;

Holy mountain.

Where is the holy mountain in the Bible? In the Bible, Mount Sinai  is the mountain at which the Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God. In the Book of Deuteronomy, (Moses face glowed in the radiance of God.) these events are described as having transpired at Mount Horeb. "Sinai" and "Horeb" are generally considered to refer to the same place by scholars.

Psalm 99: 9

Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain,  for the Lord our God is holy.

On holy on the mountain of transfiguration Jesus became pure radiant.  Luke 9:28–36


Holy of holies

the inner chamber of the sanctuary in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, separated by a veil (a very heavy special curtain) from the outer chamber. It was reserved for the presence of God and could be entered only by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement. Most important day when the Jewish people confessed their sins and were reconciled with God.

Holy Eve, Hallowe’en is the day before all saints day. From the 17 century, ghosts, evil dark spirits were said to have walked the earth on this day. Children played Parlour games of apple bobbing and listened to ghost stories. This is what it has become to day. But in the twelfth century children would go round praying for the souls of the departed. as a thank you they were given soul cake. The following morning the churches would pray for the Holy saints which has became as all saints day.


Holy Spirit is referred to as the Lord and Giver of Life in the Nicene creed. It is The Creator Spirit, present before the creation of the universe and through it’s power everything was made in Jesus Christ, by God

The Believers Pray taken from the reading from Acts 4 : 24- 27 “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.


Holy Servant Jesus, Son of the most high God, Redeemer, Saviour. Our Lord, our brother, prophet, Priest, Teacher, and king, Prince of peace, Holy One.

Holy God’s love in action as a human man

In the hymn Jesus is king, the words say;

Oh Holy One, Our Hearts Do Adore You
Thrilled With Your Goodness We Give You Our Praise
Angels In Light With Worship Surround Him

Jesus, Our Saviour, Forever The Same “


Jesus is King

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km-zgzp-7wk


So friends let us strive thirst for holiness. Avoid. .. the tendency to make judgements about others Set yourself apart. and Practice self-control. love others in the same as as God loves you. The Holy Spirit lives with in you it is Gods breath that fill you and me. for God is holy so then is His breath. endeavour to be holy.

Our closing hymn one of the verses says: O holy, holy, holy Lord, the God of hosts, by all adored,
through heaven and earth your creatures see the glory of your majesty.


We praise and worship thee, O God

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1c85Te7A-c

Father God. God most holy. Fill us with your love, Jesus holy servant. Jesus fill us with your grace, Holy Spirit blessed Spirit fill us with your peace this day and always.

Amen.

Monday 9 May 2022

Week beginning 8th May

 

They knew it was the Lord

Song; Jesus shall take the highest honour

Jesus Shall Take The Highest Honour - YouTube


Prayer:

Father, today is a day of new beginnings.

On the first day of the week you began your work of creating life out of nothing.

On the first day of the week you raised Jesus and began your work of creating new life from death.

On the first day of the week you sent your spirit and began your work of creating new life in everyone.

Help us to live as people who have begun to live again; to live today and every day with the life which comes to us through Jesus Christ our Lord.


Father, we thank you that every day you give us new opportunities to put right what is wrong, to correct some fault in our character, to do some duty we have neglected and so to demonstrate in action our trust in you.

But we let many opportunities slip by; we are so preoccupied that we do not see them, or when we do see them, we are too timid to grasp them. Forgive us these failings.

Make us alert to see the fresh opportunities you are always giving us, and grant us the courage and the will to seize and use them.

Amen.


Reading: 1st book of Kings, chapter 17, verses 8 to 24


Song; More about Jesus

More about Jesus would I know / English Christian Worship Song / Christian Hymns and Worship Song - YouTube


Reading: John’s gospel, chapter 21, verses 1 to 14.


Song; At your feet we Fall

At Your feet we fall - YouTube


Reading: 1st letter to the Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 1 to 11


Song; I am Thine, O Lord;

I am Thine O Lord, I have heard thy voice - YouTube


They knew it was the Lord

Some years ago I was given a gift of a book token. I went with my wife to the local Christian bookshop to spend it. We were confronted with a vast array of books on religious subjects. I turned to my wife and said “Haven’t we made it complicated?”


Resurrection appearance, by the sea of Galilee is the last recorded by John. The disciples had really been through it. At best, these had been confusing times. What did they do? They did what people always do, they did what was familiar, they went fishing.


As is common with fishermen, a passing stranger asked them if they had “had any luck?” No, they said. He gave them instructions, “Throw the net to the right.” There resulted a large catch. This would have been reminiscent of the previous occasion when there had been a miraculous catch. .


There are lots of details given in this story. Firstly, there were 153 fish. It is not clear whether there is any significance to this number. Many 1000s of words have been written, looking for significance, but nothing is clear from text. “Haven’t they made it complicated?”

Then there was a fire of burning coals. This is mentioned in one other place, the High priest’s courtyard, where Simon’s denied Jesus. Perhaps this is a reminder to the disciples of this incident..


Finally there was fish and bread, already there on the fire. Fish and bread would have been a reminder of the feeding of the 5000? Reminder?


We are told that “They knew it was the Lord.” How did they know? They had seen Him in the familiar. They didn’t need anything more difficult! It was obvious to them.


In the preface to “Clearing away the Rubbish”, (Minstrel, an imprint of Monarch Publications, 1988) Adrian Plass says. “I became a Christian when I was sixteen years old, but it wasn’t until I was thirty-seven that absorbed an essential truth. God is nice and he likes me.”

He goes on to bemoan the difficulty that many Christians have with talking confidently about their faith in a way which uses everyday language


In management training course, I was taught a simple acronym; KISS. It stands for “Keep It Simple Stupid!”


Why don’t we? Why do we use language that others never use. We talk about sin; faith; salvation; atonement; all words which many people neither use, nor understand.


When we speak, we speak in ways that immediately mark us out as using “Christian language”. Years ago, channel 4 produced a documentary called “Priest Idol”. This was the story of the appointment of a new parish priest in Lundwood, near Barnsley. A local radio presenter, Toby Foster, was coaching the new priest in how to speak, how to tell his stories. The priest was asked to show him what he was going to say. Toby’s response was “People don’t talk like that!” (especially not round here!)


We concentrate on things that are not important to the hearer.


We concentrate on things about the way we do things, and the differences between us and the other groups. And of course ours is the right way!

If you are out in your town centre, listen to the street preachers and you will see what I mean.


In the story about Elijah. God is revealed in the simple things of life. Feeding and healing.


It doesn’t need to be complicated.


There is an old legend where someone asked the Devil after his fall, what he missed the most about heaven. The Devil is supposed to have replied, “I miss the sound of the trumpets in the morning” The late Colin Morris, a Methodist minister and president of conference, quotes this story. He went on to say that he wasn’t a morning person, and the finesse of the trumpet was lost on him. He thought that the church ought to be more like a bugle. Sounding a few notes (5) and transmitting clear, unambiguous messages above the noise of battle. This is the explanation of the title of one of his books “Bugles in the afternoon”.


The widow in Zarephath didn’t have many pages of complicated theology. She knew that she had been fed, and her son was restored to her.


The disciples in the boat, and later on the beach, did not have passionate speakers, or shops full of books. They recognised Jesus through a few simple acts.


I have had many conversations about my faith over the years. Few have stayed in my memory. One from over 40 years ago was with a young student, a few years younger than me. We were talking about the Christian Union, of which we were both members. He said that he liked the way I spoke about my faith, as I didn’t come across as “all holy”. I didn’t adopt a different manner when talking about God! There is no evidence that Jesus, or any of the prophets adopted a different language or manner of speaking when talking about God. Certainly Mark’s gospel is not written in polished literary language, something lost in translation.


If you would like an example of what I am saying, find a copy of “Ee By Gum, Lord! (Smith Settle Ltd, 1996) by Arnold Kellett.


They knew it was the Lord

Haven’t we made it complicated?”


Song; We have a gospel to proclaim

We Have a Gospel to Proclaim (Tune: Germany - 6vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube


Wednesday 4 May 2022

Week beginning 1st May

 

Song: Blessed Assurance

Blessed Assurance - YouTube



Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank you for your steadfastness and continual presence in our lives. Sometimes, we can feel you right next to us. But sometimes, it is hard to know that you are there at all. Sometimes life gets so difficult that our hearts just cannot feel you through the pain. Sometimes you take away those feelings so that we may seek you even more fervently.

I pray today, Father, that I may rely not on my own feelings but rather on your love for me. May I rely on your Word to be the truth that rules my life over my own understanding.

Help me to see you and believe in your character even though my feelings may tell me otherwise. You are kind, you are good, and you are gracious. You are both all-powerful and all-loving. You care deeply for me and for my loved ones. Be with me as I live out these truths no matter what my circumstances are today, Lord, as we walk forward together.

I love you and pray all of these things in your Son’s amazing name,

Amen.

stevoportal.com


Song: Jesu, lover of my soul

ABERYSTWYTH-JESU, LOVER OF MY SOUL - YouTube


Reading:

Letter to the Romans, chapter 7, verses 7 to 21.

Letter to the Romans, chapter 5.


Song: Rock of ages

Rock of Ages - YouTube


Why is there sin?

Sin has always been a problem for the inquiring mind. If God created a perfect world, why was there such evidence of imperfection?

In chapter 7, Paul details the problem, the problems of breaking the law of God.

In chapter 5, he had already explained the problem. Sin had entered God’s perfect creation through the disobedience of Adam. Placed in an idyllic setting, with only one restriction, Adam was tempted and submitted to that temptation. The sin was not in the temptation, we know that Jesus himself was tempted. The sin was in the action, the doing that which had tempted him.

Following on from this weakness, God had presented humanity with rules for living. First listed in the ten commandments, and subsequently expanded in the law.

Paul however, states that the existence of this body of law had become the problem rather than the solution. Once there are rules, there is the temptation to break those rules. The more attention is drawn to the rules, the more people will want to break those rules.

Paul states that God has provided the solution to this problem. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection have paved the way for us to be made right with God. The power of our sin has been over come. We have been justified, which is to say that God will treat us as if we had not sinned.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”


Song: Crown him with many crowns

CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS - YouTube