Week beginning 23rd October

 

Song: Abba Father

Abba, Father, Let Me Be [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Song: I’ve found a friend;

I’ve Found a Friend, O Such a Friend! (Metropolitan Tabernacle) - YouTube

Reading: Book of Jude, verses 1 to 4 and 16 to 25

Prayer:

Father, in these difficult times, we pray for our country. We pray that those who lead us may be men and women of conviction. May they be men and women of conviction, looking for what is best for the land.

We pray for those who have abandoned their Christian heritage.

Thank you, Father, for those men and women of faith who seek to serve others. May they speak the truth, and be gracious in their dealings with people.

We thank you for those who have had a Godly influence on our lives. We pray that you will use us, that we will be faithful, that we may stand strong.

In Jesus’ name. Amen

Song: I have decided to follow Jesus

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus ~ Cedarmont Kids ~ lyric video - YouTube

To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

The letter was written in the late first century, and is intended for those who are a nuisance in the fellowship. The intention of the author was to write to encourage steadfastness, but he felt compelled to address the issue of false teaching. This is as relevant now as it was in the first century.

It is addressed “To those Called”. Faith is personal. People are called. Even if people have been brought up in the faith, faith has to become personal. God knows all about each one of us.

Jude urges us to keep strong in Jesus. He was “compelled to write”; the original intention had to go. We are urged to “contend” for the faith. That is to say, we should strive, or dispute for our corner. It is fighting talk (not literally). We should stand up for Christian Truth, whether it is liked or not. The land needs God’s truth.

This brings up the question; do we have that strength?

The strength is in the faith entrusted to all God’s people. It has always been the case that people have had to contend for the truth. That is not to say that we should be rude in our assertions. This will achieve nothing. But, we will be at odds with certain sections of society.

There is a verse from a hymn, “O word of God incarnate;

 The Church from you, dear Master,
received the gift divine,
and still that light is lifted
o'er all the earth to shine.
It is the chart and compass
that, all life's voyage through,
mid mists and rocks and quicksands
still guides, O Christ, to you.

We need to know about Jesus; to live for Jesus; to speak of Jesus.

We need to ask the question “If I were on trial as a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me?” If we concluded that there would not be, sufficient evidence, then we should ask what we can do about it. What will make us strong? What will make us more faithful?

First letter to the Corinthians, chapter 16, verses 13 and 14 say;  Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

Song: My hope is built on nothing less

My hope is built on nothing less - YouTube

Song: This, This is the God we adore

This, This Is The God We Adore - YouTube

Week beginning 16th October

Song: All hail the power of Jesu’s name

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name! | Christ Church Psalm Sing - YouTube

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,
There are times in life when I feel overwhelmed. Times when I think I should be able to handle everything on my own and times when I’ve chosen not to ask for help. Forgive me, Lord, for not reaching out. Help me to see the blessing that comes with asking for help.

Your Word teaches us that as a body of Christ, we are designed to share our burdens. We are called to lift one another up and serve your children. You never intended for us to handle everything on our own. Help me remember this the next time I struggle with asking for help. Allowing others to help me opens the door for you to work in and through us.

Lord, you also promise to bless those who give. What a wonderful gift! Thank you for teaching us how important it is to ask for help. Bring to mind someone I can reach out to— a friend, family member, neighbour, or someone from church. I know you have the right person in mind who will be glad to help. Thank you for the blessings we receive when we help, serve, and give. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Taken from: www.christianevents.com.ng

Song: Jesus the name high over all

Jesus! the Name High Over All (Tune: Lydia - 6vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Reading: Acts chapter 8, verses 24 to 40

What can we tell from the story of Philip? He is portrayed as a servant, a preacher and an evangelist. He is recorded as one of 7 deacons appointed to assist in the life of the church.

Shortly after this story, Stephen was martyred and the church persecuted and scattered.

Philip was outside his religious and cultural zone. “Go to the road between Jerusalem and Gaza” was the message he received. This was a desert, in Samaria. The animosity between Jews and Samaritans is a matter of record. This would all have been in his mind, along with thoughts like “What do I do when I get there?” and “How will I know?”

On arrival, he is confronted by this Ethiopian and his entourage; he was a very powerful man who would not have been travelling alone. There would not have been just the one man in a chariot, he would have had a driver, and possibly other servant. There would have been outriders, escorts, and vehicles for the goods needed to make a long journey. Ethiopia was along way away. It was beyond the reaches of the Roman Empire.

Approaching this entourage, he would first have seen a cloud of dust. “How do I know who to contact?” he would have thought. Then he hears this man, reading from the scroll of Isaiah. Silent reading was not know at this time of history, so it would have been aloud. Philip hears, and know that this is his man. “Do you understand what you are reading?” he asked. “How can I?” comes the reply.

This unnamed Ethiopian has a faith in God. That would not have been so unusual; there were people who rejected the ways of the pagans, and accepted the God of the Jews. They were not full converts, or proselytes, they were know as God-fearers. He has made a journey of several weeks to worship. We can assume that he was wealthy, as well as having an important position, because he had his own copy of the scriptures (or at least part of them.)

He invited Philip, a total unknown, into his chariot. Philip begins his preaching by starting at the point where the man is. H refers the man to the prophecy of Isaiah in chapter 53. Where Isaiah predicts the sacrifice of Jesus.

“Why can’t I be baptised?” he asks. A eunuch could not be a proselyte, but could be baptised as a Christian.

The journey back to Ethiopia would have taken weeks. On the journey, the entourage, who had been an audience to all this, would have been talking. On arrival home, they would have been talking more to their friends and families, about their journey, and the unusual events. The eunuch would have read on further as the journey progressed, and presumably have reached at least chapter 56.

We know that the Coptic church in Ethiopia is very ancient. Could it be that it arose as a result of this, or a similar, event?

Philip went northwards, and evangelised the coastal cities. He ended up at Caesarea, home of the centurion Cornelius. Caesarea was not a Jewish city, and Philip became leader of the church there.

To take away from the story; We need to look for, and take, the opportunities that present themselves to us. We must start where people are. We must be enthusiastic, and full of the Spirit.

We never know where the seeds we cast will fall, and where they will grow.

Song: The church’s one foundation

The church's one foundation - YouTube

Week beginning 9th October

Song: Here from the world we turn

Moments of Prayer (Here From the World We Turn) - YouTube

Prayer:

Lord, we bring you our thanks. Thanks that we can come to worship you, knowing that we can worship you and pray anywhere. These are precious times when we meet in company with others, knowing that we are a part of something much larger. We give thanks for opportunities to sing, read your word and worship you.

We thank you for the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ with us, and the holy Spirit fulling and enabling us.

We thank you for the writers of the songs, and the saints who have walked this way before us. We pray for those who are unable to meet with us, for whatever reason.

We pray for the worldwide church, and its mission. We pray for the great company of people across the world, rejoicing in their witness, and that they will be blessed by being together to worship.

In the name of Jesus. Amen

Song: O worship the Lord

O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness (Tune: Was Lebet Was - 5vv) [lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for this time of prayer. For the knowledge that we have your ear as we pray for others.

We remember those with needs. There are many places in the world where people are in great need.

We pray for the people in the Ukraine, may there be a miracle of peace; we pray for those who are suffering, especially the children; we pray that they may feel your loving arms around them; we pray for those who have left their homes to become refugees, may they be welcomed in their new locations.

We pray for the church around the world, especially in places where there is persecution, where the Christians are not accepted. We pray for organisations which seek to support Christians in these places.

We pray for those in positions on responsibility, in the U.K. we pray for the new King and Prime minister.

We pray that the proclamation of the gospel may never cease, that those who carry the message to our towns and cities, to people’s doors, and in places of worship may not weary in their efforts.

We pray for the congregations across the world, that their needs, both physical and spiritual may be met by you. May they love, show mercy and pray as you have inspired them. In Jesu’s name. Amen

Song: My hope is built on nothing less

My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less (with lyrics) - The most BEAUTIFUL hymn! - YouTube

“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

This story is reported by Matthew (chapter 19) and Luke (chapter 18) as well as the version by Mark which we read today. In the New International version of the bible, this is headlined “The Rich Young Man” or “The rich and the kingdom of God.”

The man was a local leader, perhaps something like a magistrate. He sincerely approached Jesus, the man come to serve. He had a question about eternal life.

We can assume that this man had it all; status, wealth, and youth. We can imagine that he was a handsome figure, although the scripture is silent in this. In the modern world, he would probably have had many followers on Facebook! But there was gap in his life. He needed to be assured about immortality. He needed to know that his immortality would be spent with God.

We can ask ourselves whether he had been to the established religious leaders of the day. Had he done so and been disappointed? Whatever his past he came to Jesus. Perhaps he knew of him? Maybe he had heard him speaking?

Jesus was a poor man, not a “man of position”, but he was known as a healer, he was known to have answers.

The account seems to suggest that this was not a chance meeting. The man ran up to Jesus and fell on his knees. He spoke confidently, perhaps he had been rehearsing his question in advance? He didn’t want to miss the opportunity, he showed respect to Jesus. He called him “Good teacher” Perhaps so that the disciples would have approved.

Unlike Nicodemus, recorded by John, he came in public, he was not afraid to be seen talking to Jesus. He came confident that he would get an answer, but the answer was not the one he wanted and he went away disappointed. I appears that he did not plan to go anywhere else, as we say today he had no plan B!

Jesu’s response was to ask the man why he called him “Good”, there is noone good but God. Jesus was not denying his deity. He was saying to the man that he was desiring eternal life through doing things. “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” is the question. You cannot do enough good things to earn eternal life, Jesus is saying, and neither can we. Jesus says that the man knows the commandments, and he responds that he has done all these things. He was a fine upstanding citizen, “A nice Jewish Boy!” But he knew that this was not enough. He needed something more. What other good thing could he do?

We can assume that the had not heard the Sermon on the Mount, where we learn that it is not just visible actions that matter, but the internal matters, the thoughts and desires of the heart. Those things which are invisible to people, but visible to God.

Jesus could see into his heart. He knew what held him back. Jesus knew the sincerity of the question, and saw the torment in his soul. Jesus looked at him and loved him. He loved the lost sinner.

If you are reading this, and are not the Lord’s. What is the gap? What is keeping you from him? He died on the cross and took your sins, you have been cleansed, you can have the assurance that the rich young man lacked.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus referred to the seeds which fell among thorns, which sprang up and was choked. The choking was by (among other things) the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches.

It was not the riches which kept him from the kingdom, but the love of riches. Jesus told him “One thing you lack, Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

This is not one instruction but two. He could have given up his possessions and still not been saved. There is the need to follow as well!

Do we have to give up all our possessions? We need to remember that Jesus was training his disciples. Everything he did was to show them how to continue in their work. All his interactions with others train his disciples.

Jesus said “How hard it is” The disciples were amazed. All their tradition would have been telling them “this man has been blessed.” If he can’t be saved, then who can?”

Je3sis is showing them, and us, that  “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” God has to do a great work for this to happen. The man had to be convinced that he was a sinner. And he went away disappointed. Was he ever saved?; did he see or hear more?; was he present at the resurrection?; was he present at Pentecost?; unfortunately we don’t know these things; we can only pray that the answer is yes.

The wealth was not the problem, just the love of wealth, the reliance on wealth.

Recently, in the U.K. we have been mourning the death of our monarch, H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. A woman of great wealth, but a servant. Her calling was to serve, and a calling she fulfilled, and demonstrated her great faith.

We don’t all need to become hermits. We cannot make ourselves good. We cannot work our way into eternal life. We can’t let possessions be what we trust in. We must not trust in the wrong things. We must trust in Jesus.

We are called to be loving and caring. There may be sacrifices in this life, but they will be nothing when compared to the glory in eternity.

In the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul says “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

What is impossible for us?

Nothing is impossible for God.

Song: There is no love like the love of Jesus

There Is No Love Like The Love Of Jesus - No. 160 - The Gospel Singout Project with Lyrics - YouTube

Week beginning 2nd October

 

Harvest service

If you wish to participate in the holy communion, prepare with a little cup of water, juice or wine and a small piece of bread.

Hymn: How great thou art.

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

Reading: Psalm 8: verses 3 to 9

3 When I consider your heavens,  the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,  which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,  human beings that you care for them? 5 You have made them a little lower than the angels   and crowned them with glory and honour. 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: 7 all flocks and herds,  and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 Lord, our Lord,  how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Hymn: God in his love for us. Written by Rev Fred Pratt Green

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwBLsS6M4jQ

Prayer:
God you made this world and gave it a purpose in time and in space:
Small as a spark from the fire of creation you created a cradle of life and gave us a home.

Thanks you God for its bounty and beauty, thank you for life that sustains us.

We pray for those who are ill in body and mind:
You have provided plenty for all, help us to learn how to share it,

May all peoples turn from selfishness and pride.
Fill us with the love of your riches not worldly riches. Fill us with understanding of things that we have not dreamed of, may we seek your will, and to share your love with others ..
Long have our human wars ruined its harvest; Long has earth bowed to the terror of force

We pray for the people who are casualties of conflict.

We pray for leaders of countries that they may work together for good of all peoples.
Long have we wasted what others have need of, we pray for those in need of water food and clothing.
Water of life comes from our Lord but through our ignorance and sins we have poisoned the fountain of life at its source. Forgive us Jesus.

Earth is yours O Lord, it is ours to enjoy, we are your stewards, to farm and defend.
Help us to be wise, help us understand the damage of pollution,

help us all not to misuse, earths resources. And teach us to cease its destruction,
Good Lord, deliver us, world without end! Amen

Fred Pratt Green was born 2 September 1903 Roby, Lancashire, He was one of the best-known of the contemporary school of hymn writers in the British Isles. His name and writings appear in practically every new hymnal and "hymn supplement" wherever English is spoken and sung. And now they are appearing in American hymnals, poetry magazines, and anthologies. he has been district superintendent in Brighton and York, and in the 1960 s served in Norwich, Dad knew him well. There he continued to write hymns well into his retirement. He died 22 October 2000.

Hymn: For the fruits of His creation Pause after 1st verse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBXHDbesb7k

Reading:

Galatians chapter 5: verses 13 to 15 then 22 to 26

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Go to verse 22

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and

desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Prayer based on hymn Where there are …….. pause to contemplate.

For the fruits of His creation,…….give thanks to God;

for the gifts of every nation,………give thanks to God;

for the ploughing,….sowing,…Reaping give thanks to God

silent growth while we are sleeping,…. give thanks to God

future needs in earth's safe-keeping,…. give thanks to God.

In the just reward of labour,----we think of people being trafficked held as slaves. I pray for the ones working in sweat shops. ……….

pray for the work of fair trade. Through their witness, your will is done …….

pray for fellow Christians, that are witnessing through out the world……...

bind us together through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen

The hymn goes on to say in the 2^nd verse in the help we give our neighbour.

Who is our neighbour?

Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 10: verses 25 to 37

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

For the fruits of His creation verse 2 pause after verse 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBXHDbesb7

In our world-wide task of caring. What do we mean by the word caring ?

In the dictionary it reads KIND – warm, soft, tender, feelings, concerned, attentive, thoughtful, loving, humane, sympathetic, gentle, benevolent, understanding, long suffering, patient.

It is easy to care for the people we love and like, but Jesus says we must love our neighbour, for the hungry and despairing. A few months ago during a heat wave a homeless man in my town was thirsty I took him into a near by shop and made sure the security guard did not tell him to get out of the shop before he bought a bottle of pop.

When I was a girl a retired vicar told me this story. Two years before he retired a young couple who were travellers wanted to get married after a few months it was arranged by the vicar, But the couple did not have a ring, the vicar took the ring of his little finger it was his late mothers and gave it to the young man. The ring fitted the young bride perfectly. He thought that he would never see it again, but hoped the couple would be happy. A year later the couple returned, the wife was pregnant. They thanked the vicar for his kindness and showed him a silver band on her finger, and handed him back his mothers ring. Then arranged for him to baptise the baby when it is born and asked him his name and his late mothers he replied David, Alice. The man smiled Then they asked for a Holy Bible,

six weeks later the couple were back at his door with a baby girl named Alice.

The Vicar who told me the story often thought of them them.

I wondered what would have happened if he had turned them away.

If some one comes to you in need What will you do?

Matthew 25:31-40

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, “I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

In the harvests we are sharing, God's will is done. A country farmer delivered box of fruit & Veg and bale hay. To the church ready for the harvest that evening a Hen came out of the fruit box and roosted on the hay. Every one in the morning service was greatly surprised to see a hen one of the congregation went and fetched her cat basket the ministers wife popped the hen in it, as she was still sitting on the hay, There on the hay were two large brown eggs. At end of the service it was taken back to the farm. All the produce was taken to the local centre where they made meals for all in need.

For the fruits of His creation last verse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBXHDbesb7

For the harvests of the Spirit,------ thanks be to God;

When we follow Jesus the spirit lives with in us, God fills us with the Holy spirit

Galatians chapter 5: verses 22 to 23 St Paul writes  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

John’s gospel, chapter 15: verses 1 to 17   1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

1I, I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.  15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Holy Communion

Hymn: Bind us together Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6TdMMJEZs0

Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth.

For this is what the Lord himself has said about his Table, and I have passed it on to you before: That on the night when Judas betrayed him, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks to God for it, he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and eat it. This is my body, which is given  for you. Do this to remember me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new agreement between God and you that has been established and set in motion by my blood. Do this in remembrance of me whenever you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are retelling the message of the Lord’s death, that he has died for you. Do this until he comes again.

Eat the bread and then drink.

Prayer. Thank you O God for feeding me with this sacrament and uniting me with Christ and giving me a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all people. Amen

Hymn: A New commandment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=485btt72V2o

Benediction

Go forth into the world in peace. Be of good courage.
Hold fast that which is good. Render to no one evil for evil.
Strengthen the faint-hearted. Support the weak.

Help the afflicted. Show love to everyone.

Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit;

Thanks be to the father for the good we all inherit,

Thanks be to the son for the wonders that astound us,

Thanks to the Spirit that love has found us.

Thanks be to God.

Amen