Week beginning 13th November

 

Virtual Order of service Remembrance 2022

Prayer:

Father Thank you for life. Thank you for people.

Thank you for all the races of the world

You made us different shapes, sizes and colours,

each with a language and culture of our own.

Although we are so different, yet we are the same.

We are all human beings. We share the same needs, desires, hopes & hurts.

Thank you Lord, that whatever our race or colour,

we are all your creation and you love us. Help us to love each other. Amen

Lords prayer

God Bless our native land

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

TUNE Moscow

PLAY THROUGH ONCE THEN SING THE FOUR VERSES

1. God bless our native land!
May Heaven's protecting hand
Still guard our shore.
May peace her power extend,
Foe be transformed to friend,
And all our rights depend
On war no more.

2. O lord our monarch bless

With strength and righteousness:

Long may he reign:

His heart inspire and move

With wisdom from above

and in a nations love

His throne maintain.

3. May just and righteous laws
Uphold the public cause,
And bless our isle:
Home of the brave and free,
Thou land of Liberty,
We pray that still on thee
kind heaven may smile.

4. Nor on this land alone,
But be God’s mercies known
From shore to shore:
Lord make the nations see

that men should brothers be,
And form one family
The wide world o'er!

William Edward Hickson  1803-1870.

Taken from Methodist Hymn Book

Real story 1^st World War

He was very old now, but could still hold himself stiffly at attention before the monument.  His war, the one to end all wars, now just a fading part of history. Very few could remember,   The cream of a generation; almost wiped out.  He was haunted by the faces of the boys he'd had to order into battle, the ones who'd never come back.  Yet one nameless ghost was able to bring a measure of comfort to his tormented mind.  At the sound of the gun signalling the eleventh hour he was mentally transported back to the fields of Flanders. 

The battle had raged for over two hours, with neither side gaining any advantage.  Wave after wave of soldiers had been dispatched from the muddy trenches and sent over the top.  So many had died already that day that he decided he could not afford to lose any more men before reinforcements arrived.  Perhaps they'd give the remnants a few more days of life.  There came a slight lull in the battle due to the sheer exhaustion of the men on both sides.

During this interval, a young soldier came up to him requesting that he be allowed to go over the top.  He looked at the boy who couldn't have been more than nineteen.  Was this extreme bravery in the face of the enemy or was the soldier so scared he just needed to get it over with?  "Why would you want to throw your life away soldier?  It's almost certain death to go out there." 

"My best friend went out over an hour ago, captain, and he hasn't come back.  I know my friend must be hurt and calling for me.  I must go to him, sir, I must." There were tears in the boy's eyes .  It was as if this were the most important thing in the world to him."  "Soldier, I'm sorry, but your friend is probably dead.  What purpose would it serve to let you sacrifice your life too?"  "At least I'd know I'd tried, sir, he'd do the same thing in my shoes.  I know he would."  He was about to order the boy back to the ranks, but the impact of his words softened his heart.  He remembered the awful pain he'd felt himself when his brother had died. He'd never had the chance to say goodbye.

 "All right soldier, you can go." Despite the horror all around them, he saw a radiant smile on the boy's face, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.  "God bless you, sir," said the soldier.  It was a long time before the guns fell silent for the last time and each side was allowed to gather their dead and wounded.  The captain remembered the young soldier.  He looked through the many piles of bodies.  Young men.  So many as to give an unreal quality to the scene before him.  When he came to the makeshift hospital, he looked carefully through the casualties.  He soon found himself before the prone body of the soldier, alive, but severely wounded.  He knelt down beside the young man and gently laid a hand on his shoulder.  "I'm so sorry, son.  I knew I was wrong to let you go."  "Oh no, sir.  I'm glad you did and I'm glad you're here now so I can thank you.  You see sir, I found my friend.  He was badly wounded, but I was able to comfort him at the end.  As I held him dying in my arms, he looked me in the eyes and said: "I knew you'd come." 

The young soldier faded between consciousness and oblivion for some time before he finally slipped away.  The captain stayed by his side until the end, tears streaming quietly down his cheeks.  Only in war could the happy endings be so terribly sad. As the bugle sounded "Taps", the old captain envisioned once again the young soldier's face. Looking up, he could almost hear the stone monument calling out to him: "I knew you'd come.

Taps Bugle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbkQk_1OV9Y

Remembrance

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning

We will remember them.”

Last Post and Reveille, 1 Minute Silence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI2isapE7rc

The words to our next tune, I vow to thee my country, comes from a poem by Cecil Spring-Rice that he wrote in 1908 when he was working at the British Embassy, The first verse talks about our country where we live and mainly about those who died during the First World War. The end verse, that starts with the line "And there's another country", is talking about heaven. The last line is taken from  Proverbs 3:17 , which reads, "Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

I vow to thee my country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW5ZAoT7naM

Bible Reading 1 John 3: verses 11 – 18

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: we should love one another.12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,  if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

John Greenleaf-Whittier was an American Quaker poet, born in 1807. John began life as a farm-boy and shoemaker, and subsequently became a successful journalist, editor and poet.

Not sure when he actually wrote the following poem, O Brother man.

O Brother man! Fold to your heart your sister and your brother:

where pity dwells, the peace of God is there;

to worship rightly and to love each other,

each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer.

For he whom Jesus loved has truly spoken: the holier worship which He deigns to bless
restores the lost, and binds the spirit broken, and feeds the widow and the fatherless.

Follow with reverent steps the great example of Him whose holy work was doing good:
so shall the wide earth seem our Father's temple, each loving life a psalm of gratitude.

Then shall all shackles fall: the stormy clangour of wild war music o'er the earth shall cease;
love shall tread out the baleful fire of anger, and in its ashes plant the tree of peace.

Story from the 2^nd world war

A young soldier fighting in Italy in WWII managed to jump in a foxhole just ahead of a spray of bullets. He immediately attempted to deepen the hole with his hands and unearthed a silver crucifix, obviously left by a previous occupant.
A moment later, a leaping figure landed beside him as shells screamed overhead.
The soldier turned to see that his companion in trouble was an Army Chaplain. Holding up the crucifix, the soldier said “am I glad to see you, how do you make this thing work?”

It is not recorded what the Chaplain said perhaps he shared a prayer.

But it is recorded in the gospels that Jesus spent time in Prayer. St Luke writes the following in:-

Chapter 6: verses 12 – 31

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. 20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor,  for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now,   for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now,  for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you  and reject your name as evil,  because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now,  for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now,  for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,  for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.  30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

John C. Maxwell and Dan Reiland, The Treasure of a friend.  (J. Countryman Books, 1999)

printed this second world war story it very similar to first world war narrative above but with a twist.
Friends in Peace and in War

(Though Jim was just a little older than Phillip and often assumed the role of leader, they did everything together. They even went to high school and college together. After college they decided to join the Marines. By a unique series of circumstances they were sent to Germany together where they fought side by side in one of history’s ugliest wars. One sweltering day during a fierce battle, amid heavy gunfire, bombing, and close-quarters combat, they were given the command to retreat. As the men were running back, Jim noticed that Phillip had not returned with the others. Panic gripped his heart. Jim knew if Phillip was not back in another minute or two, then he wouldn’t make it. Jim begged his commanding officer to let him go after his friend, but the officer forbade the request, saying it would be suicide. Risking his own life, Jim disobeyed and went after Phillip.  His heart pounding, he ran into the gunfire, calling out for Phillip.   A short time later, his platoon saw him hobbling across the field carrying a limp body in his arms.

Jim’s commanding officer upbraided him, shouting that it was a foolish waste of time and an outrageous risk “Your friend is dead’’ he added, “and there was nothing you could do.’

“No sir, you’re wrong,” Jim replied. “I got there just in time.  Before he died, his last words were “I knew you would come.”

We do not know if he was put on a disobedience charge. but the thing that is recorded is that he never let his friend down.

The prophet Isaiah said in the last days the people will come to the mountain of the lord.

You can read this in the old testament

Isaiah  2: verses 1- 5

1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established  as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills,   and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say,‘ Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,  to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways,  so that we may walk in his paths.’
The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nation  and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into ploughshares  and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,   nor will they train for war any more.

5 Come, descendants of Jacob,  let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Let us, by our actions show the love of God, Let us work to bring in Gods kingdom, let us lead others to Christ. For we are His disciples. Jesus Looking at his disciples said, “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,   bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” These words are for us to day if we have ears to here Him.

So let us take every thing to Jesus in Prayer. (Take time for your own prayers)

What a friend we have in Jesus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prthhmly0Gg

Ally Barrett won Jubilates Hymns of Peace competition 2018 when she penned:

Lord, Help us to remember. But I am using her hymn as a prayer.

Let us pray

Lord, help us to remember the victims of past wars:

the ones who fell in combat believing in the cause,

the ones pressed into service who fought against their will,

the ones who suffered torment, the ones who suffer still.

Lord, help us to consider the conflicts of our day:

the cruel and complex struggles, the games the powerful play,

and, by your Holy Spirit, enable us to stand

for justice in all nations and peace in every land

For when you lived among us, our true, incarnate Lord,

you fought the powers of evil with love, and not the sword.

You lived and died to save us, and worked your Father’s will:

to show your power through mercy, to heal and not to kill.

Lord, give us grace and courage to live by your commands,

to love our fellow-humans with all that love demands;

and may we truly honour the fallen of the past

by working now for justice, to build your peace at last.

Amen

Be hold the mountain of the Lord

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

Poem by Andrew Moll When the guns of war fell silent

When the guns of war fell silent, weary soldiers cheered and sang. In the streets of towns and cities crowds rejoiced and church bells rang. Row on row of limestone crosses now recall the sacrifice. We remember, we will treasure peace, that comes at such a price. On a dark Judaean hillside crosses silhouette the sky, where the Son of God was taken, crucified and left to die. He was wounded for our healing, gave his life that we might live, deepest mercy, reconciling peace, that nothing less could give. When will all the guns be silent? How we long for war to cease. From the ruins of each conflict rises up our prayer for peace. May the selfless love of Jesus give us hope at last to see all the nations, celebrating peace, when all the world is free.

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,  to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways,  so that we may walk in his paths.’

God has open arms of love, He is waiting to say to each one of us “I knew you would come.”

O God our help in Ages past

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWjF11pIYEE

Benediction

Grace and mercy, righteousness and truth have come to us from God. Jesus has declared it, and the Spirit has made it known. The light shines, and the darkness cannot overcome it All: Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe. Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. The peace of Christ be with you to day and always Amen

United Kingdom’s National Anthem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ27xS27qyc

Please free to play/ sing your own Nation Anthem.

Week beginning 6th November

 Sorry this is late. I'll try to do better in future.

Song: The King of Love my shepherd is

The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Tune: Dominus Regit Me - 6vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

This is a time of year when we think of kings. The Christmas story contains the three wise men, or Magi, who are traditionally referred to as Kings in the nativity plays of our schools, and many of our carols.

Of course, in the U.K., we are also thinking about kings, we anticipate that our new king, Charles III will be crowned on the 6^th May 2023 (D.V.). It has been said that he is the man with the longest apprenticeship in history!

In the past, when people were looking for work, they would look in the, local paper for the “Situations Vacant” adverts to see what was available. Is Sheffield, this was the “Star” on a Thursday. If we read the advert, or asked for the further details, there would be a job specification, saying what the successful applicant would need to be able to do.

What is the job spec. of a king? What characteristics would we want him to have? Our congregation at Mayfield came up with a few suggestions when asked this: Young, Patient, Christian, Wisdom and Sociable. The ability to get on with everyone, from world leaders of all types, to the “man (or woman) in the street”

Our reading contains a potential job spec. for a king.

Reading: Psalm 72

Song: From Heaven you came

From Heaven You Came Helpless Babe (The Servant King) (Singing the Faith 272 / StF 272) - YouTube

Prayer:

Lord, at the moment there are many things on our minds;

The war in Ukraine, where citizens are suffering, bystanders, the young, the refugees, and the elderly. We pray for all affected, on both sides, those who mourn and those who suffer. We pray for peace.

The situation in Taiwan, and the potential for confrontation. We pray that this will not descend into war And chaos.

International trade, we pray that food and fuel may continue to flow freely, to avoid shortages.

Afghanistan, apparently forgotten, no longer in the news, but still a place of suffering, we pray for the work of the relief agencies who are working to alleviate the problems.

Our own country, we pray that people can afford to live, and that they may not haven to choose between food and fuel this winter.

Across them world, we pray that health services may be properly funded and resourced so that all may have access.

Amen.

Of course, Psalm 72 is a prophecy of the characteristics of Jesus, but could it refer to King Charles III, or indeed the monarch or leader or any other country?

As king, Jesus is set apart from us, he is with God and the angels, and yet he moves among us. As king, Jesus threatened Herod and the others on a path that led to the cross. He put his personal interests second to his job spec.

The king should administer God’s justice and righteousness, not his, you notice, God’s. He is the servant of the Lord, doing God’s work. Justice for the poor.

In verse 3, the king is urged to live in harmony with the land, this could have been written for Charles with his well known interest in green issue.

In verse 4, the king is urged to defend the afflicted from the oppressor. The king should look after the people, take care of them, overcome those who would oppress them.

Although the modern king has little power, he has great influence. King Charles III will have the ear of the prime minister every week.

We look for Charles to share his faith, as his mother did before him.

Similarly, we are called to look after the poor and vulnerable.

We want our King to be in the image of the heavenly king.

This is how kings will come to pay homage to him as the psalm prophesies, not because they have been conquered (The traditional reason for paying homage) but because of the justice of his reign.

We pray that Charles may live up to this job spec, and that we also may be worthy members of the kingdom.

Song: Crown Him with many crowns

CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS - YouTube

Week beginning 30th October

 Reading: Genesis chapter 1: verses 1 to 5

Song: Thou whose almighty word

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJuqdIVH8VY

Prayer :

Creator God, from the moment your spirit hovered over the waters of this earth,
we were part of a vision held lovingly within your heart.
From the moment you spoke and separated darkness from light,
you created space where we might one day walk.
From the moment your joy spilled out into green and living things,

your beauty was revealed for us to taste and see.

Creator God, for this world, beauty and majesty, passion and artistry, a green and pleasant place, we praise your mighty name. Amen

Kirsten Holmberg writes In my daughter’s earliest days, I often named for her the things she encountered. I’d identify objects or allow her to touch something unfamiliar and say the word for her, bringing understanding—and vocabulary—to the vast world she was exploring. Though my husband and I might naturally have expected (or hoped) her first word would be Mummy or Daddy, she surprised us with an entirely different first word: her small mouth murmured dight one day—a sweet, mispronounced echo of the word light I’d just shared with her.

Light is one of God’s first words recorded for us in the Bible. As the Spirit of God hovered over a dark, formless, and empty Earth,

Taken from “Our daily bread 01/05 /22”

There are lots of famous and less famous people that have given us quotes on light.

Here is a few of them

“To secure one’s freedom the Christian must experience God’s light which is God’s truth.”  Watchman Nee

“Though the light shines on things unclean, yet it is not thereby defiled.”

Augustine

Christ is the true light of the world; it is through him alone that true wisdom is imparted to the mind.”

Jonathan Edwards“

To trust God in the light is nothing, but trust him in the dark—that is faith.”

Charles Spurgeon

“With Christ, darkness cannot succeed. Darkness will not gain victory over the light of Christ.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Sin turns ugly and is subject to defeat only when seen in the light of Christ’s beauty.”

Sam Storms

 “In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t.”

Blaise Pascal

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.”

Dwight L. Moody

“The way, like the cross, is spiritual: that is an inward submission of the soul to the will of God, as it is manifested by the light of Christ in the consciences of men, though it be contrary to their own inclinations.”

William Penn

“Glory in Christ and you can bask in His light forever.”

Woodrow Kroll

“We cannot believe that the church of God is already possessed of all that light which God intends to give it; nor that all Satan’s lurking places have already been found out.”

Jonathan Edwards

“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone's life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.” 

Roy T. Bennett

“It is the Gospel that can translate you from darkness into light.”

Benson Andrew Idahos

“If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself.”

 Thomas S. Monson 

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”

Desmond Tutu

Song: Jesus the light of the world

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vb3UccwVns

Drawing close to the light

Have you ever wondered why many great men of God such as St Peter, & St Paul, had a great revelation of their sinfulness?

It is because when you start seeking the face of God you get closer to the light. When you start getting closer to the light you start to see more sin than ever before.

Some Christians are not that close to the light.

They stay at a distance so the light doesn’t shine on their great sinfulness. When Jane first became a Christian she didn’t truly understand how sinful she was. As she started to grow and sought to know God and be alone with Him, the light shined brighter and brighter and it showed her different areas in her life where she felt she fell short.

If Jesus Christ did not die for our sins, then we have no hope. The light makes the cross of Jesus Christ even more glorious. Jesus is our only claim. This is why as believers we walk in the light we continually confess our sins. We must get closer to the light. 1^st letter of John chapter 1: verses 7 to 9 says “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves   and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” In the letter to the Romans, chapter 7: verses 24 to 25 Paul writes “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?  Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”

The transforming light of Christ

When you repent and put your trust in Christ alone for salvation you will be a light. Not only do you see everything more clearly, but the light will come to live inside of you. The light of Christ will transform you.

2^nd letter to the Corinthians, chapter 4: verses1 to 6 says “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 5: verses 1to11

Living in the light

Peter’s life was being changed even if did not realise it.

What does your life say? Have you been changed by the Jesus or are you still living in darkness? Has the light so touched you that you seek to walk in it? Are you light? Examine yourself. Are you being fruit? If you are still living in a lifestyle of sin You are still in the darkness. Now is the time to repent. To stop walk in a new direction and put your trust in Christ.

Prayer Confession

Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient to your will. We have let you down, we have taken praise that we should have given to you. We have not loved our neighbours, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. We only shine your light dimly if at all. Forgive us, we are sorry. Father God fill us with the Light of your son, through the power of your holy spirit take away our sins and give us your peace Amen

Let us say together the Lords prayer

The letter to the Ephesians, chapter 5: verses 8 to 9 says “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)”

Song: Shine Jesus Shine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaTwx0ehbvM

Reading: Book of Acts, chapter 26: verses 1 to 20

God did not give upon Saul Jesus came to Saul he came in to him through the power of the holy spirit so Saul became Paul he went go out and shine the light of Christ.

God speaks light in your darkness.

God is faithful even when we are not. He does not want a believer to give up in the hard times. Sometimes even a believer will try to turn their backs on God, but they will not be able to escape the great light. God’s light breaks through the darkness. We have hope in the Lord.

The devil will not claim us.  God will never let us go. What is stronger than the light of the Almighty God? You might go through darkness and pain, but the light of the Lord will always come through in times of despair. Call on the name of Jesus. Seek the light.

The psalmist says (Psalm 18:28) “For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.” Paul would have known the psalms. The words may have become a light bulb moment for him. I love light bulb moments don’t you? Where you struggle with some thing then you suddenly get it Jonathan and I went to the ministers and pastors fellowship in Nuneaton. We had booked in to a b&B and the man said he would leave the light on for on for us but after the meal we were late getting back and the sign was out, what a difference that made but we knew where we were heading to. God’s spirit is always shining. The psalmist says Psalm 139:7-12 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.”

John, Jesus’ disciple and evangelist talked about Gods light and also quoted Jesus these are some of his words

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

he also says John 3: 16 – 21  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Reading: John’s gospel, chapter 12: verses 20 to 47

As you have just read “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him.” But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God. It is so easy to take the praise, God gave me the gift of healing hands, it would be so easy to take the credit, It is God’s gift Just as Jesus to go to the temple, I was mocked for the gift but by Gods love be He turned the mocking into believing as they saw a miracle in front of them. They had their darkness turned into the light. Then Jesus cried out, ‘Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.  The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Prayer of Intercession

Father God, help us to recognize you above all else. Enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you, and notice how you're at work through our lives. Give all leaders of nations wisdom to make the best choices, fill them with a desire to seek and work for peace. Be with all people who are victims of conflict. Be with all those who are seeking to do you will Let your Spirit and power guide them. We Pray for all in need of warmth and food. We thank you for the generosity of others. Be with the giver's and receivers. We see Your Holy spirit in action. We worship and praise you holy name.

We pray for those who feel lost, fill them with your presence and lead them in to your peace. We Thank you that your presence goes with us, and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances, Warm our hearts that we may shine with its glow. Amen

Song: THE SPIRIT LIVES TO SET US FREE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CumpuwbWv4

Being light of the world

We are the light of the Lord in a world full of darkness. You will be a light to others. Your light shines so bright that is why people look at Christians so carefully. This does not mean to act like something you are not or try to appear righteous to others. Glorify God not yourself. It means to be who you are. You are a light. Even a little light makes a huge difference. Light a small candle in a house with no electricity at night. You will see that though the candle is small it still allows you to see in the darkness. You might be the only light someone ever sees. Some people are going to be able to see Christ through your light. People appreciate the little things because most of the time people don’t go the extra mile. One time I helped a cleaner clear up a mess. She was surprised and so thankful. “No one offers help”. Without me telling her she said “you are religious aren’t you.” I replied that I was Christian. We started to talk about Christ. Being a beacon of light is the work of God You can’t try to be the light. It’s either you are light or you are not light. You can’t try to be Christian. you are Christian or you are not.

Matthew 5:14-16 writes “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own

possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.”

The world hates the light

People don’t like the light. Why do you think that Jesus was hated? He Shined His light on their sins and they are were determined to get rid of him

John 3:19-21 says “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” Job writes in chapter 24 verse 16

“In the dark, thieves break into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they want nothing to do with the light.”

And Paul wrote to the Ephesians 5:13“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible–and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 

So when we have light we have hope.

Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?

Acts 13:47 Luke writes “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”

John 8:12 John quotes these words “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Prayer for the world

Lord God fill your world with your peace be with those who are caught in conflict,

(silence for you own prayer …..)

be with all world leaders, Their governments, May they work for the good all people. Forgive their foolish ways, re clothe them in rightful minds, may they live to serve all people in love. And may they seek to shine your light of peace.

(silence for your own prayer ……..)

Lord hear my prayer in Jesus’ name Amen

Song: We’ll walk the land

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

Please watch then sing, Then play again and sing along words below

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.

Let the flame burn brighter, In the heart of the darkness,
Turning night to glorious day.
Let the song grow louder, As our love grows stronger,
Let it shine, let it shine.

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.

Let the flame burn brighter, In the heart of the darkness,
Turning night to glorious day.
Let the song grow louder, As our love grows stronger.
Let it shine,

Let the flame burn brighter, In the heart of the darkness,
Turning night to glorious day, Let the song grow louder, As our love grows stronger,
Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine,  

MusixmatchSongwriters: Graham A. Kendrick Let the Flame Burn Brighter lyrics © Make Way Music

God of created light, lighten our darkness and fill us with your love

Jesus light of the world, lighten our darkness, fill us with your peace

Holy Spirit, shine through us that we may live as children of light.

Amen.

God bless you.

Susannah