Service for Sunday Morning 14th June 2020

Opening Scripture

When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.

Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:21-26 NIV

Songs:

Ideas for prayer

At a time when the Church is apart physically it is important that we remember to stay connected spiritually. All of us who put our faith in Jesus have become part of the Body of Christ, which is the Church. As we finish the current sermon series called: “Finding your place in Church” let’s pray for continued unity both in our fellowship and in the wider Christian world. Let us pray:

1. That as we tentatively begin to think of ideas as to how the Church might physically meet together in the future, that God gives us all wisdom to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected.

2. As we consider our call to serve those in our local community, let us remember that every loving action (whether believers are together or apart) can be given to God and be a sign of his Spirit and light, present in his people.

3. Let us pray for those who lead denominations as they take stock and interpret advice given by the government and filter it down to Church leaders.

4. Let us pray for churches who are struggling financially at this time, and the individuals within them who are facing hard times. May they know relief soon, so that lives and ministries may take on a more level path once more.

5. Let us pray for those in countries where the coronavirus outbreak has not yet reached its full strength.

6. Let us continue to pray for our local community and all those who are struggling at this time.

7. Let us pray that the Lord will help us to grow in strength as a fellowship through this challenging time, so that we may eventually emerge from it with renewed vision and passion.

Reflective Song

Thank you to our pianist, Gill, for sharing this week’s reflective song with us. She writes,

“We were talking in our Revive group about rainbows, refreshing drinks, that our nation is so parched for the spiritual rains and that we are seated in heavenly places with Christ.

This song speaks of the hope that is ours, though we are going through a ‘winter’ season of difficulty, trials and loss it prophetically calls out the season of hope, just as the rainbow reminds us of the hope we have, just as the water on a thirsty land brings forth fruitfulness may the season of hope break in.”

The season of hope

by Gill Townsend

Reading and Sermon

Song:

The Blessing (Colossians 1:9b-12)

“[May God fill you] with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” Amen.