Service for Sunday Morning 16th August 2020

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Opening Scripture

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100 NIV

Songs:

Ideas for Prayer

Father God, as we come before you today:

  • We pray for all those A-level students who have received their results this week.  Lord, they have challenges unlike any year group before them with the affect that the pandemic has had upon them.  Some have not got the results they were hoping for and we know that there are many concerns over the way the final grades have been arrived at.  We pray for those students mental health and we pray that they would have a good future in front of them and that these times would not hold them back for long.
  • We look with hopeful eyes upon the recent peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.  May this deal truly bring about better times for the Holy Land and the middle east as a whole.
  • We pray for those affected by the weather at this time.  Many have been suffering due to the recent heatwave, while other areas of the country are suffering from flashfloods.  Lord, please protect those in danger and bring resources to those involved in helping all those who are affected by both extremes of weather.
  • We pray for those in our congregation who are unwell at this time.  We pray for strength and healing for them, and that all those close to them would have a special awareness of your presence with them at this time.
  • We pray for our congregation as we prepare to restart our services in the Church hall on September 6th.  Help us in our preparations, we pray, and also to stay safe when the time comes.
  • We pray for businesses such as soft play areas, which are now able to re-open.  Lord, we pray for stability in this volatile time, so that businesses and individuals can plan their way back to a firmer financial place.
  • Lord, we offer theses prayers and those in the silence of our hearts before you today.  In Jesus Name, we pray. Amen.

Reflective Song:

Thank you to our pianist, Gill, for providing the reflective song, below. Gill writes,

I was inspired to write this song based on the vision of the throne of God in Revelation chapter 4, and Mary Young who leads the Asaph ensemble has kindly added a beautiful improvisation.

Song lyrics:

“See the throne with the rainbow surrounding.
See the Son of God lifted high.
See the elders worship and adore Him, worshipping His Majesty.
Holy Holy is the Lord, Holy Holy is the Lord. Who was and is and is to come, enthroned in light, our God.
See the throne with the sea clear as crystal.
See the Son of God lifted high.
See the elders worship and adore Him, worshipping His Majesty.

Worthy, worthy is our God, of Glory, honour and of Power.

For all that is You created, and by your will they are made”

Reading and Sermon

Song:

The Blessing

As you live the Christian life, may the joy of the Lord be your strength.  May you find and embrace your life in Him, and be confident that he rejoices over you and all his people with singing.  The blessing of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you now and remain with you always. Amen.