Service for Sunday Morning 23rd August 2020

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Opening Scripture

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121

Songs:

Ideas for Prayer

Father God, as we come before you today:

  • We pray for all those preparing to return to school in the weeks ahead.  We pray for teachers and all school staff.  We pray for pupils.  We pray for parents who may be apprehensive.
  • We pray for A-level and GCSE students as they go through uncertain times about their grades.  We pray that you would give them a sense for the future.  Empower school chaplains as they work in schools and with pupils.
  • We pray for businesses, now re-opening and we pray for the many churches which plan to re-open in September.  We pray that you would protect congregations from the spread of this virus and hope all congregations as they put safety measures and mechanisms in place.
  • We pray for those who are preparing to enjoy the bank holiday weekend next week.  Lord, may they have fun, but may they do it safely, so that we don’t see more images of overcrowded beaches and litter left behind.
  • We continue to pray for all those working on the frontline in both the NHS and Social Care.  Lord, give them encouragement and protection we pray, as they work under challenging conditions.
  • As we have remembered the dropping of the nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in recent weeks, as well as VJ Day, we pray for peace among the nations and thank you Lord that your ultimate plan involves the healing of the nations as Revelation tells us.
  • May we look to you today, bending swords into ploughshares and cold hearts to warm ones.
  • Lord, may we know your presence in us and with us today, and in this week ahead, so that we may live with confidence and hope as your followers.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

Reflective Song:

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

This is a reflective song I wrote just this week. I am playing the accompaniment and Graham Dinnage is singing.
I was inspired to write it because of the refugee situation and the parable of the Good Samaritan.

God of the poor

by Gill Townsend and sung by Graham Dinnage

Song lyrics:

“God of the poor, friend of the outcast, lead us to love ceaselessly.
Give to the poor, care for the lonely. Show us the ones to support.
You rescued us when we were so far from you. You drew us with cords of love. Now as your children we love as you loved us. Help us to be like you Father.
Spirit of God guise and uphold us. Lead us to those you adore. Grace to be kind, loving and caring. Grant is the words that breathe hope.”

Reading and Sermon

Apologies for the poor lighting this week. I didn’t realise the curtain next to me was slightly open!

Song:

The Blessing (Romans 15:13 NIV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Amen.