Sunday 10th May 'take-away' Worship
Major Angie Bailey
Prayer:
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Click on the arrow on the sound bar to hear Angie share the prayer with us today.
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Father God, As dawn breaks through, gently erasing the darkness of the night, heralding the start of each new day, enable us to do the same, rising out of the darkness of our night, into the light of your revealing love. As the sunshine pushes shadows aside, revealing the beauty of this world through colour, shape and song, may your love perform a similar miracle in our hearts each day, revealing the beauty of your creation in our lives, through our words, thoughts, actions and our prayers. Amen |
Bible Reading: Psalm 139 - The Voice Translation
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Click on the image of the Bible reading to hear Elaine bring the Scripture to us today.
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Song: I Have a Maker (He Knows My Name)
Songs of Fellowship #795
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This song reflects this truth of which scripture speaks of throughout it’s pages
We are known and loved by God Click on the flower image to start the song. 
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Family Item - Naveen - Piano Solo
Shine Jesus Shine
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Lord, the light of Your love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness, shining; Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us, Set us free by the truth You now bring us, Shine on me, shine on me. Shine, Jesus, shine, Fill this land with the Father's glory; Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, Flood the nations with grace and mercy; Send forth Your word, Lord, and let there be light. Lord, I come to Your awesome presence, From the shadows into Your radiance; By the blood I may enter Your brightness, Search me, try me, consume all my darkness. Shine on me, shine on me. |
Songsters: Lord There Are Times: Nick Fawcett / Geoffrey Nobes
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Lavenham was suggested to be used as one of our Sunday songs a few weeks ago. Although we did start learning this song when it was published for Songsters 2 years ago, we have not actually sung it out, so today's recording is from the demonstration CD that accompanies the music we receive. The Band played their arrangement of this melody a few weeks ago and I know it is a favourite of many in our congregation. Life is full of questions at the moment but our Lord is with us every step of the way.
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Thought:
Who knows what today’s announcement from the UK Government will hold, we are, I’m sure, praying and hoping for the light at the end of the tunnel to be nearer than it is as I write.
Whatever the announcement holds and in all the uncertainties of these days have brought, we have a faithful God, who knows us full well and walks with us daily.
As Friday we celebrated VE day in the UK, in a different way than anyone would of imagined, some of us undoubtedly tuned into programmes reflecting those times and joined in to sing the songs of the era. Maybe like us you joined your voices with those of your neighbours and sung the classic Vera Lynne song ‘We’ll meet again.’
Another of her songs talks about tomorrow, when things will be brighter and the future hope will be realised.
We look forward to tomorrow when this present time of lock-down will be history.
We long for this pandemic with all its pushes and pulls to be behind us.
When we are released from our struggles and difficulties of today, which for each of us looks different. Tomorrow can’t come quick enough.
However, whilst these are difficult and testing times we live in, the words of a quote came to me ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift ……. That’s why it is called present.’
We can’t live in the past or the future only in this present moment, and God wants to meet us just where we are. Whilst it’s not wrong to long for these days to be over and for God to speed them on, let’s not miss out on what God wants to teach us, reveal to us, restore in us, given to us in today.
In these days, so much has been stripped away, and in this time of uncertainty many people have stopped to re-evaluate life, their values and priorities. A report last week revealed many people, who wouldn't ordinarily go through the doors of a church are tuning in to church services and sharing worship in their homes….seeking something more than this life has to offer.
What a privileged people we are to know God’s presence in every circumstance of life, to know God with us, as His people, His children, lock-down, viruses, nor a prison wall can prevent us knowing His presence as we seek Him.
Let us not be so focused to tomorrow that we miss the present blessings of walking with Jesus in our every day, whatever form that now takes.
I’ve just received a letter from a friend in prison who writes …’Since lock-down we have no visits or worship, locked up for 23hrs a day ...I have been reflecting on my life and I’m letting God take the driving seat ….lock-down has me locked down in the love of God, in His mercy and grace.’
Ecclesiastics reminds us that God’s mercies and love is new every morning. Each new day brings new challenges, but also new mercies & new blessings, they are not so easy to see when we are under pressure, fed up, tired, low, lonely, anxious, struggling, missing loved ones. Many people from all walks of life are sharing these emotions as we journey this unknown path.
As I write I have found a space outside the secondary hall. The sun is shining and the cloudless sky is a stunning blue, a blackbird has just flown down to forage in the leaves and I am reminded of Jesus words from Matthew which tell us how valued we are by God:
Matthew 10:29-31 ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
This morning or whenever you are reading this, may you be aware of the embrace of the awesome creator God, at a time when the Corona Virus has turned our world upside down in ways we could never of imagined, may you encounter God in your everyday, knowing His blessing, protection and love.
Let’s be open and look for His presence in the present with each passing day as we look forward to tomorrow. As we do, may the God of hope fill us with joy and peace as we trust Him for today and for tomorrow.
Whatever the announcement holds and in all the uncertainties of these days have brought, we have a faithful God, who knows us full well and walks with us daily.
As Friday we celebrated VE day in the UK, in a different way than anyone would of imagined, some of us undoubtedly tuned into programmes reflecting those times and joined in to sing the songs of the era. Maybe like us you joined your voices with those of your neighbours and sung the classic Vera Lynne song ‘We’ll meet again.’
Another of her songs talks about tomorrow, when things will be brighter and the future hope will be realised.
We look forward to tomorrow when this present time of lock-down will be history.
We long for this pandemic with all its pushes and pulls to be behind us.
When we are released from our struggles and difficulties of today, which for each of us looks different. Tomorrow can’t come quick enough.
However, whilst these are difficult and testing times we live in, the words of a quote came to me ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift ……. That’s why it is called present.’
We can’t live in the past or the future only in this present moment, and God wants to meet us just where we are. Whilst it’s not wrong to long for these days to be over and for God to speed them on, let’s not miss out on what God wants to teach us, reveal to us, restore in us, given to us in today.
In these days, so much has been stripped away, and in this time of uncertainty many people have stopped to re-evaluate life, their values and priorities. A report last week revealed many people, who wouldn't ordinarily go through the doors of a church are tuning in to church services and sharing worship in their homes….seeking something more than this life has to offer.
What a privileged people we are to know God’s presence in every circumstance of life, to know God with us, as His people, His children, lock-down, viruses, nor a prison wall can prevent us knowing His presence as we seek Him.
Let us not be so focused to tomorrow that we miss the present blessings of walking with Jesus in our every day, whatever form that now takes.
I’ve just received a letter from a friend in prison who writes …’Since lock-down we have no visits or worship, locked up for 23hrs a day ...I have been reflecting on my life and I’m letting God take the driving seat ….lock-down has me locked down in the love of God, in His mercy and grace.’
Ecclesiastics reminds us that God’s mercies and love is new every morning. Each new day brings new challenges, but also new mercies & new blessings, they are not so easy to see when we are under pressure, fed up, tired, low, lonely, anxious, struggling, missing loved ones. Many people from all walks of life are sharing these emotions as we journey this unknown path.
As I write I have found a space outside the secondary hall. The sun is shining and the cloudless sky is a stunning blue, a blackbird has just flown down to forage in the leaves and I am reminded of Jesus words from Matthew which tell us how valued we are by God:
Matthew 10:29-31 ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
This morning or whenever you are reading this, may you be aware of the embrace of the awesome creator God, at a time when the Corona Virus has turned our world upside down in ways we could never of imagined, may you encounter God in your everyday, knowing His blessing, protection and love.
Let’s be open and look for His presence in the present with each passing day as we look forward to tomorrow. As we do, may the God of hope fill us with joy and peace as we trust Him for today and for tomorrow.
Song: Salvation Army Songbook #79 - I Know Thee Who Thou Art.
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Click on the image to start the song, there is an introduction so you can get yourself ready to sing.
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Band: Light of the World - Dean Goffin
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Click on the title image to start the video.
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Song: Salvation Army Songbook #861 - In Christ Alone
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Click on the image to start the song. Sorry I could not put the words up but most of you will know them anyway. Also apologies that the video cuts off just before the final end of the band accompaniment but it is such an uplifting sound the finale of the "I'll Fight Congress" at the O2 in London in 2012.
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Benediction:
A powerful and beautiful song sung by a virtual choir of 65 UK churches, using these words from Numbers 6 was sent to me this week and I shared it with family and friends who have been equally touched.
Listen and be blessed as you pray this prayer, and know God is near. Click on the grey arrow to hear the sung benediction, unfortunately the opening seconds are a white background.
Listen and be blessed as you pray this prayer, and know God is near. Click on the grey arrow to hear the sung benediction, unfortunately the opening seconds are a white background.
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