Sunday 4th October
Major Angie Bailey
Announcements
1- On-line Territorial Congress - Week-end 24th/25th October
2- Zoom Meeting at 12:30
3- Sunday Stroll
4- Thank You Board
Click on the image of Jay to start the video.
|
|
|
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers--
the moon and the stars you set in place--
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them[e] with glory and honour.
You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority--
the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers--
the moon and the stars you set in place--
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them[e] with glory and honour.
You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority--
the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
|
|
Click on the image to start the song.
|
We had planned and hoped to enjoy harvest celebrations this weekend with barn dancing and food as we celebrated Gods faithfulness and goodness once again.
Alas, we cannot come together for dancing and eating, but we can celebrate the goodness of God and His faithfulness.
Harvest is a time for Thanksgiving, both Psalm 8 and the song has already focused us upon the Creator God, and what awesome creation it is.
Graham and I have been away during September, as you will know, and spent time along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, much of my quiet times were spent on a Cliff near Durdle Door overlooking the expansive sea with the splendour of the sun dancing on the surface, the sound of the waves lapping at the shore.
We have stargazed in the darkness of Lulworth Cove and glimpsed the milkyway, we’ve sat on Chesil beach and watch the sun sink into the sea, it painted the sky with pinks and golds and orange, we've watched butterflies dance & peregrine falcons in flight, creation shouts God's praise reflecting but a miniscule fraction of God's Majesty and glory.
Alas, we cannot come together for dancing and eating, but we can celebrate the goodness of God and His faithfulness.
Harvest is a time for Thanksgiving, both Psalm 8 and the song has already focused us upon the Creator God, and what awesome creation it is.
Graham and I have been away during September, as you will know, and spent time along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, much of my quiet times were spent on a Cliff near Durdle Door overlooking the expansive sea with the splendour of the sun dancing on the surface, the sound of the waves lapping at the shore.
We have stargazed in the darkness of Lulworth Cove and glimpsed the milkyway, we’ve sat on Chesil beach and watch the sun sink into the sea, it painted the sky with pinks and golds and orange, we've watched butterflies dance & peregrine falcons in flight, creation shouts God's praise reflecting but a miniscule fraction of God's Majesty and glory.
The song we now sing speaks of the indescribable, uncontainable God who we celebrate and offer up our praise today:
|
|
Click on the image to start the song.
|
|
|
Click on the image to hear the prayer.
|
Thank you, God, for the wonderful world you made.
Thank you for all people of the world.
Thank you for all animals and living creatures.
Thank you for all the plants and things we can eat.
Help us, Lord, to look after your world and everything in it.
Help us to share the things we have and to think about others who do not have as much as we do.
And bless us and our families with your love, today and always.
Amen.
Thank you for all people of the world.
Thank you for all animals and living creatures.
Thank you for all the plants and things we can eat.
Help us, Lord, to look after your world and everything in it.
Help us to share the things we have and to think about others who do not have as much as we do.
And bless us and our families with your love, today and always.
Amen.
Spend some time reflecting on the songs and Psalm, perhaps find a jar to make into a thanksgiving jar, write out your thanksgivings and fold the papers, then place in the jar. You can continue to add to the jar in the coming days.
When you want to count your blessings, you can unfold the paper and give God praise.
When you want to count your blessings, you can unfold the paper and give God praise.
|
|
This recording of Bedford Songsters was made during worship on 22nd September 2019.
The Songster Leader writes: The words and pictures which accompany this beautiful song, speak for themselves:- through His creation God reinforces His provision and love to us. How blessed we have been over these past 6 months as we have been able to spend more time appreciating the beauty and wonder of His creation around us. He has entrusted it all into our care - may we always be mindful of that responsibility and live accordingly, less wastefully, and always be thankful for such a beautiful world. May you be blessed as you watch and listen to our song today. |
We listen with joy to the song of the morning
when angels rejoiced, and the skies came to birth;
when God placed the sun, moon and stars in the heavens,
shaped mountains and rivers and seas on the earth.
We dance in a world that is filled with God’s glory,
of green growing beauty and creatures at play;
we laugh with its wonder and cry with its sorrow,
and rest in its quiet at the end of the day.
We weep for an earth that’s in need of God’s healing,
the oceans that roar and the rivers that cry,
we search for solutions, and shout out our questions,
to God who commands us to look to the sky.
We dream of a world that is living together,
with beauty and goodness and loving to share;
the answer God gives to our hope and our longing:
‘The world that I fashioned is placed in your care’.
© Jan Berry,
when angels rejoiced, and the skies came to birth;
when God placed the sun, moon and stars in the heavens,
shaped mountains and rivers and seas on the earth.
We dance in a world that is filled with God’s glory,
of green growing beauty and creatures at play;
we laugh with its wonder and cry with its sorrow,
and rest in its quiet at the end of the day.
We weep for an earth that’s in need of God’s healing,
the oceans that roar and the rivers that cry,
we search for solutions, and shout out our questions,
to God who commands us to look to the sky.
We dream of a world that is living together,
with beauty and goodness and loving to share;
the answer God gives to our hope and our longing:
‘The world that I fashioned is placed in your care’.
© Jan Berry,
Jan Berry’s poem challenges us at Harvest time to look after this awesome planet, Psalm 8 reflects our role as care takers of all the earth’s resources and beauty, as we look at Genesis, and the dawn of creation we see God giving humanity this awesome responsibility, He has put us, you and I, in charge of all He has made, let’s do our part to care for this amazing planet.
Perhaps re-read the words from Jan Berry before you sing the familiar harvest song and consider how you can reduce your carbon footprint, that future generations might enjoy the earths riches and beauty.
Perhaps re-read the words from Jan Berry before you sing the familiar harvest song and consider how you can reduce your carbon footprint, that future generations might enjoy the earths riches and beauty.
|
|
Click on the image to start the song. This recording was made during our Harvest Alter Service on 22nd September 2019. If you would like to make your normal Harvest donation please send it to:
The Salvation Army Commercial Road Bedford MK40 1QS Or make your donation via our Just Giving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bedfordsa |
|
|
Click on the image to hear Fiona bring us today's Bible reading.
|
The signs of autumn are all around us the leaves changing colours, the chill of the air, the longer evenings, acorns falling from huge Oak trees to join the leaves on the ground. Isn't it a fabulous time to crunch through the dry leaves? – they make an amazing sound – if you’ve not done it yet now is the time for a walk in the park, to take in the beauty of the season.
I went for a walk to find some acorns but the squirrels had beaten me to it, I’m always amazed that a small acorn can grow into such a huge tree, a tree which is often standing for decades and more.
The tree in the picture is called ‘the major Oak’ and it stands in Sherwood Forest. I read it is between 800 to one 1100 years old and it’s the biggest in England with its canopy spreading 28 metres and a trunk with an 11 metre circumference, why not Google the major Oak and find out more if you're interested in those facts? Fascinating.
As we think on God’s creation and provision today, I’m sure you have in your home some fruit and vegetables which we might normally find on a harvest display. God has designed them to bear their own seeds and reproduce, so that next year or in a few years, we might enjoy another harvest. If you have an apple I would encourage you to cut it in half, look at the seeds, and, just as the acorn can grow into an Oak tree, so this tiny apple seed or pip, given the right conditions, can grow into a fruit tree. Obviously not a pear tree but an Apple tree, a seed placed into good soil, watered and tended can grow into a beautiful tree, bearing fruit. Isn’t God’s creation amazing?
Christians have the presence of God the Holy Spirit living in us, planted, if you like, in our lives and, as we take care to develop our relationship with God, we will see the fruit of the Spirit growing in us. Obviously not fruit to eat, but characteristics that reflect Jesus. The verses earlier from Galatians reminded us that when the Holy Spirit lives in our life, when the Holy Spirit has control of our lives, we will produce fruit, we will show the imprint of God, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control. Perhaps more importantly, other people will see Jesus reflected in our lives in our behaviour as well as our words.
As we show others in our class, our home, our social circle or community, showing them compassion kindness and patience, then we plant seeds into their lives, seeds which may take root as they want to discover more of what makes us tick, why we're kind, why we’re generous and caring.
Jesus commands us to go and tell the good news which we do both in word and action, it’s then we will see a harvest of people, a harvest for the Kingdom, a harvest of souls.
If you have an apple pop a pip in your hand and think about the seeds, the potential that it has to grow into a tree given the right conditions and then consider these questions:
- How can I help my relationship with Jesus deepen?
- What things do I need to do to allow the Holy Spirit more control in my day to day life?
- How can I share Gods love at school, work, in my community?
Read the full chapter from Galatians 3 and ask God to reveal those things in you which by His help need to change.
I went for a walk to find some acorns but the squirrels had beaten me to it, I’m always amazed that a small acorn can grow into such a huge tree, a tree which is often standing for decades and more.
The tree in the picture is called ‘the major Oak’ and it stands in Sherwood Forest. I read it is between 800 to one 1100 years old and it’s the biggest in England with its canopy spreading 28 metres and a trunk with an 11 metre circumference, why not Google the major Oak and find out more if you're interested in those facts? Fascinating.
As we think on God’s creation and provision today, I’m sure you have in your home some fruit and vegetables which we might normally find on a harvest display. God has designed them to bear their own seeds and reproduce, so that next year or in a few years, we might enjoy another harvest. If you have an apple I would encourage you to cut it in half, look at the seeds, and, just as the acorn can grow into an Oak tree, so this tiny apple seed or pip, given the right conditions, can grow into a fruit tree. Obviously not a pear tree but an Apple tree, a seed placed into good soil, watered and tended can grow into a beautiful tree, bearing fruit. Isn’t God’s creation amazing?
Christians have the presence of God the Holy Spirit living in us, planted, if you like, in our lives and, as we take care to develop our relationship with God, we will see the fruit of the Spirit growing in us. Obviously not fruit to eat, but characteristics that reflect Jesus. The verses earlier from Galatians reminded us that when the Holy Spirit lives in our life, when the Holy Spirit has control of our lives, we will produce fruit, we will show the imprint of God, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control. Perhaps more importantly, other people will see Jesus reflected in our lives in our behaviour as well as our words.
As we show others in our class, our home, our social circle or community, showing them compassion kindness and patience, then we plant seeds into their lives, seeds which may take root as they want to discover more of what makes us tick, why we're kind, why we’re generous and caring.
Jesus commands us to go and tell the good news which we do both in word and action, it’s then we will see a harvest of people, a harvest for the Kingdom, a harvest of souls.
If you have an apple pop a pip in your hand and think about the seeds, the potential that it has to grow into a tree given the right conditions and then consider these questions:
- How can I help my relationship with Jesus deepen?
- What things do I need to do to allow the Holy Spirit more control in my day to day life?
- How can I share Gods love at school, work, in my community?
Read the full chapter from Galatians 3 and ask God to reveal those things in you which by His help need to change.
- Could you bake a cake for a neighbour (covid safe of course)?
- Could you make up a small fruit box for harvest to give someone who’s struggling?
- Could you send a card of encouragement to someone who faces these days alone or a student or a young family?
Spend a few moments allowing God to speak before rushing on You could use these words from an old chorus as a prayer
- Could you make up a small fruit box for harvest to give someone who’s struggling?
- Could you send a card of encouragement to someone who faces these days alone or a student or a young family?
Spend a few moments allowing God to speak before rushing on You could use these words from an old chorus as a prayer
|
‘Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity, O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine, Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me |
|
|
|
Click on the image to start the video
|
|
|
Click on the image to start the song.
|
|
|
Click on the image to hear the band piece. This recording of Bedford Congress Hall Band was made during worship on 22nd September 2019.
The Bandmaster writes: We would have been celebrating harvest this coming weekend, and I’m sure we still will but in a different way. We have so much to thank God for. Just think of the current situation, there are are so many people that have gone that extra mile to support others in need at this time, even though the restrictions that are in place means doing things differently. We thank God for these people and for their continued strength to support and care for others. As it is harvest the piece this week features BCH band playing the alternative version of 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' with a hint of 'The Floral Dance'. |
May God’s extravagant love consume you, Christ’s life and passion inspire you, And the Spirit compel you to do ordinary things with extraordinary love. And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you always. We go out in peace in the courage and grace of Christ to share God’s extravagant love. Amen
Note: Our 'take-away' Sunday worship started on the 22nd March. To find the previous week's services go to the Archive section of the website listed under the 'more.....' tab at the top of the page. On the 'C-19 Worship' section of the website we will only keep the current and previous month on this section of the website before moving them into the Archive.
Can you help?
In this current situation when our church doors are closed to our normal activities but our work to support those in need continues our normal source of funds (Sunday Tithes and Offerings) have reduced dramatically. We need your help, so that we continue to be ready to meet the ongoing needs of our community that will undoubtedly impact beyond this lock down period. If you are willing to help please visit our Just Giving Page to make a donation to this work. https://www.justgiving.com/