Whilst the church is closed for worship we are providing a weekly reflection with bible readings and prayers for our members.

I’m sharing it with our website followers too – you are all part of our church community however far away you might be we are all together here.

Comments welcome

Mark

Sunday 29^th of March 2020

 Reflection

As we are no longer able to meet for worship due to the virus situation

we offer a weekly reflection. Perhaps you could sit each week and read this at the time when you would normally meet for worship. In that way we will still be together.

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Prayer

Higher than my highest thoughts,

yet always close by my side,

greater than I can ever imagine,

yet men known to me in Christ,

more powerful than words can express

yet having a special concern for everyone.

Sovereign God

I worship you.

Through your reign overall,

you are here by my side,

your hand reaches out to bless.

Whatever I face, wherever I am,

you are there, always at work,

your love is sure, your goodness constant,

when I see it or not.

Sovereign God I worship you.

Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer (The prayer Jesus taught us).

Our Father who art in heaven

hallowed be thy name

thy kingdom come

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven

give us this day our daily bread

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those that trespass against us

and lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil

for thine is the kingdom

the power and the glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

 

The Concern

Today we are passing through a worrying and difficult time. We are experiencing things we have never had to deal with before. Things which threaten the very function of our daily tasks. A life experience which none of us have ever experienced.

Restricted contact with those we love. Difficulties in obtaining food and queueing to try and obtain provisions. Told to stay in our homes for weeks.

Our Church is closed, the fellowship unable to physically meet.

The Christian Church now must restructure and change its current forms of worship. We must find how we can follow the task Jesus gave us to care for the poor and the sick and the oppressed. The homeless people on the streets cannot isolate themselves. They have no money no food; their contact with people is reduced due to the isolation of our towns. The call to help such people is stronger than it has ever been in my lifetime. We must pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us to find ways to do this while travel is discouraged and limited.

The only thing that will never change however is that God will never leave us. The Lord binds us together in indestructible love.  God is Love.   He is unique he tells us I am everlasting, ever powerful, ever loving and despite isolation from parts of society, I am with each one of you daily walking with you through this difficult time.

There are positive and encouraging examples of God’s love being carried out to help others. The communities are coming together to help each other with the dangers of loneliness and isolation. Enormous sacrifices are being made by healthcare staff and their families to save lives and help us to overcome the pandemic.

Retired medical staff are returning to help in the fight against the virus. Volunteers are ensuring that people are phoned to make sure they are safe, and have food and essential medication. The supplies for life, hopefully will be provided to all those in need. History has shown that in times of extreme dangers and difficulties the best of people is shown through their actions.

We should not be surprised therefore that the teachings of Jesus, tells us to put others needs before our own. To demonstrate the compassion, love and oneness that comes from being a disciple of Christ.

The Church is not a building. The Church of Jesus Christ is the people who have given their lives to God and accepted Jesus his son as their Savour. The Church is very much needed to carry out the work of Jesus Christ far from being closed and unseen, the Church is challenged  to help  people who are suffering by supporting them with phone calls, through prayer and just radiating God’s love for them.

Hope

We can find messages of hope in the Gospels. We can find support in a prayer listening to the Holy Spirit. Below are a few appropriate Bible readings which evidence that we are still living in the love of God and in hope of a better world.

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

A Hymn to give us hope 

Watch it on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENtL_li4GbE

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground.
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
the wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on Him was laid,
here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day
up from the grave He rose again,
and as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.

For I am his and he is mine

bought with the precious blood of Christ.

 

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

this is the power of Christ in me.

From life’s first cry till final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from his hand,

till he returns or calls me home,

here in the power of Christ, I stand.

 

Keith Getty (patchwork)

The Great Promise

Ephesians 2:8-9 New International Version (NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.

John 3 16 God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

John 12 v 32 Jesus said, “when I am lifted up from Earth, I will draw all people to me”.

And so beloved in Christ let us hang on to the promises that we have received from our Heavenly Father and the Sacrifices that our Saviour made to buy us all eternal life. Let us find the strength to work together to continue to show the compassion of Christ, the love of Christ, and the hope for a peaceful safe future.

We must continue to work to bring God’s glory to this earth through our actions, through our words and through our prayers. We are charged to continue to send the wonderful amazing Good News to all people not just in our words but in our lives and in the care we show and give to others in Jesus’s name.

 

Final Prayer

Lord Jesus we bring to the foot of the cross the needs of our society. We also bring to you in private prayer our individual needs for guidance, love and support. Teach us how to pray in a way which is natural like a conversation we would have with someone who is stood next to us for  that is exactly where our Lord is, although we cannot see him. We can however feel the warmth of your presence which brings to us comfort and love.

Our world has been thrown into chaos we are frightened and afraid of the future. However, we draw strength from your promises, from your love for us. The knowledge that we will come through these difficult times stronger in love for each other and demonstrating the true lifestyle you lead when you were walking this earth.

There are so many needs, so many people in pain, so many people frightened unsure of the future. In you we trust, on you we depend bless us Lord and keep us safe.

We remember in love and concern so many groups in our society who will be struggling particularly those without homes, without food, without companionship; bring peace to our world we beg you. Take us and use us to bring your compassion and love to all people.

Lord Jesus Christ you stretched out your arms of love on the hardwood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace. So, clothe us in your spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you for the honour of your name.

Amen.

And so we say;

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit

be with us all

ever more.

Hallelujah

Take 5 minutes now to listen to Gods voice.

Rev Ken Hague

01724 343702

Mobile 07985480800