Opening Reflection
Greetings and welcome to our service this morning. Wherever you are and whatever your week has been, may the presence of the Lord surround you and uphold you. We are here today to worship you. Make our praises and worship fill our hearts, for Lord we all need more of you. More of your presence, more of your truth spoken into our lives.
We come to worship, to offer our praise and prayer to Christ our Saviour, to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May our hope fill our hearts, as we seek to be transformed as we walk daily, drawing closer to God.
Psalm 148:1-7
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Let the skies be filled with praise
and the highest heavens with the shouts of glory!
2 Go ahead—praise him, all you his messengers!
Praise him some more, all you heavenly hosts!
3 Keep it up, sun and moon!
Don’t stop now, all you twinkling stars of light!
4 Take it up even higher—up to the highest heavens,
until the cosmic chorus thunders his praise!
5 Let the entire universe erupt with praise to God.
He spoke and created it all—from nothing to something.
6 He established the cosmos to last forever,
and he stands behind his commands
so his orders will never be revoked.
7 Let the earth join in with this parade of praise!
You mighty creatures of the ocean’s depths,
echo in exaltation!
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we, step into your presence here today. Called by your name, we are alive to praise and worship you, we come to fulfil our purpose and draw close to you. Accept our thanksgiving in Jesus name. In your presence, oh Lord, there is fullness of joy, fill us with your overwhelming joy. Strengthen us in you that we would remain standing even during the storms that we may be counted with you at the end. Lord guide us, speak deep into our hearts, this I pray in Jesus precious Name, Amen.
Hymn:
Prayers of Confession:
Let us pray.
Gracious God, source of all life, Lord of mercy and grace, hear our prayer.
We come before you in need of healing:
The healing of our bodies and souls,
The healing of our relationships,
The healing of our pride and fear and apathy.
We know that with you, nothing is impossible, not even our healing,
Not even the restoration of the whole world.
We pray that you will heal us, that you will heal our world,
So that we will be freed to serve and love and dream and be,
Let us spend a few minutes as we offer up our own prayers of confession, seeking God's forgiveness before concluding with the prayer Jesus taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory
Are yours, now and forever.
Amen
Hymn:
Prayers of Intercession
Let us pray.
One step, that’s all it takes.
But sometimes, Lord, it’s hard to take that one step: to say: “sorry”, or “I love you”; to volunteer when people need help or to sit and talk when I know someone needs to feel valued.
Those people who have the power to take just one step that will end up making a real difference in the world. If only .
Sometimes, we see only mountains in our way, and are overcome by the enormity of what lies ahead. We don’t see just that first step that starts our journey.
Lord, give us the faith to put our first step forward in your hands, and not worry about doing the whole journey on our own. Show us your way, lord, and let us walk in your paths. Help us to be patient. Give us your rest and teach us to wait; to discover the unfolding purpose of our lives.
Help us remember that, with your power, all is well. Wonderful things are happening. You have scheduled every day of our life. You care for us and You provide.
But also help us know that we need to actively put our care into your hands by daily uprooting ourselves from all its ugly forms: self-reliance, self-importance, Self-governance, self-centredness.
We tend to worry about what the future holds, to make our own decisions rather than put our future in your hands. Lord, help us not to underestimate your power, but give us the trust that You will unfold your pathway one step at a time; little by little; challenge by challenge.
We pray for all those who need your help at this time. Show them the next step they should take and take care of their journey. Show them your love, your mercy and your glory. Bring salvation, bring healing and bring peace.
Amen
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight
Hymn
Announcements
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Whilst the church building is closed, our services are on line.
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Coffee morning via zoom: 11am see church email with details on how to join. To gather from the comfort of our homes, and share, Songs, word of encouragement, testimonies, prayer. We look forward to seeing you. If you would like further details on how to join contact office@standrewsbletchley.org.
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Offering
Whilst we appreciate this is a challenging time, we are grateful and give our thanks to God for all His provision, for your word says: 16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.
We are thankful Lord that you have blessed us with a church building, although whilst we are unable to meet there in person at the moment we know that we still have expenditure that we have to meet.
Lord place on our hearts what we are able to give, ensuring we do not give beyond our means.
Ways to Give - Please click on this link to see our Ways to Give.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that you are able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus Name we pray Amen.
Hymn:
Reading: John 6: 1-15
Feeding the Five Thousand
6 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ 10 Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’
15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Sermon
Closing Reflection
As we draw to a close, may you continue to allow God's Word to dwell within our souls, within our hearts and consider, what step are we going to do for Jesus. To fill our hearts with compassion sharing with others, supporting others. Heavenly Father, how wonderful to know that You are my provider and deliver, my guide and helper, my hope and strength, my Lord and my God. As the difficulties and dangers at home and abroad seem to increase with every passing day, I pray that my eyes will be looking away from the circumstances of life, which can become so overwhelming, by keeping the eyes of my heart fixed on Jesus Who created all things by the word of His mouth, upholds all things by the strength of His infinite power, and holds me fast in the palm of His hands - to Whom be all honour and glory.
We give thanks to Rev'd Alan Bird for sharing God's Word for us today.
We are so thankful for all those who continue to pray and support us during our time of interregnum. for it is our faith, our unity, or diversity which makes church. What a wonderful blessing.
We remember that even if the building is closed, the Church is still present in the people, the living body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and during this time, God has called us into a deeper communion with Him. We are here to encourage, to serve our communities, seeking God's face, His wisdom as we walk together. Not our own wants but aligning our hearts desire to that of God. We look forward to the day the church doors are open wide, and we can celebrate, and we are thankful for all those in the preparation and participation for this to happen God will and purpose.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace
And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the son and Holy Spirit
Be among you and remain with you always Amen
Numbers 6:24-25
Closing Hymn:
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