Opening Reflection
Greetings and welcome to our service this morning, as we gather from far and wide and draw close to Christ, seeking our hope in Him.
As Christians, we are graciously called by God to join in the work in which God brings hope into the world. During this pandemic, God has been calling us to a deeper spiritual understanding, being connected with others, His scattered children, to witness to the hope found in Christ, seeking God's guidance, and know that He is always with us.
May we give our time this new day, as we draw closer to God, being attentive to God in all we do.
Today our study is looking at building hope. How do you understand the term hope.
Psalm 62:5-8
I am standing in absolute stillness, silent before the one I love,
waiting as long as it takes for him to rescue me.
Only God is my Savior, and he will not fail me.
6 For he alone is my safe place.
His wraparound presence always protects me
as my champion defender.
There’s no risk of failure with God!
So why would I let worry paralyze me,
even when troubles multiply around me?
7 God’s glory is all around me!
His wraparound presence is all I need,
for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength.
8 Trust only in God every moment!
Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to him.
Believe me when I tell you—he will help you!
Let us pray:
Lord, I come to you this day, and pray that you will open my heart, open my mind, open my eyes to hear your still voice. Lord may your Word fill me with hope, for I am strong, courageous and afraid of nothing. Thank you Lord that you care for me, may I seek you in all I do, for it is not in my strength but yours. Lord, speak deep into my heart today, for as I praise you, I want to glorify you. In your precious name I pray Amen
Hymn:
Prayers of Confession:
Let us pray.
Thank you for your gift of forgiveness. Your only Son loved me enough to come to earth and endured and experienced the worst pain imaginable so I could be forgiven. As I stop and take that in, your mercy flows to me in spite of my faults and failures. Your Word says to “clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Lord, I seek your help, guide me so that I too can demonstrate unconditional love today, even to those who hurt me.
I understand that even though I feel scarred, my emotions don’t have to control my actions. Father, may Your sweet words saturate my mind and direct my thoughts. Help me release the hurt and begin to love as Jesus loves. May my eyes be fixed on you. If I can be forgiven, by you, so I can forgive others. I understand there are no levels to your love. We are all your children, and your desire is that none of us should perish.
Let us spend some time and offer up our own prayers as we seek God's forgiveness before closing in the Lords’ prayer to close our prayers of confession
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
Almighty God we give thanks for your love endures for ever. We remember the wonders you have done and that you hear us when we call on your name. Your
name is exalted above all names.
We come to you this morning in an attitude of praise and worship, not in our own strength but in the knowledge that you love and care for us and we are invited into your presence.
In these difficult times we are thankful for the technology that is available to us to listen to your word and have a sense of worship. We pray for those people who would like to, but are unable to take part in this type of service. Help them to become aware of your presence and love for them at this time.
We pray, that as we appear to be nearing a relaxing of the covid rules, that you will protect us as we seek to return to some sort of normality and that we will be able to worship together, whether it is in are own building or not.
We thank you for the skills of those who have organised the programme of vaccinations, which appear to be working and pray for those who have reservations that their views will be heard and maybe clearer explanations may be of help.
We pray for the NHS who are working hard to catch up on the treatments that have been delayed, as well as still treating patients with Covid 19.
We pray for those who are still finding the thought of relaxing the lockdown rules daunting. Be close to them O Lord and let them know that you are walking
alongside them and even able to carry them. Help us to give them support and care.
We pray for those whose employment is precarious with the closure of the furlough scheme. We pray that they will be treated fairly. We pray for our church and all the members of the congregation of St Andrews that we will soon be able to join together in worship and to meet to discuss matters
important to the church. We pray these prays in and through the name of Jesus.
Amen
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
As we come to offer up our prayers, let us give thanks to God for all He blesses us with, for despite the really challenging times we all face, we know that He never leaves our side, He is walking guiding us, and He sends friends into our path so in Christ fellowship will grow building His Kingdom here on earth as in heaven.
Think of a friend and as you give thanks for that person, may we pray over them the following:
Have I told you lately, you are a blessing to me, have I expressed how much in you, God’s grace I can see.
Have I let you know recently, how much I appreciate you have I conveyed in actual words my gratitude for all you do.
Have I voiced my pleasure, of just having you around have I said, you lift me up whenever I’m feeling down.
Have I uttered my thanks, for your kindness and love have I spoken I believe . . . you’re my angel from above.
Have I told you lately, what a blessing you are to me have I expressed just how much of Jesus ~ in you, I do see!
Lord, thank you for your kindness, for your abounding love and your care. Lord may you continue to out pour your grace and mercy upon me and Lord, may I serve you with a thankful, grateful heart.
Lord thank you for friendships, for those true servant hearted people who always put others first before themselves, Lord may we all be reminded that you sent your Son, who set the example, and may we each walk in your footsteps in a Christ like way, not some of the times, when we choose, but all of the times, being faithful and true.
Lord thank you that you fill us with hope, may we stand strong having the reassurance that you are with us. For God is good all the time, and we want to sing and celebrate all He is doing in our lives. May we be encouraged, and the joy of the Lord fill our hearts all our days, good and bad, in Jesus Name I pray Amen
Hymn:
Reading: Hebrews 6:10-11
10 For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end
Sermon
Closing Reflection
Thank you Lord that as I have come to you this morning, in my worship, prayer and praise that you have lifted my spirit, and filled me with your hope, for you are the hope of the world in all situations. You have called each of us to love one another as you love us. You have called us to care for one another as though we were caring for you. In this time, help us to bring your hope to one another, to calm the fearful, to reassure the lonely, to bless the sick and comfort the bereaved, assured of your loving presence in our midst.
Deborah Anne Poem:
A future filled with hope,is a future worth knowing for out of it are rivers of living water flowing.
It’s a future of rest,joy and elation found in the well of eternal salvation.
A future filled with hope,is a future God planed for it has been formed by His very own hand.
It’s a future of peace,of what is to come when Jesus returns to set up His kingdom.
A future filled with hope,is worth our pursuing for it’s a future with God that is all consuming!
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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