Ascension and Aldersgate Sunday 24th May 2020.
Welcome to Canvey Island Methodist Church for this 7th Sunday after Easter and to this special Sunday Service on Aldersgate Sunday 24th May 2020.
Psalm 68 v 32 invites us all to “Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds—his name is the Lord—be exultant before him”.
Before we do just that, let us pray.
Opening Prayer:
As we come before you loving God, help us to praise your name. Help us to focus our minds on your presence with us and please remind us Lord God that we are joined together with people around the world worshipping you at home. May your name be glorified in our worship. Amen.
Our first Hymn is one written by Charles Wesley, and is often chosen for Aldersgate Sunday as it speaks of the vibrant relationship with a God that John Wesley encountered on this day.
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Hymn: STF 364- O For a thousand tongues to sing. CCl Licence No: 425086
1 O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
2 My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread thro' all the earth abroad
the honors of your name.
3 Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease,
'tis music in the sinner's ears,
'tis life and health and peace
4 He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean;
his blood availed for me.
5 He speaks and listening to His voice,
new life the dead receive;
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice;
the humble poor believe.
Charles Wesley
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Before May 1738, no-one would have said that John and Charles Wesley were anything but devout Christian men. So what changed for them so much that Charles would write of his “conversion”:
“Where shall my wondering soul begin
How shall I all to heaven aspire?
A slave redeemed from death and sin,
A brand plucked from eternal fire…”
It happened when, in May 1738 John unwillingly attended worship at a Moravian ‘Religious Society’ meeting on Aldersgate Street in London. It was during this service that he felt his "heart strangely warmed", as he experienced God's love in a most personal and life-giving way. Until then he had known God in his mind, but not in his heart. Now he understood the value of a personal experience of God that would bring assurance of salvation to the believer.
We have a Reflection on Aldersgate Sunday by The President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Barbara Glasson,
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A Prayer for Aldersgate Sunday 2020 - By the Revd Dr Martyn Atkins
Resourceful Holy Spirit of God, We thank you for your servants, John and Charles Wesley.
That you fuelled their zeal and tempered it with divine grace;
brought them through dark times, enlightened and renewed.
That you warmed their needy hearts, assured and shaped them by your active holiness.i
That through their willingness, you worked out Your purposes of hope, mercy, and justice.
Somewhat daunted, we stand today in their deep footsteps.
In a world of new challenges and old needs in a time like no other.
But undaunted, we humbly ask you to do in us, what you did in and through them.
May we know both your infilling and outpouring, that whatever our situation or condition,
we will serve and honour Christ, and in these, our days, know and believe
that the best of all is, “God is with us.” Amen.
We sing again the joyful hymn of praise, “He has risen” by Noel and Tricia Richards and Gerald Coates, and then Cathy, Ade and Val will bring today’s Bible Readings
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He has risen. Noel and Tricia Richards and Gerald Coates. CCl Licence No: 425086
He has risen, he has risen,
He has risen, Jesus is alive.
When the life flowed His body,
Seemed like Jesus' mission failed,
But His sacrifice accomplished,
Vict'ry over sin and hell.
In the grave God did not leave Him,
For His body do decay,
Raised to life the Great Awakening,
satan's pow'r He overcome.
If there were no resurrection,
We ourselves could not be raised
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Psalm 68[a]:1-10:32-35:
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.
1 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered
may his foes flee before him.
2 May you blow them away like smoke—
as wax melts before the fire,
may the wicked perish before God.
3 But may the righteous be glad
and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds[b];
rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families,[c]
he leads out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
7 When you, God, went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness,[d]
8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 You gave abundant showers, O God;
you refreshed your weary inheritance.
10 Your people settled in it,
and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord,
33 to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,
who thunders with mighty voice.
34 Proclaim the power of God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose power is in the heavens.
35 You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;
the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God!
Footnotes
a.Psalm 68:1 In Hebrew texts 68:1-35 is numbered 68:2-36.
b.Psalm 68:4 Or name, / prepare the way for him who rides through the deserts
c. Psalm 68:6 Or the desolate in a homeland
d.Psalm 68:7 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 19 and 32
1Peter 4:12-14; 1 Peter 5:6-11;
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
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-Acts 1:6-14.
New International Version
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[a] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Read full chapter
Footnotes
a)Acts 1:12 That is, about 5/8 mile or about 1 kilometer
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-John 17:1-11;
Jesus Prays to Be Glorified
17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 “I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of[b] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
Read full chapter
Footnotes
a.John 17:6 Greek your name
b.John 17:11 Or Father, keep them faithful to
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My thanks to Cathy, Ade and Val for bringing us the bible readings for today’s Ascension and Aldersgate Day service. Our prayers for others have once again been prepared by Linda and Sue. Thankyou both for doing this so sensitively for us all. As we prepare to bring these prayers to Almighty God, let us worship in song once again as we sing a song of personal commitment and dedication.
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S of F 210. I give you all the honour. CCl Licence No: 425086.
I give you all the honor
And praise that's due your name
For you are the king of glory
The creator of all things
And I worship you, I give my life to you, I fall down on my knees
As Your spirit moves upon me now
You meet my deepest need
And I lift my hands up to Your throne
Your mercy I've received
You have broken chains that bound me
You've set this captive free
I will lift my voice to praise Your name
For all eternit
Karl Tuttle
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Prayers for others:
Psalm 34 v 3 & 4 - Let us Glorify the Lord. Let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord and he answered me. He delivered me from all my fears.
As this has been Mental Health Week, can we pray for all those who are suffering and finding things even more difficult because this isolation. We pray for all who are worried or anxious and for all who are worried about their financial situation. May we all learn to cast our anxieties on to God because He cares for us, as we are instructed to do in 1 Peter 5 v7.
Linda has sent us a prayer -
Dear Lord, You spoke to storms. Would You speak to ours? You calmed the hearts of the apostles. Would You calm the storm within us? We are weary from our worry, Oh Prince of Peace, give to us a spirit of calm and quench the anxiety which overwhelms us.
In the Name of our dear Saviour Jesus, we pray. Amen.
We thank Him for the answered prayer. Pray for our church family and for Colin and Cathy that God will protect them and encourage and bless them. We thank God for the different ways that we have been able to keep together in fellowship. We pray for our world and all the Governments who are making decisions for their people that they will be guided and led by God. We pray for peace in the world. Pray for world leaders that they may work for peace.
Pray for Apolina, Romania (the village where Colin visited to give help) that the spread of the virus will stop and that the people will be protected. We pray for everyone who is working there. May God give them help, strength, empowerment and protection.
We pray for our country. Pray for the leaders and that God will guide them to make the right decisions for us in this dark, confusing time.
We pray for all the Doctors, nurses, health workers and key workers that they will be protected and have the strength to carry out their work. Pray also for the Medical researchers who are working to bring a stop to this virus.
We bring before God all those who need medical treatment but are not able to be treated or have investigations at the moment as the priority is being given to treating COVID-19 patients. May God look after these people and may treatment become available to them soon.
We pray for everyone named in our on-line church prayer book. God knows their every need and we ask Him to heal and pour out His blessings on each one.
Joan De Villiers, being cared for in Longview Care Home.
Lorraine Ansell – that her treatment will be successful and that God will heal and bless her and help her through this time. Pray also for her husband Dave. May they know God’s nearness.
Baby Rufus, Sarah, Eddy & Dotty. May God continue to heal Rufus and protect the whole family.
Anna, in Beirut. That God will protect her and use her during this difficult time. Pray for the people in Lebanon, especially the poorest who are finding it hard to get food.
Freddie a little boy fighting cancer.
Samantha Edwards, having treatment for cancer.
Mary Fugl
Peter Grigson
John Bamford
Valerie. Pray that her pain may be removed and that she will be healed.
Valerie’s daughter Nicole and husband Steve. Pray that God will continue to have them in his care, ease their pain and support them.
John & Irene, who are in the 80’s and finding the restrictions difficult.
Angela, who had an operation for cancer. Pray for complete healing
Evelyn, Sue’s relation in Cumbria. Evelyn is in a nursing home, at the end stage of her life. May God look after her and her family who are anxious for her.
Roma’s sister-in-law has been diagnosed with lung cancer. She will start treatment soon. We pray for healing and that she will know that God is near her and looking after her.
Gina, Vanessa & Andy’s daughter is suffering badly with depression. Pray God will lift her out of this.
Please pray for Sue S’s sister Jean who has just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Please pray for her healing and that she will manage to get through the treatment. Pray that she will know God’s nearness and support.
Please pray for Dee. She had a fall in the kitchen last Thursday and is rather bruised.
Pray for all those who are known to us who have caught COVID-19 or are suffering from the symptoms that God will look after them and heal them. Pray that God will bring an end to this virus.
Pray for all the Hospital Chaplains who are supporting staff and patients.
Bill & Jacqui who are both recovering.
Graham Potts, a son of a friend of Pat Bailey.
Lee Umpelby, a paramedic.
Sylvia Barden’s granddaughter Rebecca. Thanks to God as we’ve heard that she’s recovering.
There was a heartfelt prayer request on facebook for an NHS frontline nurse who is seriously ill with COVID-19. She has a 6 year old daughter. Even though we don’t know her name, we are adding her to our prayer book to join with others to pray for her healing.
Pray for Danni Mayo, the Chaplain at Basildon Hospital that she will be protected and will be able to help and support patients and staff.
We pray for all those who are mourning. That God will have these dear people in His care and give them comfort and strength.
Dee, Sally, Gareth & Kim and their family as they mourn the loss of our dear friend Wyn.
Family and friends of David Spicer, Val’s relative. Pray especially for his mum June.
Sue’s neighbours who have lost a sister and two cousins due to the virus.
Family and friends of Teresa who passed away suddenly due to an aneurism.
Family and friends of Denise, Kay’s relative. Pray for Rebecca & Matthew and all the family.
The people known to Val who have lost their lives due to the virus.
Family and friends of Joy Davies. Pray for her husband, 3 daughters, their husbands and 4 grandchildren.
Family and friends of Peter Moore. Pray for Maureen and son Chris and for Margaret who is a close friend.
Lorraine Nunn’s Aunt Gladys died. The funeral was last Monday. May God be with the family and support and comfort them.
Kiki’s husband died on 22nd April. We suspect he died from the virus. Kiki goes to Benfleet Church and was occasionally coming to the Tues eve bible fellowship at our church.
Norman, Peter Perowne’s neighbour died recently. Pray for wife Pam and all the family. Pam has a very bad back pain problem. Please also pray for her healing.
May each person named in this prayer book feel the touch of the risen Christ, the peace that He gives and the love He bestows.
We bring all these prayers in the Victorious name of Jesus.
AMEN
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H&P97- Hail the day that sees him rise. Charles Wesley- CCl Licence No: 425086

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Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
ravished from our wistful eyes! Alleluia!
Christ, awhile to mortals given, Alleluia!
reascends his native heaven: Alleluia!
There the glorious triumph waits: Alleluia!
lift your heads, eternal gates; Alleluia!
wide unfold the radiant scene; Alleluia!
take the King of Glory in! Alleluia!
Him though highest heaven receives, Alleluia!
still he loves the earth he leaves; Alleluia!
though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
still he calls the world his own: Alleluia!
See! He lifts his hands above; Alleluia!
see! He shows the prints of love; Alleluia!
hark! His gracious lips bestow Alleluia!
blessings on his Church below: Alleluia!
Master, parted from our sight, Alleluia!
high above the azure height, Alleluia!
grant our hearts to you may rise, Alleluia!
following you beyond the skies: Alleluia!
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
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Sermon:
A heart strangely warmed. That was John Wesley's description of the moment when God became real to him. For some of us, we may never have known a time when God was not real to us. For others, there may have been a similar moment in our lives when that moment of realization happened to us; when the final jigsaw piece fitted into the picture and we saw it, panoramically, and clearly for the very first time; That the Almighty Creator God loved us so much that Jesus His Son died for us and rose again and gave the Holy Spirit to help us, to you and I, to those he had forgiven, so that we could live new lives. Perhaps this realisation may be happening to you right now, today on Sunday 24th May 2020. If so, welcome to the Christian Family and to a new and vibrant life. The first disciples lived in turbulent times. The Roman Empire occupied their country, the Jewish religious leaders of the day were hostile to the followers of this "New Way" and now their risen Lord Jesus had upped and left them, ascending to heaven. When they returned to Jerusalem, it was to a "New Normal" for them.
There has started to be talk in the media about a “new normal” for us. Many are thinking that things will not quickly or immediately go back to exactly how they were before the arrival of he Corona Covid-19 virus back in February. It is suggested that our lives are going to look different for a significant period of time after the present restrictions are relaxed. Indeed, for some of us things are sadly already forever different if we have lost people who made up the fabrics of our lives.
As the first disciples of Jesus’ faced their "New Normal" with persecutions and various trial ahead, they did so with the promise of the Holy Spirit to help them. However, they, unlike us, did not know, when He would come. But when He did, their "New Normal" became the vehicle by which God's Grace, Love and Transforming power was shown. At this side of Pentecost, the same Holy Spirit is with us also as we face the possible "New Normal's" of everyday life ahead. What might the Holy Spirit be saying to us today that might "warm our hearts" strangely to face the future. Four Be's occur to me as I have pondered our readings from God's word today:
1) From Psalm 68, Be Glad and praise God in All Things.
"3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
his name is the Lord. 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families,[c] he leads out the prisoners with singing; 9 You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. 0 Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor. the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!"
Notice that we are not called to praise God for all things, we are exhorted to praise Him In all things.
2. From 1 Peter 4 - Be alert, realistic and confident in God's Grace and Power to restore.
"8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Difficulties, sadness, and trials of one kind and another may indeed come our way but God has promised to be with us in them and will give us strength to be firm and steadfast.
3)- From acts 1- Be Constant In Prayer
"14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers".
Having seen Jesus ascend, we might have expected the disciples to have returned to Jerusalem feeling depressed and lost, but they did not. They had had their hearts Strangely Warmed" by an angelic encounter and instead returned to pray and prepare and plan for the future by recruiting a new team member to replace Judas.
4) From John 17- Be Confident - Why? Because Jesus is praying for you and for me in heaven.
"6 “I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of[b] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one".
Notice that Jesus is not much concerned about team labels; Methodist, C of E, Baptist, RC, Elim, etc, etc . Instead his prayer is for those that he has revealed God to and who have responded, to be one. Notice too that Jesus asks that he be glorified, not for himself but for his followers. Jesus ascends to bring all his human experience with him so that it is known within the Godhead. Remember then, that however you are feeling today God is with you.
Jesus asks that God will protect his followers so that they might be united, one as Jesus and the Father are one.
Together we may be facing a different kind of future to the one that we are used to, but God has not changed. He is still with us and He will walk with us into this future. He calls us to stay close to Him with gladness, to offer Him praise in all things, to remain alert and aware of His ability to restore and make strong, and to be confident that he understands and holds our lives and needs with prayer in heavenly places.
Let Us Pray:
Holy Spirit, draw close to each of us. May we too know our hearts to be strangely warmed by your touch, the assurance that we trust in Christ alone for salvation and that He has taken way our sins.
We Pray In The Name Of Jesus . Amen
We respond to God's word as we say together the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples.
The Lord's Prayer:
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
who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
We sing our final Hymn together
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Hymn: And Can It Be-(StF 345). CCl Licence No: 425086
1.And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour’s blood
Died He for me, who caused His pain
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2.He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace
Emptied Himself of all but love
And bled for Adam’s helpless race
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free
For O my God, it found out me!
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shoudlst die for me?
3.Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light
My chains fell off, my heart was free
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God shouldst die for me?
4. No condemnation now I dread
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine
Alive in Him, my living Head
And And clothed in righteousness divine
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the crown, through Christ my own
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou my God, shouldst die for me?
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Benediction.
And now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Love of God and The fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, Now and Forevermore.
Amen
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