Midweek Communion 21st July 2021
Welcome
Hymn SofF441- Only by Grace can we enter
Opening Prayers
Reading. Ephesians 1:3-1. New International Version
Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love5 he[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[c] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[d] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Footnotes
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Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. 5 He
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Ephesians 1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
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Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he
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Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs
Reflection :
In his letter to the Ephesian Church, St Paul spoke about their new identity as Christians. In doing so he introduced this strange concept of the heavenly realm; a place of spiritual interaction. So what do we know about the heavenly realm.
A) It is where Jesus is - at the right hand side of God the Father
Ephesians 1:20
God’s power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
B) Although physically we are sat here in Canvey Methodist Church, spiritually when Jesus is in our lives, the heavenly realms are where we are in that spiritual sphere.
Ephesians 2:6
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
C) It is a place where spiritual battles are fought and won in Christ and on our behalf.
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
D) It is a place of spiritual blessing.
Ephesians 1:3
Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
E) It is the place where the church, collectively witnesses to earthly authorities
Ephesians 3:10
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.
Wow. But in these verses from Ephesians 1 we also learn more about our identity as Christians.
A) We are chosen- Even before we were born, God intended us to be holy and blameless in his sight.
B). Right at the very beginning we were loved and meant to be a part of his wider family.! (To be adopted with all the rights of sons, irrespective of our gender)
C) Our lives were designed to praise God in his glorious and freely given grace
D) And lastly, just in case we are in any doubt God has sealed his promise by giving us his Holy Spirit within.
(When you believed, says St. Paul, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory).
As we celebrate The love of God together in Communion, we do so as his children, his family, knowing that His Holy spirit draws us together seated both here and in heavenly places.
Amen
Communion Prayer- read together STF 601. We do not presume. Paul Field
Prayers for Others
1.​We give praise to God for the wonderful news that Ade & Kofu became grandparents this week. Role and his partner had a baby girl. We thank God for this new life and pray that the baby will have a life filled with love and happiness.
2.​We pray for Kay Mallally who goes to the Wives Club and is Linda’s next door neighbour. Her niece died this week, she was 27 and had poor health for some time. Kay's brother died some year's ago. May You give Your comfort to all the family and their friends.​
3.​We continue praying for Sue’s niece Kerry. Sue said - Her cancer diagnosis was confirmed last week and she finds out this week what treatment she will need.
4.​We lift Sue H in our prayers today as she retires from her employment at Canvey County Junior School.
5.​We pray for the pre-school staff today as they clear up following the closure of the pre-school this week.
6). We give praise that Brenda’s brother, Brian Gutberlet is doing well after his surgery and we thank you for your care.
8. We continue to pray for Jane, Mary’s friend, who is at the end of her life. We pray also for her family.
9. ​Please keep Linda and her family as Dawn’s funeral takes place tomorrow on 22nd July. We pray for Linda, Mike & Rose (her son & daughter-in-law) , and for Dawn’s husband Gary and their 3 children.
10. We pray for Dee as she prepares to move to Dearham to be closer to her family.
11). We pray for Sue's husband Mark's niece Kerry as she awaits news of hospital treatment following recent tests. May you Lord stand with her in the time ahead and we pray that His healing will come for her and His peace be with her.
12) We pray for Kofo as she has come out of hospital after having knee surgery. Strengthen her we pray.
13) We give you praise for Ade and KOFO’s new granddaughter Guiana Rose and ask that you bless this dear family.
Silence
In Jesus Name.
Amen
Hymn: STF 59. Lord the light of your love
Closing prayer
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.