Canvey Methodist Church Worship Services 28th June 2020

Sunday 28th June 2020

1).Introduction: 

https://youtu.be/4UpAN6pl_Vc

 

Welcome to today’s Canvey Island Methodist Church Service on Sunday 28th June 2020. At last the rules of lockdown are starting to be gradually eased and I expect that some of us have been able to meet up, albeit at a distance, with a limited number of friends and family. Our congratulations today go to Mrs Audrey Ruffle who is celebrating her 90th Birthday today and, rain permitting, will be helped to do so by a small gathering of her family in her garden. 

Today, in our service, as God’s Church, as His messengers of Gospel Good News today, we offer our praise and worship to Almighty God. Today we will be looking afresh at God’s mission, and the joys and challenges of being God's Gospel messengers today. We hear the Call to Worship from Psalm 89 1-2, and then we sing the hymn “Praise Is Rising”. 

 

2) Call to Worship: 

Psalm 89:[a] 1-4, 15-18 New International Version (NIV)- A maskil[b] of Ethan the Ezrahite.

 

1 I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;

    with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known

    through all generations.

2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,

    that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

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2).Praise is rising- CCl Licence No: 425086
https://youtu.be/ioL62cqH3iM 

 

Verse 1
Praise is rising
Eyes are turning to You
We turn to You
Hope is stirring
Hearts are yearning for You
We long for You

Pre-Chorus
'Cause when we see You
We find strength to face the day
And in Your presence all our fears are
Washed away, washed away!

Chorus 1
Hosanna, Hosanna
You are the God who saves us
Worthy of all our praises

Verse 2
Hear the sound of
Hearts returning to You
We turn to You
In Your kingdom
Broken lives are made new
You make all things new

Pre-Chorus
When we see You
We find strength to face the day
In Your presence all our fears are
Washed away, washed away!

Chorus 2
Hosanna, Hosanna
You are the God who saves us
Worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, Hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Chorus 2
Hosanna, Hosanna
You are the God who saves us
Worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, Hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Outro
Yeah, You are the God who saves us
You are the God who saves us
Worthy of all our praises
You are the God who saves us

Paul Baloche
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3). Opening Prayer

https://youtu.be/xts7nO1TtCw

 

Lord calm our thoughts as we come once more into your presence to worship you. Open our hearts to welcome you in, and to receive the blessing of Jesus’ love, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Creator God, we praise you for the beauty of the world that you have made, for its richness of texture, colour and form in nature, and for the caring communities around us. Forgive us when we fail to be thankful for the good things in our lives. Thankyou Father God that you are full of grace and mercy and that, through Jesus' death and resurrection we are cleansed, forgiven and made whole again; able to love as you have loved and enabled by your gracious Holy Spirit to serve and bless those you send us to. Amen.

 

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 4)) 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.

 

We sing the hymn. 

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4). Let all the World In Every Corner Sing.CCl Licence No: 425086

https://youtu.be/PfXldoDnvq4

 

1 Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing,
"My God and King!"
The heav'ns are not too high,
God's praise may thither fly;
the earth is not too low,
God's praises there may grow.
Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing,
"My God and King!"
2 Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing,
"My God and King!"
The church with psalms must shout:
no door can keep them out.
But, more than all, the heart
must bear the longest part.
Let all the world in ev'ery corner sing,
"My God and King!"
George Herbert.

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5) Introduction to OT Reading- 

https://youtu.be/r96MIw_9BAY

 

The Bible is full of interesting characters who have done amazing things in the grace and power of Almighty God; Abraham who left home for an unknown land, Moses who led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, Noah who built a ship and saved animal life from extinction and…...well the list could go on and on. The prophet in today’s Old Testament Bible Reading is another “stand out” person. He was asked to do a really weird thing by God; to be a walking Visual aid to get a point across to Zedekiah, King of Judah. God told him to make a yoke, put it round his neck, and then to prophesy to King Zedekiah that they should submit themselves to the rule of Nebuchadnezzar. (It was God's will that they should wear his yoke). Not a popular message.

 

Rejecting this message was another prophet, Hananiah who had prophesied exactly the opposite thing would happen. He had prophesied the breaking of Nebuchadnezzar's yoke by God. Here is how Jeremiah responded to this easy option.

 

6). Truth Will Out- Man Pleasers or God Pleasers.

Readings:

Jeremiah 28:5-9 New International Version (NIV)

https://youtu.be/n1B8CRSOjlw

5 Then the prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah before the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord. 6 He said, “Amen! May the Lord do so! May the Lord fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing the articles of the Lord’s house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon. 7 Nevertheless, listen to what I have to say in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people: 8 From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms. 9 But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true.”

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7). Introduction to Epistle and Gospel Readings.

https://youtu.be/MvntaM8KRbM

Just as King Zedekiah had to decide whose voice to listen to, so we as Christians have to choose the voices we listen to in the ordering of our lives. Slavery has been in the news recently. It was a terrible thing and was rightly abolished all those years ago. In the Epistle reading from Romans 6, St Paul draws upon the slave / master relationship to get the point across that Christians have had the bond of slavery to sin broken when Jesus becomes their Lord. However, what a person does with this freedom matters. Conscious choices to keep under God’s cleansing waterfall have to be made, and should we fail, short accounts must be kept. 

The gospel reading from Matthew 10: 40-42 is the tail end of the mission experience of the disciples of Jesus. Like Jeremiah, their gospel of message had a mixed response. Some just didn’t want to know. Others put out the welcome May for them and supplied refreshments in hospitable gratitude. Jesus wanted his disciples to know that he was with them in their ongoing witness and mission and that for their hearers who welcomed them there was a reward. As they received the gospel messengers so they received Him who sent them. Let’s hear the readings and then after this to sing the Hymn: Open the eyes of my heart Lord.


 

8). Who’s Boss- God or Selfish Desires- Which Wages have been earned? 

Romans 6:12-23 New International Version (NIV)

https://youtu.be/8CXxhI7TLF8

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Slaves to Righteousness

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord. Footnotes:

a. Romans 6:23 Or through

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9) Being bearers of the good news come rain or shine. There are consequences for those who show hospitality and welcome to these gospel. messengers 

Matthew 10:40-42 New International Version (NIV)

https://youtu.be/YmdO7DfOg6A

40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

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10). Hymn: Open the eyes of my heart Lord (STF 451)-CCl Licence No: 425086. 

https://youtu.be/Ry6bzm7K8K4

 

 Open the eyes of my heart, Lord,

Open the eyes of my heart;

I want to see you, I want to see you.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord,

Open the eyes of my heart;

I want to see you, I want to see you.

 

To see you high and lifted up,

Shining in the light of your glory.

Pour out your power and love;

As we sing holy, holy, holy.

 

Refrain

 

To see you…..

 

Holy, holy, holy,

Holy, holy, holy,

Holy, holy, holy,

I want to see you.

Paul Baloche

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11) Prayers for Others

https://youtu.be/TZ6seqYcVlw

On-line Prayer book week 14

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  HEBREWS 4 v16

Thanks to our Father God that we can approach His throne with confidence, praying in faith, in the name of Jesus, knowing that he delights in our prayers.  

Please Pray for :-

- Our church family.  Pray for all who are isolated at home and for all who are worried or anxious, and for all who are anxious about their financial situation.

- All the planning, preparation, provision and decisions which have to be made regarding the re-opening of our church building.

- Pray for Colin and Cathy, for God’s leading, protection and special blessing.

- Our world - for all the Governments in their decision making and for there to be peace.

- The Lebanon. Anna has asked for prayers for the Political leaders there, and that solutions will be found to improve their poor economy. Please pray especially for the poorest people who are finding it hard to find food.

- Anna also asked for prayer for a person in her poetry group who is searching for God.

- Apolina, Romania.  Thanks that Colin has had news of that area and thanks to God for his protection and that nobody has the virus as far as they know. We have heard that there is torrential rain at the moment.  Pray that this will stop and damage won’t be caused. They ask for prayers for the new believers. As they cannot have regular church meetings, a lot of them are struggling. They also ask for our prayers for more workers as they tell us that the work is big but dedicated people are a few. They thank us very much for our prayers.

- Our country.  For our leaders, that God will lead and guide them in their decision making for our safety and prayer is needed for our economy.    

- Pray for the NHS

- Doctors and nurses, health workers and key workers.

- Medical researchers who are working to bring a stop to the virus.

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. May they know the peace He give and the love he bestows:-

Joan DeVilliers

Lorraine Ansell and husband Dave, thanks to God for having Lorraine in His care and that she is progressing well.

Rufus and Sarah, Eddy and Dotty,

Anna in Beirut

Valerie – Thanks for answered pray that her pain has been easier.  Pray that her pain will continue to ease.

Nicole & Steve that they will know God is with them and that he will continue to have them in his care.

Angela who had an operation for cancer now undergoing chemo treatment

Evelyn, in Cumbria. May God look after her and the family in this end stage of her life.

Roma’s sister-in-law having treatment for lung cancer

Gina, that God will gently lift her from the deep depression she is suffering

Jean – Sue’s sister, who is having chemo for cancer and suffering very badly at the moment from the effects

Rose, Linda’s daughter-in-law.  Rose is suffering severe pain in her bones, which the hospital is not treating at the moment, they are waiting to see if the pain goes on its own. Pray her pain will cease and that she will know God’s love and care.

Helen, Margaret’s daughter.  She has a fluid in her eye. Pray this can be treated easily and will go.

Colin’s friend Victoria’s mum whose cancer has returned.  Pray for healing and support for the family.

Marion Felstead, Pat Bailey’s friend, very ill and in pain at the moment. Having tests.

Remember Adrian and Lorraine and their daughters who are walking long distances each day for 26 days in June to raise money for Bowel and Kidney cancer in thanks for Adrian’s healing and treatment he received.

Charlotte, Val’s relative who is a very anxious teacher returning to school with her children. Pray for their safety and protection.

Sue’s cousin Rita, her cancer has returned and she is recovering from a recent operation.  Please have her and the family in your prayers.

Sue has asked for prayer for Marie, her friend at work. Marie’s 14 year old daughter is awaiting test results for Turner syndrome, something rare but quite devastating. It means she could have heart problems and will never fully mature and develop. The consequences are horrendous for a young 14 year old to contemplate so please pray for her and the family. . Linda has given a prayer for this young girl –

“May they hear God’s still, small voice whispering His healing and peace.  Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth, Speak peace to her anxious soul and help her to feel that all her ways are under Thy wise control.  He that cares for the lily and heeds the sparrow’s fall shall tenderly lead His loving child: for he made and loveth them all. “

Also Sue requests prayers for their dear friend in Wales, Stuart.  He has just had an operation to repair a macular hole in his eye. Please pray for the return of his sight which is very blurry at the moment.

Pauline Bourke who has had hospital tests and is feeling worried.

Ken’s daughter had an emergency operation.  She had to return to hospital a couple of days ago, but is now home again. We give thanks and pray for her continued recovery.

Pray for all those known to us who have caught COVID-19 or are suffering from the symptoms.  Pray that God will bring an end to this virus and Pray that there will not be a 2nd peak because restrictions have been eased.

Bill & Jacqui

Lee Umpelby, a paramedic

Sue’s friend who works for the NHS and who has just tested positive.  Pray that her symptoms will not worsen and she will be healed.

Pray for Danni Mayo, lead Hospital Chaplain at Basildon Hospital.  Pray that she, along with all hospital chaplains, will be protected and will be able to give God’s strength and support to patients and staff.

Pray for all who are mourning.  That God will have these dear people in His care and give them the comfort and strength that only he can give.

- Dee, Sally, Kim, Gareth and family on the loss of Wyn.

- the family and friends of David Spicer;

-the family and friends of Teresa;  

-the family and friends of Denise, Kay’s relative;

- the family and friends of Joy Davies;

- the family and friends of Peter Moore;  

-the family and friends of Gladys (Lorraine Nunn’s aunt);

- Kiki and her family and friends as her husband passed away recently.  

-the family and friends of Norman, Peter Perowne’s neighbour; especially pray for wife Pam who has bad back problems.

- the family and friends of Freddie, a little boy who lost his fight with cancer.    

- Valerie has asked for prayers for her friend Sue Collins.  Sue's mum Jane became ill and was taken to hospital but Sue wasn’t allowed to be with her. Her mum seemed to pick up but then, that night, she died in her sleep. Sue and all the family need our prayers.  Sue’s husband also needs prayer as he is losing his eyesight.

- the family and friends of Joan Jarvis, a Wives’ Club member. We have just heard that Joan died earlier in the lockdown. Jean Muncie had been trying to contact Joan but this news was only recently passed to Jean from a friend of Joan. She was taken into hospital and contracted COVID-19 whilst there and sadly passed away.

May God bless these families and be close to them in their time of sadness.

Linda has sent us a prayer thought – Our work is to cast care; God’s work is to take care.  Which, praise the Lord, He does in abundance.

AMEN

“Glorify the Lord with me: let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;  he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant.”

PSALM 34 v 4 & 5

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12). Happiness is to know the Saviour- CCl Licence No: 425086

https://youtu.be/CNXvEmKzbpk

 

Happiness is to know the Saviour,
Living a life within His favour,
Having a change in my behaviour,
Happiness is the Lord.
Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation,
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine,
No matter if the teardrops start,
I've found a secret,
It's Jesus in my heart.
Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that's worth the livin',
Taking a try that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine,
No matter if the teardrops start,
I've found a secret,
It's Jesus in my heart,
Jesus in my heart.
Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that's worth the livin',
Taking a trip that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord.

Ira F Stanphil

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13). Sermon:

https://youtu.be/igjTVzOMef0

Have you ever been sent out to knock on a stranger’s door with a message or a request? If so, did you wonder what sort of a welcome you might, or might not, receive? The disciples were about to take the good news of Jesus’ love into the wider world. In these verses Jesus reminded the disciples that as his followers, they were representing him and the one who sent him, his Father, God. For those who received and accepted them, it would be as if they were welcoming Jesus himself into their homes.

The concept of welcome and hospitality in the Middle East is of high importance as it is in many Asian cultures. Visitors are treated as honoured guests and food and drink is generously shared. That generosity can be a humbling experience. 

I remember when I visited a Roma Gypsy family in Apolina, Romania, the bottles of soft fizzy drink that our hosts joyfully served to us probably cost most of their available food budget for that day. Yet it was shared generously and we were made welcome in their home as if we were family. The room which housed up to twenty people had been carefully cleaned and tidied for our visit and colourful carpets covered both the walls and the mud floors of this flimsy dwelling. Poor though they undoubtedly were, these lovely people wanted to share what little they had with their guests and even wanted their photo taken at the service with us in the church later on in the day. Such generosity and welcome may come from the most unexpected sources, often from the poorest, who understand what it is to have nothing.

Matthew 10 v40-42 comes at the end of Jesus teaching on Mission. He started by warning the disciples that in mission, those who had rejected Jesus, would also reject them as they went out to speak in His name. By contrast, the verses we have read this week do the opposite, outlining how those who respond positively to the disciples will, in so doing, be welcoming God the Father, who sent them. Jesus is God’s mediator who gives of Himself generously.

Generosity involves sacrifices, and in reaching out as today’s messengers of the gospel good news can certainly sometimes involve making ourselves vulnerable as Jesus did. Whilst letting down our guard can leave us open to exploitation, a simple act of kindness offered to others can be the difference between life and death. Desert communities knew this better than most and the Bible is replete with accounts of hospitality that became turning points:Abraham and Sarah’s visitors (Genesis 18.1-15), Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings17.8-16), Paul’s numerous journeys (Acts 13-24), These are all stories that describe people giving whatever they had. It was not so much about the amount or value of the gift, but the willingness to give. Jesus gave an example of how people should show unselfish generosity to others through the giving of a cup of cold water to “little ones”, arguably not just children but the adult poor or marginalised too. (see Matthew 18.6).

Not everyone welcomes Jesus’ offer of love and salvation. Some may reject us and our gospel message. For those who choose to welcome Jesus into their lives, there is an amazing reward in heaven, eternal life and peace with Jesus Christ.

Like the disciples, the challenge of our bible readings this week is that our lives should reflect God’s generous love to others. How will you and I receive the one who knocks on our door? And how willing are we to share that love and generosity with others. 

 

A prayer.

 

Loving God, We pray for your guidance and wisdom as your church finds new ways of reaching out into the world with the good news of your generous love and forgiveness. Please grant us all the innovation and inspiration that comes from your Holy Spirit so that your church may be more effective witnesses of your saving grace.

 

Lord Jesus, as the world continues to suffer the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, we pray for compassion and fairness in sharing practical resources and medical expertise so that there might be healing and wholeness for all.

 

We pray that all those who have influence over the lives of others, might make decisions based on kindness and for the common good. We pray, Holy Spirit, that you infuse with love the hearts of those who use war as a weapon of power. Hear our prayers for an end to all conflict, and for recognition and support to be given to refugees and displaced people around the world.

 

Compassionate Christ, we pray for comfort and strength for those who are still isolated, for parents and children, for the elderly and those suffering long term illness. Lord, lift anxiety from those who are worried about the future, their jobs, businesses and their financial situation. May they know that they are not alone, that Jesus is always with them.

 

Holy Spirit we pray for ourselves, for our plans that have been changed, for the people we have lost and miss still, for our hopes and dreams for the future. Strengthen our faith, deepen our commitment to your ways and help us to better serve God and to see Jesus in everyone we meet.

 

Thank you Lord that you that your love never fails and that you are with us all now and in the week ahead.

 

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 forever more.

Amen.

 

Our final hymn together, 

 

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14). I the Lord of Sea and Sky- CCl Licence No: 425086

https://youtu.be/mgLwH5RdtPk

 

I, The Lord Of Sea And Sky,
I Have Heard My People Cry.
All Who Dwell In Dark And Sin,
My Hand Will Save.
I Who Made The Stars Of Night,
I Will Make Their Darkness Bright.
Who Will Bear My Light To Them?
Whom Shall I Send?

Here I Am Lord, Is It I, Lord?
I Have Heard You Calling In The Night.
I Will Go Lord, If You Lead Me.
I Will Hold Your People In My Heart.

I, The Lord Of Snow And Rain,
I Have Borne My People’s Pain.
I Have Wept For Love Of Them, They Turn Away.
I Will Break Their Hearts Of Stone,
Give Them Hearts For Love Alone.
I Will Speak My Word To Them
Whom Shall I Send?

Here I Am Lord, Is It I, Lord?
I Have Heard You Calling In The Night.
I Will Go Lord, If You Lead Me.
I Will Hold Your People In My Heart.

I, The Lord Of Wind And Flame
I Will Tend The Poor And Lame.
I Will Set A Feast For Them,
My Hand Will Save
Finest Bread I Will Provide,
Till Their Hearts Be Satisfied.
I Will Give My Life To Them,
Whom Shall I Send?

Here I Am Lord, Is It I, Lord?
I Have Heard You Calling In The Night.
I Will Go Lord, If You Lead Me.
I Will Hold Your People In My Heart.

Daniel L Schutte


 

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