We’re not able to meet together as church family today and for the coming weeks. Although, by necessity, we have to stay apart physically, we’re standing together to love, support and encourage one another. So, in around 90 different homes, we’ll sing the same songs, pray the same prayers and look together at God’s word to us, as we continue our sermon series in the letter to the church at Ephasus “Masterplan” by looking at Ephesians 1:15-23. There are some activities for those aged 14 or under to do and a bible talk from Rich for us to listen to.
For each person in your home, you’ll need a copy of the service sheet, a bible, print outs of the children’s sheets (if needed) and your computer or tablet to click on the links below. Please note that the songs are being played from YouTube, if one of the annoying adverts pop up, click on the ‘skip ad’ button.
Today’s service sheet can be downloaded here
Today’s resources for E Kids can be found here
The thinking behind the song choices is explained in italics
WELCOME
Watch the video of Pete’s welcome.
God has blessed those who are trusting in Jesus with every spiritual blessing in Christ, in our opening song we praise him for those blessings.
SONG
BITESIZE
Rich and Toni give us some things to look forward to!
BIBLE READING from Colossians 1:15-23
In Paul’s letter to the Colossians he reminds us how Jesus is above all things.
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven.”
Let’s continue our praise of Jesus with our next song.
SONG
Jesus is Lord – the cry that echoes through creation;
resplendent power, eternal Word, our Rock.
The Son of God, the King whose glory fills the heavens,
yet bids us come to taste this living Bread.
Jesus is Lord – whose voice sustains the stars and planets,
yet in His wisdom laid aside His crown.
Jesus the Man, who washed our feet, who bore our suffering
became a curse to bring salvation’s plan.
Jesus is Lord – the tomb is gloriously empty!
Not even death could crush this King of love!
The price is paid, the chains are loosed, and we’re forgiven,
and we can run into the arms of God.
‘Jesus is Lord’ – a shout of joy, a cry of anguish,
as He returns, and every knee bows low.
Then every eye and every heart will see His glory,
the Judge of all will take His children home.
PRAYERS
Father God, we thank you for Jesus. Thank you that you have a plan to bring everything together under him. Thank you for your kindness in choosing us to be part of that plan, in forgiving our sins and in giving us this incredible inheritance to look forward to. Amen.
We pray for our nation as we enter a second period of lockdown. Please will this time be effective in stopping the spread of the virus and preventing our hospitals from being overwhelmed. Please help us to be looking out for and caring for one another at this time. Please will the ban on churches meeting be short and over quickly. Amen.
We pray especially for brothers and sisters in Nottingham churches who have been meeting together in person, and have had to quickly change to going back online. Please will you greatly bless and encourage them this morning in their virtual services. And help them, together with us, to be effective at telling others about Jesus, even when we can’t meet. Please will you use our Discover Church service next Sunday to bring more people to trust in Jesus. Amen.
On Remembrance Sunday let’s sing about our God who is always faithful.
SONG
ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
We are going to use the next video to help us in an Act of Remembrance. Either play the video in its entirety or play the beginning of the video of the last post, then pause your video and join with others in observing 2 mins silence on your doorstep at 11 o’clock, and resume the video at 2:20 for the Reveille.
PRAYERS
Watch the video for our next prayers.
BIBLE READING by Gemma Adam – Ephesians 1:15-23
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
BIBLE TALK from Richard Hopkins
Talk outline:
1. Give thanks for every spiritual blessing in Christ
2. Pray to know God better
– The hope that we have
– The riches of our inheritance
– The greatness of God’s power
3. Know the power of God
In our closing two songs we celebrate our future hope in Christ and his power to bring us there.
SONGS
CLOSING PRAYER
Watch the video for Pete’s closing prayer.
That concludes our service. We’ll be meeting up as a church on Zoom from 12.00-12.30pm – do come along! It’ll be open from 11.50am. Details for the meeting can be found in the service sheet at the top of this page.
Some material in this service is © Used by permission CCL Licence # 1102690. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.