Welcome to our virtual service!
We’re really glad you can join us for this service. Everything you need for the service is on this webpage. Simply press the play button on each of the videos as you come to them. You might like to print out the service sheet below and if you have children under the age of 14 with you – there are activities for them which you can also download below.
Today’s service sheet can be downloaded here
Today’s resources for E Kids can be downloaded here
This week’s service should be streaming live from 10:30 and can be accessed here:
The thinking behind the song choices is explained in italics
WELCOME by Richard Hopkins
SONG
Give thanks to the Lord our God and King
his love endures forever.
For He is good, he is above all things:
his love endures forever.
Sing praise, sing praise, sing praise, sing praise.
With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm:
his love endures forever.
For the life that’s been reborn:
his love endures forever.
Sing praise, sing praise, sing praise, sing praise.
Forever God is faithful; forever God is strong.
Forever God is with us, forever. (repeat)
Forever.
From the rising to the setting sun:
his love endures forever.
By the grace of God, we will carry on:
his love endures forever.
Sing praise, sing praise, sing praise, sing praise.
BITESIZE
Decode the flags in the service sheet!
SONG
I’m going to trust in God. I’m going to trust in Jesus
without shame and without fear.
I’m going to fix my eyes on the hope of glory
for his day is drawing near.
How great is the love of God, how steady is his hand
to guide me through this world.
And though I’m weak in him I stand
and you will hear me say today in faith,
“I’m going to trust in God.”
Now when the cares of life seem overwhelming
and my heart is sinking down
I’m going to lift my hands to the One who’ll help me,
to the One who holds my crown.
BIBLE READING by Jason Atkin
Acts 6:8-7:1 & 7:48-8:4
6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
7 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?”
…
7:48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,
49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,
or what is the place of my rest?
50 Did not my hand make all these things?’
51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
8 And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
BIBLE TALK by Rich Adam
- When we tell people about Jesus, some will say NO!
- When we tell people about Jesus, God is with us.
SONG
I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me;
How he left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me;
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
I was lost, but Jesus found me,
Found the sheep that went astray,
Raised me up and gently led me
Back into the narrow way.
Days of darkness still come o’er me,
Sorrow’s path I often tread,
But His presence still is with me;
By His guiding hand I’m led.
He will keep me till the river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then he’ll bear me safely over,
Made by grace for glory meet.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me;
Sing it with his saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
PRAYERS led by Toni Davies
When people say no, thank you that you are with us.
SONG
Lift high the name of Jesus of Jesus our King.
Make known the power of His grace, the beauty of His peace.
Remember how His mercy reached and we cried out to Him.
He lifted us to solid ground, to freedom from our sin.
Oh sing my soul, and tell all He’s done,
till the earth and heavens are filled with His glory!
Lift high the name of Jesus, of Jesus our Lord.
His power in us is greater than, is greater than this world.
To share the reason for our hope, to serve with love and grace,
that all who see Him shine through us might bring the Father praise.
Oh sing my soul, and tell all He’s done….
Lift high the name of Jesus, of Jesus our Light.
No other name on earth can save, can raise a soul to life.
He opens up our eyes to see the harvest He has grown.
We labour in His fields of grace as He leads sinners home.
Oh sing my soul, and tell all He’s done…
CLOSING PRAYER
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.