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 red 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 found here
The thinking behind the song choices is explained in italics
WELCOME
Watch the video of Colin’s welcome.
SONG
We begin our service by blessing God’s name, regardless of our current circumstances.
BITESIZE
Toni interviews Rachel, one of our church members.
BIBLE READING
Romans 5 reminds us of why we can rejoice even in times of suffering.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
SONG
Our next song encourages us to take all our sorrows to Jesus in prayer.
PRAYERS
In our next video Brian Davies leads us in prayer.
SONG
Before we come to look at Psalm 13, our next song reminds us of the hope we have in times of suffering
CHILDREN’S INTRO, READING and BIBLE TALK
In the next video Helen introduces the children’s material for today, Nina reads the bible passage which Paul then speaks on.
Psalm 13
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me for ever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him”,
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Sermon points
- Bring your sorrows to God…
- … yet always rejoice in Him.
SONGS
In our closing two songs we seek to bring our sorrows to God, yet always rejoice in him.
There is strength within the sorrow,
There is beauty in our tears.
And You meet us in our mourning,
With a love that casts out fear.
You are working in our waiting –
You’re sanctifying us;
When beyond our understanding
You’re teaching us to trust.
Your plans are still to prosper,
You have not forgotten us.
You’re with us in the fire and the flood.
You’re faithful forever, perfect in love,
You are sovereign over us.
You are wisdom unimagined,
Who could understand Your ways?
Reigning high above the Heavens,
Reaching down in endless grace.
You’re the lifter of the lowly,
Compassionate and kind;
You surround and You uphold me,
And Your promises are my delight.
Your plans are still… (x2)
Even what the enemy means for evil,
You turn it for our good;
You turn it for our good and for Your glory.
Even in the valley, You are faithful,
You’re working for our good;
You’re working for our good and for Your glory.
(repeat)
Your plans are still… (x2)
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.