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 found here
This week’s service should be streaming live from 10:30 and can be accessed here:
If this doesn’t work, the website version of the service is below as usual.
The thinking behind the song choices is explained in italics
WELCOME
Watch the video as Richard welcomes us.
SONG
Our opening song encourages us to rejoice as God’s people.
Come people of the risen king
who delight to bring him praise;
come all and tune your hearts to sing
to the Morning Star of grace.
From the shifting shadows of the earth we will lift our eyes to him,
where steady arms of mercy reach to gather children in.
Rejoice, rejoice! Let every tongue rejoice!
One heart, one voice; O church of Christ, rejoice!
Come, those whose joy is morning sun,
and those weeping through the night;
come, those who tell of battles won,
and those struggling in the fight.
For his perfect love will never change, and his mercies never cease,
but follow us through all our days with the certain hope of peace.
Rejoice, rejoice…
Come, young and old from every land –
men and women of the faith;
come, those with full or empty hands –
find the riches of his grace.
Over all the world, his people sing –
shore to shore we hear them call
the truth that cries through every age: ‘our God is all in all!’
Rejoice, rejoice…
BITESIZE
In our bitesize, we catch up with Lydia on her exciting plans for the future.
PRAYERS
Pete & Ruth Watts lead us in our prayers.
SONG
In our next song we commit to praising God in all circumstances of our lives.
Blessed be your name in the land that is plentiful.
Where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be your name.
Blessed be your name when I’m found in the desert place.
Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name.
Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise.
When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say…
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
blessed be your name.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
blessed be your glorious name.
Blessed be your name when the sun’s shining down on me.
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’, blessed be your name.
Blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering.
Though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name.
Every blessing…
You give and take away. You give and take away.
My heart will choose to say, “Lord, blessed be Your name.”
BIBLE READING
Our first bible reading tells us why suffering for Jesus is worth it.
Hebrews 11:32-12:3
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted.
SONG
Our next song helps us to fix our eyes on Jesus.
Jesus, be the centre
Be my source, be my light Jesus
Jesus, be the centre
Be my hope, be my song Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, be my vision
Be my path, be my guide Jesus
READING and BIBLE TALK
In the next video Rosie reads the bible passage which Ed then speaks on.
Acts 5:17-42
17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council and all the senate of the people of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23“We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honour by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name. 42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
SONGS
In our closing songs reflect on the cost of following Jesus but express our desire for all people to hear about him.
Mine are days that God has numbered. I was made to walk with Him. Yet I look for worldly treasure and forsake the King of kings. But mine is hope in my Redeemer. Though I fall, his love is sure for Christ has paid for every failing. I am His forevermore.
Mine are tears in times of sorrow, darkness not yet understood. Through the valley I must travel where I see no earthly good. But mine is peace that flows from heaven and the strength in times of need. I know my pain will not be wasted. Christ completes his work in me.
Mine are days here as a stranger, pilgrim on a narrow way. One with Christ I will encounter harm and hatred for his name. But mine is armour for this battle strong enough to last the war. And he has said he will deliver
safely to the golden shore.
Come rejoice now, O my soul, for his love is my reward. Fear is gone and hope is sure. Christ is mine forevermore!
And mine are keys to Zion city where beside the King I walk for there my heart has found its treasure. Christ is mine forevermore.
You have called us out of darkest night into Your glorious light
That we may sing the wonders of the risen Christ
May our every breath retell the grace that broke into our strife
With boundless love and deepest joy with endless life
May the peoples praise You, let the nations be glad
All Your blessing comes that we may praise
May praise the Name of Jesus
All the earth is Yours and all within each harvest is Your own
And from Your hand we give to You, to make Christ known
May the seeds of mercy grow in us for those who have not heard
May songs of praise build lives of grace to spread Your Word
May the peoples praise…
This our holy privilege to declare your praises and Your name
To every nation, tribe and tongue, your church proclaims
May the peoples praise…
Holy, holy is the Lord Almighty
Worthy, worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Holy, holy is the Lord Almighty
All creation praise Your glorious Name
CLOSING PRAYER
Richard closes our service in 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.