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 the promise we are God’s children, as we look to 1 John 2:28-3:3. 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 this 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 AND OPENING PRAYER
Watch the video of Rich’s welcome and intro by clicking here
In our first song we rejoice together that we are children of God with a Father who will never let us go.
SONG – listen by clicking here
Come and stand before your maker
Full of wonder, full of fear;
Come behold his power and glory
Yet with confidence draw near,
For the one who holds the heavens
And commands the stars above
Is the God who bends to bless us
With an unrelenting love.
Rejoice!
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice;
He is worthy of all praise, Rejoice!
Sing the mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice.
We are children of the promise,
The beloved of the Lord.
Won with everlasting kindness,
Bought with sacrificial blood.
Bringing reconciliation
To a world that longs to know
The affections of a father
Who will never let them go.
Rejoice!
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice;
He is worthy of all praise, Rejoice!
Sing the mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice.
All our sickness, all our sorrows
Jesus carried up the hill.
He has walked this path before us,
He is walking with us still;
Turning tragedy to triumph,
Turning agony to praise,
There is blessing in the battle
So take heart and stand amazed.
Rejoice!
When you cry to Him, He hears your voice;
He will wipe away your tears, Rejoice!
In the midst of suffering, He will help you sing
Rejoice!
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice;
He is worthy of all praise, Rejoice!
Sing the mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice.
BITESIZE 1
Click here as we catch up with what some of our young people have been doing in YPF.
Read together this passage from 1 Peter which praises God for the blessings of being born again..
1 Peter 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
We’re going to sing now to remind ourselves of what Jesus has done for us and to praise God for it.
SONG – listen by clicking here
I once was lost in darkest night
yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life
had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
a rebel to Your will,
and if You had not loved me first,
I would refuse You still.
But as I ran my hell-bound race,
indifferent to the cost,
You looked upon my helpless state
and led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed;
You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me
now all I know is grace!
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.
Now Lord I would be Yours alone
and live so all might see
the strength to follow Your commands
could never come from me.
O Father use my ransomed life
in any way You choose,
and let my song forever be
my only boast is You!
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.
PRAYERS
Paul and Abi Jenkins lead our prayers this morning. Click here to listen.
Our next song points us to the cross, but also reminds us of how good it will be when Jesus appears.
SONG – listen by clicking here
I cast my mind to Calvary
Where Jesus bled and died for me.
I see His wounds, His hands, His feet.
My Saviour on that cursed tree
His body bound and drenched in tears
They laid Him down in Joseph’s tomb.
The entrance sealed by heavy stone
Messiah still and all alone.
O praise the name of the Lord our God
O praise His name forever more
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God
Then on the third at break of dawn,
The Son of heaven rose again.
O trampled death where is your sting?
The angels roar for Christ the King!
He shall return in robes of white,
The blazing Son shall pierce the night.
And I will rise among the saints,
My gaze transfixed on Jesus’ face.
Watch the bible talk video for the reading and bible talk from Rich by clicking here
BIBLE READING
1 John 2:28-3:3
2 28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practises righteousness has been born of him.
3 1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
BIBLE TALK
We are God’s children
Talk outline:
1. We are God’s children
2. We will be like him
3. So keep following Jesus
In our closing song we commit to keep believing, obeying and loving as we follow our Father who has made us ‘children of light’.
SONG – listen by clicking here
Hear the call of the kingdom
lift your eyes to the King.
Let his song rise within you
as a fragrant offering,
of how God, rich in mercy,
came in Christ to redeem
all who trust in his unfailing grace.
Hear the call of the kingdom
to be children of light,
with the mercy of heaven,
the humility of Christ.
Walking justly before Him,
loving all that is right,
that the life of Christ
may shine through us.
King of heaven, we will answer the call;
we will follow, bringing hope to the world,
filled with passion,
filled with power to proclaim
salvation in Jesus’ name.
Hear the call of the kingdom
to reach out to the lost,
with the Father’s compassion
in the wonder of the cross,
bringing peace and forgiveness,
and a hope yet to come;
let the nations put their trust in Him.
CLOSING PRAYER
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
That concludes our service. Why not make some video calls now to others in the church to encourage and support one another?
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.