Welcome to today’s virtual service! For each person in your home, you’ll need a copy of our service sheet, a bible, print outs of the children’s sheets (if needed) and your computer or tablet connected to Emmanuel’s website.
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 Richard’s welcome and intro by clicking here
Even though our love for God often fails, his love for us never does. The bible says that his love endures forever, which we’re going to celebrate in our opening song.
SONG – listen by clicking here
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.
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.
Spend some time praying for those in our church family and others you know who have to be particularly careful at the moment.
In these difficult days in which we live, we need God’s help every day more than ever. In our next song, we ask for his help to follow him.
SONG – listen by clicking here
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand.
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore!
feed me now and evermore!
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliv’rer, strong Deliv’rer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell’s Destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to Thee;
I will ever give to Thee.
In the bible passage we’re looking at this morning, we see what happened when the risen Jesus met Peter. We’re going to read now what happened with Peter, just hours before Jesus’ death.
Luke 22:54-62
Then they seized Jesus and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance.
And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.
Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said,
“This man also was with him.”
But he denied it, saying,
“Woman, I do not know him.”
And a little later someone else saw him and said,
“You also are one of them.”
But Peter said,
“Man, I am not.”
And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying,
“Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.”
But Peter said,
“Man, I do not know what you are talking about.”
And immediately, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed.
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.
And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him,
“Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.”
And he went out and wept bitterly.
PRAYERS
[Say aloud the prayers that are printed here on the sheet. If there’s more than one of you, you might like to take it in turns who says the prayer out loud. If it’s just you or you’re with people who aren’t able or confident in reading then say them all yourself!
We’re going to pray for our mission partners Andrew and Bethanie Walker. If you would like to view their most recent video update, contact us for the link].
Father God, we are sorry for the times we have let Jesus down and failed him. Though you have loved us and chosen us to be your children, we have not always followed you the way we should. We have stayed quiet when we should have spoken about you. We have denied you in our thoughts, words and actions. We are truly sorry. Please forgive us. Amen.
Thank you that you are a God who forgives us and restores us as your servants. Thank you that Jesus’ death on the cross is enough to cover every sin. Thank you that when we turn back to you, you call us to follow you once more. Please help us by your Spirit, to keep following you wherever you lead us. Amen.
Father, we pray you will help us to follow you in these difficult times. Whether you have called us at the moment to serve you in busyness or in solitude, please help us to live in a way that is worthy of you. Keep us thankful for your daily mercies to us. Keep us persevering in faith when times are hard. Keep us loving one another. Keep us witnessing to unbelievers. Please will you help us to live lives that glorify you. Amen.
And Father we pray for our mission partners Andrew and Bethanie Walker in Argentina. Thank you for bringing them safely to their new house in Mendoza and providing for their needs. Please help them as they settle in. Please give them wisdom and grace as they lead their new congregation. Please may they all be refreshed by your word, and delighted in the gospel. Amen.
Our next song reminds us that God’s love is sure, even when we fall.
SONG – listen by clicking here
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.
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.
Come rejoice now, O my soul,
for his love is my reward.
Fear is gone and hope is sure.
Christ is mine forevermore!
Watch the bible talk video for the reading and bible talk from Richard by clicking here
BIBLE READING
John 21:1-19
1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
BIBLE TALK
Promise of Restoration
Talk outline:
1. Jesus confirms his promise of friendship
2. Jesus confirms his promise of usefulness
Our closing song reminds us that, even though we often fail, all we need is Christ.
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.
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.
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…
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…
CLOSING PRAYER
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. 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.