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 God’s word to us, as we look to Matthew 15:21-28. There are some activities for those aged 14 or under to do and a bible talk from Paul 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
We begin our service by praising God for his goodness and love.
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,
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.
Our next song reminds us of how God works through faith.
SONG – listen by clicking here
By faith we see the hand of God
in the light of creation’s grand design,
in the lives of those who prove His faithfulness,
who walk by faith and not by sight.
By faith our fathers roamed the earth,
with the power of His promise in their hearts
of a holy city built by God’s own hand;
a place where peace and justice reign.
We will stand as children of the promise.
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward,
till the race is finished and the work is done,
we’ll walk by faith and not by sight.
By faith the prophets saw a day
when the longed-for Messiah would appear
with the power to break the chains of sin and death
and rise triumphant from the grave.
By faith the church was called to go
in the power of the Spirit to the lost,
to deliver captives and to preach good news
in every corner of the earth.
We will stand…
By faith this mountain shall be moved
and the power of the gospel shall prevail.
For we know in Christ all things are possible
for all who call upon His name.
BIBLE READING – Isaiah 49:5-7
Jesus came to save his people Israel, and not just them but all people who have faith in him. This was described by the prophet Isaiah hundreds of years in advance:
49:5 And now the Lord says,
he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him;
and that Israel might be gathered to him—
for I am honoured in the eyes of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength—
6he says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
7Thus says the Lord,
the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,
to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation,
the servant of rulers:
“Kings shall see and arise;
princes, and they shall prostrate themselves;
because of the Lord, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
BITESIZE 2
Click here to watch a catch up with our mission partners Larry and Sinead Norman.
PRAYERS
Say aloud the prayers below.
Father God, thank you for Larry and Sinead and their work in Leipzig. Thank you that restrictions have been lifted there and they are able to meet as a church once more. And thank you that the Interaction Youth Camp is able to go ahead this week. Please help them in their preparation, so that the preaching will help the young people to grasp the good news about Jesus. Please will you protect them all this week. Keep Larry and Sinead rejoicing in Jesus, and help them as they get ready to become parents in September.
We thank you too for the gradual lifting of restrictions in this country so that we are better able to enjoy the summer. Please grant us times of rest and refreshment over the holiday period. May we be a blessing to friends and family as we are able to see them again. And please help us to keep growing in faith over this time. Help us to grow in confidence in Jesus our rock in good times and bad.
We do pray Father for an end to this virus and the suffering that it is causing. Please will attempts to find a vaccine be successful. Please will you give wisdom to our government in all the difficult decisions they face. Please may it be possible for us to meet again as a church soon.
But we thank you that you are at work in all circumstances. And we pray you will use this situation to bring many people to know about Jesus. Help us to make the most of every opportunity to speak about him to others. Please use our virtual services, and especially our service on 16 August, to honour Jesus and save people who don’t yet know him.
We ask all of this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
We have no right to expect God to save us, but he shows us grace, love and mercy all the same.
SONG – listen by clicking here
I don’t deserve to be your servant
and how much less to be your child.
Anger and wrath, sure condemnation,
should be my portion, my just reward.
Never have seen it, never will know it.
Your loving kindness enfolds my life.
All you have shown me is grace, love and mercy.
Now and forever, I am your child.
Freely you pour out your loving kindness.
Father of grace, you welcome me in.
All of the sin I have committed
was placed upon your righteous Son.
And now you see me through his perfection,
as if I’d never done any wrong.
Always forgiven, always accepted,
no fear of judgment before your throne.
Watch the bible talk video for the reading and bible talk from Paul by clicking here
BIBLE READING
Matthew 15:21-28
15:21And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
BIBLE TALK
The glory of faith
Talk outline:
1. Jesus is for everyoe
2. So come to Jesus
3. Come with the empty hands of faith
Our closing song is a confident prayer that all peoples may praise the name of Jesus.
SONG – listen by clicking here
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
May the peoples praise…
CLOSING PRAYER
Watch the video as Rich closes our service in prayer.
That’s the end of our service but do link up now with others from Emmanuel!
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.