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 18:1-14. 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 Richard’s welcome and intro by clicking here
Let’s begin our service by praising God for his greatness and blessings to us.
SONG – listen by clicking here
Tell out my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his Word –
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same –
his holy name: the Lord, the mighty one.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by;
proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Tell out, my soul, the glories of his Word!
Firm is his promise and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children’s children and for evermore!
BIBLE READING
John 10:7-15
In this passage Jesus uses the image of a shepherd to explain his loving care for us.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Our next song is based on Psalm 23 which also uses the image of God as a loving shepherd, caring for his flock.
SONG – listen by clicking here
The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads me by the still, still waters,
his goodness restores my soul.
And I will trust in you alone.
(I will trust, I will trust in you)
And I will trust in you alone,
(I will trust, I will trust in you)
for your endless mercy follows me,
your goodness will lead me home.
He guides my ways in righteousness,
and He anoints my head with oil,
and my cup, it overflows with joy,
I feast on His pure delights.
And I will trust in you alone.
(I will trust, I will trust in you)
And I will trust in you alone,
(I will trust, I will trust in you)
for your endless mercy follows me,
your goodness will lead me home.
And though I walk the darkest path,
I will not fear the evil one,
for you are with me and your rod and staff
are the comfort I need to know.
And I will trust in you alone.
(I will trust, I will trust in you)
And I will trust in you alone,
(I will trust, I will trust in you)
for your endless mercy follows me,
your goodness will lead me home.
PRAYERS
Father we thank you for the work Debs and Luke have been doing for schools in Nottingham. Thank you for sustaining them through this time of furlough. Thank you for how much they are appreciated by the schools they work in. Thank you for all the school pupils who hear about Jesus through their ministry. Please will you give wisdom to the trustees of Crossteach as they make difficult decisions about ending furlough. Please provide Crossteach with the finances they need. Please use Debs and Luke to bring young people to trust in Jesus. Amen
As the new school term starts this week, we thank you for our schools. Thank you for the high quality of education our children have access to in this country. Thank you for the relationship we have with Bramcote College. We remember the teachers and pupils in our congregation. Please will you help those who are nervous about going back, whether because of the virus, or because they’ve been away from school for so long, or because they are starting a new school. Help them to rely on you this week. Please will you protect our schools from outbreaks of coronavirus. Please will we be able to meet in Bramcote college again soon. Amen
And we pray for all the children and young people you have blessed us with as a church. Thank you for them, and for the work you are doing in their lives. Please draw them to Jesus and keep them trusting in him, especially now when we are not able to meet as a church. Please bring back those who are drifting away from Jesus. And as we advertise for a new Youth and Children’s work coordinator, please will you provide us with the right person to help us support families in discipling their children. Amen.
Thank you Father for you great love for all who believe in Jesus, from the youngest to the oldest. Help us to love one another too. Amen.
Before we look at our bible passage for this week, our next song reminds us of the Father’s love for each of us in sending Jesus.
SONG – listen by clicking here
How deep the Father’s love for us
how vast beyond all measure,
that he should give his only Son
to make a wretch his treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
the Father turns his face away,
as wounds which mar the Chosen One
bring many sons to glory.
Behold the Man upon the cross,
my sin upon his shoulders;
ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held him there
until it was accomplished;
his dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
no gifts, no pow’r, no wisdom;
but I will boast in Jesus Christ,
his death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from his reward?
I cannot give an answer;
but this I know with all my heart,
his wounds have paid my ransom.
Watch the bible talk video for the reading and bible talk from Rich by clicking here
BIBLE READING – Matthew 18:1-14
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
BIBLE TALK
The glory of childlikeness
Talk outline:
The humble are the greatest in the kingdom (v1-4)
Don’t let pride cause others to stumble (v5-9)
Don’t despise the ‘little ones’ (v10-14)
Let’s celebrate the love of Jesus for us, his little ones.
SONG – listen by clicking here
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed
To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave
To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!
CLOSING PRAYER
Watch the video as Richard 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.