Welcome
Be thou my vision
Praise God using the following songs: starting with 'I am a new creation'
Purify my heart
Who is there like You.
Our prayers this evening have been written by James Easley.
Let’s Pray:
Dear Lord,
Perhaps the beauty of the Spring and Summer weather this year has made us more aware of the wonder of your creation and moved us to praise you for the miracles that surround us.
Over against this we have spent several months confronted with the phenomenon of a virus which has brought so many of the activities that we have taken for granted to a standstill, but even this has resulted in all of us being moved to consider how we can be of help to our neighbour. We pray, that when this crisis comes to an end, that the willingness to help those in need will continue and that once again the Church will prove to be the centre where love and kindness is shown in good times as well as bad.
We give thanks that we've been able to see and hear our pastor and other friends bringing services into our homes each Sunday. This has meant for all of us, as a family of your people, that the Sabbath day remains a time of spiritual refreshment and as our pastor reminded us last Sunday, helps us to keep the main thing, the main thing. It's our hope Lord that for many a break from the frenetic activity of a work and social life will cause them to 'be still and know that you are God'.
While to be part of a loving human family is a great blessing the enforced separation of recent times has brought unhappiness to some, especially older folk who have longed to spend time with their grandchildren but have been prevented. We pray Lord that this might cause a seeking after your presence as the One who never leaves us or forsakes us.
We would pray Heavenly Father for wisdom for our government at this crucial time when there are so many important decisions to be made. Running parallel with the pandemic there are important negotiations with Europe concerning our departure from the Community, serious disagreements with China and Russia and the need to negotiate trade agreements around the world. Our government will need your guidance Lord and we commit them to you and would ask that your Holy Spirit will move them to prayer as to the best course of action in our country's long term interest.
We would thank you Lord that the church of Christ continues to grow in those countries where atheism is government policy or where the state religion does not favour Christianity but rather persecutes it and encourages others to do so. We ask for your hand of protection to be on those who boldly continue to proclaim the gospel and upon their families who have often done no wrong but suffer violence and prejudice.
Finally, Lord, we would thank you for your blessing on our church family. For the teaching and proclamation of the word, for the fact that we can say that we lack no good thing, for the measure of health with which you've blessed each one, and for brothers and sisters in the other churches in Lindfield, who proclaim the Good News of Jesus with us. Amen.
As we turn to God’s word let’s pray: Dear Lord, as we study your word again tonight, may the words come afresh to us, and may the enlightenment given to Merv bring us closer in our walk with you. Amen
Sermon 2 Corinthians 3 v 1 - 6
In Christ Alone
Birthdays in August:
6th Marie Wakeford
12th Christine Hamer
17th Eileen North
We wish a very Happy Birthday to all our friends celebrating their birthdays this month. May the Lord bless your special days.
Closing Prayer.
Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night, for the love of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.