Tuning into God

1 Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. 2 Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and for evermore. 3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. 4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, 6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; 8 he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. 9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD. Psalm 113 Let everything that hath breath

Offering Song; Low in the grave Vainly they watch His bed, Vainly they seal the dead, Death cannot keep his prey, He tore the bars away, The offering funds the work of this church 10% is given to Tear Fund and BMS World Mission for work overseas

When we proclaim the good news, We can come under attack

Acts 4: Good news under attack 1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family.

7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' 12 Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name."

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. 23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

Prayers for proclamation of Good News when under attack My peace

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven Hallowed be your name Your kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven Give us today our daily bread Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and ever. Amen

When we have a problem, how should we pray? God in Creation God in Scripture God in my past God in my present/future

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

Sovereign Lord, you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen O Love that wilt not let me go God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

Opening Among the poor, among the proud, among the persecuted, among the privileged, Christ is coming to make all things new. In the private house, in the public place, in the wedding feast, in the judgement hall, Christ is coming to make all things new. With a gentle touch, with an angry word, with a clear conscience, with burning love, Christ is coming to make all things new. God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

That the kingdom might come, that the world might believe, that the powerful might stumble, that the hidden might be seen, Christ is coming to make all things new. Within us, without us, behind us, before us, in this place, in every place, for this time, for all time, Christ is coming to make all things new. God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future Bread is gluten free

Confession God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

It was the night of the Passover, and Jesus and his friends were sharing supper together. While they eating he told them that one of them would betray him. They were appalled and protested saying, ‘Not I Lord, I would never betray you.’ Jesus took some bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them saying, ‘Take this and eat. This is my body.’ He took the cup of wine and after giving thanks passed it among them, saying as they drank, ‘This is my blood of the covenant. It is poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. I will not drink again until the day comes when I drink with you in my father’s Kingdom.’ God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

Thanks Creating and redeeming God, we give you thanks and praise for your covenant of grace: a covenant expressed in sinful people who know forgiveness, the weary who are refreshed, the hungry who are nourished, the captives who are set free and the oppressed who experience liberation. Thank you that you chose to make us a part of your story. God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

Thank you for Jesus Christ who revealed your love in his death and resurrection and who continues to share his life with us through bread and wine. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit who sustains us in our walk together, helping us to watch over each other, to pray for one another, and to work together for justice and truth. God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

As we eat this bread and drink from the cup, (signs of hospitality and grace), may we be empowered to serve boldly wherever you may call. Accept these prayers and our heartfelt thanksgiving in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

One people, one loaf, a sign of our common faith and testimony to the generosity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Take this loaf, food for faith, and feed on it with thanksgiving. God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

One people, one cup, a sign of the new covenant poured out for you and for many. It is a covenant sealed by his blood. As we drink we are thankful and agree together never to forget. God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

The prodigals have returned! Father of all - we give you thanks and praise that when we were still far off you met us in your son and brought us home Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life We whom the spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope that you have set before us so we and all your children shall be free And the whole earth live to praise your name. For Christ has Died - Christ is Risen & Christ will come again.

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future

From Amen to Action Now may the blessing of God the Father, who made from one every nation that occupies the earth; of God the Son who bought us for God from every tribe & language & people & nation; and of God the Spirit who brings us together in unity, be with us and remain with us always. Amen. cf Acts 17.26; Revelation 5.9 Our Gathered worship ends, our Worship continues, our Service begins God in Creation, Scripture, My past, My present/future