Sunday 10th May

Opening prayer

Heavenly Father,

Over the past week we will, at times, have been reflecting on a period in history where there was cause for great celebration as the war came to an end in Europe and people were at last able to look to the future, with out fear. We are living with much uncertainty in our present age and know that there is an unseen enemy in the form of Covid-19 and we await release from the threat that this represents in our lives.

Loving Lord, you are with us on this journey and,

although we don't know what the future holds, we can be completely certain that you hold us, sustain us and want the very best for us. So, we look to you now Lord at the start of this time, our 7th service in lockdown. 2 Samuel 22:31 "As for God, his way is perfect. The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him".

We let our concerns and preoccupations fall away now Lord, and give this time to you.

In Jesus name we pray,

Amen

Kids Corner

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Call to worship

Let us worship God:The God who goes with us as we walk;

The God who is in our contact with others,

no matter how distant;

The God who is in love with each and every one of us,

And calls us to share in the life of Jesus;

The God who says,

'Come to me, all who are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

'Worship God.

Giving

Thank you for all your support of Wrington Chapel and its work in the past.

We realise that many people are hard-pressed at the moment, and church may be the last thing on your mind. However, we are looking to the future when we can reopen and support each other in our usual way. Unfortunately, being closed does not mean our expenses are substantially less. If you already have a standing order set up, then thank you. But if you haven't, please consider getting in touch with Steve Osman and setting one up. If that is impossible, please continue to save up your collection money, and we will collect it all together when we reopen. Please note that the rules do not allow us to claim any Gift Aid on collections that are not taken up in church. So do NOT drop collection money off at Steve's house. Simply take out a standing order, or save it up for that great and glorious reopening day.

'Pray continually,

give thanks in all circumstances'

1 Thessalonians 5.17

On Friday the country commemorated the 75th anniversary of V.E. day.

Although national celebrations were scaled down because of Covid-19

many of us were able to join with our neighbours and mark this occasion

with tea in the front garden.

For those that did it provided a real lifting of spirits during these strange times and reminded us of the importance of our communities and the many reasons we have to give thanks.

Thank you Lord God for the opportunity of worship, for the freedom to be part of your family even when we are alone or just with our own family members meeting together but in our own homes and in the warmth of your embrace

Thank you that in worship we can put aside,

the uncertainties of this world and rest upon the certainties of the Kingdom,

for your promises are not changeable as those of a politician might be,

but immovable and eternal

Thank you that we can bring to your feet, all the hurts and fears that trouble us,

and leave them there, knowing that your strength and assurance are all that we require

Thank you that as we draw near in worship, we are transported from a world of concerns and fears, to a place where we can be at peace in your presence,

find healing, wholeness and refreshment.

Thank you Lord God for the opportunity of worship

We do give thanks for the freedoms won for us 75 years ago

and remember all who sacrificed their lives

We give thanks for this community that we live in,

for all who are helping us to continue to live safely

We give thanks for your healing work continuing in the lives of those on our prayer list.

We thank you that we can come to you with our cares and concerns,

our heartbreaks and our pain and you

will give us peace and strength to meet any difficulties.

We pray for those on our prayer list who are facing

sickness or loneliness. Pray for those recently bereaved, those struggling with life

Our prayer focus this week is Romans 1. 11.

Please pray for the new administrator Rachel Bailey as she gets to grips with her new role. Rejoice in knowing our friends in Africa are praying for us during this strange time.

Galatians 2 : 11 - 21

11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, 'You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

15 'We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

17 'But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn't that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a law-breaker.

19 'For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!'