Sunday 12th July
We worship you, O Christ.
You nourish us
You comfort us.
When we are hungry, you are near.
When we are afraid you come to us.
You meet us at our most vulnerable.
You transform our experience by your presence.
Your actions are beyond words.
Your love is without limits.
In humility and wonder we turn to you.
We are ready to be fed once more.
Amen
Kids Zone
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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.
'God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.'
Psalm 46
Lord,
While we still can't meet together in the chapel we give thanks that we are able to come individually to pray and spend time in quiet.
We continue to pray for our minister Duncan and the elders who are looking at ways of moving forward to enable us to worship together. We reflect that we are the church, wherever we are and we pray that we can reflect Jesus to all we meet in the coming days.
We thank you for the technology that allows many of us to meet together in bible study or prayer or just to chat. We give thanks for the strengthening of relationships in our fellowship through phone calls and zoom meetings or the old fashioned note through the door. We pray that everyone will feel cared for and thought of by others and no one will feel alone.
We lift to You Lord those on our prayer list. As we pray for these individuals pray also for their wider families and friends.
Our prayer focus this week is Romans 1.11
We give thanks that lock down is easing in Uganda as it is here but we pray that people will be able to get hold of masks to allow them to return to their jobs.
Thank you for the dedicated pastors who are travelling around to preach God's word.
Bless the hands
that bring wholeness
to lives blighted by sickness.
Bless the saints who
in sad and desperate places
bring a sense of hopefulness.
Bless the Christians
facing daily opposition,
showing a faithful witness.
Bless the generosity
of the rich and powerful,
for the gift of thoughtfulness.
Bless the peacemakers
working in conditions
that are often hazardous.
Bless the politicians
whether good or bad,
for their decisions affect all of us.
Bless our words and actions
as we carry your light
into places shrouded in darkness.
Bless your children,
whoever they might be,
with the warmth of your love and grace.
©John Birch
'God's Regret'
Today is part 2 in our look at the life of David. We see more of the difference in heart between Saul and David. And we see how God grieves with us. David still makes mistakes, but the difference seems to be how he deals with them.
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Samuel Anoints David
1 Samuel 16
1 The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."
2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me."
The Lord said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.' 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate."
4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?"
5 Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord."
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The Lord has not chosen this one either." 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the Lord chosen this one." 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The Lord has not chosen these." 11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?"
"There is still the youngest," Jesse answered. "He is tending the sheep."
Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, "Rise and anoint him; this is the one."
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
David in Saul's Service
14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit from the Lord tormented him.
15 Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better."
17 So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me."
18 One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him."
19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armour-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him."
23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
Closing Prayer:
Amen.
Venerate! Tonight at 6.30p.m.
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