Sunday 26th April

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come to you now and are unified by our desire

to draw near to you and be in your presence.

Our current lives are radically changed from the normal routines that hold and ground us; some of us may be feeling very lost and alone.

We thank you that we have our roots planted in you

Father and we know that you never leave us

and are our ever present source of strength and comfort.

So, we give this time to you and let our troubles melt away

as we acknowledge you unending love for us and share in this time of worship,

teaching and prayer.

In Jesus' name we pray,

Amen

Kids Corner

Activity Link:

https://bibleactivitieszone.com/

Call to worship

Children of the Lord, do not keep silent.

Do not let the weariness of this age

cause your tongue to slumber.

Instead, speak of the goodness of the Lord;

shout loudly of his love for you.

Shine like the planets, and burning stars.

For your God rejoices in knowing you,

and would know you more.

So, today, be those who delight in God,

and would walk with him, together.

Be children of God, For he is good.

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.

Matthew 5 : 38 to 48

38 'You have heard that it was said,

"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth."

39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.

If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

42 Give to the one who asks you,

and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43 'You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbour and hate your enemy."

44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?

Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?

Do not even pagans do that?

48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Title:

Jesus the Revolutionary

Today we look at how revolutionary Jesus was:

how he changed the whole mindset that people worked with.

He's not just meek and mild, he's a world changer.

And his gospel is radical, irreligious and very good news.

Click on the link below to go to this weeks recording.

https://wringtonchapel.com/recordings/

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https://www.lynchchapel.org.uk/

Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5 : 17

We have so much to thank God for in spite of the difficulties encountered during this lock down and it is good to practice thankfulness and acknowledge God's goodness to us.

We give you thanks for new life, for new babies born who bring hope for the future.

We give thanks for the new lambs in the fields and new leaves on the trees,

for nesting birds and seedlings sprouting, butterflies and bees.

For the interconnectedness of all life we thank you Lord.

We thank you for all who have birthdays this week.

We give thanks for their lives and pray for their health.

We pray especially for young children who have birthdays and can't celebrate with their friends and may have difficulty understanding why.

We look forward to a time when families can come together again for these celebrations which are such an important part of our lives.

We give thanks for those celebrating wedding anniversaries during this time and pray for those whose plans to marry have been put on hold by his pandemic.

Bless each couple Lord and may they continue to know your presence in their lives.

We give thanks for our community and the way people are supporting and helping each other.

For everyone who has been sewing scrubs for local hospitals and GP practices,

making face masks or making hearts we thank you Lord.

For everyone who has made a scarecrow to brighten our daily exercise and encourage our children to keep active, we thank you Lord.

For everyone delivering food to those in self isolation, we thank you Lord

For all who clap on a Thursday for the NHS , we thank you Lord.

We give thanks for the amazing example set by Captain Tom.

We pray that you continue to keep him safe and well and we pray for all of those he has inspired to do their own challenges.

We pray for our minister and the elders who are working hard to keep in touch with the congregation by phone calls or the Sunday service or zoom meetings.

Thank you Lord that at a time when we can't meet physically we can still be church

We pray for those in our fellowship in need at this time.

We pray you would be with them in their isolation, pain, grief, frustration, worry.

Whatever the need Lord we trust that you will supply it.

Our prayer focus this week is Tearfund.

They are continuing to work through local church partners to support the poorest people wherever they are in the world. Pray for their staff and partners that they will be safe.

Pray for the finances to continue feeding and education programmes.