Stalbridge Congregational Church Prayer / Reflection 26.04.

2020
Let us begin by saying the Lord’s Prayer together
Lock down continues – social distancing remains the order of the day – there between us an invisible
barrier – while on the front line in hospitals – PPE masks, gowns, gloves, goggles and face shields are in
great demand and short supply.
As John and I went for our exercise bike ride on Tuesday there was a barrier across the path that hadn’t
been there the day before – a 30+ foot poplar tree had fallen! It was full of leaf and catkins and life – but
its roots were no longer in the ground. A wet winter had redirected the stream and as the water retreated
the earth which had anchored the tree had been washed away – the weight of the leaves were too much
and it fell! A runner coming in the opposite direction helped us move enough tree to clear the path.
Read Psalm 121
Where does our help come from – My (our) help comes from the LORD! Reflect on this…….

Let us sing together MP 37 as we worship our LORD - As the deer (fb)

As the deer pants for the water, You alone are my strength and shield
so my soul longs after you. To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You. and I long to worship You.
I want you more than gold or silver You’re my friend and You’re my brother,
only You can satisfy. Even though You are a king.
You alone are the real joy-giver I love You more than any other,
and the apple of my eye. So much more than anything.

Let us pray together

Heavenly Father, thank you for always being with us – whatever is happening in our world, even when you
feel far away – we will lift up our eyes not to the hills but to you in the sure faith that you are watching
over us – keeping us from stumbling. In our fears bring us peace, in our failings bring us forgiveness, in our
weakness give us strength. Thank you for all those you have sent to help us – the kindness of strangers,
the love of family and friends and those who serve in our hospitals, shops, delivery services, care homes,
(add others which spring to your minds and hearts) and especially the governments of our world struggling
to deal with the health pandemic and all the social and economic consequences which have followed. To
all who need to know that the Lord never slumbers or sleeps but is watching over them pour out your Holy
Spirit – Jesus our Lord and Saviour Amen.

Let us read together – John 10 v 1 – 21

Reflect? What speaks to you from this passage – is there anything new God wants to say to you?
V 1- 6 - Dorset farmers are often victims of sheep stealing – who tries to steal you away from Jesus – to
rob you of your faith?
Who are you tempted to follow instead of Jesus our Shepherd. How do we know who to follow?
V 7 – 10 Jesus said, “I am telling you the truth: I am the gate for the sheep.”
How do we know that Jesus isn’t a thief and ‘sheep’ stealer – but the one Good Shepherd?
How do we know who to listen to?
V 10 - Jesus says, “The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy.
I have come that you might have life – life in all its fullness“ reflect on this – what spoils life?
What makes our lives fuller – stronger – happier?
 V 11 – 18 “I am the Good Shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep.”
How does this differ from the thief? How do you choose your friends? How good a friend are you?
“The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again.”
Are we ready to give up our lives (spiritually) so that we can receive it back “in all its fullness”?
“No one takes my life away from me, I give it up of my own free will……..This is what my Father has
commanded me to do.”
Reflect: Jesus chose to give up His life so that we could have life. We can choose life or we can refuse it?
As we walk away from the empty tomb to await the journey ahead – our Pentecost – our release
from lock down – will we embrace life in all its fullness? How will that look for you?

Let us sing together – MP 128: Father God I wonder – let us rejoice (fb)
Father God, I wonder how I managed to exist I will sing Your praises
without the knowledge of Your parenthood I will sing Your praises
But now I am Your child, I will sing Your praises for evermore
I am adopted in Your family, I will sing Your praises
and I can never be alone I will sing Your praises
‘cause Father God, You’re there beside me I will sing Your praises for evermore.
And / Or Our God is a great big God (fb)
Our God is a great big God He’s higher than a skyscraper
Our God is a great big God He’s deeper than a submarine
Our God is a great big God He’s wider than the universe
And He holds us in His hands And beyond my wildest dreams
Repeat : And He’s know me and He’s loved me
ending: And He holds us in His hands since before the world began.
And He holds us in His hands x 2 How wonderful to be a part of God’s amazing plan

Let us pray together

Dear Lord, we pray for our future – safe and secure in your loving care – but scary to us as we cannot see
the way forward. Help us to trust you for our future and listen to your voice in these waiting times for
what that might be. Although unseen, we know you are the gate which keeps us safe, stops us from
straying outside of your love and keeps out those things which could steal us away from you. We pray for
that same security for all those we love. Show us what we can do in these days to honour you and serve
our neighbours and friends – and those who you see but we don’t. We know the days ahead may bring
challenges and dangers and we look to you in all we do. In Jesus name we pray – Amen.
Let us sing together – MP 132 (fb) (children might like to sing My Lighthouse fb)
Father, hear the prayer we offer: Not forever in green pastures Not forever by still waters
not for ease that prayer shall be, do we ask our way to be: would we idly quiet stay;
but for strength, that we may ever but by steep and rugged pathways but would smite the living fountains
live our lives courageously. Would we strive to climb to Thee. From the rocks along our way.
Be our strength in hours of weakness, let our path be bright or dreary,
in our wanderings be our guide; storm or sunshine be our share;
through endeavour, failure, danger, may our souls, in hope unweary,
Father, be Thou at our side. Make thy work our ceaseless prayer.
As we say the Grace together – hold someone’s hand picturing them in your mind’s eye and lift them to
God. May God be with us all until we meet again. Don’t forget to collect your sunflower.