Stalbridge Congregational Church Prayer / Reflection 10.05.

2020
Pray the Lord’s Prayer together
Today (7th May) is our 54th Wedding Anniversary! I have been a Christian for 66 years; we were married in
1966! Tomorrow is VE day – Victory in Europe (see Diana if you would like the children’s resources for this).
And woo hoo the cygnets arrived this week!
Take a moment to reflect on some of the milestones in your life. Give thanks to God for them.
In Zoom conversations with other Christian leaders and in various Christian emails I have received over
recent weeks – there is a buoyancy about – hundreds, thousands of new people are tuning in to online
worship services – a new vibrancy within much of the church! Is that my / your experience?
(How many of us can use Zoom – shall we give it a go – let me know)

Read Psalm 100 – A hymn of praise….. now sing MP 1221 Praise is rising
Praise is rising, eyes are turning to you - We turn to you. Hosanna, Hosanna
Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for you – We long for you. You are the God who saves us
When we see you we find strength to face the day Worthy of all our praises.
And in your presence all our fears are washed away, Hosanna, Hosanna
Washed away. Come have your way among us

Hear the sound of hearts returning to you - we turn to you. We welcome you here Lord Jesus.
In your kingdom, broken lives are renewed – You make all things new.
When we see you……………………… Hosanna, Hosanna …………………… repeat

Let us pray together……..

Saviour Jesus, Thank you for all those who are returning to you or coming for the first time during these
times of lockdown. We too are turning to you as your church together during this time apart – keep our
faith fresh and alive. Keep us bonded in love – and faith. In this time of waiting…. Waiting for how
lockdown will be eased, lifted, whatever the future may hold for us – keep us strong and keep our
connections with family and friends alive. Give us patience to wait and resist the temptation to ignore the
guidance which comes from the experts and listen to your voice when times get tough. Thank you for all
those whose service to others in war times and peace which we celebrate this weekend. Amen

Read Acts 1 v 1 – 6
After the Resurrection the disciples were waiting ….. waiting to see what would happen next ….. I would
love to have been a fly on the wall. Last week we saw Peter off fishing with the others joining him and
Jesus turned up. I can’t wait for the end of lockdown – but must – the disciples were longing for Pentecost
– and the refreshing of the Holy Spirit even though they didn’t know what that meant – they talked to
Jesus about the Kingdom – what, I wonder, did they think Jesus meant when he said ‘in a few days you will
be baptized with the Holy Spirit”? What do you think being baptized in the Holy Spirit means?
There is so much speculation going on at the moment – about the virus – who is most vulnerable, how can
we avoid it, cure it, even know if we have or haven’t had it! What will life after lockdown be like?
Yet for millions of families a more important question is What will we have for breakfast or tea? Give
thanks to God for all those who are being the answer to that question with food parcels and other support.
If we read on in Acts 1 we see that during the waiting time the disciples strengthened their team – got
themselves ready for the Holy Spirit and the new life to come.
How are we using this waiting time to prepare ourselves for life beyond lockdown? Will our church be
stronger – will we consider our membership – how can we do it better? If we are not covenant members
yet, is it something to think about? Being a Church Member gives the privilege of playing an active part in
the shaping spiritual and missional life of the church – is this for you?
Wait upon the Lord, he is waiting upon you.

Let us sing together – MP 111 – Dear Lord and Father

Dear Lord and Father of mankind. In simple trust like theirs who heard
forgive our foolish ways; beside the Syrian sea,
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind; the gracious calling of the Lord,
in purer lives Thy service find, Let us, like them without a word
In deeper reverence, praise Rise up and follow Thee,
In deeper reverence, praise. Rise up and follow Thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee! With that deep hush subduing all

O calm of hills above, Our words and works that drown
where Jesus knelt to share with Thee, the tender whisper of thy call,
the silence of eternity, As noiseless let Thy blessing fall,
Interpreted by love! As fell Thy manna down.
Interpreted by love! As fell Thy manna down.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness Breathe through the heats of our desire
Till all our strivings cease Thy coolness and thy balm:
Take from our souls the strain and stress, Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
And let our ordered lives confess Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
The beauty of Thy peace. O still small voice of calm!
The beauty of Thy peace. O still small voice of calm!

Acts 6 v 6 – 8
There is a buzz amongst some Christian organisations that this is the moment when the Lord will give the
Kingdom ‘back’ to the church. But Jesus replies:
“The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will
be.” (v7) Do you find that frustrating? One half of me does!!!! The other is quite relieved!!!! I’m glad
God has the final say – that the responsibility is HIS!!!!
However I am also excited by v 8 “But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…….. you will be……. ”
As we await Pentecost, as we await the new ‘normal’ post lockdown and covid-19 let us prepare ourselves
to be all that Jesus says we will be “witness for me (him)…..”

Let us sing together MP 1087 What a faithful God have I

Lord, I come before Your throne of grace;
I find rest in Your presence and fullness of joy.
In worship and wonder I behold Your face,
Singing, what a faithful God have I.
Lord of mercy, You have heard my cry;
through the storm You’re the beacon
My song in the night.
In the shelter of Your wings, hear my heart’s reply,
singing what a faithful God have I.
What a faithful God have I.
What a faithful God.
What a faithful God have I,
Faithful in every way.
Lord, all sovereign, granting peace from heaven,
Let me comfort those who suffer
With the comfort You have given.
I will tell of Your great love for as long as I live,
singing what a faithful God have I.

Let us pray together: For those you love and cannot hold in your arms. For those who are struggling
asking how ‘can you help?’ For peace of mind and for hope for the future in Jesus’ name. Amen. Say the
Grace together – think of the people whose hands you would be holding if we were in the church building.
Ask God to Bless them and Keep them every day until we meet again.