Stalbridge Congregational Church Prayer/Reflection 12 th July 2020

What does God Require of Us?

Let us say the Lord’s Prayer together
Let us sing together – MP 50 Be Still for the Presence of the Lord
Be still for the presence of the Lord, Be still, for the glory of the
the Holy One is here; Lord, is shining all around;
come bow before Him now He burns with holy fire,
with reverence and fear: with splendour He is crowned.
In Him no sin is found - how awesome is the sight -
We stand on holy ground. Our radiant King of light!
Be still, for the presence of the Lord, Be still, for the glory of the Lord,
the Holy One is here. Is shining all around.
Be still for the power of the
Lord, is moving in this place;
He comes to cleanse and heal,
To minister His grace -
no work too hard for Him.
In faith receive from Him.
Be still, for the power of the
Lord, is moving in this place

Let us read from Micah 6 v 6 – 8

What shall I bring to the Lord, the God of heaven, when I come to worship him? Shall I bring the best calves
to burn as offerings to him? Will the Lord be pleased if I bring him thousands of sheep or endless streams of
olive oil? Shall I offer him my first born child to pay for my sins?
No the Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant
love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.
Let us pray together: Dear God, as we meet today, in the sanctuary or at home, we come seeking You:
We are full of ourselves, our concerns, our fears, our joys, our sorrows and our hopes. Help us to lay those
aside for this time together; help us to focus our minds not on what is seen as ‘the right way to worship’
but to open our hearts to meet with you – as we are, where we are, who we are. All we ask is that you will
meet us here as your church and as your child and receive worship which comes from our hearts – take
away any sense of obligation or pattern of worship – just meet with us here Lord God, our Father, Master,
Saviour and friend. In Jesus name we pray Amen.
Let us sing together – MP 1016 When the Music Fades
When the music fades, all is stripped away King of endless worth, no-one could express
and I simply come: how much You deserve.
Longing just to bring something that’s of worth, Though I’m weak and poor, all I have is Yours,
that will bless Your heart, every single breath.
I’ll bring You more than a song, I’ll bring You more than a song,
for a song in itself for a song in itself
is not what You have required. Is not what You have required.
You search much deeper within You search much deeper within
through the way things appear through the way things appear,
You’re looking into my heart. Your looking into my heart.
I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, all about You, Jesus.
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it, when it’s all about You, all about You, Jesus.
Matt Redmond wrote this song/hymn during a period when his Pastor had asked the music group, of which
he was a part, at church not to play for worship because performance had overtaken worship!

This service is wrapped around 4 chapters in Acts – 6,- 9 specifically 6 v 1 - 7; 7 v 54 - 60; 8 v 1 – 3: 9 v 1 –17
For families with children the story of the conversion of Saul is on the Facebook page – Mini Mix Assembly
presented by Daniel England who leads Vine Youth Ministry centred in Yeovil.
Let us read together – Acts 6 v 1 – 7
What is the first thing we notice? A group feels it is being missed out – how do we as a church avoid this?
Who might feel missed out in our church? How can we overcome this? Who could help?
A lot happens in chapter 6 and 7 Stephen, one of the helpers, is so inspired it causes his arrest (just like Jesus and
Peter before him). His response is to remind his accusers of the great history they share of how God led them from
Abraham through the Prophets (we read from Micah earlier)

Let us read together – Acts 7 v 54 – 60. The inevitable happens – Stephen is not only arrested – he is stoned to
death – and even as he dies, like Jesus, he calls out to the Lord, “Lord! Do not remember this sin against them!”
Pause for a moment….. ask yourself – do you know your scripture as well as Stephen did? Would you like
to know it better?
Acts 8 v 1 – 3 tells us that Saul approved of his murder and he sets off on his rampage of persecution. Imagine how
you would feel if someone knocked on your door today, caught you worshipping and throwing you into jail! For
millions of Christians – persecution for their faith is a daily experience!

Let us sing together – MP 1008 I will trust in You alone

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want. And I will trust in You alone,
He makes me lie in pastures green. And I will trust in You alone,
He leads me by the still, still waters, for your endless mercy follows me,
His goodness restores my soul. Your goodness will lead me home.
He guides my ways in righteousness, And though I walk the darkest path,
and He anoints my head with oil, I will not fear the evil one,
and my cup, it overflows with joy, for You are with me, and Your rod and staff
I feast on His pure delights. Are the comfort I need to know.

Let us read together (or watch on MiniMix) Acts 9 v 1 – 19 -

Saul was absolutely convinced he was right to persecute Christians – they did not follow Temple practices; they
believed (as far as he was concerned) in a false Messiah – crucified by the authorities whose followers were leading
the people away from ‘true worship’. So what a shock to meet Jesus who asks him, ‘why do you persecute me?’
Can you imagine what Saul must have thought? In lockdown – and fear of the Corona virus – I wonder how many
people suddenly turned to God, to Jesus after years of denying his existence or mocking we who believe? Who do
we long for to have an encounter with Jesus and like Saul turn from doubt to faith?

Are there practices and other stumbling blocks in our church which make it hard for others to see Jesus – to find
God? If so what are they – how can we remove them?
Are there moments for you (for us) – when we wonder about all that is happening in the world – what is happening
in the Church – An item on breakfast t.v. today spoke of climate temperature’s rising above sustainable levels, Richie
Sunak despite all his best efforts never includes everyone in his measures – admits he cannot save everyone – but
hold this thought…..

We know a God who can – he is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Let us pray together
Almighty God, You long for all Your children to know You and love You, use me (us) to feed the hungry,
shelter the homeless, give work to the unemployed, healing for the sick, friendship for the lonely, comfort
for the bereaved, protection from violence and persecution wherever it’s evil lurks.
Pray for those on your heart, for our church, community, nation and world. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Let us say the Grace to each other.