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Stalbridge Congregational Church – Prayer / Reflection 22nd November 2020

Psalm 122 v 1-2 “I was glad when they said to me, ‘let us go to the Lord’s House.’ And now we
are here, standing inside the gates of Jerusalem.’”

Let us say the Lord’s Prayer together


Let us sing together MP 1040

Come, now is the time to worship. One day every tongue will confess You are God,
Come, now is the time to give your heart. One day every knee will bow.
Come, just as you are, to worship. Still the greatest treasure remains for those
Come, just as you are, before Your God, for those who gladly choose You now.
Come…. One day every tongue ………..

Let us pray together: Lord Here I am part of Your church; part of the Body of Christ
Jesus our Saviour – even though we meet in our own homes we meet as Your Church each
home set aside at this moment as ‘the Lord’s House’. We are glad to be here, inside the gates
of Jerusalem. Meet with us as we worship You; draw us closer to each other as we worship as
one – even though we are apart. May our praise be worthy, our worship true and our love deep
and wide. Speak to us through Your word that we may learn more of You and all that You call
us to be. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Let us sing together MP 966

Wonderful grace Wonderful love


that gives what I don’t deserve, that held in the face of death,
pays me what Christ has earned, breathed in its latest breath
then lets me go free. Forgiveness for me.
Wonderful grace Wonderful love
that gives me the time to change, whose power breaks every chain,
washes away the stains that once covered me. giving us life again and setting us free.

And all that I have, I lay at the feet, of the wonderful Saviour who loves me.
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Let us read together Jeremiah 31 v 31-34


I have been endeavouring during the time of lockdown over this year to follow the Scripture Union
Encounter with God, bible in a year readings. These go alongside daily readings and reflections. Last
week we explored something of the Joseph story which has been part of my daily readings. I have also
been reading the Prophet Jeremiah. A lot has happened since Jacob’s family settled in Egypt. They
got too successful for their own good and Pharaoh enslaved them to keep them in their place. God
rescued them through Moses and they eventually, after taking 40 years to complete an 11 day journey,
arrived in the Promised Land with the Ten Commandments sealing the covenant between God and the
people. The promise to Abraham almost fulfilled. Under king Solomon the Temple is built where the
Ark of the Covenant is placed – a sign of God’s promise and presence among His people. Sadly they
turn away from God and look to gods of wood, stone, sun, moon, stars, kings and other successful
leaders who they think they can control. However they forgot how much God had done for them, how
much He had promised them and more importantly how much he expected of them in return –
faithfulness – ‘no other gods but me.’

Jeremiah has had the unenviable task of bringing God’s judgement on the people – how in their
foolishness the chosen people would find themselves in exile because they looked to false gods and
didn’t trust the Lord. Needless to say Jeremiah was ridiculed, vilified and even had to flee for his
life. But despite God’s anger and disappointment with the people; despite being in dire straits in exile
God gave Jeremiah this word of hope for them!

V31 The Lord says, “the time is coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of
Israel and the people of Judah…….” As you read on – think about how this new Covenant is
radically different from the old one….

Ask yourself – is God’s ‘law written on your heart’ what does this mean for your life in these
times and what will it mean for your life in the future – when we have moved beyond this
pandemic which has left us in exile from so much we hold dear?

Let us sing together MP 254

I am a new creation, And I will praise You Lord


no more in condemnation, yes, I will praise You, Lord
here in the grace of God I stand. And I will sing of all that You have done
My heart is over-flowing, A joy that knows no limit,
My love just keeps on growing A lightness in my spirit -
Here in the grace of God I stand. Here in the grace of God I stand.
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Let us read together Mark 1 v 1 – 11


Here we see Jesus – His triumphal entry into Jerusalem – the journey to the cross set in
motion yet his popularity attracts the crowds – the scriptures being fulfilled! How wonderful
is that! Yet as we read on Mark 1 v 15 – 19 when Jesus visits the Temple – what does he
find? True worship? No – a hideout and den of thieves!

As we approach Advent and Christmas – let us remember that Jesus is the fulfilment of the
New Covenant promised in Jeremiah’s prophecy. In our ‘home’ churches and when we return
to worshipping in one place – may we never take our God for granted – may our bodies and our
Church always be the House of Prayer where all can meet God, worship God and honour Him.

Let us pray together a prayer for the Nation which comes from Senior Church leaders
across the churches….Loving God, at this time of crisis when so many are suffering, we pray
for our nation and our world. Give our leaders wisdom, our Health Service strength, our
people hope. Lead us through these parched and difficult days to the fresh springs of joy
and comfort that we find in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Let us sing together MP 3


Abba, Father, let me be, Yours and Yours alone. May my will forever be evermore Your own.
Never let my heart grow cold, never let me go. Abba, Father, let me be Yours, and Yours alone.

Now let us hold each other in love as we say the Grace together

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