Mexborough Baptist Church Sunday 17th January 2021
In 2020 we were lifted up and strengthened by our prayers for each other; may this continue. Our service today is different to the usual format: it is a call to all of us - young and old - to pray. As we begin, here is a reminder about what prayer is click on the link
For the benefit of those who get the paper copy and can't see the videos, we are repeating some of what is contained in them. Prayer is: Praise Repent Ask Yield (give in to what God wants)
Now listen to this click on the link
Bells always demand our attention - the bell on your alarm clock tells you it's time to get up, the fire alarm bell tells you it's time to get out, the school bell tells you it's time to stop playing and come in to learn or to move from one class to another, and the church bell tells you it's time to come in to worship. The most famous bell in the country - Big Ben - has been silent for some time for restoration work on the tower. Big Ben used to chime on the hour and tell us it was time for the BBC news. A friend recently sent me a Youtube video that tells us something of Big Ben's spiritual significance. Did you know it had any spiritual significance? I didn't either. click on the link
The chimes are variations on 4 notes from 'I know that my Redeemer liveth' from Handel's Messiah. This work is described as a commentary on the Nativity, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus - the whole gospel. When the chimes are working, they are a witness to the gospel ringing out over London.
Inside the tower there is a plaque with words to the tune:
"All through this hour
Lord, be my guide,
That by thy power
No foot shall slide."
These words are loosely based on Psalm 37:23-24 - "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."
'I know that my Redeemer liveth' are words from Job 19:25-26. Here is another version written by Jesse Brown Pounds in 1893 click on the link
The chimes of Big Ben ring out over Westminster, the governmental, financial and religious heart of our country. Please take some time to pray for
The Queen and the Royal Family, that they may use their influence for the good of all.
The government, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, that they may seek what is just and righteous in their decision making.
The Bank of England and other financial institutions, that they may seek the prosperity of all, especially the poor.
The Church of England and other denominations, that they - and we - may hold firmly to the word of God and speak it out boldly, not being ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.)
Rainbows
Last year, people and children all over the world made and painted rainbows as signs of hope and in this country as symbols of gratitude for the NHS. We still see rainbow pictures in windows. We have a bull's eye window in our front door and, when the sun comes round in the afternoon, it refracts the light, so that we get a rainbow moving across our wall. It's a lovely reminder of God's faithfulness to his promises. Genesis 9:12-16 And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.’
In our service on 3rd May 2020 Enid shared a poem with us that she had written some years ago.
LIVING UNDER THE RAINBOW
“Somewhere over the rainbow,”
That’s what the old song says,
Where dreams come true and bluebirds fly,
in carefree happy days.
Then at the end of the rainbow,
There is a pot of gold,
Giving all the wealth we could possibly need,
at least that’s what we’re told.
But most of us live in reality,
with both feet on the ground,
And we live in a world where pain and hurt
and grief and despair is found.
But the rainbow is God’s gift to us,
To show us all that He’s there.
We cannot live, burdened down with grief,
in misery, hurt and care.
God can fill our lives with joy and hope
And we’re not just clutching at straws.
God is real in our world and He cares for us
and will always give us more.
More faith to help us trust in Him.
More strength to help us cope.
More love to stop us from feeling alone,
and when there’s despair, more hope.
Living under the rainbow
Is where we should aim to be.
It is where God is covering us with His love
It is where we can be free.
Our next song tells us how the rainbow can remind us of God's gifts to us click on the link
Enid also shared in that service, 'Just before the lockdown I had taken Oliver and Emily for a walk near to where we live and as we were nearing home, there was a beautiful full arched rainbow. Oliver said, "It looks like God has put his arms around the world."' Let's pray for the world, the world God made and loves...
For those countries which are prone to natural disasters - floods, drought and famine, wildfires
For those areas of the world where there is conflict or tension.
For relief agencies working in these areas, particularly Christian agencies who are also bringing the gospel.
Love hearts
Two Christmases ago, some friends gave us a candle with a revolving carousel with hearts on it that say 'Love'.
This last Christmas I put it in the front window and was surprised when the carousel started turning when the heat of the sun shone on it through the window. I was fascinated by the reflected hearts swirling round the room. The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:10-11 "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." There are many people who need to know that someone loves them; true love comes from God.
Pray for God's love to comfort
- those who mourn
- those who are ill or in pain
- those whose mental health has declined during the pandemic
- those who suffer at the hands of others
- those who are struggling financially
We bring these prayers together as we sing 'God is love, his the care' click on the link
Stars
Finally we pray for ourselves. Our memory verse for 2021 - Phillipians 2:15 - tells us that we ARE the stars that shine brightly. The Family Stars that were on our Christmas tree are now on the noticeboard in church.
They are a symbol that we shine brighter and better together, whoever we are, wherever we are and whatever we do. Pick 4 or 5 stars (or more) and pray for the individuals and families they represent.
Revelation 22:16 says, ‘I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.’ This song is a prayer for hope and strength in a dark place - "Bright morning star" click on the link
We conclude our prayers today as we say together the prayer Jesus taught us
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
We echo the last words of the Lord's prayer as we sing with great gusto - along with the Celebration Choir from Sheffield - To God Be The Glory click on the link
Benediction
Not everything is locked down!
Remember:
Sunrise is not locked down
Fresh air is not locked down
Family time is not locked down
Friendship is not locked down
Creativity is not locked down
Prayers are not locked down
Hobbies are not locked down
Hopes and dreams are not locked down
Kindness is not locked down
Learning is not locked down
Conversation is not locked down
Imagination is not locked down
Sunsets are not locked down
Hope is not locked down
Cherish what you have
Stay at home and make the most of your time
May you be safe
May you be happy
May you be well
Amen
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