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APC 12th May 2021 Pandemic Praise – ‘Forgiven by God’. Welcome and Introduction Good morning everyone and welcome to our Wednesday morning worship. Today we continue with our series ‘Pandemic Praise’ as we reflect on some of the spiritual blessings that God has given us in Christ. We discover many of these blessings in the opening part of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. So far we have thought about the amazing truths that we have been chosen, adopted and redeemed by God. Today we are going to be reflecting on the fact that we have been forgiven by God. But as always let’s begin by stilling our hearts and talking to God, let’s pray… Opening Prayer Sovereign God, we confess to you with shame that sometimes, all too often, we have been guilty of the sin of pride. We have thought of ourselves more highly than we should, boasting of our own achievements and looking down on those around us. Have mercy upon us. We have not listened as we should to your voice or to the voice of others, believing that we know best, preferring our own way, trusting in our judgement alone. Have mercy upon us. And we have been guilty of pride in more subtle ways, trying to be independent of those around us, hiding our frailties behind a mask of self-sufficiency, denying our fears and refusing support when it has been offered. Have mercy upon us. Sovereign God, forgive us when we try to live life alone, when we think more of ourselves than of you, when we put ourselves before others. Have mercy upon us. Give to us true humility and true lowliness of heart – the ability to take proper pride in ourselves where it is due, but a willingness also to listen to your voice and the voice of others, accepting our faults, recognising our limitations, and confessing our mistakes. Sovereign God, have mercy upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord… Join with me as we say the Lord’s Prayer together… Our Father, which 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, For ever and ever, AMEN. Introduction to Bible Reading Let’s read again that wonderful introduction to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Despite being imprisoned as Paul reflects on all that God has done for Him in Christ He puts pen to paper and pours out His praise. He writes… Ephesians Chapter 1 v 1-14 ”Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Reflection Pandemic Praise – ‘Forgiven by God’ I want to begin our reflection today with a story- A senior and novice monk were traveling through the countryside when they came upon a river. The river was swollen making it very difficult to pass. Standing at the edge of the river was a lovely, young woman in elegant clothes unsure of how to get across. She asked the monks for help. The monks had taken a vow of celibacy that prevented them from making eye contact with women, much less touching them. But after barely a pause, the senior monk picked up the woman and carried her across. The novice monk was shocked and speechless. His elder had broken his vows! As the monks continued their journey hours passed and no one spoke until the younger monk could no longer contain himself. “How could you carry that woman across the river when we aren’t even supposed to look at women?” he blurted out in frustration. The senior monk replied, “I set that woman down hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?” In his letter to the Ephesians Paul writes these amazing words, “In Christ, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Pause and let those words sink in for a moment. “In Christ,… we have the forgiveness of sins…” You know, often I find as Christians we are like the junior monk in the story. We find it hard to forgive ourselves for mistakes we’ve made, things we should have said or done but didn’t, things we’ve said and done that have had consequences for ourselves or for other people. We carry the burden of this guilt day in and day out. All the time it drags us down and makes us weary with life’s journey. This was how the apostle Peter felt at one point in his life. When Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death Peter was not only shocked and confused, He was afraid for his own life. So when questioned about his involvement with this insurrectionist, he lied 3 times saying that he had never even met Jesus. When Jesus was crucified, Peter thought it was all over. He never even got a chance to say ‘sorry’. He went back to the only thing he knew- fishing. Jesus loved Peter. He wanted Peter to know not only that He was alive, but also that He had forgiven Him, that He valued Him and had work for him to do. So secretly, one morning after his resurrection, Jesus stood on the beach and shouted advice to Peter and his crew about where they should cast their nets. Having fished all night and caught nothing, they had nothing to lose so they followed the stranger’s advice. When they caught so many fish, that their nets were about to burst, they realised their shoreline consultant was the Master. Having hauled in the nets and rowed to shore they ran to meet him. Jesus barbequed some of the fish they had caught for breakfast. It’s hard to imagine the mix of excitement and guilt that Peter must have felt. Jesus knew exactly how he was feeling. So as they were eating, he took the opportunity to restore Peter emotionally and to set him back on the path of ministry… Three times he asked him, “Peter do you love me?” Three times Peter replied, “Yes Lord you know that I love you.” On the third answer Jesus commissioned him again for his life’s work, “Then I want you to be a pastor. I want you to feed my lambs and my sheep.” Listen, maybe you’re listening today and you’re like Peter. Maybe you’ve made some ghastly mistake at some point in your life and you’ve never got over it. I want to say to you this morning, God loves you! Christ died to forgive you! So don’t carry that burden of guilt any longer. Set it down at the foot of the cross. Allow God to remind you just how valuable you are to Him. Do not listen to that negative voice in your mind anymore. Listen to Jesus and invite Him to touch you in a deeply spiritual way that will heal your emotions and give you the confidence to forgive yourself and to live again! You know, they say that those who never make mistakes, never make anything! Isaiah also says that “God will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten!” Let the words of Paul and the story of Peter remind you that in Christ you have been forgiven by God. He has cast your sins into the depths of the sea. And He has put up a sign that says, “No Fishing!” So let me ask you, If Jesus has set your sins and mine down years ago. Why are we still carrying them? Let us pray… Prayer for others Merciful Father, Thank you for your gift of forgiveness. Your only Son loved us enough to come to earth and experience the worst pain imaginable so we could be forgiven. Your mercy flows to us in spite of our faults and failures. Your Word says for us to “clothe ourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony”. Help us demonstrate unconditional love today, even to those who hurt us. Gracious Lord Jesus, thank You for the power of forgiveness. Today we choose to forgive everyone who has hurt us. Help us set them free and release them to You. Help us bless those who have hurt us. Help us walk in righteousness, peace, and joy, demonstrating Your life here on earth. We choose to be kind and compassionate, forgiving others, just as You forgave us. Comforting Spirit, today we ask forgiveness for all the negative and harmful words we have spoken about ourselves. We do not want to punish ourselves in such a way again. Transform our thoughts and let us understand how marvelously you have made us. Change our habits so we use our tongues to speak hope and favour upon our lives. In Jesus' name. God, what we pray for ourselves we also pray for others. Please give all people who have been deeply hurt and are finding it hard to forgive, your grace and mercy and power to let go. Help them to find freedom from their bitterness, anger and hatred. We pray too for people who, for whatever reasons, find it very difficult to forgive themselves or who can’t understand how you could possibly forgive them because they don’t deserve it. Lord again we pray that these people will find release from these chains. May they know that you value them, that you forgive them and that you have a purpose for them in life and that they can make a great contribution to the lives of others. Lord help us to really understand the gospel about Jesus and help us to believe it. Take a few moments to bring your own prayers to God… All these prayers we offer in the name of Jesus Christ in whom we have forgiveness for all our sins, Amen. Closing Words It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today. Thanks again for logging on. I hope you’ve felt inspired and blessed as we’ve reflected on the reality that in Christ, God has forgiven us for all our sins. The exciting news is that this Sunday we are allowed to reopen church! Again we are allowed two pods of up to 50 people in each. We’ve also upgraded our AV system during lockdown so that all songs can be displayed on the screen in the back hall as well as in the church. So if you would like to book a place at church this Sunday then please do text Aleida as soon as possible. You will shortly be receiving a reminder text about reopening this Sunday which will include the essential safety procedures to ensure we all stay safe and well as we worship. But to close, let me share the benediction, after which I invite you to say the grace together… Benediction Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. And “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
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APC 9th May 2021 ‘Christian Aid Sunday’ PART 1 Welcome and Introduction Good morning everybody and welcome to our service of worship. Today marks the beginning of Christian Aid week. Christian Aid is an international aid and development agency. The Christian Aid family, works across 37 countries to promote sustainable development, to strive for social justice and to support poor and marginalized people. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has long been a supporter of the work of Christian Aid and contributes to its projects through our World Development Appeal around Christmas each year. Many congregations also hold a special Christian Aid Sunday at the beginning of Christian Aid week in May. Normally that involves inviting a guest speaker and holding a special lunch or coffee morning to raise awareness of their work and to give people an opportunity to contribute financially if they wish. Due to the current restrictions we are unable to do that this year, so instead, I want to lead you in a service using some of the materials provided by Christian Aid as together we reflect on our Christian responsibility towards climate change. But to begin, let’s worship God together as we listen to our very own Lesley and Kim Shepherd bringing us a piano and instrumental duet of the song, “Here I am to worship.” (End Part 1) Opening Song “Here I am to worhship” PART 2 Kim and Lesley thank you so much for that beautifully reflective piece and we look forward to seeing you all again soon. Let’s still our hearts now as we talk to God, let’s pray… Opening Prayer Lord of all, we thank you for the world we live in – for the rich heritage if the nations, the bountiful resources of this earth, the astonishing diversity of your wonderful creation. You have given us so much: Teach us to use it wisely. Forgive us that we have taken what is so beautiful and created within it so much ugliness: hunger, injustice, exploitation, poverty, homelessness, war. You have given us so much: Teach us to use it wisely. Forgive us that a few dine richly, whilst the many go hungry; that the resources of our world are disproportionately shared. You have given us so much: Teach us to use it wisely. Forgive us our poor stewardship of all you have given us, our plundering of the earth’s resources with little thought for tomorrow. You have given us so much: Teach us to use it wisely. Lord of all, grant your blessing on all who seek to build a fairer and more just world – those who like Christian Aid, work to alleviate poverty and hunger, who fight against oppression, who strive to bring opportunity to all. You have given us so much: Teach us to use it wisely. And grant finally your wisdom to those whose decisions will affect the lives of nations – teach them to work for justice, to pursue peace, to promote harmony, looking not just to the few but to the common family of humankind. You have given us so much: Teach us to use it wisely. Join with me now as we say the Lord’s Prayer thoughtfully and sincerely together… Our Father, which 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, For ever and ever, AMEN. Introduction to Kids Video We come now to the part of our service that’s especially for the younger members of our church family. So if your kids aren’t beside you right now, why not pause the recording, and call them in to watch a short video with young people explaining what climate change is and what practical steps we can take to help stop global warming. And at the end of this video I’ve a few words to say to the children so don’t let them rush away. (END Part 2) Kid’s Video ‘Global Warming for Kids with HUE’ LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNifh-Eu_2Y&vl=en PART 3 Kid’s Talk Summary Hey boys and girls, I hope you enjoyed the video today. You know, God made this world and He loves it, all of it. That’s why he’s put us in charge of looking after it. It’s also important to look after our planet so that we can enjoy it and then our children can enjoy it and then their children and so on. The good news is you and I can choose to look after our world in simple ways. By turning off lights, recycling, buying less new things and sharing lifts with another family. We can buy an electric car or run the car we have for more years, use an electric lawn mower and build more windmills to make clean electricity. We can walk and cycle more instead of using the car so often and not go on aeroplanes unless we really need to. Sometimes it’s not always simple to work out what’s the best way to live to help the environment. So why don’t you talk to your mum and dad about ways that you and they can look after the planet more. It’s what God wants us to do, so it’s really important. I’ve got some more really good news! Next Sunday our church is allowed to be open again! So I really hope you and your family can be there. I’m really excited to see you all again. Don’t forget to ask your mum or dad to download the colouring sheet from our Facebook page to help you remember today’s lesson. I hope you have a great week in school but bye for now! Colouring Sheet https://www.twinkl.ae/resource/global-warming-colouring-sheet-t-tp-2665287 Introduction to Bible Reading In our reading today Rob and Jean will remind us of the basic reason why we must care for our planet and all its people. Because God made it, He loves it and has given us responsibility for it. (End Part 3) BIBLE READING Genesis 1 v 1-28 Rob and Jean Part 4 Rob and Jean thank you for reading for us today and we look forward to catching up with you all very soon. Reflection Christian Aid Sunday - ‘Climate Chaos’ Earlier this week we sat down and watched the Netflix documentary called “Seaspiracy.” It highlights the impact of the global fishing industry on current fish stocks and the entire marine environment. Ultimately it warns that the more we destroy our marine environment the more we threaten the future existence of all humanity. It is shocking and eye opening, but it’s definitely worth a watch. Certainly the movie has its critics who suggest that some of its claims are exaggerated, that it has misrepresented companies and individuals and that it has over-simplified complex issues. These are allegations that its director…..flatly denies. Whatever you think of it, what cannot be debated is the truth the movie highlights that in so many ways we as a global society are in danger of destroying the beautiful planet that God has given us and that if we aren’t careful, in the not too distant future we may just make our world uninhabitable for all of creation. This year’s Christian Aid Week seeks to bring our attention to this issue by encouraging us to reflect on the realities and impacts of climate change in our world, especially on those who are the poorest and most vulnerable. As I’m sure you are aware by now, the temperature of our planet has been steadily increasingly largely as a result of the impact of our industrialised living. Many things which we desire for our lives, unfortunately necessitate the creation and expenditure of large amounts of energy. The privilege of being able to see and hear me now on your phone or TV screen is just one example. Whether its travel, the transport of goods, the powering of our devices or the creation of food, so much of what we do and how we live, requires energy. While the creation and use of sustainable forms of energy are increasing in many countries in our world, for too many years most of our energy has come from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. Unfortunately this has resulted in large amounts of Carbon Dioxide being released into the earth’s atmosphere. Plants and trees are able to remove this from the air to make food, but unfortunately they aren’t currently able to do this sufficiently to prevent an excess of C02 building up in the atmosphere. When the sun shines on the earth the heat rays are reflected from the earth’s surface back into the atmosphere. The problem is that the excess Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere forms a barrier which prevents this radiated heat from escaping into space. So over time this trapped heat is causing the temperature of the earth to increase. This rise in the earth’s temperature is causing climate change throughout the world. In some areas it is leading to drought and famine. It has melted polar ice caps leading to a rise in sea levels. In some parts of the world this has resulted in terrible flooding and in an increase in unstable whether conditions such as destructive storms. Since minute changes in temperature have a significant impact on all aspects of biological life, this global warming is having a devastating effect on plant and animal life. Ultimately it threatens all life on our planet. Often it is the poorest in our world who are most affected by the impacts of global warming. For example the climate crisis is having a significant impact on communities in Kenya. The main problem is the lack of access to a reliable source of water to help them withstand the unpredictable weather made worse through the climate crisis. The weather has become more extreme. Drought has become more frequent and intense, resulting in millions of people being short of food as they are unable to grow crops. In parts of Kenya in 2020, drought was followed by relentless rainfall and flooding, which damaged crops that had struggled to grow. With no access to reliable water sources, or a way to capture rainfall, many communities are struggling to survive. The coronavirus pandemic has only increased the urgent need for families to access a reliable source of water for handwashing. In Kitui county, eastern Kenya, 8 out of 10 people depend on water to grow crops, for food and to earn a living. Without a reliable water source, staple crops like maize and beans are damaged and destroyed. The lack of water forces people to walk further and further to find a dependable source. Cows, sheep and goats are becoming weak without access to water, and can’t produce milk or be sold. People are struggling to cope. Lives are at risk. But even in the midst of such sadness through the work of organisations like Christian Aid people have found help and hope, people like Florence. Florence is full of life, love and laughter. The women in her farming group look up to her. She’s courageous, kind – a survivor. A few years ago, her husband died, leaving her a widow. At that time, she had no water to grow crops. Her children were hungry. She had to walk for hours on dangerous journeys to collect water. ‘Life was miserable,’ she said. But things have changed for Florence. Next to her farm, Florence is proud to show something remarkable – a dam, full of fresh water. It’s thanks to the work of Christian Aid that Florence and her community have built this water dam, with the help of their partner -Anglican Development Services – Eastern (ADSE), just a short walk away from their village. Sit back and enjoy this short video which shows how this dam has helped Florence and many people in her village to find hope and happiness again despite the challenges of climate change… (End Part 4) VIDEO Florence’s Story Part 5 Sadly, millions of people in Kenya are still desperately struggling to survive climate chaos. Most of the gases responsible are created by those of us who live in the more developed parts of the world. That means that you and I and our lifestyles are a significant part of the problem. But why does it matter? Well very simply, it matters because from our reading today we learn that God made this world and everything in it. And at every stage of its creation, God paused and said that “it was good”. What’s more, we discover in many parts of scripture that because He loves this world, God sustains it and does His best to look after it. Part of God’s care for this world involved delegating the task of caring for it to the first man and woman. God gave humanity dominion over the world. That meant they were given the responsibility of caring for the world and using its resources wisely and for the benefit of all. Ever since, that responsibility has been handed down through the generations. So if you and I want to love God and be like Him, we have a duty to look after this world – that includes every part of it- its plants, its people, its animals, it seas, its soil and everything in it. If we claim to be Christian, then we cannot be careless about how we live and the impact our footprint is having on our world. Whilst none of us can be perfect, there are many things you and I can and must do to care for our world. One of the best things we can do is to live as simply as we can so that we use energy and resources sparingly. We can do this by reducing the amount of stuff we have or consume, by reusing things for other purposes, and by allowing things to last us for as long as possible rather than always buying new. We should recycle as much as much as possible and switch to using sustainable energy resources. We must limit the amount of pollutants we allow to enter the environment down our drains or on our farmland. Look there are so many specific ways that each of us can play our part in caring for the gift of this world that God has given us. There will be areas of my life where I need to change and areas of your life where you need to change. You know one of the silver linings of this terrible pandemic is that for the last 18 months our world has been allowed to breathe. Already the restrictions on global travel have allowed the environment to recover in ways that are visibly noticeable even from outer space. Now I’m not saying that you or I should never board an aeroplane or take a foreign holiday. For what it’s worth I’ve only flown once in the last 20 years! But what I am saying is that we shouldn’t see anything that we do as an automatic right, if the impact of everyone exercising that right means that someone in the poorest regions of our world can’t get food or water! What I am saying is that all of us need to take a look in the mirror of our current lifestyles and ask, “What can I do, to make a difference?” What I am saying is that when this Pandemic comes to an end and our freedoms return, let’s be careful how we live. Let’s learn the lessons from this sustained period of simplicity and reflection. And in addition to taking care how we live, in the meantime, we can also help another community build a dam by giving generously to the work of Christian Aid. Through our contributions and the work of their contacts on the ground, many more people like Florence will have the water they need to sustain their families. And by giving to these organisations regularly, we can help Christian Aid to be there for people like Florence in the long term. There will be further opportunity to contribute to the work of Christian Aid through our World Development Appeal at Christmas time, but for now let me encourage you to go to the Christian Aid Website or go to the link on our Facebook Page and Website where you can find out how to donate directly to the work of Christian Aid. Let’s take a moment to pray for the people in our world most affected by climate change as Christian Aid’s global theology advisor, Bob Kikuyu, leads us in prayer…. (End Part 5) VIDEO Bob Kikuyu leads Prayer Part 6 Closing Words It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today. Thanks again for logging on. I hope you’ve felt inspired and challenged to reflect on the amazing gift God has given us in His Holy Spirit. The exciting news is that the government has confirmed a date of 10th May for the reopening of Masses and church gatherings. Since that is a Monday we will be reopening on Sunday 16th. Again we are allowed up to 50 people. So if you would like to book a place at church on Sunday 16th May please do text Aleida as soon as possible. You will shortly be receiving a reminder text about the 16th which will include the essential safety procedures to ensure we all stay safe and well as we worship. I hope you can tune in again on Wednesday morning for our Pandemic praise as we reflect on another spiritual blessing that God has given us in Christ and give thanks. But for now, let me close with a benediction after which some of the youngest members of our church will remind us as to why our response to climate change is so important…. Benediction May God bless us with wonder at creation’s glory. May God bless us with fury at creation’s spoiling. May God bless us with courage at this critical hour. And may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest upon us and on all creation, this day and for the future to come. Amen. CLOSING SONG He’s got the whole world in His hands APC 5th May 2021 Pandemic Praise – ‘Redeemed by God’. Welcome and Introduction Good morning everyone and welcome to our Wednesday morning worship. Today we continue with our series ‘Pandemic Praise’ as we reflect on some of the spiritual blessings that God has given us in Christ. We discover many of these blessings in the opening part of God’s letter to the Ephesians. So far we have thought about the amazing truths that we have been chosen by God and adopted into God’s family. Today we are going to be reflecting on the fact that we have been redeemed by God. But as always let’s begin by stilling our hearts and talking to God, let’s pray… Opening Prayer Mighty God, we thank you that we can come now before you; that you are here waiting to meet with us and speak to us. We thank you that though we have no claim on your love, and no right to expect any mercy, you are always reaching out to us, eager to forgive and forget. Gracious God, open our hearts to your love. We thank you that though we repeatedly fail you, and though we resist your will, you go on wiping the slate clean, offering us a new beginning, a fresh start. Gracious God, open our hearts to your love. We thank you that you love and care about each one of us, that for all our faults and weaknesses, you accept us just as we are. Poor though our faith may be, you are always ready to guide, to help and to bless. Gracious God, open our hearts to your love. Mighty God, help us to open our lives to you, to be honest with you, ourselves and others. Help us to see ourselves as we really are, the good and the bad, the strength and the weaknesses, the lovely and the unlovely. Help us to recognise our sins and confess them, throwing ourselves upon your mercy. Gracious God, open our hearts to your love. And so may we receive the cleansing, the renewal and the forgiveness you long top show us. Gracious God, open our hearts to your love. Join with me as we say the Lord’s Prayer together… Our Father, which 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, For ever and ever, AMEN. Introduction to Bible Reading Let’s read again that wonderful introduction to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Despite being imprisoned as Paul reflects on all that God has done for Him in Christ He puts pen to paper and purs out His praise. He writes… Ephesians Chapter 1 v 1-14 ”Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Reflection Pandemic Praise – ‘Redeemed by God’ I want to begin by taking you back a few years to the last economic crash that happened here in Ireland around 2011. At that time ‘Debt forgiveness’ was the talk of the country. During the recession, many families lost jobs, hundreds of people were failing to meet their mortgage repayments and were in danger of losing their family homes. All of us were asking “How can we help these people?” As a solution, some people began talking about the concept of ‘debt forgiveness’. It’s an idea that goes right back to the pages of the Old Testament. There we find that every seventh year people who were in enforced slavery because they couldn’t pay their bills, had their debts cancelled and were allowed to go free. This was done to restore equal relations among community members and to prevent ongoing exploitation of the poor by those who were rich. During the recession, people in Ireland weren’t being forced into slavery because of their growing debts, but many were suffering the stress of the prospect of having their property repossessed. It was a situation that was serious. It needed to be addressed. As such, the age-old concept of debt forgiveness had been proposed by some as a possible solution. The question of who would pay for such support was also hotly debated. 1 Redemption- The Principle: Whatever our view on ‘debt forgiveness’ it highlights for us a related idea that is woven throughout the pages of Holy Scripture. It is an issue that doesn’t just affect some of us, but affects all of the people in the world. It is the issue of ‘redemption’. This word is found in various forms throughout the Old and New Testaments. It describes the process of setting people free from a situation where they are powerless to help themselves. It requires the costly payment of a price by someone else in order for the person to be set free. In the Old Testament we find 4 things that could be redeemed- The first of these was property. If someone was unable to pay their debts and was in danger of losing their property, another person in that family called the ‘Kinsman Redeemer’ was obliged to buy back the land in order to keep it within the family or tribe. The second thing that could be redeemed was animals. In the Old Testament the first born males of all livestock belonged to God. But donkeys and certain other animals could be bought back from God by the owner by paying a sum of money into the temple treasury. Thirdly, people could be redeemed. If you had a bull that killed someone else, you could be put to death unless you paid an agreed fine to the family of the person who was killed. Similarly if you sold yourself into slavery in order to pay back your debts, at some time in the future you could buy back your own freedom. A relative could also do this for you. The fourth and final thing we find being redeemed was the nation of Israel. God delivered them from slavery in Egypt and from exile in Babylon. In this case the price that was paid was not money. But we still read that it cost God a huge amount in terms of the exertion of effort and Divine power in order to set His people free. 2 Redemption- The Predicament: As we move into the New Testament the concept of redemption remains the same but the focus of its emphasis is shifted. In the New Testament we find that the word redemption is always made in reference to people. Just like in the Old Testament we find redemption refers to people who are in a bad situation, a situation they can’t free themselves from. We also discover that they can only be redeemed by someone else paying a costly price. But a major difference we find in the New Testament is that the problem that people need redeemed from is not physical or material it is moral and spiritual. We also find in the New Testament that the price that has to be paid is not money, it is the atoning death of Jesus Christ. What is even more important is that the people that are referred to in the New Testament are not people in another country or even other people in our family- they are people like you and people like me. You see the New Testament reveals to us that all of us are in need of redemption. All of us are in a situation that is bad, a situation that we can’t free ourselves from. That situation is the fact that we are all sinners. We all say and do and think things that are wrong and that are against the instructions of God. What is more, believe it or not the bible teaches that we are all in slavery to sin! In the Ancient world there were 3 ways that you could become a slave. You could be born a slave if your parents were already slaves. Then you could fall into slavery if your country was invaded by another country. Thirdly, you could become a slave in order to pay off your debts. It’s just the same for us when we think about the fact that we are slaves to sin. The bible teaches that we were born in sin. That just means that we are born with an inner bias to say and do and think what is wrong. That’s why you don’t have to teach children how to disobey their parents- it’s already there, built in. The bible teaches that we are also captive to sin. That just means that sin has us in its power. There are certain aspects of our lives and characters that we cannot change in our own strength. Only a greater power, God’s power, can help us to change in those areas of our lives. Thirdly we also owe God a debt because of our sin. In his letter to Christians in Rome St Paul says, “The wages of sin is death.” That just means the just reward for a life of disobedience to God is death. The problem is, all of us have sinned. All of us have broken God’s laws. All of us are under the curse of the law. In other words we all stand guilty before a Holy God and are in danger of being judged by Him forever because we are sinners. Spiritually, this is our greatest problem in life. We are guilty of sin. We are slaves to sin, unable to overcome the hold that it has on us in terms of our actions and attitudes. We are in danger of being judged by God forever because of our sin. Worst of all, we are unable to get rid of our own guilt or unable to overcome sins power by our own efforts. Like the people who lost their jobs in the last recession and were unable to pay their mortgages, we too are in need of redemption for our sins. We need someone to step in and pay the debt that we owe to God. We need someone to set us free from the guilt and the power that sin has over our lives. The good news is someone has made it possible for us to be redeemed. Someone has paid the price to set us free from the guilt and power of sin and give us back to God. That someone is of course the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Redemption- The Price: But the deliverance that he has paid for us didn’t come cheap. It isn’t something that was easy for him to do. It cost Him everything that he had. There was the cost of His incarnation- God becoming man. For that to happen God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ had to give up all the splendours of heaven and come to earth. Then of course there was the cost of the atonement. In order to redeem us, Jesus had to go to the cross. There he took the curse of the law that we deserved. In other words, He bore the judgement of God the Father upon Himself- The judgement that we deserved for every sin that we will ever commit. He paid the debt that we deserved with the price of His own precious blood. Paul puts it like this in his letter to the Ephesians- “In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” When we read that Jesus shed his blood, it means that he died. But why did he have to die? Well, because the wages of sin is death. God’s just judgement upon us for all the ways that we have disobeyed Him is death. The amazing truth is that God Himself in Christ, paid the debt that we owe Him out of His own pocket. He shed His blood, He died, so that we might be forgiven. 3 days later He rose again so that one day we too will rise to a new and perfect life forever. May we never become so familiar with what Jesus has done for us that we forget how much it cost Him to redeem us from our sin. It cost Him His glorious home in heaven for 33 years. It cost Him the cruellest of deaths known to mankind. It cost Him having to bear the full anger of God the Father in our place. It cost Him His very life so that through His death we might be set free from the guilt and power of sin. Not set free completely of course in this life, but set free in a way that now enables us to know that we are forgiven and to know that with His help we can become more like Jesus every day. Set free with the assurance that one day in the future we will be completely perfect and we will enjoy a renewed and redeemed universe together with God. Paul never forgot about this. If these thoughts could cause Paul to rejoice even though he was locked down in a Roman prison then I’m certain they can bring us great encouragement in these days of pandemic. 4 Redemption- The purchasing Rights: The last thing I want to say about our redemption in Christ is this: Because Jesus has bought us with His own precious blood, He owns us. We belong to Him. He is our Lord and Master. That’s what keeps me going in ministry when I’m tired, when I’m weary and when God asks me to make yet another sacrifice. It’s this thought- “If, in God’s eyes, I am worth the blood of Jesus, then is Christ not worthy of my service? Surely the thought of what it cost our Saviour to redeem us should motivate all of us to live each day in a way that will please Him and cause others to think well of Him. Surely the thought of what it cost our Lord to redeem us will motivate us to keep coming to church and keep praying. Surely the thought of what it cost our Master to redeem us will motivate us to play our part in church life and be committed to sharing this good news with as many people as we can. Let us pray… Prayer for others Loving God, we pray for those who are denied access to the things in life we take for granted- food and clothing, work, a basic education,, proper housing, mobility,, health, companionship, love, human rights, liberty, freedom of speech, justice and peace Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Prosper the efforts of all who fight for their rights, all who labour to give them help and hope. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Lovo9ng God we pray for those who feel themselves denied access to you, separated by guilt, doubts, past mistakes or lack of faith. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. May all who seek your presence, all who ask for your forgiveness, and all who long for your love, find in Jesus Christ, the Way, the truth and the life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Take a moment now to remember one or two people in your own prayers and again we think especially of the people in countries affected most severely by Covid like India and Brazil especially those who are poorest… All these prayers we offer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Redeemer, Amen. Closing Words It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today. Thanks again for logging on. I hope you’ve felt inspired and blessed as we’ve reflected on the reality that in Christ we have been redeemed. The exciting news is that the government has confirmed a date of 10th May for the reopening of Masses and church gatherings. Since that is a Monday we will be reopening on Sunday 16th. Again we are allowed two pods of up to 50 people in each. We’ve also upgrade our AV system during lockdown so that all songs can be displayed on the screen in the back hall as well as in the church. So if you would like to book a place at church on Sunday 16th May please do text Aleida as soon as possible. This Sunday marks the beginning of Christian Aid week. So we will be reflecting on the consequences of climate change and considering how we might play our part in helping those who are most affected. But first, let me share the benediction, after which I invite you to say the grace together… Benediction So go back to the daily round of life and may what we have shared here, transform all you do and experience there. And “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.” APC 2nd May 2021 ‘The Beginning of the church’ PART 1 Welcome and Introduction Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship. If you’ve ever wondered how the church began, this morning’s service will help you to find out, as today we reflect on the amazing story of the Day of Pentecost. But to begin, let’s worship God together as we listen to the beautiful song “The Ancient of Days” (End Part 1) Opening Song “The Ancient of Days” PART 2 It’s fantastic to know that God has been around forever and He is the one who never changes- the great and wise rock in whom we can put our trust. Let’s pray… Opening Prayer Almighty and loving God, we gather together today as those joined by your Holy Spirit. We come remembering your ancient promise to send your spirit upon all people, young and old, male and female, Jew and Gentile. Move within us we pray We come remembering that first Pentecost when your spirit was given to the apostles, renewing their faith and transforming their lives. Move within us we pray We come today, reminded of the constant work or your spirit – inspiring, guiding, challenging, refining. Move within us we pray Almighty God, Spirit of truth, come as you promised and reveal to us more of the way of Christ. Come and fill us with deeper faith and greater love. Give us the gifts that we need to work for your Kingdom. Inspire us with new vision and purpose and breathe your power into our lives. Move within us we pray Almighty and loving God, open our hearts and minds and souls to your spirit, whoever we may be, and so equip us to live as your people not just this day but every day of our lives reflecting your glory and proclaiming your love. Move within us we pray to the glory of your name, Amen. Join with me now as we say the Lord’s Prayer thoughtfully and sincerely together… Our Father, which 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, For ever and ever, AMEN. Introduction to Kids Video We come now to the part of our service that’s especially for the younger members of our church family. So if your kids aren’t beside you right now, why not pause the recording, and call them in to watch a short video with young people explaining how God sent His Holy Spirit at Pentecost. And at the end of this video I’ve a few words to say to the children so don’t let them rush away. (END Part 2) Kid’s Video Cossroads Kids Club “Pentecost” LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuUK6REOWuE PART 3 Kid’s Talk Summary Hey boys and girls, I hope you enjoyed the video today. What I loved about today’s video is that the story was all told by young people. People like you. People who believe in Jesus. People who have God the Holy Spirit living inside them to help them every day. You know, you are never too young to believe that Jesus died for you and to want to live for God. You can ask the Jesus to give you His Holy Spirit and He will. It’s fantastic to have the Holy Spirit living inside you because He can help you with all sorts of things and He can comfort you when you are sad. He can also warn you about things that might not be good for you. I hope you do believe Jesus died for you. I hope you have asked Jesus to give you His Spirit. And I hope that every day you talk to God and tell Him all about your life. He loves you and wants to be your best friend. You know I’ve got some really good news! In just a couple of weeks, our church is allowed to be open again! So I really hope you and your family can be there. I’m really excited to see you all again. Don’t forget to ask your mum or dad to download the colouring sheet from our Facebook page to help you remember today’s lesson. I hope you have a great week in school but bye for now! Colouring Sheet coloringhome.com/pentecost-coloring-pages-for-children Reflection “The Beginning of the Early Church” Last week we left the disciples feeling abandoned and confused for a second time when Jesus suddenly and mysteriously floated up to heaven before their very eyes. What would they do now that their Lord was no longer with them? They had no definite answer to that question. All they had to go on were two significant statements Jesus made shortly before making his surprise departure. The first was one thrown into the conversation over dinner. We find it in Acts Chapter 1 v 4. There we read that Jesus turns to his friends and says, “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. John baptised you with water but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” Given the fact that they were devastated by his death and surprised by His resurrection, my guess is that the disciples didn’t completely understand everything Jesus was saying. But the instruction to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the next part of the adventure was pretty clear. So that’s what they did. The reason Jesus had told them to wait in Jerusalem is because He wanted to give them a very special gift in a way that would energise and enable them to kick start the beginning of the Christian church. This gift was the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ Himself. This historical event marks one of the most significant moments in the whole of history because up until this point, the Holy Spirit was only given to people for short periods of time to enable them to minister powerfully in God’s name. But here in Acts, we discover that a short time after Jesus returned to heaven, God gives His Holy Spirit as a gift to remain with people forever. It is this gift and the work of the Holy Spirit that forms one of the major themes in the book of Acts. The second statement made by Jesus that Luke vividly remembers is on another occasion when Jesus was with his disciples after His resurrection. They asked him, “Lord, are you going to restore the Kingdom of Israel now?” He replies, “It is not for you to know the times or dates set by God the Father, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” This is another really significant statement because it highlights for us one of the other main themes in the Book of Acts – God’s Mission. You see, the book of Acts is actually an historical record of the early Christian’s Spirit-directed efforts to obey the command of Jesus to take the good news about His death and resurrection to the whole world. First to the Jewish nation, then to the Samaritans who were a people group with Jewish and non-Jewish religious influence and finally to people in the world with no Jewish religious background whatsoever– the Gentiles as they are described in scripture. As we pick up the story, having watched Jesus disappear into the clouds, the 11 disciples return to their hideout in Jerusalem and arrange a meeting between themselves and around 110 other followers. This meeting was a bit like a church AGM. The main item on the agenda was the election of a 12th apostle to replace Judas who sadly had not only betrayed his Lord, but committed suicide afterwards. Since it was the Lord’s job to appoint apostles, the method the 11 disciples used was the prayerful drawing of lots. Effectively this meant that the two men who had been following Jesus the longest and had witnessed his resurrection were invited to choose one of two sticks. Matthias chose the longer stick so this was taken as a sign from God that he was to be the twelfth apostle. It seems a strangely undemocratic method of choosing leadership to us in the 21st Century, but it does demonstrate a very strong belief in the power of prayer and in the belief that God hears and answers prayer very directly and according to His will. Interestingly the Moravian Church has practiced this same method for making decisions in their church for many years. It is not as used so frequently today but it is still used to choose the scripture texts for their annually Produced Daily Devotional Book called, “The Word for Today.” Perhaps we have much to learn by this deep expression of faith in both the early church and in our Moravian brothers and sisters. Now that Matthias had been added to the 11 other apostles, the apostolic team was deemed to be complete, mirroring the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel that we read about in the Old Testament. They were now ready to go out into the world and preach the good news about Jesus, except for one last thing – they still hadn’t yet been baptised with the Holy Spirit. In other words, the Holy Spirit hadn’t yet come to live in them forever. All of which brings us to the short passage that I want to focus on for this morning. It is Luke’s account of the Day when Jesus fulfilled his promise and gave the gift of His Holy Spirit to each of the early Christian believers gathered in Jerusalem. Let’s listen to that passage now as read for us by Emily Kearon… (End Part 3) BIBLE READING Acts 2 v 1-13 Emily Kearon Part 4 All of these early followers of Jesus including the 12 apostles were from a Jewish background. Jesus had told them to wait in Jerusalem. It would have been natural for them to be gathered in Jerusalem anyway. That’s because it was the ‘Day of Pentecost’. Pentecost was one of the 3 major festivals in the Jewish Calendar Year - Passover, Pentecost and The Feast of Tabernacles. It was held 50 days or 7 weeks after the Feast of Passover which is why it is also known as the “Feast of Weeks.” Passover occurred in April so the Day of Pentecost would have been in early June. It was a public holiday and a Jewish religious celebration similar to our modern day celebration of Harvest. For on the Day of Pentecost crowds of Jewish pilgrims from all over the world would gather in Jerusalem to thank God for the crops of harvest. It was also the day when Jewish people commemorated the moment in history when God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. But this particular day would be no ordinary Pentecost. This one would go down in the history of the Christian church as one of the most significant moments of all time. For this was the moment when God chose to give His Holy Spirit to be with His church forever. It was the moment when God would unfold yet another stage of His rescue plan to tell people from all over the world about Jesus. It happened like this- The group of 120 Jesus’ believers were together, in a meeting room when the Holy Spirit unexpectedly descended. Suddenly they heard the howling of a violent wind which filled the entire house where they were staying. Flames of fire appeared, separated out and rested on each one of them like little flickering tongues. They sensed themselves being filled with God’s Spirit, whatever that means. Then they all started speaking in lots of foreign languages! By any stretch of the imagination these were not normal events. This was a supernatural occurrence that cannot be explained scientifically nor should we try to do so. Whether these believers excitedly moved out into the streets or the temple courts when this phenomena happened or whether people in the busy streets outside heard this commotion through an open door or window we can’t be sure. All we know is that this crowd of spirit filled Christians were surrounded by a crowd of Jewish pilgrims from many different regions. What amazed the crowd was that each of them heard one or two of these Christians speaking about God in their own native language. How could that be since all these people were originally from Galilee in Israel and would never have had the opportunity to learn Turkish, Spanish, Egyptian or Italian? The crowd turned to each other and said, “This is weird! What do you think it means?” Some of the crowd laughed and shouted, “Ah, they’ve just had too many glasses of red wine!” There are many lessons we can learn from this passage of scripture. One is simply that God is God. Nothing, and that means nothing, is impossible for Him. While he normally works by the laws of nature He is not bound by them. Miracles are easy for God. He is God after all! I wonder have we forgotten that? Have we closed our hearts and minds to the possibility of the impossible? In what area of your life do you need a miracle? Have you asked God for one? Another lesson is that when God does something, we don’t always easily understand initially what is happening or what is going on. What we experience may be easier ‘felt than telt’. Neither these early Christians, nor the crowd who heard them probably realised exactly what was happening. They just knew it was happening… Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable in your relationship with God. You may not fully understand what God is doing in your life, but in the days and weeks and months ahead that will become clear. Hindsight is a wonderful teacher. But for now, trust Him. A third thought is that this was a very exceptional event. God deliberately chose one of the busiest days of the year, in order to get a very significant message to as many Jewish people as He could, at one time. It was His hope that having grabbed these people’s attention by this miraculous event, they would stop long enough to hear the message of Christ and take that message back to their own countries and Jewish friends and families. I wonder, how we can be more creative in order to get people’s attention so that we will get an opportunity to tell them about Christ? Or maybe that’s a wrong question. Maybe I should be asking, how much more do we need to pray that God will show up in amazing ways in order that people may be attracted to listen to the good news? Or because this was such a unique event, maybe we should be asking, “Should we always be expecting God to do the miraculous or to turn up in spine-tingling and dramatic ways?” If you remember back to the story of Elijah in the Old Testament he needed a message from God. He too was probably expecting something dramatic. There was a great wind, an earthquake and finally a fire. But God wasn’t in any of these things. God’s message came in a gentle whisper. God may use dramatic events to work in your life, but more often He may just speak in the ordinary and in the quiet whisper. Do you ever miss what God is trying to say to you because you’re always looking for the spectacular? To what degree these early Christians or the crowd understood the significance of this event I’m not sure. But with the benefit of hindsight and thousands of years of Christian reflection there are a few other important lessons that we can learn from this event- One is that the word for ‘wind’ used here, is the same as that used for the ‘Spirit’. This was God’s Holy Spirit coming upon His people. The Spirit’s life-giving power is portrayed as filling the lungs with the breath of life. Here the churches’ spiritual lungs were filled to declare the mighty deeds of God. The way the sound of the Spirit filled the room they were in and filled their bodies is similar to the way the glory of God filled the temple and the tabernacle or ‘tent of meeting’ that we read about in the Old Testament. The spirit was consecrating a new sanctuary in which God would dwell among His people. In other words this was the moment when God sent His Holy Spirit to live in believers forever! This is further evidenced by the tongues of fire which rested above each of these Christians. Surely they would have understood this to symbolise what it symbolised in the Old Testament – God’s presence – a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night resting over the centre of the Israelite camp. But here it divided and rested on every single one of these believers. Surely this was a sign from God that now His presence would be with every believer through His Holy Spirit who would come to live in them and remain with them wherever they were in the world. All of this is hugely significant for you and me. Before the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit only ever came upon people for a short period of time to help them in certain circumstances. But now that Jesus has ascended and His Holy Spirit has come to the earth to take up His ministry, it means that anyone who is willing to turn away from what they know to be wrong and who cries out to God for forgiveness trusting that Jesus Christ died on the cross to take the judgement they deserve will not only receive forgiveness but they will also receive or be baptised in the Holy Spirit. And once they have received the Holy Spirit they will never lose Him. So if you are a Christian you have the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit of Christ. He is a person not an impersonal force or ‘it’. His main role is to join you to Christ Jesus so that Christ’s very presence may be with you always wherever you go. If you are a Christian the Holy Spirit already lives within you. You don’t need to be baptised in the Spirit again. Rather you need to be careful that you don’t grieve Him. You need to keep short accounts with God, confessing your sins regularly. And praying that God will continue to fill you with His Spirit. That means that the Holy Spirit who is already living in you will be given freedom in your life to minister to you and allow His character to flood and be expressed in your life. I have no doubt that Christians from different traditions will describe their experience of the Holy Spirit in different ways. I think what we can all agree on, is that when you repent and believe you receive and are sealed with Gods Spirit. He will never leave you. You don’t need to receive Him again! But you must continue to allow Him to fill your life with His presence and character through prayer, obedience and regular continued confession and repentance. You should ask Him to grant you spiritual gifts for the benefit of others and to show you the gifts that he has given you. However that feels or whatever words you use to describe these experiences doesn’t really matter. What matters, as Paul puts it, is that, “You are a temple of the Holy Spirit!” There are two final things I want to say from this passage. When the gospel is preached or when God comes in miraculous display of power people always react in one of two ways- Some are so intrigued that they want to find out more and will eventually respond positively to God. Others will simply laugh and say, “It’s all a load of rubbish. You people are deluded!” Don’t be surprised that no matter how hard you pray or no matter how well you live, you will experience both of these reactions. And lastly, as we think of God’s desire and miraculous attempts to share His Good News with Jews from all over the world in this passage let me ask you this question- We are surrounded by people from lots of other countries in the world here in Ireland. There are also many people in the world who have never once heard the Good News about Jesus- How do you or how may you play your part in God’s ongoing mission to share the wonders of Christ to the people of the world? If you’ve any more thoughts or ideas of how we might do that better when we eventually are allowed back to church, then please come and talk to me. But above all, let me encourage you to pray, “Lord here am I use me” or “Lord what do you want me to do?” We thank God for His word, Amen. Introduction to Song You know it was an amazing day when the first disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Having the Holy Spirit made all the difference in their lives and gave them courage and power to go out and share the good news about Jesus. It was almost as if the disciple’s life with Jesus began all over again. The Holy Spirit can do the same for us to. So let’s rejoice in the fact that through Jesus death, resurrection and the gift of His Spirit you and I have been set free and have been given a new and better life in Him. So join in as Seth Condry leads us in the song “Death was arrested and my life began”. (End Part 4) Song of Reflection “Death was arrested and my life began” Let’s pray… Part 5 Prayer for others Mighty God, come to us through your Holy Spirit, filling us with peace. Give us a love for all and a desire to serve, humility of mind and gentleness of soul. Nurture your grace in our hearts Mighty God, come to us through your Holy Spirit, setting us on fire with love for you. Fill us with a burning desire to work for your Kingdom, and cleanse us of all that is impure and unworthy in our lives. Kindle a flame of faith in our hearts. Mighty God, come to us through your Holy Spirit, breathing new life into our souls. Fill us with energy and enthusiasm in the service of Christ and sweep away all in our lives that keeps us from living as your people. Instil a sense of expectation in our hearts. Mighty God, forgive us that we so easily limit your Spirit, receiving His blessing for ourselves but failing to pass it on to others. Forgive us that we so readily quench the Spirit, resisting that which challenges and disturbs us. Forgive us that we are so often closed to the movement of your Spirit, shutting Him out by the narrowness of our vision. Come as the dove, the fire and the wind. Open our lives to the peace, the power and the inspiration you would give us. Open our lives and touch our hearts trough Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Take a moment to pray for friends and family asking especially that God’s Spirit might work in their lives in miraculous ways. Take a moment to remember especially the people in India and pray that God will enable them to receive all the help they need to bring this latest wave of Covid under control… Pray for all who mourn and for all who are battling with physical and emotional sickness at this time… All these prayers we offer in the name of Him for whom all things are possible, Amen. Closing Words It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today. Thanks again for logging on. I hope you’ve felt inspired and challenged to reflect on the amazing gift God has given us in His Holy Spirit. The exciting news is that the government has confirmed a date of 10th May for the reopening of Masses and church gatherings. Since that is a Monday we will be reopening on Sunday 16th. Again we are allowed up to 50 people. So if you would like to book a place at church on Sunday 16th May please do text Aleida as soon as possible. I hope you can tune in again on Wednesday morning for our Pandemic praise as we reflect on another spiritual blessing that God has given us in Christ and give thanks. Next Sunday marks the beginning of Christian Aid week. So we will be reflecting on the consequences of climate change and considering how we might play our part in helping those who are most affected. But first, let me share the benediction, after which I invite you to say the grace together… Benediction Go out into God’s world filled with the spark of the Holy Spirit. Let love guide your actions. Listen for the Spirit of Truth. Spread the peace of Christ and remind everyone you meet that each one is a beloved child of God… “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.” APC 25th April 2021 ‘God’s Hidden Presence’ (Part 2) PART 1 Welcome and Introduction Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship. Today I want to continue with the second part of our mini-series as we reflect on ‘God’s hidden presence’. But to begin let’s worship God together as our good friends in Arklow Revival Gospel Choir remind us that even when it’s hard to see Him, God is always with us and His love never fails us… (End Part 1) Opening Song “Unfailing Love” PART 2 Last week we thought about how Mary was unable to recognise Jesus through her tears even though he was standing right beside her. When she realised who the gardener was, she and the other disciples were overjoyed. Unfortunately that joy was short-lived as a few weeks later Jesus left them to return to heaven. Once again they felt like God was absent. Listen to how Luke describes this in the first chapter of the book of Acts… Reading Acts 1 v 1-11 4 On one occasion, while Jesus was eating with His disciples, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Menfolk of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” Since that day, we’re all still waiting for Jesus to return. But this morning we’re going to reflect on a surprising place where we can still discover God’s hidden presence in our world. But before we do that let’s talk to God, let’s pray… Opening Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, we remember today how your apostles stood gazing into heaven, troubled and confused fearing they had lost you, struggling to make sense of their experience. Open our eyes to your glory. We remember how the days following your ascension they remained hidden behind locked doors, bound by the weakness of their imagination, tied down by the feebleness of their vision, restricted by the smallness of their faith. Open our eyes to your glory. Instead of worshipping you as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, they thought you had gone from them. Instead of rejoicing at your exaltation they felt that they were separated from you once again. Open our eyes to your glory. Despite what they had been told, they looked still for the man they knew and understood, the man who had walked the streets of Nazareth, who had talked with them beside the sea of Galilee, who had suffered and died for them in Jerusalem. Open our eyes to your glory. But you showed them that Jesus was greater than they had begun to imagine – not bound by space or time, not tied down to one particular place, not restricted to one particular people, but ascended to your side and one with you for all eternity. Open our eyes to your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us that all too often we make the same mistake as the apostles – we expect you to fit in with our expectations, we assume we know all there is to know about you, we settle for a comfortable, cozy picture of you that offers much and asks little; and when that way of thinking is challenged or threatened we are puzzled, suddenly overcome by a multitude of questions. Open our eyes to your glory. Forgive us that our horizons have been too narrow, our sights set too low, our expectations too limited. Open our eyes to your glory. Help us to glimpse the wonder of who you are and the untold possibilities of all you can do, catching our breath in awe and captured by a new vision of your Kingdom. Open our eyes to your glory. Join with me now as we say the Lord’s Prayer thoughtfully and sincerely together… Our Father, which 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, For ever and ever, AMEN. Introduction to Kids Video We come now to the part of our service that’s especially for the younger members of our church family. So if your kids aren’t beside you right now, why not pause the recording, and call them in to watch a short video explaining why Jesus ascended back into heaven. And at the end of this video I’ve a few words to say to the children so don’t let them rush away. (END Part 2) Kid’s Video Saddleback Kids “The Ascension” LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcFw8pLBSIo PART 3 Kid’s Talk Summary Hey boys and girls, I hope you enjoyed the video today. It’s amazing to think that Jesus came back to life after he died and that a few weeks later He went back up into heaven. That’s where Jesus is today. We can’t see Him but we know He’s alive in heaven because He has sent His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to be with us. The fantastic thing is that the Holy Spirit can be with every person in the whole world all the time! Jesus could only be with a few people at a time. So in one sense, it’s good that Jesus went up to heaven so the Holy Spirit could be with all of us all the time. Having the Holy Spirit is just like having Jesus with you as your best friend. That means you can talk to God and ask the Holy Spirit to help you anytime and anywhere. Don’t be afraid to ask the Holy Spirit to be your best friend. And don’t be afraid to talk to Him every day and ask Him to guide you, to give you wisdom and to make you happy and kind to others. The Holy Spirit loves you and He will help you. Don’t forget to ask your mum or dad to download the colouring sheet from our Facebook page to help you remember today’s lesson. But Bye for now! Colouring Sheet https://sermons4kids.com/ascension_colorpg.htm Introduction to Bible Reading When Jesus went back to heaven, for the second time the disciples felt abandoned by God. So too in our world today many people feel as if God has gone on holiday. Because they can’t see Him many don’t believe in God, and don’t give any thought to the truth that he is coming back. Our second reading today is the fifth of a series of 5 stories that Jesus told about this period of history between His ascension into heaven and His return to earth as judge. I find this story fascinating for many reasons but today I want to use it to help us to reflect on another unexpected place in life where you and I can find God’s hidden presence. It will be read for us by the newest member of our church Mr Stuart Ferguson who I’m delighted has joined us from Adelaide Road since recently coming to live in Arklow. (End Part 3) Bible Reading Matthew 25 v 31- 46 Stuart Ferguson The Sheep and the Goats 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Part 4 Welcome to Stuart Stuart, I am so delighted that you have decided to join our church family now that you have moved to Arklow and at some point hopefully in the near future we will give you a very warm and official welcome. For now thank you for reading for us today. Reflection ‘God’s hidden presence’ (Part 2) What are the things that have happened in your life that have made you ask, “Where is God?” If we’re honest, there are times for all of us when God seems absent, even though we know that He lives inside us by His Holy Spirit. Last week we reflected on how Mary Magdalene couldn’t see Jesus through her tears. Even though he was right beside her, she mistook him for the gardener. Today I want to reflect on another aspect of God’s hidden presence as we think about how Mary and the other disciples must have felt after Jesus left them to go back to heaven. Jesus’ death had left the disciples devastated. Their dreams of everything He had promised were shattered. But then Mary brought them the extraordinary news that somehow He’d been resurrected from the dead! The next 6 weeks must have been completely bizarre, and yet amazingly exciting and happy to say the least. One by one, Jesus appeared to the disciples and chatted with them for hours. He could eat. They could touch Him. He even allowed Thomas to put his finger in the scars of the nails in his arms. In many ways he looked and sounded exactly as they’d remembered. But He was definitely different. I mean, there aren’t many of us that can enter a room by walking through the wall! But then, just as they were getting used to having Him with them again, out of the blue, in the middle of one of their meals together, Jesus suddenly begins to float up into the clouds and eventually he disappears from their sight. As they stand there looking up into the sky in bewilderment, again two angelic beings appear and rather ‘mater-of-factly’ break the latest devastating news… “Why are you standing there looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” Once again the disciples are left reeling, feeling abandoned by God. It would be a few more weeks yet before they would realise that this was Jesus’ great plan all along. When the Holy Spirit came to earth at Pentecost, not only filling the room, but filling their hearts with the Spirit of the risen Christ, then the penny would drop. All along it had been Jesus’ plan to live His life on earth again, only this time through the bodies of His followers. What Jesus was able to bring to a few people - healing, grace, the good news of God’s love, He would now be able to bring to billions through people like you and me, people in whom His Spirit now lives. Like those first followers, for you and me it can also be an amazing light bulb moment when we realise that the Spirit of Christ actually lives inside us! When the circumstances of life cloud the presence of God in our world, it’s always an encouragement to remember that His Spirit is still living inside us. Somehow, however failingly, that means that you and I can bring Christ to our world. Our words, our actions, our prayers matter. They do make a difference. Yet, despite the truth of all of this, and despite the fact that most of us believe it, isn’t it easy to forget? When certain things happen, when difficulties continue for long enough in our lives, it’s easy to forget that the Holy Spirit is inside us. It’s easy to forget that we can make a difference and that God does hear our prayers. It’s easy to look up at the blue sky, and see, nothing! You see, by ascending into heaven, Jesus took the risk of being forgotten. That’s why he told the disciples a number of interesting and related stories before he left. You’ll find them all towards the end of Matthew’s gospel. All of these stories reflect how many people will live in the period of time between Jesus leaving earth and when He returns. In one of the stories, an owner leaves his house vacant. In another, an absentee landlord puts his servant in charge. In the third, a bridegroom arrives so late that the guests grow drowsy and fall asleep and in the fourth, a master distributes talents among his servants and then takes off. In effect, all of these stories anticipate the question on the lips of many people in our modern - “Where is God now?” Ever since Jesus went back to heaven most people, in our world have decided that God has simply abandoned us and left us to our own devices. Throughout history we have witnessed many examples of what happens when people stop believing in God and when they don’t believe that one day He will return. They live selfishly and they treat animals and other human beings in horrible ways. But there is a fifth story in this series, which not only reminds us that Christ will come back, but that also gives us a fascinating insight into where we can actually find God’s hidden presence in the here and now. It’s the parable of the sheep and the goats that Stuart very kindly read for us earlier. In this story, we are reminded that a day is coming when Jesus will return. On that day there will literally be hell to pay for those people who have lived selfishly as if the Sovereign landlord does not exist. The parable spans what is often called the ‘end times’ in scripture. That is the entire length of time between when Jesus ascended into heaven and the day when He will come back to earth again. Throughout this period, to many people, and at times perhaps even to us, it will look and feel as if God is absent. But amazingly and perhaps even shockingly, this parable teaches us that although Jesus is in heaven, He is never absent from our world. In addition to being with us through His unseen Spirit, this story teaches us that God has chosen to disguise Himself in the cloak of the hungry, the thirsty, the sick and the imprisoned. “I tell you”, Jesus says, “whatever you have done, for one of the least of these brothers of mine you, have done it unto me.” You see, when Jesus left this world, He knew that He would be leaving behind a planet that would continue to be filled with the poor, the hungry, the imprisoned and the sick. But He made plans to cope with this. We call this plan redemption. The long term part of this plan is that one day in the future Christ will return to restore this entire cosmos to its state of original perfection. In that new world, there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more disease or disaster or suffering. Those of us who love Jesus will be allowed to share in this amazing new life. The short term part of this plan is that in the meantime, God has deliberately left you and me in charge. Christ now lives in us by His Holy Spirit. That means we are His eyes and ears and hands and feet throughout the world. It is our job to look for Him in the poor, the sick, the hungry, the abused and imprisoned. And when we see Him, He expects us to help. He has given us His Spirit to motivate and enable us to carry out this task. The story is told that one day a rich American tourist asked mother Teresa, “Why are you so committed to the very dregs of Calcutta?” Her reply was this, “We are a contemplative order. First we meditate on Christ and then we go out and look for Him in disguise.” I wonder, do you feel as if God is absent in your life and in our world? Could it be that you are looking for Him in the wrong place? Let us pray… Prayer for Others Living God, you came to our world through Christ to help, to heal and to rescue. So now we pray for all those in any kind of need. Reach out to them in your love. We pray for the sick and suffering, the poor and hungry, the oppressed and exploited, the lonely and unloved, the aged and infirm, the frightened and anxious, the sorrowful and the bereaved, the helpless and the hopeless. Reach out to them in your love. Living God, there is so much need around us, in our neighbourhood, our town, our country and our world – so many people crying out for help. Reach out to them in your love. Lord, you come disguised in those who are in need. What we do for them we do for you. So help us to see where and how we can respond as individuals and as a church. Give us the means, the will, the commitment and the love to reach out in the name of Christ, offering something of ourselves to others, even as he offered His all for us. Lord, reach out to them in your love, through us… Take a few moments now to bring your own prayers for others to God at this time…. All these prayers we offer in the name of the one is always present with us in the poor and through His Holy Spirit, Amen. Introduction to Song When he was on earth Christ brought hope and encouragement to so many people. As His people, with the help of His Spirit it’s our job to do the same. Let’s remind ourselves of that as we sing together the beautiful modern song, “Hope has a name…” (End Part 4) Song “Hope has a name” Part 5 Closing Words It’s been a joy and privilege to share in worship with you this morning. Thanks for logging on. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and found it to be both a challenge and encouragement. I’ve still no further definite confirmation of when our church can reopen for services but I’m hoping that it will be in the first half of May. I want to remind you to take your time and carefully complete the GDPR form that we have sent you out. Please make any amendments to any of the details that you would like us to hold for you and your family. And do ask all the relevant people in your household to sign the form. If you require any additional forms for a young adult in your household for example, then please just ask and we will happily send it out. Once you’ve completed please do email it to us or drop it into Aleida or into me at the church in a sealed envelope. I’m conscious that many of us are weary and really struggling the longer the lockdown restrictions continue, so please do continue to keep in touch with one another and encourage one another. But for now, as always, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you to say the grace together… Benediction People of God, we are sent out in the power of the Holy Spirit, to be God’s witnesses; to proclaim the Good News to everyone we meet, to share the love that God has lavished on us in Jesus Christ. So go from here in the power and strength of God, to bear witness to all you have seen and experienced. And May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.” APC 21st April 2021 Pandemic Praise – ‘Chosen by God’. Welcome and Introduction Good morning everyone and welcome back to our Wednesday morning worship. Today I want to begin a new series which I’m hoping will take us right up to when we can actually meet together again in church. It’s a series I’ve called ‘Pandemic Praise’ because I want to help us reflect on some of the spiritual blessings that God has given us in Christ. These are things that we can give thanks for and that I hope will lift our spirits no matter how weary, impatient or frustrated we are currently feeling. But as always let’s begin by stilling our hearts and talking to God, let’s pray… Opening Prayer Lord Jesus we thank you for all those who have heard your call across the ages – all those from different walks of life who have come together, at different times, in different ways and in different places to be your people. Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks. We thank you for the way you have consistently brought together the most unlikely of individuals – from different races, different cultures with different characters and different gifts to become your church. Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks. And above all we thank you that you have called us here, with our different outlooks, contrasting temperaments, diverging backgrounds and variety of experiences to be your church in this place. Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks. Lord Jesus Christ, teach us that whoever we are you can use us- you can use anyone and everyone for your Kingdom. Help us to accept one another and ourselves as we really are- united in our diversity by one common cause. Take us and use us just as we are, to demonstrate your transforming love and to work for the coming of your Kingdom. Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks. Our Father, which 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, For ever and ever, AMEN. Reflection Pandemic Praise – ‘Chosen by God’. I’m going to be honest with you – as I walked into my office on Monday morning I was thinking to myself – “Lord what on earth am I going to say to people over this next few weeks? What can I say that will bring some hope and encouragement despite the weariness and frustration that most of us are feeling?” As I prayed and listened, I sensed that God was saying to me – “Michael, remind people of the spiritual blessings I have given them, gifts that they can enjoy at all times, in all circumstances.” So that’s what I want to do. Over the next few weeks on Wednesday mornings I want to help us reflect on some of the spiritual blessings that God has given us in Christ. These are gifts that we have now and that will last for ever. No restrictions, no pandemic, not even death itself can take these blessings from us or spoil our enjoyment of them. What’s more, as we reflect upon these spiritual blessings they can give us immense hope and encouragement on a daily basis. To direct our thoughts, I want to use a letter that Paul wrote while he too was in lockdown, in a Roman prison. The letter is addressed to a church in Ephesus, although most people believe it was a circular letter that Paul wanted to be read by all the Christian churches. Whatever the original intended audience, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has since been widely circulated throughout the world. It has been called the “Queen of the Epistles” because it is so full of spiritual wisdom, insight and encouragement. Over the next few Wednesdays I want to focus on the opening paragraph of this letter. Let’s read it together now… Ephesians Chapter 1 v 1-14 ”Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. In this letter, after his usual introduction where he sets out his credentials as an apostle, Paul immediately bursts into a spontaneous outpouring of joy as he reflects on all the spiritual blessings that He has experienced in Christ. The wonder of these things gives Paul such excitement and happiness that he shouts aloud, “Praise God!” It’s my hope that if these things could lift the spirits of a man on death row in prison, they will be able to lift our spirits in the middle of our own lockdown! So what is Paul getting so excited about? Well for today, let’s just think about the first thing that he shares. He writes this, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” I wonder do you realize that you have been chosen by God? The Creator of the universe has picked you to be part of his team! It sounds too good to be true. In one sense, it is. You know yourself. You know the thoughts and feelings inside that no one else sees. You know the things you’ve done or said or the things you should have done or said but didn’t, that no-one else knows about. You know all the things that make you feel guilty, that make you feel bad about yourself. And God knows about them too! The truth is, you and I don’t deserve to be on God’s team. We don’t deserve His love and attention! In fact, the only thing we deserve is God’s judgement – and that means so much more than a good telling off or a lunchtime detention! The reality is, God is so holy, so perfect, that we don’t deserve to be anywhere near His presence. But the amazing and almost unbelievable thing is that despite all that God already knows about us, He has still chosen to send His Son to die for us so that we could become His closest friends. God didn’t have to do this. But He has chosen to do this out of His goodness and mercy. You know, every time I sit in my car at the church gates I’m reminded about this. I’m there in my white car with my indicator on to turn right. There’s even a bump in the road to help people slow down. It’s a busy road. Often the times I’m coming out, people are rushing home from work. At those times I’m utterly dependent on someone out of the kindness of their heart stopping and letting me out into the traffic. They don’t have to. Many don’t! But I am so thankful when eventually someone kindly stops and waves me out. In fact, I’m so grateful that just a hundred yards later I automatically stop to let any person coming from the Sea Road out onto the Dublin Road. This act of kindness on my part is simply a reflection of the kindness I have been shown by a complete stranger just a few minutes earlier. Paul says God has ‘chosen us in Christ… to be Holy and Blameless in His sight’. You see, that’s what an understanding of God’s undeserved kindness to us does. It makes us want to live right, to be loving and kind and generous to other people, in the same way that God has been kind to us. So this week I want to encourage you to make time to reflect on the amazing spiritual blessing that God has chosen you in Christ. Don’t rush this process. Take a good look at yourself in the light of who God is and what His standards are. Reflect deeply on what it would be like if God only treated you as you deserve. Then think about how instead, God deliberately chose to send His Son to take the judgement that you deserve. And since God has chosen to let you out when He could so easily have driven past, take time to reflect on how you can show your gratitude to Him in all you say and do. Let’s pray… Prayers for others Lord today we remember all those who are sick, in hospital, waiting for appointments or struggling emotionally with the continued restrictions. Loving Father, bring them your help and healing through the health care system and the support of family and friends. We pray too for all those who have been bereaved in recent days. We think especially of Mary Walker, Alison Crammond and Robert Holden. Draw near to them and to their wider family with your deep comfort and strengthening grace. Lord, all of us are finding it increasingly difficult in these days. So give us the courage, strength and perseverance we need. Help us to look out for one another and give us wisdom to know how best to support and encourage one another. We thank you that all our young people are back at school. Thank you for all the staff in our schools. Please continue to motivate them and give them energy and enthusiasm to make it a positive and effective learning environment for all our children. Help us to encourage and support all teachers in every way we can. Father we remember especially those in third level education and for all those in jobs who have not yet been permitted to return to work. God, while many enjoy working from home, many are finding it increasingly stressful, many are missing the social interaction of the college life and the office. Father for all who are struggling we pray that you would provide them with little encouragements each day to keep them going. We thank you for the vaccine rollouts throughout the world. Lord, please enable this process to be done fairly and grant that the poorest areas of our world will not be neglected. We pray especially for the situations in places like India and Brazil and ask that in your mercy that soon they will be able to get recent outbreaks of Covid under control. Lord, in your mercy please enable every country to begin to see real and lasting progress in the fight against this disease. Father, we remember all clergy and church leaders struggling to keep online services going and to pastorally acre for people in these days. Give each one energy and perseverance and fill them with hope and joy. We pray that the government will listen seriously to church leaders as they try to explain how important worship is for people of religious belief. We ask that very soon we will be allowed to return to worship together. We pray also for all the leaders of the EU, the UK and Ireland as they seek to understand the concerns of certain sections of the community in Northern Ireland and as they try to fine tune some of the issues around the movement of goods between different regions. We ask that you will give them great sensitivity, great wisdom and understanding and that tensions and fears may be enabled to be eased particularly in areas where there have been outbreaks of unrest in recent days. We pray long term for good relationships and for peaceful and pragmatic solutions to these complex and difficult situations. Take a few moments now to bring your own prayers for others to God at this time…. All these prayers we offer in the name of the one who has set His love upon us and who is always for us and not against us. Amen. Closing Words It’s been a joy and privilege to share in worship with you this morning. Thanks for logging on. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and found it to be encouraging. I’ve still no further confirmation of when our church can reopen for services but I’m hoping that it will be in the first half of May. I want to remind you to take your time and carefully complete the GDPR form that we have sent you out. Please make any amendments to any of the details that you would like us to hold for you and your family. And do ask all the relevant people in your household to sign the form. If you require any additional forms for a young adult in your household for example, then please just ask and we will happily send it out. Once you’ve completed please do drop it into Aleida or into me at the church in a sealed envelope. I’m conscious that many of us are weary and really struggling the longer the lockdown restrictions continue, so please do continue to keep in touch with one another and encourage one another. But for now, as always, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you to say the grace together… Benediction You are the people of God. So go forth to live in such ways that by your actions and words others will see in you the life of Jesus and want to follow in his way. And May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.” APC 18th April 2021 ‘God’s Hidden Presence’ (Part 1) PART 1 Welcome and Introduction Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship. I want to start by thanking our Moderator the Rev David Bruce for his wonderfully hopeful and thoughtful service last Sunday. Today I want to begin the first of a two part series as we consider the theme of ‘God’s hidden presence’. Over this past year at times we’ve all found it hard to see God in the midst of all the difficulties and uncertainties that we have faced. So I hope you’ll find these reflections helpful and encouraging as we continue to patiently wait and hope and pray for a return to some sort of normality. To open our worship I want to play a beautiful new hymn written my friend Jonathan Rea. The hymn is called “Your faithfulness endures.” It will be accompanied by a video clip entitled ‘Hope at Easter’ which reminds us that throughout Ireland our Presbyterian family are finding hope through their faith in God and in the support of our Christian family and friends. It’s especially nice for us to be able to share in this song as the opening title of moving letters was created by our very own Amy Whelton. So sit back and join in worship as we sing together “Your faithfulness endures”. (End Part 1) Opening Song “Your faithfulness endures” PART 2 I hope you were encouraged by all the images of people like us and great job Amy on the moving letters! But now let’s take a moment to talk to God, let’s pray… Opening Prayer Loving God, we thank you that in all the changing circumstances of our lives you are a God we can depend on – always faithful, always true, always loving, always merciful. For all your mercies we praise and thank you. We thank you that you are a God who is constantly at work – in our day to day lives, in our fellowship, in the church, in the world. For all your mercies we praise and thank you. Day by day, week by week, year by year, you are working out your purposes. For all your mercies we praise and thank you. Seen or unseen, recognized or unrecognized, appreciated or taken for granted, you are moving through your spirit, striving to build your kingdom and fulfil your will. For all your mercies we praise and thank you. Loving God, you do not work alone, but have invited us to play a part in your purpose. In your mercy teach us to respond in faith. Help us to keep our side of the bargain – to do our bit as you do yours, to be a people whose lives clearly witness to your love, to live in a way that is consistent with what we believe and honoring to you. In your mercy teach us to respond in faith. Help us to make the most of everything you have given us, to use our gifts, to grasp our opportunities, and to offer our time, our money and our talents freely in your service. In your mercy teach us to respond in faith. And help us finally, having played our part, to leave all things in your hands, knowing that, though all else may fail, your love will never will. Thanks be to God. Join with me now as we say the Lord’s Prayer thoughtfully and sincerely together… Our Father, which 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, For ever and ever, AMEN. Introduction to Kids Video We come now to the part of our service that’s especially for the younger members of our church family. So if your kids aren’t beside you right now, why not pause the recording, and call them in to watch a short video about the main character in our story today- Mary Magdalene. And at the end of this video I’ve a few words to say to the children so don’t let them rush away. (END Part 2) Kid’s Video God’s Story – Mary Magdalene LINK https://vimeo.com/30378844 PART 3 Kid’s Talk Summary Hey boys and girls, I hope you enjoyed the video today. You know just like Mary Jesus can really help you in your life. If you love Him like Mary did he will also help you to be kind and generous to others just the way she was to Jesus. Don’t forget to ask your mum or dad to download the colouring sheet from our Facebook page to help you remember today’s lesson. I hope you have a really good week in school and I look forward to seeing you in church very soon. But Bye for now! Colouring Sheet http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/christianity-bible/jesus-resurrection Reflection ‘God’s Hidden Presence’ Two weeks ago, we celebrated Easter Sunday. It’s a high point of the Christian Year. But it also comes with an inherent danger. Having a special day to celebrate that Jesus is alive, can sometimes deflect from the reality that for us, every day is a Resurrection day. Christ is alive! We have His Holy Spirit now living inside us. His resurrection presence and power is available to us at any time and in every place. But at the same time, there is always mystery in the Christian life – things that are not easy to explain. Yes we have the Holy Spirit inside us. Often we do sense His presence and are very aware of His help and power. But, like the first disciples, there are also times when it feels as if the tomb is empty and our Lord is nowhere to be seen. I can think of a young Christian couple who have a 2 year old baby which has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. They are part of a church family which lost one of their youngest members to a freak choking accident at a church function despite being surrounded by several consultant medics. It’s at times like these when even the most spiritual of people are left with no answers and with many questions including, “Where is God?” That’s why over the next two Sundays I want to reflect on this reality of ‘God’s hidden presence’ even for those of us who understand that through the Holy Spirit God is always with us and has promised to never leave us. Today I want us to think about God’s hidden presence in the first resurrection appearance of Jesus to Mary. So let’s sit back as Emma reads it for us now… (End Part 3) Bible Reading Video John 20 v 1-18 Emma Anderson PART 4 Thank you Emma for reading for us… I’m always amazed at how God often makes the loudest statements through little details that seem almost hidden in the ancient text. In a culture where women were often treated as second class citizens it is hugely significant that the first person to meet the risen Jesus is Mary. She is the one who remains faithful no matter what. Her grief was as deep as the rest and yet while Peter, John and the other men cowered behind closed doors, Mary and the other women remained courageously faithful as they brought spices to anoint Jesus’ body. Where would we be without every faithful woman in our world and especially within the family of the Christian church? Mary Magdalene went one step further. Jesus had quite literally rescued her from a life of hell when he delivered her from the presence of 7 demons. Consequently, her love for Jesus was extremely deep. While it was still dark, she got up the next morning, and as the sun rose and birds chirped to greet a new day, she made her way past shops and houses to attend once more to the body of her Lord. Any of us who have lost a family member, a pet, or had our dreams shattered by a cruel twist of events, will understand how she must have felt. If the death of her beloved and the dashing of all that He had promised wasn’t bad enough, Mary must have been distraught when, arriving at the tomb, she found the stone door to be rolled aside, and Jesus’ body nowhere to be seen. The only thing left were the bandages they had lovingly and tearfully draped around his torso just a few hours earlier. Her immediate reaction was to run for help. Given the days that were in it, she probably should have gone to the other women. Despite his public denial it seems that Peter was still considered to be the leader of the group. So that’s where Mary ran to deliver the devastating news. “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they’ve put him.” Immediately Peter and John got up, left the room in which they were hiding, and ran towards the tomb, leaving Mary behind. John arrived first and eventually Peter caught up. Both were amazed to discover that what Mary had said was true. The body of Jesus was gone. The only thing left were the bandages that he’d been wrapped in, strangely folded and neatly piled where his body had previously lain. We’re not told when Mary arrived back or what conversations she had with the two men. But when they left to go home, Mary sat down and began to cry. Grief is like that. For many hours and days after the death of our loved one, the adrenalin and the practicalities of attending to their remains and burial keep us going. Often, it’s only later, when something triggers, that the tears begin to flow. Through tear-filled eyes she peered again inside the tomb. She must have frozen in fear or jumped with surprise. Two angelic figures were standing exactly where Jesus’ body had been laid! “Why are you crying?” they asked. “They’ve taken my Lord away and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” In that moment it seems Mary turns towards the exit of the tomb perhaps gesturing to the outside. As she does so, again she is startled. This time the Cemetery Gardener is standing at the door. He asks her the same question, “Woman, why are you crying?” Who is it you are looking for?” “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will go and get him,” she replies. I find it fascinating that both the angels and Jesus ask Mary the same question- “Why are you crying?” I’m assuming that all 3 of them would have known why she was upset. You know in the painful experiences of our lives, God always knows why we are crying. He is never insensitive to our deepest fears and hurts, in fact, the Psalmist reminds us that God stores all our tears in a jar. Not one of them is lost to His love and care. Be assured- when we weep, God weeps. But at the same time, in our moments of quiet, isn’t it true that God often asks us, “Why are you crying?” For Mary and for us I feel that this is often simply a rhetorical question. God’s way of helping us to take stock even in the midst of our grief and to remember that whatever we are going through, today is still a resurrection day- Just as it was then, so too it is now every day. Christ is risen! That means we are never alone. He is always there to comfort and listen. Like Mary, through our tear-stained eyes it may be incredibly difficult to see Christ, but nevertheless He is there right beside us, even when we think He is the gardener. It may be that He comes to us through the disguise of someone else – a trusted friend, the author of a book or the composer of a song. In Mary’s case, God’s words came through their primary source. Amazingly it only took one word for Mary’s eyes to be opened and for her to see that the gardener was the risen Christ. “Mary!” he said. “Rabboni”, or “teacher” she exclaimed, as she got up, dashed forward and clung to Him with sobs of excitement and joy. You know in the midst of this Pandemic and especially in those times when we find it very hard to see God through our broken hearts and nights of tears, one of the greatest comforts we can receive is when God calls to us by name. When we consider the vastness of the universe and all the beauty of everything that God has made, when we reflect on the truth that God loves it all, it is mind-blowing to think that in the midst of it all, God sees you and He sees me! This is especially relevant in those times when we are finding it hard to see Him. The prophet Isaiah puts it beautifully in the 43rd Chapter of his book. He writes, “Fear not for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name.” Sometimes God seems far away, to Mary at the tomb, and to us, in so many cruel and painful circumstances of life. But then He whispers in our ear, “You are mine.” “Michael I know you by name.” I made you, you are precious to me. I understand your pain.” How amazing to know that we are not just a tiny part of some amorphous mass of humanity or some random evolutionary process. You are you, and I am me, unique, special, precious in the sight of the God who made us and loves us. Because this world has been infected by sin, it is full of disease and disaster. The enemy of God is also real and active in mysterious ways that we cannot fully understand. All of these things at times will result in pain and suffering in our lives or even worse, in the lives of those we love. There are no easy answers for these things. But when they happen and when our tears hide the presence of God, remember that He is still right beside you. Allow Him to come near as He whispers your name. He lived and died to understand your suffering. But he also rose again and is able to comfort and sustain you. I want to encourage you this morning, however much God is hidden through your tears, know that He is there, He knows your name and that when you weep, He weeps. In light of what I have just said, the final part of our story seems strange and difficult to understand. As Mary reaches out to grab our Lord he says to her, “Don’t hold on to me for I have not yet returned to the Father. Instead, go and tell the rest of the disciples that I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” However gently Jesus spoke, this would certainly have felt like a rejection from Jesus, clouding just for a moment her sense of joy. You know, learning experiences can be happy or painful. But God is in them both, willing our good. Mary had happily realised that Jesus was alive. She must now slowly learn the painful lesson that soon he must leave them to return to the father. Mary would have to accept that she could not hold onto the Jesus that she had known forever. Like all relationships her relationship with Jesus would grow and change. She would have to learn to trust a Jesus whom she could no longer see but who would still be close through His Holy Spirit. You know there is much about God that we can know and be sure of. But there is also so much about Him that we don’t know and will never know. That means that growing and maturing in the Christian faith is a process that never ends. At times God asks us to loosen our grip on the things we know or currently hold dear, and reach out into the unknown trusting Him for new experiences. At times God can be uncomfortable, and unpredictable, inviting us to adventure and to break new ground in our walk with Him. I wonder are we willing like Mary to allow God to be unpredictable and to learn new lessons from Him even if it causes us to rethink what we have thought or how we have acted for years? As we travel the faith road we also discover that just as a mother gives greater freedom to their children as they get older, so as we mature, God encourages us to prayerfully take more responsibility for our own decisions. He invites us to think for ourselves and make wise choices, within the framework of His word. Of course, we must pray and continue to ask God for wisdom and guidance, but to always be waiting for God’s answers to descend down a spiritual drainpipe or to live like robots waiting for every instruction from above before we can move, is a sign of immaturity rather than the faith of a loving daughter or son. I wonder, do we have the courage to prayerfully make wise choices based on what we already know about God and His word? But above all, in this moment and in the days ahead, Mary would learn one of the greatest paradoxes in the Christian experience. God’s apparent absence only hides His presence. Soon Jesus would leave Mary and the rest of the disciples, but as a consequence the Holy Spirit would come. They would no longer be able to see or touch Him. But that absence would mean that he could always be with all of them, at all times, everywhere. Could it be that like Mary, it is through the experiences of life that make us feel that God has left us which drive us even closer into the realisation that He is right there with us? Along with Covid 19 there are many other things that threaten to keep us awake at night and to question God’s presence. For me, it’s things like young people’s mental health, the inability to visit our elderly family, including my grieving father, important examinations for our young people and young adults and the impact that lockdown could have on our church family. Yet strangely, I have found that the more stressful these things have become, and the more they have left me feeling that God has gone on mute, the more I’ve been driven to pray with a greater intensity and sincerity than I’ve probably prayed for many years. God’s apparent absence in this Pandemic has only hidden His presence, and it has definitely driven me into an even more intimate relationship with Him than I have known for quite some time. It is my prayer today, that God’s hidden presence, will drive you ever deeper into His arms and cause you also to discover that even though you cannot see Him in these times, He is even closer than He was before. Introduction to Song Let’s respond to what we’ve been thinking about as we worship God through a song led by the Peterson family called “I know who holds tomorrow.” (End Part 4) Song of Response “I know who holds tomorrow.” PART 5 It’s wonderful to know that even though we can’t see God or understand some of the things that happen that he is always with us and He is always for us and not against us. With that in mind, let’s take a moment to bring the needs of other people to God. Let’s pray… Prayers for others Pray for our government in all the difficult decisions that they are having to make and for everyone tasked with implementing their policies. We thank you for all the research and production operation that has gone into making vaccines. We pray that these vaccines might be able to be distributed fairly throughout the world. We ask that soon enough people will be vaccinated in every country to be able to bring this pandemic under control. In the meantime, give us patience and strength to carry on. We pray especially for all those people who are really struggling emotionally with the effects of lockdown. Lord help us to look out for one another and may all those who need help receive all the support and care that they need to help them through these days. We pray also today for all those who have been bereaved in recent days. We think especially of Mary Walker who lost her sister, Alison Crammond who lost her grandmother and for Robert Holden who lost his father in this past week. God may each one experience your comfort and find great strength and support from family and friends. We continue to remember all those who ill or in hospital and pray again especially for a full recovery for Father Padraig. Pray for Timor and nearby islands which were hit by Tropical Cyclone Seroja on Easter Sunday with severe winds, rains, floods and landslides causing loss of life and major damage to communications, roads, bridges and buildings. We pray that you will provide every support and comfort for all affected, especially for the leaders and members of our partner, the Evangelical Christian Church in Timor. Pray for the people of Brazil who are suffering greatly from Covid-19. Pray for the witness of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, that leaders and members will bring God’s comfort and strength to many. Pray for students coming towards the end of their last semester of the academic year and preparing for exams. We thank you for all the staff in our schools and ask that you will continue to keep them safe and give them enthusiasm and motivation to help each child to achieve their full potential. We pray that you will particularly help those ion 3rd level education who are still having to work online. God provide them with all the support they need to achieve their best in such difficult circumstances. Pray that you will give wisdom, strength and perseverance to all our PCI chaplains who continue to offer pastoral support to students and staff in our Universities and colleges. Give thanks for people who use their talents and gifts in the business world. Pray that those working in businesses soon to re-open to the public would be equipped to make good and wise decisions following this long time of uncertainty. Take a moment in quiet now to bring your own prayers for one or two people or situations to God… All these prayers we offer in the name of the one who is alive and who is able to do far more than we can ever ask or imagine, Amen. Closing Words It’s been a joy and privilege to share in worship with you this morning. Thanks for logging on. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and found it to be encouraging. I’ve still no further confirmation of when our church can reopen for services but I’m hoping that it will be in the first half of May. I want to remind you to take your time and carefully complete the GDPR form that we have sent you out. Please make any amendments to any of the details that you would like us to hold for you and your family. And do ask all the relevant people in your household to sign the form. If you require any additional forms for a young adult in your household for example, then please just ask and we will happily send it out. Once you’ve completed please do drop it into Aleida or into me at the church in a sealed envelope. I’m conscious that many of us are weary and really struggling the longer the lockdown restrictions continue, so please do continue to keep in touch with one another and encourage one another. But for now, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together… Benediction God of life, may the promise of the sunrise be echoed in our minds. May the warmth of the midday sun flow through our hearts. May the peace of the sunset touch our souls. And when life seems dark teach us to remember that even then you are with us and that we will see your light again. And May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.” APC 14th April 2021 ‘Sharing the Good News’ Part 1 Good morning everyone and welcome back to our Wednesday reflections. I want to begin by thanking our Moderator the Rev David Bruce for his wonderfully hopeful and thoughtful service on Sunday. It was not only a blessing to be able to take a break from my usual preparations last week but we were truly encouraged as we sat and watched his service at our kitchen table. Reflecting on it afterwards, one of the things that Emma and I loved was how David reminded us that sharing the good news about Jesus doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s simply about getting alongside people naturally as we go about our daily activities and when the conversation arises sharing with them what Jesus means to us. Following on from that, I thought today it would be appropriate to share with you another reflection recorded by a former Moderator who is much loved and well known by us all. The Rev Frank Sellar was minister of Adelaide Road church for many years after which God called him to minister in Bloomfield Presbyterian Church in Belfast. Frank is also the Convenor to the Council of Mission for Ireland. This is the branch of our denomination particularly focused on resourcing churches for outreach in Ireland. But just before Frank comes to share a reflection with us, sit back, as the Rev Jim Stothers gives us an insight into some of the work that the Council for Mission in Ireland currently supports, including our own here in Arklow. Jim is deputising for Rev David Bruce during his year as Moderator. (End Part 1) VIDEO Work of the CMI Rev Jim Stothers
Part 2 We are so grateful to everyone in Ireland who contributes to our Denomination’s ‘United Appeal’ every year. It is this financial stream that allows all of the work that you have heard about and so much more to continue to happen. As important as it is for us to financially support the work of full time outreach workers, it’s equally important for us to remember that it’s not just ministers, Irish mission workers, deaconesses and chaplains who are missionaries. You are an outreach worker too! Sit back then, as our former Moderator and friend, Frank Sellar, reminds us of this truth and encourages us not to be afraid to share the good news that we have received. (End Part 2) VIDEO Sharing the Good News Rev Frank Sellar
Part 3 Closing Words Our thanks to Frank for his challenging words. Our thanks to Helen for reading a difficult passage so well and it was also lovely for me to see Jonathan Rea and his two boys leading us in worship. Jonathan used to teach music right above me when I taught Biology in Bangor Grammar School many moons ago. Unfortunately I’ve no firm confirmation either from government or our own denomination about when we can return to church services but I’m hoping that it will not be too long now if the numbers of Covid infections continue to fall. As soon as I know, I will let you know. Please do continue to pray especially for all Fr Padraig as he continues to recover in hospital and for all others currently who are ill or who have ben bereaved. Do also remember our young people and young adults especially those for whom this year will be an important exam year. In a moment I will close with a benediction after which we will share the grace together. But before I do, let me encourage you to reflect on the truth that God is calling you to share the good news with the people you rub shoulders with everyday…Who are those people? How might God be asking you to share the good news with them?... Benediction Go now and proclaim the good news not just through words, but deeds – through what you say, what you do and who you are. May others, as they meet with you, meet with Christ and know His living presence for themselves. And May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirt be with us all now and for ever more, Amen. (END) |
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