Song Indescribable read by Julie HP
Prayers of Worship Response “We celebrate the good news of Jesus!”
On a Sunday and on a Monday - Throughout the week - We celebrate the good news of
Jesus!
Gathering as church - Gathering online - We celebrate the good news of Jesus!
In the morning - In the afternoon - In the evening - In the night-time - We celebrate the good
news of Jesus
When we can meet only online - Face to face through our screens - We celebrate the good
news of Jesus!
When we are well - When we fear illness for ourselves or for others - When others care for
us, and look after us - When we can look after others, or just ourselves - We celebrate the
good news of Jesus!
Celebrate the Lord in worship - Our God is loving and gracious - Our God is forgiving and
generous! - Our God is present, he is with us! - We celebrate the good news of Jesus!
This is our worship! This is our mission! This is our life together! This is the Gospel! - We
celebrate the good news of Jesus!
Amen!
Lord's Prayer
Jam Club certificate due to Joshua for 200 splats - to follow. But the Jam Club teddy prize was awarded here and now, and it was well caught again!
Jam Club challenge? Find ... something beginning with R!
Response / Recovery / Reconstruction
Bible reading 2 Corinthians 9, 5-15 read by Ann N
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Prayers for Others
Sing Joy to the world
WRBC Object Offering plate
Thanks for all the contributions financially; online plus ...
Thanks for all the practical service, time and energy offered too
Recalling Doris Hankin (d. 1996) in whose memory that offering plate was given
An Offering Prayer!
Reflection His inexpressible gift 2 Corinthians 9 v15 - impossible to speak about the unspeakable?
Paul’s word ‘inexpressible’ is a singular word in Bible, a compound (a 4-part word), but it’s a positive attribute; it’s beyond description (“indescribable” & “uncontainable”); we can glimpse only facets of a multi-faceted treasure.What we know is only part of what can be known.
An unspeakable love - how great! Words are inadequate; this is declared to be undeclarable;
An unspeakable sacrifice - all the more so in the season of Resurrection, how amazing! Agonies of Gethsemane, endurance in suffering and injustice; isolation on the cross, distanced from the Father.
And what unspeakable outcomes & results - even today, how exciting! Individual testimonies are shared as we celebrate being a community of disciples and of witnesses. Each has our own story, our own need, our own experience of grace, our own response in faith.
Jesus as Alpha & Omega - first letter and last letter, but also everything that lies in between; and it’s beyond what we can embrace or express
Alexander Maclaren (notable Victorian Baptist preacher/ commentator): “There is one blazing central sun which shines out amidst the galaxy of lights which fill the heavens. There is but one of God’s many mercies worthy of being singled out - the gift of Christ.”
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Song Jesus Christ, I think upon your sacrifice read by Les E
Communion "prep for yourself"
Thanksgiving Prayer led by Stephen P
Gather us in, the lost and the lonely, the broken and breaking,
the tired and the aching who long for the nourishment found at your feast.
Gather us in, the done and the doubting, the wishing and wondering,
the puzzled and pondering who long for the company found at your feast.
Gather us in, the proud and pretentious, the sure and superior,
the never inferior, who long for the levelling found at your feast.
Gather us in, the bright and the bustling, the stirrers, the shakers,
the kind laughter makers who long for the deeper joys found at your feast.
Gather us in, from corner or limelight, from mansion or campsite,
from fears and obsession, from tears and depression, from untold excesses, from treasured successes,
to meet, to eat, be given a seat, be joined to the vine, be offered new wine,
become like the least, be found at the feast.
Gather us in!
The Peace we share it by waving!
Sing Thine be the glory
Blessing