“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’”” Mark 1:1-3 NKJV
“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”
Mark 16:19,20 NKJV
Lord God who works with us,
Mark’s gospel has first and last verses that reflect each other as a beginning an an end. Opening with the promise from the old testament (Isaiah 40:3) of a messenger crying in the wilderness who we see is fulfilled in John the Baptist. A man marked out by his determination to serve God and speak the truth. You kept Your word Lord God and he kept his vows. Help us to keep our promises made to You. Or seek forgiveness and be led afresh..
And at end of the gospel, Mark finishes up with the end of Jesus communication. They, the disciples, had to go out and preach and confirm the word through accompanying signs. John the Baptist did prepare the way and Jesus fulfilled Your plan and purposes at the cross. Now we all are called to prepare the way for Jesus. It is down to all of us, even if they decide not to follow Him. Holy Spirit help us see those precious opportunities.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Lord God who works with us,
For our close family, their needs for today.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For inspiration to worship for our ministers, for enthusiasm for our church family.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). World rulers and governments.
Disperse evil. Open the eyes of the prejudiced to see the value of every life.
For the NHS and the plan for its future.
For Ukraine. An to end war. Protection, medical aid and protection.
For peacemakers in Gaza, all the Middle East. No more vengeance respect for life.
For Myanmar Your church people. Other areas where church is persecuted.
For the ongoing Olympic games. All those taking part, organising and attending.
For all those witnessing (to one or many) of the Love of God across the world in every nation.
For those You are calling into ministry. For Christian teachers, Christian schools.
For us to be confident we are loved so we have enough and some to share today. To be kind.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 10th August 2024
I love this new rendition.
Take my life and let it be consecrated to Thee
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee
Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee
Take my silver and my gold, not a might would I withhold
Take my intellect and use every power as You choose
Here am I, all of me, take my life, it’s all for Thee
Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine
Take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love, my Lord I pour at Your feet, it’s treasure store
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee
Here am I, all of me, take my life, it’s all for Thee . . .
Lyrics: Frances Ridley Havergal
New Tune: Chris Tomlin