“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the broken hearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favour has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. 3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.” Isaiah 61:1-3 NLT
Sovereign Lord,
You are a God of promises but we do not always know Your timing! Isaiah spoke of days to come but he did not know it would be so long – till Your anointed Son came!
Because of Jesus, we come to worship today whether at home, in fellowship or on holiday! Sin brings grief, Your people sat in repentance and ashes to show outwardly their inner regret. Now we repent and see the beauty of Jesus and receive forgiveness. A joyous blessing in place of mourning for a lost relationship with You. Praise wells up within us when we think of all we have in Christ and hope for our eternal future. Amazed that You see us not as weak humans but as mighty strong sons and daughters covered in the glory of Your Son, Jesus.
Thank You for being our Sovereign Lord, our Saviour and our all in all.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Sovereign Lord,
Bless our families, neighbours and friends and work Your majesty and glorious life into theirs so they can see how they are loved.
Bless Ukraine with a future of peace and turn the desires of Russia away to other things not harmful.
We pray for all those who amidst normal living have had to face floods and fires and may feel as if life will never be normal. Restore them to calm and enable the aid agencies to be all they need to be. Speed help and provision to where it is needed along with prayers and comfort.
Thank You for summer sun and harvest and all the simple good things that we have.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 27th August 2023
A hymn of prayer which says it much better than I ever could . . .
Beauty for brokenness
Hope for despair
Lord in Your suffering world
This is our prayer
Bread for the children
Justice joy peace
Sunrise to sunset
Your kingdom increase
Shelter for fragile lives
Cures for their ills
Work for the craftsmen
Trade for their skills
Land for the dispossessed
Rights for the weak
Voices to plead the cause
Of those who can’t speak
God of the poor
Friend of the weak
Give us compassion we pray
Melt our cold hearts
Let tears fall like rain
Come change our love
From a spark to a flame
Refuge from cruel wars
Havens from fear
Cities for sanctuary
Freedoms to share
Peace to the killing fields
Scorched earth to green
Christ for the bitterness
His cross for the pain
Rest for the ravaged earth
Oceans and streams
Plundered and poisoned
Our future our dreams
Lord end our madness
Carelessness greed
Make us content with
The things that we need
Lighten our darkness
Breathe on this flame
Until Your justice
Burns brightly again
Until the nations
Learn of Your ways
Seek Your salvation
And bring You their praise
Lyrics|: Graham Kendrick