Welcome to our service. Today we will be sharing communion on zoom at 12.15pm. Please bring your own bread and wine! If you can't make it to zoom the words are at the end of this page so you can join us in time and space even if you can't gather on zoom. The link is here
Worship
Psalm 150
1 Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
Songs for today - you might want to save the last two for before and after the service
Great Big God
How big is God? What words can you use to describe God? What is the big story of God?
This video tells you that story of how big God is - God's big story.....
Prayers
Our prayers today are an intercession for those facing disaster, which, at the moment, could fairly be said of just about any of us. COVID-19 has brought testing and heartbreak to many, and the threat it brings still hangs over too many lives. We particularly remember this week those who have been affected by the train crash in Scotland and also those who are suffering after the explosion in Beirut. Use this prayer, then, to seek God’s help and strength for those far and near; those unknown to you and your most precious loved ones, for we all stand in need of his support in these demanding days.
To those who face disaster, their world stood on its head; communities in turmoil, left burying their dead; give comfort in their trouble, support in their distress. Though all for now seems hopeless, bring solace nonetheless.
To those now deep in mourning and those who fear the worst, those traumatised and injured – the many being nursed – those searching in the chaos, still daring to believe, give strength and consolation – their agony relieve.
To those confused and frightened, uncertain where to turn; those seeking news of loved ones, their fate at last to learn; Lord God, give reassurance, the help they need to cope; amid the devastation give reason still to hope.
Sermon
The Sermon today is based on Psalm 96 and brought by Simon you might want to read the Psalm first https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+96&version=NIV
Communion
The words for communion are below
We come to this table with thankful hearts.
Why do we give thanks at this table? We give thanks because God has invited us here! All God’s children are invited to the Lord’s supper. We come humbly to the table, knowing that we have not earned our way here, but are invited, guests at this feast of love.
Why do we eat at this table? We eat at this table to remember that on the night before Jesus died, he ate with his friends. Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them saying, “Take, eat. This is my body given for you. Each time you do this, remember me.”
Let's pray: God of grace, give us repentant hearts, forgiving hearts, clean hearts. With thanksgiving we come to your table. Send your Spirit upon us so that we know that all who eat and drink in this room and around the world are one body, one holy people, giving thanks to you in an endless song of praise.
Thanks be to you Lord Jesus Christ, who gave your life freely for our salvation.
[break the bread and eat it]
We take the cup with thankful hearts. Why do we take the cup at this table? We drink because that same night Jesus also took a cup, and after giving thanks, passed it to his friends saying,
"Drink this cup. This cup, poured out for you, is the promise of God.
Whenever you drink it, remember me.”
Thanks be to you Lord Jesus Christ, who gave your life freely for our salvation.
Our presence at this communion table is a sign. Here we remember the gift that is Jesus; the gift of his birth, his life and his death on the cross. At this table we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. We remember that we are waiting in hope to see Jesus again.
[drink the wine]
Let us pray together: Thank you for inviting us to this banquet! Help us to remember the gift we have received and to live as brothers and sisters, members of one family. All praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!