Welcome to our service today. This service contains a playlist of songs, stories and a sermon - if you can join us at 11am that would be good, although the service is designed to be accessed at any time.
After the service at 12.15pm we will meet for coffee on zoom. The link is here
This week our leaders are meeting on Tuesday at 6.30pm. Please pray for them as they meet together. There will also be a Bible Study on Wednesday at 8pm.
As we meet together to worship we do so in the shadow of the events in the US in the past two weeks which have highlighted the injustice and particularly the racism that is prevalent not only there, but across the world. It has only highlighted the need to listen to one another's stories, to stand up for what is right and to campaign for a better world. This service, therefore, has a theme of justice and includes the story and reflections of one of our members who speaks honestly and passionately into the subject. Many of our congregation have been particularly affected by the recent news and we hold one another in prayer and solidarity as together we commit to a way of justice inspired and led by our God who calls us to be people of justice and of righteousness.
Worship
Read these words from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1-2) read by Jesus as he began his ministry on earth
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn....."
As we come to worship today, lift up to God all those who need to hear good news and hope today.
Here is the playlist for songs for today. You might want to save 'Dear Lord and Father' for after the prayers and 'Amazing Grace' for after the sermon
Changing the World
Here is Kid President with his perspective on how the world can change inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.
How can we make the world a better place? How might change the world? How can we spread the love?
Maybe you could write a message to someone or make a card or a poster or even make your own video to inspire others to keep on going and to inspire them to be the change they want to see in the world. Together we can make a difference.
Prayers
Efua and Ngozi have made this very honest and open video which shares their thoughts and reflections on what has happened in the US, how our faith speaks into it, how we need to change and what we can do about making a difference. Due to the nature of the topic, parents might want to have a sneak peek to assess whether it is appropriate for your children to watch.
The Baptist Union Racial Justice Hub have written some prayers to help us to lift all of this to God. You can access them here https://www.baptist.org.uk/Articles/579793/Lamentation_words_for.aspx
How can you be the change you want to see in the world?
Sermon
Our Sermon today brought by Claire based on Hebrews 11:17-22
May our God of all justice and peace be our motivation, be our inspiration, be our guide and be our restorer as we seek to be the change that he calls us to be in the world.