Welcome and Opening Prayer
‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.’ – James 4:8
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Jesus, we thank you for your presence here. We are gathered in your name and welcome you among us. Help us to be fully present here. Attentive to your word and Spirit. As we meet with You transform us to be more like you. Amen.
Song of Worship
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind. Isaiah 40:31 MSG
Our memory verse for this week is Psalm 46:1. There is an image to print off, a colouring in sheet. Why not print them off and stick them up at home to help you learn this weeks verse.
Activity sheet for under 11’s
Confession
We confess to you, Lord, our selfishness and lack of love: fill us with your Spirit. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. We confess to you our fear and failure in sharing our faith: fill us with your Spirit. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. We confess to you our stubbornness and lack of trust: fill us with your Spirit. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. May the God of love and power forgive us and free us from our sins, heal and strengthen us by his Spirit, and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bible Reading – Acts 20: 1-6, 13-39
1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. 2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Activity sheet for taking notes during the sermon
Sermon
Song of Worship
In all Pauls journey’s he faced difficulties and challenges but he knew God close with him, always, and the knowledge of God’s love, that would never let him go. In lifes challenges and changes we too can know that God will ‘abide with us’ and His love that will never let us go.
Prayers
Led by Frank Box
We pray for the Church throughout the world, at this time of fear over COVID-19. Be with Church leaders as they minister to their communities, and comfort those who have lost loved ones. Especially be with those who we support around the world, and here at home.
Lord of life, hear us.
Unfortunately at this time of trouble, there are still conflicts and disasters going on in the world. Be with refugees from man-made conflicts causing death and destruction; please bring peace and comfort. Where there have been natural disasters may help be forthcoming and helpers safe.
Lord of life, hear us.
The world is still suffering from Coronavirus; guide all the people who are trying to find a cure and guide country leaders to do the right thing for their people. As the U.K. releases the rules at different stages, may we all think of how we interact with other people. There are some people who are scared of coming out of lockdown – help them to adjust, and give us wisdom to help them.
Lord of life, hear us.
Lord we ask so much of you and forget to thank you for the good things in life. Remembering the joy of Rebekah’s weeding last Saturday, and the fact that we can now get hair cuts and go to restaurants and meet with more families and friends.
Lord of life, hear us.
May God’s light and love go with us and show in our work and play. Amen.
Let’s conclude this time of prayer with the words Jesus himself gave us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Song of Worship
Isaiah 43:2 “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” In all seasons of life, Jesus is there, holding onto us, he will never let us go.
Final Prayer and Blessing
Almighty God, send down upon your Church the riches of your Spirit, and kindle in all who minister the gospel your countless gifts of grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit Be with us all, now and evermore. Amen!
Thank you for joining us for worship today! We hope that it was a blessing to you. Remember to join us on Zoom at 11:30am today, and to check out the new resources for Messy Church under the ‘Families @ Home’ tab.