DIY Sunday Service Kit - 21/04/24 - Dealing with the days when we KNOW we have missed the mark - Luke 18:9-14

 

Welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit for today, 21st. April 2024.

Let's worship the Lord.

Let's pray

Here's the Seven Day Prayer Calendar from Justin Long

Let's pray

We are thankful for the current cessation in warfare in Gaza. We pray for the safe, rapid, and effective distribution of food and medical aid to the residents affected by the region. We pray for the rapid release of the remaining hostages, for the families on both sides of the war who have been deeply traumatized by the violence, and for the safety and bold labor of Kingdom workers in the region. Lets indeed pray for a complete end to the wars in the region, and for leaders to walk a path that “does justly, loves mercy, and walks humbly with our God.” We pray for the many people who could be involved in the reconstruction of Gaza - including Kingdom workers.

… We also are thankful the Iranian reprisal today (expected, in the wake of the assassination of the IRGC commanders) was less damaging than it might have been. Pray restraint will be exercised and the violence will not widen in spirals of reprisal, and for the families affected by the strike.

2 We are thankful for the delivery of food aid into Darfur and pray that more aid, relief, medical work and peacemaking will be allowed. We pray for an end to the war in Sudan. We pray for aid agencies, organizations, foundations, national governments, and Kingdom workers to have their “hearts turned” to mercy and charity toward the millions who are displaced, for whom so little is presently being done. We pray for more donors to support aid work among the displaced. We pray for the many families who have not heard from their loved ones in Sudan, and do not know whether they are still alive. We pray for the children of Sudan, who form “Generation War”: “millions are starving, have been forced into marriage or become child soldiers and threatened with death.”

3 We pray for the hundreds of thousands in Nigerian displacement camps, who “struggle to put food on the table.” They are from northwest Nigeria, a “hotbed of criminal activity for close to a decade now”: raiding, looting, mass killings, and kidnap-for-ransom enterprises. Pray for kingdom workers in the region, and for an end to the violence and the development of the economies. “We are getting [food aid now, for Ramadan]… but what happens once Ramadan is over?” Pray especially for the children, who have been traumatized by war (What does war do to a boy?).

4 We pray or the hundreds of thousands of Afghanis who have been forced out of Iran and Pakistan, back into Afghanistan (see NYT photoessay). Upon their return, they have no homes, no jobs, and little to no aid. We pray for aid workers to be allowed to help them, and for innovative Kingdom work that will be a blessing to the poorest of the poor.

5 We pray for the many Central Asians at risk in Russia in the wake of the concert attack. Several Tajiks were arrested in connection with the attack, and migrants from Central Asia are facing significant increases in harassment and attacks: “beatings, property destruction, hooliganism, acts of harassment.” Over a million Central Asians (among them, believers and Kingdom workers) have migrated to Russia for work, and their remittances to their families form a large minority of the GDP of the Central Asian states. Pray for believers to be bold to stand up for and be a blessing to these migrant workers.

6 We pray for believers in Vietnam, where new religious decrees are burdening local churches (CT). The decrees are allegedly supposed to “increase religious liberty” and “increase financial transparency” but in fact give the government more oversight and control, and burden churches with new reporting requirements. Pray for the churches and the believers as they strive to be obedient to God and to negotiate their way forward in this environment.

7 Pray for believers in Malaysia in the midst of rising religious conservatism (CNN). Especially during Ramadan, religious policing was ramped up and even non-Muslims could run afoul of the increased enforcement. “As long as you look Malay, you must fast during Ramadan - those are the rules,” said one person. The rise in religious conservatism and enforcement has led to heightened tensions. Pray for believers to stand firm in their faith, yet have wisdom and discernment in the environment.

Click the pic for today's reading from God's Word

As we sing today's psalm, let's ask for the Holy Spirit's help that we might see Jesus with fresh eyes when we come to take a deep-dive into God's Word together

Our Deep-Dive into Scripture is available here now in two formats:

                    Video (with subtitles)

                    Audio

                    Transcript

Let's reflect our reliance on God's mercy as we sing ...

Let's pray

We thank you Lord and Father that you feed our souls and enlighten our lives as we open your Word.

Remind us often of its wisdom and inspire us by your Holy Spirit to worship you with our words and in our lives as we put into practice what we have heard.

We ask for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

Thanks for being with us as we worshipped today

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DIY Sunday Service Kit 14/04/24 - The Walking that is GOOD for you

 

Hello, and welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit for April 14th., 2024!

Did you miss us last week?

Well, we're back and there are a few changes and fresh developments in what we have to offer here today ... see if you can spot them, and once you've watched the short video Deep-Dive this week, please take just a moment to click the pic and answer the one-question, three option poll the will help us develop fresh plans to grow our Bible time. Thanks!

We begin our worship today with this new song published just this week - from Sovereign Grace Music ...

Our prayer pointers today come once more from Justin Long

Sunday

We pray for all of those impacted by the ongoing war in Gaza.

• We are praying for the families of the 196 aid workers who have been killed in the war. Bringing help and healing to those suffering in the midst of violence is a tremendously risky endeavor, and while we are inspired by their boldness, we are sad for the loss, and pray for those who are grieving.

• We pray for those who continue to risk their lives to try and help the hurting, and for the stress their families feel. We pray for the Spirit to give them wisdom and discernment for their daily actions, as well as courage and protection.

• We continue to pray for an end to the war and a just resolution. We pray that more aid corridors would be opened and aid workers would be able to operate with a greater measure of safety.

Monday

We pray for the children of Kenya. A heart-wrenching article in Kenya’s Standard Media is entitled, “Children no one wants as clock ticks to phase out orphanages.” Under the National Care Reform Strategy, Kenya is essentially moving away from orphanages - but for many children in orphanages, it’s proving difficult to trace their families and get them into family based care. This is especially so when the child is in some ways disabled. We pray for the children, and for ministries of the church that could help. In our prayers, let’s remember Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me… The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Tuesday 

We pray for the thousands displaced and traumatized in the 15-year fight against Boko Haram. “The fight against Boko Haram leaves a trail of ruin and ashes” tells the story of those who live in and around North Nigeria. The war against Boko Haram has resulted in over 350,000 deaths, and the destruction of numerous villages burnt to the ground. The voice of one: “‘Nothing feels normal anymore,’ she said, not after watching soldiers swoop into your community and kill your loved ones. But then she added, ‘God had destined it to happen. Even if it is not okay, it is okay since it is God’s doing.’” We pray for peace, a just resolution, and for healing for the traumatized. We pray for the many Kingdom-multiplying ministries working in the region, in the midst of many dangers. Most of all we pray for the truth of God’s character and his love for people like Zara to be revealed to them.

Wednesday

We pray for the secret believers in Iran. The BBC has a short piece on “The Christians celebrating Easter in secret.” “‘We meet in small groups and each time in different places,’ Tina says. ‘It could be in the home of one of our members or sometimes even in a park or in a car while driving. It's safer if each group knows as little as possible about the others, so if one group encounters problems, the rest aren't implicated.’” Another reports that when he was first arrested, 3-year sentences were common; now, 10 to 15 year sentences are. Nevertheless, there is a continued strong trend: many Iranians are disillusioned with Islam and are leaving their beliefs. The larger share of these are secularizing, but a certain percentage are becoming Christians. Many who come to the West are spiritually hungry to learn about Jesus. Pray for secret believers to be steadfast in their faith, and to have opportunities to share the Truth with their family and friends, and that the number of Jesus followers in Iran would continue to grow.

Thursday

We pray for the families that were impacted by the earthquake in Taiwan. The 7.5 quake saw 9 killed and 900 injured—while tragic, it could have been far worse. We express gratitude that the toll was that low, and pray that many mission agencies, denominations, and Kingdom workers will use the opportunity as a reminder to prepare for worse disasters in least-reached regions. Similar magnitude earthquakes in Pakistan and Turkey both killed in the 10s of thousands, and it is not uncommon for such quakes to occur in any given year.

Friday

South Korea is exploring how foreign students and foreign spouses can take jobs as domestic helpers for South Korean families (Korea Herald). People in similar sorts of positions in the Middle East have brought the Gospel to Gulf states; might there be a Kingdom opportunity in Korea? Pray that God would give Kingdom workers discernment, innovation, and a willingness to serve children and families. Also, let’s take a moment to pray for the many Kingdom workers who are steadfastly and patiently waiting, in the South, for the border to the North to open—who are praying for the Gospel to flood into the North in a miraculous way.

Saturday

Social norms are being stressed in Malaysia and Indonesia around religious lines. A five part series on political Islam in CNA is highlighting how Christians are feeling the sting of pressure and persecution. “Her case is an example of how increasing restrictions in the name of religion are upheaving social norms and liberties.” Pray for Christians who must experience daily life in the midst of social pressure. Pray for believers to be discerning and wise yet bold in their witness, and as in Iran, steadfast in their faithful devotion and obedience to Jesus.

Click this link for this week's Bible reading

Our Psalm today is Psalm 90

Our Deep-Dive into Scripture is here ...

                   Video

                   Audio

So, we tried something a bit different with the Deep-Dive this week ... just giving it a try ... would you take a moment to click the pic below and choose just one of the three options in the poll there? 

Thanks so much!

Let's pray

Father we thank you that your have provided for us through your Son the Lord Jesus Christ the path to life that restores Eden's fellowship with you to those who trust in you.

Lead us into the way of walking with you.

Hold us in the relationship with you that the gift of your Holy Spirit brings.

And bring us, safe following you, at last to your glorious Heavenly home.

We ask for Jesus' sake.

AMEN.

DIY Sunday Service Kit - 31/02/24 Easter - 1 Thessalonians 1:5- 2:19 - Ian Parry

 

Welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit for Easter Sunday, 31st. March 2024!

Ian Parry, who is our longest serving Trustee, preached at our The Call to the Hills Conference 2024 and his ministry on that day comes to us here in the Deep-Dive portion of our service today.

We celebrate Easter ... the great, historical event of the Christian faith ... in a world where in many places the Christian faith gets treated with great contempt.

Our 'Word for the Week' this week sees Glen Scrivener from 'Speak Life' first showing us the sort of things influential people in our world say against the Christian faith, and then Glen responds to that in a poetic performance ... a 'spoken word' ... in affirmation of our Easter faith, and he does it all in  just three minutes!

(Click the pic.)

Let's pray

Lord and Father we thank you today of all days for the truth of your Word which teaches us the love of our Heavenly Father, who sent His only Son to be the Saviour of the world.

And we thank you especially today when we are able to say that you didn't just send Him but that you sent Him for 'ME'.

Deepen our understanding of that love and of the privilege it is to have been shown it, and affirm and re-vitalise our trust in Him today who has conquered death and seals our hope of eternal Glory.

We ask for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

Our 7-day prayer calendar comes to us again this Easter Sunday 

through the ministry of Justin Long

Sunday

This week, we pray again for those enduring the horrors in Sudan. A new article published in the Guardian tells the story of “Darfur’s unfolding dystopian nightmare… and concerns the RSF… remain intent on completing the genocide against the Masalit community… accounts describe a region sealed off with innumerable checkpoints and roving kill squads.” It also tells of how international aid to the refugees in Chad has collapsed. The camps there hold more than a million people, and the UN’s refugee agency has received just 4% of the funding required. Pray for kingdom workers who will respond in significant numbers and with significant resources to the many refugees both in all the surrounding countries (esp. Chad). Pray for the Sudanese stuck inside the country. Pray for voices outside to move international governments to respond to the refugee crisis (Jeremiah 22:3—”Be fair-minded and just! Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed, rescue them from their oppressors”).

Monday

Use New Humanitarian’s Yemen Listening Project to pray for the people of Yemen. Each small story is a testimony to what a specific individual has gone through. Why not read through or listen through to two or three (or more) of these stories, praying for the individual in question as well last the many Yemenis who have gone through similar life situations.

… for example, consider this, very brief, from SAM (age 55): “My home was destroyed in the war. Now I live in other people’s homes, moving from one place to another. I have no relatives. I am alone.” Pray that she meets both Jesus (Psalm 34:18—the Lord is close to the broken-hearted), who will never leave her nor forsake her, and kingdom workers who will be a blessing to her.

Tuesday

Pray for Indian women during the well known Indian festival of Holi. While the many colors make for vibrant articles about ‘fun’ India, less talked about is that Holi’s fun is often used as an excuse for the harassment of women. “Holi each year is an exercise in hiding for 43-year-old Meenakshi Iyer,” writes the Straits Times. Pray for the safety of India’s women and girls (1 Timothy 5:2—treat older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters), and for kingdom workers and church members who will help protect those who would otherwise be harassed and abused (Psalm 82:4, “Rescue the week and the needy, deliver them from the hand of the wicked”).

Wednesday

Praise God with us for the passion of secret believers in Pakistan for sharing the Gospel. This article from Release International is only one of any number of anecdotal stories about this trend: “Shezhad was a passionate Islamic preacher when he had a dream in which Jesus appeared to him…” While reading his story, pray for him and the many other Pakistani believers who are diligently spreading the Gospel in their land. This is no small trend. Let’s pray John 4:35: the fields are ripe for harvest, so ask God to send yet more labourers out.

Thursday

Pray for the many Central Asians in Russia who are enduring a backlash against migrants after the terrible attack. Over 3 million migrant workers - many Central Asians - labor away in Russia. Pray for the many believers among them, and for those who are spiritually hungry to find kingdom workers who will share Jesus with them. Pray for peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) who will be a blessing to Central Asians.

Friday

Pray for the thousands who are being caught up in cyber scam centers in Southeast Asia. Organized crime rings have fueled an “explosion” of human trafficking into cyber scam centers, in order to diversify their activities away from drug trafficking. The UN estimates in the last year more than 100,000 people have been trafficked into centers in Cambodia. Pray for justice to be done, and these thousands to be freed (Isaiah 61—God’s heart is to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners).

Saturday

Continue to pray for the election in India. It will stretch over 44 days (Diplomat). Opposition leaders are being jailed, and their accounts frozen. Tensions between India and China over the border have been rising. The rise in religious intolerance (with mob violence) has been intensifying. Pray for peace, and for the protection of workers during this time.

Click the Bible below to be taken to our first reading

Our Deep-Dive into Scripture (with sub-titles) today comes from our conference, the preacher being Ian Parry, 

and it follows our second Scripture reading by Mij Thomas (click the pic.)

Let's take this opportunity to rejoice in this Gospel we've been given ... as we sing

Let's pray

Lord in the every day things of our lives in this coming post-Easter week, may our eyes be opened afrtesh to you.

As we break bread and give thanks for our food at each meal this week, may we recognise you as you stand in our presence.

As we read your Word this week may we find you opening the Scriptures to us.

And may our hearts burn within us as we meet with you as we walk along life's way.

We ask that you would make us people who live out in our experience your resurrection, for Jesus's sake and Glory.

Amen.

DIY Sunday Service Kit 24/03/24 - Shouting and singing in Church - Psalm 100

 

Welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit for Mach 24th. 2024 - Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday was when the crowd pilgrims heading up to Jerusalem got stuck into some fairly loud and jubilant praise as they approached the holy city and its temple.

In our run-up to Easter this year we are looking at the 'Easter Hope' and this week we are looking at Psalm 100 which is all about the praise that characterised Israel's worship on such occasions.

The Word for the Week opens up the subject and then we unpack the psalm more adequately in what we call 'the real world' and in the study in the Deep-Dive for today later on.

Let's make a start with prayer and then open up the Word for the Week.

Let's pray

Father in Heaven we thank you that today we can celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus into the world to bring us peace with you by shedding of His blood on the Cross ... paying the price of our sin and then rising to defeat our final enemy, death itself.

Please focus our hearts and minds on you, and as we pursue our pilgrimage through life with you today, tune our hearts to sing your praise as those pilgrims did on that famous Easter Palm Sunday when the crowds acclaimed Jesus as the One Who had come in the Name of the Lord.

For Jesus sake.

Amen.

So let's worship the Lord with this arrangement of Psalm 98

As we focus on worship, let's not neglect to also pray this week for the world we are all part of, which is burdened in many places with profound needs today.

Here's the weekly prayer calendar from Justin Long

Sunday Pray for the families and children of Gaza suffering as a result of the war. Many would like to celebrate Ramadan and find themselves unable to break the fast because they lack food—“We have been practically fasting for months.” (NYT). We pray for the provision of physical food—and we pray also that God will, out of all this darkness and suffering, bring a new light to dawn, and feed spiritual hunger as well. Monday Pray for those (both believer and unbeliever alike) who are living in difficult conditions. Significant portions of Africa are enduring a heat wave (South Sudan, West Africa). A new article points out how 83 of the 100 most polluted cities are in India (CNN). Many of the least-reached frontier peoples are in places most affected by these sorts of situations. One worker’s prayer: “give your children strength today to live in such a physically demanding place.” Also pray for workers who will be willing to sacrifice to bring the Gospel to these challenging environments. Tuesday Pray for the tens of thousands of North Koreans who are working abroad, earning money which largely gets sent home to their country. Many live in virtual slavery, and are able to keep only a fraction of their earnings. Most is taken by the agency that sends them to work. Pray that in miraculous ways they will meet Jesus while they are outside North Korea. (RFA) Wednesday Pray for the many immigrants and refugees who come to England. Some come because they are believers, persecuted at home. Some arrive spiritually hungry, quick to join churches and ask questions. Some no doubt “fake their conversion” to assist in their asylum claims. Pray for many to become true, earnest disciples of Jesus, and that this will eventually lead to the revitalization of the church throughout England and Europe. (Nation of immigrants, best place to be an immigrant, Chinese, Muslims, African churches). Thursday Pray for the election in India. It will stretch over 44 days (Diplomat). We can expect a logistical impact on many activities. We can also expect an upsurge of political and nationalistic fervor that can lead to sentiments against non-Hindu religions (including Christianity and Islam). Pray for peace, and for the protection of workers during this time. Friday Pray for the many families who have had members abducted recently in northern Nigeria. By my count, close to 500 people have been taken and are being held for ransom. Kidnap for ransom is a “low-risk, high-reward” sort of crime (BBC). Pray for the safe return of those abducted. Pray for the believers who live in the region, and the climate of fear and violence they endure. Saturday Pray for the women who have been traumatized in Ethiopia and Tigray. A very difficult article on the subject of the widespread epidemic of sexual abuse in the context of the Tigray war was published (NYT). Pray for the church to find ways to minister to those who were wounded as a result of this conflict.

Our Bible reading today is linked to the open Bible below. Click it to follow the link.

Our Deep-Dive into Scripture this week develops our Word for the Week and focuses more closely on Psalm 100

                        Audio .mp3 (Click the purple dot - delayed start - stick with it!)

                        Video .mp4 with subtitles

Let's respond by singing God's praise

Finally, we commit our way to the Lord throughout the coming week as we prepare our hearts to celebrate His death and resurrection

1 Peter 2:23-25 reminds us:

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 

For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."

Give us Lord, we pray, 

• minds enlightened by the truth of your Word

• which tune our hearts to rejoice in our God

• as the lifestyle into which you lead us by your grace.

Because we ask for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

May the Lord bless you all this Holy Week ...