DIY Sunday Service Kit 29/10/2023 - Malachi 1:6-14 - Patronage, gratitude and Glory

 

Welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit for 27th. October 2023.

As the air and ground war intensifies in Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank, and the conflict leads to further protests and clashes around the world, we pray for peace and justice to prevail. And we also prat that the sovereignty and reign of Christ the King will be recognised and will restrain the hostility of humanity, and subdue all of the work of the Enemy of Souls in the hearts of mankind.

And as we are troubled in spirit by the things we see and hear from around the world, we now find fresh assurance in these words of the song 'Day After Day, Jesus Reigns' in order to keep hold of the cosmic realities in the teeth of the terrors that prevail in so much of our fallen world.

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It's time to pray

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Last week we asked for prayer for Llanelli Free Evangelical Church who were working hard on a tender for new, larger church premises to accommodate the work there which has ben growing steadily for a number of years.

This week, we can give thanks to God that they have already heard that their tender has been successful.

1. We continue to pray for those caught in the conflagrations igniting throughout the 10/40 Window. Be it the Israel-Hamas war, the ongoing terrible violence in Sudan (now in its sixth month), the instability in the Sahel and the ‘coup belt’ nations of Africa, the continued civil unrest and warfare in Myanmar, or the threats of war on the horizon (Taiwan, North Korea, Ethiopia and its coastal neighbors, etc) or the impact of the war between Russia and the Ukraine—all of these are wounding and scarring, sending millions of refugees scurrying to the faintest vestiges of safety in terribly poor camps, and causing untold suffering. In their midst, believers and networks of believers are struggling to provide compassionate and charitable aid and relief to those around them. We pray for those who are trying to figure out what to do, how to do it, and how to live in the midst of very difficult and confusing times.

2. We pray for the many who are attempting to flee war, rumors of war, natural disaster and economic hardship. In an article on Tunisians trying to leave their towns to make it to Europe we read a heartwrenching lament: “I would do anything to go to Europe. Europeans are living in luxury; here, we are dying.” We the many who find themselves “stuck” in unlivable situations, bordering on death, will find rescue and redemption by the God who sees every sparrow that falls. We also pray for believers in the host European countries who will have compassion on these men and women who also are made in the image of God.

3. We pray for the Spirit to give parents the wisdom to talk with their children about the terrible events happening in the world, and help their children manage their access to social media. Let’s ask God to give us wisdom and protect us from the “brutal voyerism” with which the Internet is now awash. We want to know enough to pray for people and discern if and how we might be a blessing, while keeping ourselves and our children safe from terrible things they don’t need to see or hear.

4. We pray for the many young girls who, in the midst of the world’s current instability, wars, and economic disasters, are being married off very young. This article from Afghanistan is only one of the latest in a string of examples. See also 23 million child brides in Nigeria, and another earlier about Covid brides from Bangladesh). “Underage and forced marriages have been a serious concern in Afghanistan in recent years.” Many families feel they have few options for their children. UNICEF estimates 100 million girls are at risk of child marriage by the end of the decade.

5. As Sri Lanka opens its doors to tourists, we pray many believers will find innovative routes to serve the spread of the Gospel in that nation. The country would like to boost itself from its current 1.5m tourist arrivals to 5 million. Many of these come from India and Russia.

6. We pray for the various diaspora groups in the UK, including the Chinese church (one of the fastest growing as people from Hong Kong arrive) and Sudanese (who are worried about their future as their six-month visas are expiring). We pray for believers to have the desire to reach out to these diasporas, to build friendships, and to be a blessing to them.

7. We pray for the peoples of India, who are caught up in many forms of idolatry, and for believers who will introduce them to the saving power of Jesus. This article is a colorful introduction to the festival of Durga Purja. While it highlights a sense of modernization about the festival, at bottom it is still obviously a celebration of idols, gods, spiritism, etc. We are thankful for the many rapidly growing movements to Christ throughout the states of India, and pray that these and the tens of millions of other believers in India will be bold witnesses of the only true God.

Father we thank you for the access you have created for us into your presence, by atoning for our sin through the sacrificial death of your Son.

Hear our prayers today then, we pray, through the grace you have shown us and heal your broken world we pray in His Name.

For Jesus' sake.

AMEN.

Click on the Bible pic for today's Bible reading from the book of Malachi

Let's be sure to show our gratitude to God as City alight lead us in worship

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The Word for the Week video (5 mins.) is a sofa-lounge version of today's sermon ... who might you be able to share it with online or in person?

But the 'real' sermon is here, so ...

It's time to open up the Bible together and apply God's Word to our hearts

(click the pic below)

Let's seek to honour God now as we sing ...

If we can support you with our prayers, please do get in touch in the usual way.

If you would like to join us is worshipping by giving, please click the offering bag below.

Next week, Malachi take us to the heart of God's New Covenant initiative. it will be in the weekly mailing, arriving in your inbox by midnight next Saturday, so long as you are on the list ... look out for it! (And if you'd like to receive this regularly please email HoWChaplain@gmail.com)

Have a great and a very grateful week!

DIY Sunday Service Kit 22/10/23 - 'Love's Memory Lost' - Malachi 1:2-5

 

Welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit today, 22nd. October 2023.

Take a look at the Word for the Week video here, which serves as a bit of an appetiser for where we are going with the prophecy of Malachi to carry us into the Christmas season. (Look out for the new hat!)

Let's pray.

Lord and Father, today we pray that you will bring fresh life to our souls and renewed vigour and enthusiasm in our walk with you.

Show us what it is that is taking our thoughts away from you.

Give us a fresh love for the things that make us strong in you.

Develop in our hearts a more consistent passion for the things that are dear to you ... and lead us into more useful lives of service.

We ask for Jesus sake.

AMEN.

Our friends from Llanelli Free Evangelical Church lead us in singing

Let's pray for this congregation that has outgrown its current building and is currently submitting a tender for more suitable premises.

Our seven-day prayer calendar comes once again from Justin Long

1. We pray for those caught up in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The hospital much in the news last week was operated by Christians (founded by Anglicans, run at one time by Southern Baptists, and presently under Anglicans again—additionally, the initial report of 500 casualties appears to have been inflated; it’s possibly more like 100 to 300). Additionally, someone’s strike seems to have hit a church Thursday night, killing some. This reminds us: whatever we think of the Israel-Hamas conflict, there are local believers, Kingdom workers, and spiritually hungry yet lost people in the “grass” as the “elephants tussle.” Less reported (partially due to sensitivity issues) are the many long-term Kingdom works in the area. We are thankful that at least some aid is being allowed into the area. We do pray for justice and peace; also, this week, let’s be praying for those who are trying to be a blessing, for those who need to be blessed, for those who are suffering in the midst of the conflict.

2. We pray for many to turn to Jesus because of the wars that are presently being fought. In the past, many - especially radical militants - have become disillusioned with violence, and have left their religions. Some have come to follow Jesus with great fervor, and have brought many others to do so as well. Think of Mark 12:34, when Jesus told a scribe, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” God’s heart is that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Let’s be praying many of these now involved in violence will soon come to follow the Prince of Peace.

3. We pray the wars will not spread. The possibility of a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in the north, widening with the potential involvement of other regional players and drawing the United States in, is, I confess, rather frightening. It is not improbable. Likewise, the war in Sudan could spill over its borders. While we pray for justice, let us also pray for peace and for the spread of fighting to be restrained.

4. We pray for the many who have been orphaned by the wars–especially, this week, for the thousands in Nigeria who have been displaced and orphaned by the conflict with Boko Haram (read their story). “They found homes under bridges and… in incomplete buildings… scavenging plastic bottles to sell for cash… many fall through the cracks.” Pray for workers who will focus on reaching these young ones.

5. We pray for the many in diaspora communities that are being affected by the conflicts in Africa and Israel. An article in Turkey Recap asks, “What comes next for Hamas members in Turkey,” and while it’s mostly about whether Turkey should harbor Hamas leaders, it also reminds us that there are people in various countries (like the western suburbs of Istanbul) who have very close ties to Afghanistan, Egypt, Israel, Sudan, and the like. They are keenly concerned with what happens to their families back home. Pray for these, and pray for believers to intersect their lives and be a blessing to them, perhaps by “weeping with those who weep.”

6. We pray again for the more than 40,000 Afghanis who have been affected by a series of earthquakes. Thousands are dead, thousands more injured, whole families have been lost, and many homes have been destroyed. We praise God that some nations are sending aid, and pray that more aid and kingdom workers will be able to be sent.

7. We pray for the Tibetans. China is moving to ban the teaching of the Tibetan language (RFA). The loss of the language could lead to the loss of Tibetan culture. As with the Uighurs last week, we pray for an end to the suppression of the Tibetan people. We also pray for a movement to Christ among the Tibetan peoples that would honor their heritage and values while calling people to earnestly follow Jesus.

Lord and loving Father we look out this week on a world that is troubled, on people who as your word says are 'hated and hating one another'.

What we see troubles us deeply and it looks very much as if our world is in deep trouble unless you graciously intervene, restrain 'the Hand of Lawlessness' and bring about your kingdom of righteousness and peace.

Visit your world we pray, bringing justice peace and light, and show us how you would have us serve you faithfully in times like these.

For Jesus' sake.

AMEN.

We can always rely on our friends at 20 Schemes Music to tell it like it is ... born of their hard experience coming to Christ from some of the hardest housing estates of inner urban Scotland.

Stick with them on this one because the real light of the Gospel shining in the deeper darkness burns all the brighter ...

Let's sing

We are reading again today from Malachi 1

(Click the book)

City Alight lead us in one of the most profound of contemporary worship music's celebrations of God's grace

Click the little preacher-man below for the audio of today's sermon.

(There's a link there at the top of the landing page to take you to the transcript)

Here's the studiocam video of the sermon recording

Loved with everlasting love ... 👇

Let's pray

We thank you Lord for feeding our souls with shared worship and your life-giving Word.

Give us reminders this week of your goodness and love, and keep us in active memory of all that you have done in us, through us and for us.

Guard our wonder, and keep us from being satisfied with the formality that displaces the reality of a life lived in fellowship with you.

And lead us in the way that leads to eternal life.

We ask for Jesus' sake.

AMEN.

Thanks for being here with us online today.

If we can be of help, please feel free to get in touch. And if you'd like to join us in worshipping by giving, please click on the offering bag which will take you to our online giving page.

Have a great week!

DIY Sunday Service Kit - 15/10/23. 'Religious disillusionment' - Malachi 1:1

 

Welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit for October 15th. 2023 when we begin our pre-Christmas short series of sermons looking at the Book of Malachi.

This has been quite a challenging week in the history of our world too, and that is reflected in our prayer calendar for the coming week, which you will find below 

But first, we begin with prayer to re-orientate our hearts towards the Lord.

Let's pray

Lord and loving Heavenly Father we thank you for the grace that you show us day by day, which allows us to come freely into your presence. 

We come to you as people whose hearts have a tendency to fall short of the mark, to wander and to push back against the authority you rightly exercise over our choices in this life.

Forgive us our wandering hearts and minds.

Wash us again from our sin.

Binds out hearts against you to you and renew us in our walk with our God, we pray for Jesus sake.

Amen.

The Psalmist  writes in Psalm 37:3-6: 

"Trust in the Lord and do good;

    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,your vindication like the noonday sun."

So let's do that as we sing

This is a new song to me, but I think it is really a rather special setting of Psalm 84

Let's pray

1. We pray for the Israel-Gaza conflict. “Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, launched one of the broadest invasions of Israeli territory in 50 years.” The attack was reportedly a complete surprise—and if so, a significant intelligence failure with echoes of the Yom Kippur War. Israel has said it considers itself at war, and has launched massive air strikes. Apparently there are still Hamas gunmen in Israeli territory, and it has fired thousands of rockets, and continues to launch them. Over 500 to 600 have been killed on both sides.

a) Israel is “bracing itself for a long conflict"; PM Netanyahu “promised that Israel will ‘return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price’” (Economist). The mobilization of reservists suggest the possibility of a response invasion of Palestinian territory. The failure to anticipate the attack may also damage Netanyahu’s government. I am presently estimating a short-term resolution of the conflict to be unlikely, and a major military action on the part of Israel to be more probable—although the conclusion of that could come in days. Over the past two decades, most “wars” between Israel and Hamas have lasted ten to twenty days.

b) The thawing of relations between Israel and Gaza is likely over. Hamas militants have shown an alternative to Gaza President Abbas’ efforts at diplomacy. They may have also derailed the diplomatic efforts between the Gulf States and Israel. The Saudis have a complicated relationship with Hamas, which has received a great deal of support from Saudi Arabia’s rival, Iran. The normalization of diplomatic relationships between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and the increasing thaw between Saudi Arabia and Israel, makes this weekend’s attacks challenging to interpret or forecast, and I’m not going to attempt it.

Let’s pray for peace, for the believers in the region (there are many Christians in the Palestine areas, for example), and for opportunities in the midst of a military crisis for the Kingdom to spread through individual families and households.

2. We continue to pray for Sudan.

a) the battle lines between the forces have hardened, and a “de facto” partition seems to have developed, with the RSF in control of Darfur-Khartoum and the SAF in control of the rest. This appears to be a recipe for ongoing conflict. Pray for justice, peace, and an end to the war.

b) with the withdrawal of most foreign nationals, and the containment of the conflict within the Sudan borders, the international community seems to not be pressing for a resolution to the fighting. Arms dealers and some countries (notably, UAE) are funding certain sides, which will only perpetuate the war. Pray for prophetic voices to speak God’s heart about the war and about feeding it.

c) a quarter of Sudan’s population is now displaced, with growing numbers living in terrible circumstances as refugees in the surrounding countries. It is doubtful that many in Sudan or outside of it have escaped familial loss, and most have been personally wounded by the violence (either physically, emotionally or mentally). Pray that in the midst of such terrible trauma many will find the Prince of Peace.

d) Aid agencies are finding it nearly impossible to operate within Sudan, and very difficult to operate even in areas on the border of it. It’s like “planning for the apocalypse.” Pray for those who are attempting to bless the refugees and bring hope and healing.

e) Refugees from South Sudan who went to Sudan, and who are now fleeing Sudan back to South Sudan, are finding a very tough situation with very little food. Pray that God will move people to be a blessing to these “poorest of the poor,” and people will obey the leading of the Spirit.

3. Pray for believers in Western Sahel. The military governments of the region continue to veer toward autocracy and dictatorship, and there are few indicators of a soon return to democracy. Most have expelled Western aid. All are experiencing a significant upsurge in attacks by radical militants. Pray for the kingdom to spread in the midst of these “rumors of war.”

4. Saudi Arabia is in the midst of tremendous change. Foreigners are able to enter more easily than ever. Women are joining the workforce in increasing numbers. The government is looking for tourists and business investment, trying to pivot off oil. In the midst of all of this, pray that God will pour out wisdom and innovative ideas for bringing Good News to the kingdom. Many are already laboring in this regard.

5. Pray for those who have been impacted by surging religious violence in Pakistan. Suicide bombers have been striking religious festivals, and there are battles on the border of Pakistan-Afghanistan. The government has decided all 1.7 million Afghani illegal refugees must return to Afghanistan. Many are frightened for their lives, but have few other options. Pray for the Gospel to spread in the midst of this time of fear and uncertainty.

6. Pray for believers in North Korea. Although there have been some signs the country is once again cracking its doors open to the outside world, it has at the same time become progressively harder for anyone to escape its grasp. Other signals suggest the winter must be faced with a less-than-sufficient harvest.

7. Pray for wise use of any opening doors in Algeria. In a bid for more tourism, the country is opening direct plane routes from France to cities in the Sahara. Might there be increasing opportunities for access?

Lord have mercy on your troubled world and lead us by your Holy Spirit to reflect the concerns and desires of your own heart for our confused and confusing world as we pray.

We ask in Jesus' Name.

Amen.

Click this pic for today's Bible reading in Malachi 1

Let's sing

The studiocam video of today's sermon is here:

Let's pray

Father we ask for patience, perseverance and prayerfulness to keep us walking with you in the light of your Word in the strength your Spirit gives.

Enable us to look for you in the events of the week that lies before us, and to live our lives in continuing daily fellowship with You ... our one true Living God.

We ask for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

Thank you for being with us here today.

Let's continue to pray for one another to be equipped and enabled to continue to walk with God through the course of this week, whatever it brings to us and to our world.

If you would like to have fellowship with us in worshipping by giving, please click the link below.

Have a joyful, faithful week in God's presence and service!

DIY Sunday Service Kit - Getting un-lost when you're feeling lost

Welcome to this short-course DIY Sunday Service Kit produced on a smartphone in transit back from a Balkans trip.

Let's pray

Lord and loving Heavenly Father, provider for and protector of all you have made, we give you thanks today that you have not left us alone in your world to cope with the consequences and the chaos we have created but have sent your son to redeem what's been lost.

As we contemplate again the completion of another harvest, which in spite of the damage so much of our efforts to maximise profit free of conscience has made, we thank you that the land has once again yielded its fruit and we seem to have enough to eat throughout yet another winter.

Grant us gratitude of heart for your goodness, we pray, motivating us and all our people to walk more closely with You, in Your way.

For Jesus sake.

Amen.

Click this LINK to sing

Prayer fuel for Harvest

We are privileged today to hear from Richard a Southern Baptist Mission Board pastor as he chatted with Simon last week at a café in a much warmer place. 

(We are working on developing ways to record better sound in places like this so that we can broaden the base of the ministry we can enjoy here ... it's a work in progress).

Click this LINK

Let's make Richard and his wife Linda the subject of our prayers for God's work in His physical and spiritual 'field' this week. Richard and Linda would value prayer as they contemplate forthcoming changes and developments in their lives and ministry and for the Lord to continue to watch over their health.

Here is today's Bible reading:

‭‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭6:16‭-‬30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[16] This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ [17] I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But you said, ‘We will not listen.’ [18] Therefore hear, you nations; you who are witnesses, observe what will happen to them. [19] Hear, you earth: I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law. [20] What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me.” [21] Therefore this is what the Lord says: “I will put obstacles before this people. Parents and children alike will stumble over them; neighbors and friends will perish.” [22] This is what the Lord says: “Look, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is being stirred up from the ends of the earth. [23] They are armed with bow and spear; they are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation to attack you, Daughter Zion.” [24] We have heard reports about them, and our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor. [25] Do not go out to the fields or walk on the roads, for the enemy has a sword, and there is terror on every side. [26] Put on sackcloth, my people, and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us. [27] “I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ore, that you may observe and test their ways. [28] They are all hardened rebels, going about to slander. They are bronze and iron; they all act corruptly. [29] The bellows blow fiercely to burn away the lead with fire, but the refining goes on in vain; the wicked are not purged out. [30] They are called rejected silver, because the Lord has rejected them.”

https://jeremiah.bible/jeremiah-6-16

The sermon today is here.

Click this Link

Here's a very well-known Harvest hymn:

Click this LINK

Let's conclude in prayer:

Father we thank you for the patience you demonstrate in dealing with us as we sometimes find ourselves hardening our hearts and turning away from your way.

Where we have done so in the way we have treated your fields we ask you to show us your grace and turn us back to walk again in your ways.

Where we have done so in the way we have turned away from your ways in raising and caring for the animals you have created for us to steward, we ask you to once more show us mercy and grace and turn us again to worship you in the way we work as your image set over your creation.

And where we have mistreated one another ... not least in sharing the fruitfulness of your world with people who need more than they have, please turn our hearts again to fresh alignment with yours.

We ask all of this at this harvest time for your glory, as we pray in Jesus' Name.

Amen.