Sharing Our Faith Together

Morning Worship for Sunday 7 February 2021

by Richard Horth 7 February 2021

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Hymn: He’s got the whole world in his hands

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Prayer 
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all you give to us.
For people who care for us.
The beauty of the world you have entrusted to us.
Help us to care for one another 
Forgive us if we do not always use your gifts for the best.
As you forgive us, help us to grow as disciples.
Following our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. 
Amen

Lord’s Prayer 
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us And lead us not into temptation  but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. For ever and ever.  Amen

Our reading for today is  Isaiah 40:21-31 NIVUK

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. ‘To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’ says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God’? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no-one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Reflection “Do you not know? Have you not heard?”

Hearing
When someone asks this question it suggests the person speaking believes the person addressed has either not heard or if they have heard,  ignored it.
There is a saying that, 'There are none so deaf as those who do not wish to hear’. It reminds us that we often have selective hearing by listening hard for those things which we want to hear but missing those things which we would rather not hear.

Our text reminds us that the truth is around us but yet we sometimes do not recognise it. 

It has been widely said that one of the greatest gifts which we can give to someone is our full attention in listening to what they have to say.

A good listener needs to show good focus and patience.

Remember when Samuel as a child heard someone calling his name and thought it was Eli. He was not expecting to hear God's voice. As he grew older he became more used to hearing God's words.

We try to become better listeners.
What makes the difference is how much attention we give to things.

Understanding 
The next step after we have heard is to absorb and understand. It is always humbling to recall how Jesus listened to his father :

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 NIVUK

There is great depth in our faith. Much to learn and understand. We keep trying throughout our lives to learn and understand better God's truth and his ways.

Empowering 
It’s more than just hearing it’s also taking in what we hear and then living our lives to show what we have heard, learnt and embraced.
“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIVUK

Listening to and learning from God is a stepping stone to bringing the most fulfilling lives we can possibly live.

When Jesus made the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, he transformed their lives.

In another sense our following in his ways transforms ours. He empowers. Listen to his voice. See where he calls you to apply it and tell the Good News.

Made in God's image he restores his image within us.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard?” We certainly have and we celebrate what we know and long to share it with all.

Intercessions
Father we pray for one another. 
We pray for Newmount church and the community we serve,
We pray for our circuit staff , remembering especially Revd David Owen and Revd Greg Obong- Oshotse.
We pray for those struggling with hardships of any kind brought about by the pandemic. 
We pray for all those who in their work care for others particularly in the NHS
We remember and pray for the family of Denis Bales and for all those experiencing the pain of bereavement.
We remember and pray for those concerned for loved ones
Finally we pray for ourselves. Help us always to be aware of your love and your voice.
For we ask these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen

Hymn: Lord I was blind

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