Worship for 10 July 2022

by A Local Arrangement prepared by Jane Smith and Chris Lane 10 July 2022

Welcome – The theme of the service this morning is ‘Our Father’

Call to worship (Isaiah 63)
I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love.
I will praise God for all that He has done – His great goodness to His people, and His many acts of faithful love. For He is our Father, our redeemer, from ages past.

Song: I have a maker

Prayers of adoration and confession
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are Creator of all,
Sustainer of all,
Saviour of all,
Your glory and majesty are beyond our understanding,
Your power too awesome to behold,
And yet your love enfolds us as a gentle breeze.
Father, we bless your holy name.
Thank you, Lord God, for the opportunity to worship you this morning, for the freedom to be amongst your family and meet together.
Thank you that in worship we can put aside the busyness of the week, and we can lay our stresses and worries at your feet as we focus our minds and hearts upon you.

Father, you see deep into our hearts and know us better than we know ourselves and so we come before you now to say sorry for the times we turn away from Your word and for the times we haven’t stood up for your truths.  In the quietness we remember our thoughts, words or actions that haven’t shown your love…

You are the source of all justice and truth and through the death of your son you set us free and so we thank you now for your forgiveness and grace.

We pray that you would draw us closer to Yourself, today and always. Amen.

Jesus Himself taught us that our prayers should be made to ‘Our Father’ so let us join together and say the Lord’s Prayer.

Song: Father God I wonder

Explanation
Way back in April 2021 Karen Cokayne published a ‘Thought for the Day’ entitled The Father’s Love Letter. Its message was very powerful and, indeed, was no less so when it was republished earlier this year. Several of the Worship Group were moved by the concept and the power created by these verses of the Bible being put together in such a way, and so the idea for this service was born! The letter comprises of 54 verses of scripture and, as Karen said, it reminds us just how valuable each one of us is to our heavenly Father.

Song: Abba Father

Our Father
In a moment we will hear some of the 54 verses from scripture that Jane has just mentioned.
We have just sung:     
 ‘I have a maker
He formed my heart,
before even time began
My life was in his hands’
In Jeremiah it says:’ I knew you even before you were conceived’
He sees every tear that falls. Even when we stray, our Father has the greater picture and uses everything we are to bring about His ultimate good.
Our Father weaves something good from every difficult detour, every closed door, every unexpected turn, because he loves us. He knows everything about us.
Let us listen to God’s word……

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

You were not a mistake for all your days are written in my book.  Psalm 139:15-16

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

If you seek me with all your heart you will find me. Deut 4:29

I am also the father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Watch the video of Father’s Love Letter with pictures

Watch the video of Chris Tomlin's song ‘Good, Good Father’

Intercessions
Heavenly Father, thank you, for being our Father, thank you for your trust, Lord and your love for us.
Thank you for the freedom we find in you. Help us Lord to use this freedom wisely, to love others more than we love ourselves, to care for others more than we care for ourselves, to be selfless instead of being selfish and may we encourage others to do the same in the name of our Lord and Father.
We bring our prayers to the Father. We bring them in the name of the Son.                                 

Heavenly Father, as You free us from sin, show us how to set others free. For all those trapped in poverty and poor housing, for all, for whom disability imposes restrictions in every day living, help us to surrender ourselves to be part of the answer to these prayers, giving care, compassion and time to others.
We bring our prayers to the Father.  We bring them in the name of the Son.

We pray for the world, Father, we think of the people of Ukraine, we pray for your comfort for the people. We pray for the war and the suffering to end and for peace to return to these countries. Father we also think of the recent shootings in Chicago and Copenhagen, Father bring comfort and healing to those affected, may they know that you are there with them.
We bring our prayers to the Father.  We bring them in the name of the Son.

Father we pray for Newmount and the Churches around us, show us your will, Father. We pray for anybody sick and who needs your healing touch today, bring your love to those in need.                                                                                       
We bring our prayers to the Father. We bring them in the name of the Son.                                
We ask these Prayers in the name of Jesus. Amen

Song: Father of the Fatherless

Blessing
May the Father’s hand keep us from stumbling 
The foot prints of Jesus give us confidence to follow
And the fire of the Holy Spirit keep us warm and safe in our walk with God this day. Amen