CHILDREN WELCOME!
For those who enjoy 'Messy Church', there are activities, storytime and even some ideas for cooking now available online - click here for topical ideas.
Today's
theme:
Preparing
the way of
the Lord
A prayer:
Almighty God,
purify our hearts and minds,
that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as
judge and saviour
we may be ready to receive him,
who is our Lord and our God.
Our introduction is by the Rev Rodney Green:
(Please note: Any advertising YouTube may put with this video is outside our control)
Here's a song all about expectation - of the coming of Jesus:
(Please note: Any advertising YouTube may put with this video is outside our control)
Our reading is from St Matthew's Gospel, ch 3, v 1-12:
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.” ’
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
Our talk is by the Rev Debra Blair:
(Please note: Any advertising YouTube may put with this video is outside our control)
And here's a song that tells of our hope for the future, as Christians:
(Please note: Any advertising YouTube may put with this video is outside our control)
Please click below for our prayers:
(Please note: Any advertising YouTube may put with this video is outside our control)
THE LORD'S PRAYER
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 forever. Amen.
And finally a classic hymn that points us to the time when Jesus comes again:
(Please note: Any advertising YouTube may put with this video is outside our control)
Please click below for the conclusion to our worship:
(Please note: Any advertising YouTube may put with this video is outside our control)
You may find these resources are useful to provide online worship, teaching, study materials and encouragement generally:
- A 9am Sunday service from the Church of England livestreamed on YouTube: click here.
- Holy Trinity Platt is livestreaming on Sundays at 11am - click here
- The Bible Project offers a whole series of animated videos on different books and themes of the Bible, plus a regular podcast - click here
- 'The Message' stream videos aimed at younger people under the title of 'Message Live' Click here to find the introduction page.
- The 'Christianity Explored' course - an introduction to the Christian faith by Rico Tice of All Souls' Church, Langham Place (the one next to the BBC), with hours of thought-provoking films and talks, is now available totally free of charge - click here - or start watching them on YouTube - click here
- Try the videos available from 'Christian Vision' - click here - you will have to register, but it's pretty easy.
- How to get the Church of England 'Daily Prayer' app on your phone - click here