Notes from Meeting, Sunday 30th August 2020
Lee Street Church Notes of Meeting – 30th August 2020 We welcomed about 20 people to our Zoom service, including our guest speaker Mark Watts from Fetcham. Brian led the worship time. Opening Prayer Our first worship song this morning reminds us of just some of the attributes of the God into whose presence we have come today.
So let’s bring our worship to the Lord with SONG: Come let us worship our Redeemer Come, let us worship our Redeemer, Let us bow down before His throne; Come, let us kneel before our Maker, Holy is His name.
Come into His presence with thanksgiving, Make a joyful noise; For the Lord is a great God, King above all gods.
We are the people of His pasture, The sheep of His hand. For Christ the Lord is our Shepherd, He will lead us home.
All praises be to God the Father, Praise to Christ His Son; Praise to God the Holy Spirit, Bless the three-in-One.
Sarah Turner Smith
Our second song will take us a little further in our confession and acclamation of the greatness of our God, and how He is able to act in our lives and in the world today. It reminds us of further attributes of God
What’s he done? Well, we know Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine at a marriage feast in Cana – not any old wine, but the best wine – He didn’t do things by halves. We know too how on many occasions he made blind people able to see – He used his unique and awesome power to bring healing of all kinds of diseases. Truly, as this song reminds us, there is no one like our God. Let’s worship Him with SONG: Water you turned into wine Water You turned into wine Jesse Reeves, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin
We’ve got a great God indeed – but He’s not just a remote God somewhere away in heaven keeping a watchful eye on us – He’s much more personal than that, because the bible teaches us that He is living right here inside of us. Yes, the eternal God of glory making his home right here in your heart and mine. Paul describes it as “God’s secret plan” in Col 1:27 where he says “Christ lives in you” – what an amazing concept – the God of eternity coming into our lives – to be literally at the centre of everything that is us, and that we do day by day. Yes, He’s there – but do we allow him to have full control of our lives? Do we make him something of a back-seat driver – we listen to him at times, but mostly we prefer to do things our way? Our last song is a prayer – that Jesus would be at the centre of our lives – in our thinking, in our actions – the fire that drives us to have true compassion for others, a wind in our sails to get us moving (how we all need that at times, particularly as we get older). May He open our eyes to what He wants us to do in this time of pandemic, may He indeed be our guide and our light. How the world desperately needs the light of Jesus to show the way in an ever-darkening world. SONG: Jesus, be the centre Jesus, be the centre, Be my source, be my light, Jesus
Jesus, be the centre, Be my hope, be my song, Jesus.
Be the fire in my heart, Be the wind in these sails, Be the reason that I live, Jesus, Jesus.
Jesus, be my vision, Be my path, be my guide, Jesus Michael Frye Prayer Time We remembered and prayed for a number of our members and friends.
Summary of Mark Watts message Subject: Isolation and Reconnection Mark began by reading from Ephesians 2:11 – 17
Covid-19 has been (and still is) a hard time for many people – particularly those who live alone. Enforced isolation has taken a heavy toll on many people’s lives. But the Christian message is still very much applicable in these hard times. Jesus dealt with 5 examples of people living in isolation for different reasons during His ministry:
Just five examples of people whose lives were transformed. They had been in isolation, but having met with Jesus they were able to re-connect with families and friends, and more importantly with God. Jesus came from heaven with this purpose – to reconnect people with God. Sadly, most people are today living their lives in isolation from God. It’s our privilege to introduce them to God, who is still reaching out to them. No one is isolated from God’s love. Maybe you are wondering where God is in all that’s going on? Maybe you are still feeling isolated or disconnected – something seems to be missing. God doesn’t want you to remain disconnected, and has provided a way for you to have a new relationship with Him. The reading spoke about reconciliation – for both Israelites and Gentiles who were separated from God by sin – He made provision for all to be reconciled to Him. Remember what you were – separated from God and without hope; and what you are now, thanks to Jesus shedding His blood on the cross. His blood was the price paid for our redemption, and it cleanses us from all sin. Jesus had to go to that old rugged cross – a place of isolation – on our behalf. Jesus’ relationship with God was broken as He spent 3 hours on the cross – forsaken by God, so that we can be set free. Jesus took that place of isolation to bring us into a new relationship with God. He went to the cross so we can be free from the penalty for sin – He has brought us into a right relationship with God. What a powerful reconciliation! As Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians ch.5 v21
When Jesus died, it is recorded that the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom, indicating that the way was now open for all to come to God, because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Mark mentioned the film director who set out to produce a film to disprove the resurrection of Jesus, but he ended up being totally convinced of the truth that Jesus did rise from the dead. V 17 of our reading speaks about peace. Are you enjoying peace with God? 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven, welcomed there by His Father. We too can be sure of a welcome, because of our reconnection with God through Jesus’ sacrifice. Remember, Jesus is still ready to receive anyone - if you haven’t yet taken that step of faith, don’t wait any longer. All you need to do is:
Don’t forget – nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
Closing Hymn: When I survey WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God: All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down: Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of Nature mine, That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all!
Next Week: Speakers are Gerard and Phillippa Chrispin
|