The joy of the Lord is your strength. (Neh 8:10)
Although we are living in a time of worldwide crisis, let’s remember that the God we worship is full of love and compassion, faithful and unchanging, and with us in our suffering. His joy is our strength.
And in that strength, we can bring “a sacrifice of praise” – we can SING! even if we don’t feel like it.
We have seen people singing to one another from balconies in Italy. Let’s firstly sing praises to God! And through our joyful worship also be uplifted in our spirits and encourage others in our households. We can also be blessed as we realize we join in with other Christians around the world, united in the Holy Spirit, and accompanied by the angels in heaven, all praising God.
15 Our part, then, is this: to bring, through him (Jesus), a continual sacrifice of praise to God – that is, mouths that confess his name, and do so fruitfully. (Hebrews 13:15 NTE)
This is a time to sing and make music with heart and voice to God because he is good, and he is with us and for us. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 5:19b - 20)
Jesus produces love, peace and JOY within us as the fruit of his Spirit. They don’t originate in us and they are not dependant on the outward circumstances of our lives. So, come before the Lord our God, enter the “courts of his presence” as you lift up your voice in this time of trouble. SING!, sing in your home and your car, sing with your family, sing and praise God.
The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT)
17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,a]
able to tread upon the heights.
Psalm 100 (NIV)
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are hisa];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Some song suggestions:
Hymn: The Hymn of Joy (words below)
Rend Collective song: Joy of the Lord https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3gLeCiMJqI
Chorus: Rejoice in the Lord Always
The Hymn of Joy (Henry Van Dyke)
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee
God of glory), Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee
Op'ning to the Sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
fill us with the light of day
All Thy works with joy surround Thee
Earth and heav'n reflect Thy rays
Stars and angels sing around Thee
center of unbroken praise
Field and forest, vale and mountain
Flow'ry meadow, flashing sea
chanting bird and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in Thee
Thou art giving and forgiving
ever blessing, ever blest
well-spring of the joy of living
ocean-depth of happy rest
Thou the Father, Christ our Brother—
all who live in love are Thine
Teach us how to love each other
lift us to the Joy Divine)
Mortals join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began
Father-love8 is reigning o'er us
brother-love binds man to man.9
Ever singing, march we onward
victors in the midst of strife
joyful music lifts us sunward
in the triumph song of life
Blessings!
5 Stations
Interactive worship at home for individuals and families
Prepare by setting up 5 “stations of blessing” in your home. You will need:
1. a bowl of water and towel,
2. bubble blowing mixture/homemade soapy mix,
3. a printed map or outline of Australia and/or the world,
4. bread, wine/juice, cup/s,
5. one or more written copies of the readings and blessings.
You can use this resource creatively or add your own prayers, readings, visuals, or music. One suggestion is to spend a few minutes at each station but there is no special order and families could do each activity together or individually.
Select all or some of the Bible readings included or choose some yourself. Enjoy this time with Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to lead. God’s Blessings to you!
Water – He leads me beside the still water, he restores my soul.
Read Psalm 23. Sit and look at the water.
Be still and know that I am God (Ps 46:10).
Read Matthew 3:13-17. Immerse your hand in water. Consider your baptism.
Bubbles – Bless God! Read Psalm 150. Take the bubble mixture outside and blow bubbles! Let praise and thanksgiving to God well up within you and burst forth as bubbles of praise. Read the psalm out loud. Praise God! Sing a song!
Map – Bless others. Read John 14:13-14; Luke 18:1-8; James 5:16
Pray for a person, place or situation and stick a heart on the map as a sign of God’s blessing on them.
Bread & Wine – Make use of your 5 senses. Read Matthew 26:17-30. Then look at the bread and the colour of the wine. Touch the bread as you break it. Feel the cup in your hand. Hear the sound of bread tearing and of wine being poured out as you pour into the cup. Smell the aroma of the bread’s yeast and the fruity fullness of the wine. Taste and see that the Lord is good! Read Psalm 34:8; 1 Peter 2:2-3.
A Personal Blessing – Remember that God blesses you. Name others and speak the blessing over them, even if they are absent. Families can bless one another and/or lay hands on or anoint one another with oil. Pray for one another and say the Lord’s Prayer together. Read Mark 10:16; Num 6:24-27; 2 Cor 13:14.
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Matthew 3:13-17 The Baptism of Jesus 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
John 14:13-14 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Luke 18 The Parable of the Persistent Widow 1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' " 6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Matthew 26:17-30 The Lord's Supper
17On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 18He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' " 19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
22They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" 23Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." 25Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." 27Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of theb] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." 30When they had sung a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Psalm 34: 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Mark 10:16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Numbers 6:24-27
24 " ' "The LORD bless you
and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace." '
27 "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 Vision of the valley of dry bones
Ezekiel was a prophet to the people of Israel in exile in Babylon. They were as devoid of political hope and possibility for national restoration as the field of dead bones of the slain shown him by the Lord. God directed Ezekiel to breathe life into the people in exile with the promises of his word. The comparison is reminiscent of God breathing into the nostrils of the first man to make him a living creature. The change to a picture of future opened graves gives promise that in the future the nation will be returned to its 'own soil', namely in Jerusalem and Israel. They will know thereby that the Lord has spoken.
Romans 8:6-11 The Spirit lives in you
Christ has met the complete requirement of God's law which God had rightly demanded of all people. Believers in Christ have in this way been set free from the law of sin and death. Therefore no believing Christian can set his or her mind on the things of the 'flesh', ie sinful pleasures and evil which belong to the old sinful nature. Those things militate destructively against the Spirit's indwelling. Even though a Christian is still afflicted bodily by sin, yet the life of the Spirit imparts life, just as the Spirit raised Jesus from the dead.
John 11:1-45 The raising of Lazarus - Jesus’ last sign
The high point in this miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead is the revelation of Jesus as Son of God and the Messiah. The proof of this brought to a head the fanatical opposition of the religious leaders which resulted not long afterwards in his arrest, trial and execution in Jerusalem. While his full humanity is prominently evident in his emotional response to the grief of Mary, Martha and their friends, his divinity is manifested above all other considerations. He is seen to have foreknowledge of Lazarus's death and what he would do to glorify God. Jesus teaches clearly that there is everlasting life through believing in him. He proves this by raising a body already into the stage of decomposition.
As you'll be aware the government has for the time being put a stop to all worship in our churches.
This doesn't mean we stop worshiping - we just need to do it differently.
We'll provide some helps for worshipping in the "latest news' section
Let us know via email if you have any specific requests
Sometimes a symbolic focus or action can be a springboard to prayer, a reminder of God's word, or a prompt to take time out to rest a while. Today, light a candle, settle quietly, and allow the candle's flame to encourage you in prayer.
Let the warmth of the flame remind you of your heavenly Father's love, for How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God. (1Jn3:1)
Consider the light of the flame burning brightly and give praise that Jesus is light. He said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. (Jn 8:12)
Delight in the energy of the flame burning as you give thanks for the Holy Spirit's enabling: They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:3-4)
Then pray (any or all of):
speak from your heart
pour out your feelings
tell Jesus your worries
read out a psalm (eg Psalm 33)
say the Lord's Prayer
go for a walk in the garden
dance
draw
be still
listen
follow God's prompting
Rest from the troubles that burden us
Trust in God who is faithful
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2Cor13:14)
Amen
KJP Used with Permission Illustration used with permission
Lord Teach us to Pray
Prayer is a challenge for all of us, but in our current circumstances, we need more than ever to turn our focus to God, who is our strength, and our hope.
As our lives are turned upside down, and our hearts and minds churn with the consequences of COVID-19, perhaps a solid and reassuring starting place for our prayer is to begin with what we do know and can do.
Jesus’ response to the disciples’ cry, “Lord, teach us to pray” was to give them the words and model of the Lord’s Prayer.
So, take a moment. Take a calming breath. And pray what you know.
Pray the familiar words alone or together with others in your home. Pray it over the phone as you connect with wider family and friends. Recite it, read it out, write it down, and reflect on its meaning. It is meaningful, not meaningless. So say what you mean and mean what you pray!
Then try another step, expanding with specific concerns. For example, add your personal petitions after each phrase. Or try modelling your own words on Jesus’ pattern as we see Eugene Petersen has done here in The Message:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
The Lord’s Prayer “can be like a Christmas tree, on which we hang our own “decorations”, our own prayers.
Or it can be like a map: The directions are there, but we must take the trouble to travel, to pray them. (Peter Kreeft, Fundamentals of Faith. Ignatius Press 1988)
Blessings, Karen
This is an opportunity for us to step forward, boldly and confidently, as Christian citizens who understand how to practise care, compassion, and love. The hope we have in us is greater than anything this earth can offer, and God’s love strengthens us. Our Lord has been preparing us for this time for many years. Suddenly, being church is not just talk, but action, as we are challenged to step out of our church buildings into the unknown. As we do that, we will feel some sense of loss, but it does not need to bother us unduly. Our true hope is not in bricks and mortar, or the things of this world. We will always have what we need for each day. This is what we repeatedly ask God for, every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer. We can use the gifts we have been given for the good of the whole world, serving God with joy in our hearts.
We're living with the sadness of not being able to meet together to worship.
This doesn't stop us from being 'church' and worshipping at home.
Worship orders and helps are available.
God keep you safe and well!
We're at the end of the Epiphany season and Lent is about to begin.
Jesus takes three of his disciples up a mountain and amazes them with his glory.
What does this mean for us? How does it change the way we live? How does it change the way we pray?
Join us Sunday and be amazed by Jesus!