Order of service 25th of August 2024,
Welcome – Keith
Call to worship John 3:16 – 21
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
Opening prayer – Hazel
Hymn For God so loved the world
Sword drill – Keith
Hymn Lead on good shepherd
Reading John:14:1-11
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God]; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” – Steve
Thought – Andrew
Hymn Jesus calls me friend Collection taken during the hymn by Darrel & Ranjana
Prayers of thanks – Darrel
Notices
Prayer meeting, 29th of August @ 10:00 on Zoom and Steve & Hazel’s.
Prayer walk, 30th of August @ 10:00 meeting at the old church building.
Serving refreshments today Marguerite & Sharon
Serving refreshments 1st of September Lorraine & Patricia
Big Church Day Away, 14th of September.
Church website address https://www.hurstgreen-fellowship.org
Pastors email address hgecpastor@outlook.com
Hymn Cynthia
Lord’s Supper
We are going to share the Lord’s Supper together in a moment. This simple meal reminds us of the meal that Jesus shared with His friends the night before He was betrayed and hung on a cross. We share this meal because Jesus told us to do so when we gather together.
Paul wrote to his friends in Corinth to help them understand the Lord’s Supper. Here’s what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:23-27:
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
We will use Paul’s message to guide us as we take the Lord’s Supper together. But before we begin, we should think about who should share in this meal. You shouldn’t celebrate the Lord’s Supper just because you feel you have to or to fit in with everyone else. You should celebrate it if you love the Lord and want to love Him more – you don’t have to be perfect to take part.
So, let us celebrate the Lord’s Supper together this morning.
In verse 24, Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to His disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." As you take the bread, remember that Jesus gave His body to be broken on the cross for you because He loves you. Think about how much Jesus loves you and find strength and hope to serve God today and every day.
In verse 25, Jesus takes the cup, gives thanks, and offers it to His disciples, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” The wine represents Jesus’ blood shed on the cross and reminds us that Jesus died so that our failures to love God and others could be forgiven.
Before you come forward to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, take a moment to thank God for all that Jesus has done for you because He loves you.
When you are ready, come forward to get the bread and the wine and return to your seat. As you take the bread and wine, remember what they mean and give thanks for Jesus and His love for you.
People come forward to receive the bread and wine. Cynthia & Robert to distribute the elements.
Lord’s prayer – Jonathan
Share the peace
Hymn How great Thou art
Blessing
“May the Lord bless you
and keep you;
may the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
may the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
Grace – Alison