Canvey Methodist Church Sunday March 21 2021
Led By Mrs Kathy McCullough
Complete Service Link: https://youtu.be/X5ekLY-_CZs
1).Welcome to our service this morning.
We are here to worship God and rejoice in all He has done for us in Christ.
2).Introduction
Jesus said “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds”. John 12:24
3).Hymn STF 351 In Christ alone. https://youtu.be/rn9-
In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace,When fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My comforter, my all in all, Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone! - who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied, For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain; Then bursting forth in glorious day, Up from the grave He rose again. And as He stands in victory, Sin's curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,This is the power of Christ in me;From life's first cry to final breath,Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
4).Prayer of Praise , Worship, Thanksgiving and Confession
Our gracious and loving heavenly Father, we come to worship you on this your day. We acknowledge that you are our God, who created us and who sustains us. We bow down before you, we give you all the honour and praise that is due to your name. We thank you for your daily care and provision for all our needs. Thank you for our food, our homes, our health, our family and friends. And thank you for our church family and all they mean to us. But, dear Lord, we need to say “sorry” for the fact that we have let you down in so many ways. Please forgive our lack of care for others, our thoughtless words and our criticism. Thank you, that because Jesus died for us on the cross, we can be forgiven. So be with us now as we listen to your word and seek your presence. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.
5).The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Afua now reads the Gospel lesson to us from John 12:20-33.
6).Reading John 12: 20 – 33 (NIV)
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Mann to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me. Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that were there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to Him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgement on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die.
7).Hymn STF 287 When I survey https://youtu.
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.
8).Address Kathy McCullough
My husband was getting concerned that he wouldn't be able to do his usual shopping for vegetable seeds this year, so I ordered them on-line. He was overjoyed to get on with his planting. Starting with his leeks and parsnips. Yesterday, the 20th March was, based upon the position of the Earth's orbit around the Sun, the first day of Spring according to the Astronomical Calendar. The crocuses are through and the Daffodils are out and the gardeners amongst us are planting seeds all ready for the growing season ahead. We are so familiar with the picture of a seed going down into the darkness of the soil and later, beginning to push through until the plant produces seeds of its own. A picture Jesus used. As Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, he prepares his disciples for what lies ahead. This illustration is of himself, the kernel of wheat, dying, to produce many, many followers in the future. But for him, there would be no falling into the soft earth to be cradled there. For him there would be derision, brutality and excruciating pain. He told them he would be lifted up, that is, crucified. And that's when the miracle begins – “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” It's the cross that changes everything. All people will be drawn to him there.
At the beginning of our reading, some Greeks had come asking to see Jesus. He seems to ignore them. However, the reply he gives does connect to them. “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” He will be glorified when Greeks, and people from all nations, come to him. How will that happen? Through the cross!
At Highlands and Canvey Churches we are looking forward to opening our church building for worship on Easter Sunday. It will be wonderful to celebrate the resurrection in a resurrected building! However, there are so many ways in which we are limited. Limited in numbers, limited in conversation, limited in time, limited in singing and limited in touch. As Christians, we don't like to be limited in these ways. The Lord Jesus must have found his limits difficult. In the purposes of God, he had limited himself to a ministry to the Jewish people. They had the first opportunity to hear the gospel and believe. They were the people who had been prepared by God, through their history, their scriptures, their patterns of worship and their prophets. Many of them believed and followed him, and some rejected him.
But now the time was near when all nations would hear and be drawn to him. The cross is the pivotal point. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, would lay down his life as a sacrifice, a substitute for each of us, that we might be forgiven and receive eternal life. The offer is open to each of us.
The largest seeds I sent for, for my husband, were seed potatoes. After they are planted and develop, the exciting time comes to dig them up. So many new potatoes, of all shapes and sizes, come from each one planted.
Many Christians, of all shapes, sizes and colours will be rejoicing with us in heaven, one day, because the Lord Jesus died to produce such fruit.
We sing the hymn STF 274 Jesus Christ I think upon your sacrifice after which Sue will lead our prayers for others.
9).Hymn STF 274 Jesus Christ, I think upon your sacrifice
Jesus Christ, I think upon your sacrifice, You became nothing, poured out to death. Many times I've wondered at your gift of life,
And I'm in that place once again.
And I'm in that place once again.
And once again I look upon the cross where you died. I'm humbled by your mercy and I'm broken inside. Once again I thank you, once again I pour out my life.
Now you are exalted to the highest place, King of the heavens, where one day I'll bow. But for now, I marvel at your saving grace,
And I'm full of praise once again.
And I'm full of praise once again.
Chorus
Thank you for the cross, thank you for the cross, Thank you for the cross, my Friend. Thank you for the cross, thank you for the cross, Thank you for the cross, my Friend.
Chorus twice.
10).Intercessions
Dear Lord, we come before you to bring our prayers for others. Thank you for this privilege that joins our hearts to you. Lord, we think of our church family and bring them before you. We pray that you will bless each one, and we especially pray for the friends and family of our dear sister who passed away this week. May they know that she is now with you in your promise of eternal rest. Please give them your comfort and strength. We also pray for everyone who is mourning the loss of a loved one. Please heal their broken hearts. We also think of the family of Sarah Everard and ask you to be with them in this tragedy and give them your help, strength and peace. We pray for Colin and Cathy and their family. We thank you for them and we bring them before you for your blessing. Thank you that you are with Anna in Beirut. Please continue to lead her in her life and work for you and give her your protection. We pray for the work of New Heights. We pray for the Lebanon, for wisdom for its leaders and that you would intervene to bring a solution to the economic and political crisis. We pray for the poorest there who are severely affected by these multiple crises. We thank you for Kathy who is leading our service today and ask you to bless her and lead her too. Thank you for everything that you have laid on her heart to share with us today. We pray for our country and for good leadership. Please guide the decisions that are being made for us and may the decision makers listen to you. We pray for the world and ask you to bring peace and stability. And, we continue to pray for you to bring an end to the Corona Virus and all the new strains. We thank you so much for the vaccine and for the protection it is giving. We bring before you all those who have asked for prayers for their loved ones. We will just have a moment’s silence while we each pray in our hearts for those who need your special touch of healing and peace. Thank you Lord, you know all about these people and we lift each one individually before you for your blessing and to ask you to grant healing and peace. We also pray for those who are lonely or not feeling too good today. Please fill them with your grace and peace. Now Lord, we pray for ourselves. Thank you for your steadfast love which is too great for us to even understand. May your life grow in us every day. May you continue to love and bless each one of us and as Psalm 51 says – please create in us a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and grant us willing spirits to sustain us. We bring these prayers in the powerful name of our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN
We sing the hymn STF 276 Lift high the cross.
11).Hymn STF 276 Lift high the cross. https://youtu.be/
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Till all the world adore His sacred name.
Come Christians follow his triumphant sign, The hosts of God in unity combine.
Each newborn servant of the crucified, Bears on the brow, the seal of Him who died.
O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree, As Thou has promised, draw the world to Thee.
So shall our song of triumph ever be: Praise to the Crucified for victory.
12).Blessing
Christ crucified draw you to himself, To find in Him a sure ground for faith, A firm support for hope, And assurance of sins forgiven; And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
13). Celtic Worship- I exalt thee. / It is well with my Soul.