We cannot meet in person – but we can still pray, sing, and listen to God’s Word – together in Jesus.

There are some activities for children and the young at heart, available to download here (you will need a printer). But please try and involve the children in your household, in the songs and in the prayer time.

Preparation

It is important to prepare ourselves before a service of worship. Close your eyes and pause for a moment – gather yourself in God’s presence.

Speak these words aloud:

Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.

Psalm 51.15 (NIV)

Welcome

In Christ Alone

Confession

Sit for a couple of moments in quiet, and bring to mind the things you need to say sorry to God for. Then use these words from Psalm 51:

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

from Psalm 51 (NIV)

At The Cross (Love Ran Red)

The Seriously Surprising Story

There are two videos – the first particularly aimed at children, the second more grown-up. Feel free to watch one, or both!

Sharing the Story

One of the (many) challenges of the lockdown is how we can share our faith with others, how we can show love and care for others.

But there is an equal challenge, for those who are wanting to explore faith more, to ask questions, to look for meaning beyond what we see today.

I don’t have an answer to either of those questions – which is where you all come in! Sometimes as a church leader it’s our role to come up with ideas, but most of the time our role is to coax out the (good!) gifts and ideas of others, nurture them, and help them mature and grow.

So those two questions are for you.

If you are in the first camp, I would like you to spend this week thinking and praying about how we can sharing the seriously surprisingly (true) story of Jesus, dead and raised, in whom alone is life and undying love.

See what pops into your mind – don’t worry if nothing does, keep praying. You may find it helpful to focus your prayers if you can picture someone (a friend or family) that you long would come to know Jesus for themselves.

If you are in the second camp – my challenge to you is the same. Give praying a go. If you aren’t sure how to do that, a good place to start is to pop onto our website every day after 7am to use our church family daily prayer.

As you begin, pray this simple prayer: ‘Father God, I’m not sure who you are but I want to know you and I’m hear, listening. Please speak to me.’ God rarely speaks through audible voices but he often speaks through the Bible.

So my challenge to everyone is this: God speaks in many ways, but are we listening?

The Five Finger Prayer

The Church Family Prayer

Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.

Amen.

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 for ever.
Amen.

This is Amazing Grace

And Finally…