Today’s service continues series on Acts. Our reading is taken from Acts 11: 19 – 30 looking at the spreading of the Gospel.
The service is designed to be used in conjunction with the order of service email earlier but also available to download here 17. The gospel spreads – Acts 11 (28.06.2020)
Watch the whole service on YouTube by following this link.
Order of Service for 28th June 2020
Preparation song
Call to worship
Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. (Psalm 138:6-7)
Opening prayer
Gracious God, we come rejoicing in your presence, for your love is stronger than death, your mercy reaches from the heavens to the very depths, and your kindness is seen in your grace in Jesus our Lord. We praise your holy name! Amen.
Confession
We come with humble hearts before you, Lord, and confess our sins.
Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.
May God our Father forgive us our sins, and bring us to the fellowship of his table with his saints for ever.
Opening song
(Please note this is different to the song in the order of service sheet as that song could not be found on YouTube)
Reading: Acts 11:19-30 (NET)
19 Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message to no one but Jews. 20 But there were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene among them who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks too, proclaiming the good news of the Lord Jesus. 21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 A report about them came to the attention of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts, 24 because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and a significant number of people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught a significant number of people. Now it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. 27 At that time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, got up and predicted by the Spirit that a severe famine was about to come over the whole inhabited world. (This took place during the reign of Claudius). 29 So the disciples, each in accordance with his financial ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 They did so, sending their financial aid to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Reflection
The gospel spreads – though encouragement
What has challenged or encouraged you in the teaching from God’s Word today? What will you take away from this and into the coming week?
Prayers of intercession
Loving God, when the believers were scattered because of persecution the Gospel message spread. We pray for your Church today. Where we are scattered by the coronavirus and confined, we pray that your message of hope in Jesus Christ would be heard by more and more people. We pray that a great number would turn to you and believe in you in these days. May our land flourish by the preaching of your Word and the praising of your name. We also pray for our fellow Christians who are being persecuted because they call you Lord. Strengthen them with joy in your presence.
Loving God, the Gospel went to both Jews and Gentiles. We pray for this nation as lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted. May the rate of infection stay low so that people can start to see the way ahead and not live in fear. We pray also for other nations where the virus is spreading. May those in authority, who are tasked with making life-changing decisions, have godly wisdom and compassion. May they not be driven by self-interest or greed.
Loving God, thank you that in a world in despair, you are our hope. Help us to remain true to you with all our hearts. In this season where some are reaching out for you, draw us to those people and give to each one of us the ability and desire to speak your word of encouragement and hope to whomever we meet. When we don’t have the words, help us to remember your promise in Scripture, `Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit’ (Mk 13:11). All these things we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Communion song
Holy Communion
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
It is right to praise you, Father, Lord of all creation; in your love you made us for yourself. When we turned away you did not reject us, but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed, at supper with his friends he took bread, and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to them, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him: his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine, he gave you thanks, and said: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins; do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him: his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory, send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
With your whole Church throughout the world we offer you this sacrifice of praise and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
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.
Breaking of the Bread
Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
The Body of Christ keep you in eternal life
The Blood of Christ keep you in eternal life
Prayer after Communion
Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the Body and Blood of your Son
Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.
Closing song
In Christ alone my hope is found
Closing prayer and blessing
Now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and all whom you love, now and for evermore. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.