Yes, this Sunday’s service is our PRIDE service. It’s our first in-person worship service in 18 months. And it’s not been without hiccups in the planning. Firstly, I’m afraid the lift at Dorset Gardens has broken down so if you have a problem managing the stairs then please enjoy the service on Facebook live. We are hoping that they will have the lift fixed soon, but will look at other ways to make worship accessible in the meantime. Unfortunately we haven’t had time to re-plan for our Pride service and I am so sorry if this means you will miss the service in-person.
We have managed to find a way to serve refreshments but we will be asking you to take your beverage out into the gardens after the service, (assuming the weather is good) so we can socially distance as much as possible. But yes, Will will be playing for us and we will be singing – albeit from behind masks. (I’m told that God even enjoys muffled praise if it’s sung from the heart!). And if God is good we may even have a cake or two. (Sounds like heaven!).
So, not the smooth take off I would have wished for after such absence, but as long as we show up, (either in-person or online), then God will be there. And it’ll be lovely to have an altar, and a podium, and space!. And I can’t wait to be led with live music!
I pray that God go with you this week, guide you this week, and bless you this week. I’m looking forward to worshipping with you on Sunday.
Much love
Michael
You can email me at pastor@thevillagemcc.org.
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THE VILLAGE MCC In-person worship at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church (DGMC)
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LIFT AT DORSET GARDENS IS OUT OF ORDER AND OUR WORSHIP SPACE IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED.
- Our first in-person worship service will be August 8th at 6pm, and thereafter we will be holding in-person services on the first Sunday of every month.
- We have a thorough risk assessment to keep our whole Church community safe
- We will be following DGMC and Government Guidance to help inform our decisions.
- We will be monitoring the situation regularly and making adjustments to how we do things when the time is right
- Services are streamed live on Facebook for people who wish to attend from home, and will be available to watch on Facebook at a later date.
- The board will be closely monitoring our progress and making adjustments as information becomes available.
Arriving at Church:
- You do not need to pre-book
- We will expect people to wear face masks whilst they are inside the church, unless exempt.
- We will ask that everyone who has the NHS Covid-19 app to scan the DGMC barcode on the way in
- We will ask people to utilise the hand sanitiser provided, or use their own as they enter the building
- A volunteer will guide you (and your party) to seats. Please do not change seats.
During the service:
- For the time being congregational singing is allowed whilst wearing face masks.
- Again, for the time being communion will be done differently. Individual portions of bread and wine that can be collected on the way in.
After the service:
- As the open space at the back of sanctuary, or in the foyer, isn’t large enough to enable social distancing between people and groups, so for the time being we will unfortunately have to ask you to leave the building after the service. If the weather is good we will serve refreshments in disposable containers and ask you to fellowship in the Dorset Gardens adjacent to the church.
- We won’t also be hosting the service on ZOOM, as it isn’t practical to do so.
- If people wish to chat outside after the service, they should be “socially distanced”
Community Prayers.
We lift Robert as he continues to receive treatment. We ask for healing for Tony P as he continues to talk with health professionals, and Simon, as he copes with his cancer treatments. Wendy and Sarah for their healing. For Charlie, as he settles back in his own home; and Stephen as he supports him. Lord, please be with us all, and please remember all those we may not have mentioned but who you know need your touch. Amen.
THESE ARE THE PRAYERS FROM LAST WEEK? YES, THIS IS NOT A MISTAKE, PLEASE CONTINUE TO LIFT THEM!
If you would like to add a prayer to the newsletter then please email me at pastor@thevillagemcc.org. – Michael x
The Q-SPIRIT newsletter by Kittredge Cherry is always full of Christian Wisdom and inspiring LGBTQ+ news and articles. Read this month’s Q-SPIRIT newsletter HERE
Sunday Service
The word this evening is being brought by Rev. Michael, and is a celebration of PRIDE.
The scripture reading is from Matthew 5:11-16.
Jesus said “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your God in heaven.
These are the words to join in with during the service.
Community prayer
Holy One, whose home is heaven, we praise your sacred name. May your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us when we cause harm, just as we forgive those who have harmed us. Let us not fall into temptation, but save us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Communion
One: God is with you –
ALL: AND ALSO WITH YOU
One: Let us open our hearts –
ALL: WE OPEN THEM TO GOD
One: Let us give God thanks and praise –
ALL: IT IS A GOOD AND JOYFUL THING TO DO.
One: Let us join together in the mystery of our faith.
ALL: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Blessing
Let us send one another into the week with a blessing as we proclaim together that………
………we are people of God, called to do justice and walk humbly with God. We are the body of Christ; of many sexualities and gender identities, diversity at work in love and action. We are Christ’s hands and feet in the world. We seek to be honest, transparent, and true to our call. Just as Jesus has claimed us, may the Holy Spirit lead us, and God bless us, one and all, forever more, Amen
Here is love, vast as the ocean
Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Loving kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.
On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.
Let me all Your love accepting,
Love Thee, ever all my days;
Let me seek Your kingdom only
And my life be to Your praise;
You alone shall be my glory,
Nothing in the world I see.
You have cleansed and sanctified me,
You yourself have set me free.
In Your truth You do direct me
By Your Spirit through Your Word;
And Your grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.
Of Your fullness You are pouring
Your great love and power on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee.
William Rees
Amazing Grace.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a soul like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
My God has promised good to me,
Whose word my hope secures;
And God will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
John Newton 1772 Public Domain
Give me oil in my lamp
Give me oil in my lamp, keep it burning,
Give me oil in my lamp I pray.
Give me oil in my lamp, keep it burning,
Keep it burning till the light of day.
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
Sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
Sing Hosanna to the King!
Make me light in the world keep me praising,
Make me light in the world I pray.
Make me light in the world keep me praising,
Keep me praising till the break of day.
Give me joy in my heart keep me praising,
Give me joy in my heart I pray.
Give me joy in my heart keep me praising,
Keep me praising till the break of day.
Give me love in my heart keep me serving,
Give me love in my heart I pray.
Give me love in my heart keep me serving,
Keep be serving till the break of day.
Paul W. Cochran 1955 Lillenas Publishing Company,
How great Thou art!
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Your hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Your power throughout – the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
And when I think, that God, with love not sparing;
Sent Christ to us, I scarce can take it in;
Who on the Cross, our burdens gladly bearing,
Gave up his life to make me one with him.
When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Stuart K. Hine 1953 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music
Holy God I wonder
how I managed to exist
without the knowledge of your parenthood
and Your loving care.
But now I am your own
I am a member of your family
and I can never be alone,
for Holy God, you’re there beside me.
I will sing Your praises,
I will sing Your praises,
I will sing Your praises
forever more.
I will sing Your praises,
I will sing Your praises,
I will sing Your praises
forever more.
Ian Smale 1984 Glorie Music / Thankyou Music
I will come and bow down
I will come and bow down
At your feet, Lord Jesus
In your presence is fullness of joy
There is nothing, there is no one
Who compares with you
I take pleasure in worshipping you Lord
Martin Nystom 1984 Integrity’s Hosanna Music
Majesty
Majesty, worship His majesty
Unto Jesus be all glory,
Honour and praise
Majesty, Kingdom authority
Flow from His throne
Unto His own
His anthem raise
So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King
Majesty, worship His majesty
Jesus who died, now glorified
King of all kings
Words and Music by Jack W. Hayford, © © 2018 Genius Media Group Inc.
We are the Church Alive,
Christ’s presence on this earth;
We give God’s Spirit body in the
act of our new birth.
As yielded open channels for
God’s descending dove,
We shout and sing, with joy we bring
God’s all inclusive love.
We are the Church Alive,
Our faith has set us free;
No more enslaved by guilt and shame,
we live our liberty!
We follow Christ’s example and
freedom now proclaim,
Destroying myths of doubt and fear
in Jesus’ mighty name.
We are the Church Alive,
The body must be healed;
Where strife has bruised and battered us,
God’s wholeness is revealed.
Our mission is an urgent one;
In strength and health let’s stand,
So that our witness to God’s light
will shine across the land.
We are the Church Alive,
All praise to God on high.
Creator, Saviour, Comforter!
We laud and magnify
Your name, Almighty God of love;
Pray, give us life that we
May be your Church, the Church Alive
For all eternity
copied courtesy of UFMCC
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Keeping up to date with MCC Internationally
Do you receive emails from the MCC denomination? There are updates on the way churches around the world are meeting this crisis, along with prayers, support, and much much more. If you would like check out what newsletters are available then please email:
Sarah Barber is our Lay Delegate, and a link with the denomination. Please contact her at the church email address if you would like to know more about how The ‘Village’ MCC fits into the International Church.
Pasto
ral Care Team – 07476 667353
Pastoral care continues. Call or text the church mobile and leave a message, and someone will get back to you. When the pandemic first broke we tried to reach out to everybody at least once a month. As time has gone on we have reduced our pastoral care calls to those who have either requested them or are at high risk. Of course we don’t want to miss anybody out so if you would like to connect then please let us know
Would you like to give a gift to aid the work of the Village MCC?
Giving to The Village MCC.
‘The Village MCC’ is self-financing, we do not receive any central funding. If you would like to support the work we do, there are a number of ways to do so.
Regular giving:
If you would like to set up a regular monthly Payment to The “Village’ Church, which is the best way for us to budget for our work, Please email the treasurer at; thevillagemcc@outlook.com, you will then be sent the details of how to do this.
Single donation
If you wish to make a single donation You can send a direct payment from your bank account using the following details From the UK:
• Lloyds Bank
• sort code 77-91-29
• account number 40361660
• account name The Village MCC
• Please use the reference ‘Collection’
Please also email the Treasurer at thevillagemcc@outlook.com to let them know to expect a payment. • There is also a donate button on the Church Website at thevillagemcc.org if bank transfer is not possible. If you do not have access to the internet, you can still make a donation with your debit card. Please email the Treasurer at; thevillagemcc@outlook.com to arrange a phone call to make this payment.