News and service details for Sunday 5th September 2021
Looking forward to this Sunday’s in-person service? I know I am. Even if you can’t be with us in person do join us on Facebook, and that way we can all still be together – albeit virtually.
Meeting in person is a real treat, as is meeting at Dorset Gardens Methodist church. It’s a gorgeous space. There’s a few challenges to work through – like the lift is still broken, and we’ve been struggling with the sound on the video feed. It’s also a challenge ensuring that the space is used in a way that minimises the risk of covid infection, and even then there’s a dozen or so other niggles to be overcome! But – it’s soooo much nicer that preaching to a computer, even if there is an online audience at the other end.
If you’re an ‘old timer’ with The Village then you’ll notice that the worship format has changed a little. There is now some gathering music before the service starts, and I would encourage you to join in singing once you are settled. I am hoping that we are able to create a relaxed worship atmosphere where there is plenty of room for the Holy Spirit to guide us. We have been through so much over the last couple of years, and it’s not over yet. I believe that we need God’s presence now more than ever, as well as one another’s guidance, as we meet the ever increasingly difficult challenges that life throws at us. It is my prayer that God will pour out a healing Spirit for us as we worship, one that reminds us that we are in the hands of a God who loves us deeply.
If you have suggestions for new songs, or you have any interesting worship ideas you’d like us to look at, then please let me know. I’d love to hear them!
Much love
Rev. Michael
You can email me at pastor@thevillagemcc.org.
Community Prayers.
Lord, we lift all those in Afghanistan who are living in fear. We lift all those who fear for loved ones trapped there, and for all the organisations and groups working so hard to help refugees escape. And most of all Lord, we pray for peace.
Lord, we ask for healing for Robert, Tony P, and Simon as they continue to receive treatment; Wendy and Sarah for their ongoing health; those of us who live with poor mental health; Charlie, as he recovers at home. We lift all those we may not have mentioned, but who you know need your touch. Lord, please continue to be with us all. Amen.
If you would like to add a prayer to the newsletter then please email me at pastor@thevillagemcc.org. – Michael x
Sunday Service
This evening Rev. Michael will be bringing the word at our in-person service (also streamed on Facebook live). He has chosen a selection of verses from the lectionary, taken from Proverbs 22, and the letter of James.
Proverbs 22
The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD is the maker of them all. Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail. Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.
Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate; for the LORD pleads their cause and despoils of life those who despoil them.
James 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
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
GATHERING SONGS
Only by grace
Only by grace can we enter
Only by grace can we stand
Not by our human endeavour
But by the love of the Lamb
Into your presence you call us
You call us to come
Into your presence you draw us
And now by your grace we come
Now by your grace we come
Lord, if you mark our transgressions
Who will stand?
Thanks to your grace we are cleansed
by the love of the Lamb
Gerrit Gustafson 1990 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Faithful One
Faithful One, so unchanging,
Ageless One, You’re my rock of peace.
God of all, I depend on You,
I call out to You again and again.
I call out to You again and again.
You are my rock in times of trouble,
You lift me up when I fall down.
All through the storm Your love is
the anchor,
My hope is in You alone
Brian Doerksen 1989 Langley Vineyard Music
OPENING SONG
Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Saviour
Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Saviour,
I know for sure all of my days
Are held in Your hand,
Crafted into Your perfect plan.
You gently call me into Your presence,
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit.
Teach me dear Lord
To live all my life through Your eyes.
I’m captured by Your holy calling.
Set me apart,
I know You’re drawing me to Yourself.
Lead me now, I pray.
Take me, mould me, use me, fill me.
I give my life to the Potter’s hand.
Call me, guide me,
lead me, walk beside me.
I give my life to the Potter’s hand
Bilbrough 1987 Thankyou Music
RESPONSE AND PRAYER SONG
Make me a channel of your peace.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
O Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood, as to understand,
To be loved, as to love, with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
Chorus
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving of ourselves that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
Prayer of St Francis & Sebastian Templei
COMMUNION SONGS
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
Jesus, name above all names
Jesus, name above all names,
Beautiful Saviour, Glorious Lord;
Emmanuel, God is with us
Blessèd Redeemer, Living Word
Naida Hearn 1974 Maranatha! Music
CLOSING SONG
I, the Lord of Sea and Sky
I, the Lord of Sea and Sky
I have heard My people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My Hand will save
I, who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
I will speak My Word to then
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord, If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain
I have born my people’s pain
I have wept for love of them
They turn away
I will break their hearts of stone
Give them hearts for love alone
I will speak My word to them
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide
Till their hearts are satisfied
I will give My life to them
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
Dan Schutte 1981 OCP Publications
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Keeping up to date with MCC Internationally
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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
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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.