News and service details for Sunday 29th August 2021
This week I’d like to share a prayer with you. It’s by Brian Jones, who is the Music & Worship Director at MCC Lehigh Valley (Bethlehem, PA, USA). In the midst of all of life’s changes; health, church, work, and the world in general, it spoke deeply to me. Change is rarely comfortable, even when we choose it, but it is absolutely necessary if we are to grow deeper into our souls and into Christ. I hope that his prayer speaks to you too, and empowers you in whatever change is happening in your life.
Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with the Creator’s label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ. (Colossians 1:9-11, The Message translation)
God, there is something in the air: it’s itchy, scratchy and it’s kind of like trying to fit into new clothes. God, whatever it is, help us to lean into the new, help us to fit into whatever this new thing is, whatever these new garments are that You have prepared for us. We’ve acquired all of these old clothes and now it’s cleaning time. So, Lord, help us to give over the old things and help us make room for Your new clothes. Whatever You are calling us to, we will not tiptoe around it, we will continue to seek You and trust You. Amen.
Thank you for your prayer Brian.
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 Stephen is going to guide us through an evening of prayer and reflection.
If you’ve found the news of the past few weeks weighty, if not depressing, then this time of gentle connection is especially for you.
In her book Death: The Final Stage of Growth Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler Ross wrote about how beautiful people are made. She wrote: “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
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
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.
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!
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.
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 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!”
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!
Stuart K. Hine 1953 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music
Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness, God my creator
There is no shadow of turning with thee
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not
As thou hast been, thou for ever will be
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand has provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
In thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand has provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with then thousand beside
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand has provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me
William Bunyan
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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.