Dear Friends,
This Sunday we are beginning a mini-series looking at Romans 5-8 as we see some of the wonderful implications of the gospel for living the Christian life. I pray it will help us in the present time, and in any and every circumstance, to be grounded assurance of God’s love and purposes for us in Christ our Lord.
It has been announced that churches, if able, can now open for private prayer. We are in a planning and risk assessment phase to decide if it is the right time for us given the particular features of each building. It will be very different to before to enable social distancing and services are not yet restarting. If you would be willing to help with either cleaning or being on the door for a session, are not in a vulnerable group, please let me know.
Also please may you remember the family of Leslie Gee in your prayers after his funeral this week. After years of involvement at All Saints’ he passed away at the end of last month and his funeral was at Hengoed Cemetery on Friday 12th June.
With my prayers,
Steve
Preparation
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” (Romans 4:25–5:2)
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn
This hymn leads us to ever increasingly praise God for salvation.
Confession
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” (Romans 3:20)
There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:22–23)
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.
Hear this promise for all who turn to Christ: “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
Song
This song is taken from Romans 5 to remind us of God’s great love to us.
Word of God
Our readings are Matthew 9:35–10:8 (read by Christine from All Saints’) and Romans 5:1–11.
Creed
We believe in Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!Therefore God exalted him to the highest place,
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.Philippians 2:6-11 NIV
Sermon
Hymn
In our next hymn we remember the immeasurable grace that is ours in Christ.
Prayers
Our prayers this week are led by Lorraine from All Saints’.
Heavenly Father, our ever-present help in trouble, our fortress and our God: calm the anxious fears of all who turn to you; give strength and healing to those who are sick, and courage and skill to those who care for them; grant wisdom and clarity to those in authority; and humble us all to call upon you that we may be saved not only in this life, but also for that which is to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
O God, the strength of all those who put their trust in you, mercifully accept our prayers and, because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without you, grant us the help of your grace, that in the keeping of your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
If you wish, please continue with your own prayers and the Lord’s Prayer.
Conclusion
God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every side,
and guide you in truth and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. Amen.