Sunday Focus

 

23rd February 2025

 

 

 
Welcome to this weeks Sunday Focus, we pray you will be blessed.

 

Hymn -  I will Sing The Wondrous Story

 

Song - There is a new Song

 

We lift our eyes to you, wonderful God, above the interests and distractions of daily life, above the difficulties of the world, above our fears and concerns.
We lift our eyes to you, the source of all life.
You are the love that brings worlds into being;
You are the energy of inspiration;
You are the peace of all eternity and we put our trust in you.
In this time of worship, Let us look on you in wonder, love and praise. Amen.

 

Song -  You Chose The Cross

 

Reading 

 

Psalm 37:1-11 & 39-40

Exhortation to Patience and Trust

Of David.
1 Do not fret because of the wicked;
   do not be envious of wrongdoers,
2 for they will soon fade like the grass,
   and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
   so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
   trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will make your vindication shine like the light,
   and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
7 Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
   do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
   over those who carry out evil devices.
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
   Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For the wicked shall be cut off,
   but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
   though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land,
   and delight in abundant prosperity.

39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
   he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and rescues them;
   he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
   because they take refuge in him.

 

Song -  Faithful One

 

God of relationship,
we cannot ignore the brokenness
of our lives,
of our world,
of our Church.
We declare ourselves "fine"
with how things are
and long for the encouragement of Your presence
as we long to see the transformation
of new creation taking place
in the communities of our world.

We pray for human relationships,
for spouses, partners, and ‘bidie'-ins,
parents and children,
working encounters and friendships.
We give thanks where sharing life with others is supportive,
and allows the other to thrive.
We remember those whose lives are fraught,
frantic,
and abusive.
Where those of any gender feel their worth questioned
by cruel words and threatening hands,
may they be led to the support
that keeps them safe.

We pray for the relationships of our world.
In testing times of war and conflict,
communities are tested
as those who have been displaced seek new homes
and places to shelter.
We give thanks for those many communities across the world
who have offered refuge to the outsider,
offering hospitality that allows stories to blend
and develop new ways to live in harmony with another.
We long for the discordant voices of our world to pause
and listen to the songs of others.
In what they hear,
may politicians and tyrants be offered wisdom
that seeks the best for all people and not power for themselves.

We pray for Christ's Church,
in all its vibrant colour,
and celebrate the many ways in which the story of Jesus is revealed.
Help us to value one another,
and to cherish our diversity.
In these days when churches unite and close,
may the Spirit's comfort be a balm to the pain of life,
and the Spirit's inventiveness inspire us
in sharing and shaping stories within our new communities.
God of relationship,
still our hearts,
as we patiently wait
for the Holy Spirit to lead us
in our sharing of Christ's story.
Amen

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. 

 

Hymn  -  O Praise The Name

 

May the grace of God surround you.
May the peace of God fill you.
And may the love of God fill your heart and your home, today and always. Amen.