Welcome to the Hawkinge Baptist Church Service

Sunday 12 Sptember 2021

Opening Prayer

Creator God, your greatness is seen throughout the earth. We marvel at the infinite details you
give to everything. We thank you for the sights which reminds us that all life depends on you.

Who but you, O God, could so faithfully reproduce colour, and design
and give shape to every variety of tree, plant and flower?

Who but you, O God, could set before us the magnificence of a landscape refreshed after a
shower of rain, or the spectacle of a desert parched by the scorching sun?

Who but you, O God, could create the complexity of bird, beast and insect,
or the texture variety of fur, feather or hide?

Lord God we thank you for the richness of your creation and the joy that it brings
to both You and us, each and every day. Beauty in diversity. May we join in with
the whole of creation to praise and worship you, our Lord and our creator.

Amen.

Please sing (read /pray or proclaim out loud the words of today's songs.)

Immortal, invisible, God only wise

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.

Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render, O help us to see:
'Tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee.

Let us pray

Sovereign God, your greatness fills the heavens, your power sustains the universe,
your love supports all creation and your purpose extends to all times and all people,
yet you have time for the very least of us, time for all! For that incredible truth we give
you thanks. May our lives reflect all that we receive from you, so that others may come to
know what it means to be loved and forgiven by the one true God, now and for all eternity.

Amen.

Listen to today's reading
Psalm 112 verses 1 to 10
and message with Rev Ali Boddington

Let us pray

Dear Lord, as we come to you this morning, hear our prayer.

Where life is dark, may your presence bring light.

Where evil is strong, may good be stronger.

Where suffering destroys, may healing restore.

Where sorrow bows down, may joy lift up.

Where doubts creep in, may faith hold out.

Where deceit obscures, may truth illuminate.

Where hatred divides, may love unite.

Where war rages, may peace reconcile.

Where death casts its shadow, may life shine afresh.

Sovereign God, may the victory we celebrate in Christ,
transform not just this but every moment.

Amen.

Let us now say the Lord’s prayer..

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever

Amen.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise,
the city of our God, the holy place,
the joy of the whole Earth.
Great is the Lord in whom we have the victory,
he aids us against the enemy,
we bow down on our knees.

And Lord, we want to lift your name on high,
and Lord, we want to thank you,
for the works you've done in our lives;
and Lord, we trust in your unfailing love,
for you alone are God eternal,
throughout Earth and Heaven above.

Amen

Closing prayer

To God who is always forgiving, always loving, always offering a new beginning,
be honour and glory, praise and thanksgiving, this day and for ever.

Amen.