Welcome to the Hawkinge Baptist Church Service

Sunday 17 January 2021

Act of worship

Opening Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, with awe and wonder we come to worship you.
You are higher than our highest thoughts but always close by our side;
greater than we can ever imagine yet made known to us in Christ;
all powerful but nurturing us as a parent tends their child;
constantly at work in human history yet having a special concern for each one of us.
Though we stretch imagination to the limit we barely begin to glimpse how wonderful you are.
Though you sometimes seem distant, always you are near.
Almighty and everlasting God, give us humility to acknowledge our weakness beside your greatness,
faith to trust in you despite our doubts, joy in knowing you despite the limitations of our understanding,
and peace in serving you, knowing that you are Lord of all. in Christ’s name we ask it.

Amen.

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

How deep the Father's love for us

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss -
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life -
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart -
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart -
His wounds have paid my ransom.

His wounds have paid my ransom.

Let us pray

Living God, we praise you for calling us into the fellowship of your people. We rejoice in everything that means:
that you did not just accept us because you had to, because no one else would respond, that you did not accept us reluctantly,
hesitant because of our faults and weaknesses; and that you didn't accept us provisionally, dependent on whether we measure up to your expectations.
Instead, we know that you welcome us freely and gladly, opening your heart to us without reserve, glad to embrace us as your children and
proud to call us your family. For the wonder of that truth, we offer our grateful worship, in the name of Christ

Amen.

Let us 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.

Listen to today's message from Luke 15
with Dr Andrew Ollerton (Bible Society)

Prayer

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.

I am a new creation, no more in condemnation

I Am a new creation,
No more in condemnation,
Here in the grace of God I stand.
My heart is overflowing,
My love just keeps on growing,
Here in the grace of God I stand.

And I will Praise You, Lord,
yes I will Praise You, Lord,
and I will sing of all that You have done.
A joy that knows no limit,
a lightness in my spirit
Here in the grace of God I stand.

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
as you have served, may we serve in turn;
as you have loved, may we love in turn;
as you have cared, may we care in turn;
as you have lived, may we live in turn;
until that day we are one with you
and with all your people,
and you are all in all.

Amen.