Devotional Materials. Week Commencing Sunday 7th November 2021
Call to worship
“All Scripture is inspired by God, and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living.” 2 Timothy 3:16
“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
‘It’s good to have Kristin Stevenson of the Bible Society with us this morning. Kristin will be telling us about herself and her work shortly. Let’s sing our opening hymn…’
Hymn
More about Jesus (MP 889, keyboard)
E. E. Hewitt & J. R. Sweney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjSwngvj2w0
Opening Prayer
Thank you Lord for the gift of the Scriptures. As we reflect on your word make us open to your wisdom, receptive to your will and courageous in our response. For your glory we ask it. Amen.
Interview
Kristin Stevenson.
The questions are:
Have there been any positives from the pandemic for Bible Society?
- What has been the biggest challenge for Bible Society from the pandemic?
- What is new that we might not have heard about?
- You have a new role, is this the last time you will be visiting us?
Hymns
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God.” (MP 590, keyboard)
Karen Lafferty & Roland Fudge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LMQfOp9w8k
‘That hymn reminds us ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ Our next hymn may be a new one to some of you, but it’s a hymn that encourages us to be in awe of God. The opening line is ‘Who can know the mind of our Creator?’ and ‘who can reach the height of understanding, or play the notes of wisdom’s melody?’ Our wisdom is limited because we are finite, but the Lord who is Omniscient- all knowing- has revealed Truth to us in the Scriptures- the Bible.’
“Who can know the mind of our Creator? / I stand in awe of You” (MP 1240, guitar, or CD presentation)
Martin Layzell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BLNNykAicQ
Prayers
We thank you Lord for the majesty of the Law, for the power of the Prophets, for the wisdom of the Proverbs and the beauty of the Psalms, and for the grace of the Gospels.
Thank you for the Bible in our own language, for those who long ago gave us translations, for those who down the years have looked to accurately translate and revise taking into account the language of our day, enabling the Scriptures to penetrate deeply into our national life.
We thank you for those who interpret, publish and distribute the Scriptures in every tongue, so that all peoples may come to the knowledge of salvation, we lift up our hearts in praise.
To you, O gracious Father, with the Living Word, through the one eternal Spirit, be glory now and for ever. Amen (From Church Family Worship).
Lord God, You came to give honour to the least, those forgotten, overlooked and misjudged. You came to give first place to the last, those left behind, misunderstood and undervalued.
You came to give a warm welcome to the lost, those who are orphaned, abandoned and destitute. Help us to be your ears to listen to their cries. Help us to be your voice speaking out love and acceptance.
Help us to be your feet walking beside those in need. Help us to be your hands to clothe, feed and shelter them. You came for the least, the lost and last of this world. Lord, hear our prayer. Amen. (Lord’s Prayer Words).
Reading. Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Hymns
“His Name is Wonderful” (MP 234, keyboards)
Audrey Mieir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCYidpA7-4A
“Your Love is Amazing” (MP 1143, keyboards)
Brenton Brown & Brian Doerkson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vexxu0AbtBU
Talk
Kristin Stevenson.
Hymn
“Now thank we all our God” (MP 486, keyboards)
Martin Rinkart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GStAhbJoSA
Benediction
O Lord you have given us your word for a light to shine upon our path; inspire us to meditate on your word and to follow its teachings that we may find in it the light that shines more and more until the perfect day; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
And the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us evermore. Amen
David Barnes 4/11/21