Category: Live Service

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Service for Sunday 29th November – Advent Sunday

Hymns, Songs, Readings and other links for the Advent Sunday

– Sunday 29th November

A New Church for a New Society: “Themes in John’s Gospel.”

  • Truth – Part A – “In the pursuit of Truth.”

John 18:33-38 & 19:1-16

– “The Spirit of Truth in God’s new world.”.

Bible Readings:

Key Bible Reading:

If you would like to look up the reading for yourself – simply click the link:

For John 18:33-38: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+18%3A33-38&version=NIVUK

For John 19:1-16: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+19%3A1-16&version=NIVUK

Set Readings for today (Advent Sunday):

Isaiah 64:1-9 – This passage from towards the end of the Book Isaiah begins by wanting God to come in power and judgement, especially towards those ‘others’ who have fallen away.  But then, in a rather unusual twist, Isaiah both acknowledges Israel’s own shortcomings and failings but then seems to attribute Israel’s unfaithfulness to God “turning His face away.” Very unusual. But there are times perhaps when we can feel the same – that even though we know God does ultimately care, we in our hurt and pain want to believe He doesn’t.

1Corinthians 1:3-9 – This a much more conventional passage.  Paul opens his letter to the young Church in Corinth full of praise and admiration for their faithfulness which he sees in turn as coming from the Lord’s own faithful calling: because the Lord is faithful we, in turn, can be faithful and so bring blessing to each other and the world.  It is perhaps worth pausing and wondering how the same is true today – this symbiotic relationship between God and humanity in order to bring blessing to the world in and through a humanity, which at its best includes us.        

Mark 13:24-end – This is a classic passage we often attribute to Jesus’ Second Coming.  “Be alert, Keep awake!”  For we do not know the day or the hour the Master will return.  The idea of the slave and the Master and their household maybe one we find quite hard to relate to favourably in our modern world – surely, God does not want us to be ‘slaves,’ surely He wants us to be ‘free.’  Well, that may be.  But in first century Israel slavery was not perhaps as we in the twenty first century look in upon it.  It was a much more symbiotic relationship (mentioned earlier) where the slave would receive security, value, food and care in return for their time, effort and loyalty to their Master.  Of course, there were bad Masters, just as there are today.  But in the main each group knew they needed the other, much in the same way that a good Landowner knew that they needed the help and support of their tenant farmers and communities to run their extensive estates back in the sixteen and seventeen hundreds.  It was the backbone of pre-industrial English life.  In this sense, we should perhaps be see being a ‘servant’ of our Lord Jesus as a positive thing, “under His care and wing,” so to speak.  At the same time, such care comes with responsibilities “to be about the Master’s business.”  We have tended to much more desiring of the care and the protection without perhaps always giving due regard to the need to be about His business and work.  “Wake up then!  Be awake!  Open our eyes to what God is wanting us to be and to do in His name, in this time, in this place.”       

Hymns and Songs for Advent Sunday:

Traditional:

  1. Advent wouldn’t be Advent without announcing it with the ‘classic’ “O come, O come, Emmanuel” – I wrote about the long history and continued relevance of this Advent hymn in the Pew News this week, if anyone is interested.  Here:
  2. A beautiful live instrumental recording by Liz Chappell and Katie Davies:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gG_ec1erv4&feature=youtu.be
  3. A version set in the context of our Jewish roots with the Christian singer/songwriter Joshua Aaron in a concert recorded at the “Tower of David” (an important historical site probably of Herod’s Palace in the time of Jesus) in Jerusalem.  Not just then culturally relevant, but of a Jewish Christian calling Jesus ‘home’ to his own people.  An amazing backdrop not just for this song but for the whole concert and a powerful witness.  Well worth looking up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFoFOZmSIfY
  4. A more traditional version that we would sing in our English Churches – taken from Songs of Praise, with Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ7gSOXQ6rs

On the theme of Truth (based on John’s Gospel):

Children and Young People:

Modern:

On the theme of Advent:

  • “Fix You” originally by the band Coldplay back in 2011, and recently performed again by a female artist Fearless Soul.  The song speaks the words of Jesus and why He came at Christmas both for the world and each individual person’s story within it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsBNDryJYSs
  • “The thrill of Hope – Advent hymn” by Christy Nockels.  A very thoughtful and reflective song about the love and the hope Jesus seeks to bring into the world in every generation.  With lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNuY6I4OtoE

On the theme of Truth (from John’s Gospel)

  1. “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns, with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOw0pM1VmXA&feature=youtu.be
  1. “Song of Truth” by Mark Skelton, with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyXUiCWGOgU&feature=youtu.be

For fun and as part of this season of looking at the impact of the song and dance “Jerusalema” during Lockdown around the world

  1. “Jerusalema” – English language version by Nora Grand.  Wonderful African video backdrop.  Worth watching just for this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XkZeMrYSvo

Videos/DVD:

  1. “Isaiah 1-39 overview” – by the Bible Project.  Great introduction to where the name “Emmanuel” –  “God with us” comes from, as recorded in Isaiah ch 7.  Helps to set the biblical backdrop against which “Emmanuel” had to come: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0A6Uchb1F8
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Service for Sunday 22nd November, Sunday before Advent

Recorded live from St. Andrew’s, Congresbury.

Hymns, Songs, Readings and other links for the Sunday service  before Advent (Christ the King) – Sunday 22nd November

A New Church for a New Society: “Themes in John’s Gospel.”

  • Freedom – Part B – “what it means to be truly free.”

(John 14:15-21 – “Living in the freedom of the Spirit”).

Bible Readings:

Key Bible Reading:

John 14:15-21:  If you would like to look up the reading for yourself – simply click the link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A15-21&version=NIVUK

Set Readings for today (Sunday before Advent – Christ the King):

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 – For those who think that the Old Testament is nothing but ‘doom and gloom’ here is one of those beautiful passages that make your heart sing both in itself and also in the fact that hundreds of years later, on a hillside outside Bethsaida, a young preacher asked the crowd to sit down, took bread, gave thanks to God and gave it to all who had need (John 6:1-13).  All would be cosy if it wasn’t also that right in the heart of this reading is also a word of challenge and God’s judgement.  God will decide between those who live for themselves and those who live for others and for the Lord – the fat and the lean sheep.

Ephesians 1:15-end – Like with the Old Testament, we can sometimes assume St Paul only really does heavy duty theologically and brain stretching thinking.  Here Paul reveals his heart, full of passion, thankfulness and love for his both his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and as much, if not more, in what Christ has done, and is going to do for the world.        

Matthew 25:30-end – Jesus gives us on of His most remembered and powerful images.  When He returns He will return as global King, whatever other politicians, cultural and religious leaders may think or say.  “Good” we may say.  But then Jesus brings the ‘global’ into the ‘micro.’  God is of such awesome intelligence and love that He is fully available and aware of every Act of Kindness, love and compassion ever done, whether by Christians or non-Christians alike.  And God’s love hits the road when He says, to the sheep, the King will say, “well done my good and faithful servant.”  And to the goat, He will say, “get away from me, I do not know you.”  Unless our faith prompts us to greater love, then it is we who need to fall on our knees before God and plead for more time so that we can change.  Of course, our faith is more than simply Acts of Kindness to wards others or Creation, but it is not less than.      

Hymns and Songs for the Sunday before Advent (Christ the King):

Traditional:

  1. To celebrate Christ the King “Crown Him with many Crowns” –    A true classic:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60euxXvw5aA
  • To celebrate St Congar’s and St Andrew’s Day, by popular request the Jazz version of, “O When the Saints” (Jazz Version) – Songs of Praise from St Alban’s Church, Bristol with Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8BjWBr7VTM

Children’s songs:

Modern:

Freedom is a really important theme within much modern Church music and song writing, perhaps reflecting our times:

  • “Siyahamba” Zulu Spiritual – dramatic beginning but captures the African beat and colour to their music very well – translation is “We are marching in the Light of God:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi-zd2k8wgQ
  1. For anyone struggling out there, from Gemma “Lay it all down” feat Will Reagan – Session version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNacm6zR8eU
  1. “Come follow me” – by Brother Isaiah (Crazy Franciscans of the Renewal) – Great video of the spiritual life, especially for those who are musicians or creatives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi0a8O6446Q
  1. “Holy Spirit, you are welcome here” – Jesus Culture – Kim Walker-Smith – becoming a modern classic.  Acoustic version on the steps of a subway with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMJne6wUoag
  1. To celebrate the festival of “Christ the King” – “King of Kings” by Hillsong, one of their finest.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQl4izxPeNU
  2. Lyrics Version so you can sing along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of5IcFWiEpg

Videos/DVD:

  1. “The Holy Spirit” – by the Bible Project.  Very good way into understanding biblically the nature of the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible and Scripture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNNZO9i1Gjc
  1. Very good 14 part series on the Holy Spirit by the Charismatic Catholic Priest Fr Dave Pivonka. Great if you want to explore certain aspects of the Holy Spirit deeper. Titles include:
  2. “God’s love poured out” – Segment 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzNhIvGuEIQ&list=PLE6t-PqUvPEemaneqIWybKUn4j8olfe9h&index=2
  3. Then segments 2-14 – watched some of them.  Really good.
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Service for Sunday 15th November – Second Sunday before Advent

Traditional:

  1. “Amazing Grace” – a version released only a couple of days ago by Andrea Bocelli and Alison Krauss.  Part of his new album “Believe.” I could not believe how many version of this three hundred year old hymn there actually are.  A true classic:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60euxXvw5aA

 

  1. “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!” – speaking of the joy and freedom of embracing Christ. Songs of Praise version with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bon0S8_oq0w

 

  1. “Love Divine, all love’s excelling” – continuing the theme of the joy of the relationship we have in Christ. This version with Lyrics from the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey reminds us of a freedom to belong to something (the Commonwealth) rather than simply seeking freedom from things.  A ‘family of friendly nations’ as the Queen calls it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gvCODgV1fc

 

  1. “You laid aside you majesty” – speaks of the cost of the gift of our freedom, with Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFICAbIxv_M

 

  1. “There is a Redeemer” – the thankfulness that comes out of recognising the freedom Jesus has won for us and for the world. Songs of Praise version with Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0LA3GvAUGU

 

Intercessions:

  1. “Go down Moses” – American African spiritual. Sung and played by the great Louis Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JNCS27rtQ8

 

Children’s songs:

  1. “When the Spirit of the Lord is in my heart” – reminds us of the gift of freedom to sing and to dance. Lovely version by three Catholic sisters with actions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYrNXZtWw4Y

 

  1. “The Spirit lives to set us free” – great schools version by a clearly multitalented musical Catholic priest – great to sing along to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzU9Dv7ZXVY

 

  1. “This little light of mine” – great children’s song (see also Bruce Springsteen’s version later in the list): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKkbIZtqhyQ

 

 

Modern:

Freedom is a really important theme within much modern Church music and song writing, perhaps reflecting our times:

  1. “Freedom is coming”” South African Spiritual by Bee Geesus (song made popular by John Bell and the Iona Community): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt9Y7q3zv30

 

11.           “Rescuer” (The Good News) – by Rend Collective.  Speaks of the freedom on offer to the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAg7rn7fH3Q

 

  1. “This is Amazing Grace” – by Phil Wickham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAg7rn7fH3Q

 

  1. “This little light of mine” – unusual choice of Bruce Springsteen to close his concert in Dublin in 2006. Here with the Sessions Band.  Full of energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0qAYq1GVec

 

Videos/DVD:

  1. DVD “Cry Freedom” – Great account of the story of Steve Biko (a Soweto freedom activist and speaker) and Donald Woods (a South African journalist) who discover a great friendship and affinity in the face of a dark time in South African and world history. Very moving story.  Starring Denzel Washington.  Available from Amazon or to rent on Amazon Prime.
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Service for Remembrance Sunday

Hymns, Songs, Readings and other links for Remembrance Day –

Sunday 8th Nov 2020

Bible Readings:

Key Bible Reading:

Isaiah 40:28-31: “They will soar on wings like eagles” – If you would like to look up the reading for yourself – simply click the link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+40%3A28-31&version=NIVUK

Set Readings for today (Remembrance Sunday – 3rd before Advent):

Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 – The author speaks about the value and availability of Wisdom but one must look to her and seek her.  In the Old Testament is personified in other books such as the Book of Proverbs. In Christian understanding Jesus becomes the face of Wisdom, taking her qualities into himself.  Therefore as we read this passage one could say the same of Jesus as of Wisdom, He is making Himself available, to seek Him is to find not only perfect understanding but love itself.   

1Thessalonians 4:13-end – There is a lot that could be said about this passage.  At one level it can seem somewhat strange to us, what with images of being “caught up in the air.”  It starts off with the great hope – that because God raised Jesus from the dead, then God will raise all the dead including our loved ones.  But this is where the confusion perhaps kicks in.  Paul is not talking about life after death here, in a place we call “heaven.”  As Tom Wright, the New Testament historian and author has stipulated, Paul, and indeed much of the New Testament, talks mainly about “what happens after, what happens to us when we die.”  In other words, to the Bible the emphasis is on a time “after heaven,” what we would perhaps otherwise call “the Second Coming” as detailed in the Book of Revelation Ch 22.  In this understanding, as here in Paul, we die, we go to be with God and Jesus in heaven.  But then will come a day when heaven will come to earth and all things will be made new in Christ, beginning with raising those who are physically dead in Christ to be reborn in Christ on earth, wedding their spiritual bodies in heaven with new ‘resurrected’ physical bodies to live for ever.  And this also includes those, says Paul, who are alive when this time comes – hence the reference to being caught up, and ‘transformed’/resurrected themselves in the air.  This may all sound hugely confusing, but it is what the Bible consistently claims.  What will it look like? How will it work out?  The Bible doesn’t give us a blueprint but its key and important point is that “Love wins,” not just in heaven, “but on earth.”  And everything that points to that is part of what Jesus calls “the Kingdom.”     

Matthew 25:1-13 – Matthew continues the talk about the “Kingdom of heaven.”  Not so much, about what happens when you die, but more about all those moments we all experience each and everyday when we can see the opportunity to love, to forgive, to be kind and we either see them and take them, or we can miss them and complain bitterly that we were away getting oil to get ready to see those moments in the future.  Jesus those who are about love now.  To love, is to love Him.

Hymns and Songs for Remembrance Sunday:

Traditional:

  1. “O God our help in ages past” –Songs of Praise version for Remembrance with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjdmLstpNGE
  • “O Valiant hearts” – a hymn specific to Remembrance – sung and played here by Gordon Pullin, who used to be organist at Banwell and lead Congresbury Singers, now organist at All Saints, Weston.  Lovely to see his face again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD5VlacTteE
  • “Guide me O Thou great (Redeemer) Jehovah” (also known as Cwm Rhondda) – lovely version sung by a Welsh Male Voice Choir at the Hospital in Rhondda for “Dementia Week” in 2019.  In my view, how it is meant to be sung, with passion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7iX5WhJadk
  • “All people that on earth do dwell” – Songs of Praise version from the 100th Anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall with combined choirs, which is sort of apt given the message of the hymn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5FfEavPM4
  1. “National Anthem” – from St Paul’s Cathedral – Diamond Jubilee Service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3dR7u7TPNo

Children and Young People:

  1. “What does a poppy mean?” – wonderful video explaining how a young person approaches Remembrance to share with children and adults everywhere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7ESRBMk36E&feature=youtu.be

Modern:

  1. “You are my Vision”” by Rend Collective – speaking of a future vision with God at the centre.  Based on the tradition Irish hymn “Be Thou my vision” that has stood the test of time and is as popular today as it has always been (Live Version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQNczm45GyY
  1. “The Call” (No need to say Goodbye) – by the Poppy Girls – at the Royal Festival of Remembrance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6vxn1IJ0Uo&feature=youtu.be

Videos:

  1. “80th Anniversary of Battle of Britain” – Flypast of Spitfires and Hurricane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMhiJTob4w8
  1. “Pilot reunited with his Spitfire” – story of a great reunion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhxFoH4JQ7w
  1. “Story of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior” – helpful to understand its significance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN06NctDdTA
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Service for All Saints’ Day

Recorded on All Saints’ Day, Sunday 1st November at St. Andrew’s, Congresbury.

This week also looks at the next theme of Beauty in the Gospel of John.

Hymns, Songs, Readings and other links for All Saints Day –

17th Sunday of Re-opening – A New Church for a New Society:

“Themes in John’s Gospel.”

  • Beauty – Part A&B: Discovering the beauty that lasts

(John 13:1-17 – Jesus washes the Disciples’ feet)

Sunday 1st Nov 2020

Bible Readings:

Key Bible Reading:

John 13:1-17:  If you would like to look up the reading for yourself – simply click the link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13%3A1-17&version=NIVUK

Set Readings for today (All Saints Day):

Revelation 7:9-end – This is one of John’s great visions of heaven.  At the centre is the Lamb, Jesus, the one who in heaven and on earth is the Saviour, the Messiah, the Redeemer, the Healer not just of humanity but of all creation.  Around Him are those whose robes have been washed white in His blood.  This is perhaps a strange image, how can robes be washed white by red blood?  But if we view these words as pointing to something beyond themselves we discover a great spiritual truth and indeed reality – “that we grow by falling,” that the way to the true greatness of the saints is not that they were incredible women and men who somehow achieved spiritual enlightenment, but that they were simply men and women just like you and I, with many of the same faults and imperfections, but who simply chose a path to allow God to love them and to wash their souls ever more fully with His profound and infinite love.  Beautiful.

1John 3:1-3 – John picks up in his letter so much of what we have just discovered in the reading from the Book of Revelation.  John then simply puts it into his own words pointing us to the secret, or perhaps more importantly, the truth of the spiritual life, “those who draw close to Jesus in love, allow themselves, even unconsciously, to be purified by His love in the process, for such is His good pleasure – even as He is pure.      

Matthew 5:1-12 – Matthew forms the same thoughts this time in Jesus’ vision and manifesto for a new world – a world upside down, or perhaps right side up in terms of today’s values.  Where those who are humble are greatest, those who seek to tread gently discover they inherit much, those who care passionately about others will be rewarded, and those who long to build rather than tear down discover their true identity as children of God.  Given how we as individuals, as the Church, and as humanity so often seem determined to walk in the opposite direction to such ways, we have much yet to learn.

Hymns and Songs for All Saints Sunday:

Traditional:

  1. “Morning has broken” – Cat Stevens version with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we-n-Zmglt0

During Communion:

After the Livestream:

  • “Conceirto d’Aranjuez” – From the film, “Brassed Off” – otherwise known as “Concerto d’Orange Juice” – capturing a community’s search for beauty in moments of music in the face of the hard life of the pit (Pete Postlethwaite at his very best): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo8hIc7DpuE&t=2s
  • Rare footage of the original “Grimethorpe Colliery Band” upon whom the film was based playing this piece in a concert with a young man – Joe Wellman in the lead role: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwM4ZpF28CA

Something for Children:

  1. From the Disney film “Mulan” – “Reflection” (about beauty being about who you are not the labels that we hear) with Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGGXsm0a5s0&feature=youtu.be
  2. Version including Christina Aguilera who sang the original score: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzHR0IErM60&feature=youtu.be

Modern:

We have been told by Facebook that unfortunately we are not able to play recorded artists during the actual “Livestream” itself at present, so we are playing certain videos either Before or After as a physical Church.  So that everyone can share in a full experience of the breadth of the worship life of the Church details of this music is given here:

  1. “Gold” by Britt Nicole – speaking about God finding the “gold” that is within (good for anyone struggling): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9PjrtcHJPo
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Remembrance Sunday (8th Nov) and Armistice (Wed 11th Nov) in Congresbury and Banwell:

As you will appreciate things are going to need to be a little different this year.

There will be a Remembrance Sunday Service in both Villages on Remembrance Sunday:

  • Congresbury at 10.30am
  • Banwell at 3.00pm

Unfortunately, we are not able to have the usual parade by members of the community and by the Uniformed Organisations, and the service will need to be limited to a very small number of invited participants. But we will be Livestreaming both services through the New Creation Facebook Page and also the Love Banwell and Love Congresbury pages.

You can access the Services by watching LIVE via the Facebook pages

Congresbury at 10.30am: –

www.facebook.com/NewCreationChurches

www.facebook.com/LoveCongresbury

Banwell at 3pm:-

www.facebook.com/NewCreationChurches

www.facebook.com/lovebanwell

or catch up later via Facebook, the New Creation website: https://www.newcreationchurches.org.uk/  or New Creation YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXn34qIXlXBeOAmO1M1KbBw/

Armistice Day – Wednesday 11th Nov at 11.00am:

  • Congresbury – we will be livestreaming a short service from outside the War Memorial Hall. Unfortunately, we cannot invite people to join us as this is subject to ‘the rule of six’. We will be gathering at 10.45 and will be livestreaming to both the New Creation and Love Congresbury Facebook Pages.
  • facebook.com/NewCreationChurches
  • facebook.com/LoveCongresbury
  • Banwell – there will be a small service outside the Church in the Churchyard at 10.50am led by the British Legion.
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Service for the Last Sunday after Trinity

Hymns, Songs, Readings and other links for 20th Sunday of Trinity –

16th Sunday of Re-opening – A New Church for a New Society:

“Themes in John’s Gospel.”

  • Spirituality – Part B: Sharing the Love like an ever-flowing stream (John 20:1-31)

Sunday 25th Oct 2020

Bible Readings:

Key Bible Reading:

John 20:1-31:  If you would like to look up the reading for yourself – simply click the link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20%3A1-31&version=NIVUK

Set Readings for today (Bible Sunday):

Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 8-12 – The Lost Book, which this passage from Nehemiah refers to is the book we know today as the Book of Deuteronomy, which includes many of the teachings and speeches of Moses.  Basing their life around the Word of God was seen as a great comfort, a great joy, and a great strength as well as a challenge and a sacrifice.

Colossians 3:12-17 –  Paul, in his writing to the little Church in Colossae continues this theme of basing a shared life around the life and teachings of God.  What he adds is to depth and richness that can gained by seeing this engagement less as one of spiritual ‘lessons’ or ‘teachings,’ and more about the engagement and relationship with the person of Jesus – not just in the past but also in the here and now, across time and space, as a ‘living’ reality achieved by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.   

Matthew 24:30-35 – Jesus takes up one of the great titles given by Jews and Greeks to the that which holds all things together – words.  In John’s Gospel, Jesus is described as THE Word, the Word from which all other words flow.  In other words, that/He who was before all words, is in all words, and is the culmination of all words.  In other places Jesus is described as the Alpha and the Omega (the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet), in other words, the first, last, and all letters in between of the whole alphabet and the whole of time.

Hymns and Songs for 20th Sunday after Trinity:

Traditional:

  1. “There is a Hope” – by Stuart Townend, with Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_yv5yGZnBc

– also, an original arrangement and version by Sarah MacLauchlan with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFkjdFgqOY4&feature=youtu.be

During Communion:

Song for the Children:

  1. “Atanikomboa (He will deliver me)” – by Christafari, a Christian Reggae Band, great song to dance to and share in the actions with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucAeRCXln2U

Modern:

During the Service:

  1. “Help us to love.” – by Tori Kelly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5izPEZNz1bs&feature=youtu.be

After the Livestream:

  1. “From now on” – From the Musical “The Greatest Showman”:– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyIDxpUJ10Q

Other songs:

  1. “Give me your eyes” by Brandan Heath: Britain’s Got Talent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5AkNqLuVgY
14.         “Your Love Never Fails & Try” – Anthony Skinner & the Immersion Family Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEquqQI3WwA
  1. “God’s Great Dance Floor” – Chris Tomlin (Live Version at Passion 2013) – great dance song. Turn up the volume and go for it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-WOneEXr00

Videos:

  1. From last week, but just as relevant and inspirational for this: “Holiness” – by the Bible Project gives a very good description of Ezek 47 and Rev 22 as a metaphor of God’s great dream of a healed and transformed world:
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All Souls’ ‘Service of Remembering’ in Banwell this Sunday

Our annual All Souls’ Service will be held this Sunday, 25th October in Banwell and live streamed to our Facebook page from St. Andrew’s, Banwell at 4pm. It will be available to view on our website shortly afterwards.

If you would still like to add names, please email kirsty.bowles@newcreationchurches.org.uk or phone 07871 513151

Please note that by submitting names this year, you are giving permission for them to appear over the livestream.

If you know someone who would like to attend this service in the physical church building, please do get in touch as we can accommodate a few people in church.

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Service for 19th Sunday after Trinity

Recorded at St. Andrew’s, Congresbury on 18th October, 2020.

Hymns, Songs, Readings and other links for 19th Sunday of Trinity –

15th Sunday of Re-opening – A New Church for a New Society:

“Themes in John’s Gospel.”

  • Spirituality – Part A: Journeying to the Source

(John 7:37-44)

Sunday 18th Oct 2020

Bible Readings:

Key Bible Reading:

John 7:37-44:  If you would like to look up the reading for yourself – simply click the link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+7%3A37-44&version=NIVUK

Set Readings for today:

Isaiah 45:1-7 – It would have come as a great shock to the Israelites of Isaiah’s time to learn that God used a neighbouring King, a great warrior King, King Cyrus of Persia, as his instrument of justice and transformation.  Surely God loved his people and would instead use them.  We can face the same issue today – do we think God only works through us as Christians or does He also work through many others to bring about His purposes even if they do not know Him?

1Thessalonians 1:1-10 – Paul clearly delights in the young Church in Thessalonica.  Interestingly, he says the community there received the Gospel, the good news of Jesus, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit.  It is one thing to believe, it is yet another to do so with joy, conviction, and surrender.  These are the work of the Spirit, turning hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.

Matthew 22:15-22 – “Pay to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s!” so says Jesus in response to the Pharisees’ trickery.  Some have therefore said this means the world of politics and economics should therefore be separate to the sphere of faith, with faith being resigned to being more of a personal and private matter.  This could not be further from Jesus’ message and just shows how we love to try and put God in a box, place limitations on how much He seeks to have influence in my life and so control Him, as if we could.  Instead, Jesus is challenging the Pharisees and all of us to see that indeed Caesar and all other governments, wise and flawed, along with the whole of each of us, in all aspects of our life, comes under His just, gentle, but also challenging gaze and rule.  It’s what makes God, God.  Nothing under heaven is beyond His care.  

Hymns and Songs for 19th Sunday after Trinity:

Traditional:

  1. “Spirit of God, unseen as the wind” – set to the Skye Boat tune with Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GkOKql5ogw
  • “Holy Spirit, living breath of God” – by Keith and Kirsten Getty.  Version with interplay with the theme music of the film, “The Mission” and St Patrick’s Breastplate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8FKZIz97AU
  • “There is a Higher Throne” – speaking of the Great Banquet and Temple of the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation – again by Keith and Kirsten Getty with Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvDSG4s5FJw

During Communion:

  1. “Just as I am, without one plea” – Songs of Praise version with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcFp0-4RZzc
  1. “Agnes Dei” (Lamb of God) – Barber. Version by Voces 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuBQZFOnk7s

Modern:

So that everyone can share in a full experience of the breadth of the worship life of the Church details of this music is given here:

After the Livestream:

  1. “Audition of Tokio Myers” – Britain’s Got Talent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIyTDegX9Bs&t=153s

Other songs:

  1. “The River” – by Jordan Feliz. Great new song. Lyrics version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maT4phfTXR4
  1. “Beyond the Veil” version by Sherdonna Denholm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9SCRavZr_0
  1. “Soul’s Anthem (All is Well)” – Tori Kelly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIzFBzdXEcI
  1. “Heaven on Earth” – Micah Stampley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7D40LltlE0

Videos:

  1. “Holiness” – by the Bible Project gives a very good description of Ezek 47 and Rev 22 as a metaphor of God’s great dream of a healed and transformed world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9vn5UvsHvM

18.         “Untold Archaeology of the Temple Mount — Rare Footage” – latest Sergio and Rhoda footage – gives a great taste of some of the history underneath this incredible place – from which the Ezekiel and Revelation prophecies are meant to be fulfilled: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3W9iX0SnCo

And from last week:

Film/TV Series

  1. “The Chosen” (TV mini-series) – this is a courageous project to tell the story of Jesus as a TV series.  Financed by crowd funding around the world, it has attracted record viewing numbers in the order of 59 million.  Well worth watching – Series 1 now released.  (You might find you wish to fast forward over the Director/Producer’s quite lengthy introductions at the beginning and reflections at the end.) Available on YouTube and downloadable as an App from the App store to come straight to your phone or tablet.  Episode 1 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=craeyJdrCsE