Bible Readings for 1^st Sunday of Lent:

Genesis 9:8-17 – Genesis 9:8-17 NIVUK – Then God said to Noah and to his sons – Bible Gateway – The story of the great covenant between Noah and God signed and sealed by the rainbow.  Not just that God would not cause another great flood, like the one they had just been through, but that there would be an ongoing and lasting relationship between the Creator God and all His Creation.  Something God still holds fast to, to this day even though many human beings have lost sight of it. 

1Peter 3:18-end – – Peter links the death and resurrection of Jesus with the ‘spiritual’ death and resurrection we each go through in baptism.  And then Peter makes this strange reference to Jesus going and making a proclamation to ‘the spirits in prison’ who were from the time before the flood, in the time of Noah and the Ark.  You will each need to make up your own mind whether that ‘proclamation’ was to set these prisoners free from the judgement they had been through at the time of the flood, or that it was a ‘proclamation’ of judgement and such spiritual ‘prisoners’ were found wanting?   

Sort of depends how you see biblical salvation working out?  What is wonderful to see, is the powerful link between Baptism and Easter front and central in the life and practice of the early Church.

Mark 1:9015 – The majority of this passage we looked at last week in relation it all aspects of love being about God and those marvellous lines – “you are my son/you are my daughter, whom I love, and in you I am well pleased.”

So many people, in Church and beyond, need to hear this, not just with their ears but in their hearts and in their soul.  What is great is that, in verses 14 and 15, Jesus says “the time for that fulfilment is now and it is here.”  In Him.

 

Songs in the Service:

1. “The Wilderness:” by The Isaacs. A country and western approach to this topic that many other singer/songwriters pass over: (20) The Isaacs – The Wilderness (Official Lyric Video) – YouTube

 

1. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God:”

• Version by Chris Brunelle. Lovely simple acoustic version of this well-known classic: (20) Seek Ye First by Karen Lafferty – YouTube
• Version by Chet Valley Churches with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFxZeY2D5tc

 

3. “How can it be” by Lauren Daigle

• Cover by Elly Cooke: (20) Lauren Daigle – How Can It Be (Cover by Elly Cooke) – YouTube
• Original by Lauren Daigle herself. Amazing – fifty seven million views: (20) Lauren Daigle – How Can It Be – YouTube

 

4. “The Power of the Cross” by Keith and Kirstyn Getty:

• As recorded by Hugh and Toby Davies and Liz: https://youtu.be/3BVqJXci2bE
• Version by Keith and Kirstyn Getty and Stuart Townend. With Lyrics: (20) The Power Of The Cross {with lyrics} – //Keith & Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend\\ – YouTube

 

5. “Lord, I need you:” popular classic by Matt Maher:

• Cover version by the Calvary Chapel, Petaluma: (20) Lord I Need You – Cover – YouTube
• Original recording by Matt Maher. With Lyrics: (20) Matt Maher – Lord, I Need You (Official Lyric Video) – YouTube
• Incredible version when Matt Maher asked to sing this song at the World Youth Rally in front of thousands in Rio: (20) MATT MAHER LORD I NEED YOU, WYD-RIO – YouTube

 

6. “Pride – In the name of Love:” originally by U2 in memory of Rev Dr Martin Luth King Jr – an embodiment of someone who learnt how to tap into his “wilderness” space:

• Cover by a German acapella band – “Fork”, inc beatbox (where all the sounds, including the famous guitar rift are done through the human mouth): (20) Pride (In the Name of Love) – FORK – YouTube
• Original (Official video) by U2. Will leave you to consider the comparison: (20) U2 – Pride (In The Name Of Love) (Official Music Video) – YouTube
• Love this version by three guys, Mike Masse, Jeff Hall and The Phil in a Pizzeria in Salt Lake City. Impressive: (20) Pride (In the Name of Love) (U2 cover) – Mike Massé, Jeff Hall and The Phil – YouTube

 

Readings, Talks, and Prayers:

1. “Bible Reading – Matthew 4:1-11” by Ian Stocker: https://youtu.be/pLkDcnDfx2o

 

2. “Prayers” – by Romany Poppett-Price: https://youtu.be/9lO-_5qucqg

 

Traditional Hymns and Songs:

1. “Great is Thy faithfulness:” – Songs of Praise version. With Lyrics: (20) Great is thy faithfulness – YouTube

 

2. “Forty days and Forty nights:” version by the Chet Valley Choir. With Lyrics: (20) Forty Days and Forty Nights [with lyrics for congregations] – YouTube

 

Modern:

3. “Wilderness” by Gateway. With Lyrics.  You could almost imagine these words being on the mouth of Jesus Himself during His time on the desert.  Great for anyone finding life ‘dry’ at present: (20) Wilderness – by Gateway – YouTube

 

4. “You are my all in all” With Lyrics: (20) You are My All in All – YouTube

 

Videos/DVD:

5. “The Desert Blossoms” – beautiful video of just how real this phenomenon is. As if you were really there.  Great encouragement: (20) The Desert blossoms – YouTube
6. “Ein Gedi and the Waterfall of David:” by Sergio and Rhoda. An oasis and waterfall in the middle of the Judean Desert not far from the Dead Sea.  Will bring back many memories to those who have visited it.  Where King David probably write many of the Psalms not least Psalm 42: (20) Ein Gedi and the Waterfall Of David – YouTube 

7.   “Oasis in the Desert:” by Sergio and Rhoda.  Visiting one of the oldest monasteries in the world. St Gerasimos: (20) Oasis in the Judean Desert in Israel – YouTube