Download the Prayer Diary for June here.
New Creation Pew News for the week beginning 31st May
Download the latest edition of the New Creation Pew News here
Live Stream service for the Sunday between Ascension and Pentecost
Thy Kingdom Come – Day 3
Click here to watch the service that was streamed live on Sunday 24th May
Links to songs/hymns and videos
“Thy Kingdom Come: Thankfulness as a way into Prayer”
Bible Readings:
Key text: 1John 4:9-10,19
Other readings:
- Matt 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4 – Lord’s Prayer
- Exodus 4:18-23 – God as Father – Moses
- Isaiah 55:1-13 – Isaiah’s great poem of God’s covenant love
- Matt 26:36-42 – Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
- Isaiah
25:4-8 – Isaiah’s dream of the Messianic Banquet
- See
Jesus’ fulfilment of this in:
- Feeding of the Five Thousand
- Eating with Tax Collectors and Sinners
- Eating at Zaccheus’ house
- Parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14:15-24
- See
Jesus’ fulfilment of this in:
Set Readings for today:
Acts 1:6-14
1Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
Hymns and Songs for Ascension:
Hopefully, something for everyone…
Traditional:
- “O Love that wilt not let me go” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmk9sfX_QPY
- “Make me a Channel of your Peace” – Songs of Praise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daGWdbrSGBM
- “O Thou who camest from above” – Rochester Cathedral – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3UYybc7Xa0
Reflection Music:
“Your Kingdom Come” – by Pete James – based on the Lord’s Prayer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA2q295l9A0
Modern Music:
- “Lord, I need you” – Matt Maher – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuvfMDhTyMA
- “Yahweh” – Rend Collective – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_hDPWPuR_k
- “King of Love: Song Sessions” – I am they – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au3otElq6D4
- “Waymaker” – Mandisa – Lyrics version – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtjAeSGI8rg
- “When I survey the Wonderous Cross” – Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC1IllbwX4w
Videos:
- Great funny sketch about Prayer:
- The Skit Guys “How to Pray” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzLsRn0TlxU
- Wonderful testimony to Prayer in Action – the AND of the Messianic Banquet – “From Bronx to Bradford: Friars on a Mission” – the story of the Community of Franciscan Renewal in Bradford by the BBC – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL9TGKRaVpA&t=1097s
Books:
- “Surprised by Hope” – by Tom Wright – this is his popular version of his seminal exploration of Resurrection and its implications.
New Creation Pew News for the week beginning 24th May
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New Cover Photo
Join us for a special Live Stream on Ascension Day
Join us for a SPECIAL “Live Stream” Service – Ascension Day (Thurs 21st May at 10.30am) – Live from Cadbury Hill, Congresbury:
The Ascension of Jesus into heaven, is one of those festivals of the Church that waned somewhat in more recent years. That is until we started going up Cadbury Hill, first thing on Ascension Day morning – looking down over Congresbury and out to Banwell and praying for our communities, the Churches and breaking Bread together. It probably had nothing to do with the Full Cooked English Breakfast and glass of bubbly that followed at “Heathers Coffee Shop” after.
So, this year, undeterred, we are going to share an Agape meal again together, as we did the First Sunday after Easter. To celebrate an Agape on Ascension Day, you will need:
- Some Bread – this can be an ordinary bread around the house, or you may want to make some, pitta bread, roll, loaf, gluten free – great activity to do with others.
- Some grapes or fruit of some kind – whatever you have to hand.
- A glass of your favourite drink or a cup of water.
You may even want to organise some elevenses for afterwards.
Hope you can make it! Matt
Live Stream for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Click here to see the service that was streamed live on 17th May, the sixth Sunday after Easter.
Hymns, Songs, Readings and other links for 6th Sunday of Easter –
“Resurrection Hope” –
A Bible Study on the Importance of the Resurrection:
Bible Readings:
Luke’s Story of the First Easter – Luke 24:36-53
God’s Big Idea for the future of the world – Revelation 21:1-7 – Heaven coming to Earth – ‘the New Jerusalem’
Paul’s detailed understanding of what the Resurrection body looks like – 1Cor 15 – the whole chapter [although verses 42-49 are the key bit].
Set Readings for today:
Acts 17:22-31
1Peter 3:13-end
John 14:15-21.
Hymns and Songs:
Hopefully, something for everyone…
Traditional:
- “And can it be, that I should Gain” – Charles Wesley – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQeIGbKqiw8
- “Great is Thy Faithfulness” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGNrtJsuEM8
- “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCnQNwQG5GI
Meditation/Reflection:
“Baba Yetu” – is a version of the Lord’s Prayer composed by Christopher Tin in Swahili – awesome
- A version with English Subtitles:
- My Favourite, because of the colour and vibrancy, is by the Stellenbosch University Choir (once such stronghold of Dutch Afrikans) – brilliant testimony to healing and God’s vision for the world – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCa8RxaOPW8
Modern Music:
- “King of Kings” – Hillsong (most popular song this Easter) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9qHMDp3fz8
- “King of the World” – Natalie Grant (reminds us of the awesomeness of Jesus the Messiah and yet how small we can try and make Him) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4abPZpn4H-g
- “WayMaker” – now has become a classic – here sung by a Virtual Choir, which gives the lyrics added poignancy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySEBiGxhUG8
Videos:
- For a very personal take on what the resurrection means to him – see Tom Wright talking about the death of his father (its also one of the more accessible of his videos) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2rAGimw2hY
- For the breadth of what resurrection means and why its important – see Tom Wright in this five minute summary video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgiGB21LWmM
- And if you want to go more into depth – and really get to grips with some of his seminal work on the subject of Resurrection – see the Lecture at Baylers Truett Seminary ( 1hr 20 mins – well worth a watch) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GenlGUkZ-6Q
- Background – 8min Summary video on the most recent findings re the Turin Shroud/ Resurrection Cloth of Jesus – v interesting – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9lMQlI32wE
Books:
- “Surprised by Hope” – by Tom Wright – this is his popular version of his seminal exploration of Resurrection and its implications.
- “Resurrection of the Son of God” – N T Wright – this is the Big One (runs to 860 pages) – Tom Wright’s now classic analysis of the Resurrection accounts and what it means – “hard going but worth every moment.”
Film:
- “The Case for Christ” – very good true account of a sceptic Journalist – Lee Stobel looking into the events of the Resurrection because his wife becomes a Christian. It changes his whole life. Available on DVD, and also on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Well worth a watch.
Update on Church Buildings opening:
You may have picked up from the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday (11th May) that Places of Worship are being included in a phase of opening, scheduled for Sat 4th July. Obviously, this is very tentative at present, and there will, no doubt, be lots of conditions and restrictions, but for many of you who love our two churches, something to aim for and look forward to.
Matt.
New Creation Pew News for week beginning 17th May
Download the new edition of the New Creation Pew News here.
Live Stream 10th May
Click here to view the service that was live streamed on Sunday 10th May.
Hymns, Songs, Readings and other links for 5th Sunday of Easter –
“Party in the Wilderness” –
part of the VE Day celebration weekend:
Bible Readings:
The Feeding of the Five Thousand Story – John 6:1-13
The Manna from Heaven – part of the Exodus Story – Exodus 16:1-36
The Parable of the Great Wedding Banquet – Matthew 22:1-14
The Wedding at Cana in Galilee – John 2:1-11
Set Readings for today:
Acts 7:55-end
1Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14.
Hymns and Songs:
Hopefully, something for everyone…
Traditional:
- Bread – God with Us – “Guide me, O thou great Jehovah” (Bread of Heaven) – Songs of Praise – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT4n1hGjDDg
- Fish – Amazing Grace – British Black Pentecostal Version of “Amazing Grace” – Songs of Praise – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50EcxYlLxAU
- And who will ever forget Andre Bocelli’s version at the beginning of this Lockdown in front of Milan’s Cathedral – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpXwOSHTwsY
- Classic modern interpretation – “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” by Chris Tomlin with Lyrics – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoeBFZes3ts
- Drink – Amazing Love – “And can it be” – BBC Songs of Praise – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQeIGbKqiw8
Meditation/Reflection:
TRY AND WATCH THIS IF YOU CAN – even if you play no other:
The UK Blessing — Churches sing ‘The Blessing’ over the UK –
Modern Music:
- Rare Live version of “Exodus” by Bob Marley and the Wailers – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43cfPgZ8cU8
- I AM THEY – “My Feet Are on the Rock” (Official Music Video) – an American band like Rend Collective – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uYiHiJTN6Y
- Chain Breaker-Zack Williams-(LYRICS) – a testimony to God’s faithfulness – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAWkY1mf2g8
Videos:
- The Queen’s VE Day Address ‘Never give up’ – VE Day 75 – BBC –
- Biblical Images Come to Life in Nazareth Village – the only re-enactment museum dedicated to the life of Jesus – run by Christians in Nazareth – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SNf2aUtROA
- Sergio and Rhoda – the true site of Bethsaida – amazing recent archaeology discovery – where the Feeding of the Five Thousand took place nearby – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LKnQgirrvU
- Rend Collective – “The art of celebration: the story” – The importance of Joy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VamJCsYMFBg
Books:
- “40 Days with Jesus” by Dave Smith (looks in daily detail at the Resurrection stories). Can be got from Eden or Amazon websites, or on Amazon Kindle ebook Reader