Welcome to the CHS Vientiane Worship Service Resources
We invite you to take time this Sunday, in families or very small groups of friends, to responsibly share space to worship God together. If you are on your own, please be assured we are together in the Spirit and if you have needs, or just want to share concerns, please don't be afraid to reach out and share these with the CHS community. Contact details can be found on our church website at: http://www.thechs.org/
Ideas for parents to use with their children at home can be found on this page (click this link).
~ Pastor Tony
Scripture
Sentence
“God’s
mighty strength was seen at work
when
he raised Christ from the dead,
and
enthroned him at his right hand
in
the heavenly realms.”
(Ephesians 1:20)
Collect
Almighty
God,
you
have raised your only Son
to
the right hand of your glory,
and
bestowed on him the name above all names.
Assure
us that as he reigns with you in heaven
so
he abides with us on earth to the end of time;
through
the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who
is alive and is glorified
with
you and the Holy Spirit,
one
God, now and forever.
Amen.
Call
to Worship
Lord
of all time and space,
who
was and is and is to come,
we
worship and adore You
for
You alone are worthy of our praise.
There
is none before you,
none
above you.
Your
glory is ever before us
and
this morning we are glad to take our place alongside all those
who
even now, on earth and in heaven,
are
raising their voices to exalt You,
their
minds to know You
and
their hearts to love You.
May
our worship be a fitting offering –
a
gift in return to the giver
of
every good and perfect gift.
In
Jesus’ name, we pray;
Amen.
Opening Hymn of Praise
The
head that once was crowned (MP647)
1 The
head that once was crowned with thorns
is crowned with glory now;
a royal diadem adorns
the mighty victor’s brow.
is crowned with glory now;
a royal diadem adorns
the mighty victor’s brow.
2 The
highest place that heaven affords
is His by sovereign right;
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
He reigns in perfect light.
is His by sovereign right;
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
He reigns in perfect light.
3 The
joy of all who dwell above,
the joy of all below,
to whom He manifests His love,
and grants His name to know.
the joy of all below,
to whom He manifests His love,
and grants His name to know.
4 To
them the cross, with all its shame,
with all its grace is given;
their name an everlasting name,
their joy the joy of heaven.
with all its grace is given;
their name an everlasting name,
their joy the joy of heaven.
5 They
suffer with their Lord below;
they reign with Him above;
their profit and their joy, to know
the mystery of His love.
they reign with Him above;
their profit and their joy, to know
the mystery of His love.
6 The
cross He bore is life and health,
though shame and death to Him:
His people’s hope, His people’s wealth,
their everlasting theme.
though shame and death to Him:
His people’s hope, His people’s wealth,
their everlasting theme.
Confession
Our
heavenly Father
thank
you that you love us and care for us all the time.
We
know that this week we have not always lived the way you tell us.
We
have done wrong things and not done all the good things we should have done.
Only
you can save us,
so
please forgive us
and
help us to live as your friends.
We
ask this in Jesus’ name.
Silence
“If
we confess our sins,
he
is faithful and just
and
will forgive us our sins
and
purify us from all unrighteousness.”
(1
John 1: 9)
Gracious
God,
we
are assured that we are forgiven –
not
because we deserve it
or
because we can commit to doing better next time
but
by Your amazing grace.
Yes,
by Your amazing grace
You
have removed our sins from us,
as
far as the east is from the west.
We
are forgiven, Lord. We rejoice!
All
for the sake of Jesus, we pray.
Amen.
Creed
We
believe in God the
Father,
Maker
of all things.
We
believe in his Son Jesus Christ,
Lord
and Saviour of the world.
We
believe in the Holy Spirit,
giver
of life and light.
We
belong to the Church,
God’s
family everywhere.
Amen.
Bible
Readings
Psalm: Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
First
reading: Acts
1:6-14
Second
reading: 1
Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Gospel: John
17:1-11
Children’s
Song
Shine,
Jesus, shine (MP445)
1 Lord, the light of Your love is shining,
in the midst of the darkness, shining:
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us;
set us free by the truth You now bring us –
shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father’s glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with grace and mercy;
send forth Your word, Lord,
and let there be light!
2 Lord, I come to Your awesome presence,
from the shadows into Your radiance;
by Your blood I may enter Your brightness:
search me, try me, consume all my darkness –
shine on me, shine on me.
from the shadows into Your radiance;
by Your blood I may enter Your brightness:
search me, try me, consume all my darkness –
shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine . . .
3 As we gaze on Your kingly brightness
so our faces display Your likeness,
ever changing from glory to glory:
mirrored here, may our lives tell Your story –
shine on me, shine on me.
so our faces display Your likeness,
ever changing from glory to glory:
mirrored here, may our lives tell Your story –
shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine . . .
Prayer
for / with the Children
Loving
God,
when
our brains are too small
to
understand
may
they be big enough
to
hold a mystery.
When
our science
hasn’t
found the answer yet,
may
our faith
enjoy
the mystery.
When
a story seems too difficult
to
grasp
may
our souls
wait
for mystery.
May
we never be scared
of
what is mysterious
and
may we always be ready to explore
what
we do not understand.
Amen.
Sermon
A transcript of the CHS sermon for Sunday 24.05.20 can be found here.
A video of the CHS sermon for Sunday 24.05.20 can be found here.
A video of the CHS sermon for Sunday 24.05.20 can be found here.
*Bonus feature: here is the midweek sermon from Bishop Rennis Ponniah of the Anglican Diocese
of Singapore: https://youtu.be/0QVZHBNhs-g
Song
Before
the throne of God above (MP975)
1 Before
the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
a great High Priest whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
my name is written on His heart;
I know that while in heaven He stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart,
no tongue can bid me thence depart.
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
a great High Priest whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
my name is written on His heart;
I know that while in heaven He stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart,
no tongue can bid me thence depart.
2 When
Satan tempts me to despair,
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look and see Him there
who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Saviour died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God the just is satisfied
to look on Him and pardon me,
to look on Him and pardon me.
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look and see Him there
who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Saviour died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God the just is satisfied
to look on Him and pardon me,
to look on Him and pardon me.
3 Behold
Him there! The risen lamb,
my perfect, spotless righteousness;
the great unchangeable;
my perfect, spotless righteousness;
the great unchangeable;
I AM the
King of glory and of grace!
One
with Himself I cannot die,
my
soul is purchased with His blood;
my
life is hid with Christ on high,
with
Christ my Saviour and my God,
with
Christ my Saviour and my God.
Offering
(Please
do bear in mind that as long as we are still able to,
CHS is continuing to
support various projects and people
in need and needs will likely increase
during this time.
You may want to set aside some money in an envelope
every Sunday
and bring these to church when we next meet back at ARDA.)
Dedication
of our Offering
Blessed
are you, Lord God,
from
the first of time to the last.
Yours,
Lord, is the greatness and the power,
the
glory, the splendour, and the majesty;
for
everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
Yours,
Lord is the sovereignty,
and
you are exalted over all as head.
Wealth
and honour come from you;
you
rule over all.
Of
your own we now give you,
for
the good of your Church
and
the glory of your name;
through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Intercessions
Greetings
in the name of Christ. Let’s pray together.
Oh,
Sovereign Lord, creator of heaven earth, we rejoice before you today.
You
are the one who gives power and strength to your people.
Thank
you that we have the privilege of being your people.
This
morning we pray for the Lao church.
We
pray for Christians like ourselves who cannot meet together.
Draw
people into your word and to fellowship at home or in small groups.
We
pray for those who are experiencing persecution.
May
they know your presence with them.
May
they be able to rejoice as they participate in the sufferings of Christ.
We
pray for an increasing spirit of tolerance from the authorities and that
Christians
will find creative ways to serve their communities even in the midst
of persecution.
We
pray for your church around the world, that your light will shine ever more
brightly
and that your people will be unified even as they cannot meet in their
usual buildings.
May people be led by your Spirit to be witnesses in ways that
speak strongly and lovingly
in the midst of this pandemic.
We
pray for the planned united service for next Sunday.
We
pray for those organizing, for the technology and especially that your people
will be unified in worshiping you and unified in desire to be your witnesses.
We
pray for the world. There are so many causes of suffering.
We
pray for those affected by the cyclone in India and Bangladesh.
We
pray that they would have shelter and food and that they would be protected
from the corona virus in the crowded and chaotic places of emergency shelter.
We
pray for governments and citizens around the world
to be wise, humble and
patient in dealing with the COVID 19 threat.
We
thank you for the abundance that many of us have.
Show
us how to share with the poor.
We
pray for Lao farmers in difficult situations as they deal with renewed invasion
of pests in the north,
the effects of last year’s drought, COVID closures and
recovery from the flooding in the south.
We
pray for our families facing many challenges far away from us.
We
thank you that Jessily’s father is getting better.
We
pray that baby Sanam will grow, thrive and get whatever attention her eyes
need.
We pray for those currently out of work that you will provide for them.
We
pray that you set the lonely in families even in these days of isolation.
We
thank you for the technology which enables us connect with family.
We
cast all our anxiety on you because we do know that you care for us.
As
we go into this week, we pray that you will renew us by your Spirit with joy,
power and strength.
We
pray that you will protect us from evil and cause us to recognize and resist
the prowling evil one.
Let
us pray together the Lord’s Prayer.
Our
Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your
kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give
us today our daily bread.
Forgive
us our sins as we forgive those
who
sin against us.
Lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For
the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now
and for ever.
Amen.
Closing
Song
Beautiful
Saviour (MP1024)
1 All my days I will sing this song of
gladness,
give my praise to the Fountain of delights;
for in my helplessness You heard my cry
and waves of mercy poured down on my life.
give my praise to the Fountain of delights;
for in my helplessness You heard my cry
and waves of mercy poured down on my life.
2 I
will trust in the cross of my Redeemer,
I will sing of the blood that never fails,
of sins forgiven, of conscience cleansed,
of death defeated and life without end.
I will sing of the blood that never fails,
of sins forgiven, of conscience cleansed,
of death defeated and life without end.
Beautiful Saviour, wonderful Counsellor,
clothed in majesty, Lord of history,
You’re the way, the truth, the life.
Star of the morning, glorious in holiness,
You’re the risen One, heaven’s champion,
and You reign, You reign over all!
3 I
long to be where the praise is never ending,
yearn to dwell where the glory never fades,
where countless worshippers will share one song,
and cries of ‘Worthy!’ will honour the Lamb!
yearn to dwell where the glory never fades,
where countless worshippers will share one song,
and cries of ‘Worthy!’ will honour the Lamb!
Beautiful Saviour . . .
Prayer for Ascension Sunday
Leader: Blessing and honour and glory and power!
Our words echo the praise of the angels
as you, Jesus Christ,
rise above the limitations of earth
to take your place on the right hand side of God.
No longer restricted to one place,
you are seated on the throne of heaven
and present in all places.
ALL: WE PRAISE YOU,
OUR GLORIOUS LORD AND SAVIOUR
AND ARE FOREVER GLAD
THAT NOW THERE IS IN HEAVEN
ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS AND INTERCEDES FOR US.
Leader: Though now we cannot ascend
to where you are,
still raise our hopes and hearts,
ALL: THAT OUR DISCIPLESHIP IN THIS WORLD
MAY BE TOUCHED WITH THE GLORY OF HEAVEN
AND OUR LIVES BE SIGNS AND PROMISES
OF THE FULLNESS OF THE LIFE TO COME.
AMEN.
Leader: Blessing and honour and glory and power!
Our words echo the praise of the angels
as you, Jesus Christ,
rise above the limitations of earth
to take your place on the right hand side of God.
No longer restricted to one place,
you are seated on the throne of heaven
and present in all places.
ALL: WE PRAISE YOU,
OUR GLORIOUS LORD AND SAVIOUR
AND ARE FOREVER GLAD
THAT NOW THERE IS IN HEAVEN
ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS AND INTERCEDES FOR US.
Leader: Though now we cannot ascend
to where you are,
still raise our hopes and hearts,
ALL: THAT OUR DISCIPLESHIP IN THIS WORLD
MAY BE TOUCHED WITH THE GLORY OF HEAVEN
AND OUR LIVES BE SIGNS AND PROMISES
OF THE FULLNESS OF THE LIFE TO COME.
AMEN.
Prayer
of Sending and Blessing
As
we go from here,
remind
us, God,
that
this is the beginning, not the end.
That
You call us to Yourself
then
send us out to love and to serve.
So
may the blessing of God Almighty,
Father,
Son and Holy Spirit,
be
with you all –
and
with those you love
and
with those you struggle to love –
now
and always.
Go
in peace to love and serve the Lord,
in
the name of Christ.
Amen
All song lyrics taken from Mission Praise: