Church Service on Sunday, February 28th, 2021 Second Sunday in Lent

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/

~ Pastor Tony

Scripture Sentence

"When Christ appears we shall be like

him, because we shall see him as he is."

(1 John 3: 2)

The Collect

Almighty God,

whose most dear Son went not up to joy

but first he suffered pain,

and entered not into glory

before he was crucified:

mercifully grant that we,

walking in the way of the cross,

may find it none other

than the way of life and peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Call to worship

Leader: From You comes my praise in the great congregation;

my vows I will pay before those who fear Him.

All: The poor shall eat and be satisfied;

those who seek Him shall praise the Lord.

Leader: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord;

All: and all the families of the nations

shall worship before Him.

(Based on Psalm 22:25-27)

Opening Hymn of Praise

Holy, holy, holy (MP 237)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgHrNNM23p8

1 Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty!

early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy! – merciful and mighty,

God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

2 Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,

which wert, and art, and evermore shall be.

3 Holy, holy, holy! – though the darkness hide Thee,

though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;

only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee,

perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4 Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty!

all Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea:

Holy, holy, holy! – merciful and mighty,

God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

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.

Amen

Silence

Merciful God,

You have made it known that “If we confess our sins,

He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins

and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

Help us to receive the forgiveness You promise

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

And we dare to believe that You have plans for us, plans for our welfare and not for harm,

to give us a future with hope.

Reminded of Your promises,

may we live this day in the joy You bring,

may we worship You with all that is within us

and may we serve You as You deserve.

Help us Holy Spirit, so to do and be,

that many may know the God

who, in Jesus, came among us

full of grace and truth.

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 22:23-31

First Reading: Genesis 17:1-7

Second Reading: Romans 4:13-25

Gospel: Mark 8:31-38

Song

Strength will arise (MP 1222)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nz6PG8KM

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
we will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
we will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.
Our God, You reign forever.
Our hope, our strong deliverer.

You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God.
You do not faint, You won’t grow weary.
You’re the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need,
You lift us up on wings like eagles.

Our God, You reign forever.
Our hope, our strong deliverer.
You are the everlasting God . . .
Our God, You reign forever.
Our hope, our strong deliverer.
You are the everlasting God . . .

Prayer with and for the children

God of grace,
You come along side and make us promises,
the kind of promises that touch our hearts and very being,
that offer hope and renewal in our lives.
Glad we are,
because You have given us strength and hope.
Surprised we are,
because this was Your idea and not ours.
Relieved we are,
because we see grace sufficient for all that the days bring.
Risen Jesus,
You promise to be with Your disciples until the fulfilment of all things.
Thank You that there is nowhere we could be
where You are not.
Thank You
that wherever two or three gather in Your name
there You are among them;
we celebrate fellowship shared in Your company,
wherever we may be.
Jesus,
You invite all that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
promising that with You we would find rest.
Jesus,
You promised to all who are thirsty
water that would become in them a spring
gushing up to eternal life.
In Your presence our souls are refreshed
and we are given renewed purpose.

Amen

Sermon

A link to the transcript for the C.H.S. sermon for Sunday 28.2.21 can be found here.

Song

Lord I give you my heart (MP 1013)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoe6fayrB4M

VERSE

This is my desire to honour You

Lord with all my heart I worship You

All I have within me

I give You praise

And all that I adore is in You

CHORUS

Lord I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for You alone
Every breath that I
Every moment I'm awake
Lord have Your way in me

VERSE

CHORUS

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

God of all goodness and grace,

give us such confidence,

such peace, such happiness in you,

that your will

may always be dearer to us

than our will,

and your pleasure than our pleasure.

All that you give is your free gift to us,

all that you take away is your grace to us.

May you be thanked for all,

praised for all,

loved for all;

through Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

During the prayers of intercession there will be times of silence when we can each pray for people in the situations described, imagining what it might be like for those whom we remember.

Faithful God,

we thank You because You are true,

You are light and in You there is no darkness at all,

You are ever to be trusted, and constant is Your love.

As we remember how the path Jesus took

brought Him into conflict with those who were set on following other ways,

we are thankful that He never gave up,

nor allowed Himself to be diverted from His purpose.

Jesus remained true to His mission, proclaiming Your kingdom had come,

with good news for the poor, release for the captives,

recovery of sight for the blind and freedom for the oppressed.

From our hearts we thank You

for the height and depth,

the length and breadth of Christ’s love,

when on a cross with outstretched arms

He embraced us all.

Thank You for the great hope we have

that because Christ is risen,

that one day there will be no more death, or crying or pain,

that nations shall beat their swords into ploughshares

and not learn war any more.

God of grace,

trusting in Your promises, confident of Your love,

we bring our prayers for others to You today.

Crucified, Risen and Ascended Lord Jesus,

You bring before the throne of God our prayers and concerns.

There You are our advocate and that of our sisters and brothers.

Let us think about people in various situations

and in the silence that follows pray for them:

People who are hungry,

remembering the increased use of food banks and the rise of food poverty in many countries,

giving thanks for initiatives that ensure meals are provided for children.

Silence

Some people are homeless,

without shelter or adequate clothing.

We think of how varied their circumstances have been during this time of Coronavirus.

We remember the work of all who help people out of homelessness.

Silence

Many people face times of hardship in these days:

people whose jobs have gone, businesses facing collapse,

families worried about paying the rent or mortgage.

We think of initiatives designed to offer support

and remember those in government, local, national and those in international organisations whose decisions affect the lives of many.

Silence

People are unwell or mentally distressed at this time

because of coronavirus or other illnesses,

whether at home or in hospital.

Let us also remember all who care giving thanks for their dedication and skills,

thankful for the work of scientists

and those in charge of the logistics as they make vaccines available,

remembering especially people in poorer nations.

Silence

Let us also take some moments to bring the private prayers of our hearts,

letting our cry come to God,

knowing that God is listening.

Silence

These prayers we offer to You,

God of Grace, God of Promises kept.

By the strength Your Spirit gives, may we journey with Jesus into life in all its fulness,

that Your Kingdom of love and justice may be known all the more

among us and in Your world,

and many may see Jesus in all His glory.

Amen

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

My Jesus, my Saviour (MP 1003)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqSQvoinDE4

My Jesus, my Saviour

Lord, there is none like You.
All of my days I want to praise
the wonders of Your mighty love.
My comfort, my shelter,
tower of refuge and strength,
let every breath, all that I am,
never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing,
power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
at the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
for ever I’ll love You, for ever I’ll stand.
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Prayer of Sending and Blessing

O Christ, the Master Carpenter,

who at the last through wood and nails purchased our whole salvation;

wield well your tools in the workshop of your world,

so that we who come rough-hewn to your work

bench may be fashioned to a truer beauty by your hand.

(The Iona Community)

We go from here

walking the Way of Christ,

sharing the Messiah’s good news,

prepared to take up our crosses,

and to be God’s people.

We go to serve,

to live in love,

and to act with grace.

Amen

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,

in the name of Christ.

Amen

All-Age Church Service on Sunday, February 21st, 2021 First Sunday in Lent

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.

~ Pastor Tony

Beginning the Service...

Scripture Sentence

"God keeps faith and will not let you be tested beyond your powers."

(1 Corinthians 10: 13)

The Collect

Almighty God,

your Son Jesus Christ

fasted forty days in the wilderness,

and was tempted as we are but did not sin.

Give us grace to discipline ourselves

in obedience to your Spirit;

and, as you know our weakness,

so may we know your power to save;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Approach and Thanksgiving

		Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you; you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.

		Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.

		Your warmth gives life to the dead, your touch makes sinners righteous.

		Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us; in your love and tenderness remake us.

		In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness, for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us
		Anselm (1109)

Opening Hymn of Praise

Bless the Lord O my Soul (MP 1259)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSxocnIaN0A

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
O my soul, worship His holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy name.

1 The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
it’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
let me be singing when the evening comes.
Bless the Lord, O my soul . . .

2 You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger,
Your name is great and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing;
ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.
Bless the Lord, O my soul . . .

3 And on that day when my strength is failing,
the end draws near and my time has come,
still my soul will sing Your praise unending:
ten thousand years and then for evermore!
Bless the Lord, O my soul . . .

. . . I’ll worship Your holy name.
Yes, I’ll worship Your holy name.

Confession based on Psalm 25 (NIV)

Voice 1: Remember not my sins, O Lord,

remember them not.

Voice 2: Remember not the sins of my

youth, O Lord, remember them not.

Voice 1: According to your love

remember me.

Voice 2: Remember your great mercy and

love, for they are from of old.

Voice 1: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Voice 2: In you, O God, I put my trust.

Voice 1: Show me your ways, O Lord, and

teach me your paths.

Voice 2: Guide me in your truth and teach

me.

Voice 1: Good and upright is the Lord.

Voice 2: Therefore he instructs sinners in

his ways.

Voice 1: He guides the humble in what is

right.

Voice 2: He teaches them his way.

Voice 1: You are God.

Voice 2: You are God, my Saviour

Voice 1: and my hope is in you.

Voice 2: My hope is in you all day long.

Voice 1: You are God, my Saviour

Voice 2: and my hope is in you all day long.

Voices 1 and 2: You are God, our Saviour,

and our hope is in you all day long.

Amen

Silence

(We know that we fall short of our calling every day and name in our hearts those ways in which we have sinned in thought, word, deed and in what we have failed to do...)

Confident in the righteousness of our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ

Lift up our heads in the life-giving knowledge of Your forgiveness.

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

First Reading: Genesis 9:8-17

Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Gospel: Mark 1:9-15

Song

You are my all in all (MP 1019)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC617kE1maU

1 You are my strength when I am weak,

You are the treasure that I seek,

You are my all in all;

seeking You as a precious jewel,

Lord, to give up I’d be a fool,

You are my all in all.

Jesus, Lamb of God,

worthy is Your name;

Jesus, Lamb of God,

worthy is Your name.

2 Taking my sin, my cross, my shame,

rising again, I bless Your name,

You are my all in all;

when I fall down You pick me up,

when I am dry You fill my cup,

You are my all in all.

Jesus, Lamb of God . . .

Bible talk

Part 1

God of the whole world

Remember how in the story of Noah, God told Noah, whom God knew to be a good man, to build an ark - a huge boat to rescue animals from the flood that God was sending to cover the whole earth because people were being so bad that God decided to destroy them. The same people thought Noah was very foolish for building a huge boat on dry land and made fun of him. Nevertheless Noah obeyed God and brought safely on board all kinds of animals to save them from the flood. Then it began to rain and rain and rain until the whole of the earth was flooded. Noah, his family and the animals were saved from the rising flood waters. After many days, the floodwaters began to go down and eventually the ark came to rest on dry land. The animals were released and Noah and his family came out of the boat too. They began to live a new life.

(Take the globe and explain...)

God was now making an agreement not just with Noah’s family but with the whole world, every living creature, bird and animal.
God is the God of the entire world. This was the news to north and east and west and south.

God of new life

Why do we have Easter eggs, as a sign of new life? In Genesis 9:11 God is the God of life. He promises never to destroy the earth with a flood again. After the flood there is new life.

God of peace

Finally, take the bow. Ask if there are arrow references in the reading. No! God has put away the arrows of anger. He has decided to hang up his bow as well. He displayed the bow in the sky as a reminder to himself as well as to humans of his promise never again to flood the earth. Just like back at the beginning of the service when I spoke about a footballer hanging up his / her boots and a boxer, hanging up his / her boxing gloves, when God hangs his bow up in the sky, something's changed. It isn’t that God has retired but that he has put away his anger. He is a God of peace, a God who loves his creation.

Encourage everyone to learn and remember Genesis 9:13 to help them remember God’s promise.

You might prefer to shorten it as follows: "The rainbow will remind you that I will keep my promise forever."

Song

Way Maker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29lxnsqOkmQ

Verse 1

You are here, moving in our midst

I worship You, I worship You

You are here, working in this place

I worship You, I worship You

(REPEAT Verse 1)

Chorus

(You are) Way Maker, Miracle Worker

Promise Keeper

Light in the darkness, my God

That is who You are

(REPEAT chorus)

Verse 2

You are here, touching every heart

I worship You, I worship You

You are here, healing every heart

I worship You, I worship You

Verse 3

You are here, turning lives around

I worship You, I worship You

You are here, mending every heart

I worship You, I worship You

Chorus

(You are) Way Maker, Miracle Worker

Promise Keeper

Light in the darkness, my God

That is who You are

(REPEAT chorus)

Tag

That is who You are

Bridge Even when I don't see it, You're working Even when I don't feel it, You're working You never stop, You never stop working You never stop, You never stop working Chorus (You are) Way Maker, Miracle Worker Promise Keeper Light in the darkness, my God That is who You are (REPEAT chorus) Tag That is who You are That is who You are That is who You are That is who You are…and

Bible talk

Part 2

Remember from earlier how...
God is God of the whole world: north and south, east and west.
God is God of new life. After the flood God brings new life - Easter eggs are a symbol of the new life God gives.
God is God of peace. God has put away his anger. He is a God of peace who loves his creation.
Let's take a bit of time now to find out more about how Jesus came and fulfilled what was promised by God.

God made his agreement with all living creatures, the entire world. Where is there evidence that Jesus came not just for Jews but for all people?

We see this in the way Jesus spoke positively about the faith showed by the Roman Centurion, whose servant was sick and the Samaritan woman, whose son Jesus healed.

Is there evidence that Jesus had control of nature? There's the miracle of Jesus enabling a few loaves and fishes - to feed thousands of people. Then there's the time Jesus calmed the storm, when he told the wind and waves to be still and quiet and they obeyed him, much to his disciple's amazement.
God promised new life on earth. What do we associate with Easter Sunday? New life, not just on earth but after death.
Resurrection life.
God hung up his bow to assure us of his love and peace. Where do we see Jesus assuring us of God’s love and peace? We see it in the way He welcomed outsiders such as women, Samaritans, people with skin diseases, tax collectors and non-Jews.
He came to bring peace between God and all people who have disobeyed God. The apostle Paul referred to Jesus as the Reconciler - bringing us back from living like God's our enemy and helping us to be his friends again.
We worship the God of the whole world, the God of resurrection life, the God of peace. The God who keeps his promises, who wants to be our God and for us all to be His people.
Amen.

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

God of all goodness,

accept the gifts we bring.

Use them and us for your glory

and the work of your Church;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Prayers of Intercession

(Picture of family.) Lord, we thank you that

you saved the family of Noah at the time

of the flood. We pray for our own family:

our parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, nephews, nieces, godparents and godchildren and the church family here today.

We pray especially for...

Help us to live happily together, putting others first instead of ourselves.

(Picture of birds/animals.) Lord, we thank you that you have given us a beautiful world. We thank you for the birds, the animals and the insects.

Especially we thank you for...

Help us to take care of your world.

(Picture of ark.) Lord, you are a God who

works to save us, just as you saved Noah in

the ark. We remember all those who teach

others about how you want to save all

people, those who teach adults and younger members in our church. Especially we name...

(Picture of coast.) Lord, we thank you for the coasts, seas and waterways. We pray for those who sail on the sea, transporting goods and people. Keep them safe when the sea is rough and stormy. We remember especially...

(Picture of rainbow.) Lord, thank you for your promise of peace. You declared that you would never destroy and flood the earth again. We pray for areas of the world where there is little peace.

Especially...

Help us to work for peace among our family and friends.

Lord, you are a God of promise, a God of peace and a God of power. May we walk in your ways and become more like Jesus.

Amen

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

What a wonderful name it is (MP 754)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Yc3exCsHCw

Verse 1

You were the Word at the beginning

One with God the Lord Most High

Your hidden glory in creation

Now revealed in You our Christ

Chorus 1

What a beautiful Name it is

The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a beautiful Name it is

Nothing compares to this

What a beautiful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

Verse 2

You didn't want heaven without us

So Jesus You brought heaven down

My sin was great Your love was greater

What could separate us now

Chorus 2

What a wonderful Name it is

The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a wonderful Name it is

Nothing compares to this

What a wonderful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

What a wonderful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

Bridge

Death could not hold You,

the veil tore before You

You silence the boast of sin and grave

The heavens are roaring

the praise of Your glory

For You are raised to life again

You have no rival, You have no equal

Now and forever God You reign

Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the glory

Yours is the Name above all Names

Chorus 3

What a powerful Name it is

The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a powerful Name it is

Nothing can stand against

What a powerful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

Prayer of Sending and Blessing

"The rainbow will remind you that I will keep my promise forever." (Genesis 9:13)

God keeps his promise.

Amen

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,

in the name of Christ.

Amen