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
"The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent in his presence."
(Habakkuk 2: 20)
The Collect
Almighty God,
of ourselves we have no power to help ourselves.
Keep us outwardly in our bodies
and inwardly in our souls;
that we may be defended from all adversities
which may happen to the body,
and from all evil thoughts
which may assault and hurt the soul;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Call to worship
Through the creation of the universe
You love us, Lord
Through guidance, call and commandment
You love us, Lord
Through the gift of Your son, Jesus
You love us, Lord
Through our worship and our response to Your word
We love You, Lord.
Opening Hymn of Praise
Only by grace can we enter (MP 914)
Only by grace can we enter,
only by grace can we stand;
not by our human endeavour,
but by the blood of the Lamb.
Into Your presence You call us,
You call us to come;
into Your presence You draw us,
and now by Your grace we come,
now by Your grace we come.
Lord, if You mark our transgressions who would stand?
Thanks to Your grace we are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.
Lord, if You mark . . .
Only by grace . . .
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
Good and gracious God,
There are times when we choose not to follow the rules there are times when we stray off course
there are times when we choose the path of sin.
In a time of quiet, we bring before You those times when we have failed to keep Your commandments when we have decided that we know better.
Silence
The Psalmist writes:
“Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Forgiven, loved and free
We enter this time of worship with gratitude.
Open our ears to hear,
our mouths to speak truth and justice
and our hearts to love and care for Your people.
So be it.
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 19
First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Gospel: John 2:13-22
First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Gospel: John 2:13-22
Song
Bless the Lord o my soul (MP 1259)
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.
Prayer with and for the children
Loving God,
We take time out of our busy lives
to come before You this day
and to offer You praise and thanks.
We thank You for this day
and all the days of our lives.
We take time out of our busy lives
to come before You this day
and to offer You praise and thanks.
We thank You for this day
and all the days of our lives.
We thank You for the world in which we live
and do not always fully appreciate or care for properly.
We thank You for the ability to gather here to praise You and learn from Your word.
Lord, You love us so much.
You do not leave us to wander this world aimlessly and without boundaries.
We thank You that You love us so much
that You gave Your people commandments
in the name of love, harmony and respect,
commandments that have stood the test of time and remain as valuable today as they did when given at Sinai.
Lord, You love us so much
that You sent Your son, Jesus
to teach us how to live and to love.
Not only that, You demonstrated that love
through the life, death and resurrection of Your only son,
so that by dying for us,
we can live for you.
Thank You, Lord.
Amen
Sermon
This Sunday a member of our congregation will be preaching.
Song
My hope is built (Cornerstone) (MP1334)
Verse 1
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name.
Chorus
Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior’s love.
Through the storm
He is Lord, Lord of all.
Verse 2
When darkness seems to hide his face
I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and storm gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
My anchor holds within the veil.
Chorus
Verse 3
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless, stand before the throne.
Chorus
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name.
Chorus
Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior’s love.
Through the storm
He is Lord, Lord of all.
Verse 2
When darkness seems to hide his face
I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and storm gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
My anchor holds within the veil.
Chorus
Verse 3
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless, stand before the throne.
Chorus
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
Honour your parents. Don't kill.
Don't commit adultery. Don’t steal.
Don’t bear false witness. That should be easy... no?
Don't commit adultery. Don’t steal.
Don’t bear false witness. That should be easy... no?
And yet, these acts are being committed all over our world, Lord.
All over Your world.
Pause
Although it may not be on our doorstep
people are being mindlessly killed across the globe, as a result of unnecessary conflict,
corporate greed
and evil regimes.
And these people are part of our community too. For we all belong to You, God.
We pray for all who are mourning loss this day.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Hear our prayer.
Although it may not be hitting our bank balance,
people are being robbed in every corner of this planet.
Land and livelihood - snatched by corrupt governments.
Crippling interest rates from payday loans and credit cards
Crippling interest rates from payday loans and credit cards
are causing vulnerable people
to lose their homes and possessions,
despite some seeing this as the only way
to put food on the table
or heat and light their home.
to lose their homes and possessions,
despite some seeing this as the only way
to put food on the table
or heat and light their home.
And they are part of our community too. For we all belong to You, God.
We pray for all who are caught in the spiral of debt.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer
God of love,
open our eyes and ears to these situations.
Inspire and guide us
to play our part in bringing about change – standing against injustice;
speaking up
and stepping up.
Inspire and guide those with the power to make a difference to act
to intervene
to save lives
to rebuild
and to restore.
Hear us, we pray
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
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
Song before Communion
Once again (MP 995)
1 Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice;
You became nothing, poured out to death.
Many times I’ve wondered at Your gift of life,
and I’m in that place once again,
I’m in that place once again.
And once again I look upon
the cross where You died,
I’m humbled by Your mercy
and I’m broken inside.
Once again I thank You,
once again I pour out my life.
2 Now You are exalted to the highest place,
King of the heavens, where one day I’ll bow,
but for now, I marvel at this saving grace
and I’m full of praise once again,
I’m full of praise once again.
And once again . . .
Thank You for the cross,
thank You for the cross,
thank You for the cross, my friend.
(repeat)
And once again . . .
Communion
Closing Song
Beautiful Savior
Verse
Jesus, Beautiful Savior,
God of all majesty, Risen King.
Lamb of God, Holy and Righteous,
Blessed Redeemer, Bright Morning Star.
All the heavens shout your praise.
All creation bows to worship you.
Chorus
How wonderful, how beautiful,
Name above every name, exalted high.
How wonderful, How beautiful,
Jesus your Name, Name above every name, Jesus.
Verse
Jesus, Beautiful Savior
God of all majesty, Risen King.
Lamb of God, Holy and Righteous,
Blessed Redeemer, Bright Morning Star.
All the heavens shout your praise.
All creation bows to worship you.
Chorus
How wonderful, how beautiful,
Name above every name, exalted high.
How wonderful, How beautiful,
Jesus your Name, Name above every name, Jesus.
Bridge
I will sing forever,
Jesus I love you, Jesus I love you.
(Repeat)
Chorus
How wonderful, how beautiful,
Name above every name, exalted high.
How wonderful, How beautiful,
Jesus your Name, Name above every name, Jesus.
Prayer of Sending and Blessing
Trusting that we are cared for
and not controlled
loved and not law-shackled
blessed and not bound
let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
And may the blessing of God Almighty Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with you, those who you love
and those you struggle to love
now and forever.
Amen
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
in the name of Christ.
Amen
