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
"Bless the Lord, my soul, and forget none
of his benefits"
(Psalm 103: 2)
The Collect
Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass all understanding.
Pour into our hearts such love toward you,
that we, loving you above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Call to Worship
God of love,
you are our creator,
our redeemer,
you command us to love you and
all that you have created.
We gather to offer you
this time of worship,
to renew our vow to love
and to offer ourselves to you.
Draw near to us
as we draw near to you.
you are our creator,
our redeemer,
you command us to love you and
all that you have created.
We gather to offer you
this time of worship,
to renew our vow to love
and to offer ourselves to you.
Draw near to us
as we draw near to you.
Amen
Opening Hymn of Praise
From the ends of the earth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otNj-oCY-LM
[v1]
From the ends of the earth (echo)
From the depths of the sea (echo)
From the highest of heavens (echo)
Your name we raise
[v2]
From the hearts of the weak (echo)
From the shouts of the strong (echo)
From the lips of all peoples (echo)
Your name we raise
[c1]
Through all the endless ages
You will be crowned with praises
Lord Most High
Exalted in every nation
Sovereign of all creation
[c2]
Lord Most High
Be magnified!
[v1 v2 c1 c2 v1 v2 c1 c2 c2]
Play 2 times, repeat Chorus 2nd time
From the ends of the earth (echo)
From the depths of the sea (echo)
From the highest of heavens (echo)
Your name we raise
[v2]
From the hearts of the weak (echo)
From the shouts of the strong (echo)
From the lips of all peoples (echo)
Your name we raise
[c1]
Through all the endless ages
You will be crowned with praises
Lord Most High
Exalted in every nation
Sovereign of all creation
[c2]
Lord Most High
Be magnified!
[v1 v2 c1 c2 v1 v2 c1 c2 c2]
Play 2 times, repeat Chorus 2nd time
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
Lord Jesus, you commanded us to love each
other. We are sorry for the times that we
have been impatient, bitter and angry, and the
times that we have hurt each other. Please
forgive us.
other. We are sorry for the times that we
have been impatient, bitter and angry, and the
times that we have hurt each other. Please
forgive us.
Silence
Lord Jesus, you commanded us to forgive
each other. We are sorry for the times that
we have borne grudges and been resentful,
and the times that we have broken off
friendships because of hurt. Please forgive us.
Silence
Lord Jesus, you commanded us to look after
each other. We are sorry for the times that
we have turned away from those in need, and
have not done all we can to help those who
are suffering. Please forgive us.
Silence
Lord Jesus, you laid down your life for your
friends. Thank you for doing that so that we
could be forgiven. Help us to live the way you
asked us to.
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 98
First Reading: Acts 10:44-48
Second Reading: 1 John 5:1-6
Gospel: John 15:9-17.
Song
Oceans
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown
Where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours
You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed
And You won't start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours
And You are mine (You are mine)
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be…
Prayer with and for the children
(Statement of faith based on 1 John 5:4b-6)
Leader: This is the victory that has overcome
the world, even our faith. Who is it that
overcomes the world? Only he who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God.
Do you believe in God the Father, who is
Love?
All: I believe in God the Father.
Leader: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the
Son of God?
All: I believe in Jesus Christ.
Leader: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
who testifies to the truth?
All: I believe in the Holy Spirit.
Leader: This is the victory that has overcome
the world, even our faith. Who is it that
overcomes the world? Only he who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God
Amen
Sermon
Song
Knowing You (MP799)
1 All I once held dear,
built my life upon,
all this world reveres,
and wars to own,
all I once thought gain
I have counted loss;
spent and worthless now,
compared to this:
Knowing You, Jesus,
knowing You,
there is no greater thing.
You’re my all,
You’re the best,
You’re my joy, my righteousness,
and I love You, Lord.
2 Now my heart’s desire
is to know You more,
to be found in You
and known as Yours,
to possess by faith
what I could not earn,
all-surpassing gift
of righteousness.
Knowing You . . .
3 Oh, to know the power
of Your risen life,
and to know You in
Your sufferings,
to become like You
in Your death, my Lord,
so with You to live
and never die.
Knowing You . . .
Prayer of Dedication
“Go and bear fruit”,
you ask us, Lord Jesus,
and we commit ourselves
to that simple and profound task:
to befriend others,
to welcome those on the edges,
to reconcile those who have been outcast,
to build bridges of care and concern.
Use us, Lord Jesus,
and who we are,
and what we bring,
you ask us, Lord Jesus,
and we commit ourselves
to that simple and profound task:
to befriend others,
to welcome those on the edges,
to reconcile those who have been outcast,
to build bridges of care and concern.
Use us, Lord Jesus,
and who we are,
and what we bring,
our time, talents and money
that we can bear fruit in your name.
that we can bear fruit in your name.
Amen
Prayers of Intercession
Let us prayer for the world that God created.
Reflect:
The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations. (Psalm 98:2)
Pray:
Lord, we have heard your word and we are challenged to see and know you better.
We thank you that you have revealed yourself to us, people from many nations and backgrounds. We truly wish come to live in fellowship with you, the God of love, and with each other. We seek to have you live in us now and into eternity. We call on you to help us show the love you give to us to all people we come in contact with.
Thank you Lord for the Church of the Holy Spirit and all those who have worshipped here over the years. We thank you especially for the ministry of Tony and Katherine over the last 16 years. We pray that you will help and support them during the rest of their time here and help them on their return to Scotland. We pray especially for Anna as she completes her schooling and exams here, and please help her obtain a good position in university.
Lord, please bless and support our Dean, Ian Hadfield and our Bishop, Titus Chung, in their life and ministry.
Recognising that you live in our midst, help us to keep your word on our lips and in our hearts.
Lord in your Mercy,
Hear our Prayer.
Reflect:
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. (Acts 10: 44-45)
Pray:
Lord God, we thank you that you reach out to all humankind in love, seeking to bring us all into the kingdom you have prepared for us.
Please help all those in this country who are your followers, and support them in their lives. May we, with them, be effective witnesses to your love and care for all your creation.
Please support all those, here in Laos and around the world, who face persecution because of their faith in you. Lord, please grant that their witness may turn the hearts of their persecutors, bringing more people into your kingdom.
Oh God, we pray for Missionaries who go out into the world to help people discover God's love for them: give them such faith that they can move the mountains of doubt and despair they often face.
We also pray for those shunned and despised because of ethnic origin, beliefs or of lifestyle.
Lord in your Mercy,
Hear our Prayer.
Reflect:
This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:4)
We pray for the world’s leaders, both religious and civil, that they may be given the faith and inspiration to work together with all people, building a world of justice and peace and hope.
Please bless the government of Laos and help them to guide the country into peace, prosperity and to develop a just society for the benefit of all the people of this land.
Lord, help to reduce corruption among those in positions of power throughout this country.
Lord, we also think of our home countries, praying you will help and guide their leaders and support your children there.
Lord, we pray particularly that you will raise up men and women with humble but firm faith in you, who can effectively lead the nations of the world according to your will.
We also pray for those who have not and do not wish to experience your love, but live lives of indifference, or bitterness and hatred. Please Lord, work with us, your children, to help them turn to you.
Let us see the marginalised people among us as your beloved children. May we build a more inclusive community.
Lord in your Mercy,
Hear our Prayer.
Pray:
Loving God, we pray that you will have mercy on all the nations of the world as they deal with the Covid pandemic.
Please help the leaders and opinion makers to work to control the spread of the disease and to provide adequate care for all who contract the virus.
We pray especially for India as it reels under the weight of so many infections and such limited resources.
And amid the uncertainty of the situation in Laos, please help the government and the people to work together effectively to deal with the crisis.
Lord, please be with those in this country suffering from Covid and their families and friends.
We also pray for all who are sick and for all who are in hospital in this country that they may be given the treatment they need, with care and compassion. Please help all health care professionals to use their knowledge and skills to optimize the care of those who seek their help.
And we pray for those nearing the end of their earthly life, that they may be able to leave this world in peace, and, through your incredible grace, enter your kingdom. Please help and support their families and friends and all who care for them.
Particularly this morning we remember Terry and his wife Phouang and son James.
Lord in your Mercy,
Hear our Prayer.
Reflect:
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. (John 15: 16-17)
Pray:
Lord God, please be with us in our lives from now until we leave this world, and help us to follow you faithfully, trusting in your love and mercy, confident that you did indeed choose us and will answer our prayers.
Lord, help us to love each other as you loved us by giving us your Son, the Lord Jesus.
And we thank you for all those who have gone before with faith, lighting the way for us.
May we join with them in your eternal kingdom of light and love when our earthly course is complete.
Lord in your Mercy,
Hear our Prayer.
Lord, in the silence of our hearts we bring before you the things that are troubling us, asking that you will be with us and supporting us, now and always.
Lord in your Mercy,
Hear our Prayers.
Pray:
Creator God, because of your abundant love you chose to bring light and order into the formless void, to create a world of unsurpassed beauty and you saw that it was good.
We ask that you continue to recreate the world with that same attentive love, to bring light into today’s ever increasing chaos and darkness where we have failed to be stewards and carers of your creation.
Replenish our hearts so that we too can renew the face of the earth.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Now, let us join in the prayer our Lord himself taught us:
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
Jesus at the centre
Jesus at the center of it all
Jesus at the center of it all
From beginning to the end
It will always be, it's always been You
Jesus, Jesus
Nothing else matters
Nothing in this world will do
'Cause Jesus You're the center
Everything revolves around You
Jesus You
At the center of it all
At the center of it all
Jesus be the center of my life
Jesus be the center of my life
From beginning to the end
It will always be, it's always been You
Jesus, Jesus
Nothing else matters
Nothing in this world will do
'Cause Jesus You're the center
Everything revolves around You
Jesus You
From my heart to the Heavens
Jesus be the center
It's all about You
Yes it's all about You
Jesus be the…
Prayer of Sending and Blessing
Friends,
you are loved.
Jesus loves you
and calls on us to love others.
Let us go in peace
to do just that...
May the love and peace of Christ
go with you
this day and forever more.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with us all,
now and always.
Amen
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
in the name of Christ.
Amen
