Welcome to the CHS Vientiane Worship 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
This Sunday is celebrated as Sanctuary Sunday or Refugee Sunday in churches around the world. Sunday is also World Refugee Day.
There are more displaced people in the world today than at any other point in history and the Bible is clear in its expression of God’s loving concern for the stranger and refugee. And so, there is a scriptural mandate for Christians to act compassionately and humanely towards those who have had to flee their homes and seek safety elsewhere. Sanctuary Sunday is an opportunity to be reminded of the need to welcome the stranger, the alien and the sojourner and to see our common humanity, all created in the image of God, all deserving of dignity and worth.
Celebrating Sanctuary Sunday is an opportunity to express our prayers and solidarity, but also to raise awareness again of our Christian calling to welcome the stranger and do this openly and proudly.
Our worship resources today draw upon the experiences of people who have personally lived through having to flee their home country and find refuge in other lands, or of people who have welcomed refugees and asylum seekers in their congregations and communities.
Scripture Sentence
"Have no fear, for I have redeemed you;
I call you by your name; you are mine."
(Isaiah 43: 1)
The Collect
O God our defender,
when storms rage about us
and cause us to be afraid,
rescue your people from despair,
deliver your sons and daughters from fear,
and preserve us all from unbelief;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Prayer of Welcome
God, we thank you
that as we gather in worship today,
you make space for each of us.
You call us and you equip us.
You love us and you welcome us.
You invite us to worship you,
knowing who and what we are,
assuring us that there is room for us
in your house, among your people,
and a place for us in your kingdom.
Give us security in your love
and your calling
so that we will always be able
to make room for others,
to appreciate their gifts
may be more useful or creative than ours.
God who embraces us in welcome,
as we experience your forgiveness
may we grow in confidence of your love
so that our arms open wider
to embrace others in your name.
Amen.
Opening Hymn of Praise
Forever (MP 1046)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otag0HIhRRY
1 Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King:
His love endures for ever.
For He is good, he is above all things:
His love endures for ever.
Sing praise, sing praise.
2 With a mighty hand and outstretched arm:
His love endures for ever.
For the life that’s been reborn:
His love endures for ever.
Sing praise, sing praise,
sing praise, sing praise.
For ever God is faithful,
for ever God is strong.
For ever God is with us,
for ever, for ever.
3 From the rising to the setting sun:
His love endures for ever.
By the grace of God we will carry on:
His love endures for ever.
Sing praise, sing praise,
sing praise, sing praise.
For ever God is faithful . . .
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
(Veronique, member of St. Rollox Church in Glasgow, Scotland, a refugee from the DRC)
Heavenly Father,
I bow my heart to You and pray.
I give You thanks for all You've done.
Thank You for being my refuge and my strength.
Thank You for Your goodness in my life.
When I wake each morning,
I praise Your name.
I give thanks to You that no matter what the circumstances,
I can count on You to shelter me
And to give me strength.
Almighty God,
Merciful Father,
I, a poor miserable sinner,
I confess to You all my sins and iniquities,
Those known and unknown.
I'm not perfect
And I fall short every day of my life.
Thank You for Your mercy
In Jesus name.
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 9:9-20
First Reading: 1 Samuel 17:32-49
First Reading: 1 Samuel 17:32-49
(Click here to listen.)
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Song
Still (MP 1057)
Verse 1:
Hide me now
Under Your wing
Cover me within Your mighty hand.
Chorus:
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still know You are Go.d
Verse 2:
Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust.
Chorus
When the oceans rise…
Repeat Chorus
Prayer with and for the children
Litany of justice
Reader: Jesus said,” I was hungry and you gave me food.” Made in the Image of God,
All: We see the face of Christ in all.
Reader: Jesus said, “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.” Made in the Image of God,
All: We see the face of Christ in all.
Reader: Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Made in the Image of God,
All: We see the face of Christ in all.
Reader: Jesus said, “I was naked and you gave me clothing.” Made in the Image of God,
All: We see the face of Christ in all.
Reader: Jesus said, “I was sick and you took care of me.” Made in the Image of God,
All: We see the face of Christ in all.
Reader: Jesus said, “I was in prison and you visited me.” Made in the Image of God,
All: We see the face of Christ in all.
Reader: Jesus said, “In as much as you did to one of those considered to the least important, you did it to me.” Made in the Image of God,
All: We see the face of Christ in all.
We go from here to see and serve Christ in all.
This prayer we make in Jesus' name.
Amen
Sermon
Song
God is our strength and refuge (Ps 46)
Psalm 46:1-3
God is our strength and refuge, a helper ever near.
While resting in His shelter, no evil will we fear—
Not if the mountains crumble into the angry sea,
Nor if the surging ocean exceeds its boundary.
Psalm 46:4-7
A quiet stream refreshes the city of our God;
His throne stands unaffected while kingdoms rise and fall.
One word from Jacob’s Savior will melt the raging throng.
The Lord of Hosts is with us; He is our fortress strong.
Psalm 46:7-10
Behold God’s glorious power: He makes all warfare cease.
Each weapon He will shatter; the world will be at peace.
“Be still!” cries Heaven’s Sovereign, “Be still, for I am God!
All kingdoms—all creation—will bow beneath my rod.”
Mark 4:35-41; Revelation 19:15; Psalm 46:11
The violent sea turned placid when Jesus cried, “Be still!”
Fears gone, twelve men stood gasping when waves obeyed His will.
And soon the same voice speaking will calm earth’s rebel storm.
This Lord of hosts is with us both now and evermore!
Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God,
We bring our offerings to you,
acknowledging that all your gifts
are given for our own growth
and for the service of humankind.
Receive them and our worship.
Accept us and show us the gifts
we do not know we have to offer,
in the strong name and by the wisdom of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Prayers of Intercession
Gracious and merciful God,
we gather in one heart and mind to pray for all families and individuals
who have left or fled their country, their land, their homes, seeking safer and better lives. We lift up to You their hopes and dreams, their fears and anxieties,
and all their needs and necessities,
that they may be protected on their journeys,
their dignity and rights may be fostered, honoured and upheld,
and they may be welcomed with open arms
into generous and compassionate communities.
who have left or fled their country, their land, their homes, seeking safer and better lives. We lift up to You their hopes and dreams, their fears and anxieties,
and all their needs and necessities,
that they may be protected on their journeys,
their dignity and rights may be fostered, honoured and upheld,
and they may be welcomed with open arms
into generous and compassionate communities.
God of family,
we bring before You the parents who are weeping and lamenting,
who are waiting for their children,
whose trace is lost in the sea, in the desert, on railway tracks,
in shipping containers and uncertainty:
men, women and children who had escaped from the war zones,
the famine and poverty of this world ,
with the hope for a better, safer life.
God of life,
we bring before You our lament for the dead, stranded at the borders of safety,
who died fleeing through deserts, over mountains and seas.
We call to You and join in the cry of all those who sought justice
and a better life for themselves and their children and perished in the process.
God of justice,
we bring before You political leaders, advisers and decision-makers
who hold the fate of others in their hands.
Make them aware of the causes of migration and flight.
Keep their consciences alive so that refugees are offered protection and dignity.
Let them agree rules of residence that are based on human rights
and guided by solidarity and compassion.
God of peace,
give us the strength to be witnesses of the suffering of the world
and fill us with the fire of Your spirit to renew our efforts to serve those in need
and give us the grace to welcome, learn about and share our lives
with people who come to live in our communities.
Amen.
Prayers kindly submitted By Ajith Parida
Pray for Laos and all its leaders , that God would lead them to address the COVID situation as well the economy affected due to COVID.
Pray for the people affected by the Pandemic, families who have lost their loved ones, recovery for those who are sick and protection for all from the pandemic
Pray for Terry Muir's family and mourners, that they be comforted and draw closer to the Lord as they heard about Jesus on Saturday*.
Pray for all faith based organisations, churches, pastors that they would be able to discern the mind of God and do His will.
Pray for the situation in Myanmar, let peace and justice prevail.
Pray for those who are suffering or facing challenging situations for sharing the Good News.
Pray for Pastor Tony and his family for the transition and for God's favour as they dispose of things here and resettle in UK.
Pray for all children and parents, that during the lockdown and holidays, Godly homes are built and strengthened.
Amen.
*We continue to remember in our prayers the family and friends of Terry Muir, who died in the early hours of Tuesday morning. We pray for his wife Phouang and young son, James, that the funeral service yesterday will have been a comfort to them.
We also remember Terry's sons and daughter back in the UK. We pray for Patrick, Andrew and Caireen. May your blessing and protection be upon them all and may they recognise and trust in the hope of glory made known in Jesus.
And, in the silence, we name other people and situations before you … (Silence)
Thankful to God for hearing our prayers, we also remember the prayers of those who down through the years have prayed for his people including ourselves, who have gone before us into God's eternal Kingdom. For whom we give our sincere and heartfelt thanks and praise.
These prayers we make in the name of and for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ,
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
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
In Christ Alone (MP 1072)
1 In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this cornerstone, this solid ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all,
here in the love of Christ I stand.
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this cornerstone, this solid ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all,
here in the love of Christ I stand.
2 In Christ alone – who took on flesh,
fullness of God in helpless Babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
scorned by the ones he came to save
till on that cross as Jesus died,
the wrath of God was satisfied,
for every sin on Him was laid;
here in the death of Christ I live.
3 There in the ground his body lay,
light of the world by darkness slain,
then, bursting forth in glorious day,
up from the grave He rose again!
And as he stands in victory
sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
for I am His and He is mine –
bought with the precious blood of Christ.
4 No guilt in life, no fear in death,
this is the power of Christ in me;
from life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man
can ever pluck me from His hand;
till He returns or calls me home,
here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!
Prayer of Sending and Blessing
May God bless us,
our God, who called the world into being,
who breathed us into life,
who provides us with new strength.
May God bless us,
our God, whose love does not know borders nor walls,
whose justice will come.
Our God, who casts down the mighty from their thrones
and lifts up the lowly.
May God bless us,
Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer,
And the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all,
evermore.
Amen
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
in the name of Christ.
Amen
