Church Service on Sunday, July 11th, 2021 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10)

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
 










Scripture Sentence 
"The Son of man did not come to be 
served but to serve, and to give his life 
as a ransom for many." 
                                           (St Mark 16: 45)


 
The Collect

Almighty God,
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless
till they find their rest in you.
Give us peace in your service,
and in the world to come
the joy of seeing you face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

Prayer of Approach 
God, our God
This morning we gather to worship You.
We come together, each of us from our own lives,
with our own thoughts, and hopes, and worries.
Let us bring our hearts, with all that weighs on them, before You this morning in worship. And unburden us, do not let us be weighed down,
but instead send Your Spirit anew among us, and clear in our hearts and minds a space to focus on You and our relationship with You.

For we come, thirsty – longing for refreshment.
For we come hungry – longing for sustenance.
We come as Your children: and long to know Your love.

And here in this place of prayer;
in this quiet and unlaboured time –
we can trace the steps of the paths that brought us here.

Our Sunday morning waking and journey here;
our Saturday and the week that has been.
As Your people, we’ve known joy, comfort, fatigue, and pain;
love and hope, loneliness and strain.
But as we cast our thoughts back, Lord,
give us eyes to see that You have been with us all along.
Gives us hearts to know of Your presence,
not just today,
but every day in our walk with You,
and that in our worship we will remember Your constancy in every moment of our lives.

You are the God who freely loves.
You have no needs or requirements; the whole universe belongs to You:
yet as infinite, majestic and glorious God:
You concern Yourself with us.
You care for us.
You know us.
In Jesus Christ You walked among us and demonstrated a love so perfect,
that all human history will unravel before we will comprehend its depth, width, and height.

Amen

Let us worship God...
Opening Hymn of Praise
Lift high the cross (MP 417)
Lift high the cross,
        the love of Christ proclaim
        till all the world
        adores His sacred name!

1  Come, Christians, follow where the captain trod,
    the King victorious, Christ, the Son of God:
        Lift high the cross . . .

2  Each new-born soldier of the crucified
    bears on his brow the seal of Him who died:
        Lift high the cross . . .

3  This is the sign that Satan’s armies fear
    and angels veil their faces to revere:
        Lift high the cross . . .

4  Saved by the cross on which their Lord was slain,
    see Adam’s children their lost home regain:
        Lift high the cross . . .

5  From north and south, from east and west they raise
    in growing unison their songs of praise:
        Lift high the cross . . .

6  Let every race and every language tell
    of Him who saves our souls from death and hell!
        Lift high the cross . . .

7  O Lord, once lifted on the tree of pain,
    draw all the world to seek You once again:
        Lift high the cross . . .

8  Set up Your throne, that earth’s despair may cease
    beneath the shadow of its healing peace:
        Lift high the cross . . .


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

We have no hope but Your forgiveness;
And so we ask it: in hope and in trust that Your love,
Your perfect love – made human in Jesus Christ
who walked among us and knows every hair on our heads and every movement of our lives,
speaks quietly to our troubled souls:
I do not condemn you:
go, and sin no more.

And so, rejoicing in the life of Christ, and in the joy of the Holy Spirit,
we ask You restore us anew, and shape us in Your ways.
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


Song 

Beautiful Saviour (Planetshakers)



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 with and for the children

Leader:          How can we praise you, O God?
All:        With the cymbal and the tambourine.

Leader:          How can we praise you, O God?
All:                 With dancing and singing.

Leader:          How can we praise you, O God?
All:                 With full lives and happy feet.

Leader:          May we praise you:
All:                 Fully!

Leader:          May we praise you:
All:                 Always!

Leader:          May we praise you:
All:                 Forever!

Leader:          And may we shout aloud:
All:                 Amen!



Sermon 


Song

Jesus, hope of the nations (MP 1079)

Jesus, hope of the nations,
Jesus, comfort for all who mourn,
You are the source of heaven’s hope on earth.
Jesus, Light in the darkness
Jesus, Truth in each circumstance,
You are the source of heaven’s light on earth.


In history, you lived and died,
You broke the chains, you rose to life.


You are the Hope living in us,
You are the Rock in whom we trust.
You are the Light, shining for all the world to see.
You rose from the dead,
Conquering fear,
Our Prince of Peace, drawing us near.
Jesus, our Hope, living for all who will receive.
Lord we believe.


Prayer of Dedication

Let us pray,
In the name and in the spirit of Jesus,
we bring our gifts to you;
and seek the grace to give with them
a ready mind, a willing spirit, and a joyful heart,
and to dedicate our lives
to the truth of your gospel;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord,
in whom we see your everlasting goodness
and receive your kindly care. 
Amen

    

Prayers of Intercession

Our Eternal Father, full of grace and mercy, in your abounding love you have made us your own people, through the price you paid for our redemption through your Son, Jesus the Messiah. By his precious blood shed on the cross we have been bought back, cleansed, and made holy according to your eternal purposes.

This morning we thank you for your abounding grace. You have drawn near to us even when we were far away and running away from you. You pursued us, called us to be your own, and gave us an eternal inheritance through your Son. In all this you have displayed your glory and goodness, and we praise you for such unmerited favor and all-surpassing love! May your glory be revealed through your great works and in our very lives!

This morning we bring you our prayers and petitions, knowing that your eternal plans are moving forward. We pray that your will may be done in and through us so that the full measure of your sovereign glory may be displayed in the temple that is your Church, your holy people.

We thank you for your provision of all we need, whether food, water, shelter, good health, safety, and ongoing protection, the care of family and community, and good government. Please provide for those in our communities and in this country, and in our home countries who are lacking in any area. We pray particularly for people in those countries experiencing war, unrest, strife, and economic collapse, including Myanmar and Ethiopia, and many others.

The needs we see around us in this world are so great. Much pain and suffering has resulted from human rebellion against your sovereign and benevolent rule. We pray, O Lord, that your light would shine into the darkness, that your truth would break the power of enslaving lies, and that your love would conquer the hatred, greed, pride, and selfishness that is behind so much of what happens in our societies at so many levels.

We pray especially for the country of Haiti as they face the assassination of their president and the ensuing chaos and search for stability and answers. Please protect the people from harm and exploitation in the void created by the loss of their leader, and bring about justice in the face of this society-jarring crime.

We pray also for those affected by natural disasters, whether from storms that have destroyed homes and caused loss and damage to life and property, or the on-going effects of climate change. Bring relief where it is needed and give help to those that need to rebuild.

We pray also for those throughout the world affected by the COVID pandemic. Please protect those whose health is vulnerable. We pray that you provide vaccination doses, health care supplies and treatments, and health workers where they are needed. Bring healing to those who are battling infection, and prevent further infection from spreading. Lord, we also ask that you comfort those who have lost family members to this disease.

We lift up those among our family members, friends and acquaintances who are sick and in poor health. Grant healing, life, and strength, as well as emotional and mental health for any who may be touched by disease, trauma, or injury. Give each of us strength to care for those who are in need and provide assistance where we can. Also help those needing resources to pay for medical treatments and medicines.

Lord Jesus, we lift up your Church throughout the world, and especially pray for leaders and teachers of your Word of Life, that they would continue faithful to you and to your Gospel. May you help them and the people in their care to proclaim, teach, share, and live out your Gospel of love and grace, and bring your healing and restoration to their communities as your hands and feet. Give special grace where there is persecution, and special strength and faith where there is pressure to renounce the faith. Also cleanse your church where there is sin and corruption, and light new fire where there is apathy.

We thank you for Pastor Tony, Katherine, and their children, for their many years of loving service among us here at Church of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for their ministries of sharing with both adults and children your life-giving Word, for living your Gospel, and shining your love among us. We pray for them as they busily pack up, tie up loose ends and say farewells, and transition back to the UK. Give them special grace for each day, and provide all they need to travel including paperwork, negative COVID tests, and confirmed flights back to their home. Keep them safe while traveling, and give them joyful reunions with family and friends. Also we pray for your provision and guidance for each family member as they look for and start new work and ministry, start new schools and education programs and adjust to life in Scotland. Lord, please go before them and provide for each step of their journey.

We also lift up our incoming pastor Ian and his wife Sue, and thank you for their willingness to serve here in Vientiane among us. Help them as they prepare for their transition, and provide them and their family members all they need for this new venture of faith upon which they are embarking.

We ask Lord that you continue to help each of us grow in faith, hope, and love. Please fill us with your Holy Spirit, and guide us as individuals and as a congregation. Help us hear and respond to your voice and walk in step as we follow our Savior Jesus with the Hope of your eternal blessing and inheritance.

We pray this in Jesus’ Blessed Name,

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 

Is He worthy? (Andrew Peterson)

[Verse 1]
Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)

[Verse 2]
Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)

[Chorus]
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave. 

[Refrain 1]
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy of this?
He is

[Verse 3]
Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)

[Chorus]
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

[Bridge]
From every people and tribe
Every nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son

[Refrain 2]
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is!
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is!
He is!


Prayer of Sending and Blessing

We can’t go anywhere
outside the love of God,
each day is full of praise
and thanksgiving.

Go in praise.
Go in thanksgiving.

Let your feet
tap to the rhythm of God
May you walk in His way
through this world,
making the Kingdom of heaven known as you do.
Amen 



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 
 

 

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