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Last Friday I have put a message on one side of the sign facing Gympie Road which reads: “Evil may have its hour, but God will have His day.”
This was the theme of the Easter Sunday message that Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, gave to his people this year, “urging them not to give up hope that peace will return to their country, and to persevere to overcome the difficult path of war on which they have been travelling for so long”.
The Ukraine President quite appropriately uses this quotation as a means to bolster hope in his people, based on the belief that when you are facing a challenge or threat in your life that is beyond your capacity to remove and handle, you must, ultimately, fall back upon your trust in God’s promise to exercise His love and care for you, in His manner and in His timing, that though evil may seem to triumphant, such a triumphant is but temporary and transient, because the power and grace of God will overcome such forces of evil, and that God’s will and purpose for Humanity will prevail. And is not this the theme of many of the Psalms of the Old Testament?
This statement was, in reality, a quotation, dated to around 19th March 1928, according to one source (https://littleflowertoledo.org/evil-may-have-its-hour-but-god-will-have-his-day-328/) , by a Fulton Sheen, who was an American Roman Catholic Priest, later a Bishop, who was also a scholar, an author, a Professor at the Catholic University in Washington, and a well-known figure on radio and television shows in 1950s and 1960s.
I do not know the context in which this statement was originally made by Fulton Sheen, because none of the on-line sources in my brief search on the topic provided that detail. But my understanding is that it highlights two truths concerning God at work in Time and Space and History.
The first truth concerns the Easter events, for, at the crucifixion of Jesus on that first Good Friday, evil did have its Hour of triumph. But, ultimately, God had His Day of triumph when He raised Jesus from the dead on the following Sunday morning, ushering in what has been termed the “Age of Grace”, the period in Human History in which we now live, a period inaugurated by the atoning work of Jesus and marked by God’s unmerited favour toward Humanity. This particular era in Human History is distinguished by the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for Humanity through Christ’s death and resurrection. (John 1: 17, Romans 6: 14, Ephesians 2: 8-9) (https://biblehub.com/q/what_defines_the_age_of_grace.htm)
The second truth concerns the continuing presence of evil within and among Humanity from that first Easter Sunday until the present, and, seemingly, well into the foreseeable future, where evil appears to prosper and grow in the World despite the actions of the Church, and unfortunately, sometimes because of the actions of the Church. And what galls people is that many of those who instigate such evil do not appear to be held accountable in their lifetime for the damage and misery that arises from their actions. But the teaching of the New Testament writers is that while evil, in its myriads of forms and scope, will continue to have its Hour of triumph, because of the World’s rebellion against the authority and grace of God, ultimately, all of Humanity will be held accountable before God for each person’s actions, on God’s Day of Judgement. (John 5: 22, Acts 10: 42, 17: 31, Romans 14: 9, 2 Corinthians 5: 10, 2 Timothy 4: 1, 1 Peter 4: 5)
And it is a hope that is based on this understanding that bolster’s the faith of the person of Christ. For our focus is not when God will bring about His Day of Judgement, rather it is to the preaching to “all nations “the message about repentance and the forgiveness of sins”. (Luke 24: 47)
As we gather for worship today let us do so rejoicing in God demonstrating His power and authority in the World at that first Easter time, God fulfilling His redemptive plan for Humanity through Christ’s death and resurrection, God revealing His love for each of us.
Prayer of Praise
(Psalm 150 [New International Version])
Praise the Lord.
Praise God in His sanctuary;
praise Him in His mighty Heavens.
Praise Him for His acts of power;
praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise Him with the harp and lyre,
praise Him with timbrel and dancing,
praise Him with the strings and pipe,
praise Him with the clash of cymbals,
praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord. Amen.
(Psalm 150, the concluding Psalm of the Book of Psalms, has been labelled as “a call to sing the praise of God, in which all of the voices on Earth and in Heaven unite to the accompaniment of the triumphant strains of the entire orchestra of the Temple-music”. (Artur Weiser in The Psalms p841) In this Psalm, all of Creation, Earth and Heaven, Human and non-Human, is seen as both a stage upon which God’s glory is made manifest to all, and also the actors upon the stage proclaiming God’s glory. (Roger Van Harn & Brent Strawn in Psalms for Preaching and Worship A Lectionary Commentary p379) )
You are invited to sing the Hymn “Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above” – based on MHB14
There is a video of this hymn on YouTube
Verse 1 of 2
Praise the Lord who reigns above
and keeps His court below;
praise the holy God of love,
and all His greatness show.
Praise Him for His noble deeds,
praise Him for His matchless power;
Him from whom all good proceeds
let Earth and Heaven adore.
let Earth and Heaven adore.
Chorus
Praise the name of Christ,
celebrate and lift Him up high,
praise the Lord of life.
We’ll sing the story of honour and glory
and praise the name of Christ.
Verse 2 of 2
God, in whom they move and live,
let every creature sing,
glory to their Maker give,
and homage to their King.
Hallowed be Thy name beneath,
as in Heaven, on Earth adored;
praise the Lord in every breath,
let all things praise the Lord!
Let all things praise the Lord!
Chorus
Praise the name of Christ,
celebrate and lift Him up high,
praise the Lord of life.
We’ll sing the story of honour and glory
and praise the name of Christ.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We’ll sing the story of honour and glory
and praise the name.
Praise the name of Christ,
celebrate and lift Him up high,
praise the Lord of life.
We’ll sing the story of honour and glory.
and praise the name.
Praise the name of Christ,
celebrate and lift Him up high,
praise the Lord of life.
We’ll sing the story of honour and glory.
and praise the name,
praise the wonderful name,
praise the glorious name of Christ.
Charles Wesley (as sung by Leigh Nash)
Charles Wesley (as sung by Leigh Nash)
Prayer of Confession
God our Father, we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed,
we have not loved you with all our heart; we have not loved others as we love ourselves.
God of Eternity, before you generations fall and rise,
may you have mercy upon our foolishness and carelessness.
Jesus Christ, we ask you to have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit cleanse us from all of our sins and help us to overcome all of our faults.
We hold before you those who have been wronged, or insulted, or offended, but who have not brought their pain and laid it at your feet, and who cannot or will not forgive. Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
We hold before you those who use the young and the old to wreak havoc and commit unthinkable crimes under the banner of restoring national pride or of upholding racial or religious purity, those in a broken World who are consumed by words and deeds of hatred and revenge. Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
We hold before you those who provide the material means for promoting and prolonging armed conflict within and between Nations, for oppressing and supressing other peoples, those who value wealth and power above your call to work towards peace and mutual benefit for all. Christ. Have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
We hold before you ourselves, when we have done nothing about the wrong that exists all around us, when we recall those who have not forgiven us. Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
We repent of all that we have done that is not in line with your Will and Purpose for Humanity, and all that we have not learnt from the past.
We hope for grace to know ourselves forgiven, and to offer forgiveness to others.
Almighty God, who promised that all who turn to you in faith will know forgiveness,
set us free and pardon us from all of our sins. Strengthen us to do your will and to work towards the coming of your Kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
ANZAC Centenary Resources Word copy (uca.org.au)
Assurance of Forgiveness
(1 John 1: 7 & 9, Revelation 1: 7)
Thanks be to God.
Prayer of illumination
O Lord, Heavenly Father, in whom is the fullness of light and wisdom,
enlighten our minds by your Holy Spirit,
and give us grace to receive your Word with reverence and humility,
without which no person can understand your truth.
To your glory we pray. Amen
John Calvin
Bible Readings
Isaiah 49:
1 Listen to me, distant Nations, you people who live far away! Before I was born, the LORD close me and appointed me to be His servant.
5 Before I was born, the LORD appointed me; He made me His servant to bring back His People, to bring back the scattered People of Israel. The LORD gives me honour, He is the source of my strength.
6 The LORD said to me;
“I have a greater task for you, my servant. Not only will you restore to greatness the People of Israel who have survived, but I will also make you a light to the Nations – so that all the World may be saved.”
Isaiah 50:
4 The Sovereign LORD has taught me what to say, so that I can strengthen the weary. Every morning He makes me eager to hear what He is going to teach me. 5 The LORD has given me understanding, and I have not rebelled or turned away from Him. 6 I bared my back to those who beat me. I did not stop them when they insulted me, when they pulled my beard and spit in my face.
1 Corinthians 15:
3 I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures (Isaiah 53: 10) ; 4 that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures (Isaiah 53: 12) ; 5 that he appeared to Peter and then to all twelve Apostles. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at once, most of whom are still alive, although some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, and afterward to all the Apostles. 8 Last of all he appeared also to me.
1 John 1:
1 We wrote to you about the Word of Life, which has existed from the very beginning. We have heard it, and we have seen it with our eyes; yes, we have seen it, and our hands have touched it. 2 When this Life became visible, we saw it; so we speak of it and tell you about the Eternal Life which was with the Father and was made known to us. 3 What we have seen and heard we announce to you also, so that you will join with us in the fellowship that we have with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
[Revised Standard Version, Today’s English Version, New English Bible]
This is the Word of God.
Praise to you Almighty God.
Mark 14:
53: Then Jesus was taken to the High Priest’s house, where all the chief Priests, the Elders,
and the Teachers of the Law were gathering.
60 The High Priests stood up in front of them all and questioned Jesus,
“Have you no answer to the accusations they bring against you?”
61 But Jesus kept quiet and would not say a word. Again the high Priest questioned him,
“Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed God?”
62 “I am.” answered Jesus, “And you will all see the Son of Man seated at the right side of the Almighty and coming with the clouds of Heaven!”
63 The High Priest tore his robes and said,
“We don’t need any more witnesses! 64 You heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?”
They all voted against him: he was guilty and should be put to death.
65 Some of them began to spit on Jesus, and they blindfolded him and hit him.
“Guess who hit you!” they said. And the guards took him and slapped him.
Mark 15:
15 Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free for them. Then he had Jesus whipped and handed him over to be crucified.
16 The soldiers took Jesus inside the courtyard of the Governor’s palace and called together the rest of the Company. 17 They put a purple robe on Jesus, made a crown of thorny branches, and put it on his head. 18 Then they began to salute him:
“Long live the King of the Jews!”
19 They beat him over the head with a stick, spat on him, fell on their knees, and bowed down to him. 20 When they had finished making fun of him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
Mark 16:
9 After Jesus rose from death early on Sunday, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had driven out seven demons. 10 She went and told his companions. They were mourning and crying; 11 and when they heard her say that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe her.
12 After this, Jesus appeared in a different manner to two of them while they were on their way to the country. 13 They returned and told the others, but these would not believe it.
14 Last of all, Jesus appeared to the eleven Disciples as they were eating. He scolded them, because they did not have faith and because they were too stubborn to believe those who had seen him alive.
[Today’s English Version]
This is the Gospel of our Lord.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
You are invited to sing the Hymn ‘Lo! He comes with clouds descending’
There is a video on YouTube
TiS273 AHB201 MHB264
Verse 1 of 4
Lo! He comes with clouds descending,
once for favoured sinners slain;
thousand, thousand saints attending,
swell the triumph of His train!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God appears on Earth to reign.
Verse 2 of 4
Every eye shall now behold Him,
robed in dreadful majesty;
those who set at nought and sold Him,
pierced and nailed him to the tree,
deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
shall the true Messiah see.
Verse 3 of 4
The dear tokens of His passion
still his dazzling body bears;
cause of endless exultation
to his ransomed worshipers;
with what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture
gaze we on those glorious scars.
Verse 4 of 4
Yea, Amen! Let all adore Thee,
high on Thy eternal throne;
Saviour, take the power and glory,
claim the Kingdom for Thine own;
O come quickly, O come quickly, O come quickly,
Everlasting God, come down.
Charles Wesley
as amended by John Cennick
Sermon
Kerry and I each purchased a container of ice cream at Maleny on the afternoon of Sunday 20th August 2023. How can I be so confident about these details of the date and the place and the people and the event? Around that date, we spent several days at Maleny to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Ian took the service here that weekend. On the Sunday we attended worship at Maleny Uniting Church, where we met up with a couple from our Youth Group days at the former Stafford North Church. They invited us back to their house for morning tea, after which we had lunch in Maleny township, where we purchased some ice cream for dessert. Date, place, people, and event. I am a first-hand witness to this purchase, and here is the evidence. Kerry may even have a photograph of the occasion. Why is this important? Because of the value of putting our faith in the trustworthiness of first-hand accounts of an incident.
Do we have first-hand accounts of the Easter events?
I had been reading though the July 1998 edition of National Geographic magazine. The March 1998 edition of the Magazine dealt with the issue of Evolution and this July 1998 edition included some Letters to the Editor on the matter. Here is one such letter forwarded by a Leo Woodrow from Alicante, Spain. [For copyright reasons, I cannot reproduce the article here, but a copy can be made available to you if you seeking one.]
What an interesting conclusion Leo has reached:
“there is no evidence that anything supernatural either exists or has ever existed”
The immediate context for his statement is, as he states, “the agent of the origin of life on earth”. But there is nothing to stop us from applying it to a wider context.
It is an interesting conclusion because of the obvious and the serious consequences of holding such a ‘belief’. For, that is what it essentially is, a ‘belief’. If one accepts that that conclusion is the ‘truth’, and then base our thoughts and our actions upon that conclusion, then these words which we have just read from Isaiah 50 must be understood to be nothing but utter drivel, words that are without meaning or relevance.
If there is no evidence of anything supernatural existing, then, obviously, there is no God. If there is no God, then there is no “Sovereign LORD”, who can “teach us what to say to strengthen the weary”, as we read in the first part of verse 4. If there is no God, then there is no-one to whom we would be listening “every morning, eager to hear what He is going to teach me”, as we read in the latter part of verse 4. If there is no God, then there is no-one to whom we could turn to “give us understanding”, no-one against whom we have rebelled, no-one from whom we have turned away, as we read in verse 5.
And as for verse 6 where we read:
“I bared my back to those who beat me. I did not stop them when they insulted me, when they pulled my beard and spit in my face.”,
well, that surely must only refer to something that has happened in the life of Isaiah, the author of the passage. But, if that is the case, why would Isaiah write about it? What is the context? And why would we ever be interested in reading about it, because of what relevance or interest does it have for us today?
In reality, these words of Isaiah could not be referring to something that happened to him in his life, because they were written in a specific context; they are a foretelling of the consequences of the “obedience of the Lord’s Servant”, as these verses are titled in the Good News Bible. These verses relate to Isaiah 49: 1 where it is written, “the LORD chose me and appointed me to be His servant”, the very servant of God who was appointed by God to be “a light to the Nations – so that all the World may be saved”. (Isaiah 49: 6b)
But, based on Leo Woodrow’s conclusion, this is utter nonsense, for how can a non-existent God appoint someone to complete a task on His behalf? If there is no evidence for the existence of the LORD God, likewise there must also be no evidence for the existence of the LORD God’s Servant.
And, here, we see where Leo Woodrow’s conclusion of a non-existent “supernatural” God is faulty, for we do indeed have written accounts of the “servant appointed by God” who was “beaten”, who was “insulted”, and who was “spat” upon? (Isaiah 50: 6)
In Mark 14 we read of the account where Jesus was questioned by the High Priest, the chief Priests, the Elders, and the Teachers of the Law. And in the passage we read,
“Some of them began to spit on Jesus, and they blindfolded him and hit him.
‘Guess who hit you!’ they said. And the guards took him and slapped him.” (Mark 14: 65)
In Mark 15 we read the account where Jesus was questioned by Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judah at that time.
“They beat him over the head with a stick, spat on him, fell on their knees, and bowed down to him. When they had finished making fun of him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15: 19 & 20)
Jesus, at his betrayal and trials, and, ultimately, at his rejection by the Leaders and the People of Israel as the Son of God, fulfilled all that was written about him in the passage we read from Isaiah 50: 6. Surely the Gospel accounts therefore attest to a real God acting in real Time and Space and History, to bring about reconciliation with His created World?
Not so, Leo Woodrow would argue, for there is no evidence that the Gospel writers ever existed, nor that they were writing about a real person, Jesus Christ.
And here we see a second instance where Leo Woodrow’s conclusion is faulty.
The Apostles all attest to the physical life, physical death and physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. Their accounts agree in every detail, because they were all first-hand witnesses to these events.
The Apostle John writes of Jesus, calling him “the Word of Life”. (1 John 1: 1a) John writes of Jesus saying:
“We have heard it, we have seen it with our eyes, yes, we have seen it, and our hands have touched it.” (1 John 1: 1b)
John is saying, in effect, accept my statement that Jesus was a real person, because I saw Jesus with my own eyes, I heard Jesus speak with my own ears, I touched Jesus with my own hands.
The Apostle Paul writes to the Church in Corinth, reassuring them of the truthfulness of what he has been preaching about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and listing those who were first-hand witnesses to this:
Peter, the other Apostles, five hundred of the followers of Jesus, James the brother of Jesus, and also Paul himself. (1 Corinthians 15: 5 to 8a)
Mark, Luke, and John all write that the Disciples and all of the followers of Jesus who met in the house in Jerusalem where they were staying saw the risen Christ when he appeared to them later that first Easter Sunday. (Mark 16: 14, Luke 24: 33 to 36, John 20: 19 & 26)
And why are these such trustworthy accounts? Because all that anyone who reads their words need do to verify about what they are writing, is to ask anyone who they list in these verses and hear their first-hand accounts. These Gospel authors are saying, ‘Talk to them and you will find that all of these people agree that Jesus was a real person, that he died a real death, and that God raised him from death, a real live person.’
And that highlights the value of the New Testament accounts, which were all written by people who knew Jesus during his ministry, who witnessed his death, who witnessed his resurrection, and who witnessed his ascension back to Heaven, who could testify about dates, places, people, and events.
We can put our absolute trust in what we read in the Old Testament and the New Testament because these accounts were written by first-hand witnesses to the power and majesty of Almighty God at work in the World reconciling Humanity to Himself.
But, not only that, we ourselves are living witnesses of a real God, for we ourselves have experienced God working in our lives, we ourselves have experienced the graciousness of God in our own lives, we ourselves have experienced the peace of God within us, knowing that our sins are forgiven and forgotten, and that we have been reconciled to Him.
Let us rejoice and be glad, for we have a real God who loves us in a real way. At this Easter time, let us express our thankfulness to God for His salvation, let us always be ready to say, “How great is our God!” (Psalm 70: 4) Amen.
Hymn
Remain seated as we play this Easter hymn. Join in singing the song if you are familiar with the tune, or just meditate on the words as you read them on the screen and as they are being sung.
‘An Easter Hallelujah’
Verse 1 of 5
A crown of thorns placed on his head,
he knew that he would soon be dead,
he said, “Did you forget me, Father, did you?”
They nailed him to a wooden cross,
soon all the World would feel the loss
of Christ the King before his Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Verse 2 of 5
He hung his head and prepared to die,
then lifted his face up to the sky,
said, “I am coming home now, Father, to you.”
A reed which held his final sip
was gently lifted to his lips.
He drank his last and gave his soul to glory.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Verse 3 of 5
The soldier who had used his sword
to pierce the body of our Lord
said, “Truly, this was Jesus Christ our Saviour.”
He looked with fear upon his sword,
then turned to face his Christ and Lord,
fell to his knees crying Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Verse 4 of 5
Took from his head the thorny crown
and wrapped him in a linen gown,
then laid him down to rest inside the tomb.
The holes in his hands, his feet, and side,
now in our hearts, we know he died
to save us from ourselves, Oh Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Verse 5 of 5
Three days went by, again they came
to move the stone, to bless the slain
with oil and spice anointing, Hallelujah.
But as they went to move the stone
they saw that they were not alone
for Jesus Christ had risen, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Kelley Mooney
Offering
Offering Prayer
Almighty God, as our response to your unending love we offer these gifts to you. Bless and guide their use so that the message of your promise of reconciliation with God and fulfilment in life may be shared around the Globe, and give hope to those mired in desolation and despair. To your glory we pray, Amen.
Prayers for Others
Almighty God, we bring to you our thanks today for the peace and security that we enjoy, which was won for us through the courage and devotion of those who gave their service and their lives in time of war.
Make us good stewards of the freedom that they won. We pray that their labour and sacrifice may not be in vain, but that their spirit of sacrifice and giving may live on in us and in generations to come.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who suffer from the effects of war; the loss of home or livelihood, the loss of friends and loved ones, the loss of happiness or security, those crippled or maimed in body as well as in mind and spirit, those who suffer nightmares that years of peace cannot erase.
Comfort their hearts and grant them your peace and healing.
We pray for those who are bitter about their loss and suffering, and who find it difficult to forgive those who have wronged them.
Heal their hearts and uphold them in your grace.
We pray for the homeless and the refugees; those who have been dispossessed, those families whose lives have been disrupted.
Grant them the means to start anew, provide stability for them with new homes and new communities and new jobs.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, in whose hands are the destinies of this and every Nation, we pray for justice for those who have been wronged by the violent actions of armed forces, for those who have suffered loss and have experienced oppression at the hands of other peoples and Nations intent on undertaking violent armed acts of hatred over racial, tribal or ethnic differences, or for personal glory or political gain, or out of envy or greed, or who make war in revenge for long-held grievances.
Convict the minds and consciences of those who instigate and prolong wars and armed conflicts of the error of their choices and their acts.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who serve in the defence forces of this Land.
Give them courage and comfort in danger, patience in waiting, and discipline in the just use of force, so as to counter acts of hatred and oppression upon the innocent and defenceless.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
In this troubled World we pray for peace. May we be inspired by the determination of those who have served in the fight for freedom, justice and peace.
Give your Spirit of peace to all people and remove from them the spirit that makes for war, that all may live as members of your family.
Prosper the work of those who preserve Human rights, promote the pursuit of those who work for reconciliation and justice, and direct us into the ways of understanding, reconciliation, and respect.
May we learn to break down fear and ignorance, and to build up cooperation and harmony amongst peoples everywhere.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for aid agencies and their workers in conflict zones,
protect them from harm and bless their work among the needy.
We pray for the members of peacekeeping forces working under the direction of The United Nations, seeking to bring enemies together for an end to wars, seeking to work to resolve conflict without violence,
protect them from harm and sustain their efforts towards promoting peace.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we remember with thanksgiving those who made the supreme sacrifice for us in time or war. We pray that the offering of their lives may not have been in vain.
Deliver us from the bonds of hatred against those who are hostile towards us, give us the strength to discard the power of revenge.
Save us from valuing our national identity more highly than our shared Humanity.
May your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves to the cause of justice, freedom and peace; and give us the wisdom and strength to build a better world, for the honour and glory of your Name.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,
your Kingdom come,
your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil,
for the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
You are invited to listen to sing the Hymn ‘We have heard the joyful sound’. There is a video of this on YouTube. The words are printed below:
Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 number 409
Verse 1 of 4
We have heard a joyful sound,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
spread the gladness all around,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
Bear the news to every land,
climb the steeps and cross the waves,
“Onward!”, ‘tis our Lord’s command,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
Verse 2 of 4
Waft it on the rolling tide,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves,
tell to sinners far and wide,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
Sing you islands of the sea,
echo back, you ocean caves,
Earth shall keep Her Jubilee,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
Verse 3 of 4
Sing above the battle’s strife,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves,
by his death and endless life
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
Sing it softly through the gloom,
when the heart for mercy craves,
sing in triumph o’er the tomb,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
Verse 4 of 4
Give the winds a mighty voice,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves,
let the Nations now rejoice,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
Shout salvation full and free,
highest hills and deepest caves,
this our song of victory,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
Priscilla Owens
Benediction
A glad new song of praise I sing,
I am an heir with Christ, my King.
I feel a joy that’s all divine,
for I am his and he is mine.
I have a peace I can’t express,
all through his blood and righteousness.
There’s constant victory in my soul
for Jesus Christ has full control,
his grace alone has made me whole.
My sins are washed away.
Charles Hutchinson Gabriel [verse 1 of the 1905 hymn ‘My sins are washed away’.]
(https://hymnary.org/hymn/JVSS1905/177)
And may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
You are invited to sing the Benediction Song
‘May the grace of Christ our Saviour’
Hymns and Songs number 45 AHB373 TiS777
There is a video of this on YouTube. The words are printed below:
Verse 1 of 2
May the grace of Christ our Saviour
and the Father’s boundless love
with the Holy Spirit’s favour
rest upon us from above.
Verse 2 of 2
Thus may we abide in union
with each other and the Lord,
and possess in sweet communion
joys which Earth cannot afford.
John Newton
Service for Sunday 18th October 2020, – Rev Louis van Laar 
Service for Sunday 9th January 2022, conducted by Mr Geoffrey Webber 
Service for Sunday 23rd February 2025, which was conducted by Mr Ian Kerr 
Service for Sunday 29th January 2023, which was conducted by Mr Geoffrey Webber 