Sunday 9th August 2020
Originally prepared for June 14th by Shaun Newton
Introduction
Many years ago our Young People used to take part in Scripture Exams, Quizzes and the like and a general Bible question, I am sure, would be what is the longest chapter in the Bible? And as we know, it is Psalm 119! But what is the shortest, I now ask? Well, it is Psalm 117 and conveniently Psalm 118 is the middle chapter in the Bible. Psalm 117 may be the shortest and may often get overlooked but it contains a valuable lesson for us, even in 2020.
Hymn (sing or read):
Praise my soul
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me His praise should sing?
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him,
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise Him for His grace and favour
To our fathers in distress.
Praise Him still the same forever, u
Slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him,
Glorious in His faithfulness.
Father-like He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He Knows.
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him,
Widely as His mercy goes.
Angels help us to adore Him;
Ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
Dwellers all in time and space.
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him,
Praise with us the God of grace
Time of Quiet Prayer
Prayer Hymn
Bible Reading Psalm 117
Psalm 117
1 Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD
Campbell Morgan said “This is the shortest song in the whole collection, but there is none greater or grander in its expression of praise.” Martin Luther devoted thirty-six pages to this psalm in his commentary.
While this Psalm holds the distinction of being the shortest of all the Psalms, it is living proof that it does not take a lot of words to say what needs to be said.
Quite often we all tend to be wordy. Using 100 words when 10 would have done. Here the Psalmist condenses so much into two short verses, and here we find the commendation to, “Praise Him”.
Maybe too often it is us that wants to be heard. We want our view to be known but maybe we need to take a pause from making our feelings known, to reflecting on all what God has done for us, and in response we will, “Praise Him!” For the truths expressed (actually commanded) are straightforward:” Praise the Lord extol him.”
Did you notice how inclusive this verse is? It instructs all people to praise the Lord, for He alone deserves the praise and honour.
In the last few weeks where we have seen many people bow the knee, we read that all men, at the name of Jesus, will bow the knee. In many ways that is hard to believe, but every single man, woman, and child who lives today or has ever lived will most certainly bow the knee to the Lord Jesus Christ and give Him glory!
In spite of our current situation let us take time, to ‘Praise the Lord!’ Sing your favourite hymn, write down all the things that you are thankful for, but in all of it, “Praise the Lord!”
Chorus – sing or read
Within the veil I now would come,
into the holy place
to look upon Thy face.
I see such beauty there,
no other can compare,
I worship Thee, my Lord,
within the veil.
Prayer
O God, Our Heavenly Father, I do thank you for your love that is beyond my ability to understand. I thank you and praise you for your forgiveness, even though I know I do not deserve to be forgiven. Help me open my heart to be filled with your Spirit and your love so I can love you in return as I should and love others around me as you love me. Help me be kind, compassionate and forgiving. Increase my faith so I will live each moment for you. Use me to reach others with your gospel and to help those who are struggling to live for you. I pray in the name of Jesus.
The Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
Forever and ever
Amen.
God Bless and Stay Safe
The sacrament of ‘The Lord’s Supper’ is held at the close of evening worship the first Sunday of each month.
WEEKLY SERVICES
WC Monday
Monday
Women’s Auxillary
No Meeting
Christian Endeavour.
No Meeting
Tuesday
No Services
Wednesday
Prayer Meeting
Thursday
No Services
Friday
No Services
Saturday
No Services
Sunday
Jam Club
Anyone between 5 years and 16 years will be made welcome
Come and join the kids at
Leaders Kay White and Pauline Harrison
Sunday Worship 5.30pm
Anyone and Everyone will he given a warm and friendly welcome to all our church services
