A call to worship:
Based on Psalm 103
May all that is in us bless God’s holy name, for he is the one who forgives our sin, saves us, and crowns us with love and mercy.
Amen.
A gathering prayer:
Lord, we long to worship and praise you in all your majesty, mystery and power. You are greater than we can understand or imagine. You are awesome! Yet we thank you that, through Jesus, we can approach you with confidence and joy
Amen.
10,000 reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman
Chorus
Bless the Lord oh my soul, Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before, Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
Chorus – Bless the Lord oh my soul
You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
Chorus – So bless the Lord oh my soul.
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still, my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
Forevermore
Chorus – Bless the Lord oh my soul
Chorus repeats
Bible Readings
Psalm 103:1-8
Of David.
1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits –
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 the Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
Hebrews 12:18-29
The mountain of fear and the mountain of joy
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.’ 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ 27 The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’
Reflection:
Today’s Psalm 103 v 1 – 8 brings to my mind God’s blessings. Someone once said my memory is like a library and a treasury of the mind, however I sometimes realise like most people we have a selective memory.
A famous preacher once said, ‘We write our blessings in the sand, and we engrave our complaints in the marble’. True praise ought to come from the heart, not the memory. Can we engrave God’s blessings on our heart and never grow weary of praising him. It is interesting to notice in this psalm there are no petitions, only praise all the way through from verse one to five.
Psalm 103 v 1-2, In this Psalm of David we hear the words of hymns of praise. It is a psalm that is a powerful call to praise God, focusing on God’s forgiveness, healing, redemption, and constant love. This Psalm reminds us of the importance of remembering God’s love for us and actively praising Him, even when facing challenges. The psalm encourages believers to examine their lives, acknowledge God’s goodness, and express gratitude through worship. When we struggle, words from the Psalms and worship songs help us stay close to God.
In Psalm103 verses 3-4 we are reminded of a Saviour who saves. This speaks to God’s power to restore health and wholeness, both physically and spiritually. This describes God’s deliverance from death or a state of despair. This signifies God’s affectionate care and compassion, encompassing the believer with a sense of God’s love. These verses reveal a God who is both merciful and powerful, actively involved in the lives of those who trust in Him, offering forgiveness, healing, deliverance, and love. The book of Ruth is an example of this which encourages us to consider how God operates in our lives, often without our awareness. Set at the same time as the book of Judges, it shows that God remains active and present even in the worst of times.
We hear words of a life of faith renewed in verses 5 – 6 where the psalmist reflects on God’s provision and justice. God is described as the source of good things that satisfy our desires, and the renewal of youth like the eagle, which symbolises strength and vitality. Additionally, God is shown to be the one who acts with righteousness and justice for those who are oppressed.
In verses 7 – 8 we hear the words of the ancient way from a loving God; the psalmist reflects on God’s character and actions. God’s revelation is highlighted in verse 7 where He revealed his ways to Moses, indicating a deep, personal understanding, and his deeds to the Israelites, demonstrating his power and faithfulness in their history. God’s nature is described by His mercy, grace, patience and his steadfast love for us.
Finally, the psalmist ends the way he begins on a personal level. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
As we close today’s reflection may we follow the psalmist’s lead and praise God for his wonderful attributes and deeds. This psalm is an invitation to reflect on God’s goodness in our lives and to respond with heartfelt praise and worship. It encourages us to remember God’s past acts of grace and to trust in His continued love and faithfulness. The passage serves as a reminder of God’s constant love and mercy, even amidst life’s challenges.
Prayer For reconciliation in a divided world
Lord, to our world in its madness – broken, bemused and concussed, crushed by a burden of sadness, ravaged by fear and mistrust – grant your renewal and healing, courage where hope seems vein, reach out to all who are reeling, bring them relief from their pain; break down the roots of division, walls that destroy and estrange; overcome the suspicion, grant us the prospect of change. Amen.
For signs of God’s Kingdom here on earth. Grant, Lord, an end to our sorrow, a halt at last to our pain, the hope of a brighter tomorrow, of sunshine, after the rain. Assure us the day is dawning when darkness be no more, no suffering, dying or mourning, no violence, hatred or war – a Kingdom of joy unbounded, of laughter, blessing and peace, where evil will be confounded and all divisions cease.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Please use the version that you prefer
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,
for ever and 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.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
Now and for ever.
Amen.
Happy day by Tim Hughes
The greatest day in history
Death is beaten, You have rescued me
Sing it out, Jesus is alive
The empty cross, the empty grave
Life eternal, you have won the day
Shout it out, Jesus is alive
He’s alive
{Chorus}
Oh, happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh, happy day, happy day
I’ll never be the same
Forever I am changed.
When I stand in that place
Free at last, meeting face to face
I am yours, Jesus, you are mine
Endless joy, perfect peace
Earthly pain finally will cease
Celebrate, Jesus is alive
He’s alive
Oh, happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh, happy day, happy day
I’ll never be the same
Forever I am changed
{Bridge}
Oh, what a glorious day
What a glorious way
That You have saved me
Oh, what a glorious day
What a glorious name
Jesus!!!!!
[Chorus repeats]
A sending out prayer:
Lord of awe and wonder, Lord of gentleness and strength, Lord of joy and celebration, we go out into the world with you.
Amen.
