Welcome
Birthday – Naomi
Call to worship John 11: 38 – 44
“Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.””
Opening prayer – Steve
Hymn All my ways are known to You
Sermon in the sack – Lucas
Hymn – Cynthia
Reading Joshua 3: 14 – 17
““So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.” – Gillian
Thought – Crossing the impossible
Hymn He will keep you Collection taken during the hymn by Darrel and Ranjana
Prayers of thanks – Darrel
Notices for week beginning 17th of March 2025
Home Group, 17th of March at 19:15 at Andrew’s & Claires.
Bible Study, 19th of March @ 11:00 in the Manse.
Prayer meeting, 20th of March @ 10:30 in Steve & Hazel’s.
Prayer walk, 21st of March @ 10:00 outside the new church building.
Hymn O praise the name
Lord’s Supper
We are going to share the Lord’s Supper together in a moment. This simple meal reminds us of the meal that Jesus shared with His friends the night before He was betrayed and hung on a cross. We share this meal because Jesus told us to do so when we gather together.
Paul wrote to his friends in Corinth to help them understand the Lord’s Supper. Here’s what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:23-27:
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
We will use Paul’s message to guide us as we take the Lord’s Supper together. But before we begin, we should think about who should share in this meal. You shouldn’t celebrate the Lord’s Supper just because you feel you have to or to fit in with everyone else. You should celebrate it if you love the Lord and want to love Him more – you don’t have to be perfect to take part.
So, let us celebrate the Lord’s Supper together this morning.
In verse 24, Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” As you take the bread, remember that Jesus gave His body to be broken on the cross for you because He loves you. Think about how much Jesus loves you and find strength and hope to serve God today and every day.
In verse 25, Jesus takes the cup, gives thanks, and offers it to His disciples, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” When Jesus spoke of “His blood poured out for the new covenant,” He was saying His death on the cross would establish a new, grace-filled relationship with God. This new covenant is based on forgiveness, faith, and inner transformation, rather than on external rituals or sacrifices. Through His blood, we are given direct access to God, a renewed heart, and the promise of eternal life.
Before you come forward to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, take a moment to thank God for all that Jesus has done for you because He loves you.
When you are ready, come forward to get the bread and the wine and return to your seat. As you take the bread and wine, remember what they mean and give thanks for Jesus and His love for you.
People come forward to receive the bread and wine Dannielle and Lorraine to distribute the elements.
Lord’s prayer – Steve
Share the peace
Hymn God is with us
Hymn Way maker
Blessing
and keep you;
may the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
may the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
Grace – Steve