Welcome
Call to worship 2 Corinthians 5: 16 – 21
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Opening prayer – Lorraine
Hymn Our God
Sermon in the sack – Sandy
Hymn Cynthia
Reading Acts 9: 1 – 9
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. – Stefano
Thought “What a transformation!”
Hymn Might to save collection taken by Naomi and Luke.
Prayers of thanks – Naomi
1 Corinthians 11: 23 – 26
“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.” – Anne
Hymn O praise the name
Lord’s Supper
We are about to share the Lord’s Supper. This simple meal reminds us of the night Jesus ate with His disciples before He was betrayed and went to the cross. We do this because Jesus told us to remember Him in this way whenever we gather.
This meal is for those who love the Lord and want to love Him more. You don’t have to be perfect – come with a thankful heart.
As you take the bread, remember Jesus gave His body for you on the cross because He loves you. Find strength and hope in that love.
As you take the cup, remember His blood was poured out to bring forgiveness and a new covenant – a grace-filled relationship with God, based on faith and inner transformation, not rituals. Through Him we have direct access to God and the promise of eternal life.
Before you come forward, take a moment to thank God for all Jesus has done for you.
When you’re ready, please come, take the bread and wine from Andrew and Claire return to your seat, giving thanks for Jesus and His love.
Lord’s prayer – Robert
Share the peace
Philippians 1: 3 – 6
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Hymn Way maker
Blessing
“May the Lord bless you
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 – Marguerite