WS Online 22 March 2020
Interactive service outline for Church at Home
Welcome
We understand that this is not how we would want to meet as a church, but we thank God that through technology, we have the possibility to do so in difficult times such as these.
Some of us may find it helpful to meet as a family to conduct these services, but the service is also conducive for those who are following this by themselves. Our Children’s Ministry has sent out a program for Sunday School aged children by email.
We encourage you to set aside 1 hour to worship through this service. In the service today, there will be opportunities for singing, prayer, offering, Scripture reading, and hearing God’s Word explained. If you are meeting with others, please feel free to take turns reading aloud, sing aloud the songs to God, and pray the prayer points together. The service is intentionally interactive, so that you can engage in active worship of our God.
Our call to worship
During today’s service we conclude our 2020 Vision series by looking at the theme of “Reaching out with the gospel.” Pastor Daniel Chieng will encourage us through God’s Word.
As we begin today’s service please read with us from Psalm 33:20-22, as we are reminded to put our hope and trust in God in uncertain times.
“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”
Opening songs
Let’s sing our opening song, a prayer to help us to keep our focus on God – Be Thou My Vision
Our second song is a reminder that Jesus is our hope, even in times of trouble – No Other Name
Announcements
While we currently exist in part as an online community, we remain a local community that desires to meet together, serve each other, and carry out Christ’s Great Commission. Here are some items of news for us as a church family.
- SMBC College Mission cancelled – SMBC has cancelled all mission week teams in Australia and internationally, however, SMBC lecturer Dr. Malcolm Gill will still be bringing God’s Word to us on 5th
- Easter in the Park and the Young Ladies Fellowship event have also been cancelled.
- Children’s ministry – we will be suspending children’s ministry for the next three weeks, when we will evaluate the situation. An online version of Sunday school will be sent out for families to go through together.
- Youth ministry – youth will be going online starting from next Friday 27th for Glue, and Sunday 29th for Stick. Parents will be notified of the details and will be updated of any changes in plans.
- Small groups and care groups – we are committed to keeping small groups both safe and supportive. Some groups will opt to meet online, while others may choose to meet in person according to the health guidelines set by the government. Please let one of the pastors know if you need support or guidance.
- We encourage everyone to continue to take the Covid-19 virus situation seriously and to take necessary precautions to limit the spread of the virus. As a church, we continue to follow the guidelines set by the NSW Department of Health and will continue to keep you updated.
Congregational Prayer
We are now going to spend some time speaking to God about all that’s going on in our world. It is important to pray to God during this time, as God does listen to our prayers and is powerful to act. So, let’s pray to Him now.
Dear God,
Thank you that you are with us this morning and thank you that you are with all our brothers and sisters right across the world who are worshipping you this morning, whether in gatherings like this or at home. Please comfort each one of them. We are so sad about what has been happening in our world and we pray for your mercy for all who are hurting and in need of healing.
God, you tell us in Corinthians that you are “the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God”. So we pray that we might experience your comfort so that we can reach out to others who are in need of the peace only you can bring. Please direct us as to how we can be light and salt to our neighbours, friends, families and even strangers. May this be a time when your gospel going forth and your kingdom multiplies, as people ask the big questions about life and faith.
God we also pray for our government and other leaders as they act for the benefit of our communities. Please give them wisdom and discernment as they implement measures to stop the spread of the virus. Please may it be contained, and may there be no more fatalities. We also lift up to you our church pastors and leaders. Please guide them to as they think through how we should respond as a church. Give them creativity as they think through how we might still connect with each other as the body of Christ. We thank you for our leaders and pray you would sustain each one of them.
God we also pray for our missionaries. And this morning we particularly think of the Wong family in Japan. We pray that they might be a source of blessing to those around them. May they walk closely with you and prayerfully submit all their decisions about events and travel before you. We pray they would still be able to connect with those they are reading the Bible with and that they might be able to speak your truth to them.
God we lift you all these things to you.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Bible readings
The reading for today comes from Matthew 28:18-20 and Colossians 4:2-6.
Matthew 28:18-20
18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Colossians 4:2-6
2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Sermon
Today we’ll hear from Pastor Daniel Chieng, as he speak on the topic of “Reaching out with the gospel.” Please listen here to the recording: https://ws-strathfield-english.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/sermons/2020/Sermon+20200322.mp3
Offering Song
We come to a time in the service when we have the chance to give back a little bit of what God has given to us. Because an offering bag cannot be passed around, please make your electronic offerings to church via these accounts. You can also give online using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or credit card by clicking on this link: https://tithe.ly/give?c=1291374
Even though we can’t all meet together in one building, we have still made our commitment to financially support our pastors, missionaries, and ongoing church expenses. So please consider how you can keep giving as an offering to the Lord.
- General fund: BSB 082 080. Acc 48 243 6244. Name: WSCCC.
- Mission fund: BSB 082 080. Acc 52 856 0495. Name: WSCCC.
- Building fund: BSB 082 451. Acc 73 932 0475. Name: WSCCC.
Our offering song is For the Cause
Offering Prayer
Lord, thank you for the money that has been collected via electronic means today and throughout the week. We pray that this money might be used wisely by our leaders so that you your light Lord would spread in our community and around the world. In Jesus name, Amen.
Closing prayer and benediction
Please continue to contemplate all you have heard from Scripture today. Share with your family and friends. We hope that you have been able to enjoy this new form of worship. We will continue to keep you updated regarding our plans for next Sunday.
As we approach the coming week, let’s finish with Paul’s blessing from 2 Corinthians 13:
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all evermore.