Acts 11: 1 - 18

Welcome everyone - today Alan and Sally will be leading us in worship, and Keith will be bringing the message.

Children

The children's service can be found on www.hillsong.co.uk, or go to YouTube: "Hillsong kids online service". It is released each Sunday morning, so do check that it is the most recent post!  

Our first song is 'Christ crucified' from Nathan and Lou Fellingham.

It combines the beautiful truth that we are God's children with a passage from

1 Corinthians 1: 18 'For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God'.

When the music fades

When the music fades, all is stripped away and I simply come  Longing just to bring something that's of worth that will bless your heart 

I'll bring You more than a song for a song in itself is not what You have required  You search much deeper within through the way things appear You're looking into my heart 

I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about You  It's all about You, Jesus  I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it when it's all about You  It's all about You, Jesus 

King of endless worth no one could express how much you deserve  Though I'm weak and poor all I have is yours every single breath 

Lord, would you open our hearts to the message that Keith brings to us today so that your word can both cleanse us and cause us to bear good fruit for you.

Sermon

Reading: Acts 11: 1 - 18 The gospel for all people - defending God's grace

Intercessory Prayers

These are difficult times for all of us, but none more so than for the persecuted church.

Let us join together in this prayer from Open Doors.

A prayer for the persecuted church during Covid-19

Lord Jesus Christ

You, who hugged the leper and healed the lame, be with all those who are reaching out to You at this time.

We think especially of all who already pay a high price for following You:

those who are poor, and running out of food, those who are hated by their community and are always the last to receive help – if they receive it at all,

those to whom the fear of Covid-19 is just the latest in a long list of fears which they must carry every day.

Encourage and protect the pastors who lead their flocks, and the Open Doors partners who bring help.

Bring courage to those who are afraid, strength to those who are weak, comfort to those who mourn, and hope to us all.

AMEN

Closing

From Phillipians Chapter 4:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Notices

Offerings

If you'd like to donate to the work of this church, you can do so at:

NatWest

Hayling Island Baptist Church

Acc: 86223828

Sort code: 53-50-33

If you would like to find out more about how and why Christians donate to churches this article provides relevant scriptures and some interesting history on the topic.

Garden / WhatsApp bible studies

If you'd still like to join please email admin@haylingislandbaptist.co.uk

A number of our groups are taking a holiday at present. If yours is meeting, we encourage you to read through Acts 11: 1 - 18 together and share what has spoken to you particularly out of both the passage and today's service.

Encourage each other to raise questions and share personal experiences too. Try to make time to pray, and listen, for those people and circumstances that the Lord is laying on your hearts.

End by praying for each other.

When will services resume at the Community Centre?

These guidelines from the government make it clear that due to the fact we meet in a shared community facility, it is not yet safe for us to open:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-multi-purpose-community-facilities/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-multi-purpose-community-facilities

However, we are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you posted!

Food Bank

Paul Dennison, from the Bridge Church, will continue to collect for the Food Bank. Sarah and David are still happy to receive food for the Food Bank at their home until we are back at church, and even then to organise its delivery to the Bridge.

As to Hayling Holiday Lunches, the government has said they will only provide vouchers for the summer and not in future holidays, so Hayling Holiday Lunches will resume when needed.