Tea Service

​We would normally have been having this service together with each other at Kingswood so I thought it would be good to have a “stay at home” version and join together in spirit if not in body. So I hope you will all sit down with a cuppa and your sandwiches and cake and some “food for thought”.

Be still and know that God is with us, where we are now!

Stf 20  Be still, for the presence of the Lord

​Prayer
Faithful and present God, you are not blind to the storms that rage in this world, the sickness, sins and sufferings that threaten. Some can be seen, but others are hidden in our heart. Lord, bring your refuge and healing strength. Make us still in your safety.
When what seems permanent begins to crumble, when devastation ravages the earth, when powers that be claim to act in your name – let us remember the joy you offer us. Lord, help us to let go of fear and doubt. Make us still in your waters of gladness.
God, Creator of time, we hurry from task to task, from crisis to crisis, carrying the weight of the world. Or in this new season of quarantine, we let time pass without meaning. But the world is yours, and everything in it. Let us lay down both what keeps us too busy to be still and stillness that is empty before you so that we may truly see you. Lord, as we come into your presence. Make us still in you. Amen.

Reading. Psalm 46. (New Living Translation)
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.
God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.
The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world.
He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honoured by every nation. I will be honoured throughout the world.”
 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.

Stf 645 Will your anchor hold in the storms of life

​Message
“Be still and know that I am God” – verse 10 in Psalm 46. Perhaps that is something that is far easier to say than to actually do in these strange times. One of my friends asked me how I can still even believe that God cares about anything or anyone in these times of the pandemic and the unrest around the “Black lives matter” campaign going on at the moment. That’s not a question that is easy to answer to a non-Christian or someone of no faith at all. I can simply say that God is in control – we can never see the “Big Picture” as he does and there are times when we can do nothing but simply trust in him and “Be still” in his presence.
As I was preparing this “At home Tea Service” I didn’t want to do a repeat of this morning’s message and I looked at the readings for the second service in the lectionary and Psalm 46 was one of the readings. I read it slowly several times and it really struck me how appropriate the words are for these times. To me it gives a picture of chaos and order. The chaos caused by human greed and disobedience and the order that God can bring about when we turn to him and trust in him. God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to live with us and to die for our sins. After his resurrection and ascension he left us the gift of his Holy Spirit so that we can always reach out to him wherever we are and however we are feeling. We don’t need to be in a church building (as these last few weeks have proved) to spend time with him and draw close to him. I hope the words of the hymns I have chosen today have helped to draw you close to God and that you are “anchored” to him in these troubled times. So I invite you to “Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place (where you are now!) He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace. No work too hard for him. In faith receive from him.” Be still, and know that HE is God.

​Meditation - Psalm 46:10. Be still and know that I am God.
Be Still and Know that I AM God. What does this mean to you?
Be Still and Know that I AM. What is your Image of God in your life?
Be Still and Know. What does God want you to know?
Be Still. Stop. Relax, take a deep breath. Empty your thoughts and focus on the presence of God. Be still.
Be. What does it mean to just be? Who are you? Strip away all your roles and identities... and just BE.

​Prayers for others.
​You will know the things dear to your heart that you most want to pray for at the moment so I invite you to bring your personal prayers to God at this moment.

Lord’s Prayer
​ 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, 
and the power, and the glory, 
for ever and ever. Amen.

​StF 636  O Love that wilt not let me go

​Blessing.
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord look upon you with kindness
and give you peace. 
​ Amen