WELCOME TO OUR WORSHIP
25TH APRIL 2021 AT 10:30 AM
LIVE FROM THE CHURCH
and on Zoom
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
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THIS IS DERRICK’S FINAL SERVICE AS OUR MINISTER.
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Zoom information
Meeting ID: 820 914 4309 Passcode: 031596
Group E is on duty today – 25th April. Group F on 2nd May and Group A on 9th May.
We hope you will enjoy the worship and be blessed.
ORDER OF SERVICE
THE GATHERING
Greeting
Good morning, church; We are ‘Walking the Way, Living the life of Jesus today.’
The Welcome and Introductory words
Call to Worship
Hymn: SoF 1030 – The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want
- The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads me by the still, still waters,
His goodness restores my soul.
And I will trust in You alone,
And I will trust in You alone,
For Your endless mercy follows me,
Your goodness will lead me home.
- He guides my ways in righteousness,
And He anoints my head with oil,
And my cup, it overflows with joy,
I feast on His pure delights. - And though I walk the darkest path,
I will not fear the evil one,
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know.
Stuart Townend Copyright © 1996 Thankyou Music
Prayer of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication
The 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, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Fellowship News and Notices
THE MINISTRY OF GOD’S WORD
Bible Readings:
From the New International Version (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
The First Reading: Acts 4:5-12 – Peter testifies before the high priests.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: ‘By what power or what name did you do this?’ 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is ‘“the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’
Here ends the reading. Thanks be to God.
The Second Reading from: 1 John 3:16-24 – Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 if our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts
do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: we know it by the Spirit he gave us.
Here ends the reading. Thanks be to God.
The Gospel Reading: John 10:11-18 – Jesus is the good shepherd.
11 ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.’
Here ends the reading. Thanks be to God.
SERMON “Christ, our Good Shepherd.”
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
Hymn: RS 552 The King of love my shepherd is
- The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never.
I nothing lack if I am his,
and he is mine forever. - Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth;
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth. - Perverse and foolish, oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me;
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
4. In death’s dark vale I fear no ill,
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.
- Thou spreadst a table in my sight;
thy unction grace bestoweth;
and oh, what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth! - And so through all the length of days,
thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house forever.
H.W. Baker (1868)
https://youtu.be/iI1OeQfkVyI
Prayer of Intercession
The Act of Conclusion of Derrick’s Ministry at ECURC
Hymn: RS 567 – Your hand, O God, has guided
- Your hand, O God, has guided
your flock from age to age;
your faithfulness is written
on history’s open page.
Our fathers owned your goodness,
and we their deeds record;
and both to this bear witness:
one church, one faith, one Lord! - Your heralds brought the gospel
to greatest and the least;
they summoned men and women
to share the great King’s feast.
And this was all their teaching
in ev’ry deed and word,
to all alike proclaiming:
one church, one faith, one Lord! 3. Your mercy will not fail us And then by earth and heaven nor leave your work undone; your name shall be adored;
with your right hand to help us and this shall be our anthem:
the vict’ry shall be won. one church, one faith, one Lord!
E.H. Plumptre (1821-91) https://youtu.be/IaI3cRtXqRw
- Statement by Church Secretaries
- Statement by Derrick
- Prayer
DISMISSAL
Closing Hymn:
- God be with you till we meet again;
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
- God be with you till we meet again;
Neath His wings protecting hide you;
Daily manna still provide you;
God be with you till we meet again.
- God be with you till we meet again!
When life’s perils thick confound you,
Put His arms unfailing round you;
God be with you till we meet again!
- God be with you till we meet again!
Keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
Smite death’s threatening wave before you;
God be with you till we meet again!
Jeremiah Rankin https://youtu.be/uOYz4IXsrSU
Blessing
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Lectionary Readings for Sunday 2nd May 2021 – Fifth Sunday of Easter:
Acts 8:26–40 – Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.
Psalm 22:25-31 – Praise God who has heard our call.
1 John 4:7–21 – Everyone who loves is born of God.
John 15:1-8 – Jesus is the true vine.
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Sunday May 2nd: Communion Service will be led by Mrs Bea Pollard and live streamed on Zoom
Sunday May 9th : Service will be led by Mr john Ponsford and live streamed on Zoom
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Our church needs your support through your Freewill Offering/Tithes/Donations. Please make it online by direct payment direct to: Account name: East Croydon United Reformed Church Sort code: 60-50-01 A/C No: 10322620 Reference: Offering + [date]
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