Stalbridge Congregational Church – Prayer / Worship Leaflet 29th March 2020

From Psalm 130 v 5 -6

I wait eagerly for the Lord’s help, and in his word I trust.
I wait for the Lord more eagerly than watchmen wait for the dawn –
than watchmen wait for the dawn.
Welcome to worship
Let us sing together …….. 50 in Mission Praise
Be still for the presence of the Lord, Be still for the glory of the Lord, Be still for the power of the Lord,
the Holy One is here; is shining all around; is moving in this place:
come bow before Him now He burns with holy fire, He comes to cleanse and heal,
with reverence and fear: with splendour He is crowned: to minister His grace -
in Him no sin is found - how awesome is the sight - no work too hard for Him.
We stand on holy ground. Our radiant King of light! In faith receive from Him.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord, Be still, for the glory of the Lord, Be still for the power of the Lord,
the Holy One, is here. Is shining all around. Is moving in this place.

Let us pray together

Psalm 130 continues (Israel) Stalbridge, trust in the Lord, because His love is constant and he is willing to
save. He will save his people (Israel) Stalbridge from all their sins.
Heavenly Father we come to you as your Church seeking your blessing on each person in our fellowship –
brothers and sisters in Christ – we pray for your presence here, speak your word to us through song,
scripture and reflection.
Say the Lord’s Prayer together

As we prepare to read scripture together – let us remember that in this period of Lent we reflect on Jesus’
time spent in the wilderness – isolated as we are – more so – from those we love – he knows and
understands our fears and anxieties – and he promises that like him we too will emerge stronger in faith
and discipleship.

Read from Luke chapter 8 verses 40 – 55

As you reflect on this passage – what are your first impressions? Who are the main characters? How do
they approach Jesus and how does Jesus respond to them?
The people – were waiting for Jesus and welcomed him and yet missed the woman’s touch
Jairus – an important official in the synagogue – he recognised this street preacher Jesus as someone more
powerful than him – who could help his daughter – he was desperate and in need.
The woman – an unclean outcast (due to her bleeding) hiding in the crowd – no-one else notices her – yet
even in the pressing crowd Jesus felt her touch.
When Jesus asked who had touched him she approached him – even though she was frightened
Peter – on whom the Church was to be built – missed the moment!
Jairus’ daughter – a child and female child – less important than a slave girl in Jewish culture at that time –
yet her father an important man publically sought Jesus’s help and Jesus didn’t hesitate to go with him.
Jesus – stops his journey to Jairus’ house (the official and important one) to seek out who had touched him
(just one in a crowd) – Jesus said…. “My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Jesus – in the privacy of her ‘room’ with only her parents, Peter, James and John; Jesus took her hand and
said “Get up my child.” In the culture of the time – for a man to touch a child acknowledges that child as
his own – until that point the child is fatherless.
In the healings Jesus demonstrates not only his compassion and power to heal – but a much deeper
spiritual relationship with them. We cannot touch Jesus in the physical sense – but his spirit reaches out to
our spirit – let this sustain us in this time when we have to keep our distance from each other.

Let us pray together

Jesus, as we reach out to you – reach out to us. Calm our fears; protect and heal all your people.
Jesus we lift our families, friends and neighbours to you – bring calm and wisdom into their homes.
Jesus protect all those in our NHS, Police, Supply Industry and other critical jobs as they work to keep our
sick well, the people fed and hope alive. Guide our Government and those across the world to make wise
decisions that we can emerge from this time as soon as possible.
Jesus let us use this time wisely to reflect on our faith, to keep in touch with our loved ones through the
many technologies we have and thank you for.
In your name we pray - Amen.

Let us sing together.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; O my soul,
worship His holy name,
Sing like never before, O my soul,
I’ll worship Your holy name.
You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great an Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing;
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.
The sun comes up it’s a new day dawning:.
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
let me be singing when the evening come.
on that day when my strength is failing,
The end is near and my time has come.
still my soul will sing Your praise unending:
Ten thousand years and for evermore.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
The light that shines is the light of love, On Monday he gave me the gift of love,
lights the darkness from above. Tuesday peace came from above.
It shines on me and it shines on you, On Wednesday He told me to have more faith,
and shows what the power of love can do. On Thursday He gave me a little more grace.
I’m gonna shine my light both far and near, Friday He told me to watch and pray,
I’m gonna shine my light both bright and clear. Saturday, He told me just what to say.
Where there’s a dark corner in this land On Sunday He gave me the power divine
I’m gonna let my little light shine. To let my little light shine.

In your mind’s eye – see the person next to you as we ‘hold hands’ and say the Grace to each other……..
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with each one
of us – now and forevermore. Amen

NB I am continuing to send out prayer reflection out in paper copy for those who cannot access electronically so that all are
included. CCL 1423991