Family Service
Call to Worship
Psalm 100 "Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. 3Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His loving kindness is everlasting, And His faithfulness to all generations."
Prayers
Gracious Father, in Christ Jesus you have shown us a light and love which is amazing. As we gather together today to worship you, let us not be overwhelmed by your glory but enthralled by your love. Inflow us with your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled to take charge of our own lives, without looking over our shoulder or fearing what lies around the next bend.
Through Christ our Saviour.
Amen!
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
Let us admit our sin to one another and to God. Let us pray.
Holy Friend, God and Saviour, please deal with us not as we would like but as we truly need. Bring us to self-honesty, to recognise what is good and to admit what is evil.
Enable us to sincerely repent of both our blatant sins and our secret ones. Do not allow us any self pity or wallowing in guilt, but help us to turn to you for forgiveness and cleansing.
Encourage us to accept a new beginning and to take the wisest steps to amend any wrongs done to others.
If we cannot put things right, give us the humility to pray for those who can.
Help us by your abundant grace, to bring goodness out of evil and success out of failure.
Through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen!
FORGIVENESS AFFIRMED
Let us each remember, that if our conscience wants to keep on condemning us, God is greater than our conscience and knows and forgives all. In Christ- perfect love casts out fear.
We praise and thank you Heavenly King for your grace, mercy and forgiveness that is given to us through Jesus Christ
Amen
The Lords prayer
Notices and Offering
Song: This song Suggested to Bo and Natasha by Gabriel's great grandma - Connie (requested by Bo and Natasha) Many thanks - beautiful words. (We make these our prayer
Our Father, whose creative love,
The gift of life bestows,
Each child of earthly union born
Your heavenly likeness shows.
Grant those entrusted with the care
Of precious life from You,
Your grace, that faithful they will prove
And strong in all they do.
Teach them to meet the growing needs
Of infant, child and youth;
To build the body, train the mind
To know and love the truth.
And, highest task, to feed the soul
With Christ, the living bread
That each unfolding life may grow
Strong in thy paths to tread.
All parents need Your wisdom's light,
Your love within their heart;
Then bless their home, and for their task
Your Spirit's grace impart.
Baby Blessing for Gabriel Matthew Frederick Herbert Poraj-Pstrokonski
Introduction
In the name of Jesus we welcome today Natasha and Bo with their son Gabriel and members of their wider family and friends.
Natasha and Bo are here to present their son before the Lord, as Jesus was presented in the Temple by his parents. In so doing they recognise that Gabriel is not their personal property but belongs also to God, and that as parents they have responsibilities before God. In their promises they will commit themselves to fulfil those responsibilities.
As a church, we shall welcome Gabriel into our family, as Jesus welcomed children brought to him. Also we shall promise in the presence of God to offer out support and friendship to this child and her family, and to join with Natasha and Bo in sharing our faith in Jesus Christ in the hope that she may one day discover such a faith for himself.
Finally, we shall ask God’s blessing on Gabriel.
First some verses from Matthew's Gospel 18: 3-4.
Jesus said: Truly, I tell you, unless you turn round and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven . Whoever humbles himself and becomes like this child will be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven ”.
Let us pray: Bo to Pray- A prayer written by Bo and Natasha. Blessing prayer:
Dear Father, the creator of all life, we joyfully thank you for the gift you have given us; our precious Gabriel.
We thank you for his safe arrival, for his health and for his happiness.
We thank you Lord for the joy he has given; not only to us, his parents, but to his grandparents, his great-grandparents, his cousins, his aunts and uncles and to his friends.
Thank you for bringing him into Your world surrounded by love.
Lord, as parents, we ask for your help to be worthy of this great gift you have entrusted to us. Give us wisdom and patience, strength and understanding, so that we may care for him as best we can.
We pray Lord that you will protect him from harm; and we ask that wherever his life’s journey leads him, he will know how loved he is by us and by You, his Father in Heaven, for eternity.
Accept our thanks and praise, in the name of Your son Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Promise: The parents are asked by the minister:
Minister Natasha and Bo , we have heard your thanks and praise, but let me nor formally confirm with you and chare you before God and in the presence of this congregation - do you thank God for his gift of your child, and do you accept the joys and duties of parenthood, promising to give love and care to your child?
Parents We do.
Minister Do you promise to bring your son up within the Christian community and to share your own faith with him?
Parents We do.
Minister What names have you given to your Son?
Parents Gabriel Matthew Frederick Herbert Poraj-Pstrokonski
Minister takes the child from the mother… says from centre of the church:
Minister to Congregation: Do we, as a congregation of God’s people, receive Gabriel in the name of Christ, promising to play our part in their Christian upbringing, by providing instruction in the Christian faith, by the example of our lives, and the strong support of Christian fellowship?
Minister Gabriel Matthew Frederick Herbert Poraj-Pstrokonski we welcome you in the name of the Lord.
Blessing- Placing hand on the child’s head, the leader says:
Minister over the child
Gabriel Matthew Frederick Herbert Poraj-Pstrokonski , the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
Gabriel you are one of God’s children, held forever in his love. The blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, rest and remain with you now and always.
Minister gives Baby back to Father:
Gabriel's cousins - Kathlyn and Hugh and Rosa - have written some words for Gabriel.
Presentation of candle and certificate.
This light is a reminder of Jesus to you – Jesus who said: I am the light of the world.
May his light shine on Gabriel always, and may he know God guidance and peace.
As we pray lets Look at the candle and focus on the light.
May The light of Jesus shine on and through Gabriel always, and may he know God's guidance and peace.
The Bright light of God's guarding be with you
The Bright light of Christ's love be with you
The Bright light of the Spirit's presence surround and enfold you.
All the days and nights of your life.
Amen
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God our Father, maker of all that is living, we praise you for the wonder and joy of creation. We thank you for the love that has summoned this child into being, for a safe delivery, and for the privilege of parenthood. Accept our thanks and praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We ask your rich blessing on Gabriel on his parents, and wider family, and on the family of faith that is Leytonstone United Free Church. Help them to surround Bo and Natasha with love and security. Give them grace and wisdom to teach Gabriel your truth and guide him in your ways; and through their love for this child may they learn to love you more.
We commend to you this home and family, and all the homes and families represented ere this day. Help us in our homes to honour you and to serve one another in your love, and help us to care in Christ’s name for all who are one with us in the family of His church, and for all our neighbours. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song: Lord of all hopefulness.
Story: You are Special
Song: The Lord's my shepherd
Believers Baptism:
Testimony - Marian.
Service of Believers' Baptism
My friends, you have heard Marion tell of the pilgrimages of faith that has brought her to this point today. Marian is here because in Jesus Christ she has found a living Lord. Marion has met him in a personal way, and know that Jesus, the Son of God, loves her, and that he gave himself to die for her on a cross. Marion know that Jesus, the Son of God, was not defeated by death but was raised to life, and calls us to accept his forgiveness and hope, and to share in his resurrection life.
In baptism Marion will express this belief, consecrating herself in a special way to commitment and service. She will enter the water in obedience, believing that baptism is commanded by Christ himself. As she goes under the water and rise from it, they give witness to their desire to die to self and rise with Christ to new life.
Marion comes surrounded by the love and prayers of this church family and upheld by the great continuous prayer that unites us with the universal Church of Christ in heaven and on earth.
Marion come as a much loved child of a Father who gladly welcomes her. Jesus is our brother, and we are bound to him by his Holy Spirit. God is glad, and we are glad, that Marion has come this way. This is a special moment - let us pray for Marion.
Lord God, you know each one of us better than we know ourselves. In your Son you have shown us love that is greater than we can ever appreciate. In your Spirit we are bound closer to you and to each other.
We pray especially for your servant Marion. We ask that she may know the fullness of your love and the filling of your Spirit as in baptism she signifies her desire to follow your Son.
May this important step on her life's journey wash away the fears and sins of the past. May all they know of you be enhanced and magnified, and may what happens today underline their progress towards a future of sure and certain hope.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Alison enters the water - (Speaks to Marion from the pool )
Declaration of Faith
LEADER Marion do you believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
CANDIDATE I do.
LEADER In obedience to the call of our risen Lord Jesus Christ, do you repent of your sins and come to be baptised?
CANDIDATE I do.
LEADER With the help of the Holy Spirit, do you offer your life in service to God wherever he may call you to go?
CANDIDATE I do.
LEADER Then come and be baptised.
( Marion into the water)
Give Text:
Marion: Phil 4: 6 - 7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Minister Marion on your profession of faith and pledge of allegiance I gladly baptise you in the name or the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Pray over candidate.
(As Marion gets out of the water) Hymn 25 Amazing Grace (Verse 1 and 4 only)
Words of Appeal:
As Philip travelled from Jerusalem to Gaza. He met with that Ethiopian who after a dialogue with Phillip asked: "Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?" - The challenge and witness of baptism that Marion has demonstrated today is now offered to you. Us the Lord challenging you to make this step of faith through Believers Baptism? Our answer is personal, but our witness and response becomes public as we share our journey of faith together. My prayer is that you will seek God's will for your life in all things.
(Pic of waiting)
Have you noticed that Powerless people do a lot of waiting? One of the ways that powerful people demonstrate power over others is to make them wait. This is a tactic that works to remind the powerless of who is at the Top, who is in Charge, who sets the agendas!
Even those with only a little power learn how to do this, watch children and the way they act with each other. If a child wants to assert power over another child, they learn to keep each other waiting, hoping, longing - will she, won't she? Will he be my friend, will she call tonight? When we go to an important appointment for anything whatsoever, we will likely be told to take a number and take a seat. Mr Dreadfully Important Person or Doctor Terribly Busy will see you when they are ready, and not when you are ready!
This all begs the question: How often have we misuse power in this way?
It seems that the poor people in our world do most of the waiting. Waiting for the giro cheque to arrive before they can do anything. Waiting for the lottery numbers to be announced on television. They wait for a letter from somewhere, or a phone call they've been told will come, and then they hear the news that their place of work will lay off 500 employees next month, will they be involved in this - they have to wait to find out. They wait for others to decide their futures. A feeling of real powerlessness to have no power over your own decisions over your own destiny!
People who wait become like the objects that other people act upon, not the subjects of their own lives. Powerlessness makes potential movers and shakers, into those who so often can't move and are shaken to the core of their being with frustration and anger.
Ascension
As Jesus goes to heaven he gathers his disciples around him and talks about issues of waiting and power. His disciples had become a people again, following their dispersion at the crucifixion - the whole resurrection appearances had made them feel ten feet tall, and eager for something big to happen next. After witnessing the resurrection - what could be next?
How about restoring the Kingdom of Israel - how about world peace and order, how about more signs and wonders that would really turn peoples heads. How about the end of the world - and Heaven and eternity - what next Lord? Is it time for the next big thing? Their experience had made them excited - they were now looking for the next big thing, right here, right now!
There are times in our lives when time is indeed the great healer. For time helps us to get things into proper prospective and allows us opportunity to reflect and consider the bigger picture. Maybe this is such a time for you? A time to ponder and reflect - when you would rather see action and yet you are experiencing frustration deep within.
Jesus replies to his fiends with those words (The Message): "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business."
Suddenly the disciples are people waiting - people who are promised power - yet have to wrestle with the powerless of the wait - Jesus had previously told them "Don't leave Jerusalem but "you must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit."
But how long Lord? What will it be like? How will we know? Will you tell us when it will happen? But Jesus goes on to tell them that they would indeed be powerful witnesses, in their town, their region, their country - and throughout the whole world.
This powerlessness of waiting will result in the this promised power being freely given to them.
Then as Jesus spoke to them, before their eyes - he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
Now - they wait - the experience of the powerlessness of the wait is real - but suddenly is impounded by the fact that they are now alone!
Pic: Bright sky
And they stand - looking up. stunned and mesmerised, is this a joke - will Jesus come back any minute, like he had done before.
Then the two man in white robes appear out of the blue and (angels) challenged them "You Galileans!-why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly--and mysteriously--as he left."
Picture it - the disciples looking up into the skies.
The angels put a question to the disciples that would bring them down to earth again. “Why do you have your eyes in the skies?” Why do you have your eyes in the skies?”
I want to think about this question this morning, for I believe this question has something to say to us, this question has a challenge for each of us . For at times it appears that faith and religion can be so focused on another world that we fail to connect with the world around us.
Here, the disciples are challenged with this question as they come to terms with the fact that in their emptiness, powerlessness, in the waiting place, power was discovered in their weakness. Real life is to be wrestled with and there are indeed tough issues of living as Christ’s people on earth, and like the disciples we too have to remember that power is often found in our weakness also.
I feel this is a topic that we keep returning to. For here in this pre-Pentecost reading we connect again with a desperate place - with a people of faith who are wrestling with the tough times, with a challenge to hold on to God who will come and save us - in his time.
The disciples stood for a while and looked up, into the distance - into the clouds where Christ was last seen, and their focus was there. The men in white assured them that Jesus would return in the same way he was taken, but they offers them a challenge to get on with life.
The wrong focus:
On the eve of Pentecost, as we celebrate again the coming of the spirit, I believe that God challenges us about our spiritual focus. Where are we looking?
To receive power, the disciples had to stop looking into the ether, and focus on reality; stop day- dreaming about the past and speculating about the future, but grasp hold of the present and come together.
Friends, where is your focus? When you reflect on God and his promise of power to you, where do you find strength and reassurance?
The power of God is found as we engage with our everyday circumstances, as we wrestle with faith and life and make the connections between Sunday and Wednesday afternoons.
Disciples together
Worship and wonder is not reserved for the times when we have our heads in the clouds, but for the times when the day is dreary and our strength is small. When decisions are hard and perseverance is low.
God gave his people his power when they were in the waiting place, when they had done some work on themselves as individuals and as a group. When they were together, together - God came to them and brought about transformation and began a revolution, that we today have got involved with.
This didn't begin when the disciples would have liked it to happen - on that day when they wanted the Kingdom restored, things certainly did not go to plan, Christ left them. Christ left them with work to do, there were still hard lessons that had to be learnt- these men who were Christ's resurrection people - now had to learn something of weakness and emptiness - before them would be filled with power.
The upper room experience was much more than drawing lots and choosing Matthias - it was a hard wait, a steep learning curve, a coming together of a broken people, a time of prayer and devotion. It would have seemed a long way from the mountain top resurrection experiences they had previously encountered, yet in this waiting place God, through Christ, sends the Holy Spirit on his people.
The question I feel I want to put to you this morning is simply -where are you looking for God? When do you expect to receive God's power?
Is it here in worship, as we lift our hearts in praise together, as we pray together and listen to His word for our lives? Is it in this sanctuary, this holy place?
For the disciples, they had leave the mountain top experience and return to life as normal. They had to go back to Jerusalem (a place of fear and memories), and wait in that uncomfortable place for God to keep his word, and he did.
In 1 Peter 5: 10 which we heard earlier we read: after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
Dove spirit
Friends, I do not know what you are suffering right now?
I do not know what you are waiting for and what lessons you are learning? I do not know your fears and anxieties - but God does, and Acts one teaches us about a God who comes to a waiting people, Power that comes to a powerless people, energy that comes to a tired people, Purpose that come to a broken people.
And so we look to next Sunday to Pentecost - and yet we remember that in the midst of the hard times, Christ comes again - through His spirit, to his people. Look out for him this week - we don't know the time and place where we will encounter God - for through The Holy Spirit time and space become the here and now. Amen
Intercession: David
Song: Only by grace can we enter
Communion
Before we come to communion together -we welcome Marion into membership of this church family
Me:
Marion, in the sight of God and the presence of this congregation - Do you commit yourself to love and serve the Lord within this church community and in the world; and being filled with the Holy Spirit, to fulfil your ministry in the Body of Christ.
Marion: I do
Response of Church: (I invite the church family to stand)
Me; Do we welcome Marion into the family of God and into this local church?
Church family: We do.
Me: Do we promise to love, encourage, strengthen, guide, pray for, and care for Marion as an equal partner in the Body of Christ?
Church Family: We do
Declaration:
Marion - The God of all grace, who has called you to Christian faith and service, confirm and strengthen us all with the Holy Spirit and keep us faithful to Christ all our days.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I offer you the hand of fellowship and warmly welcome you to the full privileges and responsibilities of membership of this church. May your joining us be a blessing to you and to all of us, and may our one Lord keep us one with all His people for ever. Amen.
As is customary for other servers will welcome you too!
(Present membership Card)
As if this were the only time, And this the only place,
And we the only people, Jesus Christ will meet us.
This is the table
Not of the church, but of the Lord.
It is to be made ready For those who love him
And who want to love him more.
So, come, You who have much faith
And you who have little.
You who have been here often
And you who have not been for a long time,
You who have tried to follow
And you who have failed.
Come,
Not because it is I who invites you:
It is our Lord.
It is his will that those who want him
Should meet him here.
We hear , and respond to our Lord’s invitation – and so we come, into his Holy presence, around his table - aware of our all frailty, shortcomings and sin. Let us seek his cleansing, forgiveness and refreshment together, in silent prayer. (1 min)
Words of affirmation from John who reminds us that - (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Almighty God , to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Now let us hear the story of how this sacrament began.
On the night on which Jesus was betrayed, he sat at supper with his disciples
While they were eating, he took the bread, (Take break) and said a blessing,
Let us to give thanks:
Thank you gracious God for your goodness to us as revealed here at this table, where for a moment we are joined with all Heaven in wonder, love and praise of you. Amen
Then he broke it (Break it!) and gave it to his friends, with the words
“This is my body, broken for you”.
Do this to remember me.
Later he took the cup of wine, saying, (Lift the cup now)
“This cup is God’s new covenant
sealed with my blood
Drink from it, all of you, and remember me.
(Lift up the cup and bread )
For as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Let us together proclaim our faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Distribution:
Grapes: On this plate I have some small red grapes – these are the young fruit of the vine, full of potential to become the best wine, but not yet fully matured and not yet down-trodden by the feet of many who grind them down so that they yield their best. Young grapes….vital for the developing life of the vine, as our children are within the church of Christ . I invite the children to come and take a grape and receive a blessing.
Bread. Please take and eat the bread as you are served.
Wine: Please retain your glasses and we will drink together as our sign of fellowship in Christ.
Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and we shall dwell in his house for ever!
So let us drink and be thankful.
Almighty God,
We thank you for feeding us
with the Body and Blood of your son, Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out
in the power of your Spirit
to live and work
to your praise and glory. Amen
Hymn: Will you come and follow me
Benediction