Welcome to this mornings Online Church Service!  We invite you to join us on a journey.  You might be coming to God today with a bit of anxiety or guilt or some other not so good feeling while in lockdown.  Listen to the first two songs.  Realise you are forgiven, Jesus has paid for everything – it is done!  Then as a response to that, as we start to comprehend that forgiveness, come and praise and glorify God because of his amazing grace.  

Notices – With Karol!

• Come to the Altar

• Done – Tauren Wells

• Come Praise and Glorify

• This is Amazing Grace

Prayer for Whyalla,

• I’m not sure what you were thinking on Monday as the spectre of another COVID lockdown loomed over our state;“Surely we can’t be going into another lockdown”?

  “Perhaps the authorities will get on top of it quickly and it won’t be an issue.”  

  “Nicola will tell us what to do”.

  “Oh no! Here we go again”.

  “Will the AFL be able to continue”?

  “Do I have enough toilet paper”?

  If I’m honest, most of these thoughts went through my mind, especially the last two!                       Even though we have been through this before, the thought of losing a lot of our civil liberties and living life again with the restrictions that COVID places upon us can be confronting.

  The following verse came to mind when I was busily running around on Tuesday trying to put things in place at school in preparation for the current lockdown;                                                               “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18 

  The above thoughts and questions reflect deficit thinking. Whilst we may be experiencing some inconvenience to our lives, as God’s children He would once again have us see this situation in the light of the overwhelming love and life that is ours in Jesus. Inconvenient? Yes. Do we need to fear? No!

  As we come to pray for our city this week let’s pray for;

  1. God to shine through us so that we may be steadfast in the knowledge and security of His love and the fact that He again (as always) has these situations in hand

   

  2. That we may in turn demonstrate this peace and security to others

   

  3. That our town and community may experience God’s peace during this time and know the hope that He brings.

  Prayer that the  truths of the following verses may be evident through us and in Whyalla during this time(and beyond!)

  “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” We have been given control over our thoughts and fears. 2 Timothy 1:7

  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

  “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.” John 14:27

   

  Blessings

  Brett

Two Ways: Jesus's way or compromise

Matthew 7:13-29

Benediction:

Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.  Amen