Today's Service: 10 January 2021
Our services continue with "visiting" preachers.
Leader today: Derek Jackson
This is best viewed in Landscape orientation
You will appreciate the sound better if you use earphones or an external loudspeaker, whatever type of device you view on.
Invocation:
They who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint and so we come to wait upon the Lord.
Hymn 190: Let earth and heaven combine
tune: Harewood, with Intro.
1. Let earth and heaven combine,
And joyfully agree,
To praise in songs divine
The incarnate deity,
Our God contracted to a span,
Incomprehensibly made man.
2. He laid his glory by,
He wrapped him in our clay,
Unmarked by human eye,
The latent Godhead lay;
Infant of days he here became,
And bore the mild Immanuel's name.
3. Unsearchable the love
That has the Saviour brought;
The grace is far above
The power of human thought:
Suffice for us that God, we know,
Our God, is manifest below.
4. He deigns in flesh to appear,
Widest extremes to join;
To bring our baseness near,
And make us all divine:
And we the life of God shall know,
For God is manifest below.
5. Made perfect first in love,
And sanctified by grace,
We shall from earth remove,
And see his glorious face:
His love shall then be fully showed,
And we shall all be lost in God.
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Prayer
Lord as we come before you we do so with a deep sense of awe and wonder. You are our mighty, great, glorious, omnipotent God and yet contracted to a span incomprehensibly made man as the Hymn writer reminds us. All around we see the evidence of your creative power from the vastness of the universe which stretches our imagination to the delicate intricate petal on a beautiful flower and all are an expression of your love for us. Gracious God accept the worship and praise that we bring to you. May they flow from hearts and minds of gratitude that recognise the great privilege you have provided in the coming of the Lord Jesus to give free and constantly available access into your Holy presence. May we use it well for the sake of ourselves, others and for the extension of your kingdom.
Please forgive us for those times when we have been less like you than we ought to be and convict us to repentance for those things where our thoughts or words have been inappropriate and for any unwillingness to respond to your call upon our lives and actions that are inconsistent with our professions of faith. Help us to live in constant fellowship with you in the knowledge and assurance that if we confess our sins you are faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness as you have promised in your word. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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
Hymn 373 Lord Jesus Christ
tune: Living Lord, with Intro.
1. Lord Jesus Christ you have come to us
you are one with us, Mary's Son.
Cleansing our souls from all their sin
pouring Your love and goodness in
Jesus our love for you we sing,
living Lord.
2. Lord Jesus Christ now and every day
teach us how to pray, Son of God.
You have commanded us to do
this in remembrance Lord of you
Into our lives your power breaks through,
living Lord.
3. Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us
born as one with us, Mary's Son.
Led out to die on Calvary,
risen from death to set us free;
living Lord Jesus help us see
You are Lord.
4. Lord Jesus Christ I would come to you
live my life for you, Son of God.
All your commands I know are true,
your many gifts will make me new;
into my life your power breaks through,
living Lord.
Patrick Appleford, CCL Licence No. 213676
Reading: Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 13
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
9 What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the sons of men to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time; also he has put eternity into man’s mind, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; 13 also that it is God’s gift to man that every one should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil.
Reading: Philippians 4: 4 - 13
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. 6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me; you were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. 13 I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
Hymn 657 Rejoice the Lord is King
tune: Gopsal, with Intro.
1. Rejoice, the Lord is King.
Your Lord and King adore;
mortals, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
2. Jesus the Saviour, reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
3. His kingdom cannot fail;
he rules o'er earth and heaven;
the keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus given:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
4. He sits at God's right hand
till all his foes submit,
and bow to his command,
and fall beneath his feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
5. Rejoice in glorious hope;
Jesus the Judge shall come,
and take his servants up
to their eternal home:
We soon shall hear the archangel's voice
the trump of God shall sound: Rejoice!
Charles Wesley (1701-1788), John Taylor (1750-1826)
Sermon
To say the least 2020 has been a difficult year for most if not all of us. It has been a time when we have seen the very best in people with acts of kindness and self sacrifice many of them unknown and unnoticed except by the recipients. These actions give cause for optimism. Unfortunately we have also seen the very worst in people with empty supermarket shelves and irresponsible behaviour which puts others at risk and offers no concern for the consequences of their actions.
It has not been easy and a year of discontent would not be an inappropriate way to describe what has been endured. St. Paul was not without pain and suffering in his life but in the passage of scripture that we have read from Philippians he encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always. Now when circumstances suggest that what he tells us to do is easier said than done it is hard to take him at his word. His confidence emanated from the fact that he believed that whatever happened to him God was and always will be in control. There may be a temptation to believe that given the state of affairs we are in at the moment that humankind has been abandoned to suffer the consequences of the error of its ways but the Bible certainly does not give that impression. There may well be accountability for faults and failures but the coming of Jesus and subsequent events surrounding his life, death and resurrection give credence to a measure of love which is way beyond our human understanding of what love really is. When Prince Charles was asked before his marriage to Diana if he loved her he replied, "yes whatever love is". Love is more about experiencing it rather than using words to describe it but the evidence of God’s love is there for all to see and partake in through a relationship with Him and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives.
Paul described himself as having learned the secret of being content in any and every situation regardless of the circumstances and we would do well to follow his example. His suffering was far worse, on many occasions,that you and I have been expected to experience or endure, so you have to wonder what brought him to such a state of contentment. So often our own happiness and contentment flows from the circumstances that we are experiencing at the time. From family, friends, possessions, health and well being which are all there to be appreciated and enjoyed but what happens when they are no longer there?
To whom or to what do we then turn in our search to replace that which has been lost? The contentment of Paul rested in the security of his relationship with God. He believed in Him and the promises that he made. He trusted God which was not just about the here and now but encompassed his eternal future. His faith did not rest in what was only temporary but a confident assurance that the best is yet to be.
Whatever our situation may be at the moment whether it be grief, loneliness, poverty or any other adversity or difficulty we are having to cope with there is hope in the encouragement given to us by St. Paul to rejoice and find the secret of contentment as he himself had done. Substitute happiness for contentment and the Bible has pointers to help us on our way.
Job 5vs.17: Happy is the person who God corrects.
Psalm 144 vs.15: Happy are the people whose God is the Lord
Proverbs 3 vs. 13: Happy are those who find wisdom and get understanding
Proverbs 14vs.21: Happy are they who have mercy on the poor
John 13vs.17: Happy are you if you know Gods ways and follow them
James 5vs.11: Happy are they who endure to the end.
Perhaps it can all be summarised in the words of a little song that was shared with Sunday School children many years ago:
Happiness is to know the Saviour
Living a life within His favour
Having a change in my behaviour
Happiness is the Lord
Happiness is to be forgiven
Living a life that’s worth the living
Taking a trip that leads to heaven
Happiness is the Lord
Real joy is mine. No matter if the teardrops start
I’ve found the secret - it's Jesus in my heart.
Whatever your circumstances or situation have a happy new year and may this be to each one of us the year of contentment. Amen
Prayer
Thank you father for your faithfulness and the promise that you are able to do far more abundantly than we dare to ask or think. We are grateful for prayers that you have answered some of which have passed without us acknowledging or recognising that you have indeed responded to our pleas for help. Thank you for entrusting to our care this richly varied and beautiful world and we pray that you will help us to treasure and value that which you have given and to act responsibly in our care of it. We pray for your blessing upon the homeless, the hungry, the lonely, the isolated, the persecuted and oppressed. Please stir the hearts and minds of politicians, governments and those able to influence a new wave of compassion and concern that will help all in need. May the pandemic draw people together with forgiveness and reconciliation in order to work for the greater good and to ensure that poorer countries are not neglected in providing protection and cures for the most vulnerable. We ask that the vaccination programmes will be speedy and successful.
Father bring unity to the nations and mutual trust and respect that will build a safer and better world bringing dignity to all people and honour to you. We ask our prayers in the name and for the sake of Jesus and to His honour and glory. Amen
Hymn 705: O God our Help in Ages Past
(tune: St Anne, with full verse Intro.)
1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home;
2. Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.
3. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
4. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
6. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home!
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Blessing:
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the blessing of the Holy Spirit be with you now and always. Amen.
Next week, the service will be led by Maranny Jones
Don't forget the live streamed hymns on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. from Zöe (via Facebook)
These are available to view later as well. (via YouTube, for those without Facebook, and also Facebook)
The streamings are proving to be a great success - well done, Zöe!
The recorded streamings are now, thanks to Harry Marshall, available to all on YouTube - search for 'Northgate URC Darlington'.
Ask Harry to invite you to the Northgate Facebook Group 
and you will get a notification of the live stream.
- Or you can just search for 'Northgate URC Darlington' in Facebook.
The URC denominational church audio Services (podcasts) at https://devotions.urc.org.uk/ are excellent, with well-delivered prayers and readings using a selection of voices and well-presented hymns.
Do give these a try - they are excellent.
(Just start the sound playing and scroll down to the written words)
Why not put the time aside for Zoe at 10:45, our preacher's service after that and follow up with the podcast - you will feel as if you had been IN church, as well as WITH church.