Today's Service: 20 June
Leader: Eve Mortimer
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.
Responsive Call to Worship (based on Psalm 9: 9 - 20)
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion.
Declare his deeds among the peoples.
He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Be gracious to me, O Lord.
You are the one who lifts me up,
so that I may recount all your praises
and rejoice in your deliverance.
Opening Prayer
Sovereign God - you created heaven and earth and reign supreme over all. And, in your Son, Jesus Christ, you showed us how to live by faith without fear. Increase our faith in him that we may perfectly serve you and worthily glorify your name, we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
We come together through the words that Jesus taught us to say when we pray:
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
Reading - Mark 4: 35 - 41
Jesus Calms a Storm
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?" 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"
Reflection
We come to a familiar story that pushes us to ask an important question: Who do we believe God to be? And along with that a related question: how does our understanding of who God is impact the way we respond to difficult seasons in life?
These are important questions and questions that at times have divergent answers. While we profess a high view of God and of His power and goodness, we may be tempted to view our situations and respond with worry and fear. We may determine that God is negligent or uncaring.
The story of Jesus calming the storm is a story about the revelation of Jesus as God. In addition we have the reminder that He can be trusted. Like the disciples we must consider whether we will respond to the situations of our lives with faith in God or with fear of our situations.
A Common Misunderstanding
Like many familiar Biblical accounts, the story of Jesus calming the storm is often misunderstood. Some are quick to conclude that Jesus is revealed as the One who will calm every storm in our lives, but this misses the main point of the text.
This Scripture doesn't promise that Jesus will calm every storm. The central truth of the passage is that Jesus is God. He has power over the wind and the waves, and He is in fact God in flesh. By extension, because Jesus is God we can trust Him and choose to live in faith in Him rather than fear, regardless of the situations of our lives.
The Setting - Crossing the Sea of Galilee (4:35-36)
Jesus had spent much of His day sitting in a boat and teaching large crowds that were gathered on the shore (4:1-34), and as evening came He instructed His disciples to sail across the Sea of Galilee.
The Storm and the Sleeping Christ (4:37-38a)
A great storm- The Sea of Galilee is known for its sudden and severe storms. The geography of the area makes it ripe for quick and violent storms and that's exactly what happened as Jesus and His disciples were crossing the sea. The severity of the storm is evident not only by what Mark says, but in light of the reaction of these experienced fishermen - they feared for their lives.
The sleeping Christ - Amid the chaos of the storm there is one thing that is out of place; Jesus is asleep in the rear of the boat. His sleep is a reminder both His humanity (He required rest) and also of the sovereign plan of God. God planned to use Christ's sleep to reveal both the weakness of the disciples' faith and the true identity of Jesus.
The Response of the Disciples (4:38b) (They rebuke Jesus)
The response of the disciples reveals both their fear and their lack of trust in Jesus. They are frustrated and angered by His apparent disregard for their situation and they tell Him so.
The Scriptures are replete with examples of people who question God's seeming negligence or lack of care. At times we may find ourselves echoing the sentiments of the Psalmists and doubting God's presence and watchfulness (Psalm 13:1-2, 22:1-2; 10:1). It's a common temptation.
The Power of Jesus is the Power of God (4:39) (He rebukes the storm)
A great calm- Before addressing the disciples directly Jesus shows His power and His true identity. With His words He does something that only God can do, He commands the wind and the waves and they obey Him. When Jesus speaks He uses words and commands that He previously used in silencing demons (Mark 1:25).
Throughout the Scriptures the sovereignty and might of God are described by His power over nature, especially the seas (Job 12:13-15, 26:10-12; 28:23-28; 38:8-11; Psalm 29:3-4; 33:6-9; 65:5-7; 89:8-9; 107:23-32). In the New Testament it becomes clear that Jesus Himself is the creator and sustainer (Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:3).
The Call to Faith Over Fear (4:40) (Jesus rebukes the disciples)
After rebuking the storm, Jesus then rebukes His disciples. Their response revealed that their fear of the situation was greater than their faith in Him and His ability to care for them.
The Recognition of Jesus as God - The Disciples Stand in Fear (4:41)
A great fear- After describing the great storm and the great calm, now Mark acknowledges the great fear of the disciples as they consider who Jesus really is - they are in the presence of God Himself.
Conclusion
A God to be Feared and Trusted - The recognition of Jesus as God and of His power should lead us to fear, especially as we consider our sin against Him. But this is also a story of His compassion. And the message of the Gospel is that Jesus came so that we can be saved from our sin and reconciled to God. We should be quick to recognize His power and majesty and also quick to trust Him. He hasn't promised to calm every storm, but He has promised that He will never leave us and never forsake those who trust in Him.
Hymn 598: Will Your Anchor Hold?
tune: Will your anchor hold, with Intro.
1. Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
when the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
Chorus:
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love!
2. Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rave, and the wild winds blow,
shall the angry waves your boat o'erflow?
Chorus
3. Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill your latest breath?
On the rising tide you can never fail,
while your anchor holds you will still prevail.
Chorus.
4. Will your eyes behold through the morning light
the city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,
when life's storms are past for evermore?
Chorus
Priscilla Jane Owens (1829-1907)
Prayers of Intercession:
Good and Faithful God: your loving-kindness endures forever. Hear the cries of our hearts in this our time of trouble and distress -
- For your people who are suffering persecution - redeem us from our enemies.... Lord, help!
- For your people who have been exiled to foreign lands - bring us safely home.... Lord, help!
For your people who are lost and homeless - rescue us and lead us to safety.... Lord, help! - For your people who are hungry and thirsty - satisfy us and provide for us.... Lord, help!
- For your people imprisoned by misery - snap our chains and give us hope.... Lord, help!
- For your people suffering because of their sins - have mercy on us and relieve our stress.... Lord, help!
- For your people who are at death's door - speak life into us and heal us.... Lord, help!
- For your people who are at wit's end - still the storms within us and strengthen our faith.... Lord, help!
Good and Faithful God: your loving-kindness endures forever. Thank you for reaching out to us in our distress; and thank you for all the wonderful things you have done for us. Hear now these cries for help, we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn - Never Will I Leave You (Michael Chard)
(sung for you by Russell Trueman)
YouTube Link:
Trust in Me,
Keep your life free,
From what the love of money will do
Am I not enough for you?
Never will I leave you,
That's something I'll never do.
Forever remember that it's true,
Never will I leave you.
When you fear,
The scars and tears.
Remember what I have sworn,
I'll be with you through the storm.
Never will I leave you,
That's something I'll never do.
Forever remember that it's true,
Never will I leave you.
And when you fear,
That's when I'm near.
Your soul's security,
When will you believe?'
Blessing
God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"
Amen
Next week, the service will be led by Revd Ray Anglesea
Don't forget the live streamed hymns on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. from Zöe (via the 'Northgate URC Darlington' Facebook page)
These are available to view later as well. (via YouTube, for those without Facebook, and also Facebook)
The streamings are 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.