SERVICE JANUARY 2020
HYMN: YET ONCE AGAIN
Introduction: 01 Intro Yet Once Again (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Introduction: For the first service of 2020, we have the words of the hymn, 'Yet Once Again By God's Abundant Mercy' the first verse of which reads
Yet once again, by God’s abundant mercy,
We join our song of thankfulness and praise;
Ever the light of our redeemer’s victory
Shineth before us in the world’s dark ways.
The hymn was written by Albert Orsborn, General of The Salvation Army (1946-1954)
Music : Henry Thomas Smart who gave up a career in the legal profession for one in music. Although largely self taught, he became proficient in organ playing and composition, and he was a music teacher and critic. He was an organist in a number of London churches He became completely blind at the age of fifty-two, but his remarkable memory enabled him to continue playing the organ. The tune is called ‘Pilgrims’.
Audio file 02 Yet once again (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
Yet once again, by God’s abundant mercy
We join our song of thankfulness and praise;
Ever the light of our redeemer’s victory
Shineth before us in the world’s dark ways.
Refrain:
Jesus shall conquer, lift up the strain!
Evil shall perish and righteousness shall reign.
2
O for the time of Christ’s completed mission!
Throbs of its rapture reach us as we pray;
Gleams of its glory bursting on our vision
Speed us to labour, urge us on our way.
3
Stretch out thy hand, O God, and let the nations
Feel through thine host the thrill of life divine;
Grant us, we pray, still greater revelations,
Make of these days an everlasting sign.
PRAYER
Audio file 03 Prayer (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
O God, at the start of a new year, we pray for a world which needs you so much yet cares about you so little.
We think of so many areas of the world where there is strife caused by self- interest and greed. Wherever Christians can have access to those who make decisions which affect nations, we pray that they will be empowered in such a way that the leaders of the nations give heed to your commands, O God.
We ask for direction for scientists in the world of medical research and that there will be speedy relief from the diseases which are afflicting so many
We pray that your Church will more readily defend the Christian faith and will challenge those who seek to defame your Word.
We also pray for all Christians that we might have a continuing blessing of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
HYMN: ALL PEOPLE THAT ON EARTH DO DWELL
Introduction 04 Intro All people (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Words-William Kethe, who died in 1594, was a Scottish clergyman who spent a great deal of time in exile for his faith. He helped translate the Geneva Bible in 1560
Tune-Old Hundreth was composed by a French composer of the Renaissance, Louis Bourgeois, who followed John Calvin to Geneva, in 1541.
Audio file: 05 All people (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell;
Come ye before Him and rejoice.
2
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed;
Without our aid He did us make;
We are His folk, He doth us feed,
And for His sheep He doth us take.
3
O enter then His gates with praise;
Approach with joy His courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless His Name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
4
For why? the Lord our God is good;
His mercy is for ever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
5
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
The God Whom Heaven and earth adore,
From men and from the angel host
Be praise and glory evermore.
MUSICAL MOMENTS
Introduction: 06 Intro Musical Moments (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Firstly, a soprano cornet solo ‘Tambourin’. Originally written for flute and piano, the piece was arranged for brass by Howard Davies of Australia.
The composer Francois Joseph Gossec was one of the leading figures of eighteenth century French music. Gossec was a versatile and prolific composer and in many ways his experiments presage the works of Haydn and Beethoven. His choral music is also significant; his Te Deum, for example (written for 300 instrumentalists and a choir of more than 1,000 singers), foreshadows the later works of Berlioz.
Secondly, for piano: Liebestraum are three piano pieces by Liszt originally conceived as songs after poems. The third piece is based upon a poem by Ferdinand Freiligrath about the depth of true mature love. It’s included in our service simply for the sheer beauty of music.
Then an upbeat spiritual, ‘Every time I feel the Spirit’
(a) BRASS: Tambourin 07 Tambourin (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
(b) PIANO: Liebestraume 08 Liebestraume (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
(c) CHORAL: EVERY TIME I FEEL THE SPIRIT 09 Every time I feel the Spirit (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Chorus
Every time I feel the spirit
Movin’ in my heart I will pray
Every time I feel the spirit
Movin’ in my heart I will pray
1
Up on the mountains my Lord spoke
Out of His mouth came fire and smoke
Looked all around me, it looked so fine
I asked the Lord could it be mine
2
The Jordan river is chilly and cold
It chills the body but not the soul
There aint but one train upon this track
It runs to heaven and then right back.
3
Oh, I have sorrow and I have woe
I have heartaches here below
But while God leads me I’ll never fear
For I know that He is near.
HYMN: TELL OUT MY SOUL
Introduction: 10 Intro Tell out my soul (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab) "Tell Out, My Soul" paraphrases the Magnificat,. The hymn was written Timothy Dudley-Smith in 1962. It is popularly sung to the tune Woodlands composed by Walter Greatorex in 1916.
Audio file 11 Tell out my soul (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
Tender to me the promise of his word;
In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
2
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his Name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
His mercy sure, from age to age the same;
His holy Name--the Lord, the Mighty One.
3
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
The hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
4
Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
To children's children and for evermore!
BIBLE READING
Matthew 14:1-12
Audio file 12 Matt 14:1-12 (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
HYMN : THINE BE THE GLORY
Introduction: 13 Intro Thine be the glory (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab) The hymn is usually associated with Easter but it’s a great hymn to sing anytime! It was written by the Swiss writer Edmond Budry (1854–1932) and set to the tune of the chorus "See, the Conqu'ring hero comes" from Handel's oratorio Judas Maccabaeus,
Audio file 14 Thine be the glory (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
Thine be the glory,
Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory
Thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment
Rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave-clothes
Where Thy body lay.
Thine be the glory,
Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory
Thou o’er death hast won!
2
Lo, Jesus meets us,
Risen from the tomb!
Lovingly He greets us,
Scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness
Hymns of triumph sing,
For her Lord now liveth,
Death hath lost its sting.
3
No more we doubt Thee,
Glorious Prince of life;
Life is naught without Thee:
Aid us in our strife;
Make us more than conquerors,
Through Thy deathless love;
Lead us in Thy triumph
To Thy home above.
GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS
Audio file 15 God's tithes (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Veil Ministries encourages the Biblical practice of tithing on the basis of Malachi 3:10
In the service today we give the opportunity to pause and consider our giving to whatever church or ministry God leads us to support.
HYMN JOYFUL, JOYFUL
Introduction: 16 Intro Joyful (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Words: Henry Van Dyke in 1907 wrote this hymn while staying at the home of Harry A. Garfield at Williams College, Massachusetts. Van Dyke wrote: These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time—hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope. Music: Hymn to Joy, from the 9th Symphony of Beethoven.
Adio file 17 Joyful (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun
above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
2
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, centre of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.
3
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.
4
Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.
POET’S CORNER: THE BLESSING OF OBEDIENCE
Audio file 18 Poem The blessing of obedience (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
There’s a blessing in obedience when ourselves we can forget,
When God’s plan is all important and all else we can reject;
When we serve with true abandon, keeping nothing in reserve,
We discover real fulfilment, more than ever we deserve.
When the extra mile is journeyed, though the challenge seems so great,
There’s a presence that reminds us we’re surrounded by God’s grace;
When we choose to do his bidding, even when we see no gain,
We’re enriched beyond all measure, far beyond all earthly fame.
When the seeds we’ve sown lie dormant ‘though we’ve tended them
with care
Are revitalized by Jesus, none other can compare;
When we bring our limitations to the God of might and power
There’s a never-ending blessing that gets better hour by hour.
He’s eternal, yet he’s present at the moment of our need,
He’s supernal and he listens when we come to intercede:
But obedience tells the master we are ready, should he choose,
When he needs a human helper, we are here for him to use.
(Malcolm Westwood)
HYMN: LOVE DIVINE
Introduction: 19 Intro Love Divine (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
This hymn by Charles Wesley with a theme of Christian perfection is generally reckoned to be among Wesley's finest. It appears in 1,328 of the North American hymnals.
Audio file 20 Love Divine (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1.
Love Divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
All thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.
2.
Come, almighty to deliver,
Let us all thy grace receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve thee as thy hosts above,
Pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
Glory in thy perfect love.
3.
Finish then thy new creation
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation,
Perfectly restored in thee,
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!
BIBLE READING
MATTHEW 14:13-21
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Audio file 21Matt 14:13-21 (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
JESUS, THE NAME HIGH OVER ALL
Introduction: 22 Intro Jesus the name (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
This hymn has long been a great favourite with Methodist people.
The facts which suggested the composition are recorded by Charles Wesley in his Journal of 6th August, 1744. Having been preaching in the small church at Laneast, in Cornwall, and condemning the drunken revels of the people, whilst urging them to repent and be converted, one in the congregation contradicted and blasphemed.
Charles Wesley asked, “Who is he that pleads for the devil?” As the reviler stood boldly forward, the preacher fearlessly exposed his character.
These circumstances are believed to have suggested the writing of this hymn.
Audio file 23 Jesus the name (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1.
Jesus, the name high over all,
In Hell or earth or sky;
Angels and men before him fall,
And devils fear and fly.
Chorus
We have no other argument,
We want no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that he died for me.
2.
Jesus, the name to sinners dear,
The name to sinners given;
He scatters all their guilty fear;
He turns their hell to Heaven.
3.
Jesus the prisoner's fetters breaks,
And bruises Satan's head;
Power into strengthless souls he speaks,
And life into the dead.
4.
O that the world would taste and see
The riches of his grace;
The arms of love that compass me
Would all mankind embrace.
5.
His glorious righteousness I show,
His saving truth proclaim;
'Tis all my business here below
To cry: Behold the Lamb!
6.
Happy, if with my latest breath
I may but gasp his name,
Preach him to all, and cry in death:
Behold, behold the Lamb!
BRASS ‘IN QUIET PASTURES’
Introduction 24 Intro In Quiet Pastures (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Composer: Ray Steadman-Allen.
These words of Will Brand are are featured in this band selection
Audio file 25 In Quiet Pastures (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1.
When from sin's dark hold thy love had won me,
And its wounds thy tender hands had healed,
As thy blest commands were laid upon me,
Growing light my growing need revealed.
Thus I sought the path of consecration
When to thee, dear Lord, my vows were given;
And the joy which came with full salvation
Winged my feet and filled my heart with Heaven.
Chorus
By the love that never ceased to hold me,
By the blood which thou didst shed for me,
While thy presence and thy power enfold me,
I renew my covenant with thee.
2.
But my heart at times with care is crowded,
Oft I serve with weak, o'erladen hands,
And that early joy grows dim and clouded
As each day its heavy toll demands.
Have I ceased from walking close beside thee?
Have I grieved thee with an ill-kept vow?
In my heart of hearts have I denied thee?
Speak, dear Lord, O speak and tell me now.
3.
By the love that never ceased to hold me
In a bond nor life nor death shall break,
As thy presence and thy power enfold me,
I would plead fresh covenant to make.
From before thy face, each vow renewing,
Strong in heart, with purpose pure and deep,
I will go henceforth thy will pursuing,
With my Lord unbroken faith to keep.
VOCAL SOLO: MY HEAVENLY FATHER WATCHES OVER ME
Soloist: Sandra Entermann
Introduction 26 Intro My Heavenly Father (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
We are indebted to Sandra for her continued ministry here on Veil Ministries. Her vocal solos are such a rich blessing to us.
Audio file 27 My heavenly Father (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
I trust in God wherever I may be,
Upon the land or on the rolling sea;
For come what may, from day to day,
My heav'nly Father watches over me.
Refrain:
I trust in God, I know he cares for me,
On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;
Though billows roll, he keeps my soul,
My heav'nly Father watches over me.
2
He makes the rose an object of his care,
He guides the eagle through the pathless air;
And surely he remembers me,
My heav'nly Father watches over me. [Refrain]
SERMON
Dr Malcolm Westwood
Audio file 28 Sermon (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Our Bible readings today have the contrast of Herod’s immoral family set up and the truthfulness of John the Baptist which was to cost him his life.
Let me just recap the situation which John felt he had to address.
Herod –or Herod Antipas as he is correctly known –was the son of Herod the Great who had left the areas of Galilee and Peraea.
He was married to a daughter of the king of Nabatean Arabs.
Herod had brother called Philip, a wealthy private individual who lived in Rome.
On a visit to Rome, Herod seduced his brother’s wife and persuaded her to leave Philip and become his wife. Herod firstly had to put away his own wife and by doing so, he broke two laws. He divorced his wife without cause and he married his sister in law which, under Jewish law was prohibited.
Without hesitation John rebuked him-a dangerous thing to do to an Eastern despot.
Then we have Herodias, a woman of loose morals and infidelity who had a distinctly vindictive streak and she hated John for daring to rebuke her. One can only be saddened that anyone could use their own daughter to get revenge. But Herodias obviously had no qualms about allowing her own daughter-who would possibly have been about 16 years old –to dance the suggestive dances of the dancing girls. For a royal princess this was truly a shameless thing.
So both Herod and his wife Herodias detested John.
Having given his word to Salome that she could have anything she wanted, Herod was so weak that even after discovering he would have to break the law to keep his promise to his daughter he was too scared of his wife to back down. He was a man who could take a firm stand on the wrong things-and on this occasion, it cost John his life.
(Herodias was in actual fact instrumental in Herod’s downfall. She desperately wanted to be a queen and persuaded Herod to go to Rome and ask the emperor Caligula for the title of King as he had designated Agrippa who had succeeded Philip, the tetrach of Trachonities and Ituraea.
On learning of Herod’s plans. Agrippa persuaded Caligula that Herod was intent on rebellion resulting in Caligula banishing Herod to Gaul for the rest of his life. Herod paid a heavy price for his seduction of Herodias!)
A family which was prepared to sanction the gruesome death of a man for speaking the truth and to give his head on a platter to a 16 year old girl for the satisfaction of her mother hardly bears thinking about.
So when Jesus came to prominence , the alarm bells must have sounded for Herod.
John was hugely popular with the people and as the Josephus, the Jewish historian wrote, Herod feared that John only had to say the word and the people would have openly rebelled against Herod.
Herod also feared John simply because he told the truth.
From this background we can see that John’s days were numbered. His bravery to speak the truth was extraordinary given his knowledge of the kind of man Herod was to say nothing of his immoral and scheming wife.
Could John have saved his life by preferring to keep quiet? It’s a temptation many people even today face. ‘Live and let live’ we often hear. ‘It’s not for us to say how anyone else should live.’ But how far are we expected to extend that? Failure to speak up against what is wrong will lead to the wrong becoming accepted. Once that happens, society will be less prepared to observe the differences between right and wrong.
It seems there is hardly a day goes by but we read in the newspaper of people being physically and mentally injured because of a breakdown in relationships , children are scarred for life and everyone blames everyone else. It’s not only politicians who are distrusted. Years gone by a man’s word was reckoned to be his bond. Sadly that is not true today in many cases. And no doubt you can quote many instances where truth has become a casualty over convenience.
We read and are aghast at the antics of Herod and his family which resulted in the death of a man who just told the truth.
If ever there was a need today for a return to the days of personal integrity and honour when lying and deceit is seen to be what it is, it must surely be in the age in which we live.
Let me move on for a moment to the second Bible reading which follows on : When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.
I think that is one of the most revealing sentences in the Bible. Go back to the time in heaven when Jesus agreed to come to earth to be our Saviour. There would have been no need of a Saviour had man not been sinful so Jesus well knew the extent of his task. But here it became personal. This had happened to his cousin, John. And Jesus had to withdraw for a while from the people he had actually come to save. Can we possibly understand the hurt
HYMN: NEVER GIVE UP
(By Fanny Crosby)
29 Never give up (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
Never be sad or desponding,
If thou hast faith to believe;
Grace, for the duties before thee,
Ask of thy God and receive.
Refrain:
Never give up,
Never give up,
Never give up to thy sorrows,
Jesus will bid them depart;
Trust in the Lord,
Trust in the Lord,
Sing when your trials are greatest,
Trust in the Lord and take heart.
2
What if thy burdens oppress thee;
What though thy life may be drear;
Look on the side that is brightest,
Pray, and thy path will be clear. [Refrain]
3
Never be sad or desponding,
There is a morrow for thee;
Soon thou shalt dwell in its brightness,
There with the Lord thou shalt be. [Refrain]
4
Never be sad or desponding,
Lean on the arm of thy Lord;
Dwell in the depths of His mercy,
Thou shalt receive thy reward. [Refrain]
BENEDICTION
30 Benediction (To hear the audio files please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
By the grace of God, the sacrifice of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit, may you be aware your Heavenly Father watches over you.
Amen