Welcome to the Home service July 4th 2021
Prepared by Sandra Dodd
WELCOME:
To God be the Glory, great things He has done: so loved He the world, He gave us His son: who yielded His life, an atonement for sin and opened the Life gate that all may come in. Praise the Lord!
PRAYER: We come this day loving Father to say thank you for the many ways you show your love to each one of us. In the beauty of nature that astounds us; in the peace that surrounds us; in the creativity that mesmerises us; for our families and friends that ground us, we thank you. We are sorry Lord when we are dissatisfied, unable to see the joy, or hear or feel the magnitude of your love for us. We ask your forgiveness Lord, if we have forgotten your sacrifice, that of your only son, who died for us, so that we can know life in all its fullness. Bless us Lord Jesus, as we journey forward we pray, Amen
HYMN;
The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads me by the still, still waters,
His goodness restores my soul.
And I will trust in You alone,
And I will trust in You alone,
For Your endless mercy follows me,
Your goodness will lead me home.
He guides my ways in righteousness,
And He anoints my head with oil,
And my cup, it overflows with joy,
I feast on His pure delights.
And I will trust in you alone…….
And though I walk the darkest path,
I will not fear the evil one,
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know.
And I will trust in you alone…….
Stuart Townend Copyright © 1996 Thankyou Music
(Adm. by CapitolCMGPublishing.com excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, songs@integritymusic.com)
READING: selected verses from Psalm 51
God, be merciful to me because you are loving. Wash away all my guilt and make me clean again. You are the only one I have sinned against; I have done what you say is wrong. You are right when you speak and fair when you judge. You want me to be completely truthful, so teach me wisdom. Take away my sin, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Make me hear sounds of joy and gladness. Turn your face from my sins and wipe out all my guilt. Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again. Give me the joy of your salvation, keep me strong by giving me a willing spirit. I will teach your ways to those who do wrong, and sinners will turn back to you. Lord let me speak so I may praise you. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin. Amen
HYMN:
1. I hear Thy welcome voice
That calls me, Lord, to Thee,
For cleansing in Thy precious blood
That flowed on Calvary.
I am coming, Lord!
Coming now to Thee!
Wash me, cleanse me in the blood
That flowed on Calvary!
2. Tho’ coming weak and vile,
Thou dost my strength assure;
Thou dost my vileness fully cleanse,
Till spotless all, and pure.
I am coming, Lord!
Coming now to Thee!
Wash me, cleanse me in the blood
That flowed on Calvary!
3. ‘Tis Jesus calls me on
To perfect faith and love,
To perfect hope and peace and trust,
For earth and heav’n above.
TALK:
It’s’s that time of year when sheep are being shorn! Their thick, woolly, dirty coats are removed. A tiring, hot and sweaty job, but one that is done for the health and welfare of the sheep.
For instance flies lay their eggs in the warm damp areas of the wool, producing maggots which if left start to eat the flesh of the sheep. The heat and weight of the fleece is cumbersome for the sheep too.
A fleece has very little value as it is. At this stage, often the value is less than the cost of shearing it. Majority of farmers take their fleeces in big sacks to the wool board depots where it is inspected and graded. From here it is bought and usually the process of washing the fleeces begins. Removing the oils and dirt and impurities in the wool. This is followed by carding, when the fibres are straighten out into the same direction, and then spinning or weaving happens to allow products of value and beauty to 
be created. Items that are useful like knitting yarns and carpets, felt and materials, even chairs! Crafters do buy direct from the farms and produce some outstanding items for their enjoyment or to sell on to customers to enjoy.
I think we are like those fleeces. Through Jesus, we are able to have the layers of wrong doing, the many burdens that we bear, things that trouble us, removed. At the cross we can leave our lives, and walk away unburden and free in the Spirit.
We are worth less as we are, just like the fleece from a sheep, until Jesus takes us, washes us with the spirit and crafts us and uses us to do his work. Portraying the radiant love of God here, were we live and work. We become invaluable and precious, needed and love.
Come to the shepherd, let him take our fleece of life and know His love at work in our lives.
PRAYER:
Heavenly father, here I am, at the foot of the cross, pour out your love on me I pray. Wash me, cleanse me and use me to bring you the glory.
Loving Lord, I pray you will show me how to be more neighbourly, in both words and actions. Bless my neighbours Lord, let them see you through me. Lord, You have given me such an amazing area to live, help me to appreciate all that surrounds me, and respect your handiwork of creation. Gracious Lord Jesus, as I go about my work and daily life, I pray you will give me the strength and courage to live for you. I pray that by your spirit I may have the wisdom and truth to impart, and that knowledge that a smile goes a mile! You know me and love me; you know my strengths and weaknesses, I pray now that you will craft me to my potential and be with me on my journey with you In Jesus, my friend and Saviour I pray, Amen
HYMN:
Jesus’ hands were kind hands,
doing good to all,
Healing pain and sickness,
blessing children small,
Washing tired feet and saving those who fall;
Jesus’ hands were kind hands,
doing good to all.
Take my hands, Lord Jesus,
let them work for you;
Make them strong and gentle,
kind in all I do;
Let me watch you, Jesus,
till I’m gentle too,
Till my hands are kind hands,
quick to work for you.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus thank you for being with us, in our time of worship. We pray you will bless each one of us and those that we love, today and in the coming week, in your precious name we ask Amen.