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Isolation/Together and Resilient Community: Becoming the Church for this moment of COVID-19 cont.

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WATCH:


REFLECTION:

For reflecting in your Circle, online group or on your own

  1. How do you feel about losing the physical proximity of being with people at the moment?

  2. In what ways have you noticed yourself being drawn to be for the people in our community and our city? Have you noticed the Holy Spirit speaking to you about others and what to offer them?

  3. As we start walking past this first storm and into the change of season (a new normal reality of life in Covid-19 limitations), what community-life things are you sad to leave behind from a few weeks ago, and what are you excited about getting to in the future?

  4. This time will take resilience. Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 again slowly for yourself and sit with the encouragement of patient endurance to rely on God.


LITURGY AND WORSHIP:

 

If you’re doing this in a group online or within your home:

  1. First of all please refer to and follow all instructions for gathering in a heathy way in this time

  2. Prepare communion in an appropriately safe manner prior to commencing, preferably some bread and juice/wine

  3. Find one or two people who are willing to read aloud. Or perhaps give each person a section.

  4. If you have someone who is willing to facilitate musical worship have them prepare. use this Spotify playlist

Suggested songs: Kia kaha; It is well with my soul (chorus); I exalt thee

 

If you’re doing this by yourself:

  1. Prepare yourself some communion to take, preferably some bread and juice/wine

  2. Still say these prayers aloud as an expression of trust that God really is in the room with you, not just ‘up there’

  3. Prepare yourself for the readings with your Bible.

 

Some final preparation:

  • Liturgy is best practiced slowly

  • Light a candle if you struggle to concentrate, this is to come back to when your mind wanders as a symbol of Jesus who is the light of the world

  • Embrace the silence and stillness that is in new abundance in our lives

  • Allow for space between prayers, between lines

 

Be blessed as you gather and place yourself before our God

 

OPENING SENTENCES

(Said aloud by leader)

Almighty God,
we praise you for all you have done.
Help us with all that you want us to do.

Come Holy Creator,
and rebuild the city of Auckland
so that we do not labour in vain without you.

Come Holy Saviour,
and heal all that is broken
in our lives and in our streets.

Come, Holy Spirit,
and strengthen our essential workers with the energy and willingness
to serve our city to your honour and glory.

Amen

EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH

(Said aloud by leader, and together for last line of each sentence)

Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always kept
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.

 

WORSHIP/SCRIPTURE READINGS

(Read aloud, and if you have someone who is willing to facilitate musical worship in your home feel free to substitute the Psalm for a time of sung worship)

Old Testament - Exodus 15:13-18

Psalm 133

New Testament – 1 John 4:7-21

 

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS

(A free time for group intersession and prayer for our community, our land and our world)

 

COMMUNION

(Distribute the elements so that everyone has them in hand, then leader reads aloud)

This is the table,
not of the Church but
of Jesus Christ.

It is made ready for
those who love God
and who want to love
God more.

So come, you who
have much faith and
you who have little,

You who have been
here often and you
who have not been for
a long time or ever
before,

You who have tried to
follow and all of us
who have failed.

These are the gifts
of God for the People
of God.

Come, not because the
Church invites you;

It is Christ who
invites you to be
known and fed here.

(Take and be still)

BLESSING / BENEDICTION 

(Declared aloud by leader)

May the peace of the Lord be with you,

Wherever he may have you.

May he guide you through the wilderness,

protect you through the storm.

May he bring you home rejoicing

at the wonders he has shown you.

May he bring you home rejoicing

once again into our doors.

Feel free to spend some time in reflective worship using this Spotify playlist.

Comment

Comment

Faithful Charity, Honesty and Hope: Becoming the Church for this moment of COVID-19 cont.

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WATCH:


REFLECTION:

  1. The Church historically has contributed in such significant ways to society due to it’s response to the sick and dying. How does this change the way you think about those working in healthcare and essential services in this time and/or your own participation in our current lockdown?

  2. Practice being honest with God about how this feels for you right now. Take some time to sit quietly and notice your emotions and what they are saying to you and give those to God as an act of honest prayer.

    • If you’re doing this in a group, create a collation of responses; each person write a sentence or two and collate a group Psalm together.

    • If you’re doing this by yourself, create a Psalm of your own in prayer with God

  3. Consider what God is doing to “make things new” in this time. Amongst the disorder and chaos of COVID-19, what things globally are happening in this time that God is restoring? What new way is Jesus making in this time?


LITURGY AND WORSHIP:

 

If you’re doing this in a group online or within your home:

  1. First of all please refer to and follow all instructions for gathering in a heathy way in this time

  2. Prepare communion in an appropriately safe manner prior to commencing, preferably some bread and juice/wine

  3. Find one or two people who are willing to read aloud. Or perhaps give each person a section.

  4. If you have someone who is willing to facilitate musical worship have them prepare. use this Spotify playlist

Suggested songs: Kia kaha; It is well with my soul (chorus); I exalt thee

 

If you’re doing this by yourself:

  1. Prepare yourself some communion to take, preferably some bread and juice/wine

  2. Still say these prayers aloud as an expression of trust that God really is in the room with you, not just ‘up there’

  3. Prepare yourself for the readings with your Bible.

 

Some final preparation:

  • Liturgy is best practiced slowly

  • Light a candle if you struggle to concentrate, this is to come back to when your mind wanders as a symbol of Jesus who is the light of the world

  • Embrace the silence and stillness that is in new abundance in our lives

  • Allow for space between prayers, between lines

 

Be blessed as you gather and place yourself before our God

 

OPENING SENTENCES

(Said aloud by leader)

Almighty God,
we praise you for all you have done.
Help us with all that you want us to do.

Come Holy Creator,
and rebuild the city of Auckland
so that we do not labour in vain without you.

Come Holy Saviour,
and heal all that is broken
in our lives and in our streets.

Come, Holy Spirit,
and strengthen our essential workers with the energy and willingness
to serve our city to your honour and glory.

Amen

EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH

(Said aloud by leader, and together for last line of each sentence)

Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always kept
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.

 

WORSHIP/SCRIPTURE READINGS

(Read aloud, and if you have someone who is willing to facilitate musical worship in your home feel free to substitute the Psalm for a time of sung worship)

Old Testament - Isaiah 35

Psalm 146

New Testament – Revelation 21:1-8

 

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS

(A free time for group intersession and prayer for our community, our land and our world)

 

COMMUNION

(Distribute the elements so that everyone has them in hand, then leader reads aloud)

This is the table,
not of the Church but
of Jesus Christ.

It is made ready for
those who love God
and who want to love
God more.

So come, you who
have much faith and
you who have little,

You who have been
here often and you
who have not been for
a long time or ever
before,

You who have tried to
follow and all of us
who have failed.

These are the gifts
of God for the People
of God.

Come, not because the
Church invites you;

It is Christ who
invites you to be
known and fed here.

(Take and be still)

BLESSING / BENEDICTION 

(Declared aloud by leader)

May the peace of the Lord be with you,

Wherever he may have you.

May he guide you through the wilderness,

protect you through the storm.

May he bring you home rejoicing

at the wonders he has shown you.

May he bring you home rejoicing

once again into our doors.

Feel free to spend some time in reflective worship using this Spotify playlist.

Comment

Comment

Daily Devo: 27 March - "Intention" w/ Mike Oh

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Daily Devo is a special podcast season here on the CV Podcast. Join us each weekday during the COVID-19 lockdown for a short reflection from Dan and people in our community.

Credits:

Intro music by Ants Jeffares

Prayer music by Karl Verkade


Comment

Comment

Daily Devo: 26 March - "Attention" w/ Shelley Taylor

Daily Devo HEADER.png

Daily Devo is a special podcast season here on the CV Podcast. Join us each weekday during the COVID-19 lockdown for a short reflection from Dan and people in our community.

Credits:

Intro music by Ants Jeffares

Prayer music by Karl Verkade

Prayer written by Evelyn Underhill


Comment

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Reframing: Becoming the church for this moment of COVID-19

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Watch:


Liturgy:


If you’re doing this in a group:

  1. First of all please refer to and follow all instructions for gathering in a heathy way in this time

  2. Prepare communion in an appropriately safe manner prior to commencing, preferably some bread and juice/wine

  3. Find one or two people who are willing to read aloud. Or perhaps give each person a section.

  4. If you have someone who is willing to facilitate musical worship have them prepare, or use this Spotify playlist

    Suggested songs: Kia kaha; It is well with my soul (chorus); I exalt thee


If you’re doing this by yourself:

  1. Prepare yourself some communion to take, preferably some bread and juice/wine

  2. Still say these prayers aloud as an expression of trust that God really is in the room with you, not just ‘up there’

  3. Prepare yourself for the readings with your Bible and this Spotify playlist to reflect to


Some final preparation:

  • Liturgy is best practiced slowly

  • Light a candle if you struggle to concentrate, this is to come back to when your mind wanders as a symbol of Jesus who is the light of the world

  • Embrace the silence and stillness that is in new abundance in our lives

  • Allow for space between prayers, between lines


Be blessed as you gather and place yourself before our God


Opening sentences

(Said aloud by leader)

Almighty God,
we praise you for all you have done.
Help us with all that you want us to do.

Come Holy Creator,
and rebuild the city of Auckland
so that we do not labour in vain without you.

Come Holy Saviour,
and heal all that is broken
in our lives and in our streets.

Come, Holy Spirit,
and strengthen us with the energy and willingness
to serve our city to your honour and glory.

Amen

Expressions of faith

(Said aloud by leader, and together for last line of each sentence)

Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always kept
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.


Worship/Scripture readings

(Read aloud, and if you have someone who is willing to facilitate musical worship feel free to substitute the Psalm for a time of sung worship)

Psalm 121

Old Testament Numbers 16:45-48

New Testament Hebrews 10:19-25

Weekly meditation

(Read aloud by one person)

The church’s absence, its literal emptying, can function as a symbol of its trust in God’s ability to meet us regardless of the location. The church remains the church whether gathered or scattered. It might also indirectly remind us of the gift of gathering that we too often take for granted.

It is possible that, strangely enough, the absence of the gathered church will be a great testimony to the presence of God in our care for our neighbours.

(Pause here for a time of reflection on how God might be using you in this time)


Prayers for others

(A free time for group intersession and prayer for our community, our land and our world)


Prayer of St Francis (A sending out)

(Read aloud by everyone)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Communion

(Distribute the elements so that everyone has them in hand, then leader reads aloud)

This is the table,
not of the Church but
of Jesus Christ.

It is made ready for
those who love God
and who want to love
God more.

So come, you who
have much faith and
you who have little,

You who have been
here often and you
who have not been for
a long time or ever
before,

You who have tried to
follow and all of us
who have failed.

These are the gifts
of God for the People
of God.

Come, not because the
Church invites you;

It is Christ who
invites you to be
known and fed here.

(Take and be still)

Blessing/ Benediction 

(Declared aloud by leader)

Let nothing disturb thee,
nothing affright thee;
all things are passing,
God never changeth!

Patient endurance attaineth to all things;
who God possesseth 
in nothing is wanting;
alone God sufficeth.

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