Veil Ministries
presents a
Worship Service
for
SUNDAY
12th February 2012
The Greek letters alpha (first) and omega (last) from Rev 1:8 and 22:13, symbolizing Jesus as the Christ who has come and will come again; it also symbolizes the continuity of God's presence in human history.
HYMN: NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD
Introduction: 01 Intro Now thank we(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Last year when this hymn was included in our service, I gave the background of how it came to be written. For any who have joined us since then, I happily repeat the story. Martin Rinkart, a Lutheran minister, was in Eilenburg, Saxony, during the Thirty Years’ War. The walled city of Eilenburg saw a steady stream of refugees pour through its gates. The Swedish army surrounded the city, and famine and plague were rampant. Eight hundred homes were destroyed, and the people began to perish. There was a tremendous strain on the pastors who had to conduct dozens of funerals daily. Finally, the pastors, too, succumbed, and Rinkart was the only one left—doing 50 funerals a day. When the Swedes demanded a huge ransom, Rinkart left the safety of the walls to plead for mercy. The Swedish commander, impressed by his faith and courage, lowered his demands. Soon afterward, the Thirty Years’ War ended, and Rinkart wrote this hymn for a grand celebration service. It is a testament to his faith that, after such misery, he was able to write a hymn of abiding trust and gratitude toward God.
The tune is Nun Danket, attributed to Johann Cruger and was harmonised by Felix Medelssohn . It should be said that Catherine Winkworth believed Martin Rinkart wrote the tune in 1644.
Music:02 Now thank we all(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
2
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessèd peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills, in this world and the next!
3
All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
PRAYER
03 Prayer(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Dear God, we approach you mindful of your love for us. If it was not for your love we would not dare consider coming into your presence because we realise only too well how unworthy we are. Your perfection highlights our imperfection. Your love makes ours seem so self centred.
So we thank you that we can come not in our own merit but in the merit of Jesus, our Redeemer. Though we are confident of your willingness to hear and answer our prayer, we would not make the mistake of asking for anything which only serves to please us rather than what is of benefit to your kingdom. Teach us, therefore, we pray, to exercise our love for you by seeking first your kingdom.
We do believe that if the world's leaders turned to you, the world would soon accept your commandments, dear God. We pray that you will raise up Christians to be advisors to the leaders who will listen to wise counsel.
Again we ask for healing for those who are sick. Grant miracles we pray.
These things we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN We have a gospel to proclaim
Introduction: 04 Intro We havea gospel(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Music: William Gardiner Words: Edward Burns
Music: 05 We have a gospel(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
We have a gospel to proclaim
Good news for men in all the earth;
The gospel of a Saviour’s name:
We sing His glory, tell His worth.
2
Tell of His birth at Bethlehem,
Not in a royal house or hall
But in a stable dark and dim:
The Word made flesh, a light for all.
3
Tell of His death at Calvary,
Hated by those He came to save;
In lonely suffering on the cross
For all He loved His life He gave.
4
Tell of that glorious Easter morn:
Empty the tomb, for He was free.
He broke the power of death and hell
That we might share His victory.
5
Tell of His reign at God’s right hand,
By all creation glorified;
He sends His Spirit on His Church
To live for Him, the Lamb who died.
6
Now we rejoice to name Him King:
Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
This gospel message we proclaim:
We sing His glory, tell His worth.
MUSICAL MOMENTS
Introduction:06 Music 1(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Firstly we have Mozart’s Requiem in D minor. Mozart died before finishing the Requiem Mass, and his wife Constanze gave the task of finishing the work to a pupil of Mozart's named Süssmayr. From the Sanctus onward, the Requiem is the creation of Süssmayr, though he did use portions of the Introit and Kyrie for the Lux Aeterna.
Despite, or maybe partially because of, the controversy surrounding this Requiem Mass, it is widely regarded as Mozart's greatest masterpiece.
An English translation of the words is given:
When the damned are cast away
and consigned to the searing flames,
call me to be with the blessed.
Bowed down in supplication I beseech Thee,
my heart as though ground to ashes:
Help me in my final hour.
O this day full of tears,
when from the ashes arises
guilty man to be judged:
O Lord, have mercy upon him!
Gentle Lord Jesus,
grant them eternal rest. Amen.
Secondly, a country and western style albeit a devotional song, ‘We’ll call him Jesus’. This is followed by one of the best marches ever written for brass bands. Montreal Citadel. We’re indebted to Norman Audoire for composing it. It’s guaranteed to get your feet tapping and putting a song in your heart. It contains the music of the chorus:
One talent have I to take to the sky,
While some of the rest have ten of the best
But should I complain, From duty refrain,
No never, no never , not I!
It’s so good I’m almost tempted to make it our signature tune each week. All in agreement please raise your hand!
CHORAL REQUIEM IN D MINOR BY MOZART
07 Requiem(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
CHORAL: WE’LL CALL HIM JESUS
08 We call him Jesus(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
When we look at the world we can see so many areas where nations are led by those who are uncaring about the welfare of their people. And while in Christian compassion we give money to the relief agencies, it is only a matter of time before the situation deteriorates again.
The permanent answer, of course, is for the leaders to be persuaded to commit their lives to the Lord. So while our intentions to improve the world are motivated by the best reasons when we give to the emergency appeals, the most effective and permanent solution is to be found in financing those who are preaching and teaching the Gospel.
May you feel blessed and fulfilled as you allocate financial support to whichever church or ministry God lays upon your heart.
(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
PETER WOOD
“Having been brought up in a Christian (Salvationist)family, I have never been sinking deep in sin, my parents saw to that, but I have reason to be grateful to the songwriter (James Rowe) for penning the words that bring me great comfort and gratitude to God:-
Particularly 2nd and 3rd verses and Chorus.
As a lifelong Christian, and hearing some superb messages and preachers I am also aware that the song by Howard Davies is my personal experience:-
I know the God in whom I believe but other people can put it into words better than me.
Thank you Peter for sharing your thoughts with us today and we’re going to have a double blessing by including both your choices ‘Love lifted me’ and ‘Many are the things I cannot understand.’
HYMN
12 Love lifted me(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
I was sinking deep in sin,
far from the peaceful shore;
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry.
From the waters lifted me;
Now Safe am I.
Love lifted me, love lifted me,
When no one but Christ could help,
Love lifted me.
2
All my heart to Him I'll give,
Ever to him I'll cling;
In his blessed presence live,
Ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true
Merits my soul's best songs;
Faithful, loving service, too
To Him belongs.
"Love lifted me, love lifted me,
When no one but Christ could help,
Love lifted me."
3.
Souls in danger look above,
Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by his love
Out of the angry waves.
He's the Master of the sea,
Billows his will obey;
He your Saviour wants to be,
Be saved today.
Love lifted me, love lifted me,
When no one but Christ could help,
Love lifted me.
HYMN
13 Many are the things(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
Many are the things I cannot understand,
All above me mystery I see;
But the gift most wonderful from God's own hand
Surely is his gift of grace to me!
Chorus:
Higher than the stars that reach eternity
Broader than the boundaries of endless space,
Is the boundless love of God that pardoned me;
Oh the wonder of his grace!"
2.
When I came to Jesus with my sin and shame
And to him confessed my deepest need,
When by faith I trusted fully in his name,
God's rich grace was granted me indeed.
3.
Passing understanding is his boundless love,
More than I can ever comprehend,
Jesus, in his mercy, left his throne above
All to be my Saviour and my friend.
BIBLE READING
14 Bible reading(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1 SAMUEL 1:1-20
The Birth of Samuel
1 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphitefrom the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”
15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”
MUSICAL MOMENTS
Introduction:15 Music 2(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
We have a complete contrast for the second group of our musical moments today! The first is a vocal solo ‘People get ready’. This is a cry back to the old spiritual songs and it’s been given a very modern treatment. If you can just get into the style, it has quite a lovely thought. It may not strike a chord if you’ll pardon the pun- with the classically trained musician who specialises in Bach but I really believe that God can and does use all different kinds of music to renew our hearts and minds. Then a beautiful peaceful meditation for brass bands called ‘In Perfect Peace’. Many, I’m sure will know the words of the chorus on which the music is based, ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.’ I do hope you can enjoy both items!
16 People get ready(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
1
People get ready
There's a train a-coming
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
2
People get ready
For the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers
From coast to coast
Faith is the key
Open the doors and board them
There's room for all
among the loved the most
You just thank the Lord
3
There ain't no room
for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just
To save his own
Have pity on those
whose chances are thinner
Cause there's no hiding place
From the Kingdom's Throne
4
So people get ready
for the train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage
you just get on board !
All you need is faith
to hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
you just thank the Lord
Refrain
I'm getting ready
I'm getting ready
this time I'm ready
this time I'm ready
2. BRASS: PEACE, PERFECT, PEACE
17 In perfect peace(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Introduction:18 Intro Raining(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Sandra Entermann
who has so often blessed us in our services comes again to sing about the love of God for us
Music: 19 Raining on the inside(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
When all goodbyes
Are said and done,
And night time finds you home,
Are you all right
To spend a night
Of being all alone?
And do you hide
Between the lines
Of conversations past?
A wall of words,
A heart unheard,
That hides behind a mask?
I'm raining on the inside;
My heart wells up with tears that start to pour.
I'm raining on the inside,
But then Your cries of love break through,
And I fall in love with You once more.
When friends who care
Can't be there
To ease away my pain,
And peace of mind,
It's hard to find,
Like sunlight in the rain.
God sees my heart,
The deepest part,
Inside this lonely me,
And reachin' in,
His love begins
To heal the heart in me.
I'm raining on the inside;
Oh, my heart wells up with tears that start to pour.
I'm raining on the inside,
But then Your cries of love break through,
And I fall in love with You once more.
Sometimes we're raining on the inside,
And our hearts well up with tears that start to pour.
But when we're raining on the inside,
Let His cries of love break through,
Know that He loves you, once more....
Sometimes I'm raining on the inside,
But then Your cries of love break through,
And I fall in love with You once more.
20 Sermon(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
Let's just go through the verses we shared earlier.
We have a man called Elkanah who had two wives-polygamy being common at this time. And it seemed that the two women were of very different dispositions.
Peninnah (which means 'Pearl') had children. Hannah, (which means 'Grace') didn't have any.
But there was no sympathy from Peninnah for Hannah. In fact, quite the reverse. Peninnah taunted Hannah for her lack of children
We're told Pennnah had a number of children. Can you imagine her gloating every time she became pregnant. Human beings can be so cruel to each other.
Dr. Malcolm WestwoodBut all his good intentions were undermined. Penninah “kept provoking her to irritate her"!
If we thought it was 'poor Hannah"-how about 'Poor Elkanah'!
We know that in any intimate relationship there will be tensions sometimes, but this was a nightmare situation. Every year Hannah would have known the time of pilgrimage was looming and she would be getting more and more depressed at the thought of how she would be provoked yet again by Penninah.
And Penninah can't have been a happy soul either because you can't base your happiness on someone else's unhappiness. It just makes you miserable and discontented. Elkannh has one of these moments only a man can have (!)-when despite wanting to say the right thing, he comes out with something crass!
'What's the matter with you Hannah? Do stop worrying about not having children. Eat your dinner-look on the bright side. You've got me. Aren’t l worth more than 10 sons to you!"
O dear-nought out of ten for sensitivity Elkanah!
Yet, we know, don't we, that probably the most difficult place to be a Christian is at home- with the people we live with together cheek by jowl.
I remember a very lovely Christian man saying he had a weakness he had to try to control. Every Sunday morning his wife and two daughters never seemed to be ready to leave for church. Constantly, be harried them, chasing them every few minutes to hurry up until finally in exasperation one of his teenage daughters being hastened out of the front door turned to him and exclaimed 'Oooh Dad, I hate you on Sunday mornings!"
We smiled at his honesty because we recognised so much of ourselves in his impatience.
Living for Jesus isn't easy when our front doors close and we deal with the frustrations of unemployment, lack of finance, personal disagreements between family members and so on. And sometimes, yes, we do come out with the kind of daft remark Elkanah made!
But if you have someone like Penninah in your family, what can you do. She was just a nasty piece of work. Sadly families can have such people. Churches aren't devoid of them either unfortunately. In the many years I've pastored churches, I have had the greatest blessing of meeting and serving the Lord with some of the choicest Christians imaginable. My life has been enriched so much by worshipping among them. It is not too strong a word to say I love them dearly.
But it only takes one Penninah to spoil your day! And Hannah had that kind of day, day in and day out.
I think most of us know the frustration of having to deal with less than desirable people. There are all kinds of reasons, of course, why people act and speak in the way they do when they are so hurtful.
Penninah was obviously jealous that Elkanah loved Hannah so much.
Elkanah wasn’t the greatest diplomat in the world. Family tensions! And they can be just as unsettling in the Church family, too.
Hannah reached the point of utter despair. And in that place of desperation she wept and prayed. She finally took her situation to God and she asked him ‘not to forget your servant.’ And there came to her q quiet contentment. Her spirit was reassured. ‘Her face was no longer downcast’, the Bible says.
Then she went home and life went on as normal and no doubt Penninah continued to provoke her to irritate her.
But-V. 19, ''Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife..." and then we read that wonderful Biblical phrase-"and the Lord remembered her'. It's a beautiful way of letting us know that from the first moment of her prayer God had her in his mind to resolve the situation for Hannah.
Why did Hannah wait until she was at breaking point before she poured out her heart to the Lord?
And why, instead of trying to find platitudes to ease the situation, didn't Elkanah take the situation to the Lord.
Why didn't Penninah see the misery she was causing and realise her life and the the lives of those around her would have been immeasurably improved if she had brought her situation to the Lord.
And, of course, we must ask ourselves the same question. Why do we battle on to the point of exhaustion before we pour out our concerns and ask the Lord to resolve what is making life so difficult for us.
Verse 20 '... in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son'.
The answer for Hannah wasn't immediately evident-there was a period of waiting and trusting, trusting and waiting....
...... But when did God ever fail us?!....The Lord remembers us.
Let’s take a moment to be reminded by music that we know God hears our prayers. He remembers.
21 I know he heard my prayer(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
The clouds have passed away, I see the light of day,
The sun is shining thru, dispelling gloom with hallelujahs;
I know that this is real, for in my heart I feel that my Saviour
heard my earnest prayer.
I know He heard my prayer, He knows my every care,
He gives to me the blessed victory, Oh yes ! I feel Him now,
My loyalty I vow, I know the Saviour heard my prayer,
The enemy had said that my faith was dead,
And if the way was rough, that the Saviour did not care,
Thank God it is not true, He thrills me thru and thru.
I know the Saviour heard my prayer.
When in the future days, the fiery trials blaze,
When Satan comes to me to take away my victory,
I can point him to the time when Heaven's light did shine,
I can say He heard my prayer.
(To hear the audio file please right click mouse, then left click to open new tab)
May the blessing of God who answers our prayers be upon you now and for evermore. Amen