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And fear in him. We stand on high ground is here. Glory with splend. Be still for the glor. Glory of the Lord is shin to minister his grace from him. Be still for the power of the Lord is moving. There is now hope again. Tomb. The reason over the grave broken heartst King overs the world. Let the song break through the night. No more conou. and shame. Perfect love free victory. Let us break through the night. Lift your voice and sing through the night. Lift your voice and sing. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Jesus. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Overuses. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Jesus break. Lift your voice and sing that Christ is king. In the song and singes alive and singesus. Wake to awake first love you there. First of the living God from my sleep overflow. Living God on me. Come from my sleeps of my soul overflow. Spirit comes. Let your glor. Now spirit. Let your glory. Living God sleep through the soul overflow. Fall through the caverns of my soul to overflow.
Good morning, church family. We're going to gather in the main hall and we're going to start as we worship God. Come, let us worship our King. Come, let us bow at his feet. He has done great things. See what our Savior has done. See how his love overcomes. He has done great things. He has done great things. Oh her heaven, you conquered the grave. You free every captive and break every chain. Oh God, you have done great things. We dance in your freedom, awake and alive. Oh Jesus, our savior, your name lifted high. Oh God, you have done great things. You've been faithful through every storm. You'll be faithful forever more. You have done great things. And I know you will do it again. For your promise is yes and amen. You will do great things. God, you do great things. Oh hero of heaven, you conquered the grave. You free every captive. You break every chain. Oh God, you have done great things. We dance in your freedom. Awake and alive. Oh Jesus our savior. Your name lifted high. Oh God, you have done great things. Hallelujah. God above it all. Hallelu. God unshakeable. Halleluah. You have done great things. Hallelujah. God above it all. Halleluah. God unshakeable. Halleluah. You have done great things. You've done great things. The hero of heaven. You conquered the grave. You free every captive and break every chain. Oh God, you have done great things. We dance in your freedom. Awake and alive. Oh Jesus, the savior, your name lifted high. Oh God, you have done great things. Oh hero of heaven. You conquered the grave. You free every captive and break every chain. Oh God, you have done great things. We dance in your freedom. Awake and alive. Oh Jesus our savior. Your name lifted high. Oh God, you have done great things.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. Amen. In this next song, we're going to bring up our offering um as it go along. But um let's just praise him and thank him for all he has done. Blessed are those who run to him, who raise their hope and confidence in Jesus. He won't forsake them. Blessed are those who seek his face, who bend the knee and fix their gaze on Jesus. They won't be shen. Come on and praise the Lord with me. Sing if you love his name. Come on and lift your voice with me. He's worthy of all our praise. >> Blessed are those who walk with him, whose hearts are set a pilgrimage with Jesus. They'll see his glory. Blessed are those who die to live. Whose joy it is to give it all for Jesus and for him only. Oh Jesus, all for your glory. Come on and praise the Lord with me. Sing if you love his name. Come on and lift your voice with me. He's worthy of all our praise. Come on and bring your offering. Sing if you've known his grace. Come on and lift up your holy hands. He's worthy of all our praise. Bless God in the sanctuary. Bless God in the fields of plenty. Bless God in the darkest valley. Every chance I get, I press your name. Bless God when my hands are empty. Bless God with a praise that costs me. Bless God when nobody's watching. Every chance I get, I bless your name. Bless God when the weapons fall for. Bless God when the walls are falling. Bless God cuz he goes before me every chance I get. I bless your name. Bless God for he holds the victory. Bless God for he's always with me. Bless God for he's always worthy. Every chance I get, I bless your name. Every chance I get and bless your name. Come on and praise the Lord with me. Sing if you love his name. Come on and lift your voice with me. He's worthy of all our praise. Come on and bring your offering. Sing if you've known his grace. Come on and lift up your holy hands. He's worthy of all our praise. He's worthy of all our praise. He's worthy of all our praise.
Good. I see the King of glory coming on the clouds with fire. The whole earth shakes. Whole earth shakes. I see his love and mercy. >> Washing over all our sin. People sing. People sing. Hosana. Hosana. Hosana in the highest. Hosana. Hosana. Hosana in the highest. I see a generation rising up to take their place with selfless faith. Selfless faith. I see a near revival stirring as we pray and seek. We're on our knees. On our knees. Hosana. Hosana. Hosana in the highest. Hosana. Hosana. Hosana in the highest. Heal my heart and make it clean. Open up my eyes to the things unseen. Show me how to love like you have loved me. Break my heart for what breaks yours. Everything I have for your kingdom's cause. As I walk from earth into eternity. Hosana. Hosana. Hosana in the highest. >> Hosana. Hosana. Hosana in the highest. Hosana. Hosana. Hosana in the highest. Hosana. Hosana. Hosana in the highest. Hosana in the highest. Hosana in the highest.
Lord God, we thank you that you are hosana. You are the Lord of lords. You are the great king. And we thank you that you go above and you are in control of every situation, Lord. And so we pray for our church family. We pray for Mandy who's in hospital right now. We just pray that you would be with her. We pray for the doctors that are with her, Lord. And as she's in Romania and in a strange country, Lord, we thank you that she's surrounded by people who love her and she's surrounded by people who can look after her, Lord. So we just pray for her today and we pray for other members of our church family right now. Lord just be with them. We're just going to take a minute. So lift up anybody who you want who God just needs to intervene in any situation or they just need to know your peace. So Lord God, I thank you that we can come here and we can worship you, Lord. And I pray that as we continue this fun service and we start our new series, Lord, that you would just be with us, that you would speak to us, and we would just have a great morning in Jesus name. Amen.
Please take your seats. Good morning, church f. Oh, am I on? There we go. Happens every time. Good morning, church family. I'm Megan. I will be leading us through the service today and Peter will also be bringing us the message. Um, so so grateful you're here. So and it's going to be a great syllabus. Just a bit of family news to start off with. Um, we have a our waiting room um today. We do this every month. Um, and this will be tonight at 7:00 p.m. And if you're new here and don't know what the waiting room is, this is just a really informal time where we can come and worship God and uh pray and just hear the spirit move. So, um, if you haven't been, I'd really encourage you to go. It's really stripped back. There is no agenda or or order. We just see where God is taking us. So, if you um would like to be there, please do come along. Is going to be a great evening. And then uh on Sunday the 4th of July, we have our next baptism service. >> And I'm sure you can agree baptisms are so exciting and we get to hear amazing testimonies of what God is doing in people in our church family lives. And so um it's going to be a day of celebration and fun. And it's just going to be amazing. And if you are interested in baptism or what it could mean for you or it could possibly be the next step in your journey, we have a baptism explored night on the 16th of June at 7:30 p.m. So, um, please come along. Um, you can book on our website just so we know the numbers. But if you want to find out more about what baptism is and whether it's the next step for you in your journey with God, then please do come along. It's going to be a great evening. And then on Monday, we had our church family meeting and we ex um did some great things in that. And one of the exciting things was um we had an update on the building project. Um, the minutes the update went out on the email as well. So if you haven't read it, I'd really encourage you to read it. But we have some exciting news that um the costs are so much lower than what we originally anticipated which is great. Um, but we and so once again God just surprises us and he provides for us every single time and so we are truly grateful for his generosity and the way he has gone before us in everything. Um, we are still asking for monthly giving um to increase. So, in order to get the building project underway, um, and to unlock some additional funding that would help us, um, our monthly giving has to go up. Um, now it's not by a lot. Um, we did the maths. It's about 287 each a month. If we all gave 287 each a month, it would get us to that figure. And so, um, I just encourage you to to pray about it, talk with your family, see what you could give to the building project. Um, we I mean if you haven't been a part of this journey and it's been a long journey. It's been a long journey to get there but if you haven't been a part of this journey we are due to um move out of the building at the end of July and work will start going on at the back and it will just open up so much more capacity for our children and our young people. And so if you haven't been a part of this journey please do come ask some questions. Um, there's a board out back there, but I just encourage you to go home and see what God's calling you to give towards this because he's done amazing things and he continues to surprise us more and more. And so um, yeah, that's just all I'd like to say. If you do feel like God is give um wants if you do feel like God is calling you to give that we have flyers at the back that can you can just indicate how much you're willing to give extra a month and we it just allows us to gauge where we are. But um, yeah, I just encourage you pray about it, see where God is calling you to. But um, it's exciting and um, I don't know about you, but I'm super excited and it's going to open up so many more opportunities for us to go out and to expand our mission, but also in here and to help our children and young people as well. So, um, yeah, that would just that, yeah, that's all I'm going to say about that, but hopefully that gives you a nice idea.
Another thing that happened on our church family meeting is we um welcomed five new members um into our church. So, if you are new to um if you are new to Baptist like the Baptist way, we have members which are allowed to vote on all things. Um, and so we welcome them at our church family meeting, but we also like to welcome them with our wider church family as well. Um, so I don't know if everybody's here, but if Joel, Fiona, and Johnny Spence, Chris, and Esther could make their way up. I've got something to give just to welcome welcome you to our church family. So, we have a little card. Sometimes you shake hands, but we can shake hands actually. Yeah, there we go. Look, we'll shake hands. That's not you. Hold on. >> There you go. >> And there. >> Yes. This is my brother. >> Who are you? Nice to see you. >> Thank you. >> That's okay. >> It's nice to meet you. >> There you go. >> And for you both as well. There you go. Nice to meet you. Well, nice to welcome. A round of applause. And I think church family, it's just a notification that our church is growing. Isn't that exciting? That our church is growing. I think that's just so exciting. And so I'm gonna invite Peter up and he's gonna introduce us to something more exciting. So, I always like to think it's a good idea to involve our young people in this. So, if you um identify as young, and I'm going to leave that up to you, no judgment here on amount of hair or hair color. Um, I would like you to come down to the front and fill this space here with hopefully very few trip hazards. So, if you're younger, up you come. The whole of the front row needs to come up as well because I class you as young even if you don't. Come on. Come on. Come stand here. COME HERE. YEAH. And you know who would come with Eden. Come on. >> Lovely. Right. Just at the front here. Try not to trip over trip over the um trip over the the the television. Right. Come on. Down we come. DOWN WE COME. DOWN WE COME. RIGHT. SO, listen to my instructions. Right. I want you as much as you can within this space to scatter. So, try and be separate. Scatter. Scatter. Scatter. Scatter. Scatter. Right. Fill that space. And then if I said to you, I would then like you to gather. How would you do it? >> Quick. Coming together. Coming together. Oh, there's a gathering over here. Right. So that's gathered church. And what does scatter church look like? Scatter. That's a very slow and organized scatter. It's the most British scatter. I'm just going to scatter over here. I am scattered. Um, right from your scattered point. Right, there's going to be a number on the screen. Wait. I want you to gather in the number dictated on the screen. Three, two, one. What have WE GOT? THREES. GATHER IN THREES. Gather in threes. Find a three. Gather. Gather. Gather. We need one more. Uh, you got a three there. We got a three there. Anyone? Oh, Caitlyn's by herself. >> Right. So, right there. There's your mom. And I will come and gather. Come on. Come on, mommy. We're gathered. Everyone scatter. Scatter. Scatter. Scatter. Scatter. Scatter. Scatter. That was a less British scatter. I like that. Right. Okay. You ready? Looking on the screen. This time we're going to gather in three, two, one. Fours. Gather in fours. Gather in fours. We got a two here. There's a three. There's a four. Right. Come on. We got what? You got two. Right. That's okay. We'll borrow Nicola. She's my wife. She can be punished this time. Come. Come. Gather. Right. We're good. We're four. That's good. Scatter. Everyone. Scatter. Scatter. Scatter. Scatter. Scatter. Scatter. I would like you to gather in three, two, one. Twos. Gather in twos. Micah. Micah. Come here. Oh, no. You're in two. You have to be with me. Micah, there's your punishment. Ah, Frank, there you got three there, right? You go there. Two. Two. Two. We're all good. Lovely. One more time. Scatter. I'm going to leave this up to Calvin. He can choose any of those numbers that were on the screen. One last time. I want you all to count down. Three, two, one. TWOS. BACK IN TWOS. BACK IN TWOS. BACK IN TWOS. >> Back in twos. You're in a two. You're a four. Okay. Oh, there's just four. That's two twos, mathematically speaking. Right. THAT'S GOOD. LOVELY. RIGHT. TAKE A SEAT. All of you. Take a seat.
So throughout the book of Acts, particularly at the beginning, you've got this moment where the church is hiding. Hiding. They're going, "What are we doing? Jesus Jesus is has gone. He's left us to what do we do? How do we do church?" And then the Holy Spirit comes and empowers the church. And it spends a period of time. We're going to look at this in the main chunk. This is not the sermon. Just um although the sermon's not much more sensible, um we're going to look at what happens throughout the period of this uh of this eight weeks. We're going to look at how the church particularly deals with the moment of scattering. But first, the first sort of eight chapters are all about the church gathering together, working out how to do church, empowering each other, using God's Holy Spirit to be gathered church. And then Acts 8, they start to think, well, we probably need to go out and and do things. We need to we need to we need to head out. And then once you get to sort of Acts sort of 12:13, Paul's like, "Right, I'm off, right? I'm off." And they scatter further. And that is the process of the good news being spread through the scattering mission of church. So over the next eight weeks, we're going to look at the scattering. Yeah. We're going to look at the scattering and mission. And if I hand back to Megan, Megan is going to talk to two of our young people about a little piece of mission that they found that they can do which is scattered, not very far, but it's mission as well. So, I'm going to pass back to Megan.
Great. Thank you, Peter. Can I invite Emily and Eliza up? So, we've been talking about mission and about going uh going out and talking about Jesus. Thank you. Come on. It's not that scary. I promise. So, you're all gonna you're gonna get a microphone. >> There you go. So, we've been talking about mission and about going out and spreading Jesus. And you girls have been doing something quite exciting. >> Yeah. Do you want to explain what you've been up to? >> Okay. So, basically in our school, we've started this Christianity group to help um spread Christianity through the school. So, we're doing it with So, if you're a Christian, you can come to this club. It's H27 at Thursday lunchtime. Um, which is in the history break time, sorry. Um, and it's basically just to spread God's word and to help spread Christianity through the school. >> Great. >> And so, uh, what sort of things will you be up to? What sort of things you got planned? So, we're like, okay, for the first week, we're going to do like a short PowerPoint and then like some mindfulness coloring with like Bible verses and stuff >> and then some discussions and some games throughout the week. >> Yeah. >> But yeah, and then we're also going to be doing prayer. So, like if you have any questions, um, so basically any topics that you want to discuss, we can do. >> Nice. So, it's something that people can come and actually just explore what it means to be a Christian as well. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That's exciting. And so what made you want to start the group at? What made you want to start it? >> Um, so it was Emily's idea to start with. Um, and she basically came up to me was like, Eliza, I've started this group and you're going to come join the group and you're going to help run it. Um, which was a bit scary, I must admit. But so basically from what I understood of Emily's idea um so we wanted to it started off as a Bible study that she wanted to do and then we decided to turn it into something where we just want to spread God's word as much as possible. So we wanted to go help like Christians like build up the courage to go like help like talk to people about it so we can help spread it in school. >> Amazing. What about you Emily? What made you want to start it? >> It was just like this was like two half terms ago. I was just sat there thinking about school for some reason. Um, and then I thought about how we didn't have like a Bible study in school. So, um, I emailed the teachers and tried to start one >> because I feel like we need one at the school. >> Yeah. Because you you go to a public school, so it's, uh, kind of an all faith school, I think you would say it. So, definitely needed if there wasn't one. >> Yeah. >> Amazing. Um, and then just finally, obviously, we are so excited for you and we are all cheering you on, aren't we? >> Yeah. And so how how can we as a church family help you, support you? What can we do to help you? >> Um if you know anybody who goes to the Newport campus, um please like advertise this to them so then they can come if they want and also just like pray for us. we can find like the thoughts and like ideas to help spread the Christianity as much as possible inside school >> or you can come and talk to us. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Feel free. >> And and I presume you have like a teacher that's supporting you. Yeah. >> Yeah. My RS teacher. >> Beautiful. >> And my RS teacher. >> RS teacher. >> Your RS teacher. Amazing. Amazing. Well, I think we all need a round of applause for Emily and Eliza. And I think you guys are so brave and it's so cool that you're doing this because it is hard to do and it is hard in school particularly and so we are fully behind you and we are encouraging you all the way. So we're just going to pray for them as they start this group because it is scary and we want them to be surrounded by love and encouragement from us but also you know God is on your side and he is going to be with you when you start this as well. So, let's just pray church family as they start this group. Lord God, I thank you for Emily and Eliza. I thank you for their passion for you and that they just want to share you with everyone that they meet. And I thank you that you have made them the way that they are. And Lord, I just pray that as they start this group, I pray you would be with them. That they would have the courage and the confidence to step out knowing that you are with them when they do. And Lord, I pray for everyone that will attend this group. I pray that it would be a great time full of fun, but full of questions and um that they would just know you more as well, Lord. And finally, I pray for Udale School. I pray you' be with each and every one of those children that attend, whether they know you or whether they don't. And so I pray your blessing on these two girls and your blessing on this group and your blessing on this school in Jesus name. Amen. Well done. Round of applause again. It's really exciting, isn't it? >> It just shows that it doesn't have to start at the adults. Stepping out doesn't start at the adults. Anybody can do it. And it takes shape in different ways. And Emily and Eliza, you are very inspiring, even at your age. And I can't wait to see what you even do when you get older. Like, it's going to be crazy. But it just shows that stepping out doesn't have you don't have to wait till you're older to step out, do you? God has a calling for each and every one of you. And so we're just going to pray a little bit more into that. And um we have uh the Malawi um leaders here and we are so excited that um some of our team were there to share some time in the ministry trip and um that they're going to share some time after the service as well explaining about it. And we have other members in our family that are stepping out into place like Romania and even just on the high street up the town. Every stepping out and sharing God's word takes so many forms. So we're just going to spend a bit of time in prayer for those people that are already doing it and doing amazing work. But those people that maybe have a nudge and just need that extra bit of encouragement to step out of what God's got for them. So let's just spend some time in prayer church. Lord God, we know that you have a plan for every single one every single one of us here. And we know that even though we might not see the full journey, that we know that we can see that you are with us in the next step and the next step and the next step. And so Lord, we pray that for those that have stepped out, that you would be with them. That you would give them strength and courage to keep going. But also those that are still wondering what you have for them and still wondering and praying about what's next in their lives, Lord, that you would be with them and that you would show them the next step. So God, I thank you for our church family. I thank you that we have people that are so eager to take the next step. And so I just pray that as we continue this journey of what the early church did and how they took their next steps that we would learn from them and we would put it into practice in Jesus name. Amen.
Amen. Now, this isn't my bit now. Anybody seen Peter? No. Under your chairs? >> No. I don't know if I can do it by myself. I can't do the message. I didn't prepare for this. Anybody seen Peter? Oh, this is Oh, >> I love along the mountain track. And as I go, I love to sing with a backpack on my back. Fond with a rack sack on my back. RIGHT. I'M GOING ON A JOURNEY. I'm going to spread THE NEWS. I'M GOING TO SCATTER. I'M GOING TO I'M GOING to go out. But unfortunately, my backpack is empty. So, I'm wondering, uh, Mr. Millington, where's Mr. Mill? Come, come, come, come. Um, I believe you know the alphabet and can write. I do. >> That's lovely. That's a good benefit. Um, now I I can't put everything in it, but I wonder if we could label some of these things. Um, what should I take with me? I'm going to go and share the good news of Jesus. I don't know where I'm going. >> What should I Sorry. >> Bible. >> Can we have a Bible, please? A really big one. >> No. >> A little tiny one. We got the Bible. In it goes. What else we got? >> Lunch. >> Let's have some lunch in there. >> Anything particular >> Kiche. Absolutely. >> You put pizza. We all know that kiche and rice salads are like the pivotal aspects of sending. Come on. Lovely. What else? So, I've got a Bible and I've got some kiche. Zoe, >> map. >> A map. >> Oo, there's wisdom in Zoe. >> Right. I wouldn't have thought about that. And Nicola knows it. Right. I've got an awful sense of direction. Map. Right. It's all come from this side over this side. What? What am I What am I putting in my bag? What am I put? Right. All Oh, now this could be a spare pencil. >> Spare pair of socks. >> Spare pair of socks. I'm glad you went for socks. A spare pair of socks. Just socks, but I'm walking a lot potentially. It's good. In goes a pair of socks. Can you draw me a pair of socks? Oh, and pants. Oh, Alex, don't draw me the pants. Socks. They look like little booties. There we go. Right. I want a couple of more things from from right here, but I'm going to go to Eden. Eden, what do you think I should take with me? >> Water. Yeah. No. Two. Right. That's really sensible. Well done for being sensible. Can we have a handshake? Right. You got to be careful. A handshake normally means you'll be welcomed into membership, but um that's there we go. That was a great suggestion. Water. Alex has got his own suggestion. Do we want to hear Alex's suggestion? >> Alex, what you suggesting? Deodorant. Putting deodorant in. We We might come back to the bag later. We might come back to the bag later, but Mr. Mr. Millington's going to stay up for a minute. Right. So, Mr. Mill's going to stay up. I I want to ask you the question. I want to ask you the question. Do you want to grab a microphone, Alex? Right. Has anyone seen And this will be an absolute gauge of the age of the of the congregation this morning. Bullseye. >> Yeah. Children, look around. This is my generation with their hands up here. Right. Bullseye was this quiz. That'll do. There's a It was a quiz based around one of the most boring sports alive. RIGHT. OH, THERE'S DISAGREEMENT in the room. >> It could have been chess. >> Darts. It could have been chess. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. It could have been chess. Right. And um and basically people would throw darts and what it landed on, it would get to a question. And they tried to make it really exciting by someone making this sort of a NOISE IN ONE. >> There we go. There we go. I chose the right person to be my right-hand man today. Right. And so if you'd get in one, you'd probably get like a 24 piece cutlery set. Right. AND WHAT'S IN TWO TODAY? >> AND TWO, >> A BRAND NEW washing machine. >> In three. >> Running out of ideas for things that could be in. All right. There was NOTHING MASSIVE. BUT BUT AND BULLY'S special prize was generally a speed boat, >> right? Or a jet ski, which obviously needs a jet ski, >> you know, anyone participating in Milton Kees, right? Nowhere near the coast would struggle with. So we're going to do a summary of Acts chapters 1 all the way through 12 by then rather than saying in one Alex will say >> Acts one >> and then I will share with you what the story of Acts one is in one sentence. >> It won't get old. >> Right. Okay. No, this is I mean I'm happy as Larry and I know you're having a lovely day out. Right. Are you ready? So here is the story of Acts chapter 1 to 12. Acts one, Jesus ascends to heaven, commissions the disciples, and Peter leads the choosing of Matias to replace Judas. Acts two, >> at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples, and Peter preaches as thousands join the JERUSALEM CHURCH. >> ACT THREE, >> Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple, leading Peter to proclaim Jesus to THE ENTIRE CROWD. ACTS FOUR, >> Peter and John face opposition from Jewish leaders but boldly continue preaching as THE BELIEVERS PRAY TOGETHER. ACTS FIVE. >> WELL DONE for remembering the order. Ananas and Safara deceive the church while apostles perform signs and CONTINUE PREACHING DESPITE ARREST. >> ACT SIX, THE CHURCH APPOINTS seven servants including Steven and Philip to care for widows and support THE GROWING COMMUNITY. ACT SEVEN, >> Steven recounts Israel's history, accuses the leaders of resisting God and is killed FOR WHAT HE BELIEVED. >> ACTS EIGHT, THE PERSECUTION OF Steven and others scatters believers. Philip preaches in Samaria and to Ethiopian official, SPREADING THE GOSPEL BEYOND JERUSALEM. >> ACTS NINE, >> Saul encounters the risen Jesus, is converted and begins preaching while Peter continues his MINISTRY AND HEALINGS. ACTS 10, Peter meets Cornelius and God shows that the gospel is for the Gentiles as WELL AS THE JEWS. ACTS 11, Peter explains gentile inclusion and the diverse church in Antioch grows where believers are first called Christians >> and BULLIES SPECIAL PRIZE. ACT 12. >> HEROD PERSECUTES the church. James is killed. Peter is miraculously freed from prison. HEROD DIES. >> THERE WE GO. My daughter looked so happy with me being up here. >> Right. So, uh, here we have Alex's daughter and my daughter looking mortified. Um, absolutely lovely. So, right, that's that's a very brief history of Acts 1 to 12 because we're going to pick up the story at Acts 13. And I believe Barnaby has today's passage. Yes, Barnaby looked slightly surprised. That was because I'd love you to read it to us. Barley, it has got some tricky words. So, you know, be graceful with him. If you pop yourself, grab that microphone and come up here, Barbie. Actually, let's read Acts 13:es 1-5. And then we got a couple of short points for us this morning about what that might mean. Among among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simon, Lucius, Manan, and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them." So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Cel Seelucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. There in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant. Thank you, Barnaby. Pop that mic back on there for me. Lovely.
So, I want us to understand that just because they were sent a long way, that isn't the absolute and exclusive definition of mission. We've had a little look about mission in our own town uh with Emily and with Eliza looking at places with our own town where they can be sent. But it is the point when Paul really sends things a long long way away. And that's really worth us as a church as we look into mission and what mission might be the process of how the church went through this sending this scattering. So, we've called this series sent, and it's going to be a way for us to get excited about what might happen, but to study from biblical examples of how it went. So, thinking about this passage, I have got what we got three points because I'm a good Baptist. Three points that I want us to think about today. And it's quite a short passage. So, let's have a little look. Point one, mission starts with worship and prayer. So right at the beginning of that line, it says, "Amongst the prophets and teachers of the church of Antioch, Syria were Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manion, and Saul. One day these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting and the Holy Spirit said. So from this we understand they were together. They were gathered. They were worshiping and they were prayerful enough to hear the nudging of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit gave them that message to go. It wasn't based on a loudspeaker, a map, right? It was a case that they felt that God was calling them as they worshiped. God spoke through their moment of worship and God spoke to them and they heard through prayer. So they were listening. It began with listening to God. Have you ever prayed? And I've done this. This was this is I mean I still do this to a certain extent. Have you ever sat there and gone, "Right, I should pray. So here's my list of things for God. Amen. Bye." Have you ever prayed like that where it's just like, "God, if I was in charge, this is what I would do. Here is my manifesto for how I would change things if I was God." Sometimes we pray like that. Let's be honest. And God is gracious. God will sit there and go, "Thank you for saying that." And I'd love to Oh, you gone. Because we don't leave that time at the end to sit there and say, "Well, God, what are your thoughts? What are your plans? What are you saying?" We just say what's on our heart and then leave. That's not the way it should really be. That's not That's not holistic. That's not full prayer. It's in the listening. It's in the listening that Paul and Barnabas heard this call. So that's number one. Mission starts with worship and prayer. And it might start with a gathering before you're scattered. Number two, God uses different people together. Right? We've looked at this recently as as as we've looked at a church at spiritual gifts. God doesn't just send the same type of person times eight because that might be a bit of a nightmare. Right? I've had a couple of conversations this week about the Millingtons, right? And how different you are. Right? You've dealt with the last week and building up to today and your meal here in slightly different ways. Right? May have had a couple of slightly panicked messages from Sara. Had nothing from Alex. He said, "It's all right." Lay back. Back in time be like, "Right, different people. We need that, don't we?" Right? We need someone to kick Alex up the bottom a bit. We need someone to calm Sara down a bit. Right? Different people are needed in different ways. God uses different people together. The church in Antioch wasn't full of people who were all the same. And have a look, have a look around this room. Are we all the same? No. And isn't that glorious? Isn't that amazing that we've got different accents, hair colors, skin tones, heights, ages? We are different, bought together. And we will be on mission together while looking different. Different gifts, different stories, different things we bring to mission. Just as a congregation, let's have a look at some of your skills and talents. Who loves drawing and art? All right, have a little look around. These are our artists. Absolutely. Vicki, are you are you are you drawing again today? You're drawing today. That's lovely. Fantastic. Who loves singing? Music, dance, all Britishness. No, no dance. Um, absolutely. What about sport? >> Got some different hands up now. >> What about acting? I'm ever so sorry. I mean, a little bit. Who's a big fan of listening rather than talking? Who's a tat big fan of talking rather than listening? At this point, couples are looking at each other going, "Yeah, that makes sense." Cooking, >> eating. >> YAY! WE ALL AGREE ON SOMETHING, CHURCH. We are all different. and God will use that and bring that together and make a beautiful blend of different people. Won't always be easy because of that. But it means that hopefully we'll be able to react to different situations because you got different team members in a different team. Think about it from a football point of view. How many goals are you going to score if you put on 11 goalkeepers and they all just sit there like this? All of you in the goal but within the goalposts. You're not scoring any, but neither are we. You need different players even when you're playing the same sport. Different people together. That's what happened here. And the third point, mission means being sent. The word for mission used in a lot of churches is the Lat Latin word missio. And missio literally means sent ones. That might be sent back home, sent into your street, sent round to the neighbors. That might be sent into the school where they've not at the moment got a gathering of Christians. Where is God sending us? There's a time for gathering and a time for sending. I love this place. I love the gatherings we have in this place. I love looking at your mildly confused faces as I blabber on about the Bible. I love it. This place is amazing. We can refuel. We can recharge. We can sing together. But then there's a time of sending and there's a time of going out. Mission means being sent. It is incredible. The church laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul before sending them out. It was like the people of the church were praying, sending out Paul and Barnabas. Not just letting them go, but sending. They said, "We're praying for you. We're behind you. We'll support you. Go with God." Today we prayed for Emily and Eliza, and it would be great if other guys um who were there in that in that school could support them in that. And who knows what that might become. We pray for you. Go with God. So where might God be sending you? School into someone's home, playgrounds, sports clubs, neighbors, roads, groups, gatherings, or somewhere even further a field. It might be that God is calling some of us, sending us to other areas of Milton Kes. Might be different countries, but to know where God is sending you, we need to listen. We need to hear. So, I want us to remember those three short points. And I'm going to get the kids, particularly adults, if they want to just to repeat them again. Worship together, sent. So, after three, I want you to say all three of those things. 3 2 1. Worship together. I'll have that again from you. 3 2 1
Should we pray? Let's Let's listen up. Lord God, I thank you for the opportunity to spend time looking at scripture, hearing from examples, worshiping together. Thank you for the gathering this morning. Thank you so much, Lord, for the opportunity to come into your church, spend time with your people, to recharge, to re-energize, to refuel. But Lord God, where are you sending us? Where do you need us to be? Where are we going to be sent ones, missionaries to? So, I'm going to leave you with a minute or so of silence. Let's not just do that prayer list of things and move on. Let's listen to God. Lord God, bless us as we listen out for your nudges, for your prompts. Help us to be a sending church. Help us to find people who are called to go with God, to go with you. We pray in your name. Amen.
All right. So, I'm off. Has anyone got anything to add to the bag? Has anyone changed their mind or get anything? Alex, come on. Come on. All right. What's your idea, Caitlin? What do you think should go in my bag? What's a sleeping bag? I should have a sleeping bag. Yeah, it's good to have some rest. That's good. Oh, it's always weird asking Emily. My own daughter. If I If you were sending me away, >> if Emily is sending you away, can we take the map out? OH. OH, bit harsh. What? What? What should I have? >> Someone to keep you from doing something stupid. >> Someone to keep So, a partner. Someone to go with. Someone to keep me calm >> and on the straight and narrow. It's not a bad idea. So, going to go with someone. We're sent together. Is that just say Nicola? Oh, no. Partner. Um, Iris, you look like you're going to explode if I don't ask you. >> Money. Little bit of money. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Just in case I need to phone Nickel and go, "Hello." Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Although these days we don't use money for a phone box. Sorry. That's a joke from 20 years ago. Um, Yeah. Go on the Gemma. Love. Absolutely. I'm going to leave it on that one. Put some love in my bag and then I'm going to go wandering along the mountain track again. >> Someone said Jesus. I'm going to count that in love. Right. So I love to go wandering along the mountain track. Hello those online. And as I go, I'll let you with a tap on my back. On that note, shall we stand and worship? You are here moving in our midst. I worship you. I worship you. You are here moving in this place. I worship you. I worship you. You are here. You are here moving in. I worship you. I worship you. You are here working in this place. I worship you. I worship you. You are way maker, miracle work, promise keeper, light in the darkness. My God, that is who you are. You are way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness. My God, that is who you are. You are way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness. My God, that is who you are. You are way maker, miracle, a promise keeper, light in the darkness. My God, that is who you are. You are here touching every heart. I worship you. I worship you. You are here healing every heart. I worship you. I worship you. You are here turning lives around. I worship you. I worship you. You are here lending every heart. I worship you. I worship you. You are way maker, miracle work, promise keeper, light in the darkness. My God, that is who you are. You are way maker, miracle work, promise keeper, light in the darkness. My God, that is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are.
are. We make a miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness. My God, that is who you are. You are way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness. Thank God. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are.
>> Even when I don't see it, you're working. Even when I don't feel it, you're working. Never stop. Never stop working. Never stop. You never stop working. Even when I don't feel it, you're working. Even when I don't feel it, you're working. Never stop. Never stop working. You never stop. Never stop working. Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness. My God, that is who you are. Way maker, miracle work, a promise keeper, light in the darkness. My God, that is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are. That is who you are.
You give life. You are love. You bring light to the darkness. You bring hope. You restore every heart that is broken. And great are you, Lord. You give life. You give life. You are love. You bring light to the dark. Yes. You give hope. You restore every heart that is broken. Great are you, Lord. It's your breath in our lungs. So we pour out our praise. Pour out our praise. It's your breath in our lungs. So we pour out our praise to you only. It's your breath in our lungs. So we pour out our praise. Pour out our praise. It's your breath in our lungs. So we pour out our praise to you only. Heat. Heat. And all the earth will shout your praise. Our hearts will cry. These bones will sing. Great are you, Lord. And all the earth will shout your praise. Our hearts will cry. These bones will sing, great are you, Lord. And all the earth will shout your praise. Our hearts will cry. These bones will sing. Great are you, Lord.
It's your breath in our lungs. So we pour out our praise. We pour out our praise. It's your breath in our lungs. So we pour out our praise to you, oh it's your breath in our lungs. So we pour out our praise. Pour out our praise. It's your breath in our lungs. So we pour out our praise to you only. It's your breath in our lungs. So we pour out our praise. Pour out our praise. It's your breath in our lives. So we pour out our praise to you only.
>> Great are you. Great are you. All my words fall short. I've got nothing new. How could I express all my gratitude? I could sing these songs as I of every prom, but you never do. Oh, I throw up my hands. Praise you again and again. All that I have is a hallelu. No, it's not much. Nothing else fit for a king except for a heart singing pal. Hallelu. Hallelujah. Response. I've got just one move. With my arms wide, I will worship you. So I throw up my hands, praise you again and again. All that I have is a hallelujah. Hallelujah. And I know it's not much and nothing else fits for a king except for a heart singing hallelujah. Hallelujah. Come on, my soul. Don't you get shy of me. Lift up your son. Cuz you got a lion inside those lungs. Get up and praise the Lord. Come on, my soul. Don't you get shy of me. Lift up your song. Cuz you've got a lion inside of those lungs. Get up and praise the Lord. Come on, my soul. Don't you get shy of me. Lift up your song cuz you've got a lion inside those lungs. Get up and praise the Lord.
So I throw up my hands. Praise you again and again. Cuz all that I have is a hallelujah. Hallelujah. And I know it's not much, nothing else fit for a king >> except for a heart singing hallelu. Hallelujah. So I throw up my hands, praise you again and again. >> Cuz all that I have is a hallelujah. And I know it's not much, nothing else fit for a king >> except for a heart single. Hallelu Hallelujah.
Lord, we thank you that we can just worship you and we thank you for all that you have done. And so, Lord, we express our gratitude to you today. And we pray that as we go out and as we step out and as we go back into this world, Lord, that we would express our gratitude today, tomorrow, and the rest of the week, Lord. So Lord, we thank you. Thank you for all you have done in Jesus name. Amen. Have a great week, church family. If you're staying for the lunch after, please do stay. But um if if not, we hope you have a really blessed week. Thank you so much. Nothing left out. We're just going to We are only going to need