WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.279 It was Mothering Sunday and two boys burst in fairly early to their mum's bedroom and said, 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:17.600 ! It's Mothering Sunday, Mum, just stay where you are. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:24.080 ! So they went downstairs and after a few minutes she could hear activity coming from the kitchen. 00:00:24.079 --> 00:00:34.879 The smell of bacon came wafting up the stairs and a few minutes later it all went quiet and stayed very quiet. 00:00:34.879 --> 00:00:41.759 After about half an hour she thought perhaps she ought to kind of go down and just check everything was okay. 00:00:41.759 --> 00:00:51.920 So she did, she went downstairs, she got into the kitchen and when she got there she found her two lads both sat at the kitchen table eating bacon and eggs. 00:00:54.079 --> 00:01:01.359 She looked at them and they looked at her and they said, Mum, it's a surprise, we're giving you the morning off. 00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:04.640 We decided to cook our own breakfast. 00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:20.239 It's Mothering Sunday when we think about mothers, we think about Mother Church. 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:31.199 And that story actually serves as quite a serious challenge as to what is our, what is our posture when it comes to church? 00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:39.759 Is it something that effectively we just kind of take our bit from? We come along as passive spiritual recipients? 00:01:39.760 --> 00:01:50.240 Do we see church as something that we just go to? That we attend? As an event? An activity? 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:57.520 Or do we see it as, do we see the church as a living organism? 00:01:57.519 --> 00:02:02.879 And here that image of Mother Church works quite well. 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:11.359 As that community of faith in which we grow, in which we are nurtured right through our lives. 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:24.560 That community in which we each have a part, in which of course we receive the blessing, but also we live out that blessing to others. 00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:44.159 And in our series, which we're looking at during Lent, we're on Ephesians 4 this week, and it just happens that this part of Ephesians happens to say quite a lot about what it looks like to live and thrive and to be Mother Church. 00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:53.199 And it's a community that we see in that way that we see ourselves as a community that effectively looks out for one another and helps one another to grow. 00:02:54.519 --> 00:02:58.159 As Paul puts it, bearing with one another in love. 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:06.340 It's in service to each other, in community that we grow. 00:03:06.340 --> 00:03:13.680 Not just in a way that just to one another, in an inward looking way, although that is really, really important actually. 00:03:14.360 --> 00:03:16.280 But in an outward facing way too. 00:03:19.640 --> 00:03:25.960 God's people have always, always been formed through training. 00:03:28.219 --> 00:03:30.599 We're not born that way. 00:03:30.599 --> 00:03:42.539 And when we look at scripture, we find time and time again how God's people, both through the Old Testament and in the New, are called to a life of discipleship, which is about, if you like, training. 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:43.599 It's about growing. 00:03:44.379 --> 00:03:45.379 It never really stops. 00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:47.400 Because we're not born that way. 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:52.659 When we first become followers of Jesus, we're responsive. 00:03:53.900 --> 00:03:55.560 We make a response to him. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:04:05.599 But it's only over time, and this really is a lifelong process, that we move from being responsive to being responsible. 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:11.319 We need to grow in order for that to happen. 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:12.900 And it's a lifelong process. 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:18.379 And Paul gives us that image there as he talks in verse 14 of Ephesians 4. 00:04:18.459 --> 00:04:18.620 It says, 00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:21.139 Then we will no longer be as infants. 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:32.360 There is this expectation, this assumption, that if you're going to follow Jesus, that is an ongoing process of growing and growing and growing. 00:04:35.039 --> 00:04:37.819 So what does Paul say that we need to do? 00:04:37.979 --> 00:04:39.779 Well, I just want to suggest two things. 00:04:39.939 --> 00:04:41.779 I'm sure there are far more than two. 00:04:41.899 --> 00:04:47.279 But I just want to pull out two things that we see presented to us in these words from Ephesians 4. 00:04:47.279 --> 00:04:54.819 The first thing is if we want to grow, then we have to step up and serve. 00:04:56.119 --> 00:04:57.879 There's no easy way around that one. 00:04:58.239 --> 00:04:59.599 That's what we're called to do. 00:05:02.019 --> 00:05:04.239 But with a sense of openness. 00:05:04.679 --> 00:05:08.059 So verse 12 talks about works of service. 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:16.360 So that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith, in the knowledge of the Son of God, 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:21.840 and become mature in taining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:28.439 So how do we work out what it is that God is saying to each of us that he wants us to do? 00:05:29.340 --> 00:05:32.939 I don't think there's any simple, straightforward, easy answer to that. 00:05:32.939 --> 00:05:35.879 But it does call for openness in an ongoing way. 00:05:36.459 --> 00:05:40.040 There's a story about a young man who really wanted to serve God. 00:05:40.339 --> 00:05:43.240 And he thought of all the different things he could do. 00:05:43.300 --> 00:05:45.759 And he wrote out quite a lengthy list. 00:05:46.620 --> 00:05:52.220 And felt really strongly that he needed to offer those things before God. 00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:54.860 And so he went into a church. 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:59.220 It was one of those, it's quite an old church that was out in the country. 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:02.260 They never closed the building. 00:06:02.780 --> 00:06:07.140 And so he went in and because it was quite a remote place, there was nobody else there. 00:06:08.100 --> 00:06:13.560 And so he went in and he'd set himself a good hour or so, went in to the front of that church. 00:06:13.640 --> 00:06:17.340 And he laid his list of things that he was offering God to do. 00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:21.460 And placed them out on the altar and knelt there and prayed for about an hour. 00:06:22.900 --> 00:06:28.340 And he was expecting to come away from that experience with a sense of overwhelming joy ready to serve. 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:30.879 And yet he just felt empty inside. 00:06:32.619 --> 00:06:38.019 So he went back home, he took his list with him and thought some more about maybe other things that he could do for God. 00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:40.399 And so he added a few more things to the list. 00:06:40.719 --> 00:06:43.279 Went back again the next weekend and did the same thing. 00:06:43.659 --> 00:06:48.159 Placed the list in front of the altar and prayed for about an hour. 00:06:48.839 --> 00:06:51.299 And just felt even more empty. 00:06:52.899 --> 00:06:55.959 He did this a third time, adding more things to the list. 00:06:55.959 --> 00:06:57.359 He just couldn't think of anything else. 00:06:57.419 --> 00:06:59.279 We just made this list as long as he could. 00:06:59.339 --> 00:07:00.339 It was looking like an essay. 00:07:02.099 --> 00:07:03.579 Went back on the third weekend. 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:05.299 Again, same church, same altar. 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:06.479 Much longer list. 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:08.599 Put it there and prayed for two hours this time. 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:11.599 And yet as he did so, he just felt empty. 00:07:13.039 --> 00:07:14.339 Just couldn't get anywhere, was it? 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:23.000 He decided to seek out the advice of a friend of his who was a Christian. 00:07:23.159 --> 00:07:27.139 He was quite a bit older than him and he really respected him for his wisdom. 00:07:28.799 --> 00:07:30.099 He told him what he'd done. 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:36.439 And his friend said, I'd just suggest that maybe you're going the wrong way around. 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:44.379 Just take a fresh sheet of paper and sign your name at the bottom but write nothing else on it. 00:07:45.740 --> 00:07:49.199 Take the blank sheet, place that on the altar and pray. 00:07:50.839 --> 00:07:57.639 But to cut a long story short, that was the moment at which that young man felt renewal, 00:07:57.639 --> 00:08:07.120 felt peace, felt energy, felt clarity as to what God was asking him to do. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:09.879 Now, we're all different. 00:08:10.039 --> 00:08:11.860 And that's the point in Ephesians. 00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:17.560 As Paul, you know, in Ephesians 4, Paul talks about the different things that we are gifted to do, 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:20.639 different parts that we have within the body of Christ. 00:08:20.719 --> 00:08:22.519 And we're all called to serve in different ways. 00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:28.079 Everybody in this room will have a different set of network of friends and contacts, 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:30.359 family, neighbours and the rest of it. 00:08:30.599 --> 00:08:36.039 And a different combination of skills and gifts and abilities and talents and life experiences. 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:38.259 Every single one of us would be different. 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:42.299 That's the point. 00:08:42.519 --> 00:08:44.980 Each one of us is important and is called to serve. 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:50.720 But to do so with an ongoing openness to what God might be saying. 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:53.580 So don't ever write anything off. 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:58.460 No matter how crazy it might seem to think somebody suggests, 00:08:58.680 --> 00:09:01.840 do you think that you might be called to do this or to that or the other? 00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:03.180 And you think, oh, I've never done that. 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:03.740 It's not my skill set. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:04.360 I've never done it. 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:08.920 Just be open. 00:09:11.779 --> 00:09:15.180 One of the amazing things about being a Christian is you never stop being taken by surprise. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:17.300 And this can happen at any point in life. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:20.700 And you can suddenly have something open up that you never dreamt that God would use you. 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:24.220 I've had so many people share stories like that over the years. 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:28.400 So that's the first thing. 00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:33.759 Paul says, you know, be ready to step up and serve, but to do so with a sense of openness. 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:39.240 Works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith, 00:09:39.560 --> 00:09:41.720 in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, 00:09:42.500 --> 00:09:45.020 attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:48.480 The second thing, as I say, there will be many more, 00:09:48.579 --> 00:09:50.699 but I only just want to draw attention to these two this morning. 00:09:50.819 --> 00:09:54.000 The second thing I want to suggest Paul draws our attention to here 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:57.740 is the importance of encouragement to one another. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:01.779 Verse 15, Paul talks of speaking the truth in love. 00:10:01.779 --> 00:10:16.039 Paul's not talking about just simply massaging one another's egos, 00:10:16.919 --> 00:10:18.899 just being nice to each other. 00:10:19.459 --> 00:10:22.019 You know, there is a place for challenge. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:31.639 To speak the truth in love might mean that we have to be willing to say and hear difficult things from time to time. 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:36.019 Let's not forget that. 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:40.539 We urge to encourage. 00:10:42.840 --> 00:10:46.279 And remember, he talks about speaking truth in love. 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:50.120 And even when there are difficult things to be said to each other, 00:10:51.179 --> 00:10:55.079 it must always be underpinned by love. 00:10:55.080 --> 00:11:01.700 And I want to suggest that particularly, particularly, 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:06.300 and this is true in every church, in every gathering, in every generation, 00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:12.660 there is always a responsibility upon us to encourage those who are younger than us. 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:16.480 However young we might be, 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:18.860 or however old we might be, 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:22.620 ours is the responsibility to the next generation. 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.460 That's biblical. 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:29.580 It's the story of an artist, 00:11:30.520 --> 00:11:31.740 a world-famous artist, 00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:36.120 and he was visited one day in his studio. 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:37.500 There was a knock on the door. 00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:39.040 And he opened the door, 00:11:39.160 --> 00:11:42.900 and there was an elderly gentleman standing on his doorstep, 00:11:43.020 --> 00:11:48.360 and he had lots of what appeared to be paintings 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:51.100 kind of gathered up, wrapped up in some rags. 00:11:52.280 --> 00:11:52.920 He said, 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:55.399 forgive me for troubling you, 00:11:55.539 --> 00:12:01.139 but would you mind if I showed you some of my paintings? 00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:08.059 Because I'd really value your opinion as a professional artist on what I've produced. 00:12:09.199 --> 00:12:12.240 Well, the artist was a little bit puzzled by this. 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:13.299 He wasn't expecting him, 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:15.299 but he thought he may as well invite him in. 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:16.740 It felt like the polite thing to do. 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:18.240 So he invited him into the studio, 00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:21.779 and this man placed this bundle on top of the table 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:24.580 and began to unwrap it and took the paintings out 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:27.500 and placed them on the table for the artist to look at. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:29.700 And as the artist looked at them, 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:35.139 he was trying really hard to think how he could say something positive, 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.620 because deep down inside, 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:39.120 he knew these paintings were okay, 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:41.820 but they certainly weren't sellable. 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:46.279 And so he said something that went a bit like this. 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:46.600 He said, 00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:47.539 these paintings, 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:49.879 I can see you've travelled some way to come and see me. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:50.539 Thank you for that. 00:12:50.580 --> 00:12:51.100 That's an honour. 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:51.679 That's a privilege. 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:54.980 And I can see how this work is very much your own. 00:12:56.220 --> 00:12:59.080 I can see how what you've produced here 00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:04.019 has got your personality all over it, 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.519 and that makes it unique to you, 00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:06.399 and it's so special. 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:08.799 And in that respect, this work is priceless. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:15.840 If you were to be seeking to market your work, 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:20.240 I'd suggest that maybe there are some technicalities about it 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:23.439 that would suggest that it probably wouldn't be 00:13:23.439 --> 00:13:25.399 of a lot of monetary value. 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:28.759 However, these paintings are really special 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:30.500 because you created them. 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:38.120 The only man could understand everything 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.419 that was trying to be said. 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:43.000 He thanked the artist and packed up his paintings 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.299 and was just about to go. 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:44.980 When he said, 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:46.299 actually, just one other thing, 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:47.820 I wondered if I could show you. 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:49.340 He reached into his bag 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:53.240 and he brought out a very, very old-looking sketchbook. 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:54.179 He said, 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:55.940 would you mind just taking a look at these? 00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:59.520 The artist opened the book 00:13:59.520 --> 00:14:01.860 and went through these, 00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:04.860 what appeared to be some very old-looking pencil drawings. 00:14:07.180 --> 00:14:09.540 The artist looked at them and said to the man, 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:11.360 now these are really good. 00:14:12.760 --> 00:14:15.320 In fact, these are bordering on outstanding. 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:19.800 Whoever actually produced these, 00:14:20.780 --> 00:14:23.680 if they could just be encouraged 00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:28.480 to develop the potential that I can see there, 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:32.720 I think they could easily have it within them 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:35.520 to be a professional artist. 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:37.460 They're quite outstanding. 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:41.120 It's at that point, and only at that point, 00:14:42.640 --> 00:14:44.500 that the old man began to weep. 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:49.240 He explained that these were his own drawings 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:52.420 from when he was a boy. 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:58.680 When he learned the love of drawing, 00:14:59.180 --> 00:15:00.200 sketching and painting, 00:15:00.900 --> 00:15:03.440 and no matter whenever he showed them to anybody, 00:15:03.640 --> 00:15:05.180 they just sort of shrugged it off 00:15:05.180 --> 00:15:08.300 and told him to do something else. 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:15.919 Let's never forget the potential that lies in all of us, 00:15:16.479 --> 00:15:18.859 but particularly those who are younger, 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:21.679 who are in childhood and in their teens, 00:15:21.939 --> 00:15:25.079 and the onus that is on each and every one of us 00:15:25.079 --> 00:15:29.500 to seek to encourage the very best in them. 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:36.519 But that ministry of encouragement doesn't stop there. 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:40.240 That ministry of encouragement 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:42.980 to speak the truth in love 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:45.340 that we may grow to become in every respect 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:48.279 the mature body of him who is the head, 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.240 that is Christ, 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:52.500 is an everyday, 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:53.379 ongoing, 00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:54.799 lifelong challenge. 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.080 You know, 00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.840 often it's easy to meet somebody 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:01.060 and to just assume 00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:02.779 that they've had plenty of encouragement 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:04.320 because they're so good at what they do. 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:08.899 But never make that assumption. 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:13.079 It may be that that person 00:16:13.079 --> 00:16:16.019 needs your encouragement 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:17.600 right there 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:19.000 and right then. 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:23.179 So let's encourage one another 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:25.120 that we might grow 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:27.019 in faith 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:27.799 and flourish 00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:28.720 in him. 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.819 Today is Mothering Sunday 00:16:33.819 --> 00:16:34.539 and 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:36.840 I'd like to encourage us 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:38.439 as we come to pray now 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:41.360 I'd like to encourage us 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:42.940 to pray in a number of different ways 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:44.460 and I'm really aware 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:46.940 that for all sorts of different reasons 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:49.200 this can be a difficult day. 00:16:51.380 --> 00:16:52.840 And so as we do the prayers 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.640 in a moment 00:16:53.640 --> 00:16:54.660 I'd like to leave it 00:16:54.660 --> 00:16:56.260 as wide open as possible. 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:57.060 There's going to be some 00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:58.640 there are some candles here. 00:16:59.020 --> 00:17:00.500 There's going to be some music playing. 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.620 And in your own time 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.540 I'd like to invite you 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:04.480 to come forward 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.100 and to light a candle 00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:06.960 to express 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:08.559 whatever type of prayer 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.660 you feel led 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.259 to pray 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:11.180 this morning. 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:15.460 It may be a prayer 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.460 of thanksgiving. 00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:18.460 Thanksgiving 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.380 for 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:20.700 a mum 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:23.819 Thanksgiving 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.579 for children. 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:28.799 but it may well be 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.679 that actually 00:17:29.679 --> 00:17:31.019 lighting that candle 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:31.579 this morning 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.839 is an expression 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.960 of lament. 00:17:35.939 --> 00:17:36.819 It may be 00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:37.619 that that symbol 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:38.879 of lighting that candle 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:39.419 and the light 00:17:39.419 --> 00:17:40.079 is a reminder 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.039 of a situation 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.899 that you know of 00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:42.480 right now 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:45.059 where the light of hope 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:45.839 needs to shine 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:46.619 in a situation 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:47.159 of darkness. 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:51.259 it might be 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:53.040 that there's a particular 00:17:53.040 --> 00:17:54.320 mum that you know 00:17:54.320 --> 00:17:55.160 that is struggling 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:55.840 right now. 00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.880 It might be 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.720 a prayer 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:02.120 of lamentation. 00:18:04.580 --> 00:18:05.680 But whatever type 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.180 of prayer 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:07.120 it is that you wish 00:18:07.120 --> 00:18:08.060 to bring this morning 00:18:08.060 --> 00:18:10.160 God is here 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:12.200 God is among us 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:14.299 and I invite you 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:15.080 to come forward 00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:16.759 and to light a candle 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:18.100 and to pray. 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:19.420 I'm going to ask 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:20.100 the music team 00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:20.799 if you could 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:23.600 get ready. 00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:26.460 Let's pray together. 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:33.740 Lord thank you 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.140 for the gift 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:36.519 of one another 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.480 in the church. 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:39.840 And thank you 00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:40.480 that you call 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.360 each and every one 00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:41.740 of us 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.420 to be a part 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:42.940 of that. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:46.039 Help us always 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:47.019 to be ready 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:48.319 to step up 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.120 and serve 00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:51.620 and to be open 00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:53.000 to hear your voice 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.900 calling us 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:55.799 into situations 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:57.759 of service 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.299 that we might 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.140 not be expecting. 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:02.680 And Lord 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.380 may we always 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:03.980 be poised 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.359 and ready 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:05.140 to encourage 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:05.720 one another. 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.319 Lord 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.039 as we give you 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.559 thanks 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.720 for the life 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:15.740 of the church 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.259 so 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.819 we pray 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.740 this day 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.279 on this 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.179 mothering Sunday 00:19:20.179 --> 00:19:23.759 for mums 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.679 throughout the world 00:19:24.679 --> 00:19:28.259 and we bring you 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.119 our prayers now 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:30.099 in the name 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.599 of Jesus. 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:32.700 Amen. 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:37.080 to be 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.080 00:19:37.079 --> 00:20:07.059 Thank you.