Cirencester Salvation Army Songs of Praise 17 May 2020 – Rejoice in the Lord always!

Welcome and Introduction https://1drv.ms/v/s!AusQEfE1HPcogftnM6BURjVKW5w9lw?e=ziIFlK

(Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Cirencester-Salvation-Army ) Song 39 – Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMY3ivdNzwE Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, Hail Thee as the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day! All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays, Stars and angels sing around Thee, Centre of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, Blossoming meadow, flashing sea, Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee. Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest, Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest! Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, All who live in love are Thine; Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, Which the morning stars began; Father love is reigning o’er us, Brother love binds man to man. Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife, Joyful music lifts us sunward In the triumph song of life. What a wonderful song of praise to start our worship! We’re going to continue to praise by singing one of my favourite songs. I think there might be some moves in this video that will take you back a few years so move whatever parts of your body you still can (!) and enjoy. I’m gonna jump up and down https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPgUj29wCp0

I'm gonna jump up and down Gonna spin right around I'm gonna praise Your name forever I'm gonna shout out loud Gonna deafen the crowd I'm gonna send my praise to heaven I will run this race and I will never stop I'll follow Jesus till the day I drop I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me When you've got such a lot When you've got not a lot WHAT? BE HAPPY!!!

Time for reflection and prayer https://1drv.ms/v/s!AusQEfE1HPcogftmo-dTK5cvFPks1Q?e=BpsFyf

Song 63 – The Lord’s my shepherd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN4tPkX0MG0 The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want He makes me lie in pastures green He leads me by the still, still waters His goodness restores my soul And I will trust in you alone And I will trust in you alone For your endless mercy follows me Your goodness will lead me home He guides my ways in righteousness And he anoints my head with oil And my cup, it overflows with joy I feast on his pure delights And though I walk the darkest path I will not fear the evil one For you are with me, and your rod and staff Are the comfort I need to know. Prayer https://1drv.ms/v/s!AusQEfE1HPcogftlWGE9HOLJ3ni7lg?e=HrBLCc Father, we come to you with hearts and minds that are cluttered and filled with concerns, some minor and others of huge importance. We rejoice because you know what is on our hearts before we even start to pray Father, our hearts are heavy because so many of our worries are out of our control We rejoice because there is nothing that you haven’t already experienced, and you understand Father, we are frustrated because we want answers and don’t know where to find them We rejoice because you ask us to bring our worries and cares to you and you promise to give us your rest Father, forgive us for the times we forget to trust you and let earthly things weigh us down We rejoice because you are over all and in all and you hold each one of us in your hands. Father, we choose to rejoice in you and celebrate your name and your mighty power here today. Amen.

The previous song was requested by Helen Grace and the music by Stuart Townend really helps to bring the familiar words afresh to us. A song that really captures the rejoicing heart and celebrates the majesty of God is number 49 in the song book and was requested by Nicky Chatfield How great thou art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M48jJKaOQkk O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy Hands have made I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art! And when I think of God, His Son not sparing Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation To take me home, what joy shall fill my heart Then I shall bow with humble adoration And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

I really hope you were able to sing along with that. It is a fact that singing has many physical and psychological benefits such as strengthening the immune system, improving posture, helping with sleep and acting as a natural anti-depressant. And of course, in singing praise to God our hearts are lifted and our spirits soar. So even if you believe your singing is of the worst quality, in the words of the songwriter: No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that refuge clinging Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth How can I keep from singing? Songster Leader, I expect an immediate increase in membership! We’re now going to share in a song that has become a real favourite for our Songsters and has been suggested by Major Jean Parker. I hadn’t remembered until I looked up the words again that it contains the line “I will find a way to rejoice each day”, which perfectly aligns with the thoughts God has placed on my heart this week. Song – Faith to carry on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU64TumyAlY At the break of day as I waken and pray I can feel that God is near. Guiding all I do, ever faithful and true I will never need to fear. Though I may not understand All the things that God has planned. In my heart I know I am not alone God will give me strength to carry on. Though I never know what the future may hold Or the trials I may face. I can ease my mind with the comfort I find In the promise of God’s grace. When there’s sadness in my heart, And my life seems torn apart, I will find a way to rejoice each day. God will give me hope to carry on. When the storms of life surround you You will feel God’s arms around you. Bringing comfort where there’s sorrow Giving hope to face tomorrow. At the break of day as you waken and pray Always know that God is near. Guiding all you do, ever faithful and true You will never need to fear. Let each moment that you live Be a chance to love and give If you always start with a joyful heart God will give you strength, God will give you hope, God will give you faith to carry on.

Bible Reading – Philippians 4 v 4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Peter Grace sent a note following a recent walk. “We were going down Baunton Lane towards the junction with Cheltenham Road. The sun was shining and I could see sheep in a field above Baunton Village which lies in a valley. This suddenly reminded me of one of my favourite verses. It is the 3rd verse of Song number 711, "In Heavenly Love Abiding" which commences, "Green pastures are before me which yet I have not seen." In these strange times we have to have that hope in the future. This song was one Mary and I chose for our wedding way back in 1968 and in the years since we shared bright days and cloudy days as many will understand, but if we can all retain the hope expressed in this verse we have nothing to fear.” Song 711 - In heavenly love abiding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ym3H4CgHNU In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear; And safe is such confiding for nothing changes here. The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid; But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed? Wherever he may guide me, no want shall turn me back; My shepherd is beside me and nothing can I lack. His wisdom ever waketh, his sight is never dim; I know the way he taketh, and I will walk with him. Green pastures are before me which yet I have not seen; Bright skies will soon be o’er me, where the dark clouds have been. My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free; My Saviour has my treasure, and he will walk with me.

Thoughts (part 1) https://1drv.ms/v/s!AusQEfE1HPcogfto28mBDj9M-XJUog?e=xgnSSY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5D9M8ZpX8o (Nothing’s too big, big, big for his power)

Thoughts (part 2) and prayer https://1drv.ms/v/s!AusQEfE1HPcogftqpMMpHYrT3_K5iA?e=Tre2B6

Song 389 – Rejoice, rejoice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAPV2XQC_to (2 verses) Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is in you, The hope of glory in our hearts He lives, he lives, his breath is in you Arise a mighty army, we arise! Now is the time for us to march upon the land Into our hands he will give the ground we claim He rides in majesty to lead us into victory The world shall see that Christ is Lord! God is at work in us his wonders to perform Building a Kingdom of power, not of words Where things impossible, by faith shall be made possible Let’s give the glory to him now. Though we are weak, his grace is everything we need We’re made of clay, but this treasure is within He turns our weaknesses into his opportunities So that the glory goes to him.

Benediction Enter the day ahead with joy, determined to be available for Jesus to live his life through you. Relax to its hardships working on you, trusting God to mould you and carry you through them. The climb can be tough but take each event as from the hand of God and praise him, leaving the results in his hands. Then watch for the signs of lilies in the hard ground. Amen