LCC Online Service - 16 August 2020
Welcome
Welcome, please click below for the video welcome message. (If your internet is giving you issues, the written version is below as well).
Welcome everyone to Lusaka Community Church.
We are so glad that you have chosen once again to join us today as we worship the Lord together in this manner.
This period our sermons and messages are based on the Book of Acts. We have been looking at the transforming power of God’s word.
Last week Andrew led us into reflection on how the life of the Ethiopian Eunuch was transformed. Today Dave Roberts has the message for us from the episode about Cornelius and his household.
I would like us to begin with the reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans (Romans 8:37-39 – ESV).
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Brothers and sisters, for months now our life has been shaken due to the coronavirus – this is precisely the reason we are worshipping with our faces covered with masks.
We are not sure when this pandemic will go away.
The challenge we are currently wrestling with is how to have peace, and be assured of God’s presence and care, when human weakness is deeply exposed, when our familiar way of doing things has been greatly disrupted.
When we look to the Scriptures, there are many places where we see similar scenario -- innocent people suffering, innocent people denied justice, people living with questions about the meaning of life. (For example, in the OT, Shadrick, Mishech and Abedinego were thrown into fire - for speaking the truth; Job was inflicted with natural catastrophe – he lost everything; in the NT our Lord Jesus was crucified, and Stephen, the follower of our Lord, was stoned to death).
In all these situations, our God brings breakthrough. Our God transforms sad situations and turns them around for good. Our God has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
As believers in Christ Jesus, we must always know that even with the COVID-19, the presence of Emmanuel, God with us, is assured.
The mission of our God is to reveal His character -- His love, to redeem and to restore entire creation.
As the body of Christ, we believers have a vital and distinctive role to play in fulfilling this mission.
We are to follow Jesus in showing God’s love, in bringing healing to a broken world, in caring for the sick and in helping our many brothers and sisters who are still searching for God’s love and peace.
Praise and Worship
Please select “play” on the image below and join with us in worshiping our Lord and Saviour.
Song List:
- Power - Christ Tomlin
- From The Inside Out - Hillsong
- Trust and Obey - Don Moen
sermon
Sermon - Dave Roberts - Responses of Faith to apostolic teaching in Acts - Part 4 - Deja vu at Joppa
Scripture: Acts 10
Please select Play below (depending on your bandwidth it could take a few seconds to buffer and play):
If you have issues playing the sermon, you can download the audio version directly from OneDrive here:
Sermon Download
Prayer
1 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength
Because of Your adversaries,
To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
4 What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen,
And also the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.9 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!- Psalm 8 (NASB)
Proclaim the Lord’s majesty.
Pray for those in our Church family going through health issues.
Pray for Farai’s recovery and wisdom for the doctors.
Pray for encouragement and perseverance for Kate as she continues to recover in the UK.
Pray for wisdom for the government in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pray for the prison ministry work.
Pray for the work in Chipata.
Pray for wisdom and guidance for the Elders.
Pray for wisdom and guidance for the Pastoral Call Committee.
Pray for boldness to proclaim the Gospel fearlessly as we should.
Please share your praises and prayer needs with any of the Elders via WhatsApp or email the church email or via the Prayer Form so that we can all continue being in prayer for one another.
Giving
If you feel led to give to the church, you are encouraged to use online transfer facilities (wire, mobile, & bank). Though we currently do not offer direct debit or credit card donations, some have found TransferWise to be a helpful platform for transferring money locally or internationally (minimal transaction fees).
If you are unable to use contactless methods, you can still drop-off your offering at the church office during regular working hours. You can confirm any details with the church administrator by calling, texting, or WhatsApp: +260966800100
The church bank account details are below if you would like to use online transfer facilities:
Account name: Lusaka Community Church
$ acc #: 8700220232300
K acc #: 0150420232300
Bank: Standardchartered
Branch: Manda Hill
Branch code: 03000
Swift code: SCBLZMLX
Thank you
Even with the church being able to meet in person, we are so thankful that you were able to join us through this online platform. We count it such a blessing to be able to join with sisters and brothers near and far. If you have any praises or prayer requests please reach out to us Elders via WhatsApp or email the church email or via the Prayer Form.
Benediction
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Galatians 6:18 (NIV)