LCC Online Service - 18 October 2020
Welcome
Welcome, please click below for the video welcome message.
Good Morning Church Family
As we start our service today, with some at home and more and more attending services in person, I am reminded that we have so much to give thanks for despite the ongoing topic that is at the forefront of not only our minds but our day to day lives.
Jenny and I got back from the UK a week back on Friday, so are half way through our quarantine. Corona has really changed all our lives so much, but I keep reminding myself that there is little we can do about it, so best to give thanks to the Lord and see what the benefits are. Two big benefits Jenny and I experienced were, an extra 14 days in the UK compliments of Corona, staying in an exceptionally beautiful environment in a remote cottage at Capernwray Bible School, with a rolling green field full of sheep outside the window. Then upon returning to Zambia, instead of rushing back to work, I now have another 14 days of quarantine, so can ease back to work in the comfort of our own home.
One of my favourite scriptures, especially in times of challenge comes from Matthew 33: 25-34.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
One of our lifelong challenges is to focus on the Lord and His kingdom. Transforming our minds is not easy, but such a key to living a fruitful and rewarding life in spirit, body, soul and mind.
Romans 12:2 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
So I want to encourage each of us today as we start this service to focus on the Lord, seek Him first and His kingdom, and let us be in a habit of giving thanks for all that he is doing in our lives and around us.
As a church we have much to thank the Lord for.
Early next year, Chad, Callie, Emery and Wilson are joining LCC on the leadership team to pastor the church,
More and more people are getting to services,
People are spending more time with their families,
We are having a cooler October than expected,
The list goes on and on for us individually.
As we go into the service today, wherever we are, and whatever our circumstances are, I encourage each of us to be a people of thanksgiving and to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”
Praise and Worship
Please select “play” on the image below and join with us in worshiping our Lord and Saviour.
Song List:
- 'Tis So Sweet - by Shane & Shane
- Christ is Enough - Maranatha! Music
- Chris Tomlin - I Stand Amazed
Morreau Family Introduction:
We are so excited for Chad, Callie and family to join us at LCC. Here is a short introduction video from them:
sermon
Sermon - Chad Morreau - From Outcast to Daughter
Scripture: Mark 5:25-34
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 We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds.2 “At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with haughty neck.’”6 For not from the east or from the west
and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
7 but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
8 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup
with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
and all the wicked of the earth
shall drain it down to the dregs.9 But I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.- Psalm 75 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord.
Pray for this transition period for Chad, Callie and family.
Pray for those in our Church family going through health issues.
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 opportunities 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
We continue to encourage you to commit with us a financial pledge in anticipation of the arrival Chad as LCC’s new full-time pastor. We have received 10 pledges over the last number of weeks and as we look forward to this new chapter at LCC, we know that we need to commit to the work that God is doing.
We ask that you join with us in prayer and if you have not committed financially to the church we as Elders are asking that you use the following simple pledge form, that will only be viewed by the Eldership and does not require you to include your name. If you are able to commit to regular giving, please click on the following link and complete the form: Pledge Form
Means of regular giving are through 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
Thank you for joining with us this morning as we got to worship together as a church family. What a joy to hear an encouraging welcome from Peter and be stirred by Chad’s sermon on the hope we find in Jesus.
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
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever!
Amen.- Revelation 1:4b-6 (NIV)