Sunday 19^thJuly

Slide: Reverend Eryl Parry

Video: Eryl’s intro

Bore da! Good morning! Croeso cynnes iawn, a very warm welcome to the Bro Celynnin Sunday service. We are so pleased that you have joined us. This week our theme is the promises of God in times of struggle or anxiety. So whether you’re feeling like you’re on a mountain top, full of joy and perspective or in a dark valley, God is so pleased that you are here. Shall we pray together …

Father God, thank you that we can come into your presence, no matter how we are feeling, whatever situation we find ourselves in, or wherever we are, for you are here with us. Open our ears and open our hearts to receive your word and your never-ending love. Amen.

Today we are going to use two very different pieces of music, but they both use the words of the psalms. Our first is a blues song, using Psalm 10 and 18. Now, usually with a blues song, it’s unremittingly sad, but here are words, too, of hope.

Opening song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux5mCu4Vhf0

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Slide: Philippians 4:11-13, 19

Video: Bible reading

I have learned to be content with whatever I have.

I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Slide: Reverend David Parry

Video: David’s talk

If I break my leg there will be no doubt about it. I’ll know, the people closest to me will know, everyone will know. But what about if the health struggles I have are not physical but mental? Again, I’ll be in no doubt and so will those closest to me – but the wider world? They may even doubt that what I’m struggling with exists at all, adding to the sense of loneliness.

Mental Health is a huge issue for so many of us and yet for many of us it’s also an invisible problem. And I’m very aware that in this time of lockdown lots of people are struggling: with their circumstances, with their history, with the pressures of this time. Can Christianity, can the Church, offer anything to help or are we part of the problem with our unrealistic expectations?

At the start of our passage today it sounds like St Paul is boasting. “I have learnt to be content with whatever I have.” But dig a little deeper and we realise that what he’s offering to a church he loves, in Philippi, is hope that they too can find that kind of contentment, that kind of overcoming.

His life is hard and will continue to be hard. He knows what it is to have nothing and to have much. He’s dependent upon their gifts and the gifts of others just to survive. And yet he genuinely does have a serenity, a hope, a mental strength which will sustain him through the work that God is calling him to do and even in the future to giving his life for that Faith.

He explains it in one of the most wonderful verses in the Bible, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me, who gives me a relationship of trust and love that carries me through whatever the world’s circumstances are on any particular day.

And it is of course relationships that make the difference in our mental health. Friendship, family love, marriage, parents, children: carrying the weight of us and helping us to believe that we have worth even when the voice in our head tells us that we’re worthless.

Well how much more the God who gave us life, and who died in our place and who offers life after death can assure us of our intrinsic worth, our value to him, and give us the confidence to do all things in his strength.

You see there’s a promise. A promise of riches beyond measure, a glory, a strength, a hope available to every human being. And it’s that hope that St Paul offers to his friends and offers to us. To learn to be content, to find peace, even in the most difficult times by resting on the strength of Jesus Christ. And my prayer for you if you’re really struggling at the moment is that you will discover that strength. Amen.

Video: Prayers

Father, as a world, we are struggling with the impact of this virus that has taken over. Our world as we know it has changed a huge amount, but I feel the need to pray for the good that has arisen.

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The reduction of emissions of carbon into the atmosphere, the cleanliness of the air and water, and the increase of nature being found in the wild. I pray that we continue to protect our planet in the way that you intended us to, preserving all the wonder that you created for us Lord.

I pray in this time inside, that we have learnt to appreciate the small things and that we continue to find the beauty in everyday life, and the beauty of this planet that we live on as we go back to some form of normal.

Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.

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Father I pray especially for those of us struggling mentally during these trying times. It’s not easy but I pray that with your love and care, that as a community we can learn to move forwards, and adapt to what is the ‘new normal’ that is laid out ahead of us. I pray that you lay your hands on those struggling and lift them up to you.

I also pray for the lives that have been lost, and for the families of these people who have been affected. In a moment of silence, let us remember those who are known to us.

Lord hear us. Lord Graciously hear us.

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I pray for those in our local community as we continue to struggle with not being able to see and spend time with each other, and worship together in the way that we wish we could. I ask that with the continued use of social media, that we continue to grow and learn as a community, even if it’s not that face-to-face approach that we may be used to. I also thank you Father that regardless of whether we are together in a church building, or just sat in our houses, that we do still have the opportunity to talk to you and worship you in our own ways, private or together.

Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.

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Finally Lord, I pray that as Christians, we remember your endless presence with us. No matter where we are, or what we’re doing, you are forever our Father; loving, caring and guiding, and are with us no matter what. I pray that we remember to seek you out to help us move forwards, holding our hands as we continue on in our different journeys of faith.

We pray in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Video: Eryl’s outro

So now let us say the words of the Grace together:

Grâs ein Harglwydd Iesu Grist,

(May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ)

a chariad Duw

(and the love of God)

a chymdeithas yr Ysbryd Glân

(and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit)

fydda gyda ni oll, byth byddoedd. Amen.

(be with us all, ever more. Amen)

Our final worship song today comes from St Martin the Field in London, except not quite, because the choral scholars there have been recording in their own homes and they have recorded a beautiful arrangement of words from Psalm 119: They word is a lamp unto my feet.

So, before we hear them, let us pray together.

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May the God of grace breathe health into our bodies,

love into our hearts, peace into our minds,

and joy into our spirits.

And so, as we come to the end of this act of worship

may our lives be filled to overflowing and be poured out

into His service, in the name of Christ. Amen.

Final song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2WaP0R3pxk