Printed Service – Sunday 26th January 2025
Prepared by Rev. Saul Tadzaushe
The Poor

Hymn STF 55 – Immortal Invisible 
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Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish but naught changeth thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render; O help us to see
’tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.

Prayer of Adoration
We give glory and honour to Christ who has turned upside down the wisdom of the world.
We give glory and honour to Christ who has come for the poor and the lost
We give glory and honour to Christ who identified with vulnerable and the marginalized.
We come into your presence as those who are seeking to serve with faithfulness.
We come to you today as we are and as we should be seeking your grace to serve you. Amen.

The lord’s prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.   Amen.

Hymn STF51 – Great is thy faithfulness  
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Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside. [Refrain]

Bible Reading : Luke 6:20 ‘‘Then He lifted His eyes toward His disciples, and said ‘Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God’’

Hymn STF401 – Come sinners to the gospel feast
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Come, sinners, to the gospel feast;
Let every soul be Jesus’ guest;
Ye need not one be left behind,
For God hath bidden all mankind.

Sent by my Lord, on you I call;
The invitation is to all;
Come, all the world! come, sinner, thou!
All things in Christ are ready now.

Come, all ye souls by sin oppressed,
Ye restless wanderers after rest;
Ye poor, and maimed, and halt, and blind,
In Christ a hearty welcome find.

My message as from God receive;
Ye all may come to Christ and live;
O let His love your hearts constrain,
Nor suffer Him to die in vain.

See Him set forth before your eyes,
That precious, bleeding sacrifice!
His offered benefits embrace,
And freely now be saved by grace!

This is the time; no more delay!
This is the Lord’s accepted day;
Come in, this moment, at his call,
And live for him who died for all.

A reflection on the title : The poor

Causes of poverty: 

1 Natural disasters; wildfires, floods, climate change,
2 World systems: Social injustice; Political systems; economic imbalances,
3 Disability and illnesses,
4 Selfishness and evil practices,
5 Spiritual poverty

Effects of Poverty:

1 Condemnation and marginalization,
2 Associated with weakness and shame,
3 Stigmatization and isolation

Cure for poverty :

Jesus is offering blessings instead of condemnation. Jesus identifies with the poor and empathised with them. Jesus promises the poor joy and happiness in the Kingdom of God where both the rich and the poor will be all equal before the throne of God.

Jesus invites us, the church, to participate in His missional work of serving the poor in our communities.

We need to examine ourselves regarding personal attitudes towards wealth and poverty. Blessed is the hand that gives. Amen.

Prayers of intercession

Let us pray for the victims of natural disasters throughout the world; For world systems that justice and peace may prevail For those who are poor because of the conditions beyond their control and for those are selfish that they may realize their potential to make a living. May the almighty God continue to give us the desire, the hunger and thirsty for righteousness and spiritual growth as we depend on him for our poverty. Amen.

Hymn STF17 – With gladness we worship.  
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With gladness we worship, rejoice as we sing,
Free hearts and free voices, how blessèd to bring!
The old thankful story shall seek Thine abode,
Thou King of all glory, most bountiful God!

Thy right would we give Thee, true homage Thy due,
And honor eternal, the universe through:
With all Thy creation, earth, heaven and sea,
In one acclamation we glorify Thee.

Renewed by Thy Spirit, redeemed by Thy Son,
Thy children would bless Thee for all Thou hast done:
O Father, returning to love and to light,
Our spirits are yearning to praise Thee aright.

We join with the angels, and so there is giv’n,
From earth, Alleluia, in answer to Heav’n.
Amen! Be Thou glorious below and above,
Redeeming, victorious, and infinite Love!

Blessings