BEHOLDING BEAUTY
Rev. Jennifer Mills-Knutsen, Senior Minister Scott Stroman, Director of Worship and Music
A Christ-centered community of faith for all people, in the heart of this great city.
January 22, 2017
Preparing to Hear God’s Word
Introit Graham Kendrick, arr. Stroman
How Good and How Pleasant Welcome
We Worship in Song God of Grace and God of Glory Pilgrim Hymnal 366 (vs. 1,2 & 5)
God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power; crown thine ancient church's story; bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.
Lo! The hosts of evil round us scorn thy Christ, assail his ways! From the fears that long have bound us, free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, for the living of these days.
Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore; Let the search for thy salvation be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore, serving thee whom we adore.
O Lord, You’re Beautiful Keith Green
O Lord, you're beautiful, your face is all I seek, for when your eyes are on this child your grace abounds to me.
O Lord, please light the fire that once burned bright and clear, replace the lamp of my first love that burns with holy fear.
I Am Standing Beneath Your Wings Andy Park
I am standing beneath your wings, I am resting in your shelter, your great faithfulness has been my shield and it makes me want to sing.
Chorus: Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be the name of the Lord. I will bless your holy name for all my days; blessed be the name of the
Lord.
I sing praises to your name, O Lord, for you daily bear my burdens. Your great faithfulness is my reward and it makes me want to sing.
[Chorus]
Call to Worship Leader: One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His
temple.
Leader: Who is it that you seek? People: We seek the Lord our God.
Leader: Do you seek Him with all your heart? People: Amen. Lord, have mercy. Leader: Do you seek Him with all your soul?
People: Amen. Lord, have mercy. Leader: Do you seek Him with all your mind?
People: Amen. Lord, have mercy. Leader: Do you seek Him with all your strength?
People: Amen. Christ, have mercy. Northumbria Community, United Kingdom
Prayer of Invocation Gracious Light-Bearer, into the shadows of our isolation you speak words of life and community. Challenger of our lives, you call us from places we call home to lead us more deeply into the world you love. With your gentle, healing touch, you redeem the broken places of our lives and you heal the wounded places of the earth. Inspire our worship here this day, so that we may receive liberation in your word, and be filled to overflowing to share your reconciling love throughout the earth. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Elizabeth Dilley, United States
Passing the Peace of Christ
News of the Church
Hearing God’s Word
Scripture Reading Stuart Brown Psalm 27:1, 4-9
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 4 One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. 7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.
Matthew 4:12-23 12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
Children’s Message
The Word in Music Stuart Townend My God
Message Rev. Nathan Eddy Beholding Beauty
Responding to God’s Word
Song of Response Micah 6:8 Bob Sklar
He has shown thee (He has shown thee), O man (O man),
what is good, and what the Lord requires of thee. [Repeat]
But to do justly (But to do justly), and to love mercy (and to love mercy),
And to walk humbly with your God. [Repeat]
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Offertory
Doxology “All things come from You, O Lord, and of your own do we give You.”
Song of Commitment Grace, Mercy and Peace Stroman
Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you, be unto you, grace, mercy and peace be unto you, unto you.
From the Father and Jesus our Lord, grace, mercy and peace be unto you.
The Blessing
Leading in today’s service are Joanna Davies, Stuart Brown and Rev. Nathan Eddy.
Thank you to our musicians Michael Brantley, Liam Dunachie and Migdalia van der Hoven.
Thanks to Sophia Pratt and Oliver Lewis for hosting Fellowship Hour today.
Please join us after the service for our Annual General Meeting to
approve our 2017 budget and discuss a restructuring of the church’s charitable status.
Mission Prayer Focus
Cold Weather Shelter—Beginning last Wednesday, AIC has started to welcome up to 16 guests to sleep in our church every week for the next 11 weeks. Please pray for the well-being of these men and women, that their time in the shelter would help them find stable, permanent housing, and that they would find at AIC warmth and Christian hospitality.
Concert for International Justice Mission Saturday, 28 January, 6:00 p.m. at AIC Anne Beitel Thomas and Keith Ford will be giving a chamber music concert at AIC in aid of IJM. The program is violin and piano chamber music—duos —specifically Brahms Sonata in No. 1 G, Op. 78 and Prokofiev Sonata No. 2 in D, Op. 94b. Afterwards there will be tea, coffee and juice, plus some cakes and snacks. There will be a retiring collection for International Justice Mission, one of the church’s designated charities. IJM is a human rights organisation that rescues victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery and human trafficking, and brings the perpetrators to justice. Please join us for some beautiful music in aid of a good cause.
SECURITY NOTICE PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE BELONGINGS UNATTENDED
News of the Church
The Crèche is available for families with young children (0-3 years).
Sunday School—Adults gather at 9:45am, youth at 10am and children begin in worship before leaving to attend their own classes.
AIC 20s & 30s Group—Are you under 40ish? Are you looking to meet new people, go deeper in faith and get connected to AIC? Join the newly forming AIC 20s & 30s group at our next gathering! (E-mail
[email protected] to be added to the group e-mail list.)
Beer & Bible Study, Monday 23 January, 7:30 p.m. The Carpenters Arms, 68-70 Whitfield Street, London, W1T 4EY Come enjoy a beer, food, and fellowship in what we hope becomes a monthly pub + Jesus bible study. No need to read anything beforehand. We'll read a passage from the Bible together, along with some historical context and discussion questions from The Hardest Question.
Cold Weather Shelter at AIC—Shelter season has begun! We will be welcoming guests every Wednesday night for our ninth year with the Community of Camden Churches Cold Weather Shelter (C4WS). To accomplish this, we are in need of five volunteers to help out in the kitchen and have a meal with our guests during the dinner shift and two for the breakfast shift over the course of the eleven weeks that we will host the shelter. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Jonathan at [email protected]. If you are already trained up, you can sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0849abad23a3fa7-2017
We also need donations of toiletries to offer to the guests when they stay with us. Shampoo, soap, lotion, deodorant, and similar items are much appreciated! There is a box available in the upper vestibule.
American International Church 79a Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4TD
0207 580 2791 www.amchurch.co.uk [email protected]
A Congregation of the United Reformed Church
Tithes and Offerings If you prefer to give your tithes and offerings via bank transfer, you may do so with the following information: Beneficiary: The American Church in London Sort Code: 40-05-16 Account Number: 81651498 Please also note to email [email protected] so that we are able to track your donation. Thank you.
We are a Christian community, open to all people seeking Christ’s touch and blessing. A healthy church is built on Jesus Christ and expressed through fellowship, worship, discipleship and mission. And so as God’s church we live to fellowship sincerely, worship actively, grow in our knowledge and understanding of Jesus, and to offer ourselves in service to this community and the world. In worship we... Praise the Lord in song, Hear the Word of God proclaimed in preaching, Profess our faith in God as Father, Son and Spirit, Offer prayers of petition and thanks, Confess our sins and receive words of pardon, Share in the sacraments, communion and baptism, Give freely in support of the church’s work.
AIC Council Members Stuart Brown President Rob Thomas Treasurer
Richard Abbott Personnel and Facilities Elizabeth Johnson Secretary and Fellowship
Migdalia van der Hoven Communications Judith Chilcote Worship
R. Nelson At-Large
