Hymn 449 – Crown him with Many Crowns

Opening Prayer

Loving Father,
You are the Lord of Heaven and Earth,
By you, and for you, all things were made.
Your wisdom is seen in all your works,
your grace and truth are revealed in your Son Jesus Christ,
and your power and presence are experienced through the Holy Spirit.
We praise your glorious majesty,
and adore your holy name.

Merciful God,
we confess that we have strayed
from your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed instead the devices
and desires of our own hearts.
We have not done what we should,
and have done what we should not.
God in your mercy
forgive our faults
and free us from the guilt of our sins.
Help us to live a godly, righteous,
and disciplined life that brings glory to you.

Almighty and everlasting God,
it is your will to restore all things
in your beloved Son,
our Lord and King.
Grant that the peoples of earth,
now divided and enslaved by sin,
may be freed and brought together
under his gentile and loving rule;
who live and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen

Announcement from the Moderator – Weekend of Prayer (27th-29th November)

Download Prayer Points

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.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Reading Philippians 4:10-23 (NIV)

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

²⁰ To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

²¹ Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. ²² All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Sermon – ‘how to be content’ (Philippians 4:10-19)

Hymn 644 – At the name of Jesus

Final Prayer

Father God,
May our love overflow more and more
with knowledge and full insight
to help us to determine what is best
so that on the day of Christ
we may be pure and blameless,
having produced the harvest of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ
for your glory and praise.

Amen

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Downloads & Links

• ‘How to be Content’ Sermon MP3
• Joseph Reading Plan