Freedom Church (Leeds)

We hope that this message (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. This is the start of a series, Cultivate, focusing on discipleship. Mark & Kathi Kelly share their thoughts on this topic in an honest conversational way.

We hope that this message (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. This is the start of a series, Cultivate, focusing on discipleship. Mark & Kathi Kelly share their thoughts on this topic in an honest conversational way..

We hope that this message (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. This is the start of a series, Cultivate, focusing on discipleship. Mark & Kathi Kelly share their thoughts on this topic in an honest conversational way..

We hope that this message (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. This is the start of a series, Cultivate, focusing on discipleship. Mark & Kathi Kelly share their thoughts on this topic in an honest conversational way..

We hope that this message (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. This is the start of a series, Cultivate, focusing on discipleship. Mark & Kathi Kelly share their thoughts on this topic in an honest conversational way..

We hope that this message (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. This is the start of a series, Cultivate, focusing on discipleship. Mark & Kathi Kelly share their thoughts on this topic in an honest conversational way.

We hope that this message (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. This is the start of a series, Cultivate, focusing on discipleship. Mark & Kathi Kelly share their thoughts on this topic in an honest conversational way..

We hope that this message (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. This is the start of a series, Cultivate, focusing on discipleship. Mark & Kathi Kelly share their thoughts on this topic in an honest conversational way..

We hope that this message (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. This is the start of a series, Cultivate, focusing on discipleship. Mark & Kathi Kelly share their thoughts on this topic in an honest conversational way..

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that this service (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. This week's message is going to be a little different as we bring you an edited version of a video Zoom call that we organised with Ian Rossol (leader at All Nations Church, Leicester) and members of Freedom Church. If you're a member of Freedom Church listening to this and you were on the call why not think of this as another opportunity to take in what was said, and if you couldn't make the call, consider yourself blessed that you're not going to miss out! Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that this service (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that this service (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that this service (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that this service (recorded originally for our YouTube channel: youtube.com/freedomchurchleeds) is an encouragement and a help to you. Today's message has a focus on Fathers and our speaker is Paul Manwaring (www.paulmanwaring.com). We're sure you'll find the sermon uplifting, encouraging, practical and down to earth. Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that today's service (from 11am) is an encouragement and a help to you. In the sermon today, Mark Kelly brings us the second part of his mini series exploring two more ways in which satan tries to divide and conquer. This series was helped by a Bible plan focused on unity which itself was inspired by the book: ‘Oneness Embraced' by Tony Evans (https://amzn.to/37q3Tql) Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that today's service (from 11am) is an encouragement and a help to you. In the sermon today, Mark Kelly will touch upon the issue of racism and the news around George Floyd but mainly explore deeper the question of unity and how the Church should be setting an example when it comes how we work and fellowship together regardless of ethnicity. This the first of a two part series. For more information on how we might challenge racism, we have found this link to helpful resources: https://www.compasspoint.org/blog/15-tools-and-resources-challenge-racism (Note that we haven't vetted every link available on this webpage.) Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that today's service (from 11am) is an encouragement and a help to you. Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that today's service (from 11am) is an encouragement and a help to you. Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that today's service (from 11am) is an encouragement and a help to you. Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that today's service (from 11am) is an encouragement and a help to you. Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that today's service (from 11am) is an encouragement and a help to you. Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that today's service is an encouragement and a help to you. Please get in touch: hello@myfreedom.church or visit our website for more info: www.myfreedom.church (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that today's service is an encouragement and a help to you in these unusual times. (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

This is our Easter Sunday service and today we celebrate the risen Christ! We hope this service encourages and blesses you. If you would like to connect with us and say hello, then please email us at hello@myfreedom.church. (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” Let your Prayer Focus be your family, friends, workplace, study and neighbourhood communities. Be specific and name individuals before the Lord. Ask Him what He is doing in their lives during this season and how you can partner with Him in this. Give your concerns for your own health to Him too. Psalm 91:4 reminds us that “His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.” As lockdown continues don't get weary of doing good! Let's carry on being be the hands and feet of Jesus, looking out for practical ways to help anyone living on their own, the elderly or the vulnerable. Keep in contact. Pick up the phone or use video calling so that they can see a friendly face. Observe the social-distancing rules but could you offer to help with shopping, collecting prescriptions, and, if it's appropriate, pray for people? Point people to the Freedom Church website and social media channels for encouragement and connection. Let your Worship Focus be: The Lord bless you and keep you.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” Let your Prayer Focus be for our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, currently ill in hospital with Coronavirus, and for other MPs and leaders in the same position. Pray for healing and restoration of their strength and energy. Ask for peace and comfort for their families. Pray for all those in Government, national and regional leaders, public health officers, and the Civil Service. If you're able, let specific people in these positions know that you are praying for them. Many of them have social media feeds. It's not very British and it's not very fashionable but be out there with your encouragement! Let your Worship focus be: “God is rich in mercy and He is slow to anger, His name is great and His heart is kind.”

Isaiah 40:11 “He tends his flock like a shepherd. he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart, he gently leads those that have young.”⁣ ⁣ Let your Prayer Focus be towards women who are pregnant, especially any who might be experiencing complications or those about to give birth. Name anyone you know in this situation before the Lord and ask for His protection for them and to free them from fear and anxiety.⁣ ⁣ COVID-19 restrictions mean that most women will not be able to follow their previously arranged birthing plan or even have their birthing partner with them during labour. Pray for peace for them and that they are able to draw additional comfort and strength from the midwives and other professionals supporting them. Ask God to help all the staff at this time, that they will have even more stamina, patience and grace than usual as they care for mothers and babies during the pandemic. Pray for protection from the virus for pregnant women on antenatal wards and for mothers and newborn babies on postnatal wards and those recovering at home. As you pray for the midwives, nurses, health visitors and doctors. Name any of them you know before the Lord.⁣ ⁣ If you personally know a midwife or health professional why not send an encouraging card to them or put together a small care package of treats they can enjoy when off-duty. Just be sure to observe the social distancing rules and leave it on their doorstep!⁣ ⁣ Let your Worship focus be that your joy is found in the Lord!⁣ ⁣

Psalm 72:12-14 “For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save them from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence for precious is their blood in His sight.”⁣ ⁣ Let your Prayer Focus be towards the most vulnerable communities and those working to help and support them during this pandemic.⁣ ⁣ Pray for homeless people who can quite often have additional physical and mental health problems. Pray for social workers and those in charities in and around Leeds like The Crypt, The Lighthouse and Caring for Life who are offering extra support at this time.⁣ ⁣ Pray for refugees and asylum seekers, many of them are already traumatised by situations they have fled in their own countries. Pray for Christians working for Solace and similar agencies who are offering counselling and care via digital media during the COVID-19 outbreak.⁣ ⁣ Ask God to help the many migrant workers who have been laid off work but can't go home. Some have fallen into poverty and homelessness. Pray for people working for Social Services, Department for Employment and other public services trying to quickly get emergency financial help out. ⁣ ⁣ Pray for the many volunteers working in Food Banks who are trying hard to keep up with the increased need for their help from those who are struggling financially. May they give out love, hope and encouragement along with the food.⁣ ⁣ There are also thousands of international students in the UK who can't go home and who are worried about their own families overseas. Pray for local churches, student groups and organisations who minister to them. Organisations like the International Students Club within our Leeds based Universities, UCCF and Friends International.⁣ ⁣ The next time you're out shopping why not buy an extra non-perishable item or two and put it in the food bank collection box which you'll find at many supermarkets.⁣ ⁣ Let your Worship Focus be to cry out a Hallelujah to Jesus recognising that He has overcome the world!⁣ ⁣

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”⁣ ⁣ Let your Prayer Focus be on people working in the background to provide vital healthcare equipment and services in the fight against Coronavirus. Thank God for their knowledge, skills and commitment at this vital time. ⁣ ⁣ Pray for tech companies, laboratory scientists and technicians working to produce quickly great numbers of tests for Coronavirus. Pray for good communication and coordination of these services, so that tests are efficiently placed where there is priority and need. Pray for the protection and safety of those handling these test kits. Dare to pray for miraculous breakthroughs within scientific research and development at this time. Scientific research is a slow methodical process. But we need God-accelerated supernatural help for those scientists who are working on new treatments for Coronavirus and on a vaccine that will protect humans against it. No vaccines against viruses of this type currently exist so ask our Creator God to graciously reveal divinely inspired solutions.⁣ ⁣ Also, ask for God's help for engineers in different industries and universities who are working to develop and produce the ventilators and other equipment our hospitals urgently need. Pray for craftspeople working in clothing manufacture to produce the hospital gowns, masks and other protective equipment needed by front line workers. In all these areas pray for those who are coordinating and managing production and distribution, so that items will get to where they are needed without hold-ups. Ask for all of God's people working in these industries that they may know His grace and favour in order to do their job well, to lead, and to support their fellow workers.⁣ ⁣ Finally, pray for our health data scientists across the country who are carefully collating and analysing patient data about COVID-19 in order to help doctors and public health officers quickly understand, manage and lessen the effects of this disease.⁣ ⁣ Think of anyone you might know personally working in these areas and send them a message of support and prayer.⁣ ⁣ Let your Worship Focus be that which declares to God: “Your Name is Power, Your Name is Healing” ⁣ ⁣

Welcome to Freedom Church and our online community. We hope that today's service is an encouragement and a help to you in these unusual times. Today we'll be talking about why Palm Sunday is regarded as something to celebrate by many Christians around the world. (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Psalm 40:11 “You, oh Lord, will not withhold your compassion from me. Your loving kindness and your truth will continually preserve me.”⁣ ⁣ Let your Prayer Focus be to pray for our continuing mental health and well-being. Say thank-you to God that He has given us all who believe the gift of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God will never give us the spirit of fear, instead He gives us the Holy Spirit with mighty power, love and self-control. Thank Him that He preserves our minds day by day.⁣ ⁣ Ask the Lord to show us wisdom regarding the Coronavirus about what is a wise amount of news to consume and ask Him to help us have the strength of character to switch off when we need to.⁣ ⁣ Pray for those isolated at home alone, that they will receive comfort and encouragement from others and from our Heavenly Father.⁣ ⁣ Ask Him to strengthen any front-line workers you know who are battling mental and physical tiredness. And also those that might be facing staff shortages and unfamiliar working conditions.⁣ ⁣ Finally, ask Father God to birth new and creative thoughts and ideas in our minds. Ask Him for stories, poems, songs and pictures that will stimulate us, banish any lethargy and boredom and encourage us with His hope and goodness.⁣ ⁣ Practise meditating in the Word of God for 10-15 minutes. It displaces fear and other negative thoughts. Do this by focusing in on reading a short Bible passage, just take a few verses and read them through three times. The first time read to get a general sense of what the passage is about. The second time make a note of any key words or phrases that jump out at you. The final time ask Holy Spirit “What are You particularly saying to me through these words or phrases?” Reflect on anything you may need to do as a result.⁣ ⁣ Let your Worship Focus be that if the stars were made to worship God then so will I! ⁣ ⁣

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”⁣ ⁣ Let your Prayer Focus be to pray for our police service and armed forces, including all the community service officers and civilian support staff who work with them. Ask God to bless their work in keeping our country safe and secure. Many forces are operating with far fewer staff than normal as their people are either self isolating or are sick themselves. Pray for health and stamina for everyone still working. Both military and police officers have been asked to do duties outside their normal scope, such as supporting the NHS, transporting essential supplies and securing sensitive sites around our country. Please pray for their leaders as they work with Government and other agencies to plan and manage these duties. Emergency laws to manage the COVID-19 outbreak have been put action so also pray for peace and social order to be maintained in calm and wise ways by the police. ⁣ ⁣ Lord Jesus, in your Name we come against those spirits of darkness who would seek to stir up any social unrest at this time. We ask that you will be merciful to us as a country. Forgive us for our sins and heal our land. Send your angels on assignment to fight for us. We especially pray for those young people who feel frustrated and at a loose end during this lockdown. Lord we pray that you will supernaturally reveal yourself to thousands of young people at this time. Send dreams and visions. Let the words of truth and love that have been sown into their lives over many past years bear fruit now. We dare to pray that this season will cause a permanent downturn in immorality, gang activity and drug crime. That many will break free and that we will see a revival of faith and hope especially in our cities.⁣ ⁣ Get in touch and encourage any individual members of the police and military forces that you might know. Let them know that we are thinking of them and praying for them.⁣ ⁣ Let our Worship Focus be: God, you are good.⁣ ⁣

Joshua 1:9 “I command you - be strong and very courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”⁣ ⁣ Let your Prayer Focus be to pray for the children and young people that you know. Name them before Father God and thank Him for the gift of them - for their lives, their energy, their gifts and for their futures. This is most likely a challenging time of adjustment with the usual routines of school, college, friends and learning being set aside. Pray for the children of key workers still going into school and for their teachers and helpers seeking to create a positive and secure learning environment for them. Ask Holy Spirit to protect the health of these key workers and to guide and help other teachers as they are seeking to provide online lessons and possibly pastoral support.⁣ ⁣ Pray for young people who might well have difficult questions about what is happening during this pandemic, with legitimate fears and anxieties about their future - especially those due to take examinations this summer. Ask God to give parents and careers increased levels of patience and empathy. Ask for wisdom also, as they talk things through with young people, helping to support good mental health and wellbeing.⁣ ⁣ Let's pray for an unprecedented move of God in our nation to bring thousands of young people into a life changing relationship with Him. Ask God to empower children's and youth workers who are keeping in touch and caring by whatever means they can. Pray for the work of organisations in Leeds such as Kidz Klub, Space, Leeds Faith in Schools and Missional Generation. Pray also for many other similar organisations nationally, who are reaching out and working hard to give extra support to children, young people and youth workers at this time.⁣ ⁣ Action: If appropriate, keep in touch! Let children and young people know you are thinking of them and praying for them. With parental and carers permission if needed, why not post cards or little gifts through the letterbox or get them delivered by mail. Do you know any single parents? They especially might need your support and encouragement. What could you do to help?⁣ ⁣ Let your Worship Focus be: Our God is with us, He will never leave us⁣ ⁣

Philippians 1:18-19 “And I will continue to rejoice, knowing that the lavish supply of the Sprit of Jesus, the Anointed One, and your intercession for me will bring about my deliverance.”⁣ ⁣ Let your Prayer Focus be to intercede like never before for our brothers and sisters living and working in developing countries, especially where people are facing deprivation, such as refugee camps and settlements, townships and other places where people are living in very close quarters. Social distancing and isolation are not options here.⁣ ⁣ Pray for frontline health, social and community workers in these communities. They have very difficult, dangerous and challenging work to do during this health emergency.⁣ ⁣ Pray for the resources of the Church worldwide to be mobilised. For buildings, land, equipment, food and medicines to be released to the poor where they are most needed. Pray for Christians living in both these countries and internationally to gain the ear and favour of those in authority, power and wealth in order to bless those in great need.⁣ ⁣ Ask God for a supernatural change in the season. That this pandemic will supernaturally recede and that humanitarian disasters will not overwhelm Africa, southern America and south east Asia as well as the many refugee camps and communities in Syria, Turkey, Greece and Italy. God who was able to part the Red Sea, who was able to tear the Temple veil in two, who was able to raise King Jesus from the dead is still on the throne. Our merciful God has not abandoned His creation, His Earth, His people. And through us all, as we pray, the people of the Earth will be blessed.⁣ ⁣ Action: Why not research and find out about Christian individuals and organisations working into these situations we've just prayed about. Let them know that you are praying for them. Give what extra you are able to support their work at this difficult time.⁣ ⁣ If you can, email your MP and ask them to raise this with appropriate ministers who are able to lobby for suitable strategies and increased support into agencies working into refugee, townships, slums and similar situations.⁣ ⁣

Welcome to Freedom Church and to our online community. We hope that today's service is an encouragement and a help in these hard times. (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Let conscious acts of thanksgiving, praise and prayer, re-focus, strengthen and refresh us! What comes in through our eyes and ears is so important. To counter fear, anxiety and mistrust let's be those who turn first to God.⁣ ⁣ 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 “...whatever happens to one happens to all. If one suffers everyone suffers. If one is honoured everyone rejoices. You are the body of the Anointed One and each of you is a unique and vital part of it.”⁣ ⁣ Let your Prayer Focus to hold up our brothers and sisters around the world that are also facing this pandemic. Name those you know before the Lord and declare His love, protection and peace over them. Pray for their families, work, testimony and influence in their communities and nations. Pray for revival and the work of the Kingdom of God to accelerate greatly in this season. ⁣ ⁣ That's worth repeating. Get in touch and let others know you are praying for them. Why not consider financially supporting overseas ministries where the current crisis is creating urgent needs.⁣ ⁣ Let your Worship Focus be: “I've seen You move, come move the mountains, and I believe I'll see You do it again. Your promise still stands, Great is Your faithfulness.” ⁣ ⁣

Let conscious acts of thanksgiving, praise and prayer, re-focus, strengthen and refresh us! What comes in through our eyes and ears is so important. To counter fear, anxiety and mistrust let's be those who turn first to God.⁣ ⁣ Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ⁣ ⁣ Let your Prayer focus be for those who are in social isolation because they are in a vulnerable group, such as elderly people in care and nursing homes, severely disabled children and those with underlying diseases who have to stay away from others. Give thanks for, and ask God, to help all those caring for them in homes and in the community and for relatives unable to visit at the moment. ⁣ ⁣ Send an encouraging note or card to let people know they are not forgotten while they cannot have physical visitors. Some residents and patients in care homes and hospitals may ⁣not have access to a mobile device, so using snail mail might be the best alternative! ⁣ ⁣ Let your Worship Focus be: Today let's declare our trust in God for the vulnerable; let's ‘Raise a hallelujah in the presence of our enemies'. ⁣ ⁣

Let conscious acts of thanksgiving, praise and prayer, re-focus, strengthen and refresh us! What comes in through our eyes and ears is so important. To counter fear, anxiety and mistrust let's be those who turn first to God.⁣ Philippians 4:6-7 “Don't fret or worry, instead of worrying pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.”⁣ Let your Prayer Focus be for those in businesses of all sizes seeking to manage all the personnel, financial and logistical challenges they are facing. Pray for workers being laid off, freelancers and those on zero hours contracts who may be facing very challenging circumstances. Pray for warehousing staff, hauliers and delivery drivers working extra hard to supply shops and homes with goods at this time. Shop locally, or online with independent sellers if you can in order to provide much needed business at this time. Support food banks, breakfast clubs and other church and community schemes that help feed those in need. Let those working in business know you are praying for them. Do what you can personally for those in need, let the church know of anyone who is really struggling. Let your Worship Focus be: “Oh God you have done great things, you've been faithful through every storm, you will be faithful for evermore.”⁣

Let conscious acts of thanksgiving, praise and prayer, re-focus, strengthen and refresh us! What comes in through our eyes and ears is so important. To counter fear, anxiety and mistrust let's be those who turn first to God.⁣ ⁣ Ephesians 2:14 “For He Himself is our peace.”⁣ ⁣ Let your Prayer Focus be giving thanks to God for the commitment, service and bravery of our first responders and emergency service workers. Intercede today for our police, ambulance and fire services, for NHS 111, the World Health Organisation and other critical response agencies. Pray for protection, health and strength for them. Let's agree together for a miracle of #grace in our nation, that no service area will be overwhelmed by a shortage of people or resources and that peace will prevail. ⁣ ⁣ Send personal #encouragements to those you know who work in these fields. Post positive and supportive comments on organisations' social media pages. ⁣ ⁣ Let your #Worship Focus be: He is “the Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness.”⁣ ⁣

Welcome to our first online only service. Be encouraged. (Music taken from iSingWorship - all rights reserved. www.isingworship.org/streaming)

Let conscious acts of thanksgiving, praise and prayer, re-focus, strengthen and refresh us! What comes in through our eyes and ears is so important. To counter fear, anxiety and mistrust let's be those who turn first to God. ⁣ ⁣ Psalm 46:1-2 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present and well-proved help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change”⁣ ⁣ And verse 10: “be still, and recognise and understand that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!” ⁣ ⁣ Let you Prayer Focus be for our medical and healthcare professionals, for doctors, nurses, and all those involved in frontline patient care. Pray also for hospital support staff and for care workers serving in our communities. Pray for laboratory staff and all those scientists involved in collecting, modelling and analysing the data concerning this virus, including the World Health Organisation. Pray for hospital leaders, practice managers and care administrators seeking to deploy resources as best possible. Praise God for them. May He protect their health and give them all grace and strength in a time of very heavy workload and high public anxiety. We may not have all the answers, but we are connected to the One who does.⁣ ⁣ Encourage individuals that you know who are working in these fields. Let them know that we are praying for them.⁣ ⁣ Let your Worship Focus be: Show us your glory, show us your power, we want to see you open up the floodgates, a mighty river flowing from your heart.⁣ ⁣

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” What comes in through our eyes and ears is so important. To counter fear, anxiety and mistrust let's be those who turn first to God. Let's also “fight with Scripture for the victory that Jesus has already purchased.” (Bill Johnson, Bethel Church, Redding) Let your Prayer Focus be for our Government, national and regional leaders, public health officers, and the Civil Service. There are difficult decisions to be made and complex plans to be developed and implemented in a rapidly unfolding scenario. Pray for unity, wisdom, stamina and strength for Parliament and our local authorities. Pray that our four nations will respond constructively to those in leadership. Pray for those that are influential in our society, such as the royal family and other celebrities that they too might hear God for themselves and be a voice and a force for good. If you're able, let specific people in these positions know that you are praying for them. Many of them have social media feeds. It's not very British and it's not very fashionable but be out there with your encouragement! Let your Worship focus be: “God is rich in mercy and He is slow to anger, His name is great and His heart is kind.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” Today, let's lift our eyes and ears away from the wall-to-wall media coverage of the virus and let conscious acts of thanksgiving, praise and prayer, re-focus, strengthen and refresh us! What comes in through our eyes and ears is so important. To counter fear, anxiety and mistrust let's be those who turn first to God. Let's also “fight with Scripture for the victory that Jesus has already purchased.” (Bill Johnson) Let your Prayer Focus be your family, friends, workplace, study and neighbourhood communities. Be specific and name individuals before the Lord. Ask Him what He is doing in their lives during this season and how you can partner with Him in this. Give your concerns for your own #health to Him too. Remember that “His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.” Psalm 91:4 We have an amazing opportunity to serve and bless others in the current circumstances. Let's be the hands and feet of Jesus, looking out for practical ways in which we can help others who may be self-isolating, elderly or vulnerable. Offer to do things like, picking up shopping, collecting prescriptions, and if it's appropriate offer to pray for people. Let your Worship Focus be: The Lord bless you and keep you.

Using the present reality of the COVID-19 epidemic, Mark Kelly gives us some suggestions and directions to help us work through worry and anxiety, not only around the issue we're currently facing, but our lives in general.

As God's faithful people we are on a journey to fulfil the plans He has for us. In this sermon, David Lavery encourages us not to settle on the way but to keep moving forward towards what God has shown and promised us.

Pat Gray examines the intriguing and encouraging New Testament character of Barnabas.

Darrell Tunningley brings a very challenging message about reaching out to those who don't yet know Jesus.

Jesus died for us to bring change and renewal into our lives and into the life of his church. Let's make it our prayer, “Lord, change our hearts to go where you are leading us”. A Christian life should be a life of regular change - a willingness to change direction, to adapt, or even create change.

God wants to take us on a journey of healing and wholeness.

The truth of who we are is ultimately found in Jesus Christ. We are only complete when we are at one with Him, in a deeply profound and life changing relationship. In fact, we can only fully realise our potential in that divine connection.

Truth is fundamental to our faith. Knowing we have a bedrock of truth, and that we're not swaying to and fro in the wind with the next trendy spiritual idea, is what encourages our faith.