1st Sermon

Sermon part 1: Faith and doubt


• I was on twitter on Resurrection Sunday and someone said: Sometimes I find it hard to believe
• Some time I find it hard to believe in the whole edifice of Christendom
• Too often rather than seeking relief from our doubt amongst are church family (and Thomas tried to do) we hid them
• We are afraid of not being good disciples – but it is clear that even the disciple’s doubts
• Christ did not exile them or condemn the
• At worse it confused him
• Christ embraced them and sought to resolve their doubts
• Let us be a community of faith but also keep room for doubt
• Let us as brother and sisters help people resolve their doubts
• Let us move forward in one mind – that just a someone doubt may confuse our faith it does not reduce it

John 20:19-31

25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Hymn: 280

Let us prepare for a time of prayer, keeping in are mind that god is the only fount of life and life immortal Hymn: 280 Breathe on me breath of God










Prayers of intercession

Remember in your love the world you have made, those who seek a fair and proper use of the world’s resources:

Scientist – guide their hands and minds

Families – share what they have in the tough times

Governments – strength to pursue equality and innovation

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Those who strive for justice and peace among the nations:

UN – Koffy ann-ann

Peackeepers

North Korea & South China Sea

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Remember in your love those who suffer

Victims of violence

In Syria – in Egypt

Domestic abuse

Those who suffer

Due to prejudice (homosexuals)

Alienations

Those who morn

The unemployed

Victims of man’s lust
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.




Lord's prayer

Let us with one heart and mind say the prayer jesus taught us

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever. Amen


(Symon) Offertory

Acts 4:32-35
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind […] They shared everything they had.


Hymn: 196 I know that my Redeemer lives

However, we can proclaim the living Christ let us do so with: Hymn: 196 I know that my Redeemer lives