Sunday 6th July 2025
Welcome to Sunday Focus. We pray you will be blessed as you listen to the songs and read the Word of God.
In Church over the summer we will be looking at the book of the Acts of The Apostles. Sunday Focus will follow what we are doing in Church as much as possible.
Today we look at Acts 3:17-26. This follows on from the verses we looked at last week, the healing of the lame man. Next week both in Church and here we will look at Acts 4.
Hymn - We Have a Gospel to Proclaim
Song - How Deep The Fathers Love For Us
We exalt You, Lord God
the God who has made all things in creation
and called them ‘good.'
The God who has woven heaven and earth together,
who taught the sun to rise
and the stars to dance.
Mighty in power and works!
Strong is Your love
and tender is Your touch.
The heart of the earth is cradled in Your hand,
each grain of sand is known to You.
the whole world is drenched in Your Holy Spirit.
every atom of this universe is seen and cherished.
How can it be then,
that this very God,
this highest host of heaven
knows and loves each of us?
How can it be then
that this very God
has made it so that we might draw close
in worship and adoration;
here, now, in this very place?
Draw close,
even when we have wandered far
draw close,
even when our hearts are heavy.
When we struggle to believe You care
or that You are even there at all.
Hear us, Lord, and be merciful to us.
Lord, be our help. Amen
Song - Amazing Love
Reading Acts 3:17-26
17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’
24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
In this passage Peter is reminding the people that the prophets had predicted what would happen and that God had fulfilled the prophecies. Peter explains that Jesus death and resurrection affect not only the past and the present but also the future. A future that stretches into eternity through Jesus. Everyone has to turn from their wicked ways and turn to the glorious ways of Jesus. - verse 26. God deals with us individually because he cares for us individually.
Song - My Jesus My Saviour
Heavenly Father, please hear us as we bring before you our cares and fears for the world.
Everlasting God, we pray for your church throughout the world, for Christians everywhere meeting to worship and praise you today. Grant that we and all your people may be built up into the united and faithful family you deserve.
Lord God, we give you thanks for the Christian fellowships in Coldstream and in the local area.
We pray for all who minister and teach, for all who help us develop our understanding of God and help us to respond to his love. Please bring before God someone who has helped you on your Christian journey.
Holy God, we pray for Christians working in places of power and influence, who make decisions which affect the lives of so many people. We ask you to bless those who work in politics, especially all who are seeking peace agreements, but also those in the media, in advertising and in the financial markets. May they know what to say and how to act for the benefit of all people and at all times to be true and faithful to you.
Father God, we pray for those we love, our family and friends, the special people in our lives, wherever they may be. We pray for them as they deal with their hopes, their fears, their problems and their needs, but most of all we thank you for each one of them and for what they give and mean to us.
Loving Father, we bring before you now all those who we know who are in need of your healing. Comfort the bereaved, the sick and the suffering with your healing and living presence.
Restore and support weak bodies, quiet confused minds and reassure the lonely with your love.
Gracious God, we have put before you our concerns and we thank you for all the blessings and gifts you lavish on us. In the weeks ahead help us to keep the faith as deeply and passionately as possible in these troubled times.
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 debts,
as we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever.
Amen.
Song - Though The Nations Rage (Ancient of Days)
May the love of the Father,
the tenderness of the Son,
and the presence of the Spirit,
gladden your heart
and bring peace to your soul,
this day and all days, Amen.