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Sunday Worship 鈥� TX 29/9/24

Welcome to Middlefields House, I鈥檓 Gaie Marshall the Pastoral Co-Ordinator here. We are a Christian care home for older people in Chippenham, a market town on the banks of the River Avon in Wiltshire. Coming up this week on 1st October is the International Day of Older People, an occasion to celebrate older people, the lives they have lived and all that they bring.

Our care home opened in 2021 with a special focus. We live together as Christian family with residents, staff, volunteers and relatives all contributing to life in our home.听We gather regularly for fun, fellowship and worship and we are delighted to share with you our devotions, conversations and memories of the past with hopes for the future as we celebrate God鈥檚 love across the generations. 听

A montage of voices with Music Calm me Lord

Hymn 1 Guide me oh Thy Great Redeemer 鈥� Daily Service Singers

We meet this morning in our communal area called 鈥楾he Winter Garden鈥� so do not be surprised if you hear in the background the sounds of Care 麻豆约拍 life.

Gaie

In the Old Testament book of Isaiah Chapter 46 v 4 God speaks to his people in exile and promises to sustain them 鈥榚ven to your old age and grey hairs.鈥� If Almighty God values those of advancing age then so should we.听 Older people have a responsibility to the younger generation and vice versa according to the Bible.

This home came into being because of a strong conviction that we should be a blessing to one another across the generations.

Judy Scott who is a Family Member is going to read for us. To clarify we call our residents Family Members here at Middlefields.

Judy Scott 听will read Psalm 100 鈥� an encouragement to worship

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Psalm 100

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2听听听听 Worship the Lord with gladness;

听听听 come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the Lord is God.

听听听 It is he who made us, and we are his;

听听听 we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

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4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

听听听 and his courts with praise;

听听听 give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

听听听 his faithfulness continues through all generations.

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This hymn was chosen by Ruth Kyte, another Family member.(she will explain why this hymn has significance for her)

Life has many different twists and turns doesn鈥檛 it. How do you explain joy and sorrows coming together? Well, I will try.

When I was 13 years old my eldest brother aged 18 became suddenly very ill and died just 3 days later 鈥� it was early in the war. He was very concerned -was he truly Christian young man to be involved in the killing and he had not been able to find an answer.

Some years later my older sister died of a cancer: she had a very real love and trust in the Lord Jesus and that she was safe in His care. She chose a very lovely hymn to be sung at her funeral service.

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This is the first verse-

When peace like a river attendeth my way.

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot You have taught me to know

It is well,it is well with my soul

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Two years ago, these words sounded out in the parish church on the hills of Salisbury Plain in the little village of Tilshead. My husband had lived there all his life apart from 2 year鈥檚 National Service. The greatest part of his life he spent working on his father鈥檚 farm. Together we shared a sure and certain hope that Jesus will come again and the 鈥榙ead shall rise 鈥榯o be forever with the Lord.

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I hope you can see with me that joy and sorrow do go together, they are interwoven. God has made it so.

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Hymn 2 : It is well with my soul. 1st verse and chorus sang by residents and staff 听-then 听The Portsmouth Citadel Songsters Brigade

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Gaie 鈥� Let us pray

Ann our Middlefields activities support worker will lead us.

听Almighty God our Heavenly Father as we gather today to praise and worship You, thank you that we can meet as family from the youngest to the oldest.

We praise you for Your Love towards us ,supremely shown in sending Jesus so that whatever age we are we can choose to come to Him as Lord and Saviour.

听As we worship you this morning may we give you the honour and glory that is due Your Holy Wonderful Name.

We pray in the Name of Jesus.

Amen.

Hymn 3 What a Friend we Have in Jesus -The Daily Service Singers

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Gaie : Each year on 1st October, people across the world mark United Nations International Day of Older People to raise awareness of opportunities and challenges faced by ageing populations, and to mobilize the wider community to address difficulties faced by older people.

Some facts to show the issues that we face as a nation and internationally

• Population ageing is an irreversible global trend. In 2021, 1 in 10 people worldwide were aged 65 or above. In 2050, this age group is projected to account for 1 in 6 people globally.

• Women tend to live longer than men and thus comprise the majority of older persons. In 1950, women could expect to live almost four years more than men globally. In 2021, the difference between the two had increased to more than five years.

However, the danger with finding these statistics is that we become problem orientated. Older people are a resource, their experience and skills are valuable and should be enabled to strengthen our communities and neighborood's, we aim to help our Family Members live a fulfilled life in the later years.

We also need to consider those who live alone and maybe you are one of those people listening to us today. Welcome.

A montage of voices with Music Calm me Lord

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Hilary and her husband Brian who is a family member here in Christian ministry together over many years

The song I have chosen is "10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman. 听This is an amazingly declaration about the love of God and His great Name. 听In my own life I have found over the last 50+ years that He really is 'rich in love', 鈥榮low to anger鈥�, He has a 'Great Name' and a' kind heart鈥�! 听I myself experienced this when I was in bed recovering from Covid as I felt the presence of God very close to me at such an unexpected time. He is full of goodness and there really are at least 10,000 more reasons why we can worship and bless His Holy Name every new day! 听I have found so many residents at Middlefields have a living faith in God often stretching back into their childhood. And as the song says, 鈥渙n that day when my strength is failing ... 听still my soul sings Your praise unending."

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Hymn 4 鈥� Bless the Lord, oh my soul (10,000 reasons.)

1st verse and chorus sang by residents and staff then CD 10,000 Reasons (Matt Redman) - Jonathan Ogden

I鈥檓 Sarah Stockinger, Manager at Middlefields House

Isiah 46:4 - Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

My journey to being with you this morning, has been a very personal one. Both my parents were diagnosed with various forms of dementia in their twilight years of life, and I cared for them both in their home until my father passed away in Feb 2023 and Mom Feb 2024. Being self-employed enabled me to arrange my time around their needs and it was in my Mom鈥檚 last few weeks of life that the position of business manager became available here. I knew the passion I had for caring for my parents would not die with them and God in His tender loving kindness and mercy, placed me here with you very precious people.

My parents lived their lives to the full - fully immersed in raising the family, running a business and leading a small church鈥�our home was never empty 鈥� they were both deeply passionate about their local community, discipling and caring for God鈥檚 people. God was always faithful, and I can鈥檛 recall a single day growing up where His name was not glorified - He was put first in all we did as a family. I have the fondest of memories of my upbringing and God was at the centre of it all.

The Bible is full of saints, especially in the Old Testament who truly only began their ministry to the Kingdom of God in their later years and many of these found their way into the Faith Hall of Fame in the book of Hebrews. This is such an encouragement for us all, that God saves His best till last. May all our latter years be greater than our former!!

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Since joining the family, I have seen how God has graciously flowed through His saints. When a loved one passes away, it has been so wonderful to see other family members come around and be a shoulder to cry on and support the one left behind, through their time of grief. I want to encourage you all this morning that whilst there is breath in your lungs there is purpose to your life.

I want to share a little more with our family members how God鈥檚 love can continue to be spread and as Psalm 46 tells us:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most high. 听God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

He will sustain us, and His plans for each one can be fulfilled. Maybe our listeners, who might be in their twilight years or listening from a care home, would like to reflect with us on the following and see how the Lord leads each one 鈥� to be fulfilled every day in service to Him:

路听听听听听听 You can ask God to help make you an example of Christ鈥檚 love to others and to those around you here at Middlefields House or on your street at home. Maybe your neighbour is feeling lonely or hurting - God can use you to encourage them and let them know they are not alone. A gentle smile, a kind word, an invite to visit the Coffee House together or meet in one of the Households. God can use each one of you, to assure others of His great love and faithfulness

路听听听听听听 You may notice one of your carers or another staff member or a neighbour seems a little quiet or low, what a wonderful opportunity to share God鈥檚 love with them and encourage them through their day.

路听听听听听听 Probably the most wonderful thing about growing old gracefully with God, one that I am looking forward to, is that there is more time to worship Him, more time to spend with Him, more time to read or listen to His Word, the Bible and more time to know Him more, more time just to be with Him - lives are no longer filled with the busyness of the world and there is no greater worth than to know and be known by Jesus our Saviour, the lover of our souls.

Thank you for letting me be a small part of your world and I pray His blessing upon each and every one you ..Amen.

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Hymn 5 Great is They Faithfulness

The Daily Service Singers

Sarah: I鈥檇 like to 听introduce Caroline now who鈥檚 one if our carers 听reading prayers:听

Father God thank You that You have a plan and a purpose for each of our lives, whatever age we are. We celebrate today those who are advanced in years ,thanking You for all that they bring to our lives with their experience and wisdom. We ask You today to uphold those of increasing years who are frail, unwell and/or lonely. May they know the reality of God鈥檚 presence and peace promised through Jesus .

May those of younger years find ways to honour, support and love those who are more advanced in years whether they relate to them听 in听 their family, work situation or in a social context. Inspire our government to value the elderly in our society, using resources to promote their wellbeing .

Thank You for churches, charities and other groups that have the interests of the elderly on their hearts .Help them find creative ways to appreciate older members of society and promote their health, welfare and involvement in life.

Thank you that all the promises in Your Word the Bible are for us whatever age we are .Help us all, from the youngest to the eldest know you more clearly, Love You more dearly and follow You more nearly ,

In the name of Jesus

Amen听听

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Said by all :

Gaie 鈥� thank you Caroline, let鈥檚 now say the Lord鈥檚 prayer together

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.

Our final hymn was chosen by Kenneth Gubbins, another Family Member 鈥� his wife Margaret will share with us.

Paraphrased After 14 years of caring for my beloved husband Keneth, I feel such a loss, grief and pain, but I know he is safe in the sacrificial loving he experiences, here in his new home. Everyone gives of their best, enabled by the light and love of Jesus within them. 鈥淣ot I but Christ in me鈥�. Alleluia Jesus.

Hymn 6 :There is a Redeemer听 1st chorus and by staff and residents then CD

Gaie :Thank you Lord for being with us today. Help us to be especially aware of the elderly in the coming days and to take any action you are prompting us to.听听

Gaie to lead us all in saying The Blessing from Number 6:24-26:

Let us all bless one another with the blessing from Numbers 6:24-26

The听Lord听bless you and keep you; the听Lord听make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you; the Lord听turn his face听toward you and give you peace.

Amen.

As we conclude today鈥檚 service may we each seek ways to honour and support one another across the generations.
听God bless you. (all) Amen

Music under Blessing 听Calm me Lord

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