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Summer @ WCC — Church Around the Tables

Series title: ‘The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength’

Theme verse: ‘The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving’ (Psalm 28:7).

The format for each hour-long service is as follows: some worship songs, table group discussion/activity, quizzes (where relevant), a homily about the theme, and communion.
 
December 29, 2024: Joy in a Fresh Start [Kirk Franklin] 
•      Theme: Embracing New Beginnings. 
•      Key Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) ‘Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.’ 
•      Focus: The service focuses on how the joy of the Lord empowers us to embrace fresh starts and new seasons in our lives. It will encourage the congregation to let go of past failures and step into the new opportunities God provides with joy and hope.
 
January 5, 2025: Joy in New Commitments [Rob & Tania Hannath] 
•      Theme: Renewing Our Dedication to God for 2025. 
•      Key Verse: Nehemiah 8:10b (NIV) ‘Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ 
•      Focus: The service explores the joy of making and renewing commitments to God. Whether recommitting to spiritual disciplines, relationships, or service, this message will highlight how the strength to persevere in our commitments comes from the joy of the Lord.
 
January 12, 2025: Joy in the Journey [Tony Lyon] 
•      Theme: Experiencing Joy throughout Life’s Journey. 
•      Key Verse: Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
•      Focus: The service encourages those gathered to find joy in every step of their spiritual journey, even in challenges and trials. It draws on the example of Jesus, who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross. The homily can emphasise the eternal joy promised to us as we journey through life with Christ.
 
January 19, 2025: Joy in Creativity [Sophie Bullen]
•      Theme: Expressing God’s Joy through Creative Acts. 
•      Key Verse: Psalm 139:14 (NIV) ‘I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.’ 
•      Focus: The service encourages those gathered to explore and express their God-given creativity as a reflection of the joy found in the Lord. It will emphasise that our creative expressions can be acts of worship and joy.
 
January 26, 2025: Joy in Community [Peter McMullen and Bill Cook]
•      Theme: Finding Joy Together in the Body of Christ. 
•      Key Verse: Philippians 2:2 (NIV) Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 
•      Focus: The service focuses on the joy found in the Christian community. Some people will be lined up to share how deep, authentic relationships within the church community are a source of great joy and how living in unity with others magnifies the joy of the Lord in our lives.