Audlem Baptist Church Online Service for the 3^rd August 2025 1 Thessalonians This is the third service in a series of six.
	Welcome and Introduction This series of sermons comes from Chichester Baptist Church and is from May this year. Of all Paul’s letters that we have in the Bible, this was probably the first one he wrote. It was written to encourage them because he was hearing from multiple sources how well they were doing. It is a great way to follow on from our Easter and Pentecost series and then the slow spread of Christ’s Church across the Roman empire.
	Song: I Lift My Eyes (Psalm 121) In this series I have tried to use the same hymns that were used in Chichester before and after the message. This week I could not find a YouTube video of the song they sang but this one has a very similar theme. Click here to watch the video.
	Bible Passage and the Message: Christian Friendship: Longing to Share This message is the third in our series and is from the 1^st of June. If you have a Bible or Bible app to hand, please find 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 before you start the video. This week Mick Uffindel brings the message. The video starts with someone reading the passage for today. Click the filmstrip icon below to start watching the YouTube video. It should start automatically at about 53 minutes into the complete service. When Mick has finished a short prayer at the end of the message I suggest that you stop the video when the musicians return to the stage. We will watch a video of the song that they sang after our own prayers. Click here to watch the video. You can adjust the YouTube settings using the controls at the bottom right of the screen. The gear wheel on the left adjusts the quality (480 may be enough) and the box frame on the right shows the video full screen.
	Our Own Prayers As you watched the message today was there a moment when you sensed the Holy Spirit speaking directly to you? Then tell Jesus about it. Or maybe you simply had a ‘lightbulb’ moment which you would like to thank God for. Spend a few moments to thank God for all his goodness to you in the last week. Spend a few minutes in confession. Take a few minutes to pray for others who you feel burdened for. If you have received the Church Email, it will give you some suggestions. Now spend a few moments praying for the fellowship of the church to which we belong and its witness to friends, family, neighbours, the young and the old, and to the wider world.
	Song: The UK Blessing The Chichester church sang “The Blessing” to close. You may remember that in 2020, when churches were shut, some clever techie people compiled a video version called ‘The UK Blessing’, which brought together over 65 churches and organisations to sing the same words. That is the video I have chosen because it contains so much life and energy as you watch all the lovely singers. I hope it blesses you. Click here to watch the video.
	A Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, We thank you for the example of Paul and his love for the Thessalonian church. We are grateful for the way he yearned to see them, the way he rejoiced in their faith, and the way he prayed for their growth in love and holiness.  We pray, Lord, that you would make our love for one another and for all people increase and overflow, just as Paul desired for the Thessalonians.  We ask that you would strengthen our hearts, so that we may be blameless and holy in your sight when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.  We pray that you would guide our steps, direct our paths, and empower us to live lives that are pleasing to you, reflecting the love and grace we have received from you.  May your Holy Spirit, empower us to stand firm in our faith, to persevere through trials, and to be a light to the world around us.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.