(Mount Vernon Streams Slide)

GREETING

Good Afternoon. Welcome to Mount Vernon Streams – the Online Presence of the Mount Vernon Baptist Church a part of the Mount Vernon Larger Parish – where no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here in the heart of God!

THEME (#1 Sharing)

From the time I was little, the churches that I went to always collected offerings to support the mission, One Great Hour Of Sharing. It is a mission that uses our gifts to make a difference at home and around the world for those who are in need.

(Live)

Our theme today celebrates the attitude of that mission, Intentionally Sharing Together What We Have to Make a Difference in the Face of Need. In the midst of the fear, worry, loss, frustration, and inconvenience of this Pandemic, we have seen great examples of People Intentionally Giving to Make a Difference.

I DON”T HAVE MUCH (#2 Empty Pockets)

When faced with incredible need or someone asking for change on the street corner, we often check our pockets, purses, or resources and look at what we do not have. And often, we conclude that we do not have enough to make a difference.

(Live)

Hopefully, for those of us who walk with God, it doesn’t end there. One of my favorite songs from the 1980’s was written by Barry Mann and performed by Arron Neville and Linda Ronstadt “I don’t know much, but I know I love you … and that may be, all I need to know.

When we are faced with our lack of something, we, hopefully, also remember that God is with us and therefore, if we have a will to help, we have a way – that God will provide what we need to make a difference. Our first song today comes from our scripture for the morning.

PETER AND JOHN WENT TO PRAY (#3 Song)

It’s a song that tells the story of what happened when Peter and John were confronted by a man who had to beg to make a living because he could not walk or work. Peter and John did not have money to share, but what they had, they shared in a great way!

Peter and John went to pray, they met a lame man on the way

He asked for alms and held out his palms and this is what Peter did say.

Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.

He went running and leaping and Praising God, running and leaping and Praising God.

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.

Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.

He went running and leaping and Praising God, running and leaping and Praising God.

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.

(Live)

Amen! What a wonderful thing happened on their way to pray! That was a God Moment for Peter and John, the Man born unable to walk, and lots of people who saw what happened or were affected by the results! If you have moments where God has become evident and visible in your life, we would love it if you would share your God Moments here with us in the comments or on our Face Book Page.

Like Peter and John, let’s make our way to prayer.

INVOCATION (#4 Invocation)

Wonder Working God, thank you for being a part of our lives in the way that we can see and feel and hear and taste! Help us like Peter and John to know that you are so real that we readily share you and help us like the Man who was healed to be excited and Praise you for all the great things that you have done! We do thank you for the healings that you have shared in our lives, for the strength you have provided in difficult times, and the comfort that you share for those of us who do not get the miracles that we want. May your spirit continue to unite us and use us to bring you glory! Amen.

(Live)

We have already sung our Scripture Reading today. Now let’s hear it in spoken words. It comes from Acts 3:1-. It takes place on a day when Peter and John were on there way to the temple for a prayer time that happened every day at 9 in the morning. A man who had not been able to walk from birth had his friends bring him to the steps of the temple because he found that people who come every day to pray, often have very soft hearts as well and are more likely to give to those in need.

SCRIPTURE READING (#5 Acts 3:1-5)

SCRIPTURE READING (#6 Acts3:6-10)

(Live)

And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened! Our next hymn is one of the oldest Praise Songs that came out in the 90’s. It sings Praise to God for God’s Presence and Redemptive Acts. Blessed Be The Name

BLESSED BE THE NAME (#7 Worship Track)

[Verse 1]Blessed be Your name

In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flowBlessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place Though I walk through the wildernessBlessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praiseWhen the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your nameBlessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your nameWhen the sun's shining down on me When the world's 'all as it should be'Blessed be Your nameBlessed be Your nameOn the road marked with suffering Though there's pain in the offeringBlessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out I'll Turn back to praiseWhen the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your nameBlessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name, oh

You give and take away You give and take awayMy heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your nameBlessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name, oh

(Live)Blessed Be The Name of the Lord! Amen!

In the midst of less than our ideal life right now – In what ways has God used others to make a positive difference in your life?In what ways has God used you to make a difference in the lives of others?

What reasons do you have to Bless the name of the Lord?

(Don’t forget to include those things in the comments or responses!)

Our sermon today takes place when Peter and John were all of a sudden put in a situation where someone who had less than them was asking for their help.

They were caught in the land of the Haves and the Have Nots!

SERMON (#8 The Haves and the Have Nots)

The man had much less than Peter and John. For starters, the man did not have the ability to walk. Because of that he did not have the ability to work very easily. He did not have money. He was definitely a Have Not in his society.

Peter and John were looked at as Haves because they had the ability to walk. They had the ability to go where they wanted. They were on their way to pray at 9 in the morning, so they had a way to financially sustain their way of life.

They were looked at by the man as part of the Haves.

SERMON (#9 Silver or Gold Have I None)

But they did not have Cash. They had no coins to give. … They did not have what the man was asking for. So in this situation, they were also the Have Nots …

(LIVE)

So there’s Peter with no money to give this man who was asking for a little help. He had nothing to give … OR DID HE?

SERMON (#10 What I Have, I’ll Share )

Peter chose to look at what he did have rather than what he did not have.

He chose to be a Have rather than a Have Not?

WHAT DID PETER HAVE??? He Had Jesus With Him –

God had shared the Power of God with Peter … AND SO …

SERMON (#11 Acts 3:6)

Silver and Gold I do not have … But What I do have give you …

In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Rise Up and Walk …

The only thing he had was the Power of God … And So He Shared It!

(LIVE)

Peter had nothing to share, but the Power of the Mighty God … and so he shared it!!!

What do you have to share to make a difference in this world?

As we said at the beginning of Worship, that question often gets us looking at what we don’t have!

SERMON (#12 Things We Don’t Have)

We don’t always have time. We don’t always have readily available or sufficient resources. We don’t always have answers or directions or a sense of a purpose.

We don’t always have help or anyone else that cares.

Sometimes, we don’t even have a clue!

BUT …

SERMON (#13 We Have Jesus With Us)

… we always have Jesus.

God said he would never leave us or forsake us. That he would be with us – ALWAYS – Even to the end of the age!

We always have Jesus – even when we don’t remember, even when we don’t feel it, even when our problems seem huge or our resources too few, even when we doubt … We have Jesus – because it is God’s promise not ours!

(Live)

So what is going on with you right now? What are your needs? What demands are being put upon you? What do people want from you?

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO OFFER?

SERMON (#14 What Difference Does Jesus Make in Your Life)

Peter had Jesus with him … and so without money, Peter had exactly what the man needed. Do you know Jesus – not about Jesus – but do you know Jesus – so that you know Jesus is with you right now – so that you can say to Jesus, what do you want me to share now?

(Live)

If you don’t know Jesus, Let me share him with you … because that is the greatest gift that God has ever shared with me. I know that no matter what the Almighty God is with me and for me and will take care of me, provide for me, and work through me for the good of others! If you do not know that – please meet Jesus and let him come to you and be part of you!

SERMON (#15 What Can God Do For You?)

If you have known Jesus all your life or if you just met, what does God want to give you so that you will Run and Leap and Praise God – because you are so blessed happy?

If you don’t have that and you want that – just ask God right now – say – I want whatever Peter Shared with the Man on the way to Prayer … I want whatever you gave that man so that he could run and leap and Praise God …

(Live)

I know, Lord that you know exactly what I need and you want to give it to me!

I give you permission to give me what I need!

SERMON (#16 What Do You Have to Share With Others)

Once you have received, you are ready to give! It’s the way God works. The seed grows into a plant. The plant bears fruit. The fruit is shared and helps something else grow! And then drops some seeds to start the process over

(Live)

This time our final hymn is right here. It is Jesus by Chris Tomlin. As we listen to it, may you think about what God has to offer to you and through you and what God has to offer to all those folks that are most in need. Please remember to leave your prayer requests as comment here or on the page so that all of us can be in prayer for the folks that you care about.

Let’s listen and sing along to Jesus by Chris Tomlin

SONG - (#17 JESUS by CHRIS TOMLIN

There is a truth older than the ages There is a promise of things yet to comeThere is one born for our salvation

Jesus

There is a light that overwhelms the darkness There is a kingdom that forever reignsThere is freedom from the chains that bind us

Jesus, Jesus

Who walks on the waters Who speaks to the sea Who stands in the fire beside me

He roars like a lion He bled as the Lamb He carries my healing in His hands

Jesus

There is a name I call in times of trouble There is a song that comforts in the nightThere is a voice that calms the storm that rages

He is Jesus, Jesus

Who walks on the waters Who speaks to the sea Who stands in the fire beside me

He roars like a lion He bled as the Lamb He carries my healing in His hands

Messiah My Savior There is power in Your nameYou're my rock and my Redeemer There is power in Your nameIn Your name

You walks on the waters You speaks to the sea You stands in the fire beside me

You roars like a lion You bled as the Lamb You carry my healing in Your hands

Jesus, there is no one like You Jesus, there is no one like You

(#18 Thank You)

Thank you for Joining With Us this week. Please share with us your God Moments and Prayer Concerns in the comments here or on our Facebook Page. We care and we love to celebrate.

And while you continue to support your local congregation, if this ministry has made a difference for you, please consider us in your offerings. You can send your donation to The Mount Vernon Baptist Church at 210 Plainfield Pike, Foster, RI 02825

(#19 Benediction)

As you return to your day, may you be ready

To share with others what God has shared with you

That they might go forth running and leaping and Praising God

Amen

(#20 Live In Grace)

Please remember to let us know you were here, share your thoughts, your God Moments, and your prayers.

And For This Week

Live in Grace – for yourself and others.

CLOSING SLIDES (Whatever You Have)