The Lamb Enthroned

connections MAY 2011

A FAMILY ON MISSION TOGETHER www.occ.org.uk

the lamb

enthroned

welcome

Welcome to the celebration, we hope that you enjoy our time together. Below are some useful bits of information about our meeting. If you have any questions, please ask one of the stewards.

Heaven’s

throne room

UNEXPECTED

Refreshments will be served in the cafe area at the end of the meeting.

Buses will be returning to the Seacourt Park & Ride until 1.40pm

Our offering today is towards the New Yatt Road Development

Our speaker today is Steve Jones, leader of Oxford Community Church

groups ... groups CRÈCHE Ages 0 - crawling Vale Room

INFANTS School years 1-2 Hinksey Room

TODDLERS Ages walking - 2 years Cherwell Room

JUNIORS School years 3-5 West Oxford Primary

YOUTH School years 6-13 Cotswold Hall O FL O T RS

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FREE ACCESS Firstly, whereas it is quite hard to get into Buckingham Palace, it was revealed to John that the door to heaven’s throne room stands open (Rev 4:1). This is picture language, which is not meant just to be taken literally, but speaks of the fact that it is easy to get in! There is free access, because Jesus has sent out an invitation to all and sundry.

He said, “Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find” (Matt 22:9). So, William and Kate may have left you off their invitation list, but you are most welcome in God’s throne room.

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Chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of Revelation describe for us a vision of the throne room of heaven. Like the throne room of the United Kingdom, its focus is also on the throne and on the royal figure who sits on that throne. However, the differences are more striking than the similarities.

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Refreshments will be served in the cafe area at the end of the meeting.

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ADULTS 18+ Thames Hall

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map >

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EARLY YEARS Ages 3-4 Ridgeway & Wytham Rooms

The official photos of William and Kate’s wedding were taken in the throne room at Buckingham Palace. It’s an amazing place, with walls covered in crimson silk. It was once used to receive debutantes on their ‘coming out’, but is now only used on special occasions, like wedding days.

LIFT UP/DOWN FIRE EXIT

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throne room

UNEXPECTED

STANDING ON CEREMONY? Secondly, heaven is quite an emotional place, not at all like the ‘stiff upper lip’ that has been associated with British royals.

John himself weeps uncontrollably (Rev 5:4), and there is all the constant noise and clamour of myriads of angels and people speaking and singing God’s praise. It’s all quite far removed from the solemn ceremonies that we might naturally associate with a throne room, where scraping chairs and muffled coughs can be heard between speeches.

Again, Jesus showed us a glimpse of this during his time on earth. When he cleansed the Temple of its bleating sheep and clinking money-changers, he did not leave silence in his wake.

He cleared out the marketplace in order to make room for prayer, but not particularly to allow for quiet meditation. We read that he went on to heal people and that these wonderful events made children shout about their wonderful God (Matt 21:14-15). Jesus filled the Temple with happy noise. And that is what John saw in his vision of heaven too.

Later in Revelation, we do read of a pause for silence in heaven (Rev 8:1) and silence does have an important place in our spiritual lives, but it is not the high point of Christian spirituality. The King of Heaven unexpectedly allows for heartfelt weeping, as well as enjoying the sound of singing.

THE ONCE-DEAD KING The greatest surprise in these chapters is probably the description of the King as “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain” (Rev 5:6). We know that the King of Heaven died for us, becoming a cadaver for a while so that we might live eternally.

We know that he is the once-dead King. But somehow, it is still a surprise that he displays his death wounds on heaven’s throne. We might expect the roaring Lion to occupy the throne, but instead we find there the vulnerable Lamb.

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Just as Jesus remains a man after having come to earth, so he retains the wounds of his suffering for eternity. The only Son of God had always been adored by the angels, but his suffering for sinful humanity only increased their adoration.

He wears his death wounds as badges of honour, serving as a reminder for all to see that he loves people more than he loved his own life.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION Jesus’ suffering is also said to be what makes him “worthy to take the scroll” (Rev 5:9). This too is most unexpected for us. In the UK, whilst personal access to the sovereign is very limited, access to information is a universal right. The Book of Revelation tells that access to the King of Heaven is open to all, but that there is knowledge which is reserved for the One who is worthy.

It was the tree of knowledge from which Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat in the garden, not that they should be ignorant, but that they should always seek wisdom and meaning in conversation with God, walking as friends with him in the garden.

Unexpectedly, John’s vision of heaven reminds us that it is better to turn to prayer than to turn to Google.

HEAVEN ON EARTH This year is the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible.

Over the centuries, Biblical phrases and ideas have entered and shaped British culture. As we pray for the kingdom of heaven to come on earth, let’s make sure that we allow the Bible to set our agenda, however unexpected it may be. The ‘difficult’ texts of scripture are usually the ones with the most countercultural power.

READ REVELATION CHAPTERS 4&5 ON PAGE 14 OF THIS MAGAZINE

CREATIVITY IN WORSHIP Tessa Bosworth

Awkward... New agey... Difficult to engage with... Pointless...

Just a last resort when the band members are all on holiday...

THE LAMB ENTHRONED

Heaven’s

These are all things which you may have thought about creative worship. If you are used solely to singing to God during a church gathering, any other expressions of worship can feel a bit odd. But let’s suppose offering our whole bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, means more than just our vocal chords and perhaps a raised hand or two. So, what does that mean for our life of worship together in the family of OCC? At KBCTC this year, we’ve been learning how to connect with God in ways many of us had never tried before. Singing to God can be so uplifting, but college has taught us that we can worship with our minds and hearts in many other, equally uplifting ways as well.

Hayley offers us an insight into some of her experiences at college this past year.

continued ...

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“Before beginning college, my experience of worship was mostly sung worship. The idea of creative worship actually made me feel slightly uncomfortable as I wasn’t sure I was creative enough to participate, and I found extended periods of reflection difficult.

“However, KBCTC gave me the opportunity to be involved in facilitating chapel each week and I was introduced to creative worship in a big way! Chapel is held each week and is a small service with the common threads of prayer, worship and communion. As a chapel team we were encouraged to think about different ways in which we could engage our college community in worship, often based around a theme. For example, during a week of lectures in which we considered the issue of identity, one of the most powerful things we did was to encourage people to ‘wear’ their true identity in God, written on a strip of material worn as a scarf. We have found different ways of engaging people in prayer, too, such as marking out a European map on the floor with masking tape and getting people to pray over different countries on the map, even in different languages.

“I have learnt that these activities are not only fun but they are often fantastic ways of getting people to see something new about God. I have found that when I engage in all these different activities I am led to a place of worship that I may not have found otherwise. Over the year, I have realised that using different textures, lighting, media and music allows people to worship in different ways. It allows some people to engage more fully in worship and encourages people to bring gifts and ideas that we may never have benefitted from otherwise.”

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Something which Hayley picks up on here is something of the drama we can encounter when worshipping God. I don’t just mean little skits on stage before the preach begins (as hilarious as these can be!), but a way to ‘act out’ the profound and awe-inspiring drama of God’s story on earth. The Bible is full of drama — from the sublime (the parting of the Red Sea, the fourth figure in the fiery furnace, the Spirit’s audible and visible presence amongst the disciples at Pentecost) to the ridiculous (a talking donkey, an entire city floored by the sounding of trumpets, an imagined camel squeezing through the eye of a needle). God invites us into this drama, to enter into and to revel in the artistry of his marvellous works.

Jesus talked about the kingdom of heaven being “at hand” (Matthew 4:17) — by this I believe he meant that he was bringing heaven to earth, not taking earth up to heaven. So, let’s embrace the tangible reality which is the gift of this life on earth.

By using symbolic actions and objects, we can breathe fresh life into our connections with God. Symbols are all over the Bible — the prophets used them to communicate to the people of Israel, Jesus used them countless times in his parables, and two thousand years worth of worshipping communities have found great richness in sacramental worship.

Communion is a familiar example for us. This simple image of bread and wine can mean many things to us. It is the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his death; it brings to mind the image of the people of God sharing Christ’s body together and so being his body; it is a striking symbol of the broken body and shed blood of our saviour, who gave his life so that we could live fully.

What other symbols could we bring into our worshipping lives? What simple props and images could help us draw near to the God who came to earth to reveal himself to us in tangible, bodily form?

YOUTH

MONSTER TURKEY WENT ON TOUR APRIL 9TH 2011

Monster Turkey, the OCC youth Christmas party, happened this year in April instead of December due to the great snow we had just before Christmas…leading to us all being snowed in!!!

The turnout was slightly lower than last year but we still had over 130 young people attending with 83 staying all night!!!

There was a fun atmosphere with lots of the youth making new friends and having a laugh together. The rooms and food were each given a theme from a different country to give a feel that we were on tour.

We had great chefs for the night with them serving us Italian pizzas, American hot dogs and French pastries… and as usual our very large tuck shop was open and well attended all night.

The girls room had an oriental theme and seemed to go down extremely well as did the X-Box area with sofas for the boys.

The inflatable palm trees from our tropical café seemed to migrate around the rooms and especially enjoyed the bouncy castle and playing hide and seek from the leaders.

While, not in use by the palm trees, the bouncy castle, human demolition, pole joust and gladiator duel were being well used all night and amazingly did not deflate due to over use this year!!!

For those lucky enough to stay the whole night we took a stroll along to the ice rink for 2 hours of fun on the ice playing broomball. The teams were created and our commentators had fun tying to say the team names and explain to the audience what was happening ... not an easy task.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in helping to make this event the success it was.

For those advertising, selling tickets, setting-up and helping on the night THANK YOU. Without your help this event would not have been able to go ahead.

Nikki Gibbins and OCC Youth Leaders Team

Save the Date – Monster Turkey Saturday 17th December 2011 (weather permitting)

students

Debbie writes ... The students had an incredible time in the Spring term! God moved powerfully at the Student Weekend Away; taking people on treasure-hunting (prophetic evangelism) adventures and revealing our identity as sons of Him! The students each came back not only filled up to the brim with sound teaching, but also refreshed with personal revelations and visions from God. Naomi’s story starts when she came to study Music and French at Brookes Uni this year. After the usual fairly-bumpy landing in Studentdom, Naomi found family at OCC, settled into a fusion group and came to the student weekend away.

While she was there God completely healed her of both barley and chocolate allergies, and challenged her to relinquish control and completely depend on Him. And this decision was celebrated at her baptism two weeks later!

Another big feature of the term was the Student Alpha course.

We were really excited as God brought 10 people along to the first night, and others over the weeks so that more than 15

people have come along – of which 7 are now firm regulars!

We have been amazed by the variety of backgrounds and personalities we have – whilst also learning that God is the only one who can hold together so many people at different stages of their journey towards Him. So far we’ve seen 2 people become Christians, one during the OICCU mission week and the other after an Alpha session.

We’re praising God for this and the fact that several others are close to making commitments. The Holy Spirit Away Day was also incredible. The two new Christians and another girl from a more traditional church background came. The presence of God was tangible as all three were so open to being filled - and then were! We’re now taking a pause in the course over the Oxford Uni vacation and are looking forward to meeting up again and seeing what else God wants to do in May. Through the course God has taught us loads about sharing the life Jesus makes available - this is real community, and while it isn’t simple or easy to describe, it is amazing!  07

YOUTH AND STUDENTS

CREATIVITY IN WORSHIP continued

When Community Church Moreton was but a twinkle in the Lord’s eye, we received a prophecy that as the shoot went out of Chippy, so the main plant would grow stronger.

The Moreton church now meets separately roughly twice a month, and whilst numbers on a Sunday when they are not with us vary, there have been times when we have been virtually full due to new people attending and visitors.

Our theme this Spring has been Psalms, and we have enjoyed the way in which these show God encountering us in all the changing scenes of life. We held a workshop to encourage participation in worship and we have once again been blessed by the contribution of Bible College students (Helen, Hayley and Becka), and by our young people who regularly provide the whole (or at least the best bits) of our monthly family services.

[WYCHWOODS

A great source of encouragement to us are our small groups, revived last autumn after the Lord spoke clearly to us about their importance. Based on the principle of “Up, In and Out”, they have served to strengthen relationships and build participation, and our Sundays have often featured testimony on answers to the small groups’ prayers. One of the groups teamed up with other members of the community to plan a street party on the afternoon of the Royal Wedding which was a great success.

A provocation to us is the opportunity in these cash-strapped times, as the prophet Daniel put it, for “the people who know their God to stand up and take action”. A number of years back now God gave us a vision for an enterprise centre, and we keep looking for how this might take shape, convinced that this nation’s answer to Big Government is perhaps not simply Big Society, but a Big God working through his people.

]

‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses....’ Act 1v8

of the empowering of the Holy Spirit releases each of us to celebrate who we are in Christ- by being ourselves.

The amazing truth & power of the bible, is that Jesus’ words & promises span all of history. They are as real today for each of us, as they were to the disciples who physically saw Jesus ascending into heaven.

Being His ‘witnesses’ is simply sharing what we have seen, heard and experienced of His love and grace expressed personally to us. This will look different, as we are all so individual.

So often we reap the blessings & the fruit of what has been sown by faithful saints & prayer warriors of previous generations. Especially here in West Oxfordshire, where there is such a sense of God’s heart echoing down through the years. Whether through the preaching of John Wesley or just ‘ordinary folk’ who’ve prayed into their communities.

As 21st century disciples of Jesus, the daily ups & downs of life constantly challenge us to get closer to God in a deeper, more personal way. As we discover the reality of intimacy with Jesus then our earthly human relationships deepen too.

This is God’s heart for his church!

And what a motley crew we are! A real mixture of different shapes, sizes, ages, personalities and gifting. The reality 08

] THE THRONE ROOM

To one it was to invite her friends to her birthday party, share a bit of God’s love for her during her thank you speech, and then give them all a party bag, complete with an invite to an Alpha course! (Which she is now running in her home) To another it was reaching out in friendship to a mum on the sidelines of a football pitch! The whole family have now joined their house church and their daughter is going to TKS in September.

Whether its faithful prayer walkers, being good supportive neighbours who show God’s love practically, or speaking to larger groups of people, God has called each of us to be his witnesses. As we receive his power, let’s pass it on – it’s a gift to be shared!

Kathleen Van Zyl

One day I will leave this world behind Leave all the struggle, pain and sorrow, And I will stand before my God Oh how I wish it were tomorrow.

THE LAMB ENTHRONED

[CHIPPYwww.occ.org.uk/chippingnorton

I will join with all the saints The elders and the heavenly choir, To give our worship and devotion To lift our voices, even higher!

To proclaim Him, Lord of All To thank Him for his sacrifice To bow down at the throne of God To walk with Him in paradise And He will look upon my face And He will call me to His side And proclaim to all His host That with Him I will reside For my name is in The Book I have His seal upon my heart He has carried, walked, and guided.

He has been there, from the start.

I stand with Him before you all His child, His princess and His bride, I obeyed Him when He called Because I saw, for me, He died Oh God, my father, Lord of All Omnipotent, Almighty One, You are worthy, to be praised, And lifted high, you gave Your Son.

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The following job vacancies are available at The King’s Centre in Oxford:

To start in September 2011

CENTRE MANAGER, THE KING’S CENTRE Full time or part time.

DEPUTY CENTRE MANAGER Part time or casual basis.

Are you efficient, organised, hospitable and creative? Do you like meeting a wide variety of people? Do you enjoy being a Christian in a secular crowd?

Do you want to grow in leadership and taking responsibility?

Are you flexible and reliable?

Can you host an event, organise a team and manage detail?

A vacancy has arisen in our Primary department, for Head of Infants. This is a combination class (years 1 and 2). The successful candidate will take overall responsibility for the delivery of the infant curriculum with the aid of a TA and parent helpers. There may also be opportunities to help with Special Needs in the Primary department. The King’s School is looking to make this appointment from 1st September 2011. The post will be for 90% of the timetable, though this could be increased if help with SEN can be offered. The initial contract will be until 31st August 2012.

Start dates 1st August Talk to Stuart Waddington or Anna Pearson to find out more. For application details e-mail stuartw@kingscentre.co.uk ASSISTANT AREA ADMINISTRATOR 0.6 Part time (Fixed term 12 month contract) We are looking for someone new to join the administration team. In appointing new members of our teams we try to tailor the role around the skills of each person.

This role may include a variety of responsibilities ranging from event organisation, communication, travel arrangements and general administration.

Start Date 1st September Talk to Matt Biddlecombe to find out more. Email mattb@occ.org.uk OXFORD ADMINISTRATOR The Oxford Church has a vacancy for flexible, part-time role (2 days per week) helping with clerical administration in the Oxford church office. The role requires a range of tasks including: recording church spending and income, preparing communications via printed and electronic media, keeping serving rotas up-to-date, involvement in helping church events run smoothly, and handling internal and external information requests A one-year contract from August 2011 to July 2012, with an option to extend Please contact Andrew Clark (andrewc@occ.org.uk) for more information For all roles it is a genuine occupational requirement that the job-holders must be committed Christians, willing to work with others in the context of Oxfordshire Community Churches ethos.

General IT skills and a willingness to serve and be part of a team are also essential.

Full application details and job descriptions are available upon request. Either phone 01865 297400 or contact the individuals above directly.

Closing date for applications: Friday 3rd June Initial interviews will take place on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th June

A key purpose of the job is to provide Christian spiritual leadership and personal advice and support in the context of Oxfordshire Community Churches’ ethos.

For this post it is therefore a genuine and determining occupational requirement that the job-holder must be a committed Christian willing to work with others in the context of OCC’s ethos statement.

Oxfordshire Community Churches has a Child Protection Policy, and all School staff will be required to have an Enhanced Certificate issued by the Criminal Records Bureau. The appointment will be subject to eligibility for working in the UK. Further information can be obtained by telephoning John Ellwood at The King’s School on 01993 778463 or emailing johne@occ.org.uk.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 18th May 2011 with interviews the following week.

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ADVERTS

THE KING’S SCHOOL, WITNEY VACANCY

10 JULY 3 REGIONAL CELEBRATIONS COMING TO A VENUE NEAR YOU!

OXFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY CHURCHES VACANCIES

Cost £35 per person.

Bookings can be made through contacting Lifeline: 07766 709405 or Mercy Ministries: 01535 642042 or book online at www.occ.org. uk/events/wantage Limited availability so book soon.

THREE:F SCHOOL YEARS 7-9 SOCIAL FUN FOOD FRIENDS SUNDAY 3 JULY 6.308.30PM TKC occyouth

nikkig@occ.org.uk

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10 JULY 3 REGIONAL CELEBRATIONS COMING TO A VENUE NEAR YOU!

MPower Training Day at The King’s Centre Saturday 25th June 9.30am to 4.30pm. A one-day training event for Pastors, leaders, pastoral workers, carers and relatives of those with eating disorders and self-harm issues or those needing equipping in this area.

G’Day mate! Are you ready to visit the Outback and go sheep shearing?!

Join us for a fun-filled, action-packed weekend. If you are in Year 2 - Year 6 come for two nights, and if you are in Year 1, you are invited for the Saturday, open to all OCC children.

We will be learning about God and sheep and the Bible and err more sheep and how they are related.

There will be lots going on: crafts, messy games, Mamma Annetta’s bush tucker, sheep, campfire, woodland shelters and much more (sheep).

Kids Camp 2011 will run from Friday evening 26 August to Sunday lunch 28 August 2011 at the Court Hill Centre on the Ridgeway near Wantage. Kids Camp is run by The King’s Church, Didcot (part of OCC) and is open to all children from Year 1 – Year 6 from OCC churches. Weekend Campers: £53.00. There is an early bird discount (£47.00) if you pay by 15 July 2011. Day Campers: £18.00 (Early bird discount is £17.00). Contact Richard and Tessa Case from The King’s Church on 01235 821276 or email richard@casebase.net for more details and an application form.

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contacts

CONNECTIONS is published by Oxfordshire Community Churches – an apostolic family of churches with a vision for the region. It includes a number of churches that operate as part of the OCC charity and a few others...

churches

ABINGDON COMMUNITY CHURCH Ed & Kate Evans | 01235 521622 | ede@occ.org.uk PATHWAYS CHURCH BANBURY Barrie & Mary Wood | 01295 279268 | barriew@occ.org.uk BICESTER COMMUNITY CHURCH Steve & Tammi Beegoo | 01869 240651 | steveb@occ.org.uk CARTERTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Matt & Anna Biddlecombe | 01993 846510 | mattb@occ.org.uk CHIPPING NORTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Paul & Lottie Meathrel | 01608 646127 | paulm@occ.org.uk CIRENCESTER COMMUNITY CHURCH Keith & Wendy Hasler | 01285 651572 | keith.hasler@gmail.com COTE BAPTIST CHURCH Graham & Shirley Sparrowhawk | 01993 850713 | grahams@occ.org.uk THE KING’S CHURCH, DIDCOT Robin & Lisa Howard | 01235 848422 | robinh@occ.org.uk FAIRFORD Paul & Carrie Boden | 01285 712043 | paulboden@perrybishop.co.uk HENLEY BAPTIST CHURCH Roger & Di Cole | 01491 576883 | rogerc@dtwo.co.uk LIFEHOUSE COMMUNITY CHURCH, KIDLINGTON Mark & Katherine Eley | 01865848659 | markeley84@gmail.com COMMUNITY CHURCH, MORTON-IN-MARSH Dan & Kerstin Campsall | 01608 812445 | danc@occ.org.uk OXFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH Stephen & Beverley Jones | 01865 402141 | stephenj@occ.org.uk OXFORD CHURCH OFFICE 01865 297420 | oxford@occ.org.uk SWINDON COMMUNITY CHURCH John & Gail Reeve | 01793 870916 | johnreeveuk@hotmail.com THE LEYS COMMUNITY CHURCH Richard & Kate Colbrook | 01865 714153 | richardc@occ.org.uk COMMUNITY CHURCH, THAME Andy & Ruth O’Connell | 01844 215331 | andyo@occ.org.uk WANTAGE COMMUNITY CHURCH Neil & Denise Townsend | 01235 771152 | neilt@occ.org.uk NORTH WITNEY COMMUNITY CHURCH Gary & Jackie Pizzey | 01993 702615 | garyp@occ.org.uk WEST WITNEY COMMUNITY CHURCH Jason & Jennifer Huffadine | 01993 702979 | jasonh@occ.org.uk WYCHWOOD HOUSE CHURCHES Tony & Charlotte Osborn | 01993 878169 | tony_osborn99@yahoo.co.uk

amt

[apostolic ministry team]

STEVE & LORRAINE THOMAS 01993 850990 | SteveT@occ.org.uk MIKE & LIZ BEAUMONT 01865 864253 | MikeB@occ..uk ROGER & DI COLE 01491 576883 | rogerc@dtwo.co.uk BRYN & DOROTHY FRANKLIN BrynF@occ.org.uk DAVID & ROSIE FREEMAN 01865 751474 | DavidF@occ.org.uk CEDRIC & AUDREY HOBBS 01993 700295 | CedricH@occ.org.uk GEOFF & MARY NORRIDGE 01993 772375 | GeoffN@occ.org.uk

also...

THE KING’S SCHOOL New Yatt Road, Witney, OX29 6TA 01993 778463 | www.occ.org.uk/tks STEPPING STONES FOUNDATION UNIT www.occ.org.uk/steppingstones THE KING’S PRESCHOOL, BICESTER www.occ.org.uk/bicester THE KING’S CENTRE Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES 01865 297400 | office@occ.org.uk Oxfordshire Community Churches A Family On Mission Together Registered Charity 1056921 www.occ.org.uk

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE REVELATION 4&5

Revelation 5 The Scroll and the Lamb 1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

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THE LAMB ENTHRONED

Revelation 4 The Throne in Heaven 1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the centre, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.

They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

12 In a loud voice they sang: 11

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

14 New International Version 1984, ©1984 (NIV1984)

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my response ...

an opportunity to enter God’s presence and worship OCC CELEBRATION THE LAMB ENTHRONED 1030 SUNDAY 15 MAY 2011