Audlem Baptist Church Online Service for the 22^nd June 2025 The Prophet Jonah This is the first service in this series.
Week One: Chapter 1
	Welcome and Introduction Over the next four weeks we are delighted to have Richard Holmes taking our in-person services. He will be guiding us through the book of Jonah. We are making use of recordings of his talks for the online services. Richard said how beneficial it would be if each week during this time we read the whole book. It is only 96 verses and every time you read it you will notice something new that you did not see previously.
	Song: As the deer pants for the water I will use the same hymns that we sang in the in-person service. Last Sunday was our first Sunday back after four missed Sundays due to holidays and Pentecost, so we had a little time of catch-up. Judi and I had several ‘firsts’ on our holiday, one of which was that we saw three wild deer on two separate occasions. That was enough to make me choose this song as our opener. Click here to watch the video.
	The Message: Jonah Chapter 1 If you have a Bible to hand please open it at Jonah chapter 1. Click here to listen to the message. It begins with Richard reading the chapter.
	Hymn: Great is Thy Faithfulness This was Richard’s choice of hymn to follow the message. Click here to watch the video.
	Our Own Prayers As you listened to 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.
	A Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, We thank you for your word, specifically the story of Jonah. We see in it a reflection of our own struggles with obedience and a reminder of your unwavering faithfulness. Like Jonah, we sometimes run from your will, seeking our own paths. We confess our tendency to disobey, to choose our own way over yours. We are grateful that you are a God of second chances, a God who pursues us even when we run. We ask for forgiveness for our disobedience and for the times we have failed to heed your call. Help us to learn from Jonah's experience and to trust in your sovereignty, even when we don't understand your ways. May we be more willing to listen to your voice and to follow your leading, even when it leads us to uncomfortable places. We ask for your mercy and grace to guide us in all that we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.