Welcome to our online service - 1 August
This service sheet can be used individually or with households.
We would encourage you to say (or even sing) hymns and songs out loud.
Prayers, other liturgy or readings can be said out loud or silently, corporately or individually.
If you are able, we would also like invite you to join us for our main Sunday services, 10am, live on Zoom and in the church and 11:30am in church. Even if you have never been to St Gabriel’s before we would love you to join us. Please get in touch with the vicar Alistair (vicar@saintgs.co.uk) and he will send you the Zoom details.
Please join us for public worship in the church building this Sunday at 10am or 11:30am.
Faithful one, whose word is life:
come with saving power
to free our praise, inspire our prayer
and shape our lives,
for the kingdom of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
HYMN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyRIVbdsi4c
Praise, my soul,
the King of heaven;
to His feet thy tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like thee His praise should sing?
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King.
2. Praise Him for His grace and favour
to our fathers, in distress;
praise Him still the same for ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Glorious in His faithfulness.
3. Father-like He tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame He knows;
in His hands He gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Widely as His mercy flows.
4. Angels help us to adore Him;
ye behold Him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before Him;
dwellers all in time and space.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise with us the God of grace.
H F Lyte (1793-1847)
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
CONFESSION
God our Father,
we come to you in sorrow for our sins.
For turning away from you,
and ignoring your will for our lives;
Father, forgive us:
save us and help us.
For behaving just as we wish,
without thinking of you;
Father, forgive us:
save us and help us.
For failing you by what we do,
and think and say;
Father, forgive us:
save us and help us.
For letting ourselves be drawn away from you
by temptations in the world about us;
Father, forgive us:
save us and help us.
For living as if we were ashamed
to belong to your Son;
Father, forgive us:
save us and help us.
ASOLUTION
The almighty and merciful Lord
grant us pardon and forgiveness of all our sins,
time for amendment of life,
and the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit. Amen
COLLECT
Gracious Father,
revive your Church in our day,
and make her holy, strong and faithful,
for your glory’s sake
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB17ibKf3XU
LIVING UNDER THE SHADOW OF HIS WING
We find security.
Standing in His presence we will bring
Our worship, worship, worship to the King.
Bowed in adoration at His feet
We dwell in harmony.
Voices joined together that repeat,
Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb.
Heart to heart embracing in His love
Reveals His purity.
Soaring in my spirit like a dove,
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.
David J. Hadden & Bob Silvester.
Copyright © 1983 Restoration Music Ltd./Adm. by Sovereign Music UK
READINGS
Psalm 78:23-29 New International Version – UK
Yet he gave a command to the skies above
and opened the doors of the heavens;
he rained down manna for the people to eat,
he gave them the grain of heaven.
Human beings ate the bread of angels;
he sent them all the food they could eat.
He let loose the east wind from the heavens
and by his power made the south wind blow.
He rained meat down on them like dust,
birds like sand on the seashore.
He made them come down inside their camp,
all around their tents.
They ate till they were gorged –
he had given them what they craved.
John 6:24-35 New International Version - UK
Once the crowd realised that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, ‘Rabbi, when did you get here?’
Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.’
Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’
Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’
So they asked him, ‘What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’
Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’
‘Sir,’ they said, ‘always give us this bread.’
Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
This the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
TALK written by The Ven Javaid Iqbal (Archdeacon of Doncaster)
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35
Hunger and thirst are so real in our world. There are millions who aregoing hungry and thirsty, without access to daily food and clean drinking water. Regular eating is needed for sustenance and survival of life. Food promotes growth, health and strength in the body. Although some of us don’t need that physical growth anymore, we desire healthy body and soul, seeking spiritual growth in our relationship with God and the growth of the body of Christ, his church.
Bread is staple diet for most of world’s population, if not for all. I never had to go hungry except for times of intentional fasting but sadly there are millions in our world today who sleep hungry. According to the UN's Hunger Report, “hunger is the term used to define periods, when populations are experiencing severe food insecurity, going whole day without eating due to lack of money, lack of access to food, or other resources.”
Globally, 690 million people go to bed hungry. Since 2014, the number of people affected by hunger has been rising slowly. If it continues at present rate, it’ll exceed 840 million by 2030. Unfortunately, estimated additional 83 -132 million people will be chronically hungry due to the pandemic (World Vision). The COVID-19 pandemic also threatens to reverse decades of progress in the fight against global poverty. During pandemic our churches have found themselves either partnering with the local food banks, or even starting new food banks, because the hunger is not only out there in the developing world, but is present in our
communities. Water is needed to cleanse, refresh and sustain life but not everyone is fortunate to have access to clean drinking water. Water Aid say that, 785 million people live without clean water and climate change is making the situation worse. Too little or too much water is threat to life, unless something is done urgently the climate change will continue to threaten human lives and our planet.
Alongside many, you might feel that over last 16 months or so you have been forced into spiritual hunger due to the closure of churches, suspension of worship and being deprived of holy communion which nourishes our souls and helps the body of Christ, his church to grow healthier and stronger.
May I remind you of last Sunday’s gospel reading about Jesus’ feeding of the multitude. In today’s text, the gospel writer begins to unpack the meaning of that earlier event. verse 35 is the crucial statement in this portion of John 6 and is a fitting word to have as the final statement, because it makes the central claim of this long discussion about bread, Jesus himself, the gift from God that gives life.
Clearly the crowds have missed the point, they have failed to grasp the glory of God through what happened. They seek not to understand the signs of God’s power and glory among them but to be fed with perishable physical food (verse 26).
Jesus directs the crowds toward the bread which “endures.” The word translated “endures” (meno) in verse 27 is a word which takes on profound meaning and is used throughout John’s Gospel, to describe the relationship between Jesus and the believer. This “enduring” or “abiding” means nothing less than the Father and the Son dwelling with the believers as described in John 14:23 “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them and in John 6:56 “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them”. The bread which “endures” to eternal life is the relationship which has been made possible by the incarnation of the Son. In fact, the bread which endures is the Son himself, whom the Father gives for the world.
This enduring food comes from God as a free gift, there is nothing the crowds could do to earn or attain it. In verse 27 Jesus tell them, “Do not work for the food that perishes” The crowds still don’t quite get it, and refocus their thought on works. In verse 28 they still ask, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”
In John chapter 6, we repeatedly, hear that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them (verse 44). The “bread of God” is that which the Father gives (verse 33). It is not human effort or activity that earns everlasting life, it is the bread of life that gives and sustains spiritual faithful life, as John 6:33 says, “For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” It is not looking back as the crowds did to an event in the past when God sustained his people, feeding them in the wilderness with the bread from heaven. Although these stories are to strengthen our faith, what will build and sustain our relationship with God is the activity of the spirit of God amongst us here and now.
We need to be open to what God is doing in us and among us today? It is not looking back to the pre-covid times and desiring to get back to good old days. It is about being open to God’s spirit and opportunities during this pandemic and beyond. What action might we be called to take to feed ourselves and the hungry and thirsty people in our community and the world?
Time and again people misunderstood Jesus and asked for bread and water that will last for ever, for example the woman at the well in John 4 asks for water so that she does not have to go to the well ever again. It seems that in the end the crowds get it, in verse 34 they ask for this bread that will last and will give them live forever. Just as we need food for our physical sustenance and endurance, spiritual food is needed for our life in Christ. When we pray the Lord’s prayer we say, “Give us our daily bread.” Regular daily feeding must continue to sustain our physical and spiritual life to build and grow the body of Christ his church.
Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. This is a tough call these days, as it was in Jesus’ time: not to work for what perishes but for what endures. Our world is so competitive and materialistic, it is moving in the opposite direction, pushing us to fulfil our passing needs and desires, and not tend to what lasts. I prayer for wisdom, for knowing how to choose between what lasts and what passes, and for the courage to do what we know is more important and right.
Please understand that Jesus is not saying that physical needs are unimportant. Elsewhere he speaks of food, drink, and clothing, assuring his listeners that “your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things,” and promises that, if you seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, “all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:32-33). Much of Jesus’ earthly ministry is focused on healing people’s physical ills. But now he calls the crowd to acknowledge their need for “food that endures for eternal life”. Jesus provided for physical hunger first to sustain physical life before offering the spiritual food, that is himself, the bread of life. We the church and body of Christ are being challenged afresh to feed the crowds, physical and spiritually to satisfy the hunger and thirst that exist and is increasing in our communities and the world.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand
of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen
O LORD, HEAR MY PRAYER,
O Lord, hear my prayer:
When I call answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer:
Come and listen to me.
Jacques Berthier/Taizé.
Copyright © 1982 Ateliers et Presses de Taize (France).
PRAYERS - written by John Gough
I would like to start with praying for our world and the increased frequency of adverse weather events taking place across the globe.
When we think of Siberia we think of severe sub zero temperatures, not wildfires causing unprecedented burning due to a heatwave. The local fire brigades and the military are working together as they battle to get the fires under control, we pray father that rains will come that will help to dampen down the the areas affected by the fires.
There have been storms, flooding, high winds and heatwaves in many countries across the world. There have been many who have sadly died especially in the floods with homes and businesses lost or severely damaged, and wildlife is being terribly affected as well by these weather events.
Here in Britain we have also experienced changeable conditions from heatwave to heavy rains, we have been warned for many years that the world's climate is changing and that sea levels will rise and freak weather conditions will impact on us, we have thought about these probably occurring sometime in the future, but the future is here already and unless we begin to make substantial changes to the way we live these events will continue in severity and more frequently.
Father we pray that you will touch the hearts and minds of all the leaders and representatives that will attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow this November. They must agree that serious changes start to take place that will help the planet and the peoples of our world. Ending the use of fossil fuels and reducing emissions are just the beginning of a wider range of changes that need to be agreed upon.
Father we give thanks that the Olympic Games are taking place in Japan, we pray for all competitors taking part that they are able to give their best in their chosen events. We thank you for all the enjoyment that this will bring for them as well as their families who are unable to be there and for the enjoyment of the viewing world as well.
Father we continue to pray for all in government and the decisions they make as further opening up of the country takes place next week. We pray that the vaccination program can reach as many people as possible to impact on the virus. We also pray for all in the NHS as the impact that the virus has had on other medical follow ups and procedures taking place causing longer waiting lists. we ask that you will bring blessing and healing to all who are waiting to be seen.
Father we give thanks for our church and parish here in Greystones, we pray for all who are involved in the preparations and the daily running of the forthcoming holiday club. We ask that it will be well attended and that the children and their families will come to know more about you and your great love for them. We ask that the weather will be kind for all outdoor activities that will take place.
We continue to pray for Alistair and Catherine and the Bless Greystones project, we ask that you pour out your spirit on them and the community as the church reaches out to them with all the events that will take place in the coming months.
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAZrT8SVYBM
BREAK THOU THE BREAD OF LIFE,
Dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the bread
Beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page
I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit longs for Thee,
Thou Living Word.
Thou art the Bread of Life,
O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth
That saveth me;
Give me to eat and live
With Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth,
For Thou art love.
O send Thy Spirit, Lord,
Now unto me,
That He may touch my eyes
And make me see;
Show me the truth concealed
Within Thy Word,
And in Thy Book revealed,
I see Thee, Lord.
Bless Thou the Bread of Life
To me, to me,
As Thou didst bless the loaves
By Galilee;
Then shall all bondage cease,
All fetters fall,
And I shall find my peace,
My all in all.
Mary A. Lathbury (1841–1913) & Alexander Groves (1843–1909)
OFFERTORY - Take a moment to consider how you are going to continue to give to the life of the church and support other aid agencies and mission organisations.
SAY:
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power,
the glory, the splendour, and the majesty;
for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
All things come from you,
and of your own do we give you.
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56xKT8_mIQs
WITH A PRAYER You fed the hungry,
With a cry You stilled the storm;
With a look You had compassion
On the desperate and forlorn.
With a touch You healed the leper,
With a shout You raised the dead;
With a word expelled the demons,
With a blessing broke the bread.
Love incarnate, love divine,
Captivate this heart of mine
Till all I do speaks of You.
As a sheep before the shearer
You were silent in Your pain;
You endured humiliation
At the hands of those You’d made.
And as hell unleashed its fury
You were lifted on a tree,
Crying ‘Father God, forgive them,
Place their punishment on Me.’
Love incarnate, love divine,
I will feed the poor and hungry,
I will stand up for the truth;
I will take my cross and follow
To the corners of the earth.
And I ask that You so fill me
With Your peace, Your power, Your breath,
That I never love my life so much
To shrink from facing death.
Love incarnate, love divine,
Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2002 Thankyou Music
BLESSING
You are called and loved by God the Father and kept safe by Jesus Christ. Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance, from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
God the Father, who has given to his Son the name above every name, strengthen you to proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord. Amen.
God the Son, who is our great high priest passed into the heavens, plead for you at the right hand of the Father. Amen.
God the Holy Spirit, who pours out his abundant gifts upon the Church, make you faithful servants of Christ our King. Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen.