Welcome to our service - 11 October
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 service, 10am, live on Zoom. Even if you have never been to St Gabriel’s before we would love you to join you. Please get in touch with the vicar Alistair (vicar@saintgs.co.uk) and he will send you the Zoom details.
Notices
Please join us this Sunday for a socially distanced and COVID-19 compliant unsung Holy Communion service at 11:30am. We ask you to come with a face mask.
INTRO
Today, I am really excited that we are launching our new logo. The PCC has been prayerfully considering this logo for over a year now and we agreed it at our last PCC. I am so excited about this logo because it speaks of who we are and who we want to be.
We are St Gabriel’s. We are, like the angel Gabriel, messengers of God. Called to go and to bring good news. Called to go to speak and declare blessing. And primarily where are we called to do that? We are called to do that here in Greystones. We are a church FOR Greystones.
We are a church FOR Greystones in two ways:
Firstly, we are a church for this community because if someone in Greystones or connected to Greystones wants to explore faith and a relationship with Jesus. This is the church for them.
Secondly, we are church for this community because we are the church who is an advocate for, who longs for it’s peace and prosperity, who wants this community to flourish. Who wants to see this community blessed.
We are a church FOR Greystones.
And so this logo, again, is an invitation. You may not live in Greystones and that is ok. We hope that the blessing goes beyond the boundaries of this geographic area. I want to invite you, in this season, to join us to be a church FOR Greystones
Opening
We stand before the throne of God
with countless crowds
from every nation and race, tribe and language.
Blessing and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honour, power and might
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen.
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5D3LEjGF8A
Morning has broken
like the first morning;
blackbird has spoken
like the first bird.
Praise for the singing!
Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing
fresh from the Word!
2 Sweet the rain's new fall
sunlit from heaven,
like the first dew fall
on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness
of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness
where His feet pass.
3 Mine is the sunlight!
Mine is the morning
born of the one light
Eden saw play!
Praise with elation,
praise every morning,
God's re-creation
of the new day!
Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965)
(c) David Higham Associates Ltd
from The Children's Bells
published by Oxford University Press
CONFESSION
Jesus says, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ So let us turn away from sin and turn to the Lord, confessing our sins in penitence and faith.
We confess our sin, and the sins of our society, in the misuse of God’s creation.
God our Father, we are sorry
for the times when we have used your gifts carelessly,
and acted ungratefully.
Hear our prayer, and in your mercy:
forgive us and help us.
We enjoy the fruits of the harvest,
but sometimes forget that you have given them to us.
Father, in your mercy:
forgive us and help us.
We belong to a people who are full and satisfied,
but ignore the cry of the hungry.
Father, in your mercy:
forgive us and help us.
We are thoughtless,
and do not care enough for the world you have made.
Father, in your mercy:
forgive us and help us.
We store up goods for ourselves alone,
as if there were no God and no heaven.
Father, in your mercy:
forgive us and help us.
ASOLUTION
The Lord enrich us with his grace,
and nourish us with his blessing;
the Lord defend us in trouble and keep us from all evil;
the Lord accept our prayers,
and absolve us from our offences,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
Amen.
COLLECT
God, our judge and saviour,
teach us to be open to your truth
and to trust in your love,
that we may live each day
with confidence in the salvation which is given
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuXltxvza5A
Father God, I wonder how I managed
to exist without the knowledge
of your parenthood and Your loving care.
But now I am Your child,
I am adopted in Your family,
and I can never be alone, cause,
Father God, You're there beside me.
I will sing Your praises,
I will sing Your praises,
I will sing Your praises for evermore. (Repeat)
2. Jesus Lord, I wonder
How I managed to go on,
Without the knowledge of Your suffering
You bore to set me free.
For as I go through times of pain
I see You on the cross again,
And know that You will see me through,
For, Jesus, You have been there too.
I will sing ...
3. Comforter, I wonder
How I managed to exist
Without the knowledge of the family
That You have given me.
But, more than that, You show me truth,
You help me face reality,
I know I'll never be alone, for,
Comforter, You're here beside me.
I will sing ...
Ian Smale (c) 1984 Thankyou Music
READINGS
Acts 4: 23 - 35 New International Version - UK
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord,’ they said, ‘you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
‘“Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.”
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there was no needy person among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Matthew 5 New International Version - UK
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
He said:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
‘You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
TALK written by Alistair Stevenson.
This morning is vision Sunday and I want to share with you where I believe God is leading us in the coming year.
Having a vision for the future, in a time like this where there is so much uncertainty, might seem strange and even illogical. We live in times of increased unpredictability where hope for the future is scarce. The future doesn’t look very bright. But I believe that it is exactly because of these times that we are in, that we as a church need to be clear about where we are going. As we heard in our passage from Acts this morning - we need to be united - of one heart and soul. We need to be a community of hope in the midst of hopelessness. When our world, our community, even those closest to us are near to despair, we need to stand in the gap.
And so this morning is an invitation. I want to invite you to join us at St Gabriel’s to be the church that God is calling us to be. To be a church that stands in the gap in this community.
Over these weeks we have been exploring what it means for us as God’s people to be blessed by God so that we can be a blessing. We are blessed to be a blessing. God has placed us as a church in this community. He has placed us - you and me - not anyone else. He has and continues to pour out his blessing through his Holy Spirit but this is so that we can share this blessing with others.
As I mentioned two weeks ago I want to challenged us again today: what do we want to be known for as a church?
When people walk past the church, when they think of St Gabriel’s - maybe particularly around Christmas - what do they know us for? I pray and hope that they would know us as a church of blessing - a church of hope.
This morning we heard this amazing passage from Acts 4. The early church could have often felt fear and a lack of hope. They were facing increased hostility and persecution. Their key leaders Peter and John had just been thrown into prison for healing someone and sharing about the good news of Jesus.
This was a crucial moment for this fledgling movement. Much like we are today, they were facing adversity and trails. How were they going to respond? We’re they going to dumb down or change their message because that would make life easier?
Peter and John returned to the believers and instead of moaning, complaining and looking at the negatives. Instead of considering how their message might be more acceptable to the authorities. They focus on God, they are realistic about the situation, they pray for God’s equipping and then are filled with His spirit. The result is that they are more enthused and more passionate to speak Gods word. They speak with renewed boldness.
Firstly, they declare that God is in control and that he is bigger than all the problems they are facing. Verse 24: “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.
In these times of uncertainty we need to be a community that declares that God’s is sovereign. That he is bigger than the problems we are facing in our lives, in our nation and in our world. When we pray we start by declare who our God is.
Secondly, they are realistic about what is going on. Verse 25 and 26: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’
Yes, we also need to be realistic about the situations that we are in. We are living in a global pandemic. We don't even know what our lives will look like next week let alone next year. When we look around us at the world, our nation, our lives, we can too easily lose hope. Times are tough. We need to acknowledge that.
But notice here at the beginning of their prayer, before they ask God for anything they get their perspective right. How often do we come before God in prayer with our perspective the wrong way round. We look at the world and the insurmountable problems that we are facing. They become this huge thing in our minds and we wonder how could God be at work, let alone answer our prayers. We see our prayers like a timid mouse faced by the world as a huge elephant. But in this prayer, the believers make sure they have their perspective right. They acknowledge the awesomeness and sovereignty of God - he’s the elephant in this picture. The world is the mouse. So while we need to be realistic we need to make sure we get our perceptive right.
And so, with their perspective right thirdly they then pray for God’s equipping. Verse 29 and 30: ‘Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’
This is a dangerous prayer to pray because while they had already experienced it being answered in amazing ways, the answers had not been well received by some and it had got them thrown into prison.
As a community we pray that we would speak God’s word of blessing with great boldness. In one sense it is a vision and a calling that has never changed. But it’s in times of adversity and trail that we can be tempted to change the message when in fact, like the early church, we need to stick to it with renewed boldness. We need to pray again that God would stretch out his hand to heal, to do awesome signs and wonders in this community through the name of Jesus.
Fourthly they are then filled with His spirit. Verse 31: ‘After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly’. Their prayer is immediately answered. God empowers them with his Holy Spirit.
The only way that we will fulfill the calling that God has put on this church is through being filled with the Holy Spirit to speak the word of God with boldness. Again and again we need to pray: ‘come Holy Spirit, come - have your way, fill us a new’. A church that is filled up and sent out, filled up and sent out, filled up and sent out - again and again and again.
We are called to be a church that is a blessing machine. We are called to be a blessing in this community and to do this we need God to continually and repeatedly fill us with his Holy Spirit.
As Catherine was helping me prepare this morning she came up with this wonderful phrase:
we are not miracle workers - but we work for one.
Do you know who you are working for? It is not about our power or ability but God's power in us.
Take a look with me at this diagram because I think it might visually illustrate what I am trying to express. We are a community that has Jesus at the centre. In the end it is all about Jesus. The blessing that we share always comes from Jesus and we as a church surround ourselves around him. As we do so the blessing will and does go out in this community and beyond. But ultimately the blessing that we want people to recieve is Jesus. We want to draw people into this community, into our church family so that, first and foremost, they meet and encounter the resurrected Jesus. May we be a community that speaks with great boldness and power of Jesus and the transformation that he has made in our lives.
So, if this is the vision. What might this look like in practice?
Well in one sense, I want to invite you to help Catherine and I and to help the PCC figure this out. We need to hold where we are, alongside where we want to be. And the only way we can see this fulfilled is with you involved. The next step is for us to see what doors are already open - what is already happening and then to see where the next doors might be. Greystones school is definitely one of those open doors, the Greystones Pub, the neighbours we live next to. But what next, what about the businesses? What about doors of loneliness and isolation that people might be feeling in our community. What about the doors of broken families? The next step is prayerfully discerning what are the doors that God is called us to push and to step into them. This we mean carefully discerning and finding out the needs of this community.
But as we step into these doors, it is going to mean that we will be pushed out of our comfort zones. Things can’t stay the same. Not only in the church but also in our individual lives. Part of accepting this invitation is being willing to be changed and be pushed out of our comfort zones, because it is in those places that I believe God is calling us to go and it is in those places that we will see God move. When we step out of our comfort zone we step into a place of faith and trust. Faith and trust, not in our own strengths but in God’s.
Let me be honest - my comfort zone is Sunday church and other Christians. My strength is leading worship and preaching to lovely people like you. That’s comfortable for me. But I think God is asking me to step out. To be bold. To challenge myself and to challenge this church.
We could probably keep on going with doing great Sunday services - and I could keep preaching and leading along with others like Peter and Stuart and it would be pretty good and we could continue to do other churchy stuff as well. These are no doubt really important but God has so much more for us.
That means that I will need to push myself. But it also means I need you. I need you to challenge me. To help me be the leader I am called to be. We need each other to make this possible.
God has amazing plans and purposes for us. He wants us to be a people of HOPE. He wants us to be a people of blessing. A people who know Jesus and make his name known.
VISION is about invitation. I am inviting you to be a part of this next stage of the life of St Gabriel’s. Whether you have been a member of the church for many years or only a few months. Whether you are still unsure if you want to make this church your community of faith and discipleship - I invite you to join us to be a part of this movement. Amen.
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
Lord as we meet in worship we bring before you our world and the many issues that impact on our lives.
Lord we know that we have not looked after our world or our neighbours as well as we could have done over many years. From the beginnings of Industrialisation the planet has steadily been affected by the way we have polluted the Lands, Rivers and Seas. We are virtually at a point where we must try and makes changes that will preserve the planet and not destroy it. The effects of Global Warming are starting to have a drastic effect on the weather conditions which in turn impacts on the many eco systems throughout the world. We pray for your guidance for all in government across the globe to work together to bring about the many changes that will help preserve the planet for our future generations.
Lord we continue to pray for all who work so tirelessly in the medical profession in caring for the sick who are struggling with the effects of the Covid virus as a second wave is steadily rising across the world. We pray that you grant wisdom to all who are working to develop a vaccine that will be effective and can be brought in to production quickly.
We pray for all in government and opposition in our country to be able to work together to develop better clearer guide lines and safety measures that people can follow and understand clearly what must be done to keep everyone safe. Lord: today is Prison Sunday and the start of the prison week of prayer.
We pray for all who are affected by prisons. Prisoners and their families, victims of crime and their communities. All who work in the criminal justice system and the many people involved in caring for those affected by crime both inside and outside of prison. We ask that you pour out your holy spirit on all that have been mentioned. As Christian`s we remember St Paul who was incarcerated so many times in the service of the lord. He continued through many difficult conditions to carrying the word across the Known world at that time. Through all of his many journeys he knew that you were with him, uplifting him and strengthening him to stand firm in his faith. We pray that more people may take part in the Alpha courses that are run in prisons and this will bring them closer to you and enable them to bring about lasting changes in their lives and the lives of their families.
Lord we pray for our church and Parish here in Greystones, we pray for Alistair and Catherine, Peter and Stewart as they lead us in our worship.
Lord we give thanks for the Harvest Service last Sunday and all the gifts that were donated to be delivered to the Archer Project here in Sheffield.
We pray for the APCM meeting taking place on zoom after this service. We give thanks for all who have served the church over that past 12 months and ask that people will come forward and serve for the coming year. May your Spirit bring growth to our church that in turn will bring blessing to our community here in Greystones.
Merciful Father….
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=x7lFYvJHi8k
Thank you for saving me -
what can I say?
You are my everything,
I will sing your praise.
You shed your blood for me -
what can I say?
You took my sin and shame,
A sinner called by name.
Great is the Lord.
Great is the Lord!
For we know your truth has set us free -
You've set your hope in me.
2. Mercy and grace are mine,
forgiven is my sin -
Jesus my only hope,
the saviour of the world.
`Great is the Lord', we cry.
`God, let your kingdom come'!
Your word has let me see,
Thank you for saving me.
Great is .....
Thank you for saving me -
what can I say?
Martin Smith
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.
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=sss-g50Dw1Q
Take my life, and let it be -
Consecrated, Lord, to thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move -
At the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be -
Swift and beautiful for thee.
2. Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be -
Filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use -
Every power as thou shalt choose.
3. Take my will, and make it thine:
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart: it is thine own;
It shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour -
At thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be -
Ever, only, all for thee.
Frances R Havergal
FINAL BLESSING
Throughout these 7 weeks, as we explore the Blessings Course, we are going to finish our services with this blessing from Numbers 6. I would encourage you to say it firstly over yourself and then, if you are willing and able, to stretch out a hand towards your street and neighbourhood and to declare this blessing over the people in your community:
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.
And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen
