Welcome to our service - 17 January
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
Due the current lockdown the PCC have decided to suspended public worship for the foreseeable future. We are also unable to offer private prayer in the church building.
Please don’t hesitate to ring Alistair (07769 213 581) if you have any questions or would like support.
SERVICE
Opening:
Alleluia, alleluia.
‘May all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you,
may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me,’ says the Lord.
Alleluia.
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5VutCGsVXE
King of Kings, Majesty.
God of heaven living in me.
Gentle saviour, closest friend,
strong deliverer, beginning and end.
All within me falls at your throne.
Your Majesty, I can but bow,
I lay my all before you now.
In royal robes I don't deserve,
I live to serve your Majesty.
2. Earth and heaven worship you,
love eternal, faithful and true.
Who bought the nations, ransomed souls,
brought this sinner near to your throne.
All within me cries out in praise.
Your Majesty …………..
Jarrod Cooper © 1996 Sovereign Lifestyle Music
CONFESSION
By the mercies of God, let us confess our sins and present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to him, which is our spiritual worship.
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
ABSOLUTION
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
Eternal Lord,
our beginning and our end:
bring us with the whole creation
to your glory, hidden through past ages
and made known
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPkZAjA610k
All heaven declares
the glory of the risen Lord.
Who can compare
with the beauty of the Lord?
Forever He will be
the Lamb upon the throne.
I gladly bow the knee
and worship Him alone.
2. I will proclaim
the glory of the risen Lord,
who once was slain
to reconcile man to God.
Forever You will be
the Lamb upon the throne.
I gladly bow the knee
and worship You alone.
Tricia Richards, (c) 1987 Thankyou Music
READINGS
Revelation 5:1-10 New International Version - UK
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. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 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.’
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 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 God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying:
‘You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.’
John 1: 35 - end New International Version - UK
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!
When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning round, Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’
They said, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’), ‘where are you staying?’
‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’
So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’
Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’
‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.
‘Come and see,’ said Philip.
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’
‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’
Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’
Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig-tree. You will see greater things than that.’ He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man.’
This the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
TALK by Alistair Stevenson
‘What do you want?’
It’s a simple question - but possibly very profound. As you think about your life, your future, your hopes and dreams - what do you want?
In our passage this morning from John, Jesus turned around to the disciples of John the Baptist who had started following him and asked them “What do you want?” (John 1:38). At first sight the question seems a bit harsh. What the Bible can’t communicate is tone of voice and so we don’t know in what tone Jesus asked this question. But I’m fairly surely he didn’t sound like a exasperated parent whose child has come to them, again, asking for something else. Instead it was asked from a place of love for these disciples.
This question should make us stop and think. How would you respond? Whether you have been following Jesus for many years or only a few months - what do you want? Jesus asks us: what you want from a relationship with me? What are you expecting? What do we really want from your faith?
Last week we were exploring identity and I ask you to take a piece of paper and write down who you are. This week, again, I invite you to find a piece of paper, put your name at the top or in the middle and I would like you to write your response to the question: what do I want?
So for me, I might write that I want my family to be healthy, I want to be the best husband I can be, I want my children to grow up knowing they are healthy. I want to lead this church well. I want this virus to end. For my children to go back to school. If I’m being honest, this year I want to be able to travel to see my wider family, to go on holiday. But for you it could be many other things. What do you want?
Once you have done that - put the piece of paper to one side.
As the passage continues, the disciples ask Jesus where he is staying and Jesus responds by saying: ‘Come and see’.
Lucy Winkett, the Rector of St James’s, Piccadilly writes: “Come and see”, is the invitation. And not some otherworldly escape into a fantasy: but come and see your life as I (Jesus) see it. This invitation to come and see, to look for the multiple layers of life is there for us – yes to try to see the world and other people as God sees them – but it is also and perhaps more importantly in the first instance, for us.”
Our response to the question is one of deep vulnerability. In her book Dearing Greatly, Brene Brown explores the transformative power of being vulnerable. She suggests there is no intimacy without vulnerability. She says:
“We either own our stories (even the messy ones), or we stand outside of them—denying our vulnerabilities and imperfections, orphaning the parts of us that don’t fit in with who/what we think we’re supposed to be, and hustling for other people’s approval of our worthiness.”
The reality is that most often there are very few, if any, in our lives who we may be willing to really see us for who we really are. When we encounter one another, we present ourselves, knowing that however much we love another person or respect them, we may resist being really seen by them.
However, when we respond to the call of Jesus to ‘come and see’ we are taking a step of vulnerability. To lower our defences because we ourselves will be seen. The good and the bad. Our deepest hurts, our longings, regrets, the wrong decisions and painful past, our ‘if onlys’. But also our beauty, our hopes, our yearnings, our passions and greatest loves.
It’s when we accept the deeply vulnerably call to ‘come and see’ that we experience the love of a father who gazes on us not with indignation, judgement, scorn - but with love, mercy and acceptance.
May this echo what I was saying last week. That being in Christ means that our whole identity is now given and received and we can hear the words of the father saying: you are my daughter - my son, who I love and in whom I am well pleased.
Jesus’ call to come is not just to believe but to live in light of seeing him and being seen by him. The apostle James puts it like this: “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” The reason Jesus says ‘come’ to these disciples is because he wants them to follow. He doesn’t just want them to believe.
And so the ‘come and see’ of the Gospel should never stop with us. As we have accepted the invitation to ‘come and see’ so we offer that invitation to others. As the passage progresses we see this demonstrated.
The two disciples of John who had followed Jesus spent the day with him. They get to know Jesus. They no doubt eat with him, talked, laughed and have the scriptures explained and revealed by Jesus. So much so that the passage says: ‘The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah”’.
This is the first thing that he does. Before anything else he goes and finds his brother. Andrew is clearly amazed, excited - he has fantastic news and he has to, before anything else, go and tell someone else.
About three years ago my parents went to see the musical Hamilton based on the life of one of the founding fathers of America - Alexander Hamilton. Seeing it was like a moment of revelation for my parents. They absolutely loved it and for the next year were huge fans telling everyone, and particularly their children, that we must go a see it! Catherine and I subsequently did - and I must admit it was and is an amazing musical and I would highly recommend it.
When we see or experience something amazing we can’t help but say: come and see. Good news spreads quickly.
But Andrew didn’t just talk the talk; he walked his brother to Jesus. It’s like saying “Don’t take my word for it, let me show you.” I’m not sure Simon had much choice. Andrew drags Simon to Jesus and immediately Jesus declares who Simon is and renames him Peter.
I love the interactions here between siblings and friends. While there are exceptions, the general rule is that the way to find Jesus is almost always through someone you know. In this case, it was a friend who had already found Jesus. We started our Alpha course on Tuesday and Thursday. We now have … on the course. Nearly all of them were invited personally by someone else. It is why at St Gabriel’s we want to develop a culture of invitation. A culture where we says to people: come and see.
Often we can make sharing our faith complicated but sometimes it’s is as simple as ‘come and see’. Like Jesus inviting the disciples, Philip told Nathaniel to ‘come and see’ for himself. Nathaniel was sceptical and did not believe anything good could come from Nazareth. In that Jewish culture - full of expectation and anticipation, full of many others purporting to be the next Messiah - this was one of those key questions. Often, when we start to share our faith people come back to us with really difficult questions. Questions like: How could there be a loving and merciful God when the world is the way it is with all the injustice? Or why is there so much suffering? But I love Philip’s response - he simple says: “Come and see,”. It like he’s saying - I don’t know the answer, but I know someone who does. He points to Jesus. Often we find evangelism so intimidating because we are scared about how to respond to some of the really tough questions that people have about faith. But maybe our response, if we don’t have an answer, is simply: come and see. Come and see my life and how i’m trying to live for Jesus. Come and see what a community of faith looks like.
The passage progresses and it’s now Nathaniel’s turn to encounter Jesus and his encounter is no less dramatic and transformational. Jesus see him and speaks directly and prophetically to Nathaniel - speaking into his life. So much so that Nathaniel’s response is - ‘How do you know me?’.
Jesus already knew Nathaniel before Nathaniel had met Jesus. In the same way - Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. When we respond to his call on our life it is the call, not of a stranger, but of a loving friend who, as we touched on at the beginning, sees and knows us in all our vulnerability and brokenness - the nakedness of our soul. And he says to us: ‘I know you and I love you. Come and follow me’.
And so to end, find the piece of paper you wrote on at the beginning. If there is space I would like you to write, as big as possible, ‘Jesus what do you want.’. Look back at what you wrote at the beginning - how many correspond to what Jesus wants for you? Pray that you would know more of Jesus’ will for your life.
And as you do so, take your piece of paper and fold it into a shape. It doesn’t matter what shape it is - square, triangle, rectangle. As you fold it pray this prayer: Jesus, would you shape me. Shape all my wants and desires. Shape them to be what you want and desire for my life. 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 Sue James
We start our prayers this morning by reflecting on the gospel passage and we begin by thanking God for people in our own lives who have helped and encouraged us to follow Jesus.
Lord Jesus,
As we look back on our own journey of faith we thank you for the people who have encouraged us to follow you. We thank you for their faithfulness and their example.
Your call to Philip inspired him to encourage others to meet with you
Inspire us and help us to invite People to ‘come and see’
We pray for the Alpha course that it may be a powerful and effective way of helping people to meet with Jesus
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We pray for our nation at this time of crisis
Merciful Lord
We pray for those in the frontline dealing with the pandemic
For all medical staff, ambulance drivers, hospital managers, hospital cleaners - we ask that you would sustain them and grant them resilience in all the demands and pressures that they face daily
We thank you for the skill of scientists who have created the vaccines
We thank you that many have already received the vaccine and we pray that it may be delivered efficiently and swiftly to reach those most in need
.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We pray for America as this week sees the inauguration of their new president
Sovereign Lord,
We ask that you will give Jo Biden wisdom as he takes on the responsibility of being president of this great nation
We ask that you will give him vision on:
how to unite a divided country ,how to bring about fairness for all its citizens and how to support those who are most disadvantaged.
We pray that he will be able to build bridges with other nations to promote world peace. We pray that he will effectively lead his nation in the battle against climate change. We pray for wisdom for his advisers and those close to him who will support and encourage him in his leadership .
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We pray for our community here in Greystones.
We pray:
for parents at home taking on the task of teaching their children
For school teachers trying to support their pupils remotely. That they may be able to engage the children in learning, to make it enjoyable, and to help them progress
We bring before our Loving Heavenly Father
People who feel alone and are weary of isolation
Those who are anxious or experiencing mental health problems
We pray for homes where there is tension as people are cooped up together
We pray for any we know who are unwell or are in particular distress at this time.
We take a moment to name them before the God
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Next week is the week for Christian unity
In our bible passage we heard about Nathaniel whose first response to Jesus was scepticism and prejudice but who went on to experience God in an unexpected place.
Lord,
Forgive us as Christians when we are prejudiced against other expressions of faith.
Help us to be accepting of diversity and other traditions
Open our hearts to discover you in unexpected places.
Recreate your church where it has become narrow and set in its ways
Surprise us Lord with your Life and renewal
We ask these prayers in and through your son Jesus
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=ajal5cQpjCs
Come and see, come and see,
come and see the King of love;
see the purple robe
and crown of thorns He wears.
Soldiers mock, rulers sneer
as He lifts the cruel cross;
lone and friendless now,
he climbs towards the hill.
We worship at Your feet,
where wrath and mercy meet,
and a guilty world is washed
by love's pure stream.
For us He was made sin -
oh, help me take it in.
Deep wounds of love cry out
`Father, forgive'.
I worship, I worship
the Lamb who was slain.
2. Come and weep, come and mourn
for your sin that pierced Him there;
so much deeper than the wounds
of thorn and nail.
All our pride, all our greed,
all our fallen-ness and shame;
and the Lord has laid the punishment
on Him.
We worship ....
3. Man of heaven, born to earth
to restore us to Your heaven;
here we bow in awe
beneath Your searching eyes.
From your tears comes our joy,
from Your death our life shall spring;
by Your resurrection power
we shall rise.
We worship ...
Words & Music Graham Kendrick (c)1989 Makeway Music
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=o469PRLdbHU
Will you come and follow me
If I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know
And never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
Will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown
In you and you in me?
2 Will you leave your self behind
If I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
And never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
Should your life attract or scare
Will you let me answer prayer
In you and you in me?
3 Will you let the blinded see
If I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free
And never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean,
And do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean
In you and you in me?
4 Will you love the `you' you hide
If I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
And never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found
To reshape the world around
Through my sight and touch and sound
In you and you in me?
5 Lord, your summons echoes true
When you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
And never be the same.
In your company I'll go
Where your love and footsteps show,
Thus I'll move and live and grow
In you and you in me.
Iona
FINAL BLESSING:
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, who was wounded for our sins,
that you may bear in your life the love and joy and peace
which are the marks of Jesus in his disciples;
and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen