Welcome to our online service - 17 July
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.
OPENING
Praise the name of the Lord;
ascribe greatness to our God.
Lord, open our lips
and we shall praise your name.
HYMN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQeIGbKqiw8
And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Saviour's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
that Thou, my God,
shouldst die for me!
2 'Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies;
who can explore His strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all let earth adore,
let angel minds inquire no more.
3 He left His Father's throne above -
so free, so infinite His grace -
emptied Himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
for, O my God, it found out me!
4 Long my imprisoned spirit lay
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray -
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free.
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
5 No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach the eternal throne,
and claim the crown,
through Christ, my own.
Charles Wesley (1707-88)
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
The word of God is living and active.
It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
All is open and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we give account.
Lord God, our maker and our redeemer,
this is your world and we are your people: come among us and save us.
We have wilfully misused your gifts of creation;
Lord, be merciful:
forgive us our sin.
We have seen the ill-treatment of others and have not gone to their aid;
Lord, be merciful:
forgive us our sin.
We have condoned evil and dishonesty and failed to strive for justice;
Lord, be merciful:
forgive us our sin.
We have heard the good news of Christ,
but have failed to share it with others;
Lord, be merciful:
forgive us our sin.
We have not loved you with all our heart, nor our neighbours as ourselves;
Lord, be merciful:
forgive us our sin.
ABSOLUTION
May God who loved the world so much
that he sent his Son to be our Saviour
forgive us our sins and make us holy to serve him in the world,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
COLLECT
Creator God,
you made us all in your image:
may we discern you in all that we see,
and serve you in all that we do;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6LC8cu03Ig
THY WORD is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
(Repeat)
When I feel afraid,
Think I’ve lost my way,
Still You’re there right beside me.
And nothing will I fear
As long as You are near;
Please be near me to the end.
I will not forget
Your love for me, and yet
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus, be my guide
And hold me to Your side,
And I will love You to the end.
Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith.
Copyright © 1983 Meadow Green Music/Word Music/Adm. SongSolutions CopyCare
READINGS
Ruth 2: 1 - 13
Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech.
One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.”
Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.
While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The LORD be with you!” he said.
“The LORD bless you!” the harvesters replied.
Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?”
And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.”
Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.”
Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”
“Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”
“I hope I continue to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.”
John 15: 9 – 17
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.
This the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
TALK written by Sam Chubb
what does being bold look like? How can we be bold for Jesus? We’re going to take a look at how we can be bold, and why it’s good to be bold.
I’m quite an introvert, so being bold in a 1-1 situation or through something digital like a zoom call is easier for me, however being bold around a group of people is a lot more difficult for me. I’m sure it’ll be different for us all depending on our personalities. We can be bold in a variety of ways, but there’s three ways that we’re going to look at in more detail today. Firstly, making sacrifices. Giving up what we see as comfort and stepping out in faith so that you can let God use you in a place where you might experience fear. We all experience fear of many kinds in our lives – I’m guilty of being consumed by it a lot of the time because I don’t want to put myself at risk of rejection. We can so easily put our guard up when we have to give up our own desires for comfort. But on the other side of fear, is an unlimited potential for God to use you for his glory. We have no idea how God will use us, but if we aren’t ready to give up our own desires, then we could be blind to the opportunities God is wanting to lay down in front of us. In Ruth chapter two, we hear about how she left her father, mother and homeland to go and live among complete strangers. She sacrificed all that she knew to move into a place she didn’t know. Boaz knew what she had sacrificed to be in Bethlehem, and says in verse 12 – “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” This is so affirming - that when you make a living sacrifice for God, there will be provision. He doesn’t leave us empty or astray, but with a promise and fulfilment.
God will put us in places of discomfort in order to grow the parts of our characters he wants to grow. That leads into the second way of being bold, embracing the challenge. Alistair mentioned this a few weeks ago - embracing the mystery negates doubt. Being ready to walk into the mystery that comes with stepping out in faith. Saying yes to what God is saying and yes to the opportunities that he’s giving to you. We see Ruth embracing the challenge of gathering the crops and getting to work straight away when she gains permission to glean in the field. We hear she was ‘hard at work’ ever since, with only a few minutes rest in the shelter. Whilst she was working, Ruth was actually under inspection during this time from the supervisor, making sure that she was doing a good job – and because she was doing such a good job, this made a good impression on Boaz. In reality, we are also under inspection. At times where we might not know it, we are being watched by others to see how we walk with God – and what they see will make a difference. That’s why accountability is so important – both personally with ourselves and having others around us that can challenge us in good ways. So being bold in this sense is embracing the challenge that comes with walking with God, and doing so with purpose and integrity.
Finally, sometimes being bold is just simply turning up. There are times where it can feel like a lot to come to church, read God’s word, or to pray, but by simply having the boldness to turn up, you’re in God’s presence. There you can receive from God, and even be led by others too. Accepting the hospitality and generosity of others, just like Ruth did from Boaz, is such an important part of feeling loved and welcomed. Ruth put her trust in the God of Israel, and he provided through Boaz. In the same way, older Christians should be like Boaz unto younger Christians who are like Ruth. Charles Spurgeon, a 19th century Baptist preacher said this about Boaz’s response to Ruth - “Observe that he saluted her with words of tender encouragement; for this is precisely what I want all the elder Christians among you to do to those who are the counterparts of Ruth…. I want you to make a point of looking out the young converts, and speaking to them goodly words, and comfortable words, whereby they may be cheered and strengthened.” We’re a community, and as brothers and sisters together, building each other up through faith is vital for spiritual growth and maturity. When we’re bold to share words of encouragement, making sure that they come from a place of our own spiritual maturity, God will use these as His will be done.
When we turn up, we are remaining in God’s love. In John 15 Jesus says: “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” When we follow Jesus, we are remaining in God’s love, and following the example that Jesus sets himself. In God’s love we are filled with joy, and that joy will overflow!
In order to remain in God’s love, we have to be godly. Godliness comes from the Greek word "eusebia" and is used in the New Testament to express the idea of inner piety or spirituality. Inner; what’s in here. God longs to connect with us, within us. The proverbs mention many times about being godly. Other translations use the word righteous. Proverbs chapter 10 mentions the word godly 13 times in 32 verses. Have a read through and you’ll see how many times it’s mentioned. The words of the godly encourage many, The hopes of the godly result in happiness, The godly will never be disturbed, The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, The lips of the godly speak helpful words. How important is it to be godly! When we are bold in the godliness that Jesus brings us, we have nothing to fear. We don’t need to worry or look over our shoulders about where we’ve come from; God guarantees the safety of the godly.
So being bold and godly come hand in hand. If you’re bold without godliness then you’re confident minus the spirit. If you’re godly without boldness, then the people who God wants to reach directly through you might never be reached through you because of fear. It’s a tough balance, but faithfulness will help maintain that balance. You’ve got to have confidence that no matter who you talk to, or whatever situation you go into, God will be with you. That’s an undeniable truth, because He will be. He says He will be! Joshua 1 Verse 9 - “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” What can be deniable is our ability to recognise God when we’re overconsumed by the things we need to let him into. This is a daily challenge for us, but God is on our side. We are the flock, God is our shepherd.
In our New Testament reading, John 15:16 says “You didn’t choose me. I chose you.” “I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name”. Jesus is talking to his disciples here, but it’s the same for us, as we are also disciples for the Lord. Isn’t that so comforting? That God chose us, that God chose you. “We are in Christ, not because we hold Him, but because He holds us.” (Meyer) Throughout this passage too, Jesus is preparing his disciples for when He dies and rises in glory – because when He departs from them, their experience of asking and receiving would not end but would change. He is preparing them to stay together and love one another. Jesus commanded love among His disciples, and it’s the same for us today.
I want to encourage you to be bold too. Build each other up through faith, have the boldness to make sacrifices, embrace challenges or just simply turn up, in the name of Jesus. 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 Liz Cannell
As the holidays approach, we pray for all families as they have more time to spend together, opportunities to meet friends and extended families, enjoy new experiences, and perhaps travel to new places. We appreciate our parks, summer activities, and the Peak District with its variety of open spaces and beauty.
We pray for the preparations for the Holiday Club, for the children who will attend, for the leaders and helpers, for the fun and excitement. We give thanks for the friendship of our Church family, and for the support of the Healing and Wholeness group. We remember our friends who are unwell, may each be touched by your love, and we pray for, and give thanks for all who care for them.
We ask you to guide MPs as they elect a new leader and Prime Minister, with the many challenges and responsibilities that are part of the job. May whoever is chosen have the wisdom to appoint ministers with the abilities and talents needed in their positions, but also to heal rifts and to gain the support and confidence of other MPs, and enable the government to move forward, both within our country, and also to develop good relationships with Europe and beyond. We pray for all MPs, often spending much time apart from their families, and with their responsibilities to their constituencies as well as to parliamentary affairs.
We pray for your guidance for the leaders and governments of all nations as they struggle with the economic situation, unrest, and extreme weather conditions.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
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=16KYvfIc2bE
In Christ alone my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my all in all,
here in the love of Christ I stand.
2. In Christ alone! - who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
scorned by the ones He came to save:
till on that cross as Jesus died,
the wrath of God was satisfied -
for ev’ry sin on Him was laid;
here in the death of Christ I live.
3. There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
then bursting forth in glorious Day
up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
for I am His and He is mine -
bought with the precious blood of Christ.
4. No guilt in life, no fear in death,
this is the power of Christ in me;
from life's first cry to final breath;
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
can ever pluck me from His hand;
till He returns or calls me home,
here in the pow’r of Christ I'll stand!
Words: Stuart Townend
Music: Keith Getty
© 2001 Kingsway's Thankyou 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.
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=CxA0TFe3-Uo
JUST AS I AM, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Charlotte Elliott (1789–1871)
BLESSING
The Father, whose glory fills the heavens,
cleanse you by his holiness and send you to proclaim his word. Amen
The Son, who has ascended to the heights,
pour upon you the riches of his grace. Amen.
The Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
equip you and strengthen you in your ministry. Amen.
And blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen