Sunday Service - 26 July

Welcome to our Service - 26 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.

To the right is Alistair’s talk. It can be watched separately or as part of the rest of the service.

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.

NOTICE:

The church is open for personal and private prayer on Sunday afternoons, 4 - 5:30pm in July and August. Please do join us if you can.

SERVICE

Opening Prayer:

Loving God, we have come to worship you.

Help us to pray to you in faith,

to sing your praise with gratitude,

and to listen to your word with eagerness;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwuDSw-9cUQ

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty!

early in the morning

our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy! - merciful and mighty,

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy!

All the saints adore Thee,

casting down their golden crowns

around the glassy sea;

cherubim and seraphim

falling down before Thee,

which wert, and art,

and evermore shall be.

3. Holy, holy, holy!

though the darkness hide Thee,

though the eye of sinful man

Thy glory may not see;

only Thou art holy,

there is none beside Thee,

perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy name,

in earth, and sky, and sea:

Holy, holy, holy! - merciful and mighty,

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Words: Reginald Heber (1783-1826)

Music: John Bacchus Dykes (1823-76)

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.

God our Father, long-suffering, full of grace and truth,

you create us from nothing and give us life.

You give your faithful people new life in the water of baptism.

You do not turn your face from us, nor cast us aside.

We confess that we have sinned against you and our neighbour.

We have wounded your love and marred your image in us.

Restore us for the sake of your Son, and bring us to heavenly joy, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ASOLUTION

Almighty God,

who in Jesus Christ has given us

a kingdom that cannot be destroyed,

forgive us our sins,

open our eyes to God’s truth,

strengthen us to do God’s will

and give us the joy of his kingdom,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

COLLECT

Generous God,

you give us gifts and make them grow:

though our faith is small as mustard seed,

make it grow to your glory

and the flourishing of your kingdom;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SING:

As the deer pants for the water,

So my soul longs after You.

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship You.

You alone are my strength, my shield,

To You alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship You.

2. I want You more than gold or silver,

Only You can satisfy.

You alone are the real joy-giver

And the apple of my eye.

You alone are my strength...

3. You're my Friend and You're my Brother,

Even though You are a king.

I love You more than any other,

So much more than anything.

You alone are my strength...

Words and Music: Martin Nystrom

READINGS

Rom. 8. 26 - 39 New International Version - UK

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

‘For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[c] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matt. 13. 31 - 33, 44 - 52 New International Version UK

The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast

He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.’

He told them still another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about thirty kilograms of flour until it worked all through the dough.’

The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl

‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The parable of the net

‘Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

‘Have you understood all these things?’ Jesus asked.

‘Yes,’ they replied.

He said to them, ‘Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.’

This the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

TALK written by Alistair Stevenson (please see video above)

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.

PRAYERS - written by Christine Carney

Thank you, Father, that the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure or a fine pearl that is worth selling everything you have for. Help us to value our relationship with you above everything else in our lives.

In this time of uncertainty, as the lockdown is eased, help us to trust in you, Lord Jesus, and be guided by you in our interactions with others. We pray for safety and an end to the COVID 19 virus. We pray for healing for those who have the virus, for comfort for those who grieve, for your peace for those who are fearful or lonely, for wisdom for the scientists who are working on a vaccine, for rest and recovery for all the key workers who have been working so hard during the lockdown. Help us to continue to value all key workers, Lord.

We pray for your blessing on small businesses, especially those in the Greystones area, and we pray for your provision for all the people facing financial struggles or redundancy or unemployment. Please give Boris Johnson and his advisors and the leaders of all the parties wisdom that comes from you and we ask that you inspire them to work together for the good of this country in all the decisions that are made. We commit to you, Lord, the Brexit negotiations, our relationship with China, our relationship with Russia and also with the USA. We pray for your protection from coronavirus for refugees and for the poor. We pray for wisdom for the authorities in the virus hotspots: India, Brazil and the USA. We commit to you the famine in Yemen and pray for an end to the war and that food will reach those who need it.

Thank you that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds that yet grows into a full-sized tree. We lift to you our small congregation and pray that you will help us to grow and that you will bless us richly over this summer when we have been divided into small groups to support one another in prayer. Help us to be faithful and to support one another in love. Please bless Alistair and Catherine as they prepare and organise the online holiday club, ‘Epic Adventures’; may the daily Zoom meetings be a real blessing and an inspiration to the children and parents who participate and may they grow in their desire to follow Jesus. Please bless those who come to the Church for private prayer and bless the planning for the restarting of some services in September.

We pray in the name of 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=tUqfdaCLm0Y

There is a Redeemer

Jesus, God's own Son,

precious Lamb of God, Messiah,

holy One.

Thank you, O my Father,

for giving us your Son,

and leaving your Spirit

till the work on earth is done.

2. Jesus, my Redeemer,

name above all names,

precious Son of God, Messiah,

Lamb for sinners slain:

Thank you, O my Father...

3. When I stand in glory

I will see his face,

and there I'll serve my king for ever

in that holy place.

Thank you, O my Father...

Melody Green (c) Word Music (UK)

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=GaoV5w2Qfag

Thine be the glory,

risen, conquering Son,

Endless is the victory

Thou o'er death hast won;

angels in bright raiment

rolled the stone away,

kept the folded grave-clothes,

where Thy body lay.

Thine be the glory,

risen, conquering Son,

Endless is the victory

Thou o'er death hast won.

2. Lo! Jesus meets us,

risen from the tomb;

lovingly he greets us,

scatters fear and gloom;

let the Church with gladness

hymns of triumph sing,

for her Lord now liveth;

death hath lost its sting.

Thine be the glory...

3. No more we doubt Thee,

glorious Prince of life;

life is nought without Thee:

aid us in our strife;

make us more than conquerors,

through thy deathless love:

bring us safe through Jordan

to Thy home above.

Thine be the glory...

Edmond Louis Budry (1854-1932)

tr Richard Birch Hoyle (1875-1939)

BLESSING

Father of lights, from whom comes every good and perfect gift: keep us in the light of Christ, to shine in your world, that all may believe in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

May God the Father, Judge all-merciful, make us worthy of a place in his kingdom. Amen.

May God the Son, coming among us in power, reveal in our midst the promise of his glory.Amen.

May God the Holy Spirit make us steadfast in faith, joyful in hope and constant in love. Amen.

And blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen

Sermon - 26th July

To access the children's activities click here