Welcome to our service - 31 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
As we gather today,
we gather around Jesus, the Word become flesh,
who made his dwelling in our physical world.
As we gather, we bring our physical selves too, not just thoughts, hopes and dreams, but also our hands, our feet, our bodies - bringing our whole beings;
symbols of our whole lives.
As we pause to be thankful for all that God has provided,
may we respond in worship, offering the whole of our selves as a sacrifice of praise,
and may our gratitude grow our generosity today. Amen.
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekVLG-p8Xsc
Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us,
you are one with us, Mary's son;
cleansing our souls from all their sin,
pouring your love and goodness in:
Jesus, our love for you we sing -
living Lord!
2 Lord Jesus Christ, now and every day
teach us how to pray, Son of God;
You have commanded us to do
this in remembrance, Lord, of You:
into our lives
Your power breaks through -
living Lord!
3 Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us,
born as one of us, Mary's son;
led out to die on Calvary,
risen from death to set us free:
living Lord Jesus, help us see
you are Lord!
4 Lord Jesus Christ, I would come to you,
live my life for you, Son of God;
all your commands I know are true,
your many gifts will make me new:
into my life your power breaks through
living Lord!
Patrick Appleford (c) 1960 Josef Weinberger Ltd
CONFESSION
The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart God will not despise. Let us come to the Lord, who is full of compassion, and acknowledge our transgressions in penitence and faith.
Father eternal, giver of light and grace, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,
in what we have thought,
in what we have said and done, through ignorance, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault.
We have wounded your love,
and marred your image in us.
We are sorry and ashamed,
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and lead us out from darkness
to walk as children of light.
Amen.
ABSOLUTION
May the Father of all mercies cleanse us from our sins,
and restore us in his image
to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
COLLECT
God of heaven,
you send the gospel to the ends of the earth
and your messengers to every nation:
send your Holy Spirit to transform us
by the good news of everlasting life
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUCBb3YHFPc
My soul finds rest in God alone,
My Rock and my salvation;
A fortress strong against my foes,
And I will not be shaken.
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse,
And lies like arrows pierce me,
I'll fix my heart on righteousness,
I'll look to Him who hears me.
O praise Him, hallelujah,
My Delight and my reward;
Everlasting, never failing,
My Redeemer, my God.
2. Find rest, my soul, in God alone
Amid the world's temptations;
When evil seeks to take a hold
I'll cling to my salvation.
Though riches come and riches go,
Don't set your heart upon them;
The fields of hope in which I sow
Are harvested in heaven.
O praise Him…
3. I'll set my gaze on God alone
And trust in Him completely;
With every day pour out my soul
And He will prove His mercy.
Though life is but a fleeting breath,
A sigh too brief to measure,
My King has crushed the curse of death
And I am his forever.
O praise Him…
Oh praise Him, Oh praise Him
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Stuart Townend and Aaron Keyes
©2007 Thankyou Music
READINGS
Luke 11:1-4 New International Version - UK
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’
He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
‘“Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.”’
Romans 8:26-28 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 have been called according to his purpose.
This the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
TALK by Alistair Stevenson
To be human is to pray. In every age, down through the centuries, humans have prayed and never stopped. The Canadian psychologist David G. Benner describes prayer as ‘the soul’s native language’, suggesting that ‘our natural posture is attentive openness to the divine’. Within every human is an instinct to reach beyond ourselves to something other - something beyond what our minds can conceive.
In his book, ‘How to Pray’, Pete Greig tells the story of a friend of his, Cathy, who was a militant atheist. Late one night as she gazed down at her new born sleeping baby she was suddenly overwhelmed with a desire to give thanks to someone or something for this gift of all gifts. Without a husband or boyfriend who she could share her sense of wonder, Cathy whispered a few self-conscious words of gratitude out into the silence. As she did so, something seemed to change. She suddenly felt a love she had never experienced, wave upon wave came flooding into the room. Kneeling there that night beside her baby, Cathy surrendered her ardent atheism. She has been a follower of Jesus ever since that day, 30 years ago.
The universal impulse to pray permeates and pulsates through human anthropology and archaeology, sociology and psychology. To be human is to pray. Nicky Gumble says that prayer is the most important activity of your life. We were created for a relationship with God and we grow in this relationship through prayer.
The question therefore is not why we pray but rather how we pray and to whom. For billions across our world today the answer to this question is found in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.
Jesus prayed - a lot. In one sense, that’s no surprise. He was the son of God after all. But we might think that because he is divine, surely he had a constant, kind of telepathic, connection to God. But Jesus was also 100% human and his prayer life demonstrated this. It expressed every human emotion. If you have ever prayed a prayer of joy, happiness, desperation, confusion, anger - just know that Jesus prayed in the same way. Jesus spent 40 days praying in the wilderness before starting his public ministry. He prayed all night before choosing his disciples. He prayed after the devastating news of his cousin John’s death. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, bleeding with fear and failed by his friends. He prayed on the cross even for those who had put him there and the criminals who hung to his left and right. He cried out to God: ‘My God, my God why have you forsaken me’. Jesus prayed. And he commanded his followers to do the same. Prayer became the heart-beat of the early church - igniting and fanning the flame of the Holy Spirit and flinging the early Christians to every corner of the known world to share Jesus.
To be a follower of Jesus is to pray. Relationships rely on communication. A relationship with Jesus relies on prayer.
2000 years ago, the disciples came to Jesus in humility and simply asked him: Lord, ‘teach us to pray’. Jesus didn’t rebuke them, or get frustrated that they hadn’t picked it up already, instead he turned to them and offered them one of the simplest but most profound and powerful prayers in world history. 31 words in the original language and a prayer that also rhymed. It was meant to be simple and easy to remember. As Archbishop Justin Welby says, the Lord’s Prayer is ‘simple enough to be memorised by small children, and yet profound enough to sustain a whole lifetime of prayer’
My hope is that as we all start this season exploring prayer, whether we are just engaging on a Sunday morning, or reading the book, or coming to the course on Zoom on Tuesday evenings - we all come humbly asking Jesus: ‘Lord, teach us to pray’.
In the following 7 weeks we will be delving into prayer in some detail, using the Lord’s prayer as a guide. But this morning I want to suggest just three things to get us started. The best bit of advice given to Pete Greig about prayer was this:
‘Keep it simple, keep it real, keep it up’.
God wants to spend time with us more than we want to spend time with him. This is an incredible truth. It means when you approach God in prayer, before you say anything, he is there, ready and pleased to see you.
The Message translation of Matthew 6: 6 - 13 probably sums up this entire course:
“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.”
So firstly, keep it simple. There are very few rules although some things can of course be helpful. We are not required to close our eyes, to adopt a particular posture, to dress a certain way, to wash ourselves ritually, or to use a fixed form of words simply to be heard by God.
God has made you unique. There is no one like you in the world and therefore probably no one who will pray exactly like you. Keep prayer simple so that the most natural thing in the world doesn’t become complicated or strange or feel unnatural to the way that God has made you.
Pete Grieg, founder of 24-7 prayer, a movement that encourages believers to literally pray night and day says: “After decades of night-and-day prayer, I have come to believe that 99 per cent of it is just showing up; making the effort to become consciously present to the God who is constantly present to us.”
Often our best prayers are when our words are few. Keeping our words to a minimum allows God’s Spirit the space He needs to respond.
As the message translation says - find a quiet place to be with God and be there as simply as you can manage.
Secondly, keep it real.
The Bible is often way more honest that the Church. Just take some time to read the book of Psalms and the breadth of human emotion and honesty is seen on every page.
However, it is often not the case for our own prayers. We are often afraid to bring the truth of our emotions and feelings to God, likely because we are worried how he might react, or that he might not listen, or that he has someone else's prayers to listen to - prayers that are surely more important than ours.
We often think we need to be in a certain mood to pray - maybe peaceful, joyful or enthusiastic. But often our emotions are very different. The key thing is bringing whatever emotion we are in and letting that shape our prayers and connection to God: ‘God I am frustrated. God I am tired. God I’m joyful. God I’m angry. I bring myself to you now. Let me hear from you.’
C.S. Lewis said:
“What seem our worst prayers may really be, in God’s eyes, our best. Those which are least supported by devotional feeling … these may come from a deeper level than feeling. God sometimes seems to speak to us most intimately when he catches us, as it were, off our guard.”
I know in my life, the times of prayer when I have been most honest have been when I felt closest to God. Many of you will know that I run fairly regularly. I run to keep physically fit, but I also find it is a great time to pray. A couple of weeks ago I went running on the Tuesday afternoon before the first Alpha course started. To be honest I was frustrated and a bit angry. I was angry that more people hadn’t signed up. Having been praying for Alpha for many weeks and taken a step of faith to have two courses, it seemed God was not answering. As I was running, up on the hills above Fulwood, I literally shouted out to God, venting my frustration. Fortunately there were only sheep around.
Over the next 24 hours six more people signed up - which probably shows my lack of trust in God rather than the effectiveness of my prayers. But I know God wants me to be real with him, always.
As Jesus says: “when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
If this is truly the case, prayer then moves away from being a shopping list, to being a conversation with our Father who knows us so deeply.
And thirdly keep it up.
One of the hardest, if not the hardest, aspects of prayer is unanswered prayer. When our prayers are not answered, or if we think that God is not listening, then our prayer life can quickly falter. Prayer is often like stacking dominoes. We pray for what seems like the one hundredth time before a sudden breakthrough comes and the whole lot comes down. It’s not that we finally found the right formula, but simply that we didn’t give up.
As I think about my own prayer life, keeping prayer up and keeping it regular, is probably one of the things I find hardest. But over the years, my prayer life has shifted for good more often when I have found a regular, habitual and daily way of praying. The ultimate truth about prayer, demonstrated by every hero of the faith, modelled by Jesus and taught in Scripture is that you cannot grow in prayer without some degree of effort, self-disciple, and sacrifice. Just like staying physically fit requires regular exercise and a good diet, your spiritual growth will be the result of the prayer habits and exercises you develop and sustain.
Pete Greig says: ‘A Christian who prays only when they feel like it may survive but they will never thrive. Their vast, innate potential will be stunted because grace needs a little space to take root between the cracks of a person’s life.’
Often the regular, habitual time each day then - like a radio - tunes us into the voice of God so we can hear and communicate with God more easily throughout the rest of the day.
Developing this habit can be challenging - particularly if you are like me who struggles to do anything is any kind of consistent way. Throughout my life routine has often been forced upon me rather than personally instigated. But two things that can make it manageable is keeping it easy and keeping it enjoyable.
Starting small and achieving it is better than starting big and failing quickly. If you don’t have a regular pattern - maybe start with 10 or 15 minutes at a convenient time in a conducive place.
Psychologists suggest that it takes about 2 months for something to develop into a habit that will likely become life-long.
Secondly, make it enjoyable. We don’t need to make it harder than it needs to be. Find a place that is warm and comfortable and go there each day just to be with God for a short time. If you enjoy walking - walk while you pray. If you like spending time with people. Pray with them. Pray while you wash the car, clean the house, brush your teeth.
As Pete Greig says that prayer, Prayer is nothing at all unless it is a matter of vast and all-consuming importance for each one of us.’
So as we begin our series on prayer, here are three principles to consider and to work on: keep it simple, keep it real, keep it up.
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
Lord teach us to pray, in faith, and help us not to become discouraged.
We give thanks for the love and compassion shown at this time both in our hospitals and in the community. We pray for those who are ill with Covid, those who are caring for them as they recover, and for those who are grieving. Give to all who are are working in hospitals, and especially in Intensive Care, the strength, both physically and emotionally, to carry on their work. May they have the support and understanding that they need from colleagues and families. We give thanks for the vaccination programme and pray for guidance for those who make decisions as to the most effective way of carrying it out, and a sufficient supply, and taking into consideration all the new variants of the virus.
We pray for Joe Biden and the new administration in America, as they try to bring the nation together and heal divisions in their society. May he use his experience also in international discussions, and at this time of uncertainty we ask wisdom not only for the new President and his advisers, but for the leaders of all nations in the challenges before them.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer
We pray for Mark Brown as he settles in at All Saints, and for the Mission Partnership with St. Gabriels. We pray for all clergy and others who prepare church services on zoom and find other ways to keep in contact both with church members and with others who are looking for support and meaning in their lives at this time. We pray for the leaders of the Alpha course, and for each person attending, and also for the course on prayer starting on Tuesday. May each be encouraged and grow in their faith. We pray too for the meeting of the PCC this week as they discuss matters concerning the church and the community.
We pray for all who have experienced flooding, or are fearful at the possibility of more rain, with river levels still high. Thank you that new flood defences have prevented further damage in many areas. We bring to you the strains and anxieties of so many as a result of the restrictions of lockdown, both in the short and long term; home working and schooling, concern over jobs and the future, loneliness and isolation. As the evenings become lighter may this bring some encouragement and hope.
Heavenly Father, whose love sustains us through both the good times and the bad, open our hearts to your love and the knowledge of your presence day by day.
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=rsJdmhTRSm4
FAITHFUL GOD, faithful God,
All sufficient One, I worship You.
Shalom my peace,
My strong Deliverer,
I lift You up, faithful God.
Chris Bowater.
Copyright © 1990 Sovereign Lifestyle 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=QQlFHIRFGGU
MAY THE PEACE OF GOD our heavenly Father,
And the grace of Christ the risen Son,
And the fellowship of God the Spirit
Keep our hearts and minds within His love.
And to Him be praise for His glorious reign,
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven.
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain:
Christ eternal, the King of kings!
May this peace which passes understanding,
And this grace which makes us what we are,
And this fellowship of His communion
Make us one in spirit and in heart.
Stuart Townend & Keith Getty Copyright © 2006 Thankyou Music
FINAL BLESSING:
May God, who in Christ gives us a spring of water
welling up to eternal life,
perfect in you the image of his glory;
and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen