Welcome to our online service - 31 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 service, 10am, live on Zoom. 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
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.
HYMN: 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)
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
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
Lord God,
your Son left the riches of heaven
and became poor for our sake:
when we prosper save us from pride,
when we are needy save us from despair,
that we may trust in you alone;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBppKZ0eJlQ
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
Copyright © Restoration Music Ltd/Sovereign Music Ltd (1983)
READINGS
Psalm 107 : 1- 9
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures for ever.
Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out!
Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
For he has gathered the exiles from many lands,
from east and west,
from north and south.
Some wandered in the wilderness,
lost and homeless.
Hungry and thirsty,
they nearly died.
“LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble,
and he rescued them from their distress.
He led them straight to safety,
to a city where they could live.
Let them praise the LORD for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
For he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
Luke 12: 13 – 21 and 33 – 34
Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.
Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
33 - 34
“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
This the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
RESPONSE
Instead of a talk this Sunday, we would encourage you to take time to consider and meditate on the passages, particularly the passage from Luke’s gospel.
As you do so, you might like to consider how you would respond to these questions:
· Tom Wright says that ‘the modern Western world is built on anxiety’. How does worry and anxiety relate to the passage in Luke?
· What types of things (other than people) do we worry and stress about?
· How do these passages (in Luke and Psalm 107) encourage us not to worry but trust in God?
· What are the figurative ‘barns’ that we build up and store things in here in Sheffield, 2000 years after Jesus said these words?
· How can you store up treasure in heaven?
o Remember – heaven isn’t just somewhere we go to after death but God’s sphere of created reality which we pray (through the Lord’s prayer) will come on earth as in heaven.
The Psalmist says:
Let them praise the LORD for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
For he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
· What are the wonderful things that God has done in your life?
· How does he satisfy your thirst and hunger – both materially and spiritually??
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
When 2 or more gather together in your name Lord you promised to always be with us. Accept our prayers this morning and keep us and our families ever close to you.
This year there have been many weather events across the globe that have had a terrible impact on on humanity, wildlife and the environment.
The cop26 climate conference took place in Glasgow last year with promises and commitment to make changes were agreed, but not enough is being done and countries are slow in their efforts to make the changes that can reduce the impact of global warming.
Take a moment to pray in your hearts and bring before the Lord areas of the world where, storms and flooding, wildfires have caused so much damage.
The war in the Ukraine has prevented the exporting of grain to the rest of the world which is so greatly needed, we are thankful that an agreement has been reached with Russia to allow shipments to take place and these should be moving in the coming days, we have also see in the news the plight of disabled children living in terrible conditions with inadequate levels of care being provided by staff with little or no experience of supporting the children,
Lift up the uraine in your hearts to the Lord for the grain shipments to be successfu, for thecwar to be brought to an endl and that help can be provided to support all who are struggling to care for the disabled.
The Covid outbreak has impacted greatly on all of our lives for just over 2 years now. The NHS has been stretched to its limits, currently there are a great number of staff shortages that has increased waiting lists and waiting times in A&E, pray in your hearts that strategies can be put in place to help increase staff recruitment.
The cost of living crisis coupled with high fuel and energy prices are making life difficult for many people across the country, and with a higher than expected increase in energy prices forecast for the autumn, pray that when the new prime minister and cabinet is in place that they be granted wisdom in their decision making so that financial support can be provided to help people through the winter months.
The holiday club here at St Gabriels is being run again from the 1st to the 4th of August, with this year's theme being Guardians of Ancora, Treasure Seekers, give thanks for the work that has been done in preparation and that all children and parents and helpers will thoroughly enjoy the week together.
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=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.
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=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