Sunday Service - 5 July

Welcome to our Service - 5 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:

NOTICE: Opening the church for private prayer and public worship.

Many will be aware that the government announced 6th June that church buildings may re-open for individual prayer from Monday 15th June and more recently that public worship can take place from 4th July.

The diocese has made it clear that there is no pressure to re-open the church building and they will support us in whatever decision makes the best sense for us locally.

Further to our notice last week, the wardens and the vicar are continuing to access opening the church for private and individual prayer. This decision is based on a number for reasons including; the impact of redecoration that has taken place within the church, the expected uptake which is predicted to be low and the pressure it puts on volunteers to prepare and clean the building to follow risk assessment guidelines. However, we hope that we will be able to change this decision in a week or so.

Moreover, the wardens and the vicar have also decided to continue with our current pattern of online and remote worship. We anticipate that this will continue in July and August with a likely new pattern of public worship at St Gabriel’s starting in September. We will let you know if this changes.

We understand that this decision will be met with sadness by some who have been particularly missing gathering in the church building for prayer and worship. However, we will continue to re-access and hope to make it possible in the coming month.

Thank you for your patience and your continued prayers. We are very thankful for the way that many have continued to worship and gathered through our online services and Zoom services and for those who have contributed to these services.

OPENING

Opening Prayer:

Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.

Alleluia.

He has defeated the powers of death.

Alleluia.

Jesus turns our sorrow into dancing.

Alleluia.

He has the words of eternal life.

Alleluia.

SING:

Love divine, all loves excelling; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGGcqhKShQ8

joy of heaven, to earth come down,

fix in us Thy humble dwelling,

all Thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, Thou art all compassion,

pure unbounded love Thou art;

visit us with Thy salvation,

enter every trembling heart.

2. Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit

into every troubled breast;

let us all in Thee inherit,

let us find Thy promised rest.

Take away the love of sinning,

Alpha and Omega be;

end of faith, as its beginning,

set our hearts at liberty.

3. Come, almighty to deliver,

let us all Thy grace receive;

suddenly return, and never,

never more Thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing,

serve Thee as Thy hosts above,

pray and praise Thee without ceasing,

glory in Thy perfect love.

4. Finish then Thy new creation:

pure and spotless let us be;

let us see Thy great salvation,

perfectly restored in Thee:

changed from glory into glory,

till in heaven we take our place,

till we cast our crowns before Thee,

lost in wonder, love and praise.

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-88)

Music: William P Rowlands (1860-1937)

CONFESSION

Jesus Christ, risen Master and triumphant Lord, we come to you in sorrow for our sins, and confess to you our weakness and unbelief.

We have lived by our own strength,

and not by the power of you resurrection.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived by the light

of our own eyes,

as faithless and not believing.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived for this world alone,

and doubted our home in heaven.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

ASOLUTION

May the God of love and power

forgive us and free us from our sins,

heal and strengthen us by his Spirit,

and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.

COLLECT

Gracious Father,

by the obedience of Jesus

you brought salvation to our wayward world:

draw us into harmony with your will,

that we may find all things restored in him,

our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

SING

The King is among us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggSjE26Iivw

His Spirit is here:

let's draw near and worship,

let songs fill the air!

2. He looks down upon us,

delight in his face,

enjoying his children's love,

enthralled by our praise.

3. For each child is special,

accepted and loved -

a love gift from Jesus

to His Father above.

4. And now He is giving

his gifts to us all;

for no one is worthless

and each one is called.

5. The Spirit's anointing

on all flesh comes down,

and we shall be channels

For works like His own:

6. We come now believing

Your promise of power,

for we are Your people

and this is Your hour.

Graham Kendrick

READINGS

Romans 7:15-25 New International Version

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[b] a slave to the law of sin.

Matthew 11:16-19 and 25 - end New International Version

“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

“‘We played the pipe for you,

and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge,

and you did not mourn.’

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

TALK written by Bishop Pete Wilcox - please watch the 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 Grace Jackson

Our Father God, we thank you that even in these strange times you are with us, perhaps especially in these strange times. Your presence is made known in the kindnesses shown one to another, by the care shown by friend and stranger, the unexpected loving gesture, the love and care and dedication of doctors and nurses. We thank you for these lovely whispers of your presence.

We pray for our own country and others around the world, now coming out of lockdown, that it may be done safely and that we may all continue to be careful and aware of the danger from the Coronavirus. And we pray for the city of Leicester now having to face a further period of lockdown. We pray for doctors and nurses and care workers, now that the peak of the crisis is past and some have spoken of feeling post traumatic stress from seeing so much suffering and death at close quarters. Also the weekly clapping to show our support for workers in the NHS has now ended, and we pray that we will find other ways to show that our appreciation and support continues.

We pray also for service providers such as dustbin collectors, and others who have to go to work even though they are afraid of the virus. For supermarket workers. For scientists working on a vaccine. For many people who are facing unemployment with loss of income and all that involves. For the victims of domestic abuse who have been confined with the perpetrator during lockdown, that now at last they may be able to access help and guidance and support. We pray for schoolchildren, those who are back in school now and those who return in September, that they may all be kept safe, and able quickly to adapt to a new way of being at school. We pray too for teachers, especially Heads, that they too may be safe and be able to manage the new situation.

We pray for countries which are already suffering from conflicts, food shortages, flooding and the threat of famine, with little in the way of health care, and so are ill equipped to deal with Coronavirus. We pray for Tearfund and Christian Aid and the World Council for Refugees working in those countries, as they endeavour to provide access to soap and clean water, as well giving accurate advice and information, to communities there.

God of love and hope, You made the world and care for all creation, but the world feels strange right now. Some people are worried they might get ill, others are anxious for their family and friends. Many are worried about losing their jobs and providing for their families.

Please be with them all and help them find peace. We pray for doctors and nurses and scientists, And all who are working to discover the right medicines to help those who are ill. We pray for protection from the virus for the poorest countries and for refugee camps. Thank you Lord, that even in these anxious times You are with us. Help us to put our trust in You, and keep us safe.

Amen

We pray for our Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, for great wisdom as they face huge problems as we come out of lockdown, with recession looming, a big slowdown in industry, and many people facing unemployment, and not least negotiating the terms of our withdrawal from the European Union. Guide them, Lord, in the difficult decisions they face. Give them a vision for overcoming the problems of unemployment and national debt. Help them to work for the good of all.

We pray for our church in Greystones and first of all thank God that Alistair is now full time as Vicar of St Gabriel's. We thank God also that we have been able to meet as a church through our online services, our service sheet delivered to people’s homes and our Zoom service once a week, as well as weekly bible studies on Zoom throughout June, and keeping in touch with one another by telephone and emails. So gratitude for modern technology. We pray for guidance for the PCC meeting next week on Zoom and telephone, and we pray for the next Sunday service on June 12th, that the technology may be consistent and that there may be a deep sense of togetherness and worship.

Breathe on us Lord with your life giving Spirit. Equip us with the gifts of your Spirit, and help us to serve you and reach out to our neighbourhood in the name of Jesus Christ, 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:

What a friend we have in Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SCorW9r_Is

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear -

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

2 Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged:

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful,

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness -

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

3 Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Saviour still our refuge,

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He'll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Words: Joseph Scriven (1819-86)

Music: Charles C Converse (1832-1918)

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:

Take my life, and let it be:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf11rReeWIs

consecrated, Lord, to thee;

take my moments and my days,

let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2. Take my hands, and let them move

at the impulse of thy love;

take my feet, and let them be

swift and beautiful for thee.

3. Take my voice, and let me sing

always, only, for my King;

take my lips, and let them be

filled with messages from thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold,

not a mite would I withhold;

take my intellect, and use

every power as thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it thine;

it shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart, it is thine own;

it shall be thy royal throne.

6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour

at thy feet its treasure store;

take my self, and I will be

ever, only, all for thee.

Words: Frances Ridley Havergal, 1874

Music: Mozart, Hollingside, Festus, Consecration, Ives

BLESSING

God, who through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us the victory, give you joy and peace in your faith; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. Amen