Sunday Service - 6 August 23

Welcome to our Service - 6 August 23

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.

Opening Prayer:

Faithful one, whose word is life:

come with saving power

to free our praise,

inspire our prayer

and shape our lives

for the kingdom of your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

SING:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyRIVbdsi4c

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;

to His feet thy tribute bring;

ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,

who like thee His praise should sing?

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise the everlasting King.

2. Praise Him for His grace and favour

to our fathers, in distress;

praise Him still the same for ever,

slow to chide, and swift to bless.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Glorious in His faithfulness.

3. Father-like He tends and spares us;

well our feeble frame He knows;

in His hands He gently bears us,

rescues us from all our foes.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Widely as His mercy flows.

4. Angels help us to adore Him;

ye behold Him face to face;

sun and moon, bow down before Him;

dwellers all in time and space.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise with us the God of grace.

H F Lyte (1793-1847)

CONFESSION

God our Father,

we come to you in sorrow for our sins.

For turning away from you,

and ignoring your will for our lives;

Father, forgive us:

save us and help us.

For behaving just as we wish,

without thinking of you;

Father, forgive us:

save us and help us.

For failing you by what we do,

and think and say;

Father, forgive us:

save us and help us.

For letting ourselves be drawn away from you

by temptations in the world about us;

Father, forgive us:

save us and help us.

For living as if we were ashamed

to belong to your Son;

Father, forgive us:

save us and help us.

ABSOLUTION

The almighty and merciful Lord

grant us pardon and forgiveness of all our sins,

time for amendment of life,

and the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit. Amen

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=VB17ibKf3XU

LIVING UNDER THE SHADOW OF HIS WING

We find security.

Standing in His presence we will bring

Our worship, worship, worship to the King.

Bowed in adoration at His feet

We dwell in harmony.

Voices joined together that repeat,

Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb.

Heart to heart embracing in His love

Reveals His purity.

Soaring in my spirit like a dove,

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.

David J. Hadden & Bob Silvester.

READINGS

2 Peter 1. 16 - 19 (p. 1420)

For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendour with our own eyes when he received honour and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.

Luke 9. 28 - 36 (p. 1202)

About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.

Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him. As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them.

Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

This the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Questions for reflection:

How does the idea of going up to a mountain to pray resonate with you? Have you experienced moments of spiritual clarity or transformation during times of solitude and prayer?
Consider the appearance of Moses and Elijah with Jesus during the Transfiguration. What significance do you see in their presence and conversation with Jesus? How does their appearance connect the Old Testament with the New Testament?
Peter's response was to build shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. In what ways do you find yourself seeking to "preserve" or "capture" spiritual experiences rather than embracing the journey of faith?
The voice from the cloud declared Jesus as God's Son, the Chosen One. How does this declaration impact your understanding of Jesus' identity and purpose in your life?
The cloud that overshadowed them represents the presence of God. How do you experience God's presence in your life, and what helps you to recognize it?
The command to "listen to him" is significant. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to listen and obey Jesus' teachings? How can you cultivate a deeper attentiveness to Christ's words and guidance?
Think about the times when you've witnessed God's glory or experienced spiritual "mountaintop" moments. How do these experiences shape your faith and sustain you during times of difficulty or doubt?
How does the Transfiguration story inspire you to seek transformation in your own life and become more like Christ and what practical steps can you take to incorporate the lessons from the Transfiguration into your daily walk with Jesus?

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

Jesus our exalted Lord has been given all authority.

Let us seek his intercession that our prayers may be

perfected by his prayer.

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, great high priest,

living for ever to intercede for us,

pray for the Church, your broken body in the world… (pause for personal prayer)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, king of righteousness,

enthroned at the right hand of the majesty on high,

pray for the world, and make it subject to

your gentle rule… (pause for personal prayer)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, Son of Man,

drawing humanity into the life of God,

pray for your brothers and sisters in need,

distress or sorrow … (pause for personal prayer)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, pioneer of our salvation,

bringing us to glory through your death and resurrection,

surround with your saints and angels

those who have died trusting your promises …(pause for personal prayer)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, Lord over all things,

ascended far above the heavens and filling the universe,

pray for us who receive the gifts you give us for

work in your service … (pause for personal prayer)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ,

keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit

and in the bond of peace,

and bring the whole created order

to worship at your feet;

for you are alive and reign with the Father

and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

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=TAZrT8SVYBM

BREAK THOU THE BREAD OF LIFE,

Dear Lord, to me,

As Thou didst break the bread

Beside the sea;

Beyond the sacred page

I seek Thee, Lord;

My spirit longs for Thee,

Thou Living Word.

Thou art the Bread of Life,

O Lord, to me,

Thy holy Word the truth

That saveth me;

Give me to eat and live

With Thee above;

Teach me to love Thy truth,

For Thou art love.

O send Thy Spirit, Lord,

Now unto me,

That He may touch my eyes

And make me see;

Show me the truth concealed

Within Thy Word,

And in Thy Book revealed,

I see Thee, Lord.

Bless Thou the Bread of Life

To me, to me,

As Thou didst bless the loaves

By Galilee;

Then shall all bondage cease,

All fetters fall,

And I shall find my peace,

My all in all.

Mary A. Lathbury (1841–1913) & Alexander Groves (1843–1909)

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=56xKT8_mIQs

WITH A PRAYER You fed the hungry,

With a cry You stilled the storm;

With a look You had compassion

On the desperate and forlorn.

With a touch You healed the leper,

With a shout You raised the dead;

With a word expelled the demons,

With a blessing broke the bread.

Love incarnate, love divine,

Captivate this heart of mine

Till all I do speaks of You.

As a sheep before the shearer

You were silent in Your pain;

You endured humiliation

At the hands of those You’d made.

And as hell unleashed its fury

You were lifted on a tree,

Crying ‘Father God, forgive them,

Place their punishment on Me.’

Love incarnate, love divine,

I will feed the poor and hungry,

I will stand up for the truth;

I will take my cross and follow

To the corners of the earth.

And I ask that You so fill me

With Your peace, Your power, Your breath,

That I never love my life so much

To shrink from facing death.

Love incarnate, love divine,

Stuart Townend

BLESSING

You are called and loved by God the Father and kept safe by Jesus Christ. Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance, from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

God the Father, who has given to his Son the name above every name, strengthen you to proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord. Amen.

God the Son, who is our great high priest passed into the heavens, plead for you at the right hand of the Father. Amen.

God the Holy Spirit, who pours out his abundant gifts upon the Church, make you faithful servants of Christ our King. Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always.