Welcome to our online service - 30 July 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:
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
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
re-clothe us in our rightful mind;
in purer lives Thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise.
2. With that deep hush subduing all
our words and works that drown
the tender whisper of Thy call,
as noiseless let Thy blessing fall
as fell Thy manna down.
3. Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of Thy peace.
4. Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake,
wind, and fire,
O still small voice of calm
John Greenleaf Whittier
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
The gospel calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.
As we offer ourselves to him in penitence and faith
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 your 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.
ABSOLUTION
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.
COLLECT
Lord of heaven and earth,
as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer,
give us patience and courage never to lose hope,
but always to bring our prayers before you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d5HbddjrTU
I believe in Jesus;
I believe He is the Son of God.
I believe He died and rose again;
I believe He paid for us all.
(Men) And I believe You're here now.
(Women) I believe that You're here
(All) Standing in our midst.
(Men) Here with the power to heal now,
(Women) With the power to heal,
(All) And the grace to forgive.
2. I believe in You, Lord;
I believe You are the Son of God.
I believe You died and rose again;
I believe You paid for us all.
(Men) And I believe You're here now.
(Women) I believe that You're here
(All) Standing in our midst.
(Men) Here with the power to heal now,
(Women) With the power to heal,
(All) And the grace to forgive.
Mark Nelson (c) 1987 Mercy Publishing/Thankyou Music
READINGS
Hebrews 11: 1 – 3, 8 - 16 New Living Translation– UK
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.
All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Luke 12: 35 - 40 New Living Translation - UK
“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
“Understand this: If a home-owner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
This is 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 Jesus ‘is now warning that a crisis is coming, a great showdown for which one must be prepared in the same way as servants who listen eagerly for their master’s footfall and knock at the door. Jesus seems to have envisaged a coming moment at which the forces of light and darkness would engage in a terrible battle, resulting in his own death, and a devastating catastrophe for Israel in general and Jerusalem in particular.’
· How can we make ourselves ready for our master’s return?
· Last week we consider how we can store up treasure in heaven. This passage comes immediately after? Why is this significant?
· Our passage from Hebrews said: ‘Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.’
o How does faith described in the passage from Hebrews relate to the passage in Luke?
· What is the relationship between faith and waiting?
· ‘It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go’. How can the faith of Abraham and Sarah encourage you today in your own 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.
Copyright © 1982 Ateliers et Presses de Taize (France)
PRAYERS - written by Linda Chambers
August is traditionally a time for holidays, rest, relaxation and exploring new places … but that’s not necessarily the case for everyone …
Some suggestions for prayer (some of these may resonate with you more than others, allow the Lord to lead you in your own particular concerns …)
Give thanks … for God’s amazing creation in all its diversity of colour, shape, landscapes, wildlife, plant life … for sunshine, warmth, refreshing rain, cloud patterns, sunsets … for families, friends, neighbours, our church family and leaders, all who care about us …
Give thanks … for holiday clubs including our own last week, sports activities, residential experiences over the summer and for all who lead and serve on these …
Pray … for those who find August tedious or lonely because activities close down, friends and family are away on holiday …
Pray … for those individuals or families unable to have a holiday or enjoy day trips due to lack of money or opportunity, illness, caring responsibilities …
Pray … for children who are fearful of school holidays because of loneliness, neglect or abuse at home … families struggling with debt, unemployment, addictions …
Pray … for safety in the parks, woodlands and open spaces across our city and in the city centre, especially in the night-time hours and for our emergency services …
Pray … for nations in turmoil because of conflict between nations or within nations or because of economic collapse, corruption, ineffective leadership …
Pray … for countries currently suffering from extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfires - including places in the UK recently devastated by fires …
And to close, spend a few moments absorbing these words from Philippians 4 v 6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ 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=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.
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=rflCCx3QRys
Jesus is Lord!
Creation's voice proclaims it,
for by His power each tree and flower
was planned and made.
Jesus is Lord! The universe declares it;
sun, moon and stars in heaven cry:
'Jesus is Lord!'
Jesus is Lord! Jesus is Lord!
Praise Him with hallelujah,
for Jesus is Lord!
2. Jesus is Lord!
Yet from His throne eternal
in flesh He came to die in pain
on Calvary's tree.
Jesus is Lord!
From Him all life proceeding,
yet gave His life a ransom
thus setting us free.
Jesus is Lord………
3. Jesus is Lord!
O'er sin the mighty conqueror,
from death He rose and all His foes
shall own His name.
Jesus is Lord!
God sends His Holy Spirit
to show by works of power
that Jesus is Lord.
Jesus is Lord…….
David Mansell © 1979 Springride?Word Music (UK)/
CopyCare Lrd
BLESSING
God our Father, you have made known to us again the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: confirm our faith and fix our eyes on him until the day dawns and Christ the Morning Star rises in our hearts. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always.