Welcome to our service - 7 March
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
Opening
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.
Blessed are those who have endured temptation; they have stood the test and will receive the crown of life.
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6ji4y9Q-K0
Tell out, my soul,
the greatness of the Lord;
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
Tender to me the promise of His Word;
In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
2. Tell out, my soul,
the greatness of His Name!
Make known His might, the deeds His arm has done;
His mercy sure, from age to age the same;
His Holy Name - the Lord, the Mighty One.
3. Tell out, my soul,
the greatness of His might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills
are put to flight,
The hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
4. Tell out, my soul,
the glories of His word!
Firm is His promise, and His mercy sure,
Tell out my soul, the greatness of the Lord
To children's children and for evermore.
Timothy Dudley-Smith, 1926-
THE BEATITUDES
Let us hear our Lord’s blessing on those who follow him:
Blessed are the poor in spirit
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are those who mourn
for they shall be comforted
Blessed are the meek
for they shall inherit the earth
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness
for they shall be satisfied
Blessed are the merciful
for they shall obtain mercy
Blessed are the pure in heart
for they shall seek God
Blessed are the peacemakers
for they shall be called children of God
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
CONFESSION
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Let us confess our sins remembering before God the times when we have fallen from temptation into sin.
We confess to you our selfishness and lack of love:
fill us with your Spirit.
(Silence)
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
We confess to you our fear and failure in sharing our faith:
fill us with your Spirit.
(Silence)
Christ, have mercy.
All: Christ, have mercy.
We confess to you our stubbornness and lack of trust:
fill us with your Spirit.
(Silence)
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
ABSOLUTION
May the father of all mercies cleanse you from your sins,
and restore you in his image
to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
COLLECT
Eternal God,
give us insight
to discern your will for us,
to give up what harms us,
and to seek the perfection we are promised
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6LC8cu03Ig
THY WORD is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
(Repeat)
When I feel afraid,
Think I’ve lost my way,
Still You’re there right beside me.
And nothing will I fear
As long as You are near;
Please be near me to the end.
THY WORD is a lamp unto my feet…
I will not forget
Your love for me, and yet
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus, be my guide
And hold me to Your side,
And I will love You to the end.
Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith. © 1983 Meadow Green Music/Word Music/Adm. SongSolutions CopyCare
READINGS
Psalm 1:1-3 New International Version – UK
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither –
whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 19:7-14 New International Version - UK
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from wilful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Romans 10:14-15 New International Version
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Thanks be to God.
Testimony by Grace Jackson
This week we have a slightly different talk. Grace Jackson has very kindly prepared her testimony. At the end there will be an opportunity to reflect on your own journey of faith.
When Alistair asked me if I would be willing to talk about how I came to faith, I was glad to have the opportunity to share my experience of God's love and care over many years now. Although it wasn't until I was in my early twenties that I came to Know Jesus in a personal way, looking back I can see how God was looking out for me for as long I can remember. I first became conscious of wanting to know more about Christianity in my early teens. I was living with my parents in a small village on the Yorkshire/Lancashire border. I went to the village church occasionally and was confirmed there, but I knew there must be more to Christianity than I'd experienced so far. My Confirmation seemed to mean more to my father than it did to me, because he started going to church and reading the Bible from that point on. For me the turning point came when I was in my early twenties and working in London. One day when I was early for an Interview at the BBC, I decided to pass the time by going into All Souls church, which is right next to Broadcasting House, and having a look round. I was intrigued by the literature on display in the church, as well as by the beautiful painting of Christ before Pilate, hanging behind the Communion table, and I decided to go to a service there the next Sunday. I found a large congregation, with many young people, very different to the village church where I'd grown up. On my second or third visit it was a Guest Service, as they were called in those days. The service was more informal, and the sermon was simply explaining the Gospel, with an invitation at the end to those who wanted to know more to come forward. This seemed to be just what I'd been waiting for, and I quickly went forward, together with several others, where I was introduced to a member of the congregation. We talked for a while and then prayed together. I don't remember exactly what I prayed that night, but from that point on I came to realise Christianity is simply Christ, knowing him and following him. I joined in a small group with others who had responded to the invitation that evening, and as we met over several weeks to look at some basic bible passages together, I realised that while I'd known a bit about Jesus as someone who'd lived a long time ago, it was possible to have a real relationship with him and through him with God our Father. I really can't pinpoint a definite moment when I came to faith, it was more of a gradual process.
After that I joined a regular weekly (or it may have been fortnightly) fellowship group, where I made some lifelong friends. I also left the bed sit where I'd been living, and went to share a large flat in Swiss Cottage with four others from All Souls. It worked out really well and we had some great times together. I am godmother to the daughters of two of them. After doing a training course at All Souls I became a commissioned worker, which was requirement before you could do any kind of work in the church, even something like standing at Oxford Circus on Sunday evenings and handing out invitations to a service. Then there were the Billy Graham Crusade meetings at Wembley in 1966, at which I was a volunteer, as were most members of All Souls. I'd had rather negative feelings about Billy Graham before he came to London, but that changed completely after taking part in the Crusade. It was an exhilarating time to be in London, when everyone in the city seemed to be talking about Billy Graham.My flat mates and I would pile into a car and drive off to Wembley each evening. I think most if not all of us were delegated to speak to people who responded to the invitation to come forward in their thousands. It was wonderful to be in the stadium each evening and to be part of thousands of voices singing God's praise, with songs such as'O happy day'.
The next Crusade in which I also took part was in Norwich, to where I'd moved in 1988, to be one of the Bishop of Norwich's two Secretaries. I'd decided at some point not long after coming to faith in Jesus, that I wanted to use my secretarial skills to help in some way the forwarding of his Kingdom. I loved Norwich and was very reluctant to leave but it became necessary when my mother needed more care, and I moved to Sheffield in 1991. I grieved for Norwich at first, as I'd really put down roots there, here in Sheffield I was torn between a demanding new job and trying to care for my mother in (what is a now) Lancashire. However everything was resolved eventually and I began to appreciate the merits of Sheffield. Now I am just very vey thankful to God that He has brought me to such a perfect place to live. Looking back I can see how his plan is always best. He has always been there for me even when I've forgotten Him. I haven't always been a faithful follower of Jesus, and I've grumbled when things have seemed hard, but God has never failed to look out for me, and I've never lacked anything I really needed, even down to the most mundane detail. Now more than ever I'm just so thankful to belong to belong to him, to have such a caring church, with Alistair and Catherine in particular. I'm not really eloquent enough to say anything but thank you God.
As you consider Grace’s testimony you are invited to consider a few questions for yourself:
· Is someone asked you how you became a Christian what would be your response?
· Are their particular moments in your Christian walk that you particularly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and His calling on your life?
· How does your faith impact your life today?
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 Sue James
O Light of God
Awaken us to the new light
Open the doors of our hearts, the windows of our soul,
The walls of our mind
Awaken us to hope, to Joy, to love
Awaken us to new insights
Make our hearts ready to receive the brightness of your presence.
Your kingdom Come
Your will be done
As we become aware of God’s presence we also become aware of his compassion on our world especially his concern for the Poor.
As we come to the end of this fair trade fortnight we pray for trade justice in our world
Merciful Lord,
We pray for all those who import and sell the products we buy, that they may stand against exploitation, that, farmers will be paid a fair price for their crops and workers a fair price for their labour
We ask you to bless all those who are working to establish fair trade practices and to bring about change
May we too may play our part in this
Forgive us for our reliance on goods which have been produced unfairly at the expense of the poor.
May our lifestyles reflect a care for creation and humanity and your concern for the poor.
Your kingdom Come
Your will be done
Tomorrow many children and young people in our city will be returning to school we pray for them
Loving Lord
We pray for the children of this city as they return to schools tomorrow.
We pray for children who are particularly anxious about the thought of going back. We pray that they may be able to sleep well tonight and find things within the school day to attract and inspire them
We pray for parents who will find it hard to get reluctant children back to school that they may know how best to support and encourage them
We pray for school staff in the daunting task of helping to settle children back in to routine and help them catch up in their learning. We pray for strength, patience and encouragement for them throughout the school day
Your kingdom Come
Your will be done
As we think of young people we pray for the work of the Golddigger trust
Lord we pray for the work of the Golddigger trust. At a time when there is so much mental health need amongst our young people we ask that you would bless their work encouraging young people to have a sense of their value and self worth and helping them to make good life choices. We ask that you would increase their resources to enable them to reach many more young people in our city and help to transform lives.
Your kingdom Come
Your will be done
We pray for those we know who are unwell or in distress at this time.
In the quietness we bring them silently before God
We spend a moment now to hold them in the love of God
Lord in the lives of those we pray for may
Your kingdom Come
Your will be done
We end our prayers with our desire to know God more fully.
Lord in the midst of our busy lives. Help us always to make space to be with you.
To turn aside to notice the beauty around us
to take time to be still before you,
to spend time reading and meditating on your word
so that we may more fully reflect your presence in our lives and actively bring about your kingdom here on earth.
In the name of 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=Y0a9T0UtJBQ
When the music fades,
all is stripped away
and I simply come;
Longing just to bring
something that's of worth
that will bless your heart.
I'll bring you more than a song,
for a song in itself
is not what you have required.
You search much deeper within
through the way things appear,
You're looking into my heart.
I'm coming back to the heart of worship,
and it's all about you,
all about you, Jesus.
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it,
when it's all about you,
all about you, Jesus.
2. King of endless worth,
no one could express
how much you deserve.
Though I'm weak and poor,
all I have is Yours,
every single breath.
I’ll bring you more than a song…
Matt Redman © 1997 Kingsway's Thankyou 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=6CMclLT_Hjg
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me,
save that Thou art -
Thou my best thought
in the day or the night,
waking or sleeping,
Thy presence my light.
2. Be Thou my wisdom,
be Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father and I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
3. Be Thou my breast-plate,
my sword for the fight,
be Thou my armour
and be thou my might.
Thou my soul's shelter
and Thou my high tower:
raise Thou me heavenward,
O power of my power.
4. Riches I heed not,
nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only,
the first in my heart,
high King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
5. High King of heaven,
after victory won,
may I reach heaven's joys,
O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Ancient Irish tr. by Mary Elizabeth Byrne, 1880-1931
Versified by Eleanor Henrietta Hull
FINAL BLESSING:
Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him; and the blessing of God the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen