Welcome to our online service - 7 November
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 and in the church. 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 11:30am.
SERVICE
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord,
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.
Take a moment to consider things that you can be thankful for this morning.
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rifby1tVE8
Morning has broken
like the first morning;
blackbird has spoken
like the first bird.
Praise for the singing!
Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing
fresh from the Word!
Sweet the rain's new fall
sunlit from heaven,
like the first dew fall
on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness
of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness
where His feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight!
Mine is the morning
born of the one light
Eden saw play!
Praise with elation,
praise every morning,
God's re-creation
of the new day!
Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965)
(c) David Higham Associates Ltd
from The Children's Bells
published by Oxford University Press
CONFESSION
Let us call to mind our sin, our failure to value the love of others and our failure to love as Christ has loved us.
Silence for reflection
Your love gives us life from the moment of conception.
We fail to live as your children.
Lord, have mercy.
You call us to do good.
We seek our own good.
Christ, have mercy.
You hear us when we cry for help.
We ignore the cries of others.
Lord, have mercy.
ABSOLUTION
May the Father of all mercies
cleanse us from our sins,
and restore us in his image
to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
COLLECT
God, our refuge and strength,
bring near the day when wars shall cease
and poverty and pain shall end,
that earth may know the peace of heaven
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1-9wam-2Rk
Father, hear the prayer we offer:
Nor for ease that prayer shall be,
But for strength, that we may ever
Live our lives courageously.
Not forever in green pastures
Do we ask our way to be,
But the steep and rugged pathway
May we tread rejoicingly.
Not forever by still waters
Would we idly, quiet stay;
But would smite the living fountains
From the rocks along our way.
Be our strength in hours of weakness,
In our wanderings be our Guide;
Through endeavor, failure, danger,
Father, be Thou at our side.
Let our path be bright or dreary,
Storm or sunshine be our share;
May our souls in hope unweary
Make Thy work our ceaseless prayer.
Samuel Longfellow
READINGS
Psalm 62:5-12 New International Version - UK
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken.
My salvation and my honour depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
Do not trust in extortion
or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
One thing God has spoken,
two things I have heard:
‘Power belongs to you, God,
and with you, Lord, is unfailing love’;
and, ‘You reward everyone
according to what they have done.’
Mark 1:14-20 New International Version - UK
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
This is the word of the Lord, thanks be to God
TALK by Stuart Ibbotson
‘The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.’
Jesus began his ministry with these words. The time is when? It’s NOW. That was true then, so it is now. The kingdom of God is where? It’s all around you. Mark wants us to know the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This gospel changes everything. Jesus makes clear that God is doing a new thing.
‘The time has come. The kingdom of God is near’. This is a new day.
Jesus had made Capernaum his headquarters. A town on the shores of Lake Galilee. You can see the remains today. You can see where the synagogue used to be, and you can also see what some think could be the remains of Peter’s house, where Jesus made his home. This is where it all REALLY began. Not in Nazareth where his family, his friends and neighbours were, where he grew up. He was rejected there.
So, He made his way to Capernaum, where he looked for a new sort of family. He wasn’t going to do it on his own. He couldn’t fully fulfil his mission on his own. He needed others around him, and others to carry on with the work once his time on earth was over. Jesus needed a family, to join him on his mission, then and in the future. It’s exactly the same for us now. We need one another – we can’t do what we are called to do on our own.
Jesus calls us into a family, into a community, so together we can reach out into our local community and city, just as some of us have been doing this morning and taking part in other Bless Greystones activities. But why did Jesus choose Capernaum? Because that’s where Jesus found people of peace: that’s where he found Andrew, Simon Peter, James and John. They had already heard Jesus preach, had witnessed his miracles, had seen his authority.
And when Jesus said, ‘Come and follow me’, they were ready. It’s the same for us. We are called to build a family, spend time with those who welcome us, invest in them, pray for them, share our lives with them.
Jesus never cajoled, or manipulated or twisted arms. He simply asks, and then looks for a response. So what’s involved in building a family of disciples?
1. Jesus first of all challenges us.
‘The kingdom of God is near’, Jesus says.
For centuries, the people had been waiting and longing for God to do something. And the time had now come. Is the kingdom of God a priority for us? Do we seek first the kingdom? What are our first thoughts in the morning, and our last thoughts at night? I’ve been a Christian since I was 21. I confess that there have been many times when God hasn’t been my first priority. I can remember many times when family, work and definitely self came first, God was not number one.
Kim and myself have been involved here at St Gabriel’s for about 34 years, but I didn’t say a great deal about my faith in the workplace, apart from a brief spell in a group with fellow Christians during some lunchtimes. I never denied my faith and would tell work colleagues about any weekend activities involving church if they asked. BUT, I never actively went out of my way to say anything about what I might have been up to.
What might it be for us, to seek first the kingdom of God?
God’s challenge for us is this – the kingdom has arrived – wake up, be ready, be alert, sort out our lives, put God first, make God our top priority.
2. Jesus calls us
‘Come and follow me’, Jesus said to those first disciples. From now on you will fish for people. They pulled up their boats, left everything, and followed Jesus. Their families had probably been fishermen for generations. And Jesus comes along and tells Andrew, Simon Peter, James and John to drop it all and follow him.
And they did. They left everything they had known, their security, their family.
God is calling each of us to follow Jesus.
To leave things behind is not easy and for most people Jesus is not calling us to up sticks and walk out on our earthly families, though this is the case for some still. But, God is calling a new people, a new family.
And for those fishermen, within weeks the boat that was overflowing with fish, becomes a household overflowing with people, the whole town wanting to hear Jesus. Jesus joined Peter’s home in Capernaum, and transformed it. Have we heard Jesus calling us? What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
Do we need to make changes in the way we follow Jesus in the workplace? In the way we deal with our family?
Do we need to evaluate how we use our time, money and gifts? Could they be our nets for helping to catch people and bring them into God’s family? I suspect that each of us could easily name a few things that distract us from this calling on a regular basis. Ignoring our call to be fishers of men. The disciples left their nets, at once, and followed him. We need to be ready to respond when we are called- be ready to hear the call amidst the cacophony of the modern world and our busy lives. We need to have a sense of urgency.
So, Jesus challenges us. He calls us and
3. Jesus changes us
‘The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the good news.’ He says.
To repent is to turn around, to change one’s mind, a change of heart which will show in our lifestyle. Change is not always easy. It cannot have been easy for those disciples – most were probably in their teens or early twenties. They were ordinary people with not much education, working with their hands. But God doesn’t call people for what they are, but for what they are not. A couple of examples may help us to see this:
God took a cobbler from Northamptonshire and turned him into William Carey, who was responsible for the birth of the Baptist Missionary Society.
God took a cleaner from London, and turned her into Gladys Aylward, a missionary to China. Who you might remember was the main character in the film ‘The inn of the sixth happiness’.
Jesus took a group of ordinary, young, working men, and turned them into leaders who would change the world.
From mending shoes, William Carey went to serve God in India.
From cleaning a home in London, Gladys Aylward went to serve God in China.
And, he has a job for each of us to do, however small - to invest in others, bringing people to God, building a family of disciples. May we each seek to play our part, however small that may be, in serving God and Blessing Greystones by doing so. Be that gardening for someone, shopping, visiting people, praying for individuals, families and communities, serving tea, coffee and cakes and having a chat, providing activities for families and children and making time for parents to relax, helping with the holiday club and children’s groups. I am sure that I could have thought of many more ways and surely some of you will.
William Carey had a great quote:
‘Expect great things from God
Attempt great things for God.’
Many commented about the COP 26 gathering that there needed to be less blah, blah, blah and more action. As part of our commitment and the Up, In and Out that we have been looking at for the last few weeks with the help of the Holy Spirit we will be able to better serve God and spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as we spread our nets in Blessing Greystones.
Amen
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 Liz Cannell
Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing on our church and community of Greystones. We pray for all who live in the neighbourhood, who work or have businesses here, for those who pass through, and those who enjoy the Park.
We pray for the local schools, for the children, the teachers, the helpers.
We give thanks for all who are concerned with health care at the local surgeries, for the treatment, advice and support.
We pray for those who have found the past year difficult and don't look forward to the winter cold, and dark nights.
As we think of the changing seasons and the beauty of the Autumn colours, we give thanks for our world, and acknowledge the damage that is being done and the need to act now for the sake of future generations.
Lord, we ask you to guide the discussions and negotiations taking place in Glasgow. We pray that these may be constructive and that real progress will be made that will result in positive action. We pray for all those who are involved in sharing ideas, for cooperation, and a commitment for the future. We pray too that those who are not present in Glasgow will also be inspired to take action in their own country.
These few days will also provide opportunities for people of many nations to meet in friendship, with a common purpose, and to learn from the experiences of others, the need for financial and other support, and the threat to the health of the local populations from overuse and exploitation of natural resources and pollution of rivers and seas.
We will have a short pause to consider our own thoughts, before ending with a prayer written especially for COP 26.
We will finish with a prayer written especially for COP 26
Creator God, Giver of life, you sustain the earth and direct the nations. In this time of climate crisis, grant us clarity to hear the groaning of creation and the cries of the poor; challenge us to change our lifestyles; guide the leaders to take courageous action; enable your church to be a beacon of hope; and foster within us a renewed vision of your purposes for your world. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, by and for whom all things were made. 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=CSp-3kvKQZs
My soul finds rest in God alone
My rock and my salvation
A fortress strong against my foes
And I will not be shaken
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse
And lies like arrows pierce me
I'll fix my heart on righteousness
I'll look to Him who hears me
O praise Him hallelujah
My Delight and my Reward
Everlasting never failing
My Redeemer my God
(REPEAT)
Find rest my soul in God alone
Amid the world's temptations
When evil seeks to take a hold
I'll cling to my salvation
Though riches come and riches go
Don't set your heart upon them
The fields of hope in which I sow
Are harvested in heaven
O praise Him hallelujah…
I'll set my gaze on God alone
And trust in Him completely
With ev'ry day pour out my soul
And He will prove His mercy
Though life is but a fleeting breath
A sigh too brief to measure
My King has crushed the curse of death
And I am His forever
O praise Him hallelujah…
O praise Him O praise Him
Hallelujah hallelujah
O praise Him O praise Him
Hallelujah Hallelujah
O praise Him O praise Him
Hallelujah hallelujah
O praise Him hallelujah…
CCLI Song # 5040902
Aaron Keyes | Stuart Townend
© 2007 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music Ltd)
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://vimeo.com/420342183
Amazing grace - how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we've first begun.
John Newton (1725-1807)
CONCLUSION
O gracious and holy Father, give us wisdom to perceive you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you, through the power of the spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen