Here below we have an outline of our service for you to follow at home if you can’t be with us. Choose a quiet reflective space and to make it more meaningful have a cross, bible and candle to make your sacred space.
INTRODUCTION
We are now back to near normal services in the cream books with singing, it seems a little different with masks, but it has really brought the service back to life. I asked if anyone would prefer not to wear masks once sitting and a small few would like that however the majority wanted them to stay. To try to accommodate everyone we will have a section of pews at the front left next to the vestry entrance for non-mask wearers. Masks will still be worn by everyone coming in and out and singing, (but may be removed while sitting in the pew in the specified area only). We will keep reviewing the situation over the coming weeks.
Don’t forget the Team Christian Aid walk on the 10th September, you can book online if you have not yet registered or have a word with your Christian Aid co-ordinator. We need walkers, sponsors and refreshment helpers and greeters at each church. We also need prayers for the sunshine too! It should be a great day and a special time when we can socialise again.
The reflection today is by Rev Chris Jamieson and the Intercessions are by myself.
Jan B.
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
God is spirit – Let us worship him in spirit and truth
The Lord is with us – Let us praise his name together
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.
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbour as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father. We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ only son of the Father Lord God Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy upon us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One , you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
THE COLLECT
O God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
THE OLD TESTAMENT READING
PROVERBS 9, 1-16
Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls from the highest places in the town,
‘You that are simple, turn in here!’ To those without sense she says, ‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.’
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
THE NEW TESTAMENT READING
EPHESIANS 5, 15-20
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
THE GOSPEL
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you O Lord.
JOHN 6. 15-20.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’
REFLECTION
Our Gospel reading this morning is the final part about Jesus being the ‘Bread of Life.’ It takes place in the synagogue in Capernaum. Jesus is talking both about the Passover and the Eucharist. At the Passover the Jews gather in households to eat the unleavened bread and the Pascal lamb which reminds them of their escape from Egypt. It also helps them remember that during the exodus and their wandering in the wilderness they were fed with manna from on high: provision by God for the good of his people. Jesus then goes on to say that he is the ‘Living Bread’ that came down from heaven and that whoever eats of him will live for ever.
By using the words, ‘I am’ Jesus is saying that he is an integral part of the Godhead. He and the Father are one. Jesus himself is the ‘Living Bread’ and through him we have an indwelling relationship with the Father. This sacrifice of Jesus is of greater significance than the mamma which the Israelites ate in the wilderness because they ate and died whereas those who eat of the living bread will have eternal life. Jesus also says that the bread that he gives will be for the life of the world. It is not restricted, it is not only for the Jews but it is freely available for all.
At communion we are invited to abide in him and he in us. During the sacrament we take Jesus’ life into our own lives so that we can experience the fullness of Christ dwelling in us. This mutual indwelling is the purpose and joy of every communion service; a time when we are fully united with Christ and through him to the Father. It is important to remember this because Jesus is our living Lord and wants to be one with us in all that we think and say and do. When we receive Jesus as the ‘Bread of Life’ we abide in him and he in us and we have eternal life.
Amen. – Rev Chris Jamieson
THE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one being with the Father, through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son was worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Here we pray for the church, for the world,
those in need and those who have died, you can follow your own prayers
or those below which are on today’s theme.
Father we thank you for the revealing of your Son. For the breaking of bread and in the taking of the wine. We pray for all who celebrate the memorial of the death and passion of Jesus. We ask you to bless all who strive for unity and fellowship within the whole church. May we show that we are Christians through our love and sharing.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
We give thanks for the fruits of the earth and for all that you have given us. As we give thanks for our daily bread we remember all who are celebrating growth and increase in their lives. We pray for those in new work or preparing to go to new schools. We ask you to bless all artists and craftspeople, all who enrich our world with their talents and goodness. We remember all people who provide us with food and our daily needs.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
We give you thanks and praise for our homes, for their peace and protection. We ask your blessing on all homes where there is disunity or discord. We pray for all who are suffering from a breakdown in their relationships. We pray for homes where there is a new birth or someone newly admitted to the family.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
We give thanks that Jesus has shared our grief and our sorrows. As we give thanks for the wine of communion, we remember all whose lives are being outpoured. We pray for all who are facing pain or weakness, all who feel diminished by the trials of life. We remember those whose energies are failing and any who are finding it hard to cope with life. We pray for the sick in our own parish and especially Mildred Gerrard and Sue Roberts.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
We celebrate our communion with you, O God, and with the whole church on earth and heaven. We rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord. We pray for all our loved ones departed from us; and form our book of remembrance John Telford and James Walsh, may they, with all the Saints, enjoy the fullness of your presence and your kingdom.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake or your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE 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 forever. Amen.
THE BLESSING
Now may the Lord of peace himself give us peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with us all, and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with us and those who we love for evermore. Amen.
