Christian Aid Team Walk through the parishes – POSTPONED to 11th Sept
Due to the ongoing restrictions we have had to postpone the Christian Aid Walk planned for July 10th – if you were booked on you can resign by letting Chris Sutcliffe know by email at: [email protected], or by phone on 07458 332893. You may sign up on the Team Website Team Walk – Turton Moorland Team Ministry please do so by Aug 8th. Please do so by Aug 8th. We hope you can still make it on Sept 11th and we hope it will be a joyous and successful venture.
INTRODUCTION
Good morning everybody on this Father’s Day a time to remember our own father’s although it is not a religious event, but we can also reflect on our Father in heaven.
The grub tub is back in church if you would like to donate food etc. Many thanks to all who kept it going throughout the lockdown and to Ruth for taking it to Urban Outreach for us.
We are in crisis point for St Maxentius Scout, Cubs and Beavers groups who may have to fold if we can’t find any leaders; it would be such a pity as these groups have been going for more than fifty years. If you can help please contact Heather Colley or anyone from church to offer your services, it would be such a shame for the boys of our parish to lose this valuable organisation.
The reflection and intercessions are by myself this week
Jan B.
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
We meet in the name of God – God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit; God is one.
PRAYER OF PENITENCE
Almighty God our heavenly Father we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. 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
Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts whereby we call you Father: give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that we and all creation may be brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God; 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.
NEW TESTAMENT READING
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see–we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return–I speak as to children–open wide your hearts also.
This is the word of the Lord – Thanks be to God
THE GOSPEL
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you O Lord
MARK 4, 35-41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ.
REFLECTION
Today’s readings are all about being looked after, quite appropriate for Father’s day. The old testament reading for today was from 1 Samuel about David and Goliath, it is a very long story so it’s not in today’s service but perhaps you can read it later.
Looking to our heavenly Father we hear how he helps Paul and the disciples to give the great news to the Corinthians and also how he calms the storm and keeps them all safe, but rebukes them for not having the faith to know that they would not come to any harm.
Most of us have been lucky to have our own father’s around while we were growing up, some of us still have them to support and give guidance, as we grow older. They have protected us, cared for us, loved us, guided us, helped us throughout our lives and sometimes even when they have gone we might think “ what would dad have done”, or” dad would be so happy and proud to see this”.
Our God does the same for us although we sometimes don’t always realise it and need reminding, he sacrificed his Son so that we might learn and understand just what is required of us and over 2,000 years later, we are still reading the gospel and acts to try and understanding all the meanings of this wonderful story. God’s love for us is shown through our talents and skills, we are given these to help others and care for his creation and each other. All our skills and occupations contribute to the smooth running of society, doctors, builders, scientists, plumbers, joiners, teachers, farmers, shop workers, we all have our job to do. It is so good that we have different skills because if we were all the same the world could not operate. After all, if we were all brain surgeons there would be no food, shelters or facilities. Remember David and Goliath you don’t have to be powerful or super clever. You just have to be yourself.
Through our prayers God listens and acts on them with our interests at heart, we have to trust and have faith that he is listening and working with us as was our own Father when we were young.
Jan B.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
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; ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
INTERCESSIONS
During the intercessions, we pray for the church, our country, our government, people in difficulty and those who have died. You can use your own prayers or if you prefer here are some on today’s theme.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, for you are ever with us and your presence brings us close to your power and your peace. You are ready to hear our cry and to help us in our troubles. We rejoice in your love and in your care. Blessed are you, God, forever, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Almighty and loving God, we seek to rest in your presence and in your peace. The church is often buffeted by storms of antagonism and opposition. We remember before you all Christians who are struggling to survive in areas where they face violence or ridiculed for their faith. We pray especially for those whose lives are at risk at this time. We ask your blessing on our own churches and ministry teams in the Turton Moorland Team.
Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer.
God our creator, we rejoice in the well-being that is ours. We remember in your presence all who are suffering at this time from storms, floods, from drought. We pray for all who are caught up in war, in violence and acts of wickedness. We remember al who are suffering from poverty or are in great debt.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
We give thanks for the love and protection of our homes. Lord, grant that our loved ones may know your presence. We remember homes where people are not coping well, where there are struggles in relationships. We remember especially homes where there are great tensions between parents and their children. Bless, O Lord, all whose homes have fallen apart and all children who have been taken into care.
Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer
God you are ever present. We ask you to strengthen and support all who are overwhelmed by the storms of life. We remember those whose sickness finds no cure. We pray for loved ones and carers who feel exhausted and unable to cope any more. Bless, O Lord, all who have been injured this week or have gone into hospital, and all their loved ones who are anxious for them.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Mighty God, when the last great storm overwhelms us, help us to know you are there, as the Lord and giver of life; to know we are not alone and you will not let us perish. Bless our loved one who are departed from the storms and troubles of this world with your presence and your peace. We especially pray for those whose anniversaries are at this time, Alan Hilton, Kathleen Fraser, Herbert Joseph Dickenson, Margaret Dodd, Thomas Greenhalgh, Alice Anderton and Ellen Ann Howard. Rejoicing in the fellowship of all your saints, we commend ourselves and the whole of your creation to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father – accept these prayers for the sake of 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 this day 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
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be among us and remain with us always. Amen.
