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
I think today many of you will be reading and taking part in this service rather than in church, of course that is because of all the road closures for the Iron Man triathlon competition. We wish everyone well who are taking part and of course thank many of them for all the money raised to help charities and good causes. I myself am able to walk down to church so let’s hope the rain stays away.
We will be welcoming Rev Marcus Bullock today and we thank him and hope he enjoys being with us. Today’s reflection is by Rev Carol and intercessions by Chris Sutcliffe, thank you to them for their help today.
Jan B
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 glorious name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER 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.
THE 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 and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THE NEW TESTAMENT READING
2 CORINTHIANS 12,2-10
I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows– was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
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 6, 1-13.
He left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary* and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence* at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ.
REFLECTION
Nazareth was just a small village, and its people were hill people. They were probably all related, and they certainly all knew each other very well. Jesus and his disciples climbed the hills to Nazareth, and on the Sabbath day Jesus began to teach in the synagogue.
There seem to have been two reactions to his teaching. Some people were astonished by his wisdom and others took offence, why was this?
I am reminded of the saying “Familiarity breeds contempt.” “Familiar”, derived from the word family. He is family! We know him! and rather than rejoicing in someone from their own village who was clearly so special, some of them “took offence”.
To them He was just Mary and Joseph’s boy. He was not anything special – he went to school and to synagogue with their children. He was a child who grew up and became a carpenter like his dad. Just one of Mary and Joseph’s boys, and now he thinks he is going to impress us by teaching in the synagogue?
He had been astonishing other people with his teaching and healing powers when he was out on the road, but when he came back home, he was quickly put into the old familiar place. They could not see him; could not take in the life-giving power of the words that he spoke. The vast majority could not even participate in the healing that he had to offer, for that would require openness on their part, openness to the possibility that God could speak to them and could heal them through this Jesus that they grew up with.
No, rather than receiving what he had to offer, they took offense at him.
It does not take much for some people to take offence. There are those who take offence not because they have been harmed in any way, but because they feel threatened. And some people feel threatened when other people have better fortune than they do themselves. The problem is jealousy, anger, and resentment cause dis-ease. They are underlying currents which act as blocks to God’s love and healing power. And so, Jesus found that even he was unable to perform many miracles in his own country among his own kin.
But Jesus did not let it get to him or distract him from his call. It is as if he remembered something he had heard another rabbi say one-time prophets are honoured everywhere except in their hometown, among their own kin. He was amazed at their unbelief.” But then he let it go. He left his hometown as quickly as he had come back to it and kept on with his work. He, the living Word of God, had life-giving and lifesaving words to offer, and he was not going to let a little rejection by his relatives get in the way.
He left and they totally missed him, and what he had to teach them. They missed a whole new possibility for a relationship with God. They might have even missed an opportunity for healing. They missed a chance for a whole different type of life, a much better life – because they knew him, and they wrote him off.
Sometimes we are in such a hurry to label people so that we can move on to the next person, the next thing. Will we strive to follow in our Lord’s footsteps, and listen for God’s still, small voice. “You are my beloved. I have called you. You have gifts like anyone else. And the people around you have gifts, too, and things to share with you. Open your heart. Do not be afraid. I am with you
Rev Carol.
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 these below on today’s theme.
If we are not ready to listen to the truth, we will not hear it.
God has drawn us down many different routes to this shared worship today.
Let us still our bodies and alert our minds and hearts in his presence.
Heavenly Father, we are only the Body of Christ because your spirit binds us together with your life. Give us real concern and love for one another, supportive and encouraging, without malice or bickering, so that we can be sent out strong in our weakness and littleness.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Let us pray for the clergy, ALMs and all who contribute to the work of our churches in the Turton Moorland Team Ministry. Keeping in our prayers today, Hannah Lane whose ordination takes places this afternoon at Manchester Cathedral after which she will join our team as a Curate.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Heavenly Father, much evil is allowed to flourish through the silence of good people; give us all the courage to speak out your truth, whether it is popular or not.
Give all in authority the wisdom and strength they need to make decisions for the good of all your people directing all nations in the paths of righteousness and truth.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Loving Father, help us to listen to those around us; at home, on the phone, at school and at work; may we give our full attention to you and to one another, happy to grow wiser through each conversation.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Loving Father, the twelve were sent to anoint the sick. Pour out your healing spirit on all in need, especially for those who have no one to confide in and no one to listen to them. We pray for your love to enfold them, your peace to calm them and your healing to transform them. We pray especially today for those we know and for Linda Platt and Sue Roberts.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Heavenly Father, prepare us all during this life for the life to come; we commend to your keeping all those who have recently made their journey through death. All those known and unknown to us. This morning from our book of Remembrance, we pray for: George FM Young, Nancy Walsh, Leonard Greenhalgh, Alan Chadwick.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for making your ways know to us and guiding us into your truth.
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 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 all and those who we love for evermore.
Amen.
