Sunday 25 July

Welcome and Introduction (Val – shared screen)

Good morning everyone and a warm welcome to our service this morning. My name is Val and I will be leading the service today; Simon Spencer is preaching and the music has been chosen for us by Kirsty. Dennis will bring us the readings from God’s word ; Gloria will lead us in our intercessions and a special thank you to Simon Longshaw, who will be hosting the service.

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit be with you.
And also with you.

This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

We have had significant contrasts in our news from around the world this week

In the UK we have been enjoying some wonderful sunny weather, not something we can always associate with the month of July, whilst hundreds of people in other areas of Northern Europe are still trying to come to terms with the consequences of devastating floods , which have caused many deaths and made hundreds of people homeless.

We have been reminded frequently about the need for all world leaders to take decisive action to combat the effects of global warming, which is causing many of the problems associated with extreme climate change, and then, bizarrely, we have had the spectacle of two of the richest men in the world, spending phenomenal amounts of money to spend a few minutes in space. I remember the amount of excitement and anticipation 51 years ago, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the moon – it was a defining moment for most people of my generation. I am sure some people were very excited about the two journeys this week, but for most of us they did not did not have the same impact – perhaps an era dominated by the problems of climate change and the more imminent problems of the pandemic have made this type of event appear to be less relevant.

Yesterday I received a letter from Christian Aid, and it contained a prayer to remind us that God has bequeathed a beautiful world to us and He has given us the privilege and responsibility to be good stewards. Let us pray this prayer now:

Creator God, from the tree of the garden of Eden, to the tree in the city in Revelation, we thank you for your vision of creation healed. Help us to be your agents of restoration, tending to the beauty of the Earth, and enabling your healing of the nations.

This prayer now leads us into the first hymn, which Kirsty has chosen for us this morning

Song (Kirsty – shared screen)

All Creatures of our God and King

Birthdays (Val)

Doreen has not given me any names, but please unmute and say if it is your birthday.

Confession (Val – shared screen)

We now come to a time of Confession, so let us spend a few moments thinking about things we have done or said this week, or things we have failed to do, and bring them before our Father God.

Almighty God,
we confess that we have sinned against You,
in thought , word and deed.
We have not loved You with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves.
Have mercy upon us;
cleanse us from our sins
and help us to overcome our faults,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Absolution (Randy)

Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Medley (Kirsty – shared screen)

Waymaker

I Choose to Worship

Waterfalls

Collect (Val – shared screen)

Lord God,
your Son left the riches of heaven
and became poor for our sake:
when we prosper save us from pride,
when we are needy save us from despair,
that we may trust in you alone;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Readings (Dennis)

Dennis will now bring our Bible readings for today: 2 Samuel 11:1-15 and John 6:1-21.

Sermon (Simon)

Simon will now bring us the thoughts which God has given Him about these Bible readings (transcript).

Affirmation Of Faith (Val – shared screen)

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He 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,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Peace (Val)

We are the body of Christ.
In the one Spirit we were all baptised into one body.
Let us then pursue all that makes for peace
and builds up our common life.

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Song (Kirsty – shared screen)

Broken Vessels

Intercessions (Gloria)

Gloria will now lead our intercessions (transcript).

The Lord’s Prayer (shared screen)

As our Saviour Jesus taught us, we pray together:
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.

Conclusion (Val)

Before we sing our closing Hymn, let us reflect on Simon’s talk and pray to the Father who provides for us.

Father, as we leave this service today, please prepare our hearts and minds for the week to come. We pray that the words we have heard and the songs we have sung will be reflected in the way we relate to others this week, and that our actions and words will be pleasing to You. Amen.

Prayer Ministry with Jen and Ben will be available via the zoom link, immediately after the service, and Simon will arrange break out rooms, for those who are able to stay.

Our closing Hymn is For all that you have done.

Song (Kirsty – shared screen)

For All That You Have Done

Blessing and Dismissal (Randy)

The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.

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If you’re joining us real-time but were not on the zoom call, do consider joining us for coffee via zoom breakout rooms. Click here.

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Some music taken from Worship Lyric Videos – all rights reserved.