Service for Sunday 25th September
Morning Praise
We say together the words printed in bold.
Hymn: All my hope on God is founded
All my hope on God is founded;
he doth still my trust renew,
me through change and chance he guideth,
only good and only true.
God unknown,
he alone
calls my heart to be his own.
Human pride and earthly glory,
sword and crown betray his trust;
what with care and toil he buildeth,
tower and temple fall to dust.
But God’s power,
hour by hour,
is my temple and my tower.
God’s great goodness aye endureth,
deep his wisdom, passing thought:
splendor, light and life attend him,
beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore
from his store
newborn worlds rise and adore.
Still from earth to God eternal
sacrifice of praise be done,
high above all praises praising
for the gift of Christ, his Son.
Christ doth call
one and all:
ye who follow shall not fall.
¶Preparation
We come from scattered lives to meet with God.
Let us recognize his presence with us.
Silence is kept.
As God’s people we have gathered:
let us worship him together.
Greeting
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you
All: And also with you.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Prayers of Penitence (sit)
The minister introduces the confession.
The gospel calls us to turn away from sin
and be faithful to Christ.
As we offer ourselves to him in penitence and faith,
we renew our confidence and trust in his mercy.
All: Lord God,
we have sinned against you;
we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent.
Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us
and restore to us the joy of your salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.
All: Amen.
Praise
Let everything be said and done in the name of the
Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God through Jesus Christ.
Sing psalms, hymns and sacred songs,
let us sing to God with thankful hearts.
Open our lips, Lord,
and we shall praise your name.
cf Colossians 3.16,17
Venite – a Song of Triumph
1O come, let us sing to the Lord; ♦
let us heartily rejoice in the rock of our salvation.
2Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving ♦
and be glad in him with psalms.
3For the Lord is a great God ♦
and a great king above all gods.
4In his hand are the depths of the earth ♦
and the heights of the mountains are his also.
5The sea is his, for he made it, ♦
and his hands have moulded the dry land
6Come, let us worship and bow down ♦
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7For he is our God; ♦
we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
cf Psalm 95
¶Word
Reading: 1 Timothy ch 6 v 6-19
6 Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; 7 for we brought nothing into the world, so that[a] we can take nothing out of it; 8 but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains
11 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made[b] the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.
17 As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, 19 thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.
After the reading this response may be used
This is the word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Hymn: Amazing grace
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 first 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;
God’s grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
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 first begun.
The Gospel Reading: Luke ch 16 v 19-31
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
Praise to you, O Lord
19 ‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.[a] The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.[b] 24 He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” 25 But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” 27 He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” 29 Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” 30 He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” 31 He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”’
After the reading this response may be used
This is the Gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you, O Christ
Sermon
Recently, I have been very aware of how much stuff I have. Everywhere there are ornaments, pictures, photos and so much other stuff that at times seems very important and yet at other times is clutter. And it is so difficult deciding what needs to be kept and what can easily be dispensed with. And it’s not just one room; it’s every room! Anyone understand that?
The story that Jesus told that we read this morning is, like all his stories a wake up call to the people who first heard it but also to us. This parable is only in Luke’s gospel but since his gospel deals with the outcast and the marginalised it is no surprise! It is noticeable too that it is the poor man who is given the dignity of having a name as in most of the parables people are not named.
The rich man had not necessarily done anything wrong but his problem was indifference. He was content with his wealth and lived in a large house with a gate like a portico so that he could shut out the nasty things outside. He wasn’t unkind to Lazarus; he just didn’t see him as a person in his own right.
The letter that Timothy writes is to a settled church which has a mixture of social classes. It is here that we heard the words “the love of money is the root of all evil” not just “money is the root of all evil”. We are told that we should love God and our neighbour but we also need to love ourselves and so often we do things that make us less fond of ourselves than we might be.
St Teressa of Avila wrote in her work, ‘The Interior Castle’, “Our Lord asks but two things of us: love for Him and for our neighbour…. I think the most certain sign that we keep these two commandments is that we have genuine love for others. We cannot know whether we love God although there may be strong reasons for thinking so, but there can be no doubt about whether we love our neighbour or no’.
There were many stories about warnings from the grave and usually the requests were granted but in this parable Jesus tells us that we have had all the warnings and if the prophets and in our case Christ himself are not heeded then so be it. The warning was there, loud and clear! Many of those hearing this story thought that they had a right to entry to heaven because they had followed the Law to the letter. But probably without compassion for others.
In this story as in many others Jesus turns normal expectations upside down just as Mary stated in her words after hearing she would be the mother of the Messiah.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
Even when the rich man was suffering he expected Lazarus to act as a servant at his bidding but he was told that the warnings were there for all and if they were not accepted from the prophets then nothing else would help either. The rich man did care for his family but it was all too late.
The rich man had everything that he could wish for on earth while the poor man had nothing. He had to be taken to the place to beg and was reliant on whatever anyone passing gave him which was usually nothing much. He only dressed in rags and had ulcerated sores all over his body. We can only imagine what his life was like. At this time in Palestine 95% of the people were very poor. Luke was well aware of the privations in the time.
This is not a story about death; it is not really a story about money; it is about treating people with indifference. It is not a case of being unkind or nasty; it is not even being aware of others. As usual when I prepare a service it is difficult to realise that the teachings apply to me!
We need to think about what God has given us and most importantly how we use our gifts for others. We may be good listeners but find that we haven’t got time to listen to the person who needs so desperately to talk; we may be able to help someone with a problem as long as it doesn’t impinge on what we want to do. I can find so many excuses.
We don’t know what is going to happen and like the bridesmaids with their oil we need to do things now. We have Christ’s example and no excuse. So perhaps we need to clear out some of the stuff in our minds and hearts and follow Christ more nearly.
Let us pray:
Loving God, you know how blind I can be to the needs of those around me. Send me your Spirit to open my eyes to see who is in need of my care, my mind to understand how to respond and my heart that I may show to them the love of Jesus your Son. I ask this in his name, confident that you will hear me. Amen.
Hymn: Be thou my vision
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;
be thou my best thought in the day and the night,
both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,
be thou ever with me, and I with thee Lord;
be thou my great Father, and I thy true son;
be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
be thou my whole armor, be thou my true might;
be thou my soul’s shelter, be thou my strong tower:
O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise:
be thou mine inheritance now and always;
be thou and thou only the first in my heart;
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of heaven, when battle is done,
Grant heaven’s joy to me, O bright heaven’s sun
Christ of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.
Creed
All: 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.
¶Prayers
Prayers of Intercession using the response
All our needs are God’s concerns. Let us pray to him now.
Father, make us a listening church, welcoming to the hesitant, encouraging to the young, sensitive to the differences and attentive to the needs. May those in positions of trust and leadership be caring and compassionate.
God, in mercy
Hear us as we pray
Father, make us a caring world, wise in government, honest in promises, for-sighted in the management of resources and open hearted in charitable giving. May our new government be sensitive to the needs of the people so that there may be equity.
God, in mercy
Hear us as we pray
Father, make us a responsible community, supporting our neighbours and friends, sharing one another’s sorrows and joys and opening our homes as a place for you to dwell.
God, in mercy
Hear us as we pray
Father, as we remember those who have asked for our prayers, take their needs and provide for them, take their wounds and heal them, take their suffering and comfort them. many do not ask for prayers but we know that we can bring them before you in the silence of our own hearts.
God, in mercy
Hear us as we pray
Father, as we call to mind those who have died, may they know the welcoming of your love into eternal joy. May we be reminded of your great love for each one of us and comfort those who grieve in whatever way.
God, in mercy
Hear us as we pray
Thank you, Holy God, for knowing our needs even before we become aware of them ourselves.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Let us pray as Jesus taught us
All: Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Collect
Lord God, defend your church from all false teaching and give to your people knowledge of your truth that we may enjoy eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Amen.
The Peace (stand)
God calls us to peace:
All: In God’s justice is our peace.
Christ calls us to be God’s people
All: In Christ is our peace
Sign of Peace given
Hymn: Brother, sister, let me serve you
Brother, Sister Let Me Serve You.
Let Me Be As Christ To You;
Pray That I May Have The Grace To
Let You Be My Servant Too.
Brother, Sister Let Me Serve You.
Let Me Be As Christ To You;
Pray That I May Have The Grace To
Let You Be My Servant Too.
We Are Pilgrims On A Journey,
And Companions On The Road;
We Are Here To Help Each Other
Walk The Mile And Bear The Load.
I Will Hold The Christ-Light For You
In The Night-Time Of Your Fear;
I Will Hold My Hand Out To You,
Speak The Peace You Long To Hear.
I Will Weep When You Are Weeping;
When You Laugh I’ll Laugh With You;
I Will Share Your Joy And Sorrow
Till We’ve Seen This Journey Through.
When We Sing To God In Heaven
We Shall Find Such Harmony,
Born Of All We’ve Known Together
Of Christ’s Love And Agony.
Brother, Sister Let Me Serve You.
Let Me Be As Christ To You;
Pray That I May Have The Grace To
Let You Be My Servant Too.
¶ Blessing
Eternal God,
our beginning and our end,
accompany us on our life’s journey.
Dawn on our darkness,
open our eyes to praise you for your creation
and to see the work you set before us now.
Take us and use us
to bring to others the new life you give in Jesus Christ
our Lord.
All: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
