Sunday 22nd August 2021 (12th Sunday after Trinity)
Before you begin, take a moment to pray. Ask your heavenly Father to show you the grace of Jesus, and to fill you afresh with his Holy Spirit. Think of a few other members of the church (if you are from St George’s) and pray also for them.
Start of Service
CALL TO WORSHIP
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
This is the day that the LORD has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. [Psalm 118:24]
Praise the LORD, O all you nations;
all you peoples, sing his praise.
For his love is great towards us;
his commitment lasts always.
He is faithful now and ever.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! [Psalm 117 from Sing Psalms]
We love you, O Lord our strength.
The Lord is our rock, our fortress and our deliverer;
our God is our rock, in whom we take refuge,
our shield, our salvation, our stronghold.
You reached down from on high and took hold of us,
you drew us out of deep waters,
you rescued us because you delight in us.
The Lord lives!
Praise be to our Rock!
Exalted be God our Saviour!
Therefore we will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
We will sing the praises of your name. [Based on Psalm 18]
Please sit.
CONFESSION
Have mercy on us, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out our transgressions.
Wash away all our iniquities and cleanse us from our sin. [Psalm 51:1-2]
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you
and against our neighbour
in thought and 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.
Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit. [Psalm 32:1-2]
Almighty God, who in Jesus Christ has given us a kingdom
that cannot be destroyed,
forgive you your sins, open your eyes to God’s truth,
strengthen you to do God’s will,
and give you the joy of his kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
bible readings and sermon
During the five Sundays of August we are looking at Psalms 56-60. Today is Psalm 59. The Gospel reading is Luke 1:68-79. You can download a document with Psalms 56-60 here.
With our Vicar on holiday we are unable to produce videos, but here are audio files for you to listen to.
Bible Readings:
Sermon, preached by Alistair Hornal:
After the sermon, take time to respond to God’s Word to you. Whenever we hear from God a good practice is to think of TSP (“teaspoon”):
T for Thank You - what do you need to praise God for?
S for Sorry - what do you need to confess?
P for Please - what do you need to ask of God, for yourself and others?
creed and prayers
Today the prayers were led by Amelia Heath-Clowes.
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.
commissioning and blessing
Father God, you have adopted us as your daughters and sons:
help us to live as children of light
bringing glory to your holy name.
Jesus Christ, you suffered and rose again for us:
teach us to seek first your kingdom
as we deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, you stir us to love and good works:
strengthen us to fight against sin, the world, and the devil
so that your will, not ours, may be done.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you have saved us:
send us into the world to proclaim your gospel. Amen.
Our souls find rest in Christ alone,
our salvation comes from him.
He is our rock and our salvation;
he is our fortress, we shall never be shaken. [Psalm 62:1-2]
God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love,
defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace;
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!
If you are not a regular member of St George’s but want to connect with us, please please contact us via this page. We have Evening Prayer using Zoom every day (except Saturdays) at 5pm and you are welcome to join us. Contact us for details. Our Prayer page gives you Bible readings and reflections for each day and many of us are finding these such an encouragement.
Find out more about hope during the coronavirus pandemic.