Sunday 17th May 2020 (Sixth Sunday of Easter)
In our Daily Bible Readings (see our Prayer Page) we are currently reading through the book of Numbers in the morning. This Sunday’s service is based on Numbers chapter 12.
To follow this service, start at the top and move towards the bottom! If it helps to print off some of the liturgy, here is a file you can use:
Large print (4 sides of A4)
Start of Service
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling: fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. [Hebrews 3:1]
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He has given us new life and hope.
He has raised Jesus from the dead.
God has claimed us as his own.
He has brought us out of darkness.
He has made us light to the world.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
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Alleluia! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: ♦
so let us celebrate the feast,
not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: ♦
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: ♦
death has no more dominion over him.
In dying he died to sin once for all: ♦
in living he lives to God.
Count yourselves therefore as dead to sin: ♦
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ has been raised from the dead: ♦
the first fruits of those who sleep.
For as by man came death: ♦
by man has come also the resurrection of the dead;
for as in Adam all die: ♦
even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
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.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Confession
Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from the grave
and crowned him Lord of all.
We confess that we have not bowed before him
or acknowledged his rule in our lives.
We have gone along with the way of the world
and failed to give him glory.
Forgive us and raise us from sin,
that we may be your faithful people,
obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who rules the world and is head of the church, his body. Amen.
May the God of love and power forgive you and free you from your sins,
heal and strengthen you by his Spirit,
and raise you to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end.
They are new every morning, new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness O Lord. Great is Thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Our next song continues the theme of God’s faithfulness. This is a song that you may have been learning these last few weeks.
sermon
Today’s sermon is based on Numbers chapter 12. You will hear it being read as part of what follows. The sermon is in three parts, each part followed by a song for singing or reflection.
part one
In part one Tim mentioned the ‘UK Blessing’ song. Many of you loved seeing it last week. As you watch it again and sing along, notice the wonderful diversity of the church in this country.
part two
The God revealed in the Old Testament is our God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. With this hymn we praise Abraham’s God, the God of love. You will need to turn the volume up for this video.
part three
God is building a house for all nations. Being part of God’s family is a blessing that Jesus has won for us, entirely without our help! The fact that salvation is completely God’s work means anyone and everyone is invited. Use this song to reflect on the welcoming grace of God; let it inspire you to pray that St George’s Church might be such a diverse group of people that the only explanation is the reality of Jesus.
faith and prayer
Tim and Hannah lead the ‘Te Deum’ and then John and Lynne Williams will lead us in prayer. The words of the Te Deum and the Lord’s Prayer will appear on the screen.
We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as the Lord;
all creation worships you, the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all praise,
the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the King of glory, the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
Govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you. We praise your name for ever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy,
for we have put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope: let us never be put to shame.
Amen.
Further prayers will follow.
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.
blessing
God the Father,
by whose love Christ was raised from the dead,
open to you who believe the gates of everlasting life.
Amen.
God the Son,
who in bursting from the grave has won a glorious victory,
give you joy as you share the Easter faith.
Amen.
God the Holy Spirit,
who filled the disciples with the life of the risen Lord,
empower you and fill you with Christ’s peace.
Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
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.
further songs to help us praise god
Thank you P (you know who you are!) for suggesting that every service should end with the UK blessing song. We used it earlier but it inspired me to add the following video. The UK Blessing was put together after Tim Hughes saw a US version. Christians in other countries are now joining together to pray God’s blessing on their nation. So expect more of these in coming weeks!
This week: watch (and sing along with) our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe sing The Blessing. What a great reminder of God’s purpose to bring people together in Jesus Christ.
The Lord bless you And keep you
Make His face shine upon you And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His Face toward you
And give you peace
Amen!
hymns and song to learn for the future
There are suggestions that singing together will be one of the last things to return. This breaks my heart! My hope is that, when that day comes, we will have learned many new songs. One day, with a mix of old and new, we will unite our voices in praise of the living God!
I love short songs that everyone (of all ages) can learn by heart. They are even better when we can add some simple harmonies! Songs like The Doxology, The Steadfast Love, Psalm 134 (“Behold, bless the Lord”) and this one below.
The next song is an old Charles Wesley hymn, given new lease of life through the work of Indelible Grace - a ministry that started among students, bringing old hymns back into contemporary use.