Sunday 7th June 2020 (Trinity Sunday)

Today is Trinity Sunday, though today’s sermon is based on Joshua 5 because it applies our recent daily readings to events of the past week or so. During June and July the words of the liturgy (confession, creed etc) will be the same each week. Words should appear on the videos but if you wish to print them off you can download the file by clicking on this text.

The Trinity is the wonderful doctrine that the one true and living God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. To help you prepare for this service, you could watch this video - an overview of the Christian faith.

Start of Service

Let us worship the eternal Father,
the source of love and life, who creates us.

Let us worship Jesus Christ,
the risen one, Lord of heaven and earth.

Let us worship the Holy Spirit,
the comforter and guide, who renews us.

To the one true God be praise,
in all times and places,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Note for those who are not perpetually online(!): When an ad appears on a YouTube video (e.g. a box appears during the video advertising something) you can simply click the X to make it disappear.

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.

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.

[If you are missing “The Steadfast Love of the Lord never ceases” then do look at a previous Sunday. We’ll use it again in the future.]

The next video is an introduction to something new: The New City Catechism. Watch the video and (after the service!) visit www.newcitycatechism.com. Apologies for audio problems in the first few seconds, and a shaky camera throughout!

bible readings

The sermon is based on Joshua 5:13-15 which will be read as part of the sermon.

Before you continue, however, please read John 18:28-40. Click on this text to find it online (a new window will open for you to read it).

Next: Psalm 87

We have sung a version of Psalm 87 a few times. To access it, click on the image and you will be taken to the Seedbed Psalter. Press the ‘Play’ button and the music will begin.

When you have finished, pray before starting the sermon.

The sermon is split into three parts - the video will invite you to pause and reflect after the first two parts.

You can read the Barmen Declaration at this link. The talk that Tim referred to can be seen on YouTube at this link. To think more deeply about the book of Joshua and the question of the Canaanites, here is the article referred to by Tim.

Our next hymn, based on Psalm 72, speaks of the reign of Jesus Christ

creed and prayers

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,
he became 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
is 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.

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

commissioning

Keep alert, stand firm in the faith,
be courageous, be strong.
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Almighty God, your ascended Son has sent us into the world
to preach the good news of your kingdom:
inspire us with your Spirit and fill our hearts with the fire of your love,
that all who hear your Word may be drawn to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

blessing

May 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.

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

This week we have “The Blessing” in South Africa. Together with Christian sisters and brothers in South Africa, we are called to bless the world as we seek the coming of God’s Kingdom among us.

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.

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!

The next song is one we have sung at ‘The Big Sing’ but not yet introduced to our Sunday services. It is a favourite of Peter Roberts. Amazing words are paired with a classic Welsh hymn tune.

Finally, “CityAlight” are producing some wonderful new hymns for the church. Here is one that is proving popular around the world, not least for its God-centred lyrics.