Nov 22nd All Age Activities Nehemiah Builds a Wall

Song: For I’m Building a People of Power. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAVdz4a7s6s

Sunday 22nd Nov is St Catherine’s Day- so we’re thinking about our church- not just the building but all the people and activities that belong there. But we haven’t been able to use our building for so much of this year.

How does that make us feel?

A long time ago- God’s people were sent away from their city Jerusalem and their land to live in a strange land. They were very sad.

A man called Nehemiah came up with a plan….

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/HdDvqWtVkro

Nehemiah prays to God about what has happened. He is very sad and knows that his people have done some wrong things. When things are tough for us, we are allowed to be sad or even cry. But like Nehemiah, we can turn to God to. We might need to think about how we got into the mess. But God hears our prayers and is always there for us- to help us sort things out.

Nehemiah acts – he asks the King for help- that’s a very brave thing to do if you’re a servant! But the king supports him and Nehemiah sets out for Jerusalem. He and all the people work hard to mend the broken walls.

We have choices to make in hard times- let’s ask God to help us make good choices and do good things.

Nehemiah keeps going – his people still had enemies and they tried to stop him. They laughed at him, then threatened the people, then tried to get him to stop in other ways. But Nehemiah just kept going. When we’re doing what God wants, other people may try to stop us. When we’re doing the right thing, we can ask God for strength to keep going.

Nothing can stop God’s love for us.

Activities:

1. Build a Wall- play Jenga. If you don’t have any Jenga at home, we can lend games from Toy Library Wed 9-10.30am.

2. See if you can make a domino run. It doesn’t have to be this big! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBOE2_xYg3I

3. Build a lego wall and send us the pictures to our Facebook GLU group. We can also lend out Duplo or Lego from our Toy Library

4. Make a wall by weaving paper

Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are great and awesome.

Thank You for helping us when we face difficult times.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Song: Rescuer: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u2DFGKeARY

Holy Communion for St Catherine's Day

We meet in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Hymn: Thy hand O God has guided 689

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eniRq02fMPQ

Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hidden:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,

and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

We come to say sorry to God:

My brothers and sisters,

as we prepare to celebrate the presence of Christ

in word and sacrament,

let us call to mind and confess our sins

Father, you come to meet us when we return to you:

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,

Father forgive

The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own,

Father forgive

The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth,

Father forgive

Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,

Father forgive

Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,

Father forgive

The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children,

Father forgive

The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,

Father forgive

Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Amen.

The Collect

God the Father,

help us to hear the call of Christ the King

and to follow in his service,

whose kingdom has no end;

for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, one glory.

Amen

Song Gloria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep4TLwVM9mQ

Nehemiah- Rebuilding and Restoring https://youtu.be/HdDvqWtVkro

Julie’s Quiz- what do remember about Nehemiah?

Song: For I’m building a People of Power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAVdz4a7s6s

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 1:1-7 read by Anthony

1 This is the account of what Nehemiah son of Hacaliah accomplished.

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year that Artaxerxes was emperor of Persia, I, Nehemiah, was in Susa, the capital city. 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived from Judah with another group, and I asked them about Jerusalem and about the other Jews who had returned from exile in Babylonia. 3 They told me that those who had survived and were back in the homeland were in great difficulty and that the foreigners who lived nearby looked down on them. They also told me that the walls of Jerusalem were still broken down and that the gates had not been restored since the time they were burned. 4 When I heard all this, I sat down and wept.

For several days I mourned and did not eat. I prayed to God, 5 “Lord God of Heaven! You are great, and we stand in fear of you. You faithfully keep your covenant with those who love you and do what you command. 6 Look at me, Lord, and hear my prayer, as I pray day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess that we, the people of Israel, have sinned. My ancestors and I have sinned. 7 We have acted wickedly against you and have not done what you commanded. We have not kept the laws which you gave us through Moses, your servant.

Sermon:Pray

As we look at the story of Nehemiah this morning you might wonder what that’s got to do with St Catherine’s and celebrating our church.

We’re thinking about what happened to Nehemiah and thinking about what is happening to us here thousands of years later.

Nehemiah and God’s people were in trouble. Most had been taken to a foreign land as prisoners, those left in their city Jerusalem were struggling. Nehemiah sat down and cried.

Then Nehemiah prayed.

In his prayer, Nehemiah both said sorry for the things that people had done wrong and he reminded God of God’s promise to look after his people.

Cry

In our time, we also have people feeling fed up, sad, isolated or depressed because of what’s happening around us. We might well feel overwhelmed and want a good cry. It’s OK to be not OK. Share it, tell someone.

And if we’re doing OK- we can be kind and supportive of those who do feel sad.

Consider

Nehemiah saw that because his people had forgotten God, they had got into trouble. We might also wonder what we can learn from our situation- how we treat the natural world, how we need to work together with countries across the world, how we are to care for each other.

And we say sorry for the things that have gone wrong.

Ask God

Nehemiah didn’t know what to do but he did know that God was there. When we’re stuck in a situation that we don’t think we can change, we can turn back to God.

Nothing divides us from God’s love. Not COVID, not lockdown, not the Oh No! We’ve got something else to put up with… Not anything.

We might cry, have a good think, but then ask God for help.

And on St Catherine’s day when we think about where we were this time last year- just into the new building, more people joining us, lots of children and young people, we might feel sad that it’s all so different now, and wonder what we can possibly do.

Start with prayer.

Bible reading: Nehemiah 2:2-6 read by Temi https://youtu.be/_yEmtmga0qE

2 so he asked, “Why are you looking so sad? You aren't sick, so it must be that you're unhappy.”

I was startled 3 and answered, “May Your Majesty live forever! How can I keep from looking sad when the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

4 The emperor asked, “What is it that you want?”

I prayed to the God of Heaven, 5 and then I said to the emperor, “If Your Majesty is pleased with me and is willing to grant my request, let me go to the land of Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I can rebuild the city.”

6 The emperor, with the empress sitting at his side, approved my request. He asked me how long I would be gone and when I would return, and I told him.

Courage and Action:

Nehemiah actually worked in the foreign emperor’s court. The emperor saw how sad Nehemiah was. Nehemiah prayed again and then was incredibly brave. Nehemiah asked the emperor for help.

I’ve been thinking in assembly with Aldermoor Primary about courage. It’s not feeling brave and strong all the time but perhaps feeling all sorts inside but then doing the right thing anyway. Nehemiah was sad but he trusted God to help and did a very brave thing. He asked the emperor to let him go back to Jerusalem.

However we’re feeling, whatever situation we might be stuck in, we can have courage. Finding a way forward means asking for help, finding out what we can do.

For us at St Catherine’s, we’re looking at all sorts of ways we can still grow as a church. The afternoon tea group and bible study and flourishing; I’m so impressed with all of you who keep turning up to zoom even on days when the tech is a bit wobbly.

We’re being creative about Christmas- so we can still tell the story of God coming to this messed up and troubled world.

Resist

Bible reading Nehemiah 2:17-20 read by John C

17 But now I said to them, “See what trouble we are in because Jerusalem is in ruins and its gates are destroyed! Let's rebuild the city walls and put an end to our disgrace.” 18 And I told them how God had been with me and helped me, and what the emperor had said to me.

They responded, “Let's start rebuilding!” And they got ready to start the work.

19 When Sanballat, Tobiah, and an Arab named Geshem heard what we were planning to do, they laughed at us and said, “What do you think you're doing? Are you going to rebel against the emperor?”

20 I answered, “The God of Heaven will give us success. We are his servants, and we are going to start building. But you have no right to any property in Jerusalem, and you have no share in its traditions.

Resist and Persist:

So Nehemiah goes back to Jerusalem, supported by the emperor to rebuild the city walls. God is with him, God has heard his prayers, and when he talks to the people there, they’re enthusiastic and make a start. How great is that?

But almost immediately, there’s opposition. First their enemies start to mock and threatened them and as we heard in the video- the trouble goes on and on.

And we are in another lockdown. We got through the summer, thought things had improved and now we’re back inside again. There is hope up ahead with a vaccine, but it’s still tough right now.

For us as individuals and us as St Catherine’s church, knowing that God’s people have always faced tough times should give us some comfort. What’s happening may be very new to us, but Jesus warned his followers that

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’

I asked someone this week how they were- they said- we just have to keep going. There will be opposition, difficulty, and trouble. But God is still with us. Jesus warns us that there will be trouble but Jesus is bigger than all of that. Nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Our challenge is to keep going.

Still to pray; still to worship and take comfort from God’s word. Still to connect and keep connecting with other people. Still to reach out to those who are on the edge of church, those we might just come across who are in need.

However long this pandemic goes on for, it is not forever. We will rebuild our church, God’s love will not run out, we will come to a new season where we will thrive.

The Creed

Let us declare our faith in God.

We believe in God the Father,

from whom every family

in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son,

who lives in our hearts through faith,

and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,

who strengthens us

with power from on high.

We believe in one God;

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Prayers

Alice: Children and Young People

Lord our God,

Thank you for guiding the children at St Catherine’s church, and inspiring them to be who they are and embrace what they love. Right now as children dwell in sorrow of the damage of corona virus and are unable to attend their schools or colleges, I pray you give them strength, remind them you will always walk beside them.

Even though we are unable to attend church, we still lift your name on high. Thank you for your love, protection and guidance even when life tries to tear us down, we know you are there. We are not alone.

Amen.

Lin: Afternoon Tea Group

O Lord we are thankful to have such a wonderful and supportive community during these difficult and fearful times. Thank you for the fellowship that St Catherine’s provides to our wonderful and diverse community. You truly are an awesome God.

Keith: Mission Partners

Pauline: Bible study group

Moji and David: AV team

Antoinette: PCC

Theresa: Foodbank

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Song: My Jesus My Saviour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jABSW-UuT1o

Holy Communion

The Lord be with you

and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is right to praise you, Father, Lord of all creation;

in your love you made us for yourself.

When we turned away

you did not reject us,

but came to meet us in your Son.

You embraced us as your children

and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.

In Christ you shared our life

that we might live in him and he in us.

He opened his arms of love upon the cross

and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.

On the night he was betrayed,

at supper with his friends

he took bread, and gave you thanks;

he broke it and gave it to them, saying:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

Father, we do this in remembrance of him:

his body is the bread of life.

At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,

he gave you thanks, and said:

Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;

do this in remembrance of me.

Father, we do this in remembrance of him:

his blood is shed for all.

As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,

send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine

may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.

As we eat and drink these holy gifts

make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.

With your whole Church throughout the world

we offer you this sacrifice of praise

and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

We continue with the words of The Lord's Prayer:

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

We break this bread

to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body,

because we all share in one bread.

Every time we eat this bread

and drink this cup,

we proclaim the Lord’s death

until he comes.

God’s holy gifts

for God’s holy people.

Jesus Christ is holy,

Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Song during communion: Breathe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSKH3MmX-Zw&feature=youtu.be

Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may I know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen

The Blessing

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.

Song Rescuer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u2DFGKeARY

The Dismissal

To a troubled world peace from Christ. To a searching world love from Christ. To a waiting world hope from Christ.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.

Holy Communion Nov 15th: Serving Faith and Serving Lives

We meet in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit

Amen

Above All https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvT1ACL3X9g

Confession

Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.

In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. 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.

Song: Lord I lift your name on High

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COQ6cni_TG8

Psalm 90:1-8,12

O Lord, you have always been our home. 2 Before you created the hills or brought the world into being, you were eternally God, and will be God forever.

3 You tell us to return to what we were; you change us back to dust. 4 A thousand years to you are like one day; they are like yesterday, already gone, like a short hour in the night. 5 You carry us away like a flood;

we last no longer than a dream. We are like weeds that sprout in the morning, 6 that grow and burst into bloom, then dry up and die in the evening.

7 We are destroyed by your anger; we are terrified by your fury. 8 You place our sins before you, our secret sins where you can see them.

12 Teach us how short our life is, so that we may become wise.

Song: Create in me a Clean Clean Heart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wveqWij0a_Y

Gospel Reading Matt 25:14 – 30 by David

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXJWT8a-XSo&feature=youtu.be

14 ‘Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 ‘After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.”

21 ‘His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

22 ‘The man with two bags of gold also came. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with two bags of gold: see, I have gained two more.”

23 ‘His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

24 ‘Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”

26 ‘His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 ‘“So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Sermon by Keith Serving Faith and Serving Lives

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx5-yAybtn8&feature=youtu.be

The Creed

Do you believe and trust in God the Father,

source of all being and life,

the one for whom we exist?

We believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in God the Son,

who took our human nature,

died for us and rose again?

We believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,

who gives life to the people of God

and makes Christ known in the world?

We believe and trust in him.

This is the faith of the Church.

This is our faith.

We believe and trust in one God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers by Pauline

Holy God, we thank you for this opportunity we all gathered to worship you and your Son Lord Jesus. Thank you for loving us with everlasting love .You made us all in your image. May we discern you in all that we see, and serve you in all that we do;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Praying for all Nations:

We pray for all nation, that they may be subject to the rule of God. We pray for our nations and our leaders to turn toward righteousness and away from evil. We pray that many would come to know you as Lord and Saviour, we pray that many would see your Light, that you would open blind eyes and release those still imprisoned.

Praying for Churches :

We pray for all churches , that She might be ready for the coming of Christ, and all saints to live as citizens of heaven.

Praying for the Broken hearted and Sick:

You are a God who is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. God who is our comforter, may your holy spirit comfort those who are heart broken, afflicted and sick. Provide healing power to them in Christ Jesus .

Praying for the coming year 2021:

Gracious Heavenly Father, in your word , you told us " Your plans are higher than our plans , your ways are higher than our ways. May your plans and your ways prevail in us as individuals and as a church. You alone Holy God , you know what will be like in 2021. Lead us, protect us and we know you are always there for us .

May your peace and goodness be with us always in Christ Jesus name I pray :

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Song: Take my Life https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00w1blf

Holy Communion

The Lord be with you

and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

Almighty God, good Father to us all,

your face is turned towards your world.

In love you gave us Jesus your Son

to rescue us from sin and death.

Your Word goes out to call us home

to the city where angels sing your praise.

We join with them in heaven's song

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might

Heaven and earth are full of your glory

Hosanna in the highest

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord

Hosanna in the highest

Father of all, we give you thanks

for every gift that comes from heaven.

To the darkness Jesus came as your light.

With signs of faith and words of hope

he touched untouchables with love and washed the guilty clean.

This is his story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

The crowds came out to see your Son,

yet at the end they turned on him.

On the night he was betrayed

he came to table with his friends

to celebrate the freedom of your people.

This is his story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

Jesus blessed you, Father, for the food;

he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said:

This is my body, given for you all.

Jesus then gave thanks for the wine;

he took the cup, gave it and said:

This is my blood, shed for you all

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in remembrance of me.

This is our story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup

we celebrate the cross

on which he died to set us free.

Defying death he rose again

and is alive with you to plead for us and all the world.

This is our story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

Send your Spirit on us now

that by these gifts we may feed on Christ

with opened eyes and hearts on fire.

May we and all who share this food

offer ourselves to live for you

and be welcomed at your feast in heaven

where all creation worships you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

Blessing and honour and glory and power

be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

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.

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many we are one body because we all share in one bread.

Jesus, Lamb of God

have mercy on us.

Jesus bearer of our sins,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world,

grant us peace.

Draw near with faith.

Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ

which he gave for you,

and his blood which he shed for you.

Eat and drink

in remembrance that he died for you,

and feed on him in your hearts

by faith with thanksgiving.

Song during Communion Manna from Heaven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQyXPcTI2nI

Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may I know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen

The Blessing

May the peace of God,

which passes all understanding,

keep our hearts and minds

in the knowledge and love of God

and the blessing of God Almighty,

Father Son and Holy Spirit,

be among us and remain with us always. Amen. Songs: I, the Lord of Sea and Sky. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gpuYZK7wKUNotices

Banns

Birthdays

The Dismissal

To a troubled world peace from Christ. To a searching world love from Christ. To a waiting world hope from Christ.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.