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The Lord is here
His Spirit is with us.
Song : Bless the Lord O my Soul (10,000 reasons)
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.
All Amen.
Our Confession:
Father eternal, giver of light and grace,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,
in what we have thought,
in what we have said and done,
through ignorance, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We have wounded your love,
and marred your image in us.
We are sorry and ashamed,
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 lead us out from darkness
to walk as children of light.
Amen.
The Absolution
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.
The Collect
Almighty God
give us reverence for all creation
and respect for every person,
that we may mirror your likeness
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
New Testament reading
Colossians 1 v 15-20
The Supremacy of the Son of God
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Psalm104:26-end The African Project
The Gospel Reading: John 1:1-14
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
Glory to you, O Lord
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ
Hymn Jesus is Lord
The Sermon
We have had 3 readings today- one of which was admittedly a song- but what is the simple link between all of them?
The whole of Psalm 104 beautifully sung by the African project, reflects back on Genesis- the very beginning of all life, and it talks about the wonders and glory of creation- the part set for today talks about the wonders of the creatures of the deep. It is a wonderous psalm which starts
“Bless the Lord, O my Soul”.
Our Gospel reading is from John and the whole aim- the whole purpose of this Gospel is to prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God.
In John 1 the gospel reflects back on creation, as well, but in these deeply profound verses John places the person of Christ, The Word made flesh, at the beginning of all things.
“The Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made”.
Jesus is God in human flesh. Fully human, fully divine. John’s gospel is not-like the other gospels, a biography of Jesus’ life but more a thematic presentation of Jesus’ life.
There needed to be a new understanding of the Word and this was the gospel that was the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Along with this passage from John 1 we have heard the passage from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Its’ opening is one of the most profound statements about the divine nature of Christ. There is no wiggle room here. Not only is he equal to God, he is God, he is the exact physical revelation of God. It is yet again an allusion back to Genesis- the beginning of all things- back to creation.
The church at Colossae came into existence from one of the massive movements of evangelism linked to Paul’s mission to Ephesus.
Influences from the outside world were beginning to creep in- because these new Christian churches were surrounded by other nations who worshipped pagan gods.
There was a growing movement at the time in the belief that matter was evil. So if matter was evil:
1. How would God come to earth in human form.
2. How could God create evil (world)
3. They claimed Christ was not the unique Son of God but one of many intermediaries between God and humanity
4. refused to believe that Christ was source of salvation- insisting that God could only be found through special and secret knowledge.
Paul’s response:
Paul’s response to this ….(see slide and read the following)
1. Everything was created by Christ which means that all thrones and dominions are under him- both of this world and the spiritual world. Christ has no equal- therefore Lord of all.
2. In God everything is held together- not just creator but sustainer too. Therefore Christ is the sustainer of all life, and all life is dependant on him.
3. By Christ’s resurrection he has conquered the ultimate destroyer of this material world-death. All who trust in Christ will receive eternal life through him- through his death he has been raised up and exalted to the highest throne. This was to refute the Greek idea that Jesus could not be human and divine at the same time. Christ was the embodiment of God- the Word made flesh. When we have Christ we have God in all his human form. Each equal- not one more than the other.
4. Christ’s death on the cross gave us the reconciliation for our relationship with the Father to be healed. We need to trust in God to be saved. By accepting Christ we are reconciled with God. Christ died in our place so we can have peace with God. Christ is the head of the body- the church. And all members of the church have their own part to play- their own calling in the service of Christ. Just as the head directs all the other organs in the body, so Christ directs our actions too in the church and in our community.
As a church we have a responsibility to tell the Good news of the Gospel- to bring hope and Christ’s light to those who seem to live in the shadows. And under this pandemic we have seen many living in the shadows- the shadow of fear, of illness, of not being able to see our loved ones-especially those living in continuing care homes. But there has been light….
One such example is Captain Sir Tom Moore…
As we move ever forward we know that we are church, and the real church is not a building, we are the family of God. A people of faith, love and commitment to each other and a people who will always serve one church, one faith and one Lord. Amen.
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.
Prayers Led by John F
5th Sunday after the Epiphany
During the Prayers there will be a 2 minute’s silence in Memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore
When I say
‘O Lord hear our prayer’
Please reply
‘And let our cry come unto thee’.
God you are a mighty and generous God. You care for us through the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Father you have given us the greatest gift in all eternity, the gift of your Son as a sacrifice to conquer death and give us salvation and eternal life.
Thank you, Father.
O Lord hear our prayer.
And let our cry come unto thee.
Let us pray for our Church, our Archbishops, Bishops and Priests. We bring before you our own Vicar Buff and our Curate Julie. Bless them all as they lead is in our worship and prayers, who guide us with your help through the turmoil’s of life.
We pray for Pastor Albert in Djembering, Senegal, for his family and congregation as thy proclaim you Gospel in and around Djembering.
We Pray for Bishop Cleophas and his family and for his Diocese of Matabeleland in Zimbabwe.
We pray for those missionaries throughout the world who work for World Evangelisation for Christ and for Keith and Ally who are part of the support team in England.
We pray for all the Staff and Students at the Ibba Girls Christian school in South Sudan.
We pray for those whose lives are committed to proclaiming you Gospel.
O Lord hear our prayer.
And let our cry come unto thee.
Father we pray for Peace in this troubled world.
We pray for the peacemakers.
But most of all Father we pray ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ because then we will have perfect peace.
O Lord hear our prayer.
And let our cry come unto thee.
We pray for all the carers in this world.
We pray for those who care for the sick in body, mind or spirit.
We remember all those who work for our NHS, for Hospices, especially Myton Hospice, Zoe’s Place and for the Macmillan Nurses.
We pray for those carers who are members of this congregation.
Bless all of them and help them to carry out their roles to the best of their ability and with empathy
We also pray for the Caludon Centre and for those involved in mental health care.
We remember all chaplains especially hospital chaplains.
Thank you for all carers.
O Lord hear our prayer.
And let our cry come unto thee.
We pray for the sick especially all those who have the COVID-19 virus. Please heal them Father. We give grateful thanks for all those who you have already healed.
In a few moments of silence let us bring before God those who are known to ourselves.
O Lord hear our prayer.
And let our cry come unto thee.
Finally, we pray for those who have died from COVID 19.
We pray with grateful thanks for Captain Sir Tom Moore who has been a great inspiration to us all during this year long lockdown. We give thanks for his cheerful nature for his raising of over £33 million pounds for our NHS.
We will now have a 2-minute silence to remember his wonderful example for us all
2 Minutes Silence
O Lord hear our prayer.
And let our cry come unto thee.
Finally, we pray that with St. Catherine and all the Saints that you will guide us and keep us safe this week.
Merciful Father accept these prayers for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you
The Peace
Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.
Song- O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder
Holy Communion
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
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.
Therefore with all the angels of heaven
we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name
and sing our joyful hymn of praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and God of 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.
We continue in the prayer that Jesus taught us… 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.
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 Holy Communion Ubi Caritas
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.
All Amen.
Final Song O Do lord
Notices for this week
Birthdays
The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Please join together in your homes for
refreshments after the service