July 17, 2011 WELCOME TO St PAUL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH SAMFORD · 17 July 2011- 9:00am (Sung...

July 17, 2011

S t P a u l ’ s A n g l i c a n C h u r c h , S a m f o r d


WELCOME

TO

St PAUL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH SAMFORD

Belong, Believe & Be

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost- Ordinary 16

17 July 2011- 9:00am (Sung Eucharist)

(Please feel free to take these booklets for further reading and prayer)

Pre and Post Service Prayer

We appreciate your co-operation during the pre and post-service prayer- please be mindful that others may be in private prayer before and after the service.

July 17, 2011 The Fifth Sunday After Pentecost- A Service of Confirmation



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Season of Pentecost- Ordinary Time

Most of the Seasons of the Christian Church Year are organized around the two major festivals that mark sacred time, Christmas and Easter. The Christmas Season encompasses the time of preparation during Advent and the celebration of the Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany (January 6th). The Easter Season encompasses the time of preparation during the 40 weekdays of Lent and Holy Week, and is linked with Pentecost Sunday 50 days later. While there are other individual holy days within the church year, these seasons mark the movement of sacred time within the church calendar.

The rest of the year following Epiphany and Pentecost is known as Ordinary Time. Rather than meaning “common” or “mundane”, this term comes from the word “ordinal”, which simply means counted time (Second Sunday after Pentecost, etc.), which is probably a better way to think of this time of the year. In fact no Sunday is ordinary because it is always a mini Easter, the Day of the Lord, the celebration of the day Christ rose from the dead. So the title ‘Ordinary’ is used to differentiate these days from the Sundays of preparation and festival. Rowan Williams, our current Archbishop of Canterbury, has said of Ordinary time that it is actually the extra-ordinary time won for us in Christ.

Counted time after Pentecost always begins with Trinity Sunday (the first Sunday after Pentecost) and ends with Christ the King Sunday or the Reign of Christ the King (last Sunday before the beginning of Advent). Many Protestant church traditions consider the Sundays following Epiphany a season of Epiphany that runs until the beginning of Lent. Those traditions that follow the Roman Catholic calendar only count January 6th as Epiphany and do not think of a season of Epiphany, so consider the Sundays following part of Ordinary Time. In either case, the Sundays after Epiphany are counted (1st Sunday after Epiphany, etc.) so technically are Ordinary Time.

One feature of Ordinary Sundays is the way the New Testament and the Gospels are read. In the festival seasons the readings are chosen according to the theme of the season. In Ordinary Time, they are read in sequence so that a particular book is read completely through. Each year is given over to a particular Gospel. A worshipper, coming regularly to the Sunday Eucharist for the three years, will hear most of the New Testament read aloud. The sanctuary color for Ordinary Time is traditionally dark green, although other shades of green are commonly used. Green is symbolic of the new life and also of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer Thought for Today

A God who is Good and Forgiving: In a world where war, violence and oppression appear to conquer peace, gentleness and tolerance it seems as if the devil has the upper hand. The cross and resurrection show how the kindness and forgiveness of God will prevail.




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Entrance Hymn

1. Come, Holy Spirit, come! inflame our souls with love, transforming every heart and home with wisdom from above. O let us not despise the humble path Christ trod, but choose, to shame the worldly-wise, the foolishness of God.

2. All-knowing Spirit, prove the poverty of pride, by knowledge of the Father’s love in Jesus crucified. And grant us faith to know the glory of that sign, and in our very lives to show the marks of love divine.

3. Give us the tongues to speak, in every time and place, to rich and poor, to strong and weak, the word of love and grace. Enable us to hear the words that others bring, interpreting with open ear the special song they sing.

4. Come, Holy Spirit, dance within our hearts today, our earth-bound spirits to entrance, our mortal fears allay; and teach us to desire all other things above, that self-consuming holy fire, the perfect gift of love.

Michael Lindsay Forster 1946– Words © Copyright 1992 Kevin Mayhew Ltd, Rattlesden, Bury St Edmunds,

Suffolk, IP30 0S2, UK. Used by permission from Thirty New Hymns, Licence No 794092 Reproduced with permission




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Bishop: Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All: Blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever.

Bishop: The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

All: And also with you.

Sentence

All: You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 86.15

Bishop: There is one Body and one Spirit; All: there is one hope in God's call to us.

Bishop: One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, All: one God and Father of all.

Bishop: In confirmation those who have been previously baptised come to confirm their baptismal promises and join with the other candidates to receive the laying on of the bishop's hand with prayer. We pray that those who are baptised and confirmed will be empowered by the Holy Spirit for the ministry and service to which God shall call them.

So we welcome you, Alexandra, Luke, Jessica and Debra, with your sponsors, families and friends. We give thanks for you, and pray that you may know God's love and faithfulness for ever.

Priest: Let us Pray

All: 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.

Priest: The Spirit of truth comes to convict of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement.

Silence is kept for a moment.

Priest: Let us then open our hearts and confess our sins in penitence and faith.




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All: Merciful God, our maker and our judge, we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, and in what we have failed to do: we have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves; we repent, and are sorry for all our sins. Father, forgive us. Strengthen us to love and obey you in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bishop: Almighty God, who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith: Pardon you and set you free from all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

All: Lord, have mercy Christ, have mercy Lord, have mercy

Please Stand for the Gloria

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.




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Collect

Bishop: Saving God, in Jesus Christ you opened for us a new and living way into your presence: give us pure hearts and constant wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

All: Amen.

Bishop: Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you give your faithful people new life in the water of baptism. Guide and strengthen us by the same Spirit, that we who are born again may serve you in faith and love, and grow into the full stature of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit now and for ever.

All: Amen.

Please be seated for the readings

A reading from the Book of Genesis Chapter 28 - beginning at verse 10 (NRSV)

Jacob left Beer-sheba and went towards Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him and said, ‘I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’ Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place- and I did not know it!’ And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’ So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel

Hear the word of the Lord, thanks be to God.




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Psalm 139

Said together

1. O Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

2. You mark out my journeys and my resting place and are acquainted with all my ways.

3. For there is not a word on my tongue, but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

4. You encompass me behind and before and lay your hand upon me.

5. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, so high that I cannot attain it.

6. Where can I go then from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?

7. If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

8. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

9. Even there your hand shall lead me, your right hand hold me fast.

10. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me and the light around me turn to night,’

11. Even darkness is no darkness with you; the night is as clear as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike.

23. Search me out, O God, and know my heart; try me and examine my thoughts.

24. See if there is any way of wickedness in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit; as in the beginning, so now and for ever. Amen.




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A reading from the Paul’s Letter to the Romans Chapter 8 - beginning at verse 12 (NRSV)

Brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh- for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ- if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Hear the word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

Gradual Hymn

1. Holy Spirit, go before us, every mind and heart prepare for good news of life in Jesus, for the joyful hope we share. Gently lead the lost to safety, gently teach them Wisdom’s way, till they come to seek you gladly, till we find the words to say.

2. Holy Spirit, come and help us, give us words to speak of Christ. Teach us how to tell all people: deepest darkness can be light! Help us tell how faithful God is, and how Jesus sets us free; take our words, and make them gospel, so that many may believe.

3. Holy Spirit, stay to show us how to serve as Christ served us. May our words of love be grounded in love’s actions, first and last. Your good news is news of justice, and the strong befriend the weak in your service, till compassion builds the peace the nations seek.

Elizabeth J. Smith 1956– Words © E. J. Smith

Music © 1996 by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reproduced with permission

July 17, 2011 Pentecost Sunday


Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia!

The Lord be with you And also with you.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew Chapter 13- beginning at verse 24 (NRSV)

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ” Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!”

This is the gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

All sit for the Sermon- The Rt. Reverend Jonathan Holland (Bishop of the Northern Region) We pause for a few moments of silent recollection.

The bishop invites the candidates for confirmation, with their sponsors, to stand in view of the congregation.



The Presentation

Bishop: We welcome those who have come to be confirmed. I invite their sponsors to present them now.

Each candidates sponsors say in turn; Sponsor: I present (name) who comes to be confirmed.

The Decision

Speaking to the candidates the Bishop says:

Bishop: Before God and this congregation, you must affirm that you turn to Christ and reject all that is evil:

Bishop: Do you turn to Christ? Candidates: I turn to Christ.

Bishop: Do you repent of your sins? Candidates: I repent of my sins.

Bishop: Do you reject selfish living, and all that is false and unjust? Candidates: I reject them all.

Bishop: Do you renounce Satan and all evil? Candidates: I renounce all that is evil.

Bishop: Almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness, and lead you in the light of Christ to his everlasting kingdom.

All: Amen.

Bishop: Will you each, by God's grace, strive to live your whole life as a disciple of Christ, loving God with all your heart, and your neighbour as yourself?

Candidates: I will, with God's help.

The Congregation stands and the Bishop says to them:

Bishop: You have heard these our brothers and sisters renew their response to Christ. Will you support them in this calling?

All: We will.

Please remain standing

Priest: Let us pray for those who have affirmed their Baptism and are to receive the laying on of hands.

Grant, Father, that these persons may be so buried with Christ in baptism that the new nature may be raised up in them. May the fruit of your Spirit grow and flourish in them. Amen.



Give to their sponsors and families, the desire to share with them what you have revealed in your holy gospel. Amen.

May they know Christ's forgiving love and continue in the fellowship and service of his Church. May they proclaim, by word and example, the good news of God in Christ. Amen.

We thank you for the ministry we have in your world and to each other in the household of faith. Hasten that day when the whole creation shall be made perfect in Christ. Amen.

The Profession of Faith

The bishop says to the candidates to be confirmed. The congregation responds with the candidates.

Bishop: I now ask you to affirm as yours the faith of the Church. Do you believe in God the Father?

Candidates: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth;

Bishop: Do you believe in God the Son? Candidates: I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Bishop: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? Candidates: I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the reserrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Bishop: This is the faith of the Church. All: This is our faith:

We believe in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.



The Confirmation

Would the congregation please sit

Bishop: Our help is in the name of the Lord All: who made heaven and earth.

Bishop: Blessed be the name of the Lord All: now, and for ever. Amen.

Bishop: Almighty and everliving God, you have given your servants new birth by water and the Spirit, and have forgiven them their sins. Strengthen them, we pray, with the Holy Spirit that they may grow in grace. Increase in them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of discernment and inner strength, the spirit of knowledge and true godliness, and fill them with wonder and awe at your presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord now and for ever.

All: Amen.

Each candidate to be confirmed is now invited to come forward and stand before the bishop, who lays his hands upon each of them. The sponsors standing behind the candidate.

Bishop: Strengthen, Lord, your servant (name) with your Holy Spirit. Empower and sustain (him/her) for your service.

Each Candidate answers with the congregation.

All: Amen

The Bishop anoints each candidate with the Oil of Chrism on the forehead and on the palms of the hands.

After all the candidates have received the laying on of hands and anointing, the congregation joins with the bishop in saying this prayer.

All: Defend, O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace, that they may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more until they come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.



The Bishop prays for those upon whom hands have been laid.

Bishop: Almighty and everliving God, watch over these your servents upon whom we have laid our hands. Let you Holy Spirit always be with them and lead them to know and obey your word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come: through Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

The newly confirmed are brought forward and face the congrgation and receive a round of applause.

All stand.

Bishop: In baptism, God had made us one in Christ. All: His Spirit is with us. Bishop: The peace of the Lord be always with you. All: And also with you.

We greet one another with a sign of peace.

The newly confirmed return to their places to exchange the greeting.

Offertory Hymn

1. There’s a spirit in the air, telling Christians everywhere: ‘Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working in our world.’

2. Lose your shyness, find your tongue, tell the world what God has done: God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow’s life today.

3. When believers break the bread, when a hungry child is fed, praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working in our world.

4. Still the Spirit gives us light, seeing wrong and setting right: God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow’s life today.



5. When a stranger’s not alone, where the homeless find a home, praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working in our world.

6. May the Spirit fill our praise, guide our thoughts and change our ways: God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow’s life today.

7. There’s a Spirit in the air, calling people everywhere: ‘Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working in our world.’

Brian Arthur Wren 1936– Words: Brian Wren

Press Words © 1969, 1995 by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Music by permission Oxford University Press. Reproduced with permission

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

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 our thanks and praise.

We participate by watching and listening as the Priest sings or says the first part of the Great Thanksgiving. This prayer is seasonal and concludes with these or similar words:

Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and singing:

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.

The Eucharistic Prayer continues. After the words of consecration all acclaim what Jesus has accomplished.



Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

The priest continues the Eucharistic Prayer. The prayer concludes with these or similar words: …..with whom, and in whom, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we worship you, Father, in songs of never-ending praise:

Blessing and honour and glory and power are yours for ever and ever. Amen

As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are confident to pray,

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. Save us from the time of trial and 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. We who are many are one body, for we all share in the 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 your peace.

The gifts of God for the people of God. Come let us take this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance that he died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

The sacrament is given. The following may be sung in quiet contemplation during the Communion

1. Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love all that you love and do what you would do.



2. Breathe on me, breath of God, until my heart is pure, until with you I will one will, to do and to endure.

3. Breathe on me, breath of God, and all my life refine, until this earthly part of me glows with your fire divine.

4. Breathe on me, breath of God; so shall I never die, but live with you the perfect life of your eternity

Edwin Hatch1835–89 alt. Music from the Revised Church Hymnary 1927

by permission Oxford University Press Reproduced with permission

Come to the water, You who are thirsty! Though you have nothing, I bid you come! And be filled with the goodness I have to offer! Come! Listen! Live!

1. Why spend your money on what cannot fill the emptiness deep in your heart? Listen to My word and you will enjoy; goodness and peace in your heart!

Come to the water ……..

2. Just as the heavens are high above earth; My ways and thoughts beyond you! Call me your Father and know I am near! I will be Father to you!

Come to the water ….



3. Just as the rain falls to water the earth; Just as a seed becomes bread; My word upon you can never return until My longing is filled!

Come to the water …… F Andersen

Text based on Isaiah 55. Music and text © 1979, Chevalier Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Licensing License No: A1208

1. Bring many names, beautiful and good, celebrate, in parable and story, holiness in glory, living, loving God. Hail and hosanna! bring many names!

2. Strong mother God, working night and day, planning all the wonders of creation, setting each equation, genius at play: Hail and hosanna, strong mother God!

3. Young, growing God, eager, on the move, saying no to falsehood and unkindness, crying out for justice, giving all you have: Hail and hosanna, young, growing God!

4. Great, living God, never fully known, joyful darkness far beyond our seeing, everlasting home: closer yet than breathing, Hail and hosanna, great, living God!

Brian Arthur Wren 1936-

© 1989 by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission



After Communion

Bishop: We rely on your constant love, O Lord; we will be glad, because you will save us. We will sing to the Lord, because he has been good to us. Psalm 13:5,6

Let us Pray.

God of mercy, by whose grace alone we are accepted and equipped for your service: stir up in us the gifts of your Holy Spirit and make us worthy of our calling; that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All: Amen

Bishop: All who have been baptised and confirmed are called to study the Bible, to take part in the life of the Church, to share in the Holy Communion, and to pray faithfully and regularly. We are called to share with others, by word and example, the love of Christ and his Gospel of reconciliation and hope. We are called to love our neighbours as ourselves, to honour all people and to pray and work for peace and justice. I invite you to commit yourselves anew to this calling.

All: We will gladly do so, in the strength of the Holy Spirit..

Notices

Please Stand for the final Blessings

The Blessing

Bishop: Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the faint hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; give honour to all; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.

All: Amen.



Recessional Hymn Tune: Jerusalem

1. Great God, your Spirit, like the wind unseen but shaking things we see will never leave us undisturbed fulfil our dreams, or set us free, until we turn from faithless fear and prove the promise of your grace in justice, peace and daily bread with joy for all the human race.

2. Lord, shake us with the force of love, to rouse us from our dreadful sleep; remove our hearts of stone, and give new hearts of flesh, to break and weep for all your children in distress and dying for the wealth we keep. Help us prevent, while we have time, the blighted harvest greed must reap.

3. And then, in your compassion, give your Spirit like the gentle rain, creating fertile ground from which your peace and justice spring like grain; until your love is satisfied, with all creation freed from pain, and all your children live to praise your will fulfilled, your presence plain.

Words by permission Stainer & Bell Ltd, London Arrangement © Gordon Jacob

Alan Gaunt 1935– Reproduced with permission

Priest: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. All: In the name of Christ. Amen.

July 17, 2011 Fourth Sunday After Pentecost


For further reflection……….

Genesis

What is so remarkable in God’s display of Grace? Why does God meet Jacob unsolicited and without reproach?

How does Jacob’s vow strike you: mere bargaining chip, unworthy of God? Or growing in trust, apropos for Jacob? Or “conversion” event, radical of Jacob?

Does this reading speak to your relationship and experience of God?

Romans

Where is the battle for the control of your life going to be fought…and won or lost?

How does the word obligation sit with you? What does it say about our lives as God’s people?

What does it mean to be led by the Spirit? How does the Spirit help us fight our battles?

Matthew

What weeds have you had to battle most in your garden our yard? Is there an equivalent in your spiritual life?

What do you thin the enemy was trying to accomplish by sowing bad seed in with the Good? Why do you think the owner of the field didn’t let his servants go and pull out the weeds immediately?

What happens to the wheat and the weeds at the end of the age? Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. Liturgical resources are from A Prayer Book for Australia which is copyright 1995, The Anglican Church of Australia Trust Corporation, and published under the imprint Broughton Books. Reproduced with permission. Broughton Publishing License 2011/344. Common Worship: Times and Seasons (2006) material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2006. CRI/Voice, Institute, Dennis Bratcher, from which information appears in this service, Copyright © 2009 CRI/Voice, Institute. Hymns The Australian Hymn Book Pty. Ltd., from Together in Song, published by William Collins Publishers, Pty. Ltd. Reproduced with permission under Licence No. AUS20-10123Y-3318Q7 (Licensed to Rev. Cameron Freese). All other music used under CCLI licesne No: 79896 & Licesing License No: A1208

July 17, 2011 WELCOME TO St PAUL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH SAMFORD · 17 July 2011- 9:00am (Sung...

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Transcript of July 17, 2011 WELCOME TO St PAUL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH SAMFORD · 17 July 2011- 9:00am (Sung...