Worship
January 23rd 2022
Listen to the Gospel of Christ according to St Luke
Glory to you, O Lord
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ
Listen to the Gospel of Christ according to St Luke
Glory to you, O Lord
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ
I was talking to a class of schoolchildren and I asked them if they could tell me anything bad about themselves. They could all say something – lazy, bad tempered and so on. Then I asked if they could think about something good about themselves. No one said anything. Luckily, I could tell them all something good about themselves. We are all ready to run ourselves down - but stop, think of something good about you. Have you a talent - can you sing or cook or listen to people; are you a good ironer or washer up? Can you use that talent to help other people?
You might think that none of these things are important, but without the little things that everyone gives, the world wouldn’t run properly. We are all a part of God’s plan. We all have something to share. As St Paul says “God has combined the various parts of the body giving special honour to the humbler parts.” We may never be in the modern terms an “Influencer”- those people who persuade people that they too could be glamorous or beautiful if only they followed their advice, but in the truest meaning of the word, we are all influencers. People notice what we do. It’s no good being “Holy” on a Sunday and treating others badly for the rest of the week. When we listen to the anniversaries of death in church, the people we remember are those whose examples of goodness we want to follow. We start in our own small part of the world using the gifts we have.
When Jesus stood up to read from the scriptures in the Gospel reading this week, he did so in his own home town. There were people there who muttered “who does he think he is – we knew him growing up.” But the message he gave - of bringing good news to the poor and help to the distressed, spread out from that small town to become a rallying cry for the whole world. Every little thing we do - every prayer we make, helps to build up the body of Christ, and it is in that sense of working together that we can help to heal the world.
Margaret Smith
You might think that none of these things are important, but without the little things that everyone gives, the world wouldn’t run properly. We are all a part of God’s plan. We all have something to share. As St Paul says “God has combined the various parts of the body giving special honour to the humbler parts.” We may never be in the modern terms an “Influencer”- those people who persuade people that they too could be glamorous or beautiful if only they followed their advice, but in the truest meaning of the word, we are all influencers. People notice what we do. It’s no good being “Holy” on a Sunday and treating others badly for the rest of the week. When we listen to the anniversaries of death in church, the people we remember are those whose examples of goodness we want to follow. We start in our own small part of the world using the gifts we have.
When Jesus stood up to read from the scriptures in the Gospel reading this week, he did so in his own home town. There were people there who muttered “who does he think he is – we knew him growing up.” But the message he gave - of bringing good news to the poor and help to the distressed, spread out from that small town to become a rallying cry for the whole world. Every little thing we do - every prayer we make, helps to build up the body of Christ, and it is in that sense of working together that we can help to heal the world.
Margaret Smith
Please use these prayers at home during the week
For all our Bishops, priests and deacons
For the West Cardiff Ministry Area and our Ministry Area Leader, Mother Frances
For Reverend Emma and Fr Huw
For St Peter’s Church Council
For all our parishioners who are unable to come to Church
For our Community Garden and Hall; for the management team, the staff and our volunteers.
In the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we join with other Churches in Britain and N Ireland in praying for peace in the Middle East. We pray for all who live under the threat of war and terrorism and the resulting poverty, emotional and physical damage. We pray that all world leaders will act justly and honestly to bring about change.
We pray for all involved in treatment and vaccination programmes.
For all who care for the sick and infirm, including medical staff, emergency response services and care workers.
For those who are facing a long wait for diagnosis or for medical treatment.
We pray for all who are worried about having enough money for food and fuel this winter. For the homeless, for those who are facing the loss of their home and for all who are in debt.
For all who are lonely or isolated, and those who have no one to pray for them
For all who are suffering in mind, body or spirit. Grant strength to those who are in need of your healing today, remembering especially:
Barbara Rees Melba Giles Myra Jones Heather Oliver
Helen Dempster Gordon Mitchell Alma Thomas James
Roger Lewis and family Veronica Ellis Marie Monro Michelle Duggan
Robert James Josie Thompson Dorothy Kirby Val Sandford
Kathryn and Carl Fullstone Sasha Fr Chris Fr Stephen
We pray for all who have recently died and are awaiting Christian burial
We pray also for those who will die today, especially those who will die alone.
We remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
Blodwen Meek
Bertha Mary Jenkins
Ceridwen Stevens
Frederick Pollard
Dorothy Ayles
Michael Hallewell
Ruby Lewis
Carol Powell
Michael Fielding
Mary Millichap
Bertram Smith
Eric Giles
For all our Bishops, priests and deacons
For the West Cardiff Ministry Area and our Ministry Area Leader, Mother Frances
For Reverend Emma and Fr Huw
For St Peter’s Church Council
For all our parishioners who are unable to come to Church
For our Community Garden and Hall; for the management team, the staff and our volunteers.
In the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we join with other Churches in Britain and N Ireland in praying for peace in the Middle East. We pray for all who live under the threat of war and terrorism and the resulting poverty, emotional and physical damage. We pray that all world leaders will act justly and honestly to bring about change.
We pray for all involved in treatment and vaccination programmes.
For all who care for the sick and infirm, including medical staff, emergency response services and care workers.
For those who are facing a long wait for diagnosis or for medical treatment.
We pray for all who are worried about having enough money for food and fuel this winter. For the homeless, for those who are facing the loss of their home and for all who are in debt.
For all who are lonely or isolated, and those who have no one to pray for them
For all who are suffering in mind, body or spirit. Grant strength to those who are in need of your healing today, remembering especially:
Barbara Rees Melba Giles Myra Jones Heather Oliver
Helen Dempster Gordon Mitchell Alma Thomas James
Roger Lewis and family Veronica Ellis Marie Monro Michelle Duggan
Robert James Josie Thompson Dorothy Kirby Val Sandford
Kathryn and Carl Fullstone Sasha Fr Chris Fr Stephen
We pray for all who have recently died and are awaiting Christian burial
We pray also for those who will die today, especially those who will die alone.
We remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
Blodwen Meek
Bertha Mary Jenkins
Ceridwen Stevens
Frederick Pollard
Dorothy Ayles
Michael Hallewell
Ruby Lewis
Carol Powell
Michael Fielding
Mary Millichap
Bertram Smith
Eric Giles
A time of prayer and reflection for those who are unable to attend a funeral.
When someone we know and love dies, it is important to say ‘farewell’, to remember them and to honour a life that has meant a lot to us. The current circumstances mean that some people who would have wished to attend the funeral may be prevented from doing so. This short guide will help you to say your formal goodbyes at home.
As you read through this short act of worship and remembrance, mention the name of the person who has died where you see N…. You may like to light a candle, to place it near a photograph of the person you are thinking of and perhaps play a piece of music that meant a lot to them. Take a few moments to sit quietly. Think about those who are attending the funeral and hold them before God in the stillness of the moment.
Lighting the candle
You may say these words as you light a candle:
Jesus is the Light of the World. May his light, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
Some words of comfort from the Bible
The eternal God is your refuge: and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Jesus said, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid’. (John 14:27)
Opening Prayer
Loving Jesus, you promised your disciples that you would be with them for ever. Help us to know that you are with us now in our sadness and our grief. When you faced the cross you told your disciples not to be anxious or afraid, because you were going before them. Trusting that N…. is safe in your love, help us to have faith and peace of mind. Be with us in these moments of reflection and surround us with your love and your peace, now and always. Amen.
Read Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff - they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
You might also like to read the following Bible passage Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 11:21-27
Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’
Time to reflect
Now spend a few moments thinking about the readings and any words that particularly speak to you. Take a few moments to think about the person who has died. If you are with other people you may like to share your memories together. Think about what made that person special to you, the things you did with and for them – things they did for you. Think about what you might like to say to them if they were here now. There will be things that you will want to thank God for and things you might regret or feel sorry about. There is also the sadness of not being able to attend the funeral. You can offer all these thoughts to God. After some moments of stillness continue with these prayers:
God our Father, we thank you that you have made each of us in your own image and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you. We thank you for N…, the years we shared with him/her, the good we saw in him/her, the love we received from him/her.
Now give us strength and courage to leave him/her in your care, confident in your promise of eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In this prayer at “A. and B.” mention the names of those you know who may be attending the funeral.
O God, you brought us to birth, and in your arms we die. In your gentle compassion, look with tenderness on A. and B. as they gather today to mourn N., to give thanks for his/her life and entrust him/her to you. In our shared grief and shock contain and comfort us; embrace us with your love, give us hope in our confusion and grace to let go into new life; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father,
The following prayer is used at the end of the funeral service to commend the person who has died to God’s love and care for ever. We conclude this short time of reflection with this special prayer:
God our creator and redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and entered into glory. Confident of his victory and claiming his promises, we entrust N… to your mercy in the name of Jesus our Lord, who died and is alive and reigns with you, now and for ever. Amen.
Closing prayers
Support us, O Lord, all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes,
the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May God’s love and help remain with us always and
may N… and all the faithful departed rest for ever in peace. Amen.
When someone we know and love dies, it is important to say ‘farewell’, to remember them and to honour a life that has meant a lot to us. The current circumstances mean that some people who would have wished to attend the funeral may be prevented from doing so. This short guide will help you to say your formal goodbyes at home.
As you read through this short act of worship and remembrance, mention the name of the person who has died where you see N…. You may like to light a candle, to place it near a photograph of the person you are thinking of and perhaps play a piece of music that meant a lot to them. Take a few moments to sit quietly. Think about those who are attending the funeral and hold them before God in the stillness of the moment.
Lighting the candle
You may say these words as you light a candle:
Jesus is the Light of the World. May his light, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
Some words of comfort from the Bible
The eternal God is your refuge: and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Jesus said, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid’. (John 14:27)
Opening Prayer
Loving Jesus, you promised your disciples that you would be with them for ever. Help us to know that you are with us now in our sadness and our grief. When you faced the cross you told your disciples not to be anxious or afraid, because you were going before them. Trusting that N…. is safe in your love, help us to have faith and peace of mind. Be with us in these moments of reflection and surround us with your love and your peace, now and always. Amen.
Read Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff - they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
You might also like to read the following Bible passage Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 11:21-27
Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’
Time to reflect
Now spend a few moments thinking about the readings and any words that particularly speak to you. Take a few moments to think about the person who has died. If you are with other people you may like to share your memories together. Think about what made that person special to you, the things you did with and for them – things they did for you. Think about what you might like to say to them if they were here now. There will be things that you will want to thank God for and things you might regret or feel sorry about. There is also the sadness of not being able to attend the funeral. You can offer all these thoughts to God. After some moments of stillness continue with these prayers:
God our Father, we thank you that you have made each of us in your own image and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you. We thank you for N…, the years we shared with him/her, the good we saw in him/her, the love we received from him/her.
Now give us strength and courage to leave him/her in your care, confident in your promise of eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In this prayer at “A. and B.” mention the names of those you know who may be attending the funeral.
O God, you brought us to birth, and in your arms we die. In your gentle compassion, look with tenderness on A. and B. as they gather today to mourn N., to give thanks for his/her life and entrust him/her to you. In our shared grief and shock contain and comfort us; embrace us with your love, give us hope in our confusion and grace to let go into new life; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father,
The following prayer is used at the end of the funeral service to commend the person who has died to God’s love and care for ever. We conclude this short time of reflection with this special prayer:
God our creator and redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and entered into glory. Confident of his victory and claiming his promises, we entrust N… to your mercy in the name of Jesus our Lord, who died and is alive and reigns with you, now and for ever. Amen.
Closing prayers
Support us, O Lord, all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes,
the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May God’s love and help remain with us always and
may N… and all the faithful departed rest for ever in peace. Amen.
