Worship
6 July 2025
Margaret Smith’s Reflection
How long do you spend packing for your holiday? Sometimes it seems as if the packing takes longer than the holiday. How many of you have done what I have done, left little souvenirs of my holiday in different parts of the world? An umbrella here a blouse there. The worst thing I did was to leave the bag with my money, passport and all my documents in the hotel room and then checked out or at least attempted to Luckily I got back in time to retrieve it !We always feel as if we have to take a great deal with us almost as a sort of form of security although quite often we’re going to places where shops would supply anything which we had forgotten. In today’s Gospel the disciples. had a different form of preparation. Jesus told them they were to take nothing with them no change of clothes, not even any food and no money. They were just to go out into the world and rely on the kindness of the people in the villages to feed and clothe and look after them. They were to knock on doors and if they were made welcome, they were to go in and stay with the family otherwise they were just to move on But they weren’t going on holiday They were going with a purpose They were going to share the message that Jesus had taught them while they were with Him. He didn’t tell them what to say. They had been with Him and been taught by Him. The seventy would be defenceless: at the mercy of forces such as weather or their own cold and hunger, but also vulnerable to ill treatment by anyone who was suspicious of strangers, especially strangers bringing a new message. What is the point of insisting on this weakness, when it seemed to make more sense to make sure that they were safe so that they could be strong enough to teach their message?
At least one purpose in Jesus’s sending out of the disciples was its effect on the disciples themselves. They must learn to accept being vulnerable, meeting with hostility, and enduring hardship, isolation, and deprivation. They must learn to adapt themselves to the needs of any who show themselves willing to listen. They must accept that they are utterly reliant on God for the necessities of life and trust him to provide for them.
How would we feel if we were asked to go out among people and tell them of our faith? Indeed, if we were in a strange place, hungry and without money would we be happy to rely on the kindness of strangers? And more importantly how do we react when people need our help? Unfortunately, these days it would be very unwise to trust anyone who knocks on our doors. But how do we respond to new people in our church, in our community? Do we make them welcome? Do we try to get to know them? Do we realise how vulnerable they must feel in a new setting; whatever face they put on? Do we share our faith even among our friends and family let alone with people we scarcely know. We too, have been given a commission. We don’t have to go without food or money to share the truth that we hear every week either in church or at home when we pray .It’s a question of trust isn’t it? We may go through the motions of saying our prayers but do we really believe that God is with us and that whatever hardships we have to face that at the end of our journey we will be Home?
Oh And what happened to the disciples? Well you’ll have to read the next part of the Gospel to find out!
How long do you spend packing for your holiday? Sometimes it seems as if the packing takes longer than the holiday. How many of you have done what I have done, left little souvenirs of my holiday in different parts of the world? An umbrella here a blouse there. The worst thing I did was to leave the bag with my money, passport and all my documents in the hotel room and then checked out or at least attempted to Luckily I got back in time to retrieve it !We always feel as if we have to take a great deal with us almost as a sort of form of security although quite often we’re going to places where shops would supply anything which we had forgotten. In today’s Gospel the disciples. had a different form of preparation. Jesus told them they were to take nothing with them no change of clothes, not even any food and no money. They were just to go out into the world and rely on the kindness of the people in the villages to feed and clothe and look after them. They were to knock on doors and if they were made welcome, they were to go in and stay with the family otherwise they were just to move on But they weren’t going on holiday They were going with a purpose They were going to share the message that Jesus had taught them while they were with Him. He didn’t tell them what to say. They had been with Him and been taught by Him. The seventy would be defenceless: at the mercy of forces such as weather or their own cold and hunger, but also vulnerable to ill treatment by anyone who was suspicious of strangers, especially strangers bringing a new message. What is the point of insisting on this weakness, when it seemed to make more sense to make sure that they were safe so that they could be strong enough to teach their message?
At least one purpose in Jesus’s sending out of the disciples was its effect on the disciples themselves. They must learn to accept being vulnerable, meeting with hostility, and enduring hardship, isolation, and deprivation. They must learn to adapt themselves to the needs of any who show themselves willing to listen. They must accept that they are utterly reliant on God for the necessities of life and trust him to provide for them.
How would we feel if we were asked to go out among people and tell them of our faith? Indeed, if we were in a strange place, hungry and without money would we be happy to rely on the kindness of strangers? And more importantly how do we react when people need our help? Unfortunately, these days it would be very unwise to trust anyone who knocks on our doors. But how do we respond to new people in our church, in our community? Do we make them welcome? Do we try to get to know them? Do we realise how vulnerable they must feel in a new setting; whatever face they put on? Do we share our faith even among our friends and family let alone with people we scarcely know. We too, have been given a commission. We don’t have to go without food or money to share the truth that we hear every week either in church or at home when we pray .It’s a question of trust isn’t it? We may go through the motions of saying our prayers but do we really believe that God is with us and that whatever hardships we have to face that at the end of our journey we will be Home?
Oh And what happened to the disciples? Well you’ll have to read the next part of the Gospel to find out!
In a moment of silence we bring before you those in need of prayer at this time: the sick, the suffering, the lonely, and all who are facing any kind of adversity.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
We entrust into your loving care all who have recently died:
And we remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
William Brian Gallivan
John Bealey
Peter John Moore
Yvonne Griffiths
Triss Bennett
Gordon Dibble
Eveline Jones
Grace Johns
Roger Edward Young – priest
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Last petition:
In a few moments of silence we bring before you our personal prayers of petition and thanksgiving
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
We entrust into your loving care all who have recently died:
And we remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
William Brian Gallivan
John Bealey
Peter John Moore
Yvonne Griffiths
Triss Bennett
Gordon Dibble
Eveline Jones
Grace Johns
Roger Edward Young – priest
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Last petition:
In a few moments of silence we bring before you our personal prayers of petition and thanksgiving
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.
