Worship
17 March 2024
Listen to the Gospel of Christ according to St John Glory to you, O Lord
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.
Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say - “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ
Listen to the Gospel of Christ according to St John Glory to you, O Lord
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.
Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say - “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ
In today’s Gospel we read that that some Greeks said to Philip “we want to see Jesus”, and this coming of the Gentiles is the sign that Jesus used to explain to them and to His Disciples what the next stage of His journey would be. Although they had listened to him preaching for three years, they had not fully understood his purpose. Even now as He told them of His death did, they still fully accept it?
Death is the one topic that many people try not to talk about, even though everything else is a subject of open discussion. Even the words “died” or “death” are avoided. People use many other words “passed” or “lost” for example to avoid thinking of the reality. Part of it is because we suffer so much grief at the loss of a loved one that we try to soften the pain. It is human nature to be afraid - even those whom you would expect to accept the reality of death are not immune from fear. My father once told me, “I’m not afraid of death but I’m not looking forward to the process”. And a former Vicar in St. John’s in Cardiff, who used to write the most inspiring columns in the Western Mail every Saturday about Christian faith and the Resurrection, was apparently himself terrified at the thought of death. Even Jesus, proving his involvement in humanity said in this Gospel, “My soul is in turmoil”. Yet he followed this by refusing to ask God to spare him, trusting in His Father’s will and knowing that through His obedience God’s name would be glorified.
Then those around him heard the voice of God saying, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again”. Jesus explained that God’s voice was meant for us all. We are luckier than the crowd, we know of the resurrection. But let’s be honest - knowing that does not make the thought of death any easier. For Jesus death was not easy, He suffered the most dreadful torture. And He did it for us. So, what can we do for Him over the next two weeks until Easter? We can walk with Jesus, reading and praying and we can be with those who mourn. Sometimes when people die their families are left alone. People don’t know what to say, or they avoid those who are grieving. We can prove that we genuinely believe what we say by being with them, not preaching but doing. A chat, an offer to help with shopping, a card. Eirlys’ friend’s father died a few weeks ago. When Eirlys and Tanya went to see the family, as well as flowers they took food, because they knew that shopping was the last thing on the family’s mind. When they got to the house, they found the kitchen full of tins of biscuits, cake tea coffee, milk etc - all the neighbours had the same idea. Life’s still like that in the valleys, as I am sure many of you remember it being that way in your own home communities. There are many ways of walking with Jesus. And above all remember to pray for those in need. As we walk the next two weeks to Jerusalem, we know that no one should be alone at a time of sorrow. If we really believe that death is not the end let us show that in our lives.
Margaret Smith
Death is the one topic that many people try not to talk about, even though everything else is a subject of open discussion. Even the words “died” or “death” are avoided. People use many other words “passed” or “lost” for example to avoid thinking of the reality. Part of it is because we suffer so much grief at the loss of a loved one that we try to soften the pain. It is human nature to be afraid - even those whom you would expect to accept the reality of death are not immune from fear. My father once told me, “I’m not afraid of death but I’m not looking forward to the process”. And a former Vicar in St. John’s in Cardiff, who used to write the most inspiring columns in the Western Mail every Saturday about Christian faith and the Resurrection, was apparently himself terrified at the thought of death. Even Jesus, proving his involvement in humanity said in this Gospel, “My soul is in turmoil”. Yet he followed this by refusing to ask God to spare him, trusting in His Father’s will and knowing that through His obedience God’s name would be glorified.
Then those around him heard the voice of God saying, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again”. Jesus explained that God’s voice was meant for us all. We are luckier than the crowd, we know of the resurrection. But let’s be honest - knowing that does not make the thought of death any easier. For Jesus death was not easy, He suffered the most dreadful torture. And He did it for us. So, what can we do for Him over the next two weeks until Easter? We can walk with Jesus, reading and praying and we can be with those who mourn. Sometimes when people die their families are left alone. People don’t know what to say, or they avoid those who are grieving. We can prove that we genuinely believe what we say by being with them, not preaching but doing. A chat, an offer to help with shopping, a card. Eirlys’ friend’s father died a few weeks ago. When Eirlys and Tanya went to see the family, as well as flowers they took food, because they knew that shopping was the last thing on the family’s mind. When they got to the house, they found the kitchen full of tins of biscuits, cake tea coffee, milk etc - all the neighbours had the same idea. Life’s still like that in the valleys, as I am sure many of you remember it being that way in your own home communities. There are many ways of walking with Jesus. And above all remember to pray for those in need. As we walk the next two weeks to Jerusalem, we know that no one should be alone at a time of sorrow. If we really believe that death is not the end let us show that in our lives.
Margaret Smith
We hold before you all who are in need this day. In our own community we remember those who have asked for our prayers...................
Sally John Hallewell Michelle Duggan Heather Oliver
Paul Keenor Fr Roy Doxsey Helen Dempster Ann Steward
Cayden Beere Fr Chris Barbara Rees Melba Giles
Janet Puzey Robert James Colin Kirby Rita Williams
Sue Winters Gareth Williams Jazz Johansan Kath Fullstone
Lillian James Madeline Sedgwick Derek Watts Colin Williams
Janet & Lyndon
Eternal God, we entrust into your loving care all who have recently died:
Betty Hynes, Gill Clark
And we remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
Grace Bird
Harry Dart
Phyllis Davies
Elizabeth Parsons
Last petition:
In a few moments of silence we bring before you our personal prayers of petition and thanksgiving
Sally John Hallewell Michelle Duggan Heather Oliver
Paul Keenor Fr Roy Doxsey Helen Dempster Ann Steward
Cayden Beere Fr Chris Barbara Rees Melba Giles
Janet Puzey Robert James Colin Kirby Rita Williams
Sue Winters Gareth Williams Jazz Johansan Kath Fullstone
Lillian James Madeline Sedgwick Derek Watts Colin Williams
Janet & Lyndon
Eternal God, we entrust into your loving care all who have recently died:
Betty Hynes, Gill Clark
And we remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
Grace Bird
Harry Dart
Phyllis Davies
Elizabeth Parsons
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.