Worship
September 19th 2021
Listen to the Gospel of Christ according to St Mark Glory to you, O Lord
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ
Listen to the Gospel of Christ according to St Mark Glory to you, O Lord
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ
Harvest Thanksgiving Appeal – Afghan Refugee Crisis
In common with other Churches in the Diocese, we are going to respond to the current crisis in supporting Afghan interpreters, refugees and their families who will be resettled in Wales. We have a responsibility to act with compassion, to ensure they receive a warm welcome and help them to build new lives in a foreign land.
You can read more about the situation in Wales, the Welsh Government’s responsibility and and our response on the Church in Wales website: https://llandaff.churchinwales.org.uk/
The Diocese have provided a series of ideas on how each Church can help in the form of the “Afghan Crisis Toolkit”. We are looking into the different ways we can respond to this appeal and will bring you more news next Sunday.
In the meantime we invite you to make a donation as your Harvest Thanksgiving offering, next Sunday, or when you next come to Church. Please put your donation in an envelope marked Afghan Refugees and place in the plate.
In the Judgement of the Nations in Matthew 25, those at Jesus' left hand are condemned because, as Jesus says, “I was a stranger and you did not welcome me.” In frustration those being condemned challenge Jesus saying “when was it that we saw you…and did not take care of you?” Jesus replies “just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”
We must respond to that challenge, as individuals, as churches, and as a nation, not just now in the immediate crisis, but for the long haul, and for all those who seek a safe home here in Wales.
I pray that, through the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, this pack helps us all to step-up and do all that we can to make a real difference. The Right Reverend June Osborne, Bishop of Llandaff
Weekly reflection on the Gospel
In the Victorian age the saying was, “A child should be seen and not heard.” I think many parents today sometimes wish that could still be the case!
Today it seems that the opposite happens. Children are very obviously seen and heard. Advertisers and social media keep pressing the fact that children should have everything they want - toys, gadgets, the latest fashion. In fact the world seems intent on pushing them to become adults before they’ve even had a chance to be children. One of the latest fashion ideas is to dress yourself and your child in identical clothes – a mini me - and we have seen so many photos of the children of celebrities at fashionable gatherings, almost as accessories to their parents.
Young children are still awed by the wonder of the world around them; they have not yet become cynical. But we do them a terrible disservice if we try to force them to grow up before they are ready. Not only do they lose out but we lose the chance to see the world through a child’s eyes. When they are very young they are innocent, they trust people and the worst thing we can do is to destroy that trust. Children are not naïve, they do understand about the cruelty in the world, but they still want to believe in the goodness of people. And our responsibility is not to destroy that trust. We, too, can relearn what it is to see the world through the eyes of a child, to try to recapture that sense of wonder.
Children learn about faith through us. To them it is simple - Jesus loves us. True, we learn more about our faith as it is tested through the hardships we endure, and we can feel that we have outgrown our childish beliefs. Sometimes people are scornful of someone whom they think still has the simple faith that they had as children, but how much do we gain by knowing more, but losing that trust; that certainty that God loves us. As adults we can have the best of both worlds - the love and trust in God that we had as children, with the proof of His love that we gain through living through the good and bad experiences of our lives.
To the parents – Sorry, being seen and not heard is still not an option for today’s children! Margaret Smith
In common with other Churches in the Diocese, we are going to respond to the current crisis in supporting Afghan interpreters, refugees and their families who will be resettled in Wales. We have a responsibility to act with compassion, to ensure they receive a warm welcome and help them to build new lives in a foreign land.
You can read more about the situation in Wales, the Welsh Government’s responsibility and and our response on the Church in Wales website: https://llandaff.churchinwales.org.uk/
The Diocese have provided a series of ideas on how each Church can help in the form of the “Afghan Crisis Toolkit”. We are looking into the different ways we can respond to this appeal and will bring you more news next Sunday.
In the meantime we invite you to make a donation as your Harvest Thanksgiving offering, next Sunday, or when you next come to Church. Please put your donation in an envelope marked Afghan Refugees and place in the plate.
In the Judgement of the Nations in Matthew 25, those at Jesus' left hand are condemned because, as Jesus says, “I was a stranger and you did not welcome me.” In frustration those being condemned challenge Jesus saying “when was it that we saw you…and did not take care of you?” Jesus replies “just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”
We must respond to that challenge, as individuals, as churches, and as a nation, not just now in the immediate crisis, but for the long haul, and for all those who seek a safe home here in Wales.
I pray that, through the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, this pack helps us all to step-up and do all that we can to make a real difference. The Right Reverend June Osborne, Bishop of Llandaff
Weekly reflection on the Gospel
In the Victorian age the saying was, “A child should be seen and not heard.” I think many parents today sometimes wish that could still be the case!
Today it seems that the opposite happens. Children are very obviously seen and heard. Advertisers and social media keep pressing the fact that children should have everything they want - toys, gadgets, the latest fashion. In fact the world seems intent on pushing them to become adults before they’ve even had a chance to be children. One of the latest fashion ideas is to dress yourself and your child in identical clothes – a mini me - and we have seen so many photos of the children of celebrities at fashionable gatherings, almost as accessories to their parents.
Young children are still awed by the wonder of the world around them; they have not yet become cynical. But we do them a terrible disservice if we try to force them to grow up before they are ready. Not only do they lose out but we lose the chance to see the world through a child’s eyes. When they are very young they are innocent, they trust people and the worst thing we can do is to destroy that trust. Children are not naïve, they do understand about the cruelty in the world, but they still want to believe in the goodness of people. And our responsibility is not to destroy that trust. We, too, can relearn what it is to see the world through the eyes of a child, to try to recapture that sense of wonder.
Children learn about faith through us. To them it is simple - Jesus loves us. True, we learn more about our faith as it is tested through the hardships we endure, and we can feel that we have outgrown our childish beliefs. Sometimes people are scornful of someone whom they think still has the simple faith that they had as children, but how much do we gain by knowing more, but losing that trust; that certainty that God loves us. As adults we can have the best of both worlds - the love and trust in God that we had as children, with the proof of His love that we gain through living through the good and bad experiences of our lives.
To the parents – Sorry, being seen and not heard is still not an option for today’s children! Margaret Smith
Please use these prayers at home during the week
For all our Bishops priests and deacons
For the West Cardiff Ministry Area Transition Team and our Ministry Area Leader, Mother Frances
For Reverend Emma, Fr Huw and Fr Bernard
For our Parochial Church Council
For all our parishioners who are unable to come to Church
For Gio Cowley to be baptised this Sunday, for his parents Grant & Rhiannon, his brother Rafferti and his godparents
For our Community Garden and Hall, for the management team, the staff and especially all our volunteers in the Garden who make it a place of beauty and of healing for all.
For justice and peace in our world; for all who are persecuted because of their faith, race, gender or culture. We pray especially for the people of Afghanistan.
We pray for those who will resettle in the UK and other countries, that they may receive a warm welcome and the assistance they need. We pray for the safety of those left behind.
For all involved in the treatment and vaccination programmes to control the pandemic.
For all who care for the sick and infirm – for medical staff, for emergency response services and for care workers.
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 Dorothy Marks
Heather Oliver Helen Dempster Arron Bux Alan O’Gram
Kathryn and Carl Fullstone Alma Thomas James Dale
Wendy Williams Robert James Josie Thompson Dorothy Kirby
Baby Owen Paul & parents Alun and Sarah Val Sandford Roger Lewis and family
Jon Venning
We pray for all who have recently died
We remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
Mary Mitchell, Ronald Gell, Dorothy May Griffiths, Robert Bennett, Bernard Wheadon, Betty Wright, Ireen Larcombe, William Franks
For all our Bishops priests and deacons
For the West Cardiff Ministry Area Transition Team and our Ministry Area Leader, Mother Frances
For Reverend Emma, Fr Huw and Fr Bernard
For our Parochial Church Council
For all our parishioners who are unable to come to Church
For Gio Cowley to be baptised this Sunday, for his parents Grant & Rhiannon, his brother Rafferti and his godparents
For our Community Garden and Hall, for the management team, the staff and especially all our volunteers in the Garden who make it a place of beauty and of healing for all.
For justice and peace in our world; for all who are persecuted because of their faith, race, gender or culture. We pray especially for the people of Afghanistan.
We pray for those who will resettle in the UK and other countries, that they may receive a warm welcome and the assistance they need. We pray for the safety of those left behind.
For all involved in the treatment and vaccination programmes to control the pandemic.
For all who care for the sick and infirm – for medical staff, for emergency response services and for care workers.
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 Dorothy Marks
Heather Oliver Helen Dempster Arron Bux Alan O’Gram
Kathryn and Carl Fullstone Alma Thomas James Dale
Wendy Williams Robert James Josie Thompson Dorothy Kirby
Baby Owen Paul & parents Alun and Sarah Val Sandford Roger Lewis and family
Jon Venning
We pray for all who have recently died
We remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
Mary Mitchell, Ronald Gell, Dorothy May Griffiths, Robert Bennett, Bernard Wheadon, Betty Wright, Ireen Larcombe, William Franks
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.
