Worship
August 2nd 2020 Gospel for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity
Matthew 14. 13-21
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
The disciples could not believe that Jesus could provide so much from so little - and yet, there it was before their eyes. They were learning a lesson in the art of Kingdom living - Jesus takes our little, blesses it - and produces fruit beyond anything we could have imagined.
Wellspring Spirituality Page www.wellsprings.org.uk/wellsprings.htm
The real aim of all miracle stories - if they are not to be seen as mere wonder working - is to strengthen and illuminate faith; that is a relationship between Christ and the hearer. The Eucharist gathers up all the strands that the miracle weaves together. Jesus still takes, blesses, breaks and gives the bread for his people.
Jeffrey John: The Meaning in Miracles
Where to get bread? An ever pressing question
That trembles on the lips of anxious mothers,
Bread for their families, bread for all these others;
A whole world on the margin of exhaustion. And where that hungered has been satisfied
Where to get bread? The question still returns
In our abundance something starves and yearns
We crave fulfillment, crave and are denied.
And then comes One who speaks into our needs
Who opens out the secret hopes we cherish
Whose presence calls our hidden hearts to flourish
Whose words unfold in us like living seeds
Come to me, broken, hungry, incomplete,
I am the Bread of life, break Me and eat.
Malcolm Guite
Matthew 14. 13-21
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
The disciples could not believe that Jesus could provide so much from so little - and yet, there it was before their eyes. They were learning a lesson in the art of Kingdom living - Jesus takes our little, blesses it - and produces fruit beyond anything we could have imagined.
Wellspring Spirituality Page www.wellsprings.org.uk/wellsprings.htm
The real aim of all miracle stories - if they are not to be seen as mere wonder working - is to strengthen and illuminate faith; that is a relationship between Christ and the hearer. The Eucharist gathers up all the strands that the miracle weaves together. Jesus still takes, blesses, breaks and gives the bread for his people.
Jeffrey John: The Meaning in Miracles
Where to get bread? An ever pressing question
That trembles on the lips of anxious mothers,
Bread for their families, bread for all these others;
A whole world on the margin of exhaustion. And where that hungered has been satisfied
Where to get bread? The question still returns
In our abundance something starves and yearns
We crave fulfillment, crave and are denied.
And then comes One who speaks into our needs
Who opens out the secret hopes we cherish
Whose presence calls our hidden hearts to flourish
Whose words unfold in us like living seeds
Come to me, broken, hungry, incomplete,
I am the Bread of life, break Me and eat.
Malcolm Guite
If you have any prayers or thanksgivings you want added to this list, please let me know by email or telephone
FOR OUR MINISTRY OF PRAYER
For our preparations enabling parishioners to attend a Eucharist. For our young families, some of whom we welcomed to Church this Saturday
For Father Bernard, who is well but continuing to self-isolate
For Llangasty Retreat House as it struggles to be able to be viable - and for the Open Days starting soon. For Janet and Sheila
For all engaged in research for a vaccine for Covid 19
For all countries struggling to control the spread of infection; especially for those places where there is lack of basic medical care.
For the work of Christian Aid and all aid agencies to provide help to these areas
Please continue to pray for people uncertain about their future employment and for families who are struggling financially
For our Community Hall and our Volunteers working in the garden
We continue to pray for all medical and health care staff in our hospitals, our care homes and in our communities.
We pray for the sick and those in need:
Josie Thompson
Gareth Williams
James
June Cooke
Myra Jones
For everyone whose treatment in hospital has been delayed
We pray for all who have recently died, and those who mourn:
Ann George and her family
Geoff Barrington (former minister at Fairwater Presbyterian), for his wife and family
We remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
Gaynor Puzey
John Henry Guy
Dennis Sedgmond
Tom Davies
Joan Jarvis
Gladys Elizabeth Sutton
Lilian May Francombe
Elsie Hopgood
Muriel Wakely
William Hallewell
Shirley Bannister
FOR OUR MINISTRY OF PRAYER
For our preparations enabling parishioners to attend a Eucharist. For our young families, some of whom we welcomed to Church this Saturday
For Father Bernard, who is well but continuing to self-isolate
For Llangasty Retreat House as it struggles to be able to be viable - and for the Open Days starting soon. For Janet and Sheila
For all engaged in research for a vaccine for Covid 19
For all countries struggling to control the spread of infection; especially for those places where there is lack of basic medical care.
For the work of Christian Aid and all aid agencies to provide help to these areas
Please continue to pray for people uncertain about their future employment and for families who are struggling financially
For our Community Hall and our Volunteers working in the garden
We continue to pray for all medical and health care staff in our hospitals, our care homes and in our communities.
We pray for the sick and those in need:
Josie Thompson
Gareth Williams
James
June Cooke
Myra Jones
For everyone whose treatment in hospital has been delayed
We pray for all who have recently died, and those who mourn:
Ann George and her family
Geoff Barrington (former minister at Fairwater Presbyterian), for his wife and family
We remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
Gaynor Puzey
John Henry Guy
Dennis Sedgmond
Tom Davies
Joan Jarvis
Gladys Elizabeth Sutton
Lilian May Francombe
Elsie Hopgood
Muriel Wakely
William Hallewell
Shirley Bannister
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.
