St Clement Church Community Sunday Service
Good morning
Today is not only our Patronal Festival (the Feast of St Clement) but it is also the Festival of Christ the King – the last Sunday in the Church’s year.
It is hard to believe that we are nearly eleven months through 2022 and there are only five weeks until Christmas! Where has the year gone?
Next Sunday will be the first in Advent so, this coming week, may we look back over the last year, consider what we have and have not achieved and think about what our aims should be in the coming year. God Bless Love to you all.
Liz xx
Let us pray
Creator and Father of eternity, whose martyr Clement bore witness to you with the love he proclaimed, and the gospel he preached. Give us thankful hearts as we celebrate your faithfulness revealed to us in the lives of your saints, and strengthen us in our pilgrimage as we follow your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Hymn: 338 At the name of Jesus
Our Prayers of Penitence
In these moments, remembering God, we bring to you all the ways we have not lived as your people: we stand by watching while those in need struggle to survive; we cast our lots with those who worship power and success; we offer insults rather than words of grace to those who care for us; we scoff at your words which call us to a different life style. Forgive us, God of mercy, for not knowing what we do to you, to others, to ourselves. Speak to us through Jesus Christ, our King and our Saviour, who bears words filled with your tender mercy and gracious hope.
Amen
Collect for Christ the King
Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Readings
Jeremiah 23. 1 – 6 Colossians 1. 11 – 20
Hymn: 205 Christ is made the sure foundation
Gospel reading – Luke 23. 33 - 43
(Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke Response: Glory to you O Lord)
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
(This is the Gospel of the Lord Response: Praise to you, O Christ)
Reflection
It is difficult, when one is celebrating two completely different festivals, to decide - should one follow celebrating the Feast of St Clement on our Patronal Festival, or should we be looking at ‘Christ the King’ as it is the final Sunday in the church’s year. Or - can one do both?
Who is St Clement? Born in Rome, and brought up in a wealthy family, somehow, Clement feels little comfort or interest in the trappings of this wealth. Neither does paganism inspire him so it is only when he begins to hear of the teachings of Jesus that he up-sticks and heads for where the Apostles are teaching. We are led to believe that he is baptised by Peter and becomes his disciple and companion. It is just before Peter’s death that he consecrates Clement as his successor as Bishop of Rome. Clement becomes well known for all his charitable works – he works with those in need, the poor, the outcasts, the marginalised - and many … people of all classes, free and slaves … are converted to Christianity. Inevitably, this upsets the pagans who are determined to get rid of him so they denounce him to the emperor. Clement is banished from Rome and is sent to Crimea to work in a stone quarry. Does this stop him? No, because many follow him, preferring to share his exile rather than not have him with them. Is that it? No! Many Christians are already there as they have been sentenced to hard labour – indeed, the conditions are incredibly harsh as there is little water. The story goes that Clement prays with them and the Lord appears to him in the form of a lamb which shows him a spring which then becomes a river. Needless to say - news of a ‘miracle’ soon spreads and more and more are converted to Christianity. So, a church is built in the quarry and Clement becomes its priest. Yet again, news spreads far and fast and the emperor hears of Clement’s work – no doubt embellished by the pagans – and he condemns him to be drowned. To ensure that he stays drowned, the emperor’s guards tie him to an anchor and throw him into the sea. If you look, there anchors on our church windows, in memory of St Clement.
So, to today’s Gospel reading – we have seen Jesus condemned in rigged trials, sharing in the kind of suffering as persecuted peoples everywhere, totally alone as he walks to Calvary. Two other men, both criminals, are also led to be executed. With Jesus in the middle, they are executed, one on his right and the other on his left. It is now, that one of most amazing, almost incredible, sayings in Scripture is said. ‘Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.’
What do you pray for most? When things are going well there is probably a long list. When we are tired or busy, we probably have a shorter list of concerns. When life is at its hardest, I suspect most of our prayers are for ourselves, although we can perhaps spare a prayer for our family or a close friend in need.
But, when Jesus’ life is almost at an end, when the pain is at its worst, Jesus doesn’t pray for His mother watching nearby. He doesn’t pray for His dear disciples, Peter, James and John. He doesn’t pray for Himself. At the moment of agony, Jesus prays for His enemies. He’s not praying in revenge that God’s judgement and punishment will fall on those who are torturing and executing Him. He is praying for their forgiveness! ‘Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.’ Praying for His enemies – we have a lot to learn from our Lord Jesus Christ about praying for our enemies.
This is what the cross is all about – one man who is innocent dying in the place of those who are guilty.
Everybody who puts their trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection can know forgiveness of sins and the certainty of eternal life. We can share in the promise, ‘Today you will be with me in paradise.’ So, it is no coincidence that the place where we find Jesus praying for His enemies is indeed the cross. ‘Father, forgive them.’ ‘Punish me instead of them.’ ‘Accept my death instead of theirs.’
This is the good news of the Gospel.
So, perhaps there is a link between the two festivals today. St Clement giving up a life of luxury, instead, turning to a life of service for those in need, which brought about his death; and Christ the King, giving His life for us and asking forgiveness for those who tortured and killed Him.
What examples we need to follow.
Amen
Affirmation of faith
Let us declare our faith in God
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen
Hymn: 352 Crown him with many crowns
Intercessions by Helen Dunbar
Let us pray for the Church and for the world and thank God for his goodness.
We pray for all Christians, for St Clement Church and our Patronal Festival. Strengthen our faith Lord, in your love for each one of us. Help us to turn to you in moments of joy as well as sadness. May we be humble enough to listen to your will and to also proclaim the joy of your presence in our lives, so that others may be inspired to follow and serve you also.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Dear Lord, bless our Bishops Philip and Hugh and also our much loved Revd Diane who continues with her relentless workload and bless Ken and her supportive family.
We pray for all those in positions of power and trust; that they may govern with wisdom and integrity, serving the needs of all their people. We pray for the Church, the sign of your reign, that it may extend your welcome to people of every race and background. We pray for Christians of every denomination, that together we may come to understand the royal priesthood you bestowed on us in your baptism.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
We pray for all those who follow you and stand up against injustice, for all working for peace and unity. Please Lord, pour out your spirit of reconciliation and bring an end to the suffering caused by war and violence. Give protection to refugees fleeing their homes, seeking safety in another country. We pray especially for those caught up in the war in Ukraine. Help us to remember the power of prayer in the knowledge that you are sovereign over all the world; we pray for the world’s leaders that they may not hide behind their power or abuse it, but work for the good of all humanity, particularly the poor throughout the world.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
We pray for our local community, that we may show our love through our respect for each other and for our environment, gladly sharing what we have with those in need. We also remember all who do not attend St Clement Church, but receive the service at home and are with us in spirit.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Bless and guide King Charles 111, who at the beginning of last week celebrated his 74th birthday. Bless all the royal family and be their light and guide in all that they are called to be and do in life. Enfold them in your love now and always.
Lord, we thank you for all those who spend their lives trying to make ours better – for those in public service, for all people who commit themselves to charitable works, and for all those who help others to find you.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
God of healing, we pray for all who work in our health service, care homes, day centres, and hospices. Be with those who are in pain, those on long waiting lists, those with chronic illnesses and those nearing the end of their life. We pray too for those who are finding life a struggle, for the lonely, the vulnerable and those suffering with mental illness. Help them all to seek your comfort in their time of need. We pray for Revd Diane and Ken, Alison and Rob, Terry and Dot, Margaret, Maureen, Brian, Rupert and Linda, Paul and Jan, Lyn, Stephen, Mary, and Alison who is 49 years old and was diagnosed a few days ago with terminal cancer. We pray for all those known to us and also those who have no one to pray for them.
We pray for the recently departed and we remember Ted Collins who was a member of our church family and our thoughts and prayers go to Felicity and his family.
We pray for all the departed and for those whose anniversary falls at this time; we pray for Nicky Berry and Hilary Wills.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray with confidence as Jesus taught us;
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Holy God, Holy and Glorious by Susan R. Briehl
Holy God, Holy and glorious, glory most sublime, you come as one among us into human time, and we beheld your glory.
Holy God, holy and powerful, power without peer, you bend to us in weakness; emptied you draw near, and we beheld your power.
Holy God, holy and beautiful, beauty unsurpassed, your are despised, rejected, scorned, you hold us fast, and we beheld your beauty.
Holy God, holy and only wise, wisdom of great price, you choose the way of folly: God the crucified, and we behold your wisdom.
Holy God, holy and living one, life that never ends, you show your love by dying, dying for your friends, and we behold you living.
The PEACE
Jesus says to his disciples, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid.’
The peace of the Lord be always with us.
Hymn: 476 Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim
The BLESSING
May the Father’s hand keep us from stumbling the footprints of Jesus give us confidence to follow and the fire of the Spirit keep us warm and safe in our walk with God this day.
Amen