St Clement Church Community Sunday Service 25.7.21
Good morning to you all as we celebrate our Sunday service, whether in your own home or our church building.
The covid restrictions have been lifted, but I think it’s best to take things slowly….I’ve suggested to Martin that the choir sing a post-communion anthem in church from this Sunday and we listen to our hymns as usual until August 8th, when we’ll have congregational singing.
Communion can now be received in both kinds, but not by the common cup, so I suggest we delay the practicalities of that also until August 8th.
We hoped to relaunch our Sunday Evening Prayer/Compline service and Café Church at St Andrews, next month, but a meeting is needed with the Chairman of the Trustees as sadly they’ve told us they cannot get the building prepared in time for August.
Much love and may Christ’s love sustain you always.
Rev Di and family xx
Let us pray;
Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: teach us to discern your hand and in all your works and your likeness in all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn: ‘‘When morning gilds the skies’
Our prayers of Penitence
As we celebrate the grace and goodness of God, we remember our failings and weaknesses:
When we have lived by our own strength, and not by the power of your resurrection. In your mercy, forgive us and help us.
When we have lived by the light of our own eyes, as faithless and not believing. In your mercy, forgive us and help us.
When we have lived for this earthly life alone, and doubted our home in heaven. In your mercy, forgive us and help us.
May Almighty God have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins and failings, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray our Collect for the 8th Sunday after Trinity
Lord God, your Son left the riches of heaven and became poor for our sake: when we prosper save us from pride, when we are needy save us from despair that we may trust in you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings:
2 Kings 4.42-end
Ephesians 3. 14-end
Hymn; ‘Lord of all hopefulness’
Gospel: John 6.1-21
(Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Response: ‘Glory to you O Lord.’)
Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples.
Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’
Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’
Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’
When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.
(This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.)
Reflection
“A Favourite Story” is a sermon interpretation of part of today’s gospel reading where Jesus feeds the 5000.
We all have favourite stories don’t we that we share with family and friends. At get-togethers the conversation will often get around to an old story which begins with, “Do you remember that time when….” and people will either groan or laugh at the memory.
Well, the gospel story for today is an old favourite about Jesus and his disciples that was told over and over again.
Some stories are only told once in the gospels.... such as the story of the Good Samaritan, or of the Prodigal Son. But today’s story, about the five loaves and two fish, is told four times in its variations. In fact it’s the only Gospel miracle which is told in its entirety in all four Gospels.
So I’d like to retell it for you, but also include elements from other Gospel stories that are connected to it.
Don’t worry, it shouldn’t take too long!
It was springtime in Israel. The rains had come, the flowers were blooming and the brown hills were green with grass again. I’m beginning to think our parched country could do with rain soon!
It was the Passover holiday, people were taking trips, packing their donkeys and going on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It was a time of fasting, feasting and traveling.
It was also a time of fame for Jesus. His popularity was becoming enormous, and thousands would gather to hear him preach.
But it was also a time of tragedy in Israel.
John the Baptist had just been beheaded. He was the greatest prophet the land of Israel had experienced for four hundred years, he’d been the people’s spiritual leader, and everyone was stunned by this enormous loss, including his cousin Jesus.
So it was a time for grieving in Israel, and Jesus wanted to get away by himself to pray, and grieve the loss of John.
He got into a boat to sail across to a remote point, in order to leave behind the massive crowds who were following him, but they could see from the shore where he was sailing to, and they followed along the shoreline, keeping an eye on his boat, and when it landed, many of the crowd had already arrived.
What was Jesus’ reaction to the thousands who’d shown up? Irritated? Angry? No, he looked on the massive crowd with compassion, upon the loss of John they were like sheep without a shepherd, they were in need of spiritual feeding. And so he taught them and he healed them.
The day quickly passed, and one of the disciples said: “Lord, the hour is late, the people don’t have any food and we’re a long way from any villages. Maybe you should send them home now.” And Jesus said; “Look around the crowd and see what you can find.”
Andrew found a young boy with five loaves of bread and two fish, and brought the boy and the food to Jesus.
Jesus invited everyone to be seated on the grass, took the bread and gave thanks, then he gave it out to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied, and there was even twelve baskets of bread left over.
Variations of that story were told over and over again in the gospels.
Jesus can work miracles with five loaves and two fish.
That’s at the heart of it, that the little boy brought his meagre gifts to Jesus, his five loaves and two fish, and look what mighty miracles God did with them.
And God wants to do the same with us; if we bring our meagre gifts to him, not loaves, or fish, thankfully for us vegetarians, but our talents and gifts. With the simplicity of who we are, God can work miracles through our lives.
Sometimes people ask about this story: “How did he do it? How did Christ feed all those people with so little food?”
I like what one commentator suggested: that the selfish hearts of five thousand people were transformed; that when they saw the example of the little boy giving Jesus his bread and fish, they were inspired to share the food that they’d brought with them, which had probably been hidden inside their clothing.
As the Bible says: “A little child shall lead them.”
Jesus said that Christians would go on to do greater miracles than he did when he was on earth.
If by the use of our gifts we could be the small catalyst which enables Christ to work that miracle today, to begin the transformation of five thousand or five million selfish hearts, we could feed the whole world, not only with physical food, but we could satisfy their spiritual hunger too.
That’s the essence of this miracle.
Amen.
Affirmation of our faith
Let us declare our faith in God:
We believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist. We believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and rose again.
We believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world.
This is the faith of the Church. This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Hymn; ‘God is working his purpose out’
Our Intercessions this week are written by Liz Davies
Let us Pray: God promises us in His Word that He hears every word that we pray to Him, so, in quietness of spirit we bring our prayers before Him. Holy God, out of your goodness a great crowd was fed and satisfied from a small offering of food. Help us to set aside ‘quiet times’ in the busyness of our lives so that we may think of all the good things that You have given to us and be thankful for them; think of all the good times we have had and appreciate them; think of all the times when things have gone wrong and we have struggled to find our way and yet, looking back, we realise that You never abandoned us – but were there to carry us when we fell.
Lord, hear us Lord, graciously hear us
Creator God, we pray for those throughout the world who are physically hungry. We know that so many of the world’s people lack enough nourishment; please help us, who have so much, to be diligent in prayer and generous in giving to those agencies which try to alleviate their suffering.
Lord, hear us Lord, graciously hear us
Father God, we bring before you all those in the communities in the countries across Europe who have experienced the devastating floods that have taken so many lives, destroyed their communities and caused so much pain and heartache. Be with the rescue services and those doing the heart-breaking work of searching for those who are still missing.
Lord, hear us Lord, graciously hear us
Father God, we bring before you our homes and our relationships for you to work in. We thank you for the community in which we are part; for those who share with us in its activities, for all who serve its varied interests. Help us to make our own contribution to the community and to learn to be good neighbours at all times.
Lord, hear us Lord, graciously hear us
Loving God, we place in your hands those who are sick. We ask that you ease their pain and heal the damage that they are suffering in body, mind or spirit. Be present with them through the support of family, friends and in the care of doctors and nurses. We especially remember before you: Ken and Diane, Rupert and Linda, Sandra and Barrie, Martin, Margaret, Brian, Ollie and all those who have no one to pray for them.
Lord, hear us Lord, graciously hear us
Merciful God, we offer our thanks for lives well lived but now come to an end. We especially remember, at this time, all those taken so suddenly in the floods across Europe. Be close to those bereaved by their passing and console them with your unfailing love.
Lord, hear us Lord, graciously hear us
Faithful God, through these prayers we offer afresh our lives as well as our words; send us out into the world determined that each moment from now on becomes an offering of love to you.
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.
Hymn; ‘Rejoice today with one accord’
The Peace
We are the body of Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised into one body. Let us then pursue all that makes for peace and build up our common life. May the peace of God be always with us.
Amen.
Blessing
May God the Holy Trinity make us strong in faith and love, defend us on every side and guide us in truth and peace. And may the presence of God watch over us, the power of God protect us, those whom we love, and may we never forget that wherever we are, God is with us always, to the end of the age.
Amen.