St Clement Church Community Harvest Sunday Service
Good morning to you all
With all the hot sun and lack of rain this summer, the harvest may/will not be as the farmers would have wished and this inevitably will increase prices for us. However, let us not forget just how fortunate we are as we think of the destruction due to the floods in Pakistan, the devastation in the Philippines following the typhoon, the damage done in Nova Scotia and Labrador, the continuing war in Ukraine and the famine in so many countries. Times are harder and we all will need to economise in so many ways, but others are having it so much worse. May we be thankful for what we do have and give thanks for all those who grow, harvest and deliver our food to us.
With love
Liz
Let us pray;
Heavenly Father: we thank you for food and remember the hungry. We thank you for health and remember the sick. We thank you for friends and remember the friendless. We thank you for freedom and remember the enslaved. May these remembrances stir us to service that your gifts to us may be used for others.
Amen
Hymn: 259 Come ye thankful people come
Our prayers of Penitence
May the Father of all mercies cleanse us from our sins, and restore us in his image to the praise and glory of his name through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessed be the Lord who has heard the voice of our prayer.
Therefore, shall our hearts dance with joy
and in our song will we praise our God.
Amen.
The Collect for Harvest
Eternal God, you crown the year with your goodness and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season: grant that we may use them to your glory, for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Readings
Deuteronomy 16. 1 – 11
Philippians 4. 4 – 9
Hymn: 262 We plough the fields and scatter
Gospel of John 6. 25 - 35 (Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Response: ‘Glory to you O Lord.’)
When they found Jesus on the other side of the sea, the crowd said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to Jesus, ‘What must we do to perform the of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So, they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’
Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
(This is the Gospel of the Lord. Response: ‘Praise to you, O, Christ’)
Reflection
I have to admit that the Gospel of John often offers up a real challenge when trying to prepare what to say about a particular part of it. The Gospel of John is unique in recording a number of statements of Jesus that begin with the statement, ‘I am the … .’ In these statements Jesus uses various metaphors to describe His person, character and mission.
Jesus declares:
I am the Bread of Life
I am the Light of the World
I am the Gate for the Sheep
I am the Good Shepherd
I am the Resurrection and the Life
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life
I am the True Vine
This morning, it being our celebration of Harvest, we are looking at the first of these claims. Jesus refers to Himself as the ‘Bread of Life.’
Jesus is the master of what might be called, ‘the teachable moment.’ The day before Jesus speaks the words about being the bread of life, He has fed the 5000 people miraculously with five barley loaves and two fish. After that miracle we are told that the people are ready to make Him King by force.
Having sent His disciples off to Capernaum to draw the crowds away, Jesus goes off on His own to pray. He knows how the applause of the crowds can be intoxicating and very tempting … He knows how important it is to get away and listen to his Father rather than to the accolades of the crowd.
The next day the people look for Jesus – they know He hasn’t gone in the boat with the disciples.
The people want Jesus, but for the wrong reason. They are looking for another ‘free lunch.’ Jesus uses this setting to try to teach them about something much more important than lunch.
Jesus uses our natural hunger as a metaphor and He uses it to illustrate a hunger that is much deeper.
All food contains an expiry date. It is therefore temporary.
Crowds wildly pursue Jesus because He has supplied them with material things of life. They like the idea of a fish maker and a bread baker – someone who can give them the material things that they want. They fail to take a step further and realise that a man who can miraculously supply bread is also One who can meet the deep spiritual needs of their lives. So, He lifts their sights and brings them to a place where He can bless them.
People still do the same thing today. They look to Jesus as the One who will:
Make them happy
Solve their problems
Heal their sickness
Fulfil their dreams
Guarantee that they will all live ‘happily ever after’
They want a Jesus who will help them live ‘the good life.’ Jesus tells them that this is being very short-sighted. They are like the child who copies his friend’s homework assignment rather than doing the work himself. They are like the person who chooses a chocolate bar rather than having a proper meal. They are like a patient who chooses to cover their pain with pain relief tablets rather than getting the life-saving surgery that they need.
Jesus, in His remarkable patience, continues to explain Himself to the people.
‘For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’
Jesus says, ‘I am the bread of life.’ He doesn’t say, ‘I can give you the bread of life’ or ‘I know where you can find the bread of life’ or even ‘I have the recipe for the bread of life.’ He says, ‘I AM the bread of life.’ He is what we need.
Jesus tells the people that several things happen when we turn to Him as the bread of life. First, He says that the person who comes to Him will never be hungry or thirst again.
What bread is to hunger, Jesus claims to be for the soul.
If you think about it, bread is eaten daily. Some fruits are available only in season. Some drinks are made only at holidays. Not so with bread and not so with Jesus. He should be brought to the table every day. We should let Him nourish our hearts, not just in certain months or on special occasions, but daily.
If you think about all the different ways that bread can be served, bread can meet many needs. So too can Jesus. He adapts Himself to meet our needs. He has a word for the lonely as well as for the popular. He has help for the physically and emotionally ill. If your vision is clear, He can help you. If your vision is cloudy, He can help you. Jesus can meet each and every need.
Jesus says that He is the unique way to eternal life. He alone is the one who can satisfy that deep desire we have to live for ever. It’s a craving each one of us has deep down inside us.
The reason we hate the idea of death is because it feels like it is stepping off a cliff into a bottomless pit. We fight death with every ounce of our physical strength and with every resource of our brain and technology because we don’t want life to end. It all seems so pointless. ‘You live, you die, that’s it.’
Deep inside we know there must be more. We want there to be more! Jesus says there is more … and He is the One who will lead us to this life that extends beyond the grave and forever.
So, is Jesus as real to us spiritually as something we can taste or handle? Is He as much a part of our lives as the food we eat daily?
Does our relationship with Christ impact:
The way we work?
The way we spend our money?
The approach we take to difficult people?
Our view of death and eternity?
The things we do in our free time?
The things we hold dear?
The way we deal with problems and failures?
If it doesn’t impact our lives in these ways, maybe our ‘belief’ in Jesus isn’t the kind of belief that He requires. Perhaps we need to celebrate Christ as much more a ‘follower’ than just one of His fans.
So, every time we smell homemade bread, or pass the bread aisle in a grocery shop, or get ready to take a bite into our favourite sandwich, may we be reminded of Jesus’ words that He is ‘the Bread of Life.’ And in remembering, may we be renewed in our commitment to the One who gives us that food that endures for eternal life.
Amen
Affirmation of our faith
Let us declare our faith in God.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
And he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
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: 261 To thee O Lord our hearts we raise
Intercessions by Daphne Hawkins
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ let us pray to the Father.
O God, our heavenly Father, we gather here in our little church together with those who join us in our service from near and far to thank you for the gifts of harvest time. We are blessed beyond measure in the abundance of food we produce in our community, and the natural foods in our fields, woods and hedgerows. As we celebrate the Festival of Harvest may we be mindful and pray for all people world-wide whose harvest has been devastated by flood, drought and the ravages of warfare. May we share our good fortune with those around us in poverty and need.
Lord, in your mercy; Hear our prayer
Dear Lord, we bring before you the Holy Church of Christ and all who strive to lead and maintain the Christian faith – Archbishop Justin, Bishops Philip and Hugh, we pray you will guide and give them strength and vision to deal with a world of change and challenges. We pray for our own Reverend Diane and her devoted and loyal family. May she find the strength to carry out her commitment to God’s work in our church and in our community.
Lord, in your mercy; Hear our prayer
Lord, we thank you for all those here this morning whose generosity and concern for their fellow men has laid gifts at our harvest altar to provide fand care for all for all those in poverty and need. Dear Lord, please bless and care for all those3 volunteers and organisations who strive day after day to feed and care for the hungry, homeless and vulnerable.
Lord, in your mercy; Hear our prayer
We pray this morning for the suffering in our world brought about by greed and hatred, cruelty, war and evil acts of violence and torture. We can only pray that those responsible for these crimes may have their eyes opened to truth and justice. We pray for peace world-wide.
Lord, in your mercy; Hear our prayer
We pray for all world leaders including our own prime minister. May all in authority govern with honesty and integrity providing help for those who struggle to exist in this serious economic situation. May all people be treated honestly and fairly, with respect and consideration.
Lord, in your mercy; Hear our prayer
Let us join in prayer for all those who, at this time, suffer in body, mind or spirit. We bring to you: Reverend Diane and Ken, Alison and Rob, Kare, Margaret, Terry and Dot, Helen, Sally, Gavin, Paul and Jan, Stephen, Lyn, Maureen, Sue and especially Ollie and his family at this time.
May all who are finding life difficult at this time know that you are by their side and with you comfort and healing power will bring hope and peace to all in distress.
We pray for all who have recently been called to rest and peace with you in heaven. We remember those who have gone before – may they be with you in paradise always loved and remembered.
Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer
Lilian Cox writes:
We dare not ask you bless our harvest feast
Till it is spread for poorest and for least.
We dare not bring our harvest gifts to you
Unless our hungry brothers share them too.
Not only at this time, Lord, every day
Those whom you love are dying while we pray.
Teach us to do with less and so to share
From our abundance more than we can spare.
Now with this harvest round us piled
Show us Christ in every starving child.
Speak as you spoke of old in Galilee
You feed, or you refuse not them, but me.
Amen
Rejoicing in the fellowship of St Andrew, St Clement and the Blessed Virgin Mary, we commend ourselves and all people of faith and good to your unfailing love.
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.
Harvest by James B. Kenyon
The hills are steeped in slumberous haze;
The wind is breathing soft and low;
On tranquil slopes the cattle graze;
Through twinkling light, the waters flow.
About the meadows, smoothly shorn,
The cricket winds his cheery horn,
And o’er the calm expanse of sky
The filmy clouds drift lazily.
Across the smiling valley – hark!
How steals the echo, sweet and long,
Of those who sing from morn till dark
The happy harvest song.
The Peace
God will speak peace to his people, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
Amen.
Hymn: 265 Lord of beauty thine the splendour
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.