St Clement Church Community Service
3rd Sunday before Lent
Good morning and welcome to our Community Sunday Morning Service.
Unbelievably, we are now into February and over one twelfth of 2023 has already passed. Not only that, but today is the third Sunday before Lent – time to start preparing for Lent, getting those jobs done that I don’t do in Lent. What about you? With love Liz
Let us pray
Dear Lord, we ask that You will open our ears so that we may hear Your voice. Open our minds so that we may receive Your eternal wisdom. Open our spirits so that we may know Your leading and guidance. Open our hearts so that we may receive Your wonderful love.
Amen
Hymn: 237 Morning has broken
A prayer of Penitence The Gospel calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. As we offer ourselves to Him in penitence and faith, we renew our confidence and trust in His mercy.
Lord God, we have sinned against you; we have done evil in your sight. We are sorry and repent. Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin. Renew a right spirit within us and restore us to the joy of your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
The Collect for the Third Sunday before Lent
Almighty God, who alone can bring order to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity: give your people grace so to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, among the many changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; 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
Isaiah 58. 1 – 9a (9b – 12)
1 Corinthians 2. 1 – 12 (13 – the end)
Hymn: 484 The Church’s one foundation
Gospel – Matthew 5. 13 - 20
(Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew)
Response: ‘Glory to you O Lord
Jesus went up to the mountain and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to teach them: ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but it is thrown out and trampled under foot.
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’
(This is the Gospel of our Lord Response: Praise to you, O Christ)
Reflection
When an old man looked ahead at his dwindling days, he grew lonely and afraid. So, he called his three daughters to him.
‘Before I draw up my final will, you must each give me a gift which shows how much you love me.’
The next day the eldest daughter presented him with a bejewelled - crown. ‘My love for you is as rich and bright as this crown,’ she said. The old man placed it on his head and was reassured by its weight pressing down on him. ‘I will give you one third of my wealth,’ he said.
The middle daughter presented the old man with an opulent fur coat. ‘My love is as rare as this coat.’ Her father wrapped the fur about him and was reassured by its warmth even though it stifled his breathing. ‘I will give you one third of my wealth,’ he said.
Finally, the youngest daughter approached. She handed him a small and simple paper bag. The old man grabbed it, full of anticipation, sure that this gift from his favourite daughter would be the greatest of the three. He poured out the contents, then stood shocked, open mouthed, as a pile of white salt streamed into the palm of his hand. ‘What does this mean?’ ‘I love you like meat loves salt,’ the youngest girl said. The two elder girls sniggered and the old man was angry. ‘Salt! How dare you! Get out of here you ungrateful wretch. Leave my house now. If this is how much you love me then I care nothing for you.’
That evening the old man was bad-tempered as he ate his dinner alone. He missed his youngest daughter as she usually kept him company in the evening. His new crown was too heavy and the fur coat was itchy against his skin. He also had a sneaking feeling that he looked ridiculous.
He stabbed at the meat on his plate and started to chew. It was bland and unpalatable. ‘Salt,’ he cried. ‘I need salt!’ Then he fell silent as he realised how very, very foolish he had been.
When he looked up there was someone standing in front of him, it was his youngest daughter. She was holding a salt cellar out to him.
‘I love you like meat loves salt,’ she said. ‘Yes,’ he relied. ‘I love you like meat loves salt.’
Salt – now I don’t know about you but I’m a salt fan. I have managed to not put salt in with most vegetables now, but potatoes, without salt? You’re joking! I couldn’t eat them. I have to admit that most savoury dishes I make, I do add salt to them. I know we’re told that too much salt is bad for us, but, no salt and most food would be bland, tasteless and inedible.
Well, here’s a question. Who are you? How do you answer that question? I suspect like most people you would give your name. You might also say a bit about your family history and the connections that help to identify you. I cannot, however, ever think of a single time when either I or anyone else has answered, ‘Who are you?’ with the reply, ‘Oh, I’m the salt of the earth’ and certainly not ‘I’m the light of the world.’
Why not? Well, I can only speak for myself, but I don’t think of myself in those terms. Yes, I’ve heard others described as, ‘the salt of the earth,’ but surely, there’s only one ‘light of the world.’
In today’s Gospel reading Jesus tells the crowds that have followed Him from Galilee ‘You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world.’ They have come to see the one they’ve heard about. They’ve come to listen and to learn, to be healed, and to have their lives put back together. They’ve come in search of meaning, direction and purpose. You and I are in that crowd. We’re one of them. Don’t think that this is about somebody other than each of us. Jesus isn’t talking to particular individuals, We’ve come today to see this one we’ve heard about. We’ve come to listen and to learn, to be healed, to have our lives put back together. We’ve come in search of meaning, direction, and purpose. Jesus’ words are as true and as applicable today as they were two thousand years ago. ‘You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world.’ Jesus knows us as not only ‘the salt of the earth’ but also ‘the light of the world.’ Really? Yes, He thinks that about us and He says that about us. He is talking to each, and every one of us. There are profound implications to being named ‘salt’ and ‘light.’ It means that we are to ‘flavour’ the world. We are to season and transform human activity in such a way that it reveals God in this world. It means that we are to help people better see God’s life in theirs. It means we are to enlighten the dark places of the world. You and I are the means by which God flavours and illuminates life and the world. If last week, the Feast of the Presentation, Christ’s Gospel showed us to be God-receivers, this week Christ’s Gospel shows and calls us to be God-givers, God-sharers.
Christ has given us the salt and the light of His divinity not just for ourselves but that others might eat and see better. The salt of divinity that was poured into our hands we are to sprinkle onto the world. The light of divinity that fills our hearts and minds is to share on and brighten all life.
Well, I don’t know about you, but that’s all rather daunting. What does it really mean for us? Well, it’s really quite practical and tangible. It’s something that can be tasted and seen. It makes a difference in the world and to other people.
- It’s looking someone in the eye, speaking a kind word and acknowledging him or her as having been created in the image and likeness of God. Try that with some of the people you pretend not to see or deliberately ignore or avoid.
- It’s generosity with your compassion, time and money to care for and make a difference in the lives of the poor, the hungry and the homeless.
- It’s starting a conversation and rebuilding a relationship when you really feel indifference, pain or anger.
- It’s praying that God will bless with all the good gifts you want for yourself and those you love, those who have hurt you, those who are different from you, and those with whom you disagree.
- It’s choosing a life of self-giving rather than taking and acquiring. It’s vulnerability rather than defensiveness and intimacy rather than isolation. It means you might, and probably will, get hurt.
- It is loving God, your neighbour, your enemy, and yourself. It means choice overcomes feelings.
Regardless of where we are in life or our faith, I think we are all looking for the salt and the light within us and how we can best be that for others.
‘You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world.’ With these words Jesus is declaring what already is. He is making a statement of fact. This doesn’t mean that we must become something that we’re not already. It means we are to become, live into, and manifest what we already are.
‘Behold what you are, become what you see.’ ‘Behold the light that you already are. Become that for the life of the world. Let them taste and see.’ No one can tell you how to do that. It will be unique to each of our lives. It will be particular and specific to our individual circumstances and relationships. I don’t exactly know what each of us will do, where each of us will sprinkle our salt, or where each of us will shine our light, but I do know this … In whatever ways each of us does that, wherever each of us does that, on whomever each of us does that, each of us will reveal the embodiment of God in humanity. God with us. In that moment they and each one of us will taste life and see the world as never before.
Let them taste and see, for ‘You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.’
Amen
Affirmation of our Faith
Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God
Though He was divine, He did not cling to equality with God, but made Himself nothing. Taking the form of a slave, He was born in human likeness. He humbled Himself and was obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God has raised Him on high, and given Him the name above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen
Hymn: 408 Love Divine, all loves excelling
Intercessions by Helen Dunbar
Let us pray to the God who has drawn us here today, who loves us, and loves our world.
We pray that there may be a revival of longing for your kingdom to come, and a renewed commitment to working for it; for a desire to live out our faith and worship in our daily lives this week.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Dear Lord, Thank-you for our beautiful surroundings here in this part of the world, for all animals and birds and all living creatures including our beloved pets. Thank you for the hope we feel as the spring gets closer and the evenings begin to lengthen with just a few more minutes of daylight and help us to appreciate our families and friends and all the love and support they give us.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
We pray for all who have to visit food banks, for those who have several jobs to enable them to make ends meet and are feeling stressed and weary trying to cope; ending up with very little time to spend with their families, as almost every hour is spent working.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray for those who seek to make peace in this divided world; for all leaders of nations that they may have the wisdom and courage to do what is right for all, that their hearts may be turned to you in the search for righteousness and truth; for those working to improve international relationships, that they may find the true way of reconciliation, and bring an end to the poverty and suffering that so many people in this world have to endure.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
We pray for the Church throughout the world; give us courage to answer your call and keep us faithful to our life-giving word. Guide us to be the bringers of good news that your love is for all people. May the Church preach your word with power and confidence, and sensitivity to the needs of each individual; let all people look on the wonders of your creation and praise your power.
We pray for King Charles and Camilla the Queen Consort, please Lord, bless and guide them as they go about their duties.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Loving God we pray for all clergy, for our own dear Revd Di, who continues to cope with a relentless amount of work and we also ask God’s blessing on her family.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Loving God, we ask for your healing touch on all who are ill or suffering. We especially pray for any we know who are experiencing emotional pain or are broken in spirit through personal or family problems.
We especially pray for: Ken and Reverend Diane, Terry and Dot, Alison and Rob, Carole, Rupert and Linda, Sandra and Barrie, Margaret, Brian, Paul and Jan, Lyn, Maureen, Alison, Faith, Baby Willow and all those who have no one to pray for them.
We remember the recently departed and those whose anniversary falls at this time.
Everlasting God send us out into the world, renewed by our worship and strengthened by our fellowship, so that we may be a testament to the Gospel of your son Jesus Christ and determined to bring healing and reconciliation to our wounded world.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of St Clement and St Andrew and all the saints,
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.
Salt by Lisa Emry
There is something sacred in salt, in your tears, in the ocean, in being thrown over a shoulder. The saviour of dull food, Melter of ice, And superstition protector. It rims glasses of margaritas, Describes a bitter soul, Traces sweet kisses, And eases aches and pains. Salt is a mystical comfort, A building block in life, And vital to existence. So when you let your tears fall, Relish the sacred pillar of salt. Though it burns the eyes and stings the nose, It is necessary for healing, Crucial in living, And blessed by God above.
The Peace
God is love and those who live in love live in God and God lives in them.
The peace of the Lord be always with us.
Hymn: 235 Forth in thy name, O Lord I go
Blessing
May God’s Word be in your heart. May God’s Word be on your lips. May God’s Word be in your touch. May God’s Word direct your feet. On this day and all your days to come May God’s Word be the life you live.
Amen