ST CLEMENT CHURCH
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY COMMUNITY SERVICE
Good morning
‘For my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
It doesn’t always feel so to me. Too often the yoke is harsh and the burden far too heavy. It seems as if too much is being asked of me, of us.
But is it, or have we somewhere lost the plot?
My love to you all
Liz
Let us be still for a moment as we draw near to worship God … Take just a few moments to remind ourselves why we are gathered together today. Listen, God speaks even through the background noise of the world around us …
Lord God, in this short time together, open our ears and our eyes to see your vision for this place and our part within it. Teach us, hear our prayers and enable us for service wherever you may take us, to your praise and glory. Amen
We say together:
Bless us as we meet together, dear Lord, we pray.
Bless the singing of your praise, the reading of your Word,
the sharing of our fellowship, the prayers that will be heard.
Bless us as we meet together, dear Lord we pray.
Amen
Hymn: 51 Be thou my vision
Prayer of Confession
God of all ages, who from generation to generation has heard the cries of your children humbly seeking forgiveness, and has welcomed sinners back into your embrace, hear the thoughts of our hearts, examine our motives, and forgive us our faults.
We ask this through your Son who died and rose that we might know the true cost of forgiveness.
Amen
The Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Readings:
Zechariah9. 9 - 12
Romans 7. 15 - 25a
Hymn: 396 Just as I am without one plea
Gospel: Matthew 11. 16 – 19, 25 - 30
(Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew Response: ‘Glory to you O Lord.’)
At that time Jesus said, ‘To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, “He has a demon;” the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.
I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.’
(This is the Gospel of our Lord. Praise to you, O Christ)
Reflection
I don’t know about you, but there have been many times in my life when the weight of this problem or this worry or this ‘nightmare’ has seemed to overcome me and I have wondered and indeed feared that I was being overwhelmed by it. And yet, here I am, still facing challenges, but somehow, I have managed to ‘weather each storm.’ At times of real crisis, I wonder, how?
May I tell you a story … it’s written by Rosemarie Kowalski
The story is told of a man who met God in a lovely valley one day. “How are you this morning?” God asked the fellow. “I’m fine, thank you,” the man replied. “Is there anything I can do for you today?”
“Yes, there is,” God said. “I have a wagon with three stones in it, and I need someone to pull it up the hill for me. Are you willing?”
“Yes, I’d love to do something for you. Those stones don’t look very heavy, and the wagon is in good shape. I’d be happy to do that. Where would you like me to take it?”
God gave the man specific instructions, sketching a map in the dust at the side of the road.
“Go through the woods and up the road that winds up the side of the hill. Once you get to the top, just leave the wagon there. Thank you for your willingness to help me today.”
“No problem!” the man replied and set off cheerfully. The wagon pulled a bit behind him, but the burden was an easy one. He began to whistle as he walked quickly through the forest. The sun peeked through the trees and warmed his back. What a joy to be able to help the Lord, he thought, enjoying the beautiful day.
Just around the third bend, he walked into a small village. People smiled and greeted him. Then, at the last house, a man stopped him and asked, “How are you this morning? What a nice wagon you have. Where are you off to?”
“Well, God gave me a job this morning. I’m delivering these three stones to the top of the hill.”
“My goodness! Can you believe it? I was just praying this morning about how I was going to get this rock I have up to the top of the mountains,” the man told him with great excitement. “You don’t suppose you could take it up there for me? It would be such an answer to my prayer.”
The man with the wagon smiled and said, “Of course. I don’t suppose God would mind. Just put it behind the other three stones.” Then he set off with three stones and a rock rolling behind them.
The wagon seemed a bit heavier. He could feel the jolt of each bump, and the wagon seemed to pull to one side a bit. The man stopped to adjust the load as he sang a hymn of praise, pleased to be helping out a brother as he served God. Then he set off again and soon reached another small village at the side of the road. A good friend lived there and offered him a glass of cider.
“You’re going to the top of the hill?” his oldest friend asked.
“Yes! I am so excited. Can you imagine, God gave me something to do!”
“Hey! Said his friend. “I need a bag of pebbles taken up. I’ve been so worried that it might not get taken care of since I haven’t any time to do it myself. But you could fit it in right between the three stones here in the middle.” With that, he placed his burden in the wagon.
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” the man said. “I think I can handle it.” He finished the cider, then stood up and brushed his hands on his overalls before gripping the handle of the wagon. He waved goodbye and began to pull the wagon back onto the road.
The wagon was definitely tugging on his arms now, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. As he started up the incline, he began to feel the weight of the three stones, the rock and the pebbles. Still, it felt good to help a friend. Surely God would be proud of how energetic and helpful he’d been.
One little stop followed another, and the wagon grew fuller and fuller. The sun was hot above the man pulling it, and his shoulders ached with the strain. The songs of praise and thanksgiving that had filled his heart had long since left his lips as resentment began to build inside. Surely this wasn’t what he had signed up for that morning. God had given him a burden heavier than he could bear …
“Oh God,” he wailed. “This is too hard for me! I thought you were behind this trip, but I am overcome by the heaviness of it. You’ll have to get someone else to do it. I’m just not strong enough.”
As he prayed, God came to his side. “Sounds like you’re having a hard time. What’s the problem?”
“You gave me a job that’s too hard for me,” the man sobbed. “I’m just not up to it!”
God walked over to where the wagon was braced with a stone. “What is this?” He held up the bag of pebbles.
“That belongs to John, my good friend. He didn’t have time to bring it up himself. I thought I would help.”
“And this?” God tumbled two pieces of shale over the side of the wagon as the man tried to explain.
God continued to unload the wagon, removing both light and heavy items. They dropped to the ground, the dust swirling up around them. The man who had hoped to help God grew silent. “If you will be content to let others take their own burdens,” God told him, “I will leave these things lying here.”
“But I promised I would help! I can’t leave these things lying here.”
“Let others shoulder their own belongings,” God said gently. “I know you were trying to help, but you are weighted down with all these cares, you cannot do what I have asked of you.”
The man jumped to his feet, suddenly realizing the freedom God was offering. “You mean I only have to take the three stones after all?” he asked.
“That is what I asked you to do,” God smiled. “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. I will never ask you to carry more than you can bear.”
“I can do that!” said the man, grinning from ear to ear. He grabbed the wagon handle and set off once again, leaving the rest of the burdens beside the road. The wagon still lurched and jolted lightly but he hardly noticed.
A new song filled his lips, and he noticed a fragrant breeze wafting over the path. With great joy, he reached the top of the hill. It had been a wonderful day, for he had done what the Lord had asked.
And that’s it, isn’t it? God never asks of us more than we can cope with, but so often it is we ourselves who, maybe with the best and kindest of intentions, load ourselves up with more than we can bear.
“My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. I will never ask you to carry more than you can bear.”
Amen
Hymn: 251 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
Our Intercessions by Helen Dunbar
Let us pray to our loving Creator
Almighty God, we ask you to hear our prayers for the Church, the world and people in particular need.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
We pray for all churches across the world; we ask your blessing on Archbishop Sarah and Bishop David. Here at St Clement, we pray for our own dear Revd Diane, as she works to enrich the ministry in this community. We thank God we can be here at St Clement and worship with our Christian family. Let us remember the many Christians in other parts of the world, whose lives are very different to ours, living in fear and unable to openly worship and go about their daily lives. We pray for all who are persecuted for their beliefs.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
We pray for the homeless and hungry and all who have no place to rest. May they find kindness and generosity wherever they may go. Lord, be merciful to all who find doors shut against them and give blessings to all who reach out to those in need.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Almighty God, we pray for peace across our troubled world; Guide the leaders of all nations that justice and peace may prevail throughout the world. We pray for the healing among nations; for food where there is hunger; for freedom where there is oppression; for joy where there is pain; that your love may bring peace to all. We pray that leaders will work together to meet the challenges facing our world. We pray for our local communities, neighbours and all who live and work around us. Open our hearts to those who need help, friendship or support. We thank You for those who reflect Your teachings through their words and deeds.
We pray for all students whether at school or university who face end of year and national exams this term; Dear Lord help all of them to focus on their revision and get their reward; give them quiet hearts and quick minds when it really matters.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Our thoughts and prayers go the people of Venezuela, where many have been killed and injured in two powerful earthquakes. We pray for families who have lost love ones and we ask God’s blessing on all who are involved in the search for survivors, putting themselves in danger to rescue people trapped in collapsed buildings.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Bless and guide King Charles and Queen Camilla; may they have help and guidance from you as they go about their duties.
Lord in your mercy; hear our pray
Dear Lord, have compassion on all who are wearied by pain and illness. Bring wholeness and healing to all who reach out to you. We pray for Ken and Revd. Diane, Sabie, Brian, May, Susan, Lauren, Lynda, Sandra, Daphne and David, Dot, Pam and David, Maureen, Mary, Alison and Rob, Jan, Anita and Stephen, Michael and Patricia, Jeremy, Callum and Elaine, Barbara, Roger, Lorrie, Jeanette and David, Kate and Katherine, all those known to us and those who have no one to pray for them.
Lord, we commend into your hands those who have recently died and those whose anniversary falls at this time and we remember – Doris Burley, Tony Kent, Dorothy Spargo, Helena Sanders and Alison Eddy.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of St Clement, St Andrew and St Allen, merciful Father accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
We say together:
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
The heavy loads we try to carry,
Leave our weary spirits worn,
We stumble through the dark and scary,
Bruised and battered, tired and torn.
Yet in the quiet, soft and tender,
A gentle voice begins to call,
“Come unt Me, and just surrender,
Cast upon me, your heaviest fall.”
For my yoke is easy, designed for your frame,
Mu burden is light as the morning dew,
I know every struggle, I call you by name,
And my grace is enough to carry you through.
So slip from the chains of the world and its plight,
Walk by his side in the warmth of the sun,
His yoke is so easy, His burden is light,
And the race that you run has already been won.
The Peace
Jesus says: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled,
Neither let them be afraid.’
The peace of the Lord be always with us.
Hymn: 159 Forth in Thy name, O Lord, I go
The Blessing
May God’s Word be in our hearts.
May God’s Word be on our lips.
May God’s Word be in out touch.
May God’s Word direct our feet.
On this day and all days to come
May God’s Word be the life we live.
Amen