This Sunday is the 12th of July 2020,
the fifth Sunday after Trinity.
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you.
Welcome to our Online Worship for this week.
This week, our theme and focus comes from another of Jesus’ famous sayings. Or rather this week, we are going to hear one of his famous parables – the ‘parable of the sower’ which is an allegory about the Kingdom of God; just as a planted seed starts to grow, the word of God starts to deepen and grow within a person.
As well as our Bible reading and sermon, you’ll find some hymns to sing and prayers to pray. This week we welcome back Rev Jim Brown, a retired Minister living locally, to give our talk for today. We’re also taking advantage of modern technology to hear from our mission link partners, David and Robin Stearns in Uganda, who share the Bible reading and also bring us an update on their lives and the challenge in Uganda at present, especially from Coronavirus.
Please also take time to look at the notices and the latest news on a number of subjects, including our hopes to re-open for worship before the end of the month.
Notices
There are a number of things to be aware of at the moment. This page will tell you more.
Songs to sing today
Speak, O Lord
To God be the Glory
All-Age song: Tell me who made all of creation? (Everywhere around me)
Family Worship @ Home
Families seeking to support their children may also like to know about the Diocese of Rochester’s update for this week with resources for children and families. This week the focus is on the same Gospel reading that Jim speaks about from Matthew 13 and the Parable of the Sower. You can download this week’s PDF sheets to use if you wish to do so. (PDF file)
https://www.rochester.anglican.org/under18s/ministryhome/family-worship-in-the-home/
Jim’s video sermon for this Sunday
01:25 the Bible Reading with David & Robin and an update from Uganda, 05:33 onwards the Sermon with Rev Jim.
Prayers for today
Prayers of Intercession for Ordinary Time
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ,
let us pray to the Father.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
you promised through your Son Jesus Christ
to hear us when we pray in faith.
Strengthen James and Simon, our bishops, and all your Church in the service of Christ,
that those who confess your name may be united in your truth,
live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Bless and guide Elizabeth our Queen; give wisdom to all in authority;
and direct this and every nation in the ways of justice and of peace;
that we may honour one another, and seek the common good.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours,
that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us…
[take a moment to pray for family and friends]
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit …;
give them courage and hope in their troubles;
and bring them the joy of your salvation.
[take a moment to pray for those you know who are unwell]
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Hear us as we remember those who have died in the faith of Christ …;
according to your promises,
grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.
[take a moment to pray for those you know who are grieving]
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Michael & All Angels, and all your saints,
we commend ourselves and the whole creation to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
A prayer about the COVID-19 pandemic
O God, whose love we cannot measure,
nor even number your blessings:
we bless and praise you for all your goodness.
In our weakness, you are our strength,
in our darkness, light,
in our sorrows, comfort and peace,
and from everlasting to everlasting you are God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, world without end.
Amen.
The Collect for this Sunday
Almighty God,
send down upon your Church
the riches of your Spirit,
and kindle in all who minister the gospel
your countless gifts of grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Blessing
May the peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Be at peace. Love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Resources for the week ahead
Prayer pointers
- Those who have asked for our prayers: Stewart Betts, Hilda Bodley, Valerie Crittenden, Lucy Clifford, Pam Hoskins, Robin & Rosemary Law, Ron Marchant, Cynthia & John Noble, Barbara & Graham Norton, Barbara Pallett, Malcolm Scott, Eileen Vickers, Irina Walker, Janet & John Wincott, and Heather, William, Stephanie and Michael.
- For the families of Bill Bruce, Arthur (Tony) Cook, Christine Johnson and Laura Childs; all of whom have died recently.
- For those in our congregation who work in retail. For creativity, servant-heartedness, economic favour and for their witness at work.
- Giving thanks for those who have been helping get the church buildings ready once again for worship, and praying for our leadership as they try to consider everyone’s needs and make wise decisions for both our online and offline worship in coming days.
- Prayers for St Michael’s and the people of Offham.
- Prayers for Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, confirmed this week as the new Archbishop of York, succeeding John Sentamu who retired earlier this year.
- For the UK and world authorities political, medical, scientific, civil and religious as we respond to the Coronavirus pandemic.
- For HM Queen and our nation, for the Prime Minister and Government, for loving and respectful discourse, truth and integrity in political life.
- For unity and reconciliation in our nation following our departure from the European Union.
- For authorities and emergency services working in areas of war, humanitarian or ecological tragedy including all nations affected by Coronavirus. Especially Syria, Iraq, Turkey, for the Kurdish people, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and the Yemen.
- For David & Robin Stearns, mission link partners in Uganda.
Lectionary readings for Daily Prayer
Morning & Evening Prayer in Ordinary Time (i.e. Daily Prayer for Monday on Monday, Tuesday on Tuesday etc).
Monday Morning – Psalms 98, 99, 101, 1 Samuel 1.1-20, Luke 19.28-40
Monday Evening – Psalm 105, Ezekiel 1.1-14, 2 Corinthians 1.1-14
Tuesday Morning – Psalm 106, 1 Samuel 1.21-2.11, Luke 19.41-end
Tuesday Evening – Psalm 107, Ezekiel 1.15-2.2, 2 Corinthians 1.15-2.4
Wednesday Morning – Psalms 110, 111, 112, 1 Samuel 2.12-26, Luke 20.1-8
Wednesday Evening – Psalm 119.129-152, Ezekiel 2.3-3.11, 2 Corinthians 2.5-end
Thursday Morning – Psalms 113, 115, 1 Samuel 2.27-end, Luke 20.9-19
Thursday Evening – Psalms 114, 116, 117, Ezekiel 3.12-end, 2 Corinthians 3
Friday Morning – Psalm 139, 1 Samuel 3.1-4.1a, Luke 20.20-26
Friday Evening – Psalms 130, 131, 137, Ezekiel 8, 2 Corinthians 4
Saturday Morning – Psalms 120, 121, 122, 1 Samuel 4.1b-end, Luke 20.27-40
Saturday Evening – Psalm 118, Ezekiel 9, 2 Corinthians 5
For each of our three communities, please find below details of the Remembrance Sunday services.
October means it is Harvest Festival season for West Malling and Offham.
We thought you might like to take note of the Holy Week and Easter events and services taking place in Offham, Kings Hill and West Malling.