Morning Service for Trinity 6 2024
HYMN Christ is the world’s light H&S 19
1. Christ is the world’s light, he and none other;
born in our darkness, he became our brother.
if we have seen him, we have seen the Father:
Glory to God on high.
2. Christ is the world’s peace, he and
none other;
no man can serve him and despise his brother
who else unites us, one in God the Father?
Glory to God on high.
3. Christ is the world’s life, he and none other:
sold once for silver, murdered here, our Brother –
he who redeems us, reigns with God the Father:
Glory to God on high.
4. Give God the glory, God and none other:
give God the glory, Spirit, Son and Father:
give God the glory, God in Man my brother:
Glory to God on high.
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PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
We recall our Lord’s command to love and in a moment of silence we confess
the many ways we fail to keep his command:
Most merciful God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we confess that we have sinned
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may do justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen
May the God of love and power
forgive us and free us from our sins,
heal and strengthen us by his Spirit,
and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord. 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 Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING – 2 Samuel 5.1-5,9-10
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, “Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The LORD said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, even the blind and the lame will turn you back”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion, which is now the city of David. David had said on that day, “Whoever would strike down the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack the lame and the blind, those whom David hates.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.
HYMN Meekness and majesty H&S 68
1. Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity,
in perfect harmony, the man who is God:
Lord of eternity dwells in humanity,
kneels in humility and washes our feet.
O what a mystery, meekness and majesty:
Bow down and worship,
for this is your God, this is your God.
2. Father’s pure radiance, perfect in innocence,
yet learns obedience to death on a cross:
suffering to give us life, conquering through sacrifice,
and as they crucify, prays, ‘Father, forgive.’
Chorus
3. Wisdom unsearchable, God the invisible;
love indestructible in frailty appears:
Lord of infinity, stooping so tenderly;
lifts our humanity to the heights of his throne.
Chorus
GOSPEL – Mark 6.1-13
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honour, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
SERMON
It’s a different language, a different way of speaking, a different way of looking at the world. I don’t know if it can be taught, do I don’t know if it can be inspired, or whether it just has to be discovered, fallen upon. Maybe it’s just a gift from God.
When Jesus went back to Nazareth, his people could see no more than Jesus the carpenter, Jesus the son, Jesus the brother, Jesus the young man next door gone religious. They could not see him as Jesus the healer, Jesus the preacher, Jesus the extraordinary.
How often the physical gets in the way of the spiritual, what we can see and touch, what we know from the past can so easily blind us to what lies just beneath the surface, to new insights new ways of looking at things.
Talking to parents seeking baptism for their children is a one of the most difficult things I have to do, it is there that what the Church teaches, what I believe and the perceptions of those I serve seemed to be furthest apart. And the problem that seems to be God. The yawning chasm is not theology or doctrine or whether you have to go to Church to be good person or not, it’s whether you believe that you can know, can relate to, can communicate with the creator so many people seemed to acknowledge exists. And whether such relationship can make a difference, can add dimension to life you never thought possible .
When that the Israelites made David to their King and they recognised that here was a man who was on the same wavelength as God. They thought that God was able to bring him power and success and they, not unnaturally, wanted a share of that success.
St Paul discovered, however, that the realm of God was not kingly power or national success, it was what lay at the core of our being, what sustains our heart; and he found that this was most apparent when he was at his weakest, either through physical pain, personal failure, or rejection. He discovered that just as when sand is blown away from the beach the bedrock is revealed, so when we are reduced to our lowest point then the strength the God to bear us and uphold us can also be most apparent.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Let us declare our faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures;
he was buried; he was raised to life on the third day
in accordance with the scriptures;
afterwards he appeared to his followers,
and to all the apostles: this we have received,
and this we believe. Amen. 1 Corinthians 15.3-7
HYMN Hail Redeemer, King divine! H&S 41 – King Divine
1. Hail Redeemer, King divine!
Priest and Lamb, the throne is thine,
King, whose reign shall never cease,
Prince of everlasting peace.
Angels, saints and nations sing:
‘Praised be Jesus Christ, our King;
Lord of life, earth, sky and sea,
King of love on Calvary.’
2. King whose name creation thrills,
rule our minds, our hearts, our wills,
till in peace each nation rings
with thy praises, King of kings.
Chorus
3. King most holy, King of truth,
guide the lowly, guide the youth;
Christ thou King of glory bright,
be to us eternal light.
Chorus
4. Shepherd-King, o’er mountains steep,
homeward bring the wandering sheep,
shelter in one royal fold
states and kingdoms, new and old.
Chorus
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION – Sheila Forbes
In these months of holidays, we give thanks for those who make possible a time of ease: the taxi drivers, maids, chefs, waiters and guides who are called to work very late or early to ensure we can be free of the chores of our everyday lives. The month of July also offers us hours of diversion as we watch those competing in tennis, cricket and the Euros. May we remain grateful for the hard work that lies behind these scenes and grateful that we live in a society which gives us moments of ease.
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
In sharp contrast are the images of conflict presented by global media. We pray for families forced to eke out an existence in towns that have been bombed making water, food and safety daily challenges. We pray for families in Gaza, in Ukraine, Sudan and Syria.
God of peace, we pray most earnestly for a cessation of hostilities, bringing the chance to know again the joys of normal family life. We remember also those in Jamaica whose homes have been destroyed by the cyclone.
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
This country has a new government, may they have the wisdom and strength to match the hour. We pray that decisions are reached after judicious consideration, taking into account the needs and rights of all sectors in society. We pray also for the politicians of conviction who have worked tirelessly, and not been selected.
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
God of healing, we bring to you those in pain, anyone in the maze of depression or awaiting surgery. In a moment of quiet, we name those who weigh heavily on our heats this morning.
Hear us as we pray for their comfort and refreshment, wholeness and restoration but above all for the consciousness of your healing presence.
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
As we remember, with love and gratitude the lives of those we have loved, we commend them to your eternal rest and unchanging affection.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers, for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:
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
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine upon and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
The Lord God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
the holy and undivided Trinity, guard you, save you,
and bring you to that heavenly city,
where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen
HYMN I the Lord of sea and sky H&S 47
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save. (bar rest)
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
2. I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away. (bar rest)
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
3. I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save. (bar rest)
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus