Worship at Home for the Week Beginning 26th May 2024
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To listen to the sermon and a hymn dial

01604 266000.

Revd David Speirs has prepared this week's message.

This short act of worship is for use from home. Please use this service whenever you like during the week.

Pause to settle yourself in God’s presence, knowing that other people are sharing in worship with you.

Trinity Sunday
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Opening Prayer:

The blessing of Father, Spirit, Son
Holy Trinity, Three in One,
be in our meeting
and our greeting,
in the worship we share
and the words of our prayer.

The blessing of Father, Spirit, Son
Holy Trinity, Three in One,
be in our living
and our breathing,
that through our hearts and our words
your truth may be heard.

Amen.

STF 11 – Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee:
holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around
the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, who wert, and art and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the sinful human eye thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth
and sky and sea; holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty. God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

By Reginald Hener (1783-1826)(alt.)

Based on Revelation 4:8-11

Bible Reading

Time to reflect:

In this Sunday’s reading Nicodemus, a deeply religious person and leader, comes to visit Jesus. It is likely that Nicodemus was well known in Judean society and may have been a kind of religious celebrity in his day. This might explain why he chooses to meet with Jesus under the cover of darkness. It seems likely that Nicodemus did not want to draw too much attention to himself. This night time visit would enable the conversation to happen without anyone else overhearing.

Nicodemus knows what Jesus has been doing through his teaching, signs and miracles. Consequently, Nicodemus seems confident that Jesus has been sent by God, who is the source of the divine power that Jesus has demonstrated. However, as Jesus and Nicodemus discuss the Kingdom of God it is Jesus’ insistence that person be ‘born from above’ or ‘born anew’ depending on the translation (John 3:3) that leaves Nicodemus puzzled:

“How can anyone be born after having grown old?” (John 3:4) he asks Jesus.

Jesus goes onto explain that the believer must be born of water and of Spirit (John 3:5). Here Jesus refers to baptism by water, practiced by his disciples, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For it is through the life-giving Spirit that all creation was brought and the Spirit that continues to give and sustain life. Therefore, we can only experience God’s transforming power, and the Kingdom of God, if we receive that same life giving Spirit into our hearts and minds.

Nicodemus may have found Jesus’ teachings to be challenging to hear at first. As a well-respected and high achieving religious leader and scholar he would have achieved much in his lifetime through study and argument. Jesus is suggesting that it is by God’s Grace, mediated to us through the Son and the Holy Spirit, that we become part of God’s Kingdom.

Jesus goes onto draw from a story found within the Book of Numbers. His words regarding the serpent being lifted up in the wilderness go back to the days when the Hebrew people wandered in the desert. During this wandering they complained against God and then encountered poisonous snakes that bit them. Through Moses they were told to look up at a bronze staff with a snake on it and by the power of God they were miraculously healed (Numbers 21:8-9).

“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15)

Jesus here is talking about his death on the cross and how it will be the key to everyone receiving eternal life:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

This Sunday’s Gospel reading serves as a helpful reminder that our faith does not depend on our own achievements but rather on the Triune God who gives, sustains, and redeems all life. It is through Jesus’ action on the cross and in the resurrection that we find our salvation and receive new life in the Kingdom of God. This life is offered to us through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

As we celebrate the mystery of the Trinity today, we are reminded that God as Father, Son, and Spirit are joined together. It is through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that we see God’s love and presence amongst us.

So let us trust in Christ and in God’s Spirit to be present with us as a helper and guide. May we remember that all we have comes as a gift from God. And may we know that as members of Christ’s Kingdom we are saved by the power of the cross and the resurrection as we are constantly held in the divine love of the triune God that never ends.

Prayers of intercession

You are invited to pray silently for:

The needs of the world…
The Church and its calling…
Loved ones going through difficult times…
For peace, justice, and reconciliation…
In Jesus name.

Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Please use the version that you prefer

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.

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.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
Now and for ever.

Amen.

StF 394 – Spirit of God unseen as the wind

Spirit of God, unseen as the wind,
gentle as is the dove;
teach us the truth and help us believe,
show us the Saviour’s love!

You spoke to us long, long ago,
gave us the written word;
we read it still, needing its truth
through it God’s voice is heard…
[Chorus]

Without your help we fail our Lord,
we cannot live His way;
we need your power, we need your strength,
following Christ each day…
[Chorus]

By Margaret V Old (1932-2001). Words © 1971 Scripture Union. CCLI Song Number: 1539476

Final Prayer

Just as God’s Word was sent into the world
to heal and redeem, so God sends you into the world this day to be light and love, healing and hope. Go now to be light for the world! And may the grace and peace of God the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sustainer come upon you this day and remain with you always.

Amen.

Prayer by Rev. Kathryn Matthews Huey and the Rev. Susan A. Blain. The United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website: https://shorturl.at/b80XX Accessed at:  https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/02/benediction-john-3-16-17.html

Service prepared by Revd David Speirs

Webpage: Paul Deakin