Annual Congregational Meeting
26th September 2021
Here you can find resources for our Sunday liturgy to pray at home or wherever you are.
The readings for this Sunday and some of the prayers of our liturgy are on the downloadable pew sheet.
Downloads (PDF)
Preparation
As the whole of creation looks with eager longing for the redemption of humankind,
let us pledge ourselves anew to serve our Creator God,
the Father who is the maker of all things,
the Son through whom all things are made,
and the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who renews the face of the earth.
Organ Prelude – Johann Sebastian Bach: Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott BWV 704
Opening
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Opening Responses
Believing that God made and loves the world, we gather.
That it may be restored to fulfil God’s purposes, we pray.
To seek a wisdom deeper than our own, we listen.
To honour God who gave us a voice, we worship.
© 2021 Wild Goose Resource Group
Gloria reflection – Johann Gottfried Walther: Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr
Collect
God the Creator,
in Christ you call all people
to the fullness of glory for which you created us in your image:
heal our hardened hearts,
renew our obedience to your will,
and conform our lives to your gracious design,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
First reading: Numbers 11.4-6,10-16,24-29 (read by Andrew Pont)
Psalm 19.7-14 (please join in saying the psalm, pausing shortly at the *asterisk)
Refrain: The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart.
The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; *
the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.
By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offence.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
Refrain: The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart.
Second reading: James 5.13-20 (read by Andrew Pont)
Gospel: Mark 9.38-50 (The Rector)
Rector’s Report and Reflections
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord,
Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one substance with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord,
the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father.
With the Father and the Son,
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Intercessions led by Nick Morris
Confession and Absolution
Loving God, you are the source of all that is,
creating and sustaining every living thing.
Called to be good stewards of your creation,
we acknowledge the ways in which we have marred your image within us,
as we confess our sins in penitence and faith.
Silence
God our Father, we confess to you
and to our fellow members in the Body of Christ
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry.
Forgive us our sins,
and deliver us from the power of evil.
For the sake of your Son who died for us,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
God, who is both power and love,
forgive us and free us from our sins,
heal and strengthen us by the Holy Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Peace
We meet in Christ’s name.
Let us share his peace.
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
In church we continue with the Liturgy of the Sacrament
Offertory – Ignace Leybach: Pastorale
Offertory Prayer
Eucharistic Prayer
The Breaking of the Bread
The Lord’s Prayer
Please join in the prayer Jesus himself taught us:
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen.
Agnus Dei: Organ Reflection – Georg Philip Telemann: O Lamme Gottes, unschuldig
Thanksgiving and Sending Out
A Blessing is pronounced:
God give us grace to be faithful stewards of Creation,
rejoicing that we are made in God’s image,
and seeking justice for those who do not share in the earth’s bounty,
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.
The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Organ Postlude – Georg Philip Telemann: Christ lag in Todesbanden
THIS WEEK
Sunday 3rd October
19th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Harvest Thanksgiving
10.30 Sung Eucharist
online resources will be available on this website
Readings
Joel 2.21-27
Philippians 4.4-9
John 6.25-35
The climate crisis is a storm we all face, but we’re not all in the same boat. For some, the storm is stronger and the waves are already breaking.
Every day, people living in poverty battle the worst of a crisis they did not create. This is deeply unjust. But a better way is possible.
Together we can tackle the inequalities in wealth and power that have led to this climate crisis – starting now.
In November 2021, the UK Government will host the United Nations’ key climate talks, COP26. This is a decade-defining opportunity to impact and influence the decisions made. We must ensure our global neighbours are heard.
That’s why Christian Aid is joining together with Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) for Rise to the Moment – a journey of prayer and action in the run up to COP26.
Together we can amplify our prophetic voices and create one unified movement for change. From now on, every moment matters and every action counts in the fight for climate justice.
Will you rise to the moment? Join in with the Christian Aid prayer boat activity in the run-up to COP26:
STEP 1: Write a prayer on a piece of scrap paper (ideally A5)
Focus your prayer on one of the following themes:
- The impact the climate crisis is currently having on vulnerable communities around the world.
- The safe passage of the YCCN volunteers as they take part in the relay.
- The willingness of decision makers to listen to our calls for climate justice and make bold commitments to change at COP26.
STEP 2: Fold your piece of paper into a boat
Step-by-step instructions for folding your piece of paper into an origami boat can be found at: christianaid.org.uk/pray/prayer-chain
STEP 3: Bring your boat to HT to add to our display
Thousands of boats from across the UK will come together in a special installation at COP26 to deliver your prayers and messages to world leaders.
We’ll send the boats collected at HT.
To add your boat individually (or encourage others to do so), send it to PO Box 100, London SE1 7RT.
Please ensure your boats arrive by 15 October to be part of the fleet.