ST LAURENCE CHURCH

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; all laud we would render: O help us to see ‘tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.

THE PARISH EUCHARIST TH 4 SUNDAY OF TRINITY TH 9 JULY 2017 Welcome to St Laurence, whether you regularly worship here or are here for the first time. If you have children, they are welcome to use the area at the back of the church under Parental supervision There are toilet facilities at the back of the church

WE GATHER

The Lord be with you And also with you.

Sidesmen are: Diana Hunt and Sylvia Williams INTROIT HYMN: (CH 301)

Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might thy justice like mountains highsoaring above thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

The Priest welcomes the congregation and introduces the theme of the Service. (Silence is kept) 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. PRAYER OF PENITENCE

The Priest introduces the Prayer of Penitence

To all life thou givest, to both great and small; in all life thou livest, the true life of all; we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, and wither and perish - but nought changeth thee.

My brothers and sisters, as we prepare to celebrate the presence of Christ in word and sacrament, let us call to mind and confess our sins. (Silence is kept)

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Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.

Glory be to God in heaven, peace to those who know him well; on the earth let all his people speak his grace, his wonders tell: Lord, we praise you for your glory, mighty Father, heaven’s king; hear our joyful adoration and accept the thanks we bring. Only Son of God the Father, Lamb who takes our sin away, Now with him in triumph seated for your mercy, Lord, we pray: Jesus Christ, most high and holy, Saviour, you are God alone in the glory of the Father with the Spirit: Three in one!

We say:

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Let us pray:

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that with you as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not our hold on things eternal; grant this, heavenly Father, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. We sing:

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

(sung to Abbot’s Leigh)

(Please sit) Romans 7:15 - 25a read by Piers Crowther

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I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.

Blessings abound where’er he reigns: the pris’ners leap to lose their chains; the weary find eternal rest, the all the humble poor are blest. To him shall endless prayer be made, and praises throng to crown his head; his name like incense shall arise with ev’ry morning sacrifice. Let ev’ry creature rise and bring peculiar honours to our King; angels descend with songs again and earth repeat the long ‘Amen!’ THE GOSPEL READING

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 We say: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God.

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. You have the words of eternal life.

GRADUAL HYMN: (HON 359)

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun does his successive journeys run; his kingdom stretch from shore to shore, till moons shall wax and wane no more.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia The Lord be with you And also with you. Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew Glory to you, O Lord.

People and realms of ev’ry tongue dwell on his love with sweetest song, and infant voices shall proclaim their early blessings on his name.

But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in

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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 say, “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.’ At that time Jesus said, ‘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 is light.’

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 Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and 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 and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who 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.

This is the Gospel of the Lord, Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON WE AFFIRM OUR FAITH

We stand to say

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and 4

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION.

Jesus promised life to all, walk, walk in the light. the dead were wakened by his call. walk, walk in the light. Walk …..

Prayers led by Robin Crowther (Please sit/kneel) Prayer Responses:

I give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart I will glorify your name for ever

He died in pain on Calvary, walk, walk in the light. to save the lost like you and me. walk, walk in the light. Walk …..

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

We know his death was not the end, walk, walk in the light. He gave his Spirit to be our friend. walk, walk in the light. Walk …..

We stand and the Priest introduces the peace:

The peace of the Lord be always with you And also with you. Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

By Jesus’ love our wounds are healed, walk, walk in the light. the Father’s kindness is revealed. walk, walk in the light. Walk …..

WE PRESENT OUR GIFTS

The presentation of the Gifts on behalf of the people by Brian and Jill Fitzpatrick

The Spirit lives in you and me, walk, walk in the light. His light will shine for all to see. walk, walk in the light. Walk …..

OFFERTORY HYMN (CH S12)

The Spirit lives to set us free, walk, walk in the light. He binds us all in unity, walk, walk in the light. Walk in the light, walk in the light, walk in the light, walk in the light of the Lord.

The bread and wine are placed on the altar.

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer which earth has given 5

(Sit/kneel)

and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life. Blessed be God for ever.

The Priest continues, recalling and remembering with us the Last Supper…… then says

Blessed are you Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink. Blessed be God for ever.

Great is the mystery of faith: Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again. At the End of the next Prayer we respond

Pray, my brothers and sisters, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his Church.

Amen. (Silence is kept) THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 EUCHARIST PRAYER

The Lord be with you And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give thanks and praise. The Priest continues with the Eucharistic Prayer Preface and then all say:

WE BREAK BREAD

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The Priest breaks the consecrated bread, saying:

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.

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Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

For a Personal Blessing and/or a Special Prayer only, please also go to the High Altar Rail.

We say:

The Chalice Bearers are: Brian Elliott and Alison Parsons HYMN DURING COMMUNION: (CH 348)

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.

(Please remain seated)

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’ encircling gloom, lead Thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on! Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace. WE SHARE IN HOLY COMMUNION

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on; I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, pride ruled my will. remember not past years!

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed. If you are a communicant member of another church you are welcome to share with us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, (please indicate if you require a gluten free wafer.)

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on. O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone, And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

The Priest delivers the consecrated bread and wine saying: The Body and Blood of Christ. The communicant may reply Amen and then receive. We reply as an act of faith.

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PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses with every grace endued.

Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

‘Mid toil, and tribulation, and tumult of her war, she waits the consummation of peace for evermore; till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest, and the great Church victorious shall be the Church at rest.

WE GO IN CHRIST’S PEACE

The Lord be with you And also with you.

Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One, and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won: O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.

The Priest pronounces a Blessing. We respond Amen

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen. Please sit for the Notices and reading of the Banns of Marriage

The Lord be with you And also with you.

RECESSIONAL HYMN: (CH 688)

Let us bless the Lord Thanks be to God

The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is his new creation by water and the Word; from heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride, with his own blood he bought her, And for her life he died.

May the divine assistance remain with us always. And with all our brothers and sisters in Christ. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. And rise in glory. Amen.

Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth. her charter of salvation one Lord, one faith, one birth;

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