Worship for Sunday 

7th February 2021

Second Sunday before Lent

 arranged and performed by Jonathan Scott playing the Whitworth Hall Organ, Manchester Univerity

Psalm 104. vv 31-34 

Hymn:

Morning has broken  by Eleanor Farjeon (1181-1963) sung to Bunessan, a Gaelic Melody by the Glasgow Phoenix Choir in Iona Abbey

Prayers of Confession

Together we pray: 

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. 

 Almighty God, 

who forgives all who truly repent, 

have mercy upon us, 

pardon and deliver us from all our sins, 

confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, 

and keep us in life eternal; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Lord's Prayer  sung by by the Michael Curb Congregation

The Apostles Creed

we say together 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

The Word of God 

Old Testament:  Proverbs 8.1,22-31

New Testament:  Colossians 1.15-20

Gospel:   John 1.1-14

Revd Stephen's Homily for Second Sunday before Lent

Intercessions (Prayers for Others)

Let us pray for the Church and the World and let us thank God for his goodness, 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,  you promised through Jesus Christ your Son, to hear us, when we pray in faith:

Lord God, we bring before you the nations of Myanmar, China and Russia and their peoples.

In Myanmar we pray for its leader Aung San Suu Kyi who is being detained and accused of crimes that may prevent her regaining office by the military authorities. Give wisdom to those in power that they might return their country to democratic rule, without further harm to their country and its people. 

In China we pray for all those detained in 'retraining camps' especially the Uighur women who have reportedly been systematically abused and raped in the detention camps. May the power of international opinion shine a light into these camps and compel the Chinese government to acknowledge the atrocities and swiftly bring them to an end. 

In Russia, we pray for Alexei Navalny, who has been jailed for speaking out against the government, after being poisoned by Russian government agents. We also pray for  the protesters who have taken to the streets showing their support of this leading opposition figure. Bring calm to their country and give a new sense of understanding to its leaders that real power in government comes not from authoritarianism but from from the people themselves.

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

Let us remember before God all those who are suffering throughout the world from the effects of the Covid-19 Coronanvirus..............

Lord God, we thank you that through all our efforts, the effects of the pandemic seem to be declining in our country overall. But we pray for those who  even now are in hospital fighting for their lives.

Be with the families and loved ones of those who have died, comfort their sorrow and lead them into the light that Jesus brings into all our lives.

We thank you for the example of Captain Sir Tom Moore who died this week, and for all his efforts in supporting the National Health Service. Comfort his family and friends in their loss, and may he for ever rest in peace with you in heaven.

We thank you for the  work of the scientists who have developed the Covid Vaccines, that will give our country and the world the opportunity to regain our normal lives, we pray. 

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

We pray for those who are close to us in Rastrick and who might be in need of a word of love and hope. in particular we pray for those who are living  or working on Heath Mount Road, Knowles Road, Archbell Avenue and  Glyndon Court,   We also pray for the children from our schools studying at home, their hard-pressed parents and their teachers,   and we also remember and pray for the firemen and women at  Rastrick Fire Station - keep them safe at all times.

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

We pray for those in our Care homes in Rastrick or at home. For those  who are lonely, and those who have seen their world collapse during the Corona virus restrictions and who not know which way to turn. Lift their spirits and direct them to the help that is there for them.

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

We pray for those who are ill and known to us by name................ 

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

We pray for the Revd Michelle Petch, as she prepares to move to Rastrick and to take up her post as our Vicar. May her calling prove fruitful  and may she be blessed in all she does in your name.

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

Hymn:

Name of all majesty -  Timothy Dudley Smith

Tune : Majestas by Michael Baughen

Our service ends with the Grace, 

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

and the Love of God, 

and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 

be with us all evermore. Amen. 

Notices:

If you have not seen a copy of our Weekly Newsletter, you can find it on our Newsletter webpage

Organ Postlude 

Gustav Holst The Planets - Jupiter

Jonathan Scott performs his arrangement on the  Father Willis grand organ in Huddersfield Town Hall