Christ the KingReadings: Ezekiel 34v11-16&20-24; Psalm 95v1-7; Ephesians 1v15-end; Matthew 25v31-end.Let us pray: May the words of my mouth, and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.A Word: Today is the last Sunday of this Church Year and is the Feast of Christ the King. This is the day when we call to mind that we have a heavenly King who rolls up his sleeves and serves his creation. For as we hear in Ezekiel, the Lord of heaven and earth promises to come, search for and rescue his people; just like a shepherd goes out to search for and gather the sheep who wandered away. For the Lord of heaven and earth is promising to send a shepherd to gather up the lost, to help the injured, to fortify the exhausted and to put right injustice. Today we hear that all of this was fulfilled through Jesus, because in Ephesians we hear that God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at the right hand in heaven to rule over all things with authority, power and dominium in this age and the age yet to come. For the risen and ascended Lord Jesus now rules as Christ the King and as the head of the Church, his body here on earth. This is why Psalm 90 calls us to sing praise and thanksgiving to God because: God is great and the Lord of everything, the creator of all that exists and the King over the whole of creation. However, as we call to mind all that God is doing, we also need to bear in mind the words of Matthew for when the Son of Man returns, he will come in glory, accompanied by the angels, and sit on a throne to judge all people. It is then that we shall be sorted out and placed into two groups. The one group will include everyone who has shown love, care and service to others; these are the ones who will be invited into the Kingdom of eternal life. The other group will include everyone who has been uncaring, without compassion and unwilling to serve others; these will be dismissed and sent to the eternal punishment prepared for the devil and his angels. Today we are warned! For Jesus will one day return as the King of all to pronounce judgement on how we have lived our lives; and Jesus says that how we serve others in this world will be counted as service to him. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we give you thanks that your son Jesus ascended into heaven to rule as Lord and King. Stir us up Lord so we desire to do your will, that we desire to do good works, that we become a faithful people, your body the Church here on earth, a people working together in peace with one another and in harmony with your spirit, so that the whole created order will be brought to worship our Lord and King. Amen Thank you for joining us.
Advent Sunday - We begin the season of Advent at our 10am Sunday Service on 3rd December 2023. Doors open from 9amFree Family Film show - Come and join us as we gather to enjoy ourselves as we celebrate the Season. Refreshments on sale and you are welcome to join us for this on Sunday 3rd December, doors open at 2pm, film at 2.30pmChristmas Fayre - Free entry to our fayre where we have toys, books, DVDs, raffle, tombola, and refreshments on sale. Come and see Santa for free too. Join us for this on Saturday 9th December, doors open at 11amChristmas Eve Family Service - join us to hear once more the Nativity story and to sing Carols by candlelight. Doors open at 5.30pm for the service at 6pm on Sunday 24th December.Christmas Day - We celebrate Christmas at our short 10am Service on Sunday 25th December. Doors open from 9.30am.Epiphany - We hear once more the story of the visit of the three Kings at our 10am Sunday service on 7th January 2023. Doors open at 9.30am.Candlemas - We close the season at our 6pm candle-lit service on Sunday 28th January 2024. Doors open at 5.30pm
View this service at https://youtu.be/CYeRqBQNb1QIntroduction: As we commemorate and recall all who died in wars - we give thanks for the sounds of war falling silent.Let us pray: Lord, as we remember, we call to mind our need of your God’s forgiveness – Lord have mercy. Cast out our sin of dominating others - Christ have mercy. Heal us from the desires that leads us into conflict with others and cause war between nations. Lord have mercy.Reading from Micah 4 v1-4 (NRSV): In days to come the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, and many nations shall come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.Reflection: This reading tells us that God promises that one day there will be a time of enduring peace. A peace that lasts forever. I hope for that time on earth and believe that time will be in heaven.Today we Remember: We remember the men, women and children who gave their lives to restrain evil and oppose tyranny. Lord, we give you thanks for the sacrifices of people who give their lives that others may live and amongst them we remember those who serve in the army, navy and airforce. We remember all those hurt and maimed. Bless them dear Lord.Thanksgiving prayer: We give you thanks for times of peace. We give you thanks for all who help, encourage and comfort others. We give you thanks for all who work for the relief of the needy. We give you thanks for all who work for peace and the welfare of all nations.Offering of ourselves: Lord, we offer ourselves to you, to serve you: in the cause of peace, for the relief of suffering and for praise of your name. Teach us the ways of peace and the ways of hope. Guide us by your Spirit, lend us your wisdom, give to us courage and keep us faithful now and in the years to come. Amen.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 them that 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.Prayer of Blessing: God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth and all people, your gift of peace and concord; and to us and all your servants, life everlasting; and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, come down upon us and remain with us always.
