Holy Communion for Trinity Sunday (7 June 2020)
Prelude: Improvisation on ‘St Patrick’s Breastplate’
Service
[The words of the Service, hymns, readings and Intercessions are all included in this video, but not the words of the Sermon by Revd George Mwaura; if you wish to read his text while listening, you will need to scroll down to it in the text of the Service, which is below the video recordings here.]Postlude: Alla Marcia by John Ireland
Introit: Hymn to the Trinity
Blessed angel spirits offer praise undying,
ever crying:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth.
Saints and martyrs praise thy name,
Trinity life-giving,
earthborn sorrow leaving before thy throne.
Ever crying:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth.
Father omnipotent,
mighty in glory,
Christ thy son our saviour,
who died that we might live.
Holy Spirit, mystic dove dwelling with us evermore;
we praise thee, blessed Trinity.
With the angels’ sacred hymn all thy might proclaiming,
with the mystic cherubim in songs of praise we join.
Holy, holy, holy,
join we all in songs of praise for ever:
Hallelujah, Lord God of Sabaoth.
Welcome
Welcome in the name of Christ.
God’s grace, mercy and peace be with you.
Good morning and welcome to our Holy Communion Service
on Trinity Sunday.
We begin with the Prayer of the Week.
Let us pray.
Prayer of the Week
Merciful God: we cry out to you in these anxious times:
where things have gone horribly wrong,
and your people and church are filled with sadness and pain,
we pray that you will manifest yourself in your everlasting love.
Where people are at loggerhead or locked in a stalemate, speak to them,
and take them away from the paths of war and destruction.
Where your church is persecuted and people forbidden from speaking your name,
reach out to them in their darkness
and be revealed as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
for you are always with us all the time, every place and you are the God of Hope.
We pray that the earth will be filled with your knowledge and wisdom
and that your light will envelope the earth dispelling darkness and evil in Jesus’ name.
Amen
Hymn: Christ is our Cornerstone
Christ is our cornerstone,
on him alone we build;
with his true saints alone
the courts of heaven are filled:
on his great love
our hopes we place
of present grace
and joys above.
Here, gracious God, draw near
As in your name we bow;
Each true petition hear,
Accept each faithful vow;
And more and more
on all who pray
each holy day
your blessings pour.
With psalms and hymns of praise
This holy place shall ring;
our voices we will raise
the Three in One to sing;
and thus proclaim
in joyful song,
both loud and long,
that glorious name.
Tr. John Chandler (1806–1876)
CCL31580
Gathering Prayer
Jesus said: My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
Welcome to the house of God.
We have come from all the corners of the earth.
Welcome to the hospitality of God.
We come as we are; we bring our life, our stories, our journey.
Welcome, brothers and sisters.
We are the rainbow people of God.
Welcome, chosen people.
May God our companion bind us in his love.
Amen
The Confession
Forgive us for the things we have done and have not done.
Forgive us for the things we have said and have not said.
Forgive us for the life we have lived and not lived.
Beloved God, help us to reflect the image
of the one we profess to follow
in thought, word and deed,
and in discovering our true self
draw other into that light.
Amen
Kyrie eléison
Kyrie eléison
Kyrie eléison
Kyrie eléison
Christe eléison
Christe eléison
Christe eléison
Kyrie eléison
Kyrie eléison
Kyrie eléison
The Word of the Lord
Psalm 8
Read by Pat Kyd
1 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honour.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their[g] feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
NIV®
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Matthew 28:16–20
Read by Don Head
The great commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
NIV®
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to Christ our light.
Sermon
By Revd George Mwaura
Psalm 8 and Mathew 28: 16-–20
Mission impossible
Let us pray together:
Jehovah God, you are known to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and you live and reign in the perfect unity of love. Hold us firm in this faith, that we may know you in all your ways in Jesus name.
Amen
If you listen to some people talk about God, you might be tempted to think God is their drinking mate; they seem to know everything about God. But Isaiah puts such people right when he writes about God and says: His understanding no one can fathom [Isaiah 40: 28]. Those who appear to know everything about God have not even begun to scratch the surface. God is so much beyond our human reasoning that it is only the arrogant and the stupid who can lay claim to fully knowing him. And perhaps nowhere is this true than in the Christian belief of the Trinity. Today is Trinity Sunday and on this day, we focus on the extraordinary truth that God is three persons and yet still one: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In a way it is a bit like a birthday when all we do is celebrate a person and their presence with us. But of course, when we celebrate God, we have a problem: do we celebrate the three as one or should we have three days, one for each? This is a very tricky issue for Christians and people of other faiths have accused us of worshipping three Gods. No one can ever understand God fully, he is a profound mystery and all human reasoning will always fail to comprehend his glory. My advice for you is simple: stop worrying about your lack of understanding and instead worship God the Creator who showed us his love for us through Jesus Christ and today lives in us in his Spirit.
In our Gospel reading today we heard Jesus last words to his disciples in what the church refers to as the Great Commission when he said to them: Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. A careful study of these final words of Jesus to his disciples reveals three things which I want to share with you: First; Jesus assured us of his power always. Now when you read Matthew 28:18 in different translations, you will notice that they translate this sentence as: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. I do not believe those translations which use the word authority really captures the true meaning in the ancient Greek language. I prefer the translations which says: All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth. Now, I am not trying to show off my ability to conjugate Greek verbs here; but I want to impress upon you that, the word authority means the right to appoint to an office while the word power is the claim to a purpose. Jesus was claiming the power to accomplish a purpose. And power is not power unless it can accomplish the purpose for which it is intended and applied. A chain saw is great for cutting trees, but it is useless and dangerous for shaving beard in the morning! Dynamite is a powerful tool for blowing up buildings and mountains, but for the purpose of blowing out candles on a birthday cake, it is ineffective and dare I say, highly dangerous. The power that is needed is the power to accomplish a purpose and this is the kind of power that Jesus claims. He does not claim the power of coercion, but the power of persuasion. All kingdoms founded upon the power of coercion by dictators like Caesar, Alexander, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, and so on are all gone. But Jesus used the power of love and consequently his kingdom has grown from a handful of ill-equipped rough Galileans to literally billions of followers who have chosen to follow him freely. If we want God’s power in our hands, we must have his kind of power in our hearts: power to accomplish his purpose.
The second thing I want to share with you is Jesus gave us a commission: Jesus sent his disciples out into the world with the commission to win men and women to faith in his name. This commission was not just for those first disciples, but for all disciples across the ages and that includes you and I. Jesus expected his disciples to go throughout the world with the good news that would transform the world and he equally expects you and me to do the same. But we have become so complacent and comfortable in our own Christian ghettos that we no longer go out into the world to share the good news and win souls for the Lord. A few years ago, I got lost in Stockport in Manchester while looking for a church where I was meant to be preaching. Finally, I found it and at the gate as you enter the huge compound, there`s a rusty signpost which reads: You are entering the mission field. Mission field; mph; that’s why Jesus commissioned us as his disciples isn’t it? We gather in our churches to worship and grow in our faith, then we go out into the world where we live out our discipleship. That is the mission field where we are to proclaim the good news, set captives free, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, visit those in prison and hospitals, protect the weak and console the lonely as we take up our cross and follow Christ. Our commission is to be his witness and make disciples in his name. Even as we maintain the social distancing.
Finally, Jesus promised us his presence: It must have been a scary thing for epeven disciples to be asked to go forth and conquer the world for Jesus. They must have had doubts and fears as they contemplated how they would carry out this mission impossible. But there was also the promise that they would not be alone. Jesus said to them: I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. When the Apollo 13 was preparing to land on the surface of the moon in April 1970, an oxygen tank exploded aboard the spacecraft. They lost power and the capacity to generate oxygen. They did not know if they would have enough fuel to return to planet earth. Everyone held their breath and said their prayers at Mission Control, as the NASA scientists and engineers tried to figure out a way to bring these astronauts back to earth safely. To conserve oxygen, the astronauts were ordered to crawl into the lunar landing capsules and remain there for the three-day trip back home. They did not know if their oxygen would last that long or if the engines would fire on re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere. As you all know, they did make it home. After a very tense landing on the ocean, they were taken for medical examination. As they were waiting in one of the rooms, one of the astronauts looked at the other two and said: ‘I don’t know if you felt the same thing I did, but when we were cramped in that landing capsules wondering if we would make it home, I felt as though we were not alone. I do not know how to put it into words, but I felt the presence of God was there with us.’
Ladies and gentlemen the promise of Jesus is a promise that we will never ever be alone. He said it to his disciples and he says so again to each one of us this morning. Whether you are in a Covid-19 ward as a patient or you are a front line worker or indeed you are in comfort of your house listening or reading this sermon Christ repeats this promise to you: I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. The Spirit of God is always with us and around us.
Halleluiah!
Amen
Choral Response: I have made your name known
Jesus looked to heaven and said,
Father, the hour has come,
Father ,the hour has come.
Glorify your son that the son may glorify you.
Glorify, glorify.
I have made your name known,
I have made your name known
to those whom you gave me in this world.
They were yours, they were yours
and you gave them to me
and they have obeyed your command.
I have made your name known,
I have made your name known
to those whom you gave me in this world.
They were yours, they were yours
and you gave them to me
and they have obeyed your command.
Now they know that all you gave,
all you gave has come from you.
Now they believe that you sent me.
I have made your name known,
I have made your name known
to those whom you gave me in this world.
They were yours, they were yours
and you gave them to me
and they have obeyed your command.
I have made your name known,
I have made your name known
to those whom you gave me in this world.
They were yours, they were yours
and you gave them to me
and now they believe that you sent me.
All that is mine, all that is mine,
all that is mine is yours.
All that is yours, all that is yours,
all that is yours is mine.
And through them, and through them,
through them is my glory revealed.
I have made your name known,
I have made your name known
to those whom you gave me in this world.
They were yours, they were yours
and you gave them to me
through them is my glory revealed.
Holy Father protect them,
protect them by the power,
the power of your name
that they may be one,
that they may be one,
as we are one!
An Affirmation of Faith
We believe in the Creator:
the maker of all things
We believe in the Son:
the redeemer of our broken world
We believe in the Spirit:
The sacred wind that binds all things together in the family of God.
Creator Father, beloved Son and living Spirit.
Amen
Intercessions
By Cheryl Montgomery
As we gather on this Trinity Sunday
let us praise God for the goodness we share
and bring our cares for the world and our community
into God’s keeping and grace.
Lord, we thank you for poets and painters,
musicians and sculptors,
preachers and thinkers
who help us see you as Unity in Trinity.
Bless them all with insight, inspiration and imagination
to continue their exploration of how we come to be near to you.
Creator God:
Hear our prayer.
Lord, bless your servant John Sentamu
as he retires from his archbishop’s role today.
Help him to continue speaking out for people ignored and oppressed
while he enjoys some holy rest.
We give thanks for Sam Crooks’s year as Mayor
and all he did to celebrate the unity in diversity of Milton Keynes.
Bless our new Mayor, Andrew Geary,
with similar zeal for healing and wholeness in our community.
Inspiring God:
Hear our prayer.
Lord, we place before you the horrors in the United States,
where people of colour are oppressed by those appointed to protect them.
Awaken justice and integrity in people there who can make change.
Help us here to realise we are not immune from prejudice and bigotry.
Give us courage to do what is right.
Redeeming God:
Hear our prayer.
Lord, we pray for people suffering with Corona virus;
we pray for people waiting for treatment deferred;
we pray for people anxious, alone, in poverty of nourishment, physical and spiritual.
We pray for the people who would use our Chapel as a place of refuge and brief solace.
Hold them close, grant them peace and renew their hope.
Comforting God:
Hear our prayer.
Lord, may we, your people of faith in this place,
be as one people, growing into your perfection
through listening and learning and living together in peace.
Help us to know you from within our hearts as Creator, Redeemer and Breath of Life.
Amen
Hymn: We are marching in the light of God
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, marching;
we are marching, Oh, Oh.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, marching;
we are marching, Oh, Oh.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are living in the love of God.
We are living in the love of God.
We are living in the love of God.
We are living in the love of God.
We are living, living;
we are living, Oh, Oh.
We are living in the love of God.
We are living, living;
we are living, Oh, Oh.
We are living in the love of God.
We are moving in the power of God.
We are moving in the power of God.
We are moving in the power of God.
We are moving in the power of God.
We are moving, moving;
We are moving, Oh, Oh.
We are moving in the power of God.
We are moving, moving;
We are moving, Oh, Oh.
We are moving in the power of God.
Andries van Tonder (1882–1955)
CCL31580
The Peace
Jesus says,
‘Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid.’
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
The Offering
Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9: 6–7
Thank you
To everyone who is continuing to pay us regularly through the Parish Giving Scheme.
To everyone who is continuing to pay us regularly by bankers’ order.
To people in the envelope scheme who are putting their money aside every week ready to bring in when we re-open.
To members of the envelope scheme who have already sent cheques and on-line donations.
Thank you
Holy Communion
The Thanksgiving
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.
Through your goodness we have this bread to offer,
which earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the bread of life.
Blessed be God for ever.
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.
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.
Eucharistic Prayer
It is right to praise you, Father, Lord of all creation;
in your love you made us for yourself.
When we turned away
you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children
and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life
that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross
and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed,
at supper with his friends
he took bread, and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and said:
Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,
send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine
may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts
make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
With your whole Church throughout the world
we offer you this sacrifice of praise
and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:
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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen
Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.
Take this bread:
Share this wine.
In these Christ comes to us with love from God.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Amen
Hymn: For the healing of the nations
For the healing of the nations,
Lord, we pray with one accord,
for a just and equal sharing
of the things that earth affords.
To a life of love in action
help us rise and pledge our word.
Lead us forward into freedom,
from despair your world release,
that, redeemed from war and hatred,
all may come and go in peace.
Show us how through care and goodness
fear will die and hope increase.
You, Creator God, have written
your great name on humankind;
for our growing in your likeness
bring the life of Christ to mind;
that by our response and service
earth its destiny may find.
Fred Kaan (1929–2009)
CCL31580
Blessing and Closing
Thank you for joining us this morning.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father,
the Son
and the Holy Spirit
be among you
and remain with you
today and always.
Amen
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ.
Amen
Postlude: Alla Marcia by John Ireland
