04.07.2020
Resources for Worship at Home for Sunday 7 July – Fourth Sunday After Trinity
Welcome to this week’s Sunday Resources. Many parishes are returning to in–church worship this Sunday. These online weekly resources will continue to be provided in July and August for those who do not yet feel confident about attending. Where there are two or more praying together, it is suggested that before commencing you decide on who will lead which parts of the service. Please note that words in bold indicate the responses and refrains at various parts of the service and words otherwise said together as a group. In today’s service, the parts to be allocated are: 1. A person to lead the Preparation Section, the Apostles’ Creed and the Dismissal. 2. A person to read or sing the Psalm and Hymns. 3. A person to read the Scriptures. 4. A person to lead the Prayers. Where there are less than four people present, roles may be combined. You can find below the full text of the service:
SERVICE OF THE WORD – 5 JULY 2020
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Preparation
GREETING
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
OPENING PRAYERS
Almighty God,
we praise you for the many blessings
you have given to those who worship you
in houses of prayer:
and we pray that all who seek you in these places may find you,
and, being filled with the Holy Spirit,
may become living temples acceptable to you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Be with all those who will gather together once more in church buildings
and help us, Lord,
to offer you our prayers and praises wherever we may be. Amen.
PENITENCE
Let us confess our sins to God.
Gracious God,
you call us to offer ourselves to you
in adoration and worship,
but we have held back in selfishness and pride.
You call us to renewal through your Holy Spirit,
but we have grown dull and tired,
clinging to comfortable old ways.
You call us to declare the saving power of your Son,
but we have muffled your message
with our doubts and indifference.
You call us to share Christ’s ministry of love,
but we have turned aside from those in need.
You call us to witness to Christ’s rule over the nations,
but we have not allowed Christ to rule in our lives.
Forgive us and help us to respond anew
to your call to worship and service.
Merciful Lord,
Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
That we may be cleansed from all our sins,
And serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
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 finally lose not the things eternal:
Grant this, heavenly Father,
for Jesus Christ's sake, our Lord. Amen.
Opening Hymn: NEH 509 “All glory, laud and honour”(vs 1-4, 8)
Listen to and sing along with this hymn at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHN8UAk6Yow
All glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David's royal Son,
who in the Lord's name comest,
the King and blessèd one:
The company of angels
are praising thee on high;
and mortal men and all things
created, make reply:
To thee, before thy Passion,
they sang their hymns of praise;
to Thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise.
Within that blessed city,
thy praises may we sing,
and ever raise hosannas
to our most loving King.
St Theophilus of Orleans (d.821)
tr. John Mason Neale (1818-66)
Ministry of the Word
The First Reading: Zechariah 9: 9-12
The reading below may be read, or an audio version listened to at
https://www.biblica.com/bible/niv/zechariah/9/
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim
and the war-horses from Jerusalem,
and the battle-bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His rule will extend from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.
Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;
even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.
The Second Reading: Romans 7: 15-25
The reading below may be read, or an audio version listened to at
https://www.biblica.com/bible/niv/romans/7/
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So I find this law at work: although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Hymn before the Gospel: CH 97 “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun”(vs 1, 3-5)
Listen to and sing along with this hymn at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U4IMtvp6bg
Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
does its successive journeys run;
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
To him shall endless prayer be made,
and praises throng to crown his head;
his name, like sweet perfume, shall arise
with every morning sacrifice.
People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.
Blessings abound where'er he reigns:
the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blessed.
Let all creation rise and bring
honours peculiar to our King;
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud Amen.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
based on Psalms 72: 12-19
The Gospel: Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30
The reading below may be read, or an audio version listened to at
https://www.biblica.com/bible/niv/matthew/11/
“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
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, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.”
SERMON
Philip McKinley has prepared a sermon podcast which you may listen to at:
https://www.dublinandglendaloughsermons.com/sermons/restoration-risks-and-rewards-philip-mckinley
COLLECT OF THE WORD
Gracious God, our heavenly Father,
your mercy attends us all our days.
Be our strength and support
amid the wearisome changes of this world,
and at life’s end grant us your promised rest
and the full joys of your salvation;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Response
SCRIPTURAL AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We say together in faith:
Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come.
We believe in God the Father,
who created all things:
for by his will they were created
and have their being.
We believe in God the Son,
who was slain:
for with his blood,
he purchased us for God,
from every tribe and language,
from every people and nation.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit:
the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’
Even so come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
cf Revelation 4: 8, 11; 5: 9; 22: 17, 20
AFFIRMATION OF THE CHRISTIAN WAY
As we follow the Way of Christ,
we affirm the presence of God among us,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
God calls us to share in worship.
Jesus said, where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am there among them.
Jesus, you are the Way: guide us on our journey.
God calls us to share in prayer.
Jesus said, remain in me, and I will remain in you.
Jesus, you are the Way: guide us on our journey.
God calls us to share the Scriptures.
Jesus met his disciples on the road
and opened the Scriptures to them.
Jesus, you are the Way: guide us on our journey.
God calls us to share in communion.
Jesus said, do this in remembrance of me.
Jesus, you are the Way: guide us on our journey.
God calls us to share in service.
Jesus said, as you do it for the least of these, you do it for me.
Jesus, you are the Way: guide us on our journey.
God calls us to share the good news.
Jesus said, go and make disciples of all nations.
Jesus, you are the Way: guide us on our journey.
PRAYERS
For the worship offered in prayer and praise,
for the preaching of the Word,
for the celebration of the Sacraments.
All praise and thanks to God.
For the faith of all believers in Christ,
for the carrying of the gospel into all the world,
for the furtherance of the unity of all God’s people.
All praise and thanks to God.
For the support and nurture of God’s people,
for the care of young and old,
for the calling of all to a life of service.
All praise and thanks to God.
For the proclamation of God’s truth,
for the care of the downtrodden,
for the giving of hope and courage.
All praise and thanks to God.
For the opposing of all that is evil,
for the promoting of human worth,
for action for peace and justice.
All praise and thanks to God.
For all who by word and deed
have brought our places of worship into being,
for their living example to us,
for their faith and their hopes and dreams
built upon Jesus Christ the cornerstone.
All praise and thanks to God.
PRAYER FOR CHURCH BUILDINGS
God of the past, the present, and of the future,
God who is, who was and who is to come,
dwell in our churches,
so that they may continue to be places
where people are welcomed, worship is offered and witness is given
to the Way of faith, hope and love.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
may it always be so. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Let us sum up all our prayers and praises
in the words our Saviour Christ has taught us, saying:
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.
Closing Hymn: NEH 422 “O Lord of heaven, and earth and sea”(vs 1-4)
Listen to and sing along with this hymn at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpiKa9ptiKQ
O Lord of heaven, and earth and sea,
to thee all praise and glory be;
How shall we show our love to thee,
who givest all?
The golden sunshine, vernal air,
sweet flowers and fruits, thy love declare;
where harvests ripen, thou art there,
who givest all.
For peaceful homes, and healthful days,
for all the blessings earth displays,
we owe you thankfulness and praise,
who givest all.
Thou didst not spare thine only Son,
but gav’st him for a world undone,
and freely with that blessèd One
thou givest all.
Christopher Wordsworth (1807-85)
Going out as God’s People
CONCLUDING PRAYERS
And now to him who is able to keep us from falling,
and lift us up from the dark valley of despair
to the bright mountain of hope,
from the midnight of desperation
to the daybreak of joy;
to him be power and authority for ever. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
you have not made us for darkness and death,
but for life with you for ever.
Without you we have nothing to hope for;
with you we have nothing to fear.
Lift us from anxiety and guilt
to the light and peace of your presence,
and set the glory of your love before us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name;
through Jesus Christ or Lord, Amen.
BLESSING
Christ, whose glory is in the heavens,
fill our churches with your love, our homes with your peace
and our hearts with your light;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always. Amen.
Other Resources are:
1. The text of today's service may be downloaded
here.
2. Christ Church cathedral re-opened to visitors on Thursday 2 July. On Sunday 5 July its clergy and people will gather again as a community for its 11.00am celebration of the Eucharist. Please note that it will be limited to 70 people in the congregation.
The Dean conducts daily prayer Monday–Friday:
Morning Prayer 10.00
Evening Prayer 17.00
Would you like to send in a prayer? Prayers may be emailed to abigail@christchurch.ie and as many as can be will be included in the daily prayers.
The webcam may be accessed at:
https://christchurchcathedral.ie/worship/video-stream-1/
3. Some local parishes will continue to provide online worship via YouTube, Facebook and video conferencing. Details may be found on this website here.
4. Canon Patrick Comerford has produced a blog commenting on the Sunday readings which may be found at:
https://cmelimerick.blogspot.com/2020/06/readings-hymns-and-sermon-ideas-for_29.html
5. Fr Kieran O'Mahony, a former ecumenical Canon of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin also produces a weekly written commentary and a related audio. These may be found at:
https://www.tarsus.ie/resources/000-PDFs/OT14A20.pdf and
https://soundcloud.com/user-679942596/ot14a20
6. On RTE One at 11am on Sunday 5 July, Embrace Farm holds its 7th annual Ecumenical Service of Remembrance for those killed in farming accidents, in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix, Co Laois, led by Bishop Denis Nulty, Father Paddy Byrne and Church of Ireland Canon Patrick Harvey.