EUCHARISTIC SERVICE

5^TH JUNE 2022

SENTENCE FROM SCRIPTURE

Send forth your spirit O Lord and renew the face of the earth.

HYMN

GREETING

Grace and peace to you from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

COLLECT FOR PURITY

Almighty God

to whom all hearts be 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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SUMMARY OF THE LAW

Our Lord Jesus Christ said: The first commandment is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.”

The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these. Amen. Lord, have mercy.

CONFESSION

You made us to be one family

yet we have divided humanity,

Lord have mercy,

Christ have mercy.

You were born a Jew to reconcile all people

yet we have brought disharmony amongst races.

Lord have mercy,

Christ have mercy.

You rejoice in our differences,

yet we have made them a cause of enmity.

Lord have mercy,

Christ have mercy.

ABSOLUTION

May the God of love and power

forgive you and free you from your sins,

heal and strengthen you by his Spirit

and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.

GLORIA
sung by Sue St Joseph

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
You take away the sins of the world;
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

COLLECT

O God,

who on the day of Pentecost,

enlightened the hearts of your people

by the fire of the Holy Spirit:

give us wisdom and understanding

and lead us in all truth

that your Church may be kept in the unity of the Spirit

and the bond of peace;

through Jesus Christ, our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the same Spirit,

one God, world without end. Amen

HYMN 186 Tell out my soul

READING:
Genesis 11:1-9
read by Margaret Morton

The Tower of Babel

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and fire them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. And the Lord said, “Look, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” So, the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore, it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth, and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

READING:
Acts 2: 1-21
read by Robyn Brotherson

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit,
        and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
    and signs on the earth below,
        blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
        before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

GRADUAL HYMN

GOSPEL READING
John 14: 8-17
read by Rev Steven Ballard

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St John chapter 14 beginning at verse 8

Glory to Christ our Saviour

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

Give thanks to the Lord for his glorious Gospel

Praise to Christ our Lord.

SERMON

I don’t think we will ever have a day like today, when we celebrate together both Pentecost and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We are looking at two phenomenal events in history this morning, the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit on his people, and the outpouring of a life of service by the queen for seventy years. Both events are truly remarkable and offer hope and light to a world in crisis.

Without going into much detail, the world is in crisis. The world is running out of energy. and we are searching anxiously now for power from above – we are trying to harness the almost limitless power of the sun.

All of us face the same problem as the physical environment, but on a spiritual level. You stand before a choice: do you look for energy in yourself and in the resources of your intelligence and your entrepreneurial spirit or do you look for it from above, from the Risen Christ, the Sun of Righteousness?

The disciples and the queen looked for their energy from above and found their energy in God. Today in our Acts reading we see something of the extent of God’s energy, power and strength in the coming of the Holy Spirit that first Pentecost. Pentecost is the fulfilment of a promise made by Jesus to his disciples. He promised them the Holy Spirit as a power from above that would dwell within them, transforming them, sustaining and carrying them throughout their ministry. The tongues of flame and wind were powerful symbols of God’s Holy Spirit and they dramatically transformed the lives of Jesus’ disciples. They were no longer timid, anxious and spineless but instead empowered, courageous and influential.

Today we consider another promise made 70 years ago, the promise the Queen made before the nation, and the commonwealth “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service… But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.” There is no doubt in the Queen’s mind that through her 70 years of ministry she has known the power, energy and guidance of the Holy Spirit. She has increasingly over the years spoke out about her faith. In a Christmas message in 2000, the queen said: “For me, the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life,” During her long reign, which we celebrate today, these values have been apparent in her leadership as Queen of United Kingdom, and as head of the Commonwealth of Nations. In 2020 Queen Elizabeth speaks openly about her deep Christian faith and said “the teachings of Christ have served as my inner light providing guidance and strength”. She also reflected on how she has drawn ‘great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example’. By her own witness to the transforming power of Christ in her life, the Queen has been an extraordinary ambassador of the good news. So firstly, we have promises made and fulfilled, both by the disciples and by her majesty.

Secondly, we have purpose. The purpose of the disciples’ empowering of the Holy Spirit was to share the good news of the gospel with all peoples. Something that the disciples carried out with great passion, urgency and bravery. We see on Pentecost that Peter himself had over 3,000 believers. This was not an isolated event but something that continued throughout his preaching ministry. They were servants of God, preaching, teaching and healing wherever they went. The purpose the queen fulfilled for these 70 years, was also held with great passion, urgency and integrity. She is a servant of the people. The queen embodies a vocational approach to life, lived, not as a self-promoter with the hedonistic values of celebrity culture, but as a servant of God whose role is to offer “convening strength” to the whole community. Seventy years ago, on the 6 February 1952 Princess Elizabeth was staying in Kenya with her husband, Prince Phillip when she heard of the death of her father King George VI. Returning home without delay, her succession to the throne was proclaimed at an Accession Council in St James Palace. Aged just 25, she was proclaimed as Queen. And she has fulfilled this role for the past 70 years, still a working monarch aged 95, with a fidelity to her promises, which is unprecedented. Her Majesty the Queen has had and is having a unique and powerful impact. As a very young woman, just 21 years old, Princess Elizabeth said ‘I shall be devoted to your service. God help me to make good my vow’. This has been her vocation, to which she has been faithful, all her life. In a written message to the nation, Her Majesty said: “I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.” She signed off with: “Your servant Elizabeth R.” The purpose of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the disciples and her Majesty was to equip them to dedicate themselves fully and powerfully in God’s service.

So far, we have looked at promises fulfilled, purposes given and undertaken and finally we look at power and the impact made. With the disciples we see God’s power at work as their small group of Christians grew and grew, through Paul’s ministry with the Gentiles, with Philip breaking down barriers and sharing the gospel with the Samaritans and also with the influential Ethiopian Eunuch. Today there are approximately 2.38 billion people who practice some form of Christianity globally. This means that about one-third of the world’s total population is Christian. What a transformation from a small sect to a global faith!

This incredible transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit through the dedication, commitment of loyal and faithful disciples who shared the good news graciously with others and served as great ambassadors of the Christian faith.

The Queen is a great ambassador. The 19th-century British constitutional scholar Walter Bagehot wrote that the monarch has three essential rights: to be consulted, to encourage and to warn. The queen has wisely executed these rights and has made a profound impact not just on the United Kingdom but in the commonwealth and in other nations. It is Elizabeth’s personal qualities that cause many to hold her in high esteem. During her years on the throne, she has consistently championed the best human virtues: faith in God, love of country, love of animals, commitment to duty. It would be difficult to find a finer living example of humanity than this British monarch.

Like the first disciples the Queen has been unflinching and diligent in her duties. The Queen has met with 14 different Prime Ministers and the same number of US Presidents. She’s the patron of over 600 charities and public service organisations and has witnessed countless era-defining moments for the UK – from Beatlemania to Brexit. Her Majesty has also travelled more widely than any other monarch: she is thought to have visited over 110 countries, including 51 of the 54 Commonwealth member states. She can be relied upon to face crises unflinchingly; as far as she is concerned, feelings do not belong in the public eye. She always has a warm smile, a friendly wave at the ready for her subjects. “The Queen has done so much to instil a sense of respect and confidence in not just the Royal Family and the role of the monarch but in Britain as a nation. In many ways, she has served as a beacon of service and duty and quiet dignity that, in turn, has had beneficial effects on the reputation of the nation itself, and that has done enormous good for Britain.

The queen is also a great ambassador and defender of the Christian faith. There is no doubt that the queen’s service has made a great impact at home and abroad, and her dependence on God’s Holy Spirit is all apparent. She said: ‘Each day is a new beginning, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God.” As we give thanks this year for the faithfulness and service of HM the Queen to the nation and commonwealth, we thank the one who inspires her, gives her his Holy Spirit and demonstrates to her the supreme pattern of service, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

May this Pentecost, God’s Holy Spirit fill us all afresh so that like the first disciples and her Majesty we might serve God faithfully and wisely, and make a quiet, humble and significant difference for good for those around us. Amen

NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and 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 substance with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven;

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate of 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.

With the Father and the Son,

he is worshipped and glorified.

He 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.

JUBILEE PRAYERS

Eternal God,
in these days of national celebration
we give thanks for the long reign of Her Majesty the Queen.
For her commitment to serve all her people,
for her steadiness in every crisis,
for her loyalty to the nation and to the Commonwealth,
and for the pledge she has made and kept to honour all people,
we praise and bless You today.

Faithful God,
we give thanks for those who have supported our Queen
in the fulfilment of her work.
For the affection and example of her parents,
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother,
for the family who have accompanied her along the way,
and for the devotion of her staff,
receive our grateful thanks.
Especially, we recall with gratitude
the love, strength, and support of the Duke of Edinburgh,
husband and trusted companion through 73 years of marriage.

Gracious God, we ask Your blessing on the Queen as she continues her work amongst us.
Sustain and strengthen her in these later years.
Grant her the health and strength that she seeks to fulfil her tasks.
And bless those who will support her in shouldering new and increased responsibilities.
Inspire them and us to continue to lead and serve according to her example.

Loving God, we bless You for the faith of Elizabeth, our Queen,
her devotion to Jesus Christ,
her unashamed witness to His cause,
her love of our Church and her commitment to its worship.
May we in our own day and generation
continue in faith and dedication to the same Lord in whose name we offer these prayers. Amen.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

INTERCESSIONS

PRAYERS

Holy Spirit coming as wind and fire

free and irrepressible,

we pray today for all

who long for change but fear it.

We think of the poor and the hungry,

the homeless and the refugee,

the sick and unemployed,

the downtrodden and oppressed,

these and so many others,

who yearn for a new beginning,

an opportunity to start afresh.

May their prayers be answered and their dreams realised.

As you came at Pentecost

come again today.

We pray for those who see change as a threat,

a sweeping -away of everything that is tried and trusted,

and the imposition of unknown challenges

and an uncertain future.

May they rest secure in the knowledge,

that whatever else may change,

you will remain constant.

As you came at Pentecost

come again today.

Holy Spirit coming gently as a dove,

we pray for all who long for peace,

and all who have lost sight of what peace really means.

We think of those in homes racked by tensions,

families spilt by disputes and domestic abuse,

communities scarred by prejudice and intolerance

and countries torn apart by hostilities and war.

May dialogue triumph over confrontation,

and unity replaced division.

As you came at Pentecost

come again today.

We pray for countries

where war and hostility

are wrecking lives and devastating communities.

We pray for those still living and struggling in Ukraine,

that you will strengthen and help them in these days.

We lift to you all, those who have fled

and found refuge in different countries,

help them to settle and may their fears

for those they have left behind

be unfounded and may their family members safe.

We pray for any children

that have been orphaned through war

and ask that they will find new families and homes.

As you came at Pentecost

come again today.

We pray for those who long for the Pentecostal Spirit of new life

after a time of sickness, hospitalisation or injury.

May your Spirit touch them,

breathe healing into their weary bodies

renew and restore them

to their former strength and well- being.

As you came at Pentecost

come again today.

Holy Spirit you changed the lives of the Apostles

and of countless people through history,

just as you are changing our lives in turn,

each renewed through your sovereign power.

Come now and change our world in all its need,

so that it may enjoy hope and peace, healing and harmony,

and so that all may come to a saving knowledge

of Jesus Christ as Lord.

As you came at Pentecost

come again today.

Merciful Father accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord

who taught us to say together,

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.

Do not bring us to the time of trial

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

HYMN

BLESSING

God of power,

May the boldness of your Spirit transform us,

may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us,

and may the gifts of your Spirit equip us

to serve and worship you, now and always. Amen.

DISMISSAL

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ, Amen.