Children and Family Activities for Mothering Sunday March 14th

Welcome to our Service of Holy Communion
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Moses’ Story – Part 2: The Burning Bush

We meet in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

 Hymn: Immortal Invisible   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfu1dqKCGd8

 

Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are 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 Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

We Say Sorry to God

Jesus Christ, risen Master and triumphant Lord,

we come to you in sorrow for our sins,

and confess to you our weakness and unbelief.

 

We have lived by our own strength,

and not by the power of your resurrection.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

 

We have lived by the light of our own eyes,

as faithless and not believing.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

 

We have lived for this world alone,

and doubted our home in heaven.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

 

Almighty God,

who forgives all who truly repent,

have mercy upon you,

pardon and deliver you from all your sins,

confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,

and keep you in life eternal;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

The Collect

God of constant mercy,

who sent your Son to save us:

remind us of your goodness,

increase your grace within us,

that our thankfulness may grow,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

Song: Your name is Power https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H62gNjAYOs

 

Reading Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kNTUX0mWP8

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 3:1-15 read by Leonard

3 One day while Moses was taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, he led the flock across the desert and came to Sinai, the holy mountain. ² There the angel of the Lord appeared to him as a flame coming from the middle of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire but that it was not burning up. ³ “This is strange,” he thought. “Why isn't the bush burning up? I will go closer and see.”

⁴ When the Lord saw that Moses was coming closer, he called to him from the middle of the bush and said, “Moses! Moses!”

He answered, “Yes, here I am.”

⁵ God said, “Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground. ⁶ I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” So Moses covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.

⁷ Then the Lord said, “I have seen how cruelly my people are being treated in Egypt; I have heard them cry out to be rescued from their slave drivers. I know all about their sufferings, ⁸ and so I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians and to bring them out of Egypt to a spacious land, one which is rich and fertile and in which the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites now live. ⁹ I have indeed heard the cry of my people, and I see how the Egyptians are oppressing them. ¹⁰ Now I am sending you to the king of Egypt so that you can lead my people out of his country.”

¹¹ But Moses said to God, “I am nobody. How can I go to the king and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

¹² God answered, “I will be with you, and when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain. That will be the proof that I have sent you.”

¹³ But Moses replied, “When I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ So what can I tell them?”

¹⁴ God said, “I am who I am. You must tell them: ‘The one who is called I Am has sent me to you.’ ¹⁵ Tell the Israelites that I, the Lord, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, have sent you to them. This is my name forever; this is what all future generations are to call me.

 

Song: Above All https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_cxhf5ISeg

 

Gospel Reading Matthew 16:21-28 read by Lin

 Jesus Speaks about His Suffering and Death

²¹ From that time on Jesus began to say plainly to his disciples, “I must go to Jerusalem and suffer much from the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law. I will be put to death, but three days later I will be raised to life.”

²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “God forbid it, Lord!” he said. “That must never happen to you!”

²³ Jesus turned around and said to Peter, “Get away from me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my way, because these thoughts of yours don't come from God, but from human nature.”

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me. ²⁵ For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it. ²⁶ Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life. ²⁷ For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his deeds. ²⁸ I assure you that there are some here who will not die until they have seen the Son of Man come as King.”

 

Sermon: Moses’ Story Part 2: The Burning Bush

 Update on the story.

Last week we left Moses the baby in the care of his mother but adopted by the Pharaoh’s daughter. He grows up in the Egyptian court but gets into trouble. Moses intervenes when an Egyptian is beating up a Hebrew- he kills the Egyptian and thinks he’s got away with it- but the word is out and Pharaoh means to kill him. Moses runs away to Midian where he defends the daughters of Jethro the priest. And Moses ends up marrying one of them. But back in Egypt, things for the Israelites have gone from bad to worse.

 

So, from our reading today, Moses is looking after the livestock out in the desert and he comes across an extraordinary sight. A bush is ablaze with fire and yet it is not consumed. It doesn’t burn up. This gets Moses’ attention. An Angel speaks to him from the fire.

 

What does this tell us about God?

I think that this passage gives us contrasting ideas about God.

First of all we get a miracle. An impossible thing happens- a bush is on fire and it doesn’t burn up. God does extraordinary things. But it’s not some party trick or a random event. The burning has a clear message. It’s to get Moses’ attention (which it does!).

God is awesome, powerful and does the miraculous – but he is talking to an ordinary person. God is a great big God and yet he comes close to us. God calls to Moses.

God is awesome and intimate.

God calls to Moses by Moses’ name. God knows, he associates with us. God deals with us. Awesome he may be, but he’s right here with us.

And yet, once Moses gets close to the burning bush, God speaks again – come so far but no further. This is holy ground. God is with us and knows us; God calls to us using our own names but God is holy. God is different from us; God is set apart; God is pure and has no wrong.

And yet God reaffirms who he is to Moses. I am the God of your ancestors; of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God who is holy and set apart from us is still the God who is bound up in our history, who directs our story.

 And God is the God of all his people- he has heard how terrible the conditions are in Egypt for the Israelites. He says, I have heard their cry, I know their misery and sufferings and I will do something about it.

We might wonder about God’s timing- this has been going on for years and years- but God has not forgotten them. The promise he made to their ancestors still holds true. Egypt is not to be their final destination. God will lead his people out of slavery to their own land. But it’s not straight forward as there are already people living in those lands!

God will rescue his people- but it is his timing. God will rescue his peple but it involves a long journey and many battles that they will have to fight. God will rescue his people but Moses is going to have to lead them.

 

So what about Moses?

Moses is having a day of surprises- the wonder of a burning bush; the shock that God speaks to him – yet uses the reassurance of his name. And the awe that God is holy. Moses reacts with the right kind of reverence- he takes off his sandals (a sign of obesiance) and hides his face from God. Moses recognises that God is so much greater than him. 

And Moses receives the good news that God is going to finally rescue his people from the terrible situation back in Egypt- it’s all gong so well until God says- and you, Moses will lead them! I’m sending you to Pharaoh.

Moses doesn’t take this well – who would? He’s run away from Egypt. He’s in trouble with Pharaoh- after all Pharaoh was going to kill him. Moses hasn’t been back for years. No wonder Moses tries to get out of it! And Moses has a good point when he says “who am I to go to Pharaoh?”

It’s not Moses who is going to make the difference here. It’s the fact that God is with him- and God makes a further promise that the freed slaves will worship on the same mountain.

Moses isn’t convinced at all. He starts to argue with God. Why should the people believe me? What do I say?

God makes this great statement- I AM WHO I AM. He’s not some small idol of a place (like a sacred tree) or a job (the one who looks after shepherds). God is- he is so great that only He can define himself. So great that his actions will show who he is. The God beyond time who guided their ancestors and will walk with them into the future – forever.

 

So what about us?

This account reminds these us about the contrasts we keep in mind.

God is Holy.

God is perfect, set apart from and special. So we approach God with reverence, awe and a right sense of fear. We remember he knows all; we can’t mess with God or pretend before him or hide our sins. What we do before God matters. So we use our confession week by week, day by day. He is in the business of transforming us to more like Jesus. We will change.

Yet God is still intimate – he is close to us, cares for us, knows us, talks to us using ur names. No matter how broken or foolish or far from him, we can return. So we pray for our daily bread, the stuff we need to live.

 And God may seem remote from us. His help might seem a long way off. His response to us slow; our problems or the issues in our world overwhelming. Yet he is our rescuer – He is faithful; he keeps his promises, he has not abandoned us- we can always have hope.

 And God commands us! Moses was shocked to find he was a key part of God’s solution. God has a job for us. God has things for us to do. We are not passengers but partners. We have a place in this world – to do good. God commands us but he doesn’t leave us to get on with it! God is our commander but also our enabler. By his Holy Spirit, we have the power to be the people God calls us to be and do the things he calls us to do. As Moses argues with God, God meets him and helps him.

The Creed

Let us declare our faith in God.

We believe in God the Father,

from whom every family

in heaven and on earth is named.

 

We believe in God the Son,

who lives in our hearts through faith,

and fills us with his love.

 

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,

who strengthens us

with power from on high.

 

We believe in one God;

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Our Prayers: Led by Pauline

 Dear Heavenly Father, I pray this prayer in the power of your Holy Spirit.

 As a church, we ask that you would direct our hearts and minds towards you, and fill us with your Spirit, bringing refreshing, renewal, peace, and joy. You remind us in your word that you are faithful to carry our burdens. You tell us that you will renew our strength, and you promise to give us rest as we come to you.

Thank you for your daily, powerful presence in our lives, that we can be assured, no matter what we’re facing, your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers. Thank you that you surround us with favour as with a shield, and we are safe in your care.

Praying for the sick and in hospitals:

Dear God, I pray for those in hospital or sick at home all around the world, fill them with the healing power of your spirit, restore them to health. Give strength to those who are weak and depressed, hold them in your arms of love, and give hope and patience to those who are recovering in Jesus name.

Prayer for all children, students  returning to school in this unusual time:

Dear Lord, I pray for all our children, students and teachers going back to schools this September. Protect them from COVID 19. By the power of your Holy Spirit, please Lord don't allow the virus to spread in schools. We pray for their health and safety, keep them safe and protect them all from the virus.

Praying for the church, the body of Christ:

Lord Jesus our light and salvation, we confess as a church that we want to know You more. May your will be done Lord as it is in heaven. Help us to grow, give us a passion and zeal for bible and prayer, so that we are men and women of faith, full of grace and truth.

Praying for church leaders:

May our leaders labour and strive to move your Kingdom forward. Guide them Lord, and grant them wisdom, knowledge  and  understanding as they lead your people .

We are your chosen people, we give you praise and honour for your ways are righteous and true. We give you worship for you are holy and just ooh God Almighty. We will declare that your love stands firm forever, for your loving kindness endures forever.

In Jesus name we pray .....Amen.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

 

Song: I the Lord of Sea and Sky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgLwH5RdtPk

Holy Communion

 

https://youtu.be/fHVmDKTUAmg

 

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.

 

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.

 

We continue with the words of The Lord's Prayer:

 

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

 

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.

 

Every time we eat this bread

and drink this cup,

we proclaim the Lord’s death

until he comes.

 

God’s holy gifts

for God’s holy people.

Jesus Christ is holy,

Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

 

Prayer of Spiritual Communion 

 

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, 

for all the benefits you have given me, 

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me. 

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, 

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. 

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, 

may I know you more clearly, 

love you more dearly, 

and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen

 

The Blessing

 

The peace of God,

which passes all understanding,

keep your hearts and minds

in the knowledge and love of God,

and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

 

Song: We are marching in the power of God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SOWN0_0lrk

 

 

The Dismissal

 

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ.  Amen.