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Come to us today, O God,
Come to us with Light
Come to us today, O God,
Speak to us your truth
Dwell with us today, O God,
Dwell with us in love.
Song: Shine Jesus Shine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3iB30gCqAc
The Lord be with you
And also with you
God
rejoices when we come together to worship him.
So we have
gathered together as his family, knowing he is with us, and we will give him
praise.
Help us,
Lord, to praise you.
Father God you have promised to hear us when we call to you.
Lord, we confess our sins
Keep your promise and forgive us, we pray.
For the times when we have hurt others through the words we
have said,
Lord we confess our sins.
Keep your promise and forgive us, we pray.
For the times when our actions have been harmful and not
loving,
Lord we confess our sins.
Keep your promise and forgive us, we pray.
For the times when we have forgotten you and ignored your
commands,
Lord we confess our sins.
Keep your promise and forgive us, we pray.
May the God of grace,
who loves all that he has made,
and in Christ welcomes home all who come to him,
heal your brokenness,
forgive you your sins
and return you to a life of justice, mercy and simplicity.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gloria: Glory to God http://www.christianwebresources.co.uk/hymns/hymn/549/#
Lord Jesus Christ,
light of the nations and glory of Israel:
make your home among us,
and present us pure and holy
to your heavenly Father,
your God, and our God. Amen
First Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
14 Since the children, as he calls them, are people of flesh and blood, Jesus himself became like them and shared their human nature. He did this so that through his death he might destroy the Devil, who has the power over death, 15 and in this way set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death.
16 For it is clear that it is not the angels
that he helps. Instead, he helps the descendants of Abraham.
17 This means that he had to become like his
people in every way, in order to be their faithful and merciful High Priest in
his service to God, so that the people's sins would be forgiven.
18 And now he can help those who are tempted, because he himself was tempted and suffered.
Song: Purify my heart
http://www.christianwebresources.co.uk/hymns/hymn/648/#
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-40
22 The time came for Joseph and Mary to perform the ceremony of purification, as the Law of Moses commanded. So they took the child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23 as it is written in the law of the Lord:
“Every first-born male is to be dedicated to the Lord.”
24 They also went to offer a sacrifice of
a pair of doves or two young pigeons, as required by the law of the Lord.
25 At that time there was a man named Simeon living in Jerusalem. He was a good, God-fearing man and was waiting for Israel to be saved. The Holy Spirit was with him 26 and had assured him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's promised Messiah. 27 Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus into the Temple to do for him what the Law required, 28 Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God:
29 “Now, Lord, you have kept your promise,
and you may let your servant go in peace.
30 With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in
the presence of all peoples:
32 A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles
and bring glory to your people Israel.”
33 The child's father and mother were amazed at the things Simeon said about him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother,
“This child is chosen by God for the destruction
and the salvation of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God which many
people will speak against 35 and so reveal their
secret thoughts. And sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break your own heart.”
36-37 There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of
the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now
eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple; day and night she
worshiped God, fasting and praying. 38 That very
same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all
who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.
39 When Joseph and Mary had finished doing all that was required by the Law
of the Lord, they returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee. 40 The
child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom, and God's blessings were
upon him.
Video: Simeon and Anna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leN-xNrkjbo&ab_channel=CrossroadsKids%27Club
Sermon
With my
own eyes I have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:
32 A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles
and bring glory to your people Israel.”
Because
of these words, Candlemas often focuses on being a celebration of God’s light
(hence the blessing of candles long ago).
What kind of Light?
The
light reveals God’s will to the gentiles- that’s those who aren’t Jews- those
who weren’t thought of as God’s people.
It’s
the light that reveals- like the light
that passes through a prism. It gets split up into many colours- we see what is
there. We see what we didn’t see before.
So as Simeon says these words, he is telling everyone that Jesus is that light- that shows everyone in the whole world what God is like; what God wants for us.
If
we want to know what God is like, we look at Jesus.
If
we want to know what God wants us to do, we look at Jesus.
There’s
so much we can say about light.
How
God’s light drives out the darkness of sin and fear.
How
God’s light shows us day by day how to live.
How
God’s light keeps us safe.
But
there’s another aspect of this story that I want to focus on today.
Simeon and Anna waited… patiently.
Actually
they saw what God had planned. They met Jesus as a baby but they didn’t see him
fulfil his ministry.
They
did receive God’s promise for them- that they would see God’s special person,
the Messiah but they didn’t see it all.
Mary
and Joseph had received God’s promise- the baby was born.
Simeon
and Anna received God’s promise- they saw the start of God’s plan.
But
they didn’t see the end…
I
think this story has so much to encourage us whilst we are all waiting –
patiently or impatiently in our COVID times.
At the moment there are many of us who are waiting. Waiting for schools to open again; waiting for our injections; waiting for life to feel safe; waiting in line- at 2 metre distance at the shops. Longing and waiting to be let out of our houses after so long…
And all
of us, particularly if we have a frontline job – longing and waiting for the
numbers to go down, the stress to ease up.
Simeon
and Anna waiting. Waited for God to do something whilst their country was ruled
by the enemy, whilst their rulers were corrupt and their religion compromised.
Mary
and Joseph were waiting to see what would happen next!
How
did they wait?
I’m
really struck that in our Bible reading- these people kept doing the right
thing.
Mary
and Joseph went to the Temple- because it was what the law required. Simeon is
called God-fearing…
And so for us it’s just as important to keep on with COVID restrictions
but also with all the things that help us grow in our Christian lives.
This is our
vision as at St Catherine’s
Our vision for the next 5 years is to grow
as a multicultural church
where we experience God’s love,
express his love in action
and share his love with the people of
Stoke Aldermoor, New Century Park
and beyond!
Of
course our brilliant foodbank volunteers are reaching out, we’re supporting
Proof Bakery as they make bread for foodbank and so many of you are working out
in our communities looking after others in vital ways.
Waiting
is tough but it’s not all bad news. For Simeon and Anna, it wasn’t all
relentless, hanging on in there by myself, using every ounce of strength that I
have, kind of waiting. As Simeon and Anna waited- God’s Spirit was with them. Simeon is led by the Spirt, speaks out
prophetic words to everyone to hear and in particular to Mary and Joseph.
Anna
worships day and night, prays and rejoices. She encourages everyone she sees.
It
wasn’t easy but God was with them. It might have been particularly hard for
Mary and Joseph as Simeon warned them of difficult things to come.
Waiting
isn’t easy but we are not alone as we wait together.
Let’s
encourage each other to keep with all the restrictions so we can be as safe as
possible and get the infection rates down.
But as we wait, let’s not forget our bigger vision; our wider purpose. It’s right to keep going with what God has called us to do for others- but in doing this, we are also making that waiting more bearable for ourselves.
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: Waiting Patiently for God’s Deliverance
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Dear Lord, Simeon
and Anna were so patient as they waited for your Deliverance.
Help us to be as
patient as they were - patient with ourselves, patient with others and patient
with the circumstances we find ourselves in today.
As he spoke Simeon
said: “As you have promised …”
Thank you, Lord, that
you kept your promises to Simeon & Anna because you are a faithful God. You
don't promise us an easy life and living in these days of a pandemic isn't easy
for any of us, but you do promise to be never to leave us nor for sake us.
Thank you for this reassurance when there is so much suffering in our city and
country.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Dear Lord, thank
you that when we feel weary and heavy burdened you promise that your yoke is
easy, and your burden is light.
We pray for all the
NHS staff, doctors, nurses, carers, hospital cleaners, and others right across
our country who are battling on the frontline against Covid19 and who are
weary. Please give them the patience they need to get through each day and give
them your energy, stamina and compassion to endure.
We pray for
teachers, children and parents who are affected by school closures. Give them
patience. Please watch over all the places where education is happening during
lockdown and give inspiration to those delivering lessons.
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Dear Lord, as we
face these days of lockdown restrictions please give us the patience that
Simeon and Anna displayed as they waited to see their Saviour Jesus.
Simeon said to Mary
that she would feel like a sword has pierced her soul.
Lord, you are the
Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, comfort us in all our troubles
even if we feel like a sword has pierced our souls.
We pray for those
who have lost loved ones recently and ask that you comfort them. Help us to
comfort others who are suffering, feeling lonely or desperately missing contact
with their friends and family.
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Simeon said: “For
my eyes have seen your Salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all
people, a light for people of all nations”.
Thank you, Lord,
that you care about all the peoples of your world.
We pray for the
staff, pupils of Ibba Girls school in South Sudan.
For Pastor Albert,
his family and the small church in Djembering.
Dear Lord, let them
patiently live out their lives as a light for you in the places where they live
and work.
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We pray for those
in national government and in local councils who are making decisions that
affect our lives in the fight against the pandemic.
Please give them
patience to listen well in meetings, to research well that will help them to
make wise decisions that will halt the spread of this awful disease.
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer.
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.
Let us offer another a sign of peace
Song: Light of the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MmRGSEG2LM&ab_channel=Rev.MarkPetitt
Holy Communion
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
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.
Jesus, Lamb
of God,
have mercy
on us.
Jesus,
bearer of our sins,
have mercy
on us.
Jesus,
redeemer of the world,
grant us
peace.
Draw near with
faith.
Receive the
body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave
for you,
and his blood
which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance
that he died for you,
and feed on
him in your hearts
by faith with
thanksgiving.
Song during communion[BS1] More Love More Power https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW9SkRMtXTo&ab_channel=WorshipVideos
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
Almighty
God,
we thank
you for feeding us
with the
body and blood
of your Son
Jesus Christ.
Through him
we offer you our souls and bodies,
to be a
living sacrifice.
Send us out
in the power of your Spirit
to live and
work to your praise and glory.
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: The Candle Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teZaQUKjx24&ab_channel=GrahamKendrickMusic
In the name of Christ.
Amen.