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What is resilience?
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus
Christ
be with you
and also with you.
Hymn: O God our help in
ages past https://www.funeralguide.co.uk/help-resources/arranging-a-funeral/planning-the-service/funeral-hymns/our-god-our-help-in-ages-past
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.
Let us admit to God the
sin which always confronts us.
We confess to you our
selfishness and lack of love:
fill us with your
Spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
We confess to you our
fear and failure in sharing our faith:
fill us with your
Spirit.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
We confess to you our
stubbornness and lack of trust:
fill us with your
Spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
May the God of all
healing and forgiveness
draw you to
himself,
and
cleanse you from all your sins
that you may
behold the glory of his Son,
the Word made flesh,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song: Exalt the Lord
our God https://youtu.be/kCYgkqbX-fQ
The Collect
God of truth,
help us to keep your
law of love
and to walk in ways of
wisdom,
that we may find true
life
in Jesus Christ your
Son. Amen
First Reading Nehemiah
1:1-9
1 This is the
account of what Nehemiah son of Hacaliah accomplished.
In the month of Kislev
in the twentieth year that Artaxerxes was emperor of Persia, I, Nehemiah, was
in Susa, the capital city. 2 Hanani, one of my brothers,
arrived from Judah with another group, and I asked them about Jerusalem and
about the other Jews who had returned from exile in Babylonia. 3 They
told me that those who had survived and were back in the homeland were in
great difficulty and that the foreigners who lived nearby looked down on them.
They also told me that the walls of Jerusalem were still broken down and that
the gates had not been restored since the time they were burned. 4 When
I heard all this, I sat down and wept.
For several days I
mourned and did not eat. I prayed to God, 5 “Lord God
of Heaven! You are great, and we stand in fear of you. You faithfully keep your
covenant with those who love you and do what you command. 6 Look
at me, Lord, and hear my prayer, as I pray day and night for your
servants, the people of Israel. I confess that we, the people of Israel, have
sinned. My ancestors and I have sinned. 7 We have acted
wickedly against you and have not done what you commanded. We have not kept the
laws which you gave us through Moses, your servant. 8 Remember
now what you told Moses: ‘If you people of Israel are unfaithful to me, I will
scatter you among the other nations. 9 But then if you
turn back to me and do what I have commanded you, I will bring you back to the
place where I have chosen to be worshiped, even though you are scattered to the
ends of the earth.’
Song: My God is so
big https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbrPc1S06oI
Second Reading:
Nehemiah 6:1-9
6 Sanballat,
Tobiah, Geshem, and the rest of our enemies heard that we had finished building
the wall and that there were no gaps left in it, although we still had not set
up the gates in the gateways. 2 So Sanballat and Geshem
sent me a message, suggesting that I meet with them in one of the villages in
the Plain of Ono. This was a trick of theirs to try to harm me. 3 I
sent messengers to say to them, “I am doing important work and can't go down
there. I am not going to let the work stop just to go and see you.”
4 They sent me the same
message four times, and each time I sent them the same reply.
5 Then Sanballat sent one
of his servants to me with a fifth message, this one in the form of an unsealed
letter. 6 It read:
“Geshem tells me that a
rumour is going around among the neighbouring peoples that you and the Jewish
people intend to revolt and that this is why you are rebuilding the wall. He
also says you plan to make yourself king 7 and that you
have arranged for some prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem that you are the king
of Judah. His Majesty is certain to hear about this, so I suggest that you and
I meet to talk the situation over.”
8 I sent a reply to him:
“Nothing of what you are saying is true. You have made it all up yourself.”
9 They were trying to
frighten us into stopping work. I prayed, “But now, God, make me strong!”
Reading Video: https://youtu.be/HdDvqWtVkro
Sermon:
So through June, we’re
going to be looking at people and situations in the bible that help us think
about resilience.
Why? I think one of the
things that we heard a lot in the early days of COVID was-
“when
this is all over; or by September- or by Christmas…”
We kept thinking that
suddenly everything would be back to normal. Whatever that might mean.
But I think we’ve
learnt that any change is slow and gradual; that normal isn’t what it once was.
We are in a huge process of change and it’s going to continue.
Adapting to change is
exhausting and frustrating but people have had to do it all throughout the
ages. Resilience is the characteristic that enables us to do that.
So what help do we find
in the history of God’s people?
I wonder if focussing
on Nehemiah all seems a bit familiar- I checked. We looked at this story on St Catherine’s
Day- November last year.
But it’s such a good
story and speaks to our situation right now. Where do we start?
Resilience is having
the strength to fulfil the call God has given us, even when it will be painful
and difficult
So if we start with
Nehemiah, what was going on?
God’s people were sent
into exile, having been defeated in war; they had turned from God’s ways, not
listened to the prophets and reaped the consequences. Some of them would have
been responsible for the actions that led to this disaster, but some would have
been just carried along- it wasn’t their fault at all but they were all in the
same mess.
A few had been left
behind in their city Jerusalem and some restoration had already happened but
there was still much to do.
So Nehemiah, in the
Persian court got the news that all was not well- in fact there was trouble and
shame. The people left behind were in great difficulty and the walls of the
city were still broken. Their enemies were laughing at them. I bet they didn’t
feel safe at all.
So what does Nehemiah
do?
He weeps; he cries and
he prays. He admits that he and his people have been in the wrong but he also
reminds God of his covenant and promise to God’s people. God had promised to rescue
his people when they turned back to him.
Nehemiah hangs onto
that promise.
So what happens?
Nothing happens- for at
least 4 months! Nehemiah was stuck in a foreign land, he couldn’t leave and he
couldn’t even ask for help- speaking to the King before the King spoke to you
was out of the question. But the king did notice how sad Nehemiah looked and
asked him- which gave Nehemiah courage.
He asks the king boldly
for the things he needs and the king says yes.
This is the sign that
Nehemiah needs. He understands what he has to do- and the king’s favour towards
him is like a sign- God is with him!
There is a pathway
here: Reality. Grief. Prayer. Patience. God’s answer. Action
Nehemiah wasn’t
helpless, he had a purpose, a sense of calling.
This is part of our
wellbeing. When we know what we’re doing and can keep going at it, we feel much
better in ourselves.
Part of our resilience
is knowing what God has called us to do and getting on with it.
We can endure all sorts
of other things when we understand our call.
This might not be the
spectacular call of Nehemiah. Mostly, it’s much more ordinary. We might be: -
Called to be a person
in a family or with friends. Called to be loving and faithful.
Called to have a job to
do in church, called to be reliable and useful.
Called to have a job or
volunteer in the world- called make a difference.
So Nehemiah got on with
the job of rebuilding the walls. He didn’t do it alone but organised the others
living Jerusalem. He encouraged and inspired them- telling them what God had
already done for them in sending the resources they needed.
They worked together
and protected each other. Everyone was involved and no-one was too important or
too insignificant to join in. As one group worked on the wall, others, stood by
with their weapons to protect them.
So a big part of our
resilience is being called into action with others.
Just as well as they
had opposition.
Their enemies ridiculed
them- you’ll never do it. So Nehemiah prayed and encouraged his people.
Their enemies
threatened them - so the people worked together - tools in one hand, weapons in
the other.
And trouble at home
too- some people were exploiting others- but Nehemiah sorted it out and acted
as a great example of fairness to them all.
Whatever we do, there
will be issues, problems and challenges. Actually knowing that we all have
difficulties is the first step to overcoming them. Being a Christian is not an
easy life. But knowing that we’re called to something- we have a sense of
purpose helps. Knowing that obstacles arise helps us. And knowing that God is
with us in it all makes the biggest difference of all.
The enemies didn’t give
up - they tried to distract Nehemiah with meetings and frighten him into
stopping.
We might not have
physical people who try and stop us doing what God is calling us to. But we do
have an unseen but no less real foe. Satan is against the purposes of God. He’s
against us fulfilling our calling- being the people God wants us to be.
We could get
downhearted, intimidated, distracted or exhausted.
Just as Nehemiah did,
we can focus back on what God has called us to do.
Work with other people
- praying for our friends in church, heling each other out.
And knowing that when
doubts difficulties or obstacles come our way, it’s no surprise. God has not
disappeared. Just as God continued to be with Nehemiah, he is also still with
us in our situations.
And the wall got built.
God will see us through whatever we are facing now.
The Creed
Do you believe and
trust in God the Father,
source of all being and
life,
the one for whom we
exist?
We believe and trust in
him.
Do you believe and
trust in God the Son,
who took our human
nature,
died for us and rose
again?
We believe and trust in
him.
Do you believe and
trust in God the Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the
people of God
and makes Christ known
in the world?
We believe and trust in
him.
This is the faith of
the Church.
This is our faith.
We believe and trust in
one God,
Father, Son and Holy
Spirit.
Amen.
Our Prayers
The lines in bold will be said by all.
Let us pray.
In the
power of the Spirit and in union with Christ,
let us pray to the Father.
Our Father in
heaven, hallowed be your name.
Thank you,
Father, for your boundless mercy and love.
We give you
thanks that we can now meet in your presence in your house but pray for those who
still meet you in their own homes.
Bless your
Church here on the Aldermoor so that we can rebuild our family, after Covid has
changed our lives, but in different ways.
We pray That
this day may be holy, good, and joyful.
We pray to you, O Lord.
Silence
Father you
Blessed your Servant Nehamiah.
Through
prayer you gave him the courage and resilience not only to approach his king to
ask him for relief from his duties but also to help him rebuild Jerusalem.
We pray
that you will give us the courage and resilience to proclaim your Gospel here
on the Aldermoor and in our daily lives. To rebuild our lives in your Love
That we may
offer to you our worship and our work:
We pray to you, O Lord.
Silence
Help us Father
to protect our world. A place that has so much beauty and wonder that we are
slowly strangling with our misuse and uncaring attitudes We pray that we can
slow down the warming of our planet by reducing harmful emissions.
We pray that
we may strive for the well-being of all creation.
We pray to you, O Lord.
Silence
We pray for
all those who are in pain, in body, mind and spirit. Please send down the Holy
Spirit to comfort and heal them.
We pray for
all those who care for people, we bring before you those we know, bless them in
the work they do. We pray for all those who care for the needy and those who
feed the hungry.
We pray for
those who have lost friends and family, especially those who have died from Covid,
comfort them in their hour of need.
Give us
that resilience to cope with the pleasures and pains of life,
that we may know the love of Christ and be thankful.
We pray to
you, O Lord.
Silence
This week
we pray that we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit,
in communion with St. Catherine all your
saints,
entrusting one another and all our life to Christ.
We pray to
you, O Lord.
Let us
commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
The Peace
The peace of God be
always with you
and also with you.
Let us offer one
another a sign of peace
Song: Father I place
into your hands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuaemMmOrU s
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.
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.
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
Song: Great is the
darkness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ8qe3CggWo
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
God the Holy Trinity
make you strong in faith and love,
defend you on every
side,
and guide you in truth
and peace;
and the blessing of God
Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy
Spirit
be with you now and
remain with you always
Amen
Song: Shine Jesus Shine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3iB30gCqAc
Notices
Dismissal
Go in peace to love and
serve the Lord
In the name of Christ. Amen