Thomas the Apostle, 2nd July

thank you sir ask yourself [Music] [Music] thank you [Music] [Music] so much questions [Music] thank you [Music] very much [Music] thank you thank you very much questions [Music] beautiful eyes [Music] and uh [Music] [Music] um thank you [Music] everybody exceptions [Music] so I think it's awesome things [Music] yes [Music] [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] Christmas songs [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] welcome we need a warm welcome this morning's absolutely freezing lovely to see you all for this actually is going to be my last service that I take here in this way because of course lovely you've got Andrew coming which is going to be great isn't it but it's been absolutely lovely to be here with you and I think I'm going to hopefully help out with Andrew anyway so I shall be seeing you anyway so should we remain standing for our first hymn which is number 296 are we doing this first are we sorry I thought it was after sorry we've got some ribbons to give out so come on up foreign sorry to interrupt but we have three very very excited courses who couldn't possibly wait um they are three of our most enthusiastic coasters um two of which sing with us in the choir Ricky Lee and Harriet is a special chorister who joins in the other kind of choir activities and doesn't sing with his yet but they've been attending the vocal Development Group run by John legrove on a Friday evening before choir practice and really enjoying that and then Rachel's been taking them out and they've been learning some deep musical Theory and you know everything about music now don't you girls yes I'd say they thoroughly deserve their first ribbon the first on the on the voice for Life scheme which is white ribbon and that's first of all to Harriet [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] foreign 296 for all the saints [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] all the time oh yeah [Music] his tears Jesus Christ [Music] Lord [Music] foreign [Music] please [Music] [Applause] foreign [Music] [Music] oh yeah [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] thank you foreign in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit amen grace mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you r ather almighty God to whom all hearts are open all desires move and from whom their secrets are you cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your holy spirit that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your Holiness through Christ Our Lord amen God so loved the world that he gave his only son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins to be our advocate in heaven and to bring us to eternal life let us confess our sins in penitence and Faith firmly resolved to keep God's Commandments and to live in love and peace with all almighty God our heavenly father we have sinned against you and against our need and thought and word and deed through Neptune through witness through our own delivered fault we are truly sorry and repent to all our sins for the sake of your son Jesus Christ who died for us forgive us all that has passed and Grant that we may serve in newness of life to the glory of your name amen 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 [Music] thank you glory to God glory to God [Music] foreign [Music] people are longer [Music] years [Music] glory to God [Music] [Music] glory to God glory to God glory to God [Music] foreign let us pray the collect the fourth Sunday after Trinity Saint Thomas the Apostle Almighty and eternal God who for the firmer Foundation of our Fame allowed your holy Apostle Thomas to doubt the resurrection of your son till word and sight convinced him Glam to us who have not seen that we also May believe and so confess Christ as our Lord and our God who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit one God now and forever amen please sit for our first reading [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] okay the New Testament reading is taken from Ephesians chapter 2 verse 19 to the end so then you are no longer strangers and Aliens but you are citizens were the Saints and also members of the household of God built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Jesus Christ himself as the Cornerstone in him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God this is the word of the Lord thank you and we stand to sing him 2 9 7. for all the saints who showed your love [Music] thank you [Music] thank you [Music] [Applause] very good night [Music] for all the same things [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] your life [Music] well I'm used to singing very different words to That Tune hear the gospel our Lord Jesus Christ according to John [Music] but Thomas who was called the twin one of the twelve was not with them when Jesus came so the other disciples told him we have seen the Lord but he said to them unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands I put my finger in the Mark of the nails in my hand in his side I will not believe a week later his disciples were again in the house and Thomas was with them well those doors were shut Jesus came and stood among them and said peace be with you then he said to Thomas put your finger here and see my hands reach out your hand and put it in my side do not doubt but believe Thomas answered him my Lord and my God Jesus said to him have you believed because you have seen me blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe this is the word of the Lord [Music] Praise You Lord Jesus Christ [Music] may I speak in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit on him well the feast of Saint Thomas is actually tomorrow but it seemed appropriate to bring it forward to today um it's nice to have a petroleum festival and really um celebrate um why we're called Saint Thomas's I think it's an interesting fact that many churches are dedicated and Thomas doubting Thomas as he'd come down in history now I very rarely said think that it would be nice to have a screen but maybe today I would have liked to school because I'm going to talk about a picture and it would be quite nice if you could have seen it so I think it's perhaps Caravaggio the 17th century Italian artist who captures most visits vividly the moment when Thomas makes his Declaration of faith in the Risen Christ in the picture Jesus has loosened his guard and in the dim light he grips Thomas by the wrist quite forcefully it looks Thomas was in a garment that is torn at the shoulder and looking nun too clean extends a forefinger Jesus guides into the loose flesh of the gaping wound in his side Thomas's brow is deeply far out with doubt and incomprehension his eyes follow his extended finger this is a moment of decision can he believe what he sees a can and he does it's a life-changing moment for Thomas as he lose some disbelief into the wonderful affirmation on which the Gospel of John is centered my Lord and my God people sometimes worry when they question the church's teaching but it is healthy to examine what we believe in order to come to an adult understanding of our faith Believers are to be thinkers and doubt us doubting can be an honest step in our struggle to believe because of the his initial reluctance to believe that Jesus had risen it wasn't extraordinary thing to have happened remember Thomas has given his name to all who experience moments of doubt and we've all had those in our lives for one reason or another but as we are presented with Thomas's disbelief we also have to ask why should he have believed look a little more deeply into the scene that Caravaggio captured in his painting the Saturn is commonplace simply the house where the disciples meet and lock doors for fear of their enemies and the artist gives no shining lights or Angels waiting at the edges of his campus rather the figures of Jesus and some of the disciples are surrounded by Darkness yet of course it's a profoundly religious moment lit by Thomas's Declaration of faith he is confronted by Jesus in person a different person yet essentially the same who addresses him directly do not doubt but believe and In This Moment Thomas has to make up his mind reach his decision the evidence of the Resurrection is there right before his eyes and there is only one conclusion he can come to and he does just that nevertheless Thomas's negative reputation lives on doesn't it his name stands for doubt rather than faith this I think means we do Thomas a grave disservice in fact he's left an Abiding and positive Legacy to the church to all who would seek to follow the Risen Christ for in many ways he represents all of us we have I'm sure all experienced a similar struggle to believe to come to terms with the Christian faith here on Earth there is no such thing as absolute certainty about spiritual things if there was then Faith wouldn't be necessary would it as Thomas Merton said the man of faith who has never experienced doubt is not a man of faith and Saint Thomas's praise where there is doubt faith Francis as most of the Saints always also recognize this truth and as I said at the beginning it's healthy to examine what we believe in order to come to an adult understanding of our faith Believers are to be thinkers dieting can be an honest step in our struggle to believe and it's perhaps the honest acknowledgment of this that has resulted in so many churches like this our churches and Thomas to be named after Tom Thomas but not in a negative way but in a positive way because it tells us that we are to be thinkers questions not simply to have a blind faith so that's this morning give thanks that our church is named after one of the great Christian thinkers and questions who voiced the affirmation on which the whole Gospel of John is centered my God my Lord and my God amen that's a stand to recite our imagination faces in the words of the 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 as a father God from God light from light true God from true God begotten not made of one being with a father through him all things were made for us and for our Salvation he came down from heaven and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made now for our sake he was crucified under Pontius paper 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 on 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 and the son who with the father and the son is worshiped and glorified who 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 please sit or kneel for our prayers and interception in the power of the spirit and in Union with Christ let us pray to the father we pray for the building up of the church throughout the world into a dwelling place for God especially in the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil here we ask your blessing upon all the members of the general Synod as they meet this week including those who represent this diocese in the houses of laity clergy and Bishops please guide them in their discussions and decision making as they think and pray about the future of the Church of England as a whole Lord in your mercy yeah today we celebrate the life and faith of Saint Thomas whose feast day is tomorrow and we pray that we too would be filled with faith and confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior believing even when we have not seen Lord in your mercy hear our cry for all who suffer as a result of the war in Ukraine both soldiers and civilians particularly those who mourn loved ones killed in the fighting and recent missile attacks as we Mark National bereaved parents day this week we pray for all those who have lost children Lord we thank you that you are need near to those who are in pain but you yourself are acquainted with grief and that one day you will wipe away every tear help us to weep with those who weep and point them towards your steadfast love Lord in your mercy here in Nella we remember those from our community now living in residential or nursing homes and ask you to uphold them with your love and support and comfort them in any difficulties they face we bring before you all those who are sick Ian Hamilton Barbara booth Lawrence haybrook Frank Burrows and Jane Hamer and those who care for them be with them and bless them we pray Lord in your mercy at their years Minds we recall with gratitude Barbara Sanders John Gregory Gene Scott Joanne Probert William scrivener Margaret Myatt Jenny Buckingham Stuart Clark Helen sugden Gene critchlow Gwendolyn Jones and Constance Brody we remember also those who still love and miss them merciful father accept these prayers for the sake of your son Our Savior Jesus Christ amen please stand for the peace we are the body of Christ in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body let us then pursue all that makes for peace and builds up our common life the Peace of the Lord be always with you let us offer one another a sign of peace [Music] thank you [Music] foreign standing for our offertory hymn which is 299 give us the Wings of Faith [Music] oh it was [Music] ready [Music] [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music] I have progress Ive [Applause] [Music] this is [Applause] promises of things [Applause] [Music] thank you foreign [Music] blessed are you Lord God of all creation through your goodness we have this bread to set before you which Earth has given and human hands made it will become for us the bread of life blessed be God forever blessed are you Lord God of all creation through your goodness we have this wine to set before you fruit of the vine and work of human hands it will become for us the cup of salvation [Music] good Lord let us [Music] father you made the world a love your creation you gave your son Jesus Christ to be our savior his Diagon Rising have set us free from sin and death and so we gladly thank you with Saints and Angels praising you and singing foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] love you [Applause] [Music] we praise and bless you loving father through Jesus Christ Our Lord and as we obey his command send your holy spirit that broken Bread and Wine out Port may be for us the body and blood of your dear son on the night before he had he died he had supper with his friends taking bread he gave it to them and said he broke the bread and gave it to them and said take eat this is my body which is given for you do this in remembrance of me when supper was ended he took the cup of wine again he praised you gave it to them and said drink this all of you this is my blood of the New Covenant which is shed for you and for many for the Forgiveness of sins do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me so father we remember all that Jesus did in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross bringing before you the bread of life and cup of Salvation we Proclaim his death and Resurrection until he comes in glory great is the mystery of Faith Christ has died Christ is risen Christ will come again Lord of all life help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and Justice and mercy will be seen in all the Earth look with favor on your people and gather us into your loving arms and bring us with Thomas and all the things to feed at your table in heaven through Christ and with Christ and in Christ in the unity of the holy spirit all honor and Glory are yours o loving father forever and ever amen as I say their taught us so we pray 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 forever 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 [Music] [Music] [Music] us [Music] ing [Music] away [Music] come on girls [Music] draw near with faith receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you at 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 foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] thank you foreign [Music] foreign [Music] things [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] thank you thank you foreign [Music] I see this is [Music] our Grace [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] thank you [Music] [Applause] [Music] shines [Music] [Music] [Applause] foreign [Music] okay foreign foreign foreign 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 to the power of your spirit to live and work to your praise and glory amen do you have any notices just to say next weekend is Marco Gardens in Aid of cancer research and I happen to know that two members of the congregation are showing their Gardens along the strines road you'll support me very welcome and they're both beautiful gardens we look forward to seeing you [Laughter] hello everyone a week on Wednesday the 12th of July at 7 pm there will be a special service for the installation of our new priest Andrew and to welcome him and his family to Mela the bishop of Chester many clergy and representatives of our local community will be here as well as Andrew's supporters that would be wonderful to have as many members of the congregation as possible so please make it a priority to come for Refreshments after the service we need cakes so please could those who are happy to bake do so we're relying on you thank you and lastly some of you may remember a vision for the diocese event led by Claire earlier in the year in the Paris center after coffee there will be a follow-up to this that All Saints church next Sunday at 6 p.m see me if you'd like any more details thank you well just while we're the group coming up I'd just like to say I'm terribly apologetic but I'm not going to be here at Andrew's installation simply because I'm away on holiday that and it was booked a year ago so there's not much I can do about it and so now we're going to hear about what they've been doing with the Vestry group so we told a story about the Good Samaritan today and we have some gorgeous pictures which Margaret Lang's put together for us um Alice would you like to say what you're holding I'm holding Jerusalem could you hold it right up because it's a really really big city in fact it might even need two of you it's so big IFA can you grab it and make sure Alice doesn't drop it okay so there's Jerusalem what was at the other end Tom jeruca Jericho that that could be a place in between both of them so could you stand a little bit further apart because it's actually quite a long way away excellent okay could you bring Jerusalem this way so that we can really get our Travelers in between so we had a story about a traveler who came into some difficulties he got robbed didn't he on the way and then what happened we'll cut to the chase because I think quite a lot of people do know the story but we had a really lovely thing happen in the story what happened in the end the Good Samaritan helps him so would you two like to be on your journey in between the two cities um Dan you can be the poor traveler who gets robbed and well done and Ed you can help him up you can be the Samaritan you can help him all the way to Jericho thank you hold your picture up because it's really nice hold it right up so so people on the on the camera can see there's there's the camera over there so don't let that get in the way there we go okay would you like to walk to Jericho with the both of you that's that way this is such a good script honestly they've followed it so carefully so what was the most important thing that we discovered about neighborhoodness neighborliness they can be neighbors neighbors upon our neighbors can we can come from far and wide they weren't literally people that lived in Jerusalem or people that lived in Jericho there were people who lived all over the place and when they came across somebody in need what did they do they helped each other and that was a way of showing God's love wasn't it and that was how we learn more about God's love for everybody regardless of whether they live next door to you or not thank you very much well done [Music] [Applause] let's say continue to walk to Jericho this is Stanford final hymn which is 683 Jerusalem the golden [Music] why not for the treasures [Music] happy birthday [Music] today's [Music] [Applause] [Music] the song [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] foreign God the Father by whose Glory Christ was raised from the dead strengthen you to walk with him in his risen light and the blessing of God Almighty the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always amen and may we all now go in peace to love and to serve the Lord amen [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] thank you foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] thank you [Music] [Applause] [Music] thank you foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music]

Channel: Worship from St. Thomas’

Views: 202

Keywords: choir, church, mellor, music, choral, singing, eucharist, service, sunday, prayer, hymn, organ, sermon, christianity, worship

Id: HDW0yqT94og

Length: 81min 59sec (4919 seconds)

Published: Sun Jul 02 2023