Christmas Cribs of Three spires

As we had to cancel the Crib Services in the Benefice because of the surge in Covid cases, we made this film of the three cribs and Simon’s blessing.

Nine Lessons and carols

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols presented by the choir of Holy Trinity Markbeech and Reverend Simon Braid.

In these times of Covid we have recorded a socially distanced collection of carols and readings to share the Christmas spirit in our communities. Our Benefice, in the High Weald of Kent, comprises three parishes and although this was based at Holy Trinity, Markbeech, readings were supplied by the whole benefice. Merry Christmas everybody!

Our Nativity Play

A Nativity Play with local children always makes everyone laugh and cry at the same time. It brings joy and it kind of sets the spirit of Christmas.

As this year we could not gather together in church to watch our little ones tell the story of Christmas, we have instead made a film. Enjoy!

HOLY COMMUNION 26th July 2020 St.Paul’s Four Elms

Welcome

Hymn

 

Prayer of preparation

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires

known, and from whom no secrets are hid: 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.

 

Collect 7^th Sunday after Trinity

 

Generous God, you give us gifts and make them grow:

though our faith is small as mustard seed, make it grow to

your glory and the flourishing of your kingdom; through

Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the

unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

 

Reading: Romans 8:26-39   

 

 ²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[b]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[c] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

Glory be to you O Lord

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

³¹ He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. ³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

³³ He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds^[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. ³⁵ So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”^[b]

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

⁴⁷ “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ⁵⁰ and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

⁵¹ “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

⁵² He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

This is the gospel of the Lord

Praise be to you O Christ

 

Sermon

 If asked what did Jesus preach about what would we way? He preached about the Kingdom of God or in Matthew the Kingdom of  heaven: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like…’ and there are many parables about this including the five in this passage!

But what is the kingdom of heaven? To his Jewish hearers –it meant throwing out the Romans. But at Jesus’ trial, he said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world’. So it’s hard to nail down. Kingdom is about the rule of a King so Jesus must mean the rule of God in our own lives. But more than that, the  transformation of the world as well as the individual. For example, John the Baptist said of the coming Kingdom: ‘the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised & good news preached…’

 We get glimpses of this even today. There are good news stories of love and care during the Coronavirus, even healings; particularly overseas in the Third world. Stories of people turning to Jesus.

 As we pray: Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven we pray for the Kingdom of God to  rule in our lives & in the world.

 Let’s look at these five similes…’like’

 

1.Mustard seed

 If we think of mustard seed, we would think of mustard & cress: a tiny plant from a tiny seed. But the

Palestinian mustard tree was a much larger plant or tree with branches although from a very small seed. You’ve heard the saying ‘tall oaks from little acorns grow”. The message here is that the Kingdom may have small beginnings – very small. Think that just 12 disciples empowered by Holy Spirit turned world upside down

 I’m excited about what God is doing & will do in the Three Spires notwithstanding small numbers – Indeed because of small numbers. Through the prophet Zechariah, God says: Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord. So don’t be discouraged – the Kingdom of God is growing

 

2. Yeast

 Yeast is also a small unimpressive substance. Also the change it brings is not instantaneous; it works slowly and unnoticed, hidden in the flour. Yet it transforms the flour & creates bread.

Jesus came to bring about not moral reformation but mortal resurrection. God’s Kingdom is about transformation

 

3. Hidden treasure

This is about treasure hidden in a field in days before banks when people might hide money by burying it. With the way the world is and low interest rates today this might make a come-back!

The treasure owner has long since gone and  man almost stumbles over it. It’s a bit like me, as a teenager going to a Youth Club in Sevenoaks after girls but having an encounter with God, which changed the direction of my life.

When the man finds the treasure, he’ll do anything to get it. So he ‘sells everything’ to buy field.

Jesus is worth everything we have. Is that how we feel about Jesus? The Kingdom is of great worth

 

4. Pearl of great price

In this case, the man liquidates everything he has to buy the pearl.

The challenge is how much do we desire God & his kingdom?

Here are Words from the hymn ‘Be thou my vision’

Be Thou and Thou only the first in my heart,
O high King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

We say ‘Thy kingdom come…’ but do we mean it? Anglicanism can all be about being reasonable & moderate. But you won’t find that on Jesus’ lips!

His Kingdom is the most valuable thing. It comes before everything. It’s worth more than anything.

 

5. Fisherman’s net

 Finally the Kingdom is like a fishing net thrown into sea which catches all kinds of fish. It makes one think of Peter’s catch and the call to be fishers of men. But in this case the picture is one of judgment: Separating the good and bad fish like the sheep from the goats. It’s a common picture of end of the age. The key is that judgment is a matter for God not us –  remember last week’s  parable of the wheat & the weeds.

 

Conclusion

What do we conclude from these five pictures of the Kingdom?

 First it is a message of hope and encouragement. Things may start small but the Kingdom is growing.

 For example, we hear a lot about China at moment –most is not good. Did you know that in modern China  Christians now out-number member of the communist party. So pray for China!

And God is transforming lives and communities by his Spirit across the UK. We always hear the Church in the UK is in decline and in part that’s true. For example in Rochester Diocese roughly 25% churches are growing; 25% are static & 50% in decline. But there is growth! Do we want to be part of it?

What do we most desire? Think for a moment and be honest. What’s our number one priority? When we pray: Thy kingdom come – do we mean it?…really?……Jesus said, ….seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well

Finally a word about Romans passage which contains these well-known words

we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him

Rt.Revd Stephen Cottrell, new Archbishop of York, said, there is nothing good about the Coronavirus but good things can happen though it

I think that is true of us:

Care and compassion in community

Making new contacts

More people watching services on line

Three churches working together

Bible study & evening prayer

….and your prayers

Keep safe – keep well – keep praying… Thy kingdom come………Amen

 

Intercessions

 Prayers

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come; thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Prayers of penitence

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 & faith, firmly resolved to keep God’s commandments & to live in love and peace with all

 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

we have sinned against you

and against our neighbour,

in thought and word and deed,

through negligence, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We are heartily sorry

and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,

who died for us,

forgive us all that is past,

and grant that we may serve you in newness of life

to the glory of thy 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

 

Hymn

 

The Lord is here. His Spirit is with us

 

The communion

Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech you; and grant that we receiving this bread and wine, according to your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and blood: who, on the night before he died, he came to supper with his friends and, taking bread he 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. At the end of supper taking the cup of wine; he gave you thanks, and said, drink this all of you; for 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. Amen

We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful

Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold

& great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up

the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord

whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore,

gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus

Christ & to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be

made clean by his body and our souls washed through his

most precious blood & that we may evermore dwell in him,

and he in us. Amen.

 

Prayer after communion

 

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.

 

Sing: Hymn of praise

Monday Bible Study- Thursday evening prayer – Markbeech next week at 10.00am

Keep well – keep safe – keep praying

 

Blessing         

 

May the Father from whom every family in earth and heaven receives its name strengthen you with his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, and that knowing his love, broad and long, deep and high beyond our understanding, you may be filled with all the fullness of God and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen                                                            

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

 

                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pet service at St Paul’s Four Elms

The Pet service recording is here. We are all grateful for all the creatures in our lives who are our friends and give us so much joy!

All ages service for Father’s Day

Welcome to All age service on 21st June! Today is the second Sunday of Trinity and also Father’s Day. The dramatic reading is called Treasure Hunt and it’s put together by local children! Our best wishes for all the good fathers in the world!

Loving God

We thank you for the gift

of good dads, and

everything that they do for us

Help them to have patience

when we’re difficult

wisdom where we can’t see the way,

strength when we need comforting

and love at all times, so that,

through the them, we get a little glimpse

of how you feel about us.

Our heavenly Father,
Amen

HOLY COMMUNION 21st June 2020

Welcome to Four Elms for the first time on the second Sunday after Trinity

 

We’ll be thinking about baptism from Paul in Romans 5

all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? ⁴ We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Prayer of preparation

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires

known, and from whom no secrets are hid: 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.

 

Collect Second after Trinity Sunday

Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are

nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts

that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of

all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead

before you. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake,

who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy

Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

 

Reading: Romans 6:1b-11

Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? ² By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? ³ Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? ⁴ We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. ⁶ For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,^[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin – ⁷ because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

⁸ Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. ⁹ For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. ¹⁰ The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

¹¹ In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

This the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:24-39

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew Glory be to thee, O Lord

 

Jesus said, The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

²⁶ ‘So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.^[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

³² ‘Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

³⁴ ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn

‘“a man against his father, a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law –
³⁶     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”^[b]

³⁷ ‘Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

This is the gospel of the Lord Praise be to thee O Christ

 

Sermon: Dead to Sin; Alive to Christ Romans 6:1b-11 (Matt 10:24-39)

I love doing baptisms. It’s sad that these are on hold as there should’ve been one (Chloe Philips) at Four Elms last weekend.

It’s great to welcome little children & adults to baptism. Three weeks ago was Pentecost when Peter was asked by the crowd: what must we do? He said, Repent & be baptised and you will receive the Holy Spirit.

Has anyone seen a baptism by immersion? John Sentamu the retired Archbishop of York used to do open air baptisms by immersion outside York Cathedral on Easter Day – have a look on You Tube.

Baptism is the entry into the Christian faith and the water is a symbol for washing, being  made clean and anointing with the Holy Spirit

But perhaps the most powerful symbol is in Romans, which we’ve just read:

don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

 It is quite complicated!

I love swimming: you dive in – a bit like being buried – then break surface – a bit like being risen. This symbolises Christians being united with Jesus in his death & resurrection
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 

 What does that mean?

Becoming a Christian is about a new life, like, says Jesus, being born again. Paul writes to the Corinthians:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!

 

Dead to Sin

 People don’t like the word sin; it has the sense of something really very bad, even salacious! In a Christian biblical context sin is different. We speak not so much about sins as SIN. SIN has ‘I’ in the middle ie. me first- not acknowledging God, life without God, life revolving around self.

 The Baptism service has these questions: Do you turn to Christ? Do you repent of your sins? In other words, do you turn away from the past and head God’s way. In baptism the early Church looked to sunset to renounce old way and then to the sunrise to new. As if they were now dead to sin:

 For we know that our old self was crucified with him … that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

There’s something about being dead – you can’t really do anything to someone who’s dead!

Paul writes to the Colossians For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

That’s the best place anyone can be. If God is for us; He knows & loves us; we’re worth more than many sparrows says Jesus and he even knows the hairs on our heads!

Jesus died for each one of us so what do we need to fear – nothing – we’re untouchable. That is true freedom.

Alive to Christ

Not only did we die with Christ

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 

Jesus came to give us LIFE! Later in Romans Paul writes: if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give you life …. because of his Spirit who lives in you. And in John 10:10 (worth remembering) Jesus says I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full….in all its fullness

Life is no longer black & white but in colour

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

It’s a New life.

Many of us may have been Christians for a long while or maybe we can’t remember not being a Christian. If so, Paul has word for us

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus

Count yourselves is also translated ’reckon. So we remind ourselves of our status in Christ. It’s not about pulling ourselves together – not grit but grace. Opening our eyes to what Jesus has done & where we stand as baptised believers. Being a Christian in New Testament is described as bein ‘in Christ’; words which occur 83 times.

Imagine you’ve been renting a house. A bullying landlord is always upping rent & demanding payment & threatening you. Then you find a new place to live. You  move in & settle down. Then the old landlord turns up, angry & threatening and demanding money. But you remember you’ve moved out. You’ve got the paperwork. Your past rent is paid and there’s nothing owing. He has no claim over you so send him away!

count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus

There’s nothing to fear, we’re alive in Christ.

Finally something on our Gospel reading from Matthew 10. Jesus says continually: ‘don’t be afraid’

The final verses are  especially difficult

‘Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

 It is said there are three god’s today: Family, fun, friends. Think about it; it’s true and especially true as we come out of lockdown. We want to get families back together, to have fun, go to the theatre, pubs, restaurants and party with friends. This is all good, after all Jesus laid down his life for his friends.

BUT what Jesus is saying is who comes first? This new life in Jesus – dying to the old way and giving our lives to him contains a deep mystery, a paradox Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Jim Elliott the 20^th Century missionary and martyr said: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

The amazing thing is that as we give our families, friends and lives to Jesus, He gives them back to us in a more wonderful way. But if we put even our nearest & dearest things first often we find we lose the very thing we were seeking. Jesus said: Seek first his Kingdom…and then all these things will be added to you

That’s being alive in Christ and there’s no better way to live!

If we’ve been baptised now is a good time to renew our Baptismal vows so I invite you to STAND and I’m going to read some words from the baptism service which we can use to renew our baptismal vows today.

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him. Therefore I ask:

Do you renounce evil?

I renounce evil.

Do you repent of your sins?

I repent of my sins.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?

I turn to Christ as Saviour.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

I submit to Christ as Lord.

 

Then sign yourself with the cross as sign that we belong to Jesus.

Almighty God, we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith with all those who have been baptised into your name. Keep us faithful to our baptism, and so make us ready for that day when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

Intercessions by Marion Purll 

Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come; thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Prayers of penitence

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 & faith, firmly resolved to keep God’s commandments & to live in love and peace with all

 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

we have sinned against you

and against our neighbour,

in thought and word and deed,

through negligence, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We are heartily sorry

and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,

who died for us,

forgive us all that is past,

and grant that we may serve you in newness of life

to the glory of thy 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

 

The Lord is here. His Spirit is with us

 

The communion

Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech you; and grant that we receiving this bread and wine, according to your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and blood: who, on the night before he died, he came to supper with his friends and, taking bread he 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. At the end of supper taking the cup of wine; he gave you thanks, and said, drink this all of you; for 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. Amen

We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful

Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold

& great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up

the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord

whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore,

gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus

Christ & to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be

made clean by his body and our souls washed through his

most precious blood & that we may evermore dwell in him,

and he in us. Amen.

 

Prayer after communion

 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.

 

Sing: Hymn of praise

 

Blessing         

 May the Father from whom every family in earth and heaven receives its name strengthen you with his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, and that knowing his love, broad and long, deep and high beyond our understanding, you may be filled with all the fullness of God..…and the blessing                                                                                  

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

Keep well – keep safe – keep praying                     

 

 

 

          

Trinity Sunday service on 7th June 2020

Welcome to Holy Trinity Markbeech. Today is Trinity Sunday so it’s the Patronal festival. Also today we will be looking at Jesus’ Great Commission that has at its heart the Trinity:

…go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

Prayer of preparation

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires

known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the

thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect Trinity Sunday

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy

servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to

acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and, in the power

of the divine majesty, to worship the Unity: we beseech thee

that thou wouldst keep us steadfast in this faith and

evermore defend us from all adversities; who livest and

reignest, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11 to end

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

¹² Greet one another with a holy kiss. ¹³ All God’s people here send their greetings.

¹⁴ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

This the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Alleluia, alleluia. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, one God, who was, and who is, and who is to come the Almighty. Alleluia.

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew Glory be to thee, O Lord

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

This is the gospel of the Lord Praise be to thee O Christ

Sermon

The Great Commission

Today is Trinity Sunday and the gospel passage looks back 2 weeks to the Ascension with the words known as ‘the Great Commission’ ‘Go & make disciples of all nations…’

At the start of Matthew 28 Jesus has died and is in the tomb; then he is arisen and appears to the women saying, Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me

So the eleven disciples go to Galilee where they hear Jesus’ final words, which can be summarised under these headings: Power – Plan – Presence

• Power

Jesus says All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Jesus is risen – death is conquered – and he is about to return into heaven; he is ‘risen, ascended, glorified’. And if this is true, he really is King of Kings & Lord of Lords: He is who he had claimed to be

Consequently there is power in Jesus’ name and that’s partly why I use Jesus’ name as much as I can. It is in his name I preach and we go and it is in his name we pray; he promised to hear us when we pray ‘in his name’. We pray, preach, baptise and bless in his name.

He has authority & power.

• Plan

2 weeks ago I spoke of Jesus having no Plan B: We are his plan!

God is a sending God. He sent Jesus! The word “Go” appears over 1,500 times in Bible: 233 times in the New Testament & 54 times in Matthew’s gospel.

For us ‘Go’ means go out into the community…into the world, yet we tend to say ‘Come’…to church, which is good & it’s great so many are watching recorded & zoom services. But the command is to GO!

For us that might mean blessing the community and I’ve seen s many wonderful examples of this in the Three Spires and more widely.

The command is: Go and make disciples… That’s not church goers; not even Christians but Disciples. So what is a disciple?

It’s a follower of Jesus. Ok but what does that mean?

The hymn ‘O Jesus I have promised’ has these words:

let me see Thy footmarks,
And in them plant mine own;

A follower of Jesus is an imitator of Jesus. The trouble is that’s where breaks down – we’re not Jesus!

Yet ‘Called to Grow’ or any other church strategy emphasises ‘discipleship’ and I’ve said I want to encourage discipleship & prayer. It’s difficult!

Two things about discipleship: Pupil & Purpose

Pupil

Followers of Rabbis in Jesus’ time were known as Disciples because they were learning from their master. So a disciple is a pupil; a learner.

I remember over thirty years ago before the age of visual aids etc the vicar at the church where we worshipped in Tonbridge putting an L plate round his neck whilst in the pulpit to emphasise that we are all life-long learners: all of us, me & you.

If we’re followers of Jesus we should always be learning and growing.

Purpose

We’re also learners with a purpose.

A few years ago I went to Rochester Cathedral to join in a Q and A session with the Archbishop of Canterbury. I asked him about discipleship and he said that just going to church, whilst good, was not really enough if we are to grow as disciples of Christ. What is needed is intentionality, determination and even discipline.

The trouble is it doesn’t sound much fun. It sounds difficult, even impossible and in one sense that’s true.

Discipline or discipleship is like training It has been said that it is Any activity I can do by direct effort that will help me do what I cannot do by direct effort

Susie & I have been going on some walks. Sometimes we see joggers, but we don’t run. If I was asked to run a marathon, I could try, even try quite hard, but I couldn’t do it. But maybe if I trained? I went onto

Google and found a training programme over one year, which starts with: At first, walk for 20 to 30 minutes at a fast pace two to three times per week. Well Susie and I are easily doing that already, so maybe if I trained I could even run a Marathon.

Spiritual disciplines are like training.

The reward is described by Steve Chalke of the Oasis Trust in his book on discipleship: the resultant journey is the most thrilling adventure you will ever experience

So let’s make a start. For example, you could join the weekly Zoom Bible study where we’re going through the CofE booklet: ‘everyday faith’.

The key task of the church – that’s us – is to go & make disciples. So let’s start by disciplining ourselves. After all it was Jesus’ disciples through whom God changed the world; that was the plan – there was no Plan B.

So how on earth can we do the same?

• Presence

The secret is the presence of Jesus.

Jesus left just the 11 disciples and a few other followers. Despite the cross and all that had happened in Jerusalem that first Easter, very few people had even heard of Jesus. Yet by AD 50 there were riots in Rome because of him; by AD 65 Christians being persecuted and by the early 4^th Century the Roman Empire had become Christian.

How did this happen? How did this handful of people turn the world upside down?

The answer is the presence of God. Jesus’ final words in Matthew: Surely I am with you always…

How is that possible? Last week was and the coming of the Holy Spirit. So when it comes to making disciples, it’s a work of the Holy Spirit in and through us.

How can we fulfil the Great Commission? We’re enabled by Jesus’ authority All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me and we’re encouraged & strengthened by his presence Surely I am with you always…

go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Let’s start by being disciples of Jesus.

One final comment: what is puzzling in this reading is that it says that when they saw risen Jesus some doubted. How could that be if they were confronted by risen Jesus, surely following him would be a no brainer?

The Greek word for ‘doubt’ means ‘hesitated’. So what about us….you? Are you a disciple? A follower of Jesus. Or a spectator. Dipping in on-line? A Church goer, maybe for many years. Someone who identifies as a Christian. Or a disciple?

Are you a bit hesitant?

Intercessions by Nicola Talbot

Almighty God, we have come together today on our laptops, ipads, phones and computers to praise and give thanks, to reflect and to repent and to pray for our gratefulness, as well as our needs and hopes. We ask you to help still our minds for a short while to feel your presence with us.

We pray for our children as they begin a new term. We pray for those returning to school and learning to cope with new routines and we pray for those remaining at home with parents coping with teaching and working. We pray for all vulnerable children in our society living in violent abusive homes with no support at this time. Help them, Lord, to learn to trust in you.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we have felt the immense power of your energy during this period of Lockdown. We give thanks for the energetic ministry of Simon and Susie. Help us now to build on that, as did the disciples, so that every day we may see your son more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly, drawn into communion with you and the Holy Spirit. May we be inspired to give ourselves freely to your will for the world and find our true selves in belonging together as we endeavour to live out the gospel.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Creator God, source of all life, when we look at creation, the moon and stars majestic in the heavens, the fledgling birds leaving their nests, the bean shoot pushing through the earth, the fragrant rose, the cows grazing peacefully in the fields around us, who are we human beings that you care so much for us? We have been given an awesome task in caring for this earth. O Lord, help us not to fail you.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for all those in both physical and mental pain and take a moment to bring to mind anyone particularly close to us. We pray for the lonely, the bereaved and all those who have suffered loss.

Lord, we pray for all those whom we have loved who are now departed this life. May they rest in peace, and rise in glory. By your grace, may they and we be one in you in life everlasting.

And a prayer for racism written by the Sisters of Mercy:

Good and gracious God, who loves and delights in all people, we stand in awe before you, knowing that the spark of life within each person on earth is the spark of your divine life. Differences among cultures and races are multicoloured manifestations of your light. May our hearts and minds be open to celebrate similarities and differences among our sisters and brothers. We place our hopes for racial harmony in our committed action and in your presence in our neighbour. May all peoples live in peace

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come; thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayers of penitence

God the Father forgives us in Christ and heals us by the Holy Spirit. Let us therefore put away all anger and bitterness, all slander and malice, and confess our sins to God our redeemer.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

we have sinned against thee

and against our neighbour,

in thought and word and deed,

through negligence, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We are heartily sorry

and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,

who died for us,

forgive us all that is past,

and grant that we may serve thee in newness of life

to the glory of thy 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

The Lord is here. His Spirit is with us

The communion

Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and blood: who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread; and, when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: Do this as oft as ye shall drink it in remembrance of me. Amen

We do not presume to come to this thy table, O merciful

Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold

& great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up

the crumbs under thy table. But thou art the same Lord whose

nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious

Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ & to

drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by

his body and our souls washed through his most precious

blood & that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us.

Amen.

Distribution

Prayer after communion

Almighty God, we thank thee for feeding us

with the body and blood of thy Son Jesus Christ.

Through him we offer thee our souls and bodies

to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of thy Spirit

to live and work to thy praise and glory. Amen.

 Sing: Hymn of praise

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, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen                                                                 

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

Keep safe – keep well – keep praying

Virtual Rogation – prayers and blessings

If you are missing our annual Rogation walk, you will enjoy our virtual Rogation video. Rogation is a way for rural communities to ask God to bless the crops, so we asked a few members of our community to say prayers. Thank you Marielou for putting together this lovely video.

Holy Communion on 10th May

Please join us in prayer today. The text for the service could be found on

https://threespires.wordpress.com/2020/05/09/text-for-holy-communion-on-10th-may/

Christmas Cribs of Three spires

As we had to cancel the Crib Services in the Benefice because of the surge in Covid cases, we made this film of the three cribs and Simon’s blessing.

Nine Lessons and carols

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols presented by the choir of Holy Trinity Markbeech and Reverend Simon Braid.

In these times of Covid we have recorded a socially distanced collection of carols and readings to share the Christmas spirit in our communities. Our Benefice, in the High Weald of Kent, comprises three parishes and although this was based at Holy Trinity, Markbeech, readings were supplied by the whole benefice. Merry Christmas everybody!

Our Nativity Play

A Nativity Play with local children always makes everyone laugh and cry at the same time. It brings joy and it kind of sets the spirit of Christmas.

As this year we could not gather together in church to watch our little ones tell the story of Christmas, we have instead made a film. Enjoy!