Welcome to the Parish Church of St Mark

Serving the people of Broomhill & Broomhall

L i v i n g , T h i n k i n g F a i t h

The Feast ofGod’s Kingdom

A Service of Holy Communion

Pledge Sunday

Sunday 26 November 2017 at 10am

Please leave this Service booklet in church

Service sheets can also be found on our website: www.stmarkssheffield.co.uk

Welcome

Welcome to this service of Christian hospitality, especially if you are new to St Mark’s. Please stay for refreshments afterwards and say hello to a member of the welcome team or clergy before you go.

As we gather, we celebrate the diversity of our human experience. We are not all the same, but together as one body we can discover deeper truths than are possible when we remain apart.

Thank you for being here today.

Today’s hymns and Collect are printed in the blue sheet along with page references for the Bible readings. There are Bibles at the back of church - please help yourself if you would like one.

There are also yellow booklets (LARGE PRINT) available which contain the service printed out in full if you would find that easier to follow.

To use the Induction Loop, please select the T setting on your hearing aid.

Please silence or switch off mobile phones and pagers before the service begins. Thank you.

Preparing for worship

We want communion, a world renewed,we hope against hope.

With the God of history we want to make all things new.

Brazilian young people. (World Council of Churches)

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Gathering

Welcome

Opening Hymn

1. Lord, for the yearsyour love has kept and guided,urged and inspired us,cheered us on our way,sought us and saved us,pardoned and provided,Lord of the years,we bring our thanks today.

3. Lord, for our world;when we disown and doubt him,loveless in strength,and comfortless in pain;hungry and helpless,lost indeed without him:Lord of the world,we pray that Christ may reign.

2. Lord, for that word,the word of life which fires us,speaks to our heartsand sets our souls ablaze,teaches and trains,rebukes us and inspires us,Lord of the word,receive your people's praise.

4. Lord, for ourselves;in living pow'r remake us,self on the crossand Christ upon the throne;past put behind us,for the future take us,Lord of our lives,to live for Christ alone.

Words: Timothy Dudley-SmithTune: Lord of the Years

Prayers of Approach

May God be with you: and also with you.

EVER-LOVING 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.

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We remain standing until the first reading. If you would be more comfortable, please feel free to sit down.

Gloria

LAUDATE Dominum, Praise the Lord,laudate Dominum, Praise the Lord,omnes gentes, alleluia. peoples, nations. Alleluia.

Jacques Berthier (1923-94), Taizé.

The Collect

SOVEREIGN GOD:entrust to us a hunger for justice;invest in us a yearning for your kingdom;and sow in us a desire for service;may we use the many gifts that we have been givento respond to the needs of this world.Through Christ, our servant King. Amen

Journeying together in Faith

As we prepare to explore God’s word,let us pray together:May God guide each of us in the way of Christ,whatever our age or experience.The love of God be with us all. Amen.

The children, young people and leaders go into their group. Please sit.

Attending

We sit to sing the next hymn (instead of a first reading).

Gradual Hymn

1. Take this moment, sign and space;take my friends around;here among us make the placewhere your love is found.

2. Take the time to call my name,take the time to mendwho I am and what I've been,all I've failed to tend.

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3. Take the tiredness of my days,take my past regret,letting your forgiveness touchall I can't forget.

4. Take the little child in me,scared of growing old;help him (her) here to find his (her) worthmade in Christ's own mould.

5. Take my talents, take my skills,take what's yet to be;let my life be yours, and yet,let it still be me.

Gospel: Matthew 25: 14-30 (New Testament, page 27)

The good news is proclaimed from the heart of the worshipping community.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.Glory to you, O Lord.

JESUS said to his disciples, The Kingdom of heaven is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

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Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

At the end :

This is the Gospel of the Lord.Praise to you, O Christ.

Pledge Sunday Presentation

RespondingPrayers of the People

This or another set of biddings and responses is used.

Your kingdom come. God of justice, truth and love.Your will be done. Inspire us with your Spirit

to let your Kingdom come. Amen.

Prayers of Penitence

Let us acknowledge before Godthe sins and shortcomings of the world;its pride, its selfishness, its greed;its evil divisions and hatreds.Let us confess our share in what is wrong,and our failure to seek and establish that peacewhich God wills for all people.

Silence for reflection.

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MERCIFUL GOD,we confess that we have sinnedin thought, word and deed.We have not loved you with our whole heart.We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.In your mercy forgive what we have been,help us to amend what we are,and direct what we shall be;that we may do justly, love mercy,and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

God who is both power and love,forgive you and free you from your sins,heal and strengthen you by the Spirit,and raise you to new life in Christ. Amen.

Greeting of Peace

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are God’s own.We meet in Christ’s name and share in his peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.And also with you.

We share a sign of peace with those around us, remembering also those from whom we are estranged.

Offertory Hymn

A collection is taken for the mission and ministry of St Mark’s. If you are a taxpayer, please place your gift in one of the yellow envelopes provided, writing your name and address on the front. If you leave the envelope blank, we are unable to reclaim tax under the ‘Gift Aid’ scheme. Thank you.

1.Lord, enthroned in heav'nly splendour,first begotten from the dead,thou alone, our strong defender,liftest up thy people's head.Alleluia, alleluia,

2.Here our humblest homage pay we,here in loving rev’rence bow;here for faith's discernment pray we,lest we fail to know thee now.

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Jesu, true and living bread. Alleluia, alleluia,thou art here, we ask not how.

3.Though the lowliest form doth veil theeas of old in Bethlehem,here as there thine angels hail thee,Branch and Flow'r of Jesse's Stem.Alleluia, alleluia,we in worship join with them.

4.Paschal Lamb, thine off'ring, finishedonce for all when thou wast slain,in its fullness undiminishedshall for evermore remain.Alleluia, alleluia,cleansing souls from ev'ry stain.

5.Life-imparting heav'nly manna,stricken rock with streaming side,heav'n and earth with loud hosannaworship thee, the Lamb who died.Alleluia, alleluia,ris'n, ascended, glorified!

Words: George Hugh Bourne (1840-1925) Tune: St Helen

AbidingPreparation

Tokens of our response to God, bread and wine, and the collection, are offered.

We pray together,

Eternal God,we offer this bread,made from the grain of life;we bring this wine, symbol of life poured out;we give this money,the work of our hands.Receive them for the renewal of the world. Amen

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The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

Let us pray (we sit or kneel)

May God be with youand also with you.

Lift up your hearts.We lift them to God.

Let us give thanks to our gracious God:It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed good and right,to offer you our thanks and praise.For you are the hope of the nations,the builder of the city that is to come.

Your love made visible in Jesus Christbrings home the lost, restores the sinnerand gives dignity to the despised.In his face your light shines out,flooding lives with goodness and truth,gathering into one in your kingdoma divided and broken humanity.

Therefore with allwho can give voice in your creationwe glorify your name,for ever praising you and singing:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,God of truth and love,heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he, O blessed is he,who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Setting from ‘St Anne’s MassHosanna in the highest. by James Macmillan (b 1959).

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Accept our praises, heavenly Father,through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,and as we follow his exampleand obey his command,grant that by the power of your Holy Spiritthese gifts of bread and winemay be to us his body and his blood;who, in the same night that he was betrayed,took bread and gave you thanks;he broke 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.In the same way, after supper, he took the cup and gave you thanks;he gave it to them, saying: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.Therefore, heavenly Father,we remember his offering of himselfmade once for all upon the cross;we proclaim his mighty resurrectionand glorious ascension;we look for the coming of your kingdom,and with this bread and this cupwe make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.Great is the mystery of faith:Christ has died:Christ is risen:Christ will come again.Accept through him, our great high priest,this our sacrifice of thanks and praise,and as we eat and drink these holy giftsin the presence of your divine majesty,renew us by your Spirit,inspire us with your loveand unite us in the body of your Son,Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Through him, and with him, and in him,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,with all who stand before you in earth and heaven,we worship you, Father almighty,in songs of everlasting praise:

Blessing and honour and glory and powerbe yours for ever and ever. Amen.

Common Worship, Prayer A.

Lord’s Prayer & Sharing in Communion

As we long for the coming of God’s kingdom, we pray together:

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 sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the powerand the glory are yoursnow and for ever. Amen.

The bread is broken.

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.

Words of invitation follow.

Jesus says, I am the bread of life,whoever comes to me will never be hungry;whoever believes in me will never thirst.Taste and see that the Lord is good:happy are those who place their trust in God.

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Everyone is invited to share in the communion through receiving the bread and wine or, if preferred, a prayer of blessing. Please approach the altar rail with those around you. Gluten-free bread rolls are used.

During administration, we sing together:

The kingdom of God is justice and peaceand joy in the Holy Spirit.Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.

Taizé. Afterwards, the choir will sing the anthem, King Of Glory, King of Peace by JS Bach, arr. Harris

At the conclusion, silence is shared.

VenturingPrayers of Commitment

Let us pray.

LOVING GOD, we give you thanks and praise,that when we were still far offyou met us in your Son and brought us home.Dying and living, he declared your love,gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.May we who share Christ's body live his risen life;we who drink his cup bring life to others;we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,so we and all your children shall be free,and the whole earth live to praise your name;through Christ our Lord. Amen. Common Worship

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Blessing

Go forth into the world in peace;be of good courage;hold fast that which is good;render to no one evil for evil;strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak;help the afflicted; honour all people;

and the blessing of God,Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer,be among you, and all whom you love,both living and departed, now and always. Amen.

Final Hymn 1.

I, the Lord of sea and sky,I have heard my people cry.All who dwell in dark and sinmy hand will save.I who made the stars of night,I will make their darkness bright.Who will bear my light to them?Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?I have heard you calling in the night.I will go, Lord, if you lead me.I will hold your people in my heart.

2. I, the Lord of snow and rain,I have borne my people's pain.I have wept for love of them.They turn away.I will break their hearts of stone,give them hearts for love alone.I will speak my word to them.Whom shall I send?

3. I, the Lord of wind and flame,I will tend the poor and lame.I will set a feast for them.My hand will save.Finest bread I will providetill their hearts be satisfied.I will give my life to them.Whom shall I send?

Words and Tune: Dan Schutte (b. 1947)

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Commission (please face the back of church)

Lord Jesus Christ, you have put your life in our hands.Now we put our lives in yours.

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

Organ voluntary

Sharing in the hospitality of Christcontinues after this service with refreshments,

on Wednesdays at Lunch Club,on Fridays at Broomhall Breakfast,

on Saturdays at Soup Run, and wherever and whenever

food and friendship are offered in Christ’s name.

Printed on Recycled Paper.

The following sources have been used in compiling this service: ‘Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England,’ and ‘Common Worship: Times and Seasons,’ copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000 & 2006; as well as Industrial

Christian Fellowship and North Western Baptist Association and locally crafted texts. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible,

Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995. The musical setting for the liturgy is ‘St Anne’s Mass,’ by James Macmillan. Hymns and songs are reproduced under Church

Copyright Licence Number 294846. The image on the front cover is of a mosaic on the floor of the 4th century church of

the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes in Tabgha, Galilee.

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