The Gathering

Our worship begins at the sound of the bell, please stand as the sacred ministers enter, during which the introit hymn is sung.

Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest-home!
All is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin;
God, our maker, doth provide
for our wants to be supplied;
come to God’s own temple, come;
raise the song of harvest-home!

We ourselves are God’s own field,
fruit unto his praise to yield;
wheat and tares together sown,
unto joy or sorrow grown;
first the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear:
grant, O harvest Lord, that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take his harvest home,
from his field shall purge away
all that doth offend, that day;
give his angels charge at last
in the fire the tares to cast,
but the fruitful ears to store
in his garner evermore.

Then, thou Church triumphant, come,
raise the song of harvest-home;
all be safely gathered in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there for ever purified
in God’s garner to abide:
come, ten thousand angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest-home!

Words: Henry Alford (1810-1871) alt.
Music: Sir George Job Elvey (1816-1893)
Hymn Tune: SAINT GEORGE’S WINDSOR

In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

God is able to provide us with every blessing in abundance,
so that by always having enough of everything,
we may share abundantly in every good work.

cf. 2 Corinthians 9.8

Let everything be said and done in the name of the Lord Jesus

giving thanks to God through Jesus Christ.

Let us bring our gifts to the Lord

that they may be used for his glory.

May the Spirit of God fill our hearts

as we come to meet him in this place.

Words of Welcome

Invitation to Confession

As those who know the generosity of God,
let us confess our sins,
especially the ways in which we take his good gifts for granted.

Father, in creation you are generous towards us,
yet we have sown sparingly;

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, you show us the way of humility,
yet we have given reluctantly;

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, you show us the gift of grace,
yet we have loved grudgingly;

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Almighty God,
who in Jesus Christ has given us
a kingdom that cannot be destroyed,
forgive us our sins,
open our eyes to God’s truth,
strengthen us to do God’s will
and give us the joy of his kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Gloria in Excelsis

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

The Collect

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’.

God of grace, ever creating and restoring,
you breathe life into all things
and embrace us with an everlasting love;
help us to grow in wonder and awe,
to embody a spirit of gratitude,
and to dream generous dreams;
that, in gathering what we have,
we may graciously offer ourselves
to accomplish what you will,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

Please sit.

A reading from the book of Proverbs.

Thus says the wisdom of God:
Does not wisdom call,
    and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
    at the entrance of the portals she cries out:

“To you, O people, I call,
    and my cry is to all that live.
The Lord created me at the beginning of his
    work, the first of his acts of long ago.
Ages ago I was set up,
    at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
    when there were no springs abounding with
    water.
Before the mountains had been shaped,
    before the hills, I was brought forth—
when he had not yet made earth and fields,
    or the world’s first bits of soil.
When he established the heavens, I was there,
    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
when he made firm the skies above,
    when he established the fountains of the deep,
when he assigned to the sea its limit,
    so that the waters might not transgress his
    command,
when he marked out the foundations of the
    earth, then I was beside him, like a master
    worker;
and I was daily his delight,
    rejoicing before him always,
rejoicing in his inhabited world
    and delighting in the human race.

Proverbs 8.1-4, 22-31

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Please stand as the gradual hymn is sung. During the hymn a procession will make its way to the centre of the nave from where the Gospel for the day is read. To symbolise our desire to turn to Christ in our daily lives, at the end of the hymn we remain standing and turn to face the place where the Gospel is proclaimed.

Praise, O praise our God and King;
hymns of adoration sing:
for his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.

Praise him that he made the sun
day by day his course to run:
for his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.

And the silver moon by night,
shining with her gentle light:
for his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.

Praise him that he gave the rain
to mature the swelling grain:
for his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.

And hath bid the fruitful field
crops of precious increase yield:
for his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.

Praise him for our harvest-store;
he hath filled the garner-floor:
for his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.

Glory to our bounteous King;
glory let creation sing:
glory to the Father, Son
and blest Spirit, Three in One.

Words: Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877)
Music: from ‘Hymn Tunes of the United Brethren’ (1824)
adapted by John Bernard Wilkes (1785-1869)
Hymn Tune: MONKLAND

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

 Matthew 6.25-34

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Please sit after the preacher leads us in prayer.

A Litany of Generosity

Please stand

Let us give thanks to God
for his gifts so generously given to us,
and for the blessings we are called to share.

For recognising that all things come from you,
for remembering that we are stewards of your gifts,
for wisely using the resources entrusted to us.

We offer ourselves to you, O God.

For rejoicing in the beauty of creation,
for the care of your world,
for sharing the fruits of creation equally among all people.

We offer ourselves to you, O God.

For encountering the joy of giving,
for humility in putting others’ needs before our own,
for embracing the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints.

We offer ourselves to you, O God.

For courage in offering sacrificial generosity,
for giving to be an act of worship,
for grace in offering our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice.

We offer ourselves to you, O God.

For all financial gifts offered to your Church,
for freely giving as we have received,
for giving and not counting the cost.

We offer ourselves to you, O God.

For releasing our hold on material possessions,
for contentment in what we have,
for trust in letting go.

We offer ourselves to you, O God.

For gathering the harvest,
for thankfulness in all you have given,
for reflecting on what you are calling us to create.

We offer ourselves to you, O God.

For generosity in love, encouragement and hope,
for openness in invitation and hospitality,
for wisdom in the gift of friendship.

We offer ourselves to you, O God.

For serving you as you deserve,
for following our calling as your disciples,
for serving you with gladness of heart.

We offer ourselves to you, O God.

For being a blessing through the blessings we receive,
for generosity which enables mission,
for sharing abundantly in every good work.

We offer ourselves to you, O God.

For living a generous life,
for our actions to point beyond themselves,
for our generosity to be an expression of love and gratitude.

We offer ourselves to you, O God.

Further brief intercessions are offered, ending with;

Source of all life and giver of all that is good,

hear our prayer,
and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever.
Amen.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament

Please stand with the president.

The Peace

The harvest of the Spirit is love, generosity, peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Preparation of the Table

The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.   

Harvest gifts for the Foodbank based at St. Richard’s in Seacroft are brought forward and placed under the altar.

A Hymn is sung.

All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.

Each little flow’r that opens,
each little bird that sings,
he made their glowing colours,
he made their tiny wings.

All things bright and beautiful…

The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning,
that brightens up the sky.

All things bright and beautiful…

The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
he made them ev’ry one.

All things bright and beautiful…

He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we may tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well.

All things bright and beautiful…

Words: Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895)
Music: William Henry Monk (1823-1889)
Hymn Tune: ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

Taking of the Bread and Wine

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
you bring forth bread from the earth.

Blessed be God for ever.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
you create the fruit of the vine.

Blessed be God for ever.

The Eucharistic Prayer (E)

Please sit.

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.

Eternal God and Father,
all things are in your making.
In fulfilment of your promise
you have showered us with blessings
and filled us with your gifts.
You form us in your image, the first fruits of your creation,
and by your Holy Spirit embed within us generous hearts
that we may be channels of your self-giving love.
Through your Son Jesus Christ,
you have freed us from our sins
and made us a kingdom of priests
to serve you with joy for ever.
Therefore with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we proclaim your great and glorious name,
for ever praising you and singing:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

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 outpoured
may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends
and, taking bread, he praised you.
He broke the bread, 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 favour on your people,
gather us in your loving arms
and bring us with Blessed Mary and all the saints
to feast at your table in heaven.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,
for ever and ever.

Amen. (Sung)

Silence is kept.

The Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.

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.

Breaking of the Bread

The president breaks the consecrated bread.

O taste and see that the Lord is gracious;

blessed is the one who trusts in him.

The Agnus Dei is sung as the bread is broken for distribution.

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.

Invitation to Communion

Jesus is the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed are those who are called to his supper.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

The president and people receive communion. All baptised Christians are welcome to receive the sacrament. Please follow the guidance offered by the stewards.

If you are not baptised, or would prefer to not receive then do still come forward for a blessing bringing this book with you so the president knows your intention.

The president receives communion in both kinds. To reduce the risk of spreading any infection, communion will continue to be offered in one kind (bread) only. This is still considered to be complete communion by the Church of England.

To the words ‘The Body of Christ’ the communicant replies “Amen”. Prior to then on drinking from the cup the president says ‘The Blood of Christ shed for us all’ to which those present reply “Amen.”

For those at home it might be helpful to use this prayer during the distribution.

Lord, as you send rain and flowers
even in the wilderness,
renew us by your Holy Spirit,
help us to sow good seed in time of adversity
and to live to rejoice in your good harvest of all creation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Choir Anthem

Fairest Lord Jesus, Lord of all creation,
Jesus, of God and Mary the Son;
Thee will I cherish, thee will I honour,
O thou my soul’s delight and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the verdure and bloom of spring.
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
He makes the saddest heart to sing.

Fair are the flowers, fairer still the sons of men,
In all the freshness of youth arrayed:
Yet is their beauty fading and fleeting;
My Jesus, thine will never fade.

Words: 17^th century German text
translated by Lilian Sinclair Stevenson (1870-1960)
Music: Silesian folk song (1842)
arr. Martin John Richard How (b. 1931)

A Hymn is sung.

Thanks for the fellowship found at this meal,
thanks for a day refreshed;
thanks to the Lord for his presence we feel,
thanks for the food he blessed.
Joyfully sing praise to the Lord,
praise to the risen Son,
alleluia, ever adored,
pray that his will be done.
As he was known in the breaking of bread,
now is he known again;
and by his hand have the hungry been fed,
thanks be to Christ. Amen!

Words: Jean Holloway (b. 1939)
Music: Scottish traditional melody arr. Dr Colin Hand (1929-2015)
Hymn Tune: SKYE BOAT SONG

The Post Communion Prayer

Please stand with the president who introduces a time of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’.

Loving and righteous God,
here at your table we have tasted your goodness and generosity

which exceeds all that we can desire or deserve;

liberate us from all jealousy and greed,

that we may respond cheerfully by offering ourselves,
and love and serve others to witness to your glory,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A hymn is sung.

We plough the fields and scatter
the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered
by God’s almighty hand:
he sends the snow in winter,
the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes and the sunshine,
and soft, refreshing rain.

All good gifts around us
are sent from heav’n above;
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,
for all his love.

He only is the maker
of all things near and far;
he paints the wayside flower,
he lights the evening star;
he fills the earth with beauty,
by him the birds are fed;
much more to us, his children,
he gives our daily bread.

All good gifts around us…

We thank thee then, O Father,
for all things bright and good:
the seed-time and the harvest,
our life, our health, our food.
Accept the gifts we offer
for all thy love imparts,
and, what thou most desirest,
our humble, thankful hearts.

All good gifts around us…

Words: Matthias Claudius (1740-1815)
translated by Jane Montgomery Campbell (1817-1878) alt.
Music: Johann Abraham Peter Shulz (1747-1800)
harmonised by John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876)
Hymn Tune: WIR PFLÜGEN

The Dismissal

The Blessing

May God the Father,
who clothes the lilies of the field
and feeds the birds of the air,
provide you with all we need for life in its fullness.

Amen.

May God the Son,
who fed the five thousand and turned water into wine,
feed you with his life and transform us in his love.

Amen.

May God the Holy Spirit,
who hovered over the waters of creation
and formed the world from chaos,
form you in the likeness of Christ and renew the face of the earth.

Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

The Dismissal

Freely you have received, freely give.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.