Harvest Sunday

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!

All the world is 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)
Music: 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.

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 Deuteronomy.

“If you will only obey the Lord your God, by diligently observing all his commandments that I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth; all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the Lord your God:

“Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.

“Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your livestock, both the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock.

“Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

“Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

“The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you undertake; he will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in his ways. All the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. The Lord will make you abound in prosperity, in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground in the land that the Lord swore to your ancestors to give you. The Lord will open for you his rich storehouse, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all your undertakings. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. The Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be only at the top and not at the bottom—if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today by diligently observing them, and if you do not turn aside from any of the words that I am commanding you today, either to the right or to the left, following other gods to serve them.

Deuteronomy 28.1-14

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.

Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
Sing and praise your God and mine!
Great the Lord in love and wisdom,
Might and majesty divine!
He who framed the starry heavens
Knows and names them as they shine.
Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
Sing and praise your God and mine!

Praise the Lord for times and seasons,
Cloud and sunshine, wind and rain;
Spring to melt the snows of winter
Till the waters flow again;
Grass upon the mountain pastures,
Golden valleys thick with grain.
Praise the Lord for times and seasons,
Cloud and sunshine, wind and rain.

Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
Peace and plenty crown your days!
Love his laws, declare his judgements,
Walk in all his words and ways;
He the Lord and we his children,
Praise the Lord, all people, praise!
Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
Peace and plenty crown your days!

Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith (b. 1926)
Music: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
arranged by Christopher Tambling (1964-2015)
Hymn Tune: ODE TO JOY

Gospel Reading

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

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus told the people a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, 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, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith! And do not keep seeking what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that seek all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

Luke 12.16-30

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Please sit after the preacher leads us in prayer.

The Liturgy of Initiation

Presentation of the Candidates

The president asks the whole congregation:

Faith is the gift of God to his people.
In baptism the Lord is adding to our number
those whom he is calling.

People of God, will you welcome Rachel Elizabeth
and uphold her in her life in Christ?

With the help of God, we will.

The Decision

At the baptism of a child, the president then says to the parents and godparents

Parents and godparents, the Church receives
Rachel Elizabeth with joy.
Today we are trusting God for her growth in faith.
Will you pray for her,
draw her by your example into the community of faith
and walk with her in the way of Christ?

With the help of God, we will.

In baptism this child begins her journey in faith.
You speak for her today.
Will you care for her,
and help her to take her place
within the life and worship of Christ’s Church?

With the help of God, we will.

The president addresses the candidate through their parents and Godparents.

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 reject the devil and all rebellion against God?

I reject them.

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?

I renounce them.

Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?

I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?

I turn to Christ.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

I submit to Christ.

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?

I come to Christ.

Signing with the Cross

The president makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the candidate with the oil of baptism, saying:

Christ claims you for his own.
Receive the sign of his cross.

Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.

Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ
against sin, the world and the devil,
and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.

May almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness,
restore in you the image of his glory,
and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ.

Amen.

Prayer over the Water

Please stand. The president and candidates gather at the font. Water is poured into the font.

Praise God who made heaven and earth,

who keeps his promise for ever.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

Loving Father,
we thank you for your servant Moses,
who led your people through the waters of the Red Sea
to freedom in the Promised Land.
We thank you for your Son Jesus,
who has passed through the deep waters of death
and opened for all the way of salvation.
Now send your Spirit,
that those who are washed in this water
may die with Christ and rise with him,
to find true freedom as your children,
alive in Christ for ever.

Amen.

Profession of Faith

The president addresses the congregation.

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess
together with this candidate
the faith of the Church.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

The president pours water on the candidates, saying:

Rachel Elizabeth, I baptise you
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The president signs the candidate with the oil of Chrism.

May God, who has received you by baptism into his Church,
pour upon you the riches of his grace,
that within the company of Christ’s pilgrim people
you may daily be renewed by his anointing Spirit,
and come to the inheritance of the saints in glory.

Amen.

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism:
by one Spirit we are all baptised into one body.

Rachel Elizabeth, we welcome you in the fellowship of faith;
we are children of the same heavenly Father;
we welcome you.

The congregation welcome the newly baptised with a round of applause.

A Litany of Generosity

Please kneel or sit after these words of introduction.

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.

This is usually a handshake shared with those near 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. During this hymn a collection, our financial offering in support of the work of the Church both at St. Mary’s and across our diocese, is taken.

You can place cash or giving envelopes in the collection plates as they are passed around. If you would prefer, or if you miss the plate, you can also give by tapping your contactless card or device on the giving kiosk by the door as you leave, or on our donations page.

All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, alleluia!
The flow’rs and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them his glory also show:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, three in One. 
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Words: William Draper (1855-1933)
based on the ‘Cantico di Frate Sole’ of St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
Music: melody from ‘Geistliche Kirchengesang’, Cologne (1623)
arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Hymn Tune: LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power,
the glory, the splendour, and the majesty;
for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.

All things come from you
and of your own do we give you.

The Eucharistic Prayer (E)

Please kneel or 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.
Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessèd is he, O blessèd is he 
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest, 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.

Christ is the bread of life:

When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory, until you come in glory.

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, St. Francis of Assisi,
George Bell, William Tyndale 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. Amen.

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.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins o 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 sacrament is available in both kinds, however if you wish to only receive the bread please do so and then return to your place. Receiving in one kind is still considered to be full communion by the Church of England. Please do not dip bread in the wine (sometimes called ‘intincting’).

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

Thou visitest the earth, and blessest it, and blessest it:
And crownest the year, the year with thy goodness.

Thou visitest the earth, and blessest it, and blessest it:
Thou crownest the year, the year with thy goodness.

Words: Psalm 65 verses 9 and 12
Music: Maurice Greene (1696-1755)

The following communion hymns may be sung during the distribution, as time permits.

Think of a world without any flowers,
Think of a world without any trees,
Think of a sky without any sunshine,
Think of the air without any breeze.
We thank you, Lord, for flow’rs and trees and sunshine,
We thank you, Lord, and praise your holy name.

Think of a world without any animals,
Think of a field without any herd,
Think of a stream without any fishes,
Think of a dawn without any bird.
We thank you, Lord, for all your living creatures,
We thank you, Lord, and praise your holy name.

Think of a world without any people,
Think of a street with no-one living there,
Think of a town without any houses,
No-one to love and nobody to care.
We thank you, Lord, for families and friendships,
We thank you, Lord, and praise your holy name.

Words: Doreen Newport (1927-2004)
Music: Graham Westcott (b. 1947)
arranged by Colin Hand (1929-2015)
Hymn Tune: GENESIS

All that I am, all that I do,
All that I’ll ever have I offer now to you.
Take and sanctify these gifts
For your honour, Lord.
Knowing that I love and serve you
Is enough reward.
All that I am, all that I do,
All that I’ll ever have I offer now to you.

All that I dream, all that I pray,
All that I’ll ever make I give to you today.
Take and sanctify these gifts
For your honour, Lord.
Knowing that I love and serve you
Is enough reward.
All that I am, all that I do,
All that I’ll ever have I offer now to you.

Words & Music: Sebastian Temple (1928-1997)
Music arrangement: Christopher Tambling (1964-2015)

Fair waved the golden corn
In Canaan’s pleasant land,
When full of joy, some shining morn,
Went forth the reaper-band.

To God so good and great
Their cheerful thanks they pour;
Then carry to his temple-gate
The choicest of their store.

Like Israel, Lord, we give
Our earliest fruits to thee,
And pray that, long as we shall live,
We may thy children be.

Thine is our youthful prime,
And life and all its pow’rs;
Be with us in our morning time,
And bless our evening hours.

In wisdom let us grow,
As years and strength are giv’n,
That we may serve thy Church below,
And join thy saints in heav’n.

Words: John Hampden Gurney (1802-1862)
Music: James Watson (1816-1880
Hymn Tune: HOLYROOD

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;
The winds and waves obey him,
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 Schulz (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.

Giving of a Lighted Candle

The president gives to the newly baptised a lighted candle lit from the Paschal Candle and then says:

God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness
and has given us a place with the saints in light.
Rachel Elizabeth you have received the light of Christ;
walk in this light all the days of your life.

Shine as a light in the world
to the glory of God the Father.

The Dismissal

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

In the name of Christ. Amen.