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. 

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 

Welcome in the name of Christ.
God’s grace, mercy and peace be with you

and also with you.

Words of Welcome

Invitation to Confession

As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of God’s love,
revealed in Word and Sacrament,
let us call to mind our sins.

Silence is kept.

Father eternal, giver of light and grace,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,
in what we have thought,
in what we have said and done,
through ignorance, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We have wounded your love,
and marred your image in us.
We are sorry and ashamed,
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and lead us out from darkness
to walk as children of light.
Amen.

Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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, who in generous mercy
sent the Holy Spirit upon your Church
in the burning fire of your love:
grant that your people may be fervent
in the fellowship of the gospel
that, always abiding in you,
they may be found steadfast in faith
and active in service;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Please sit.

The Liturgy of the Word

A reading from the book of Exodus.

Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea. But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!” When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.” So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea.

Exodus 14.21-27

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn

Please stand as the gradual hymn is sung. 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.

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, 
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in his justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows 
are more felt than up in heav’n;
there is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgement giv’n.

For the love of God is broader
than the measure of man’s mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
But we make his love too narrow
by false limits of our own;
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own.

There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.
There is grace enough for thousands
of new worlds as great as this;
there is room for fresh creations 
in that upper home of bliss.

If our love were but more simple
we should take him at his word;
and our lives would be all gladness
in the joy of Christ our Lord.

Words: Frederick William Faber (1814-1863)
Music: Maurice Bevan (1921-2006)

Gospel Reading

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

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said: “The Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of pounds.  He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.

“But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.

“But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him just a few hundred pounds.  He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.

“His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded.  But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.

“When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison until he had paid his entire debt.

Matthew 18.21-35

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Please sit after the preacher leads us in prayer.

The Nicene Creed

Please stand with the president.

Let us declare our faith in God.

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living
and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Following an invitation to pray from the intercessor we kneel or sit to pray. The following response is used:

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Then at the end:

Merciful Father,

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

The Liturgy of the Sacrament

Please stand with the president.

The Peace

We are the body of Christ.
In the one Spirit we were all baptised into one body.
Let us then pursue all that makes for peace
and builds up our common life.

cf 1 Corinthians 12.13; Romans 14.19

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

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.

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.

Let us build a house where love can dwell 
and all can safely live, 
a place where saints and children tell 
how hearts learn to forgive. 
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, 
rock of faith and vault of grace; 
here the love of Christ shall end divisions: 
all are welcome, all are welcome, 
all are welcome in this place. 

Let us build a house where prophets speak, 
and words are strong and true, 
where all God’s children dare to seek 
to dream God’s reign anew. 
Here the cross shall stand as witness 
and as symbol of God’s grace; 
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus: 
all are welcome, all are welcome, 
all are welcome in this place. 

Let us build a house where love is found 
in water, wine and wheat: 
a banquet hall on holy ground, 
where peace and justice meet. 
Here the love of God, through Jesus, 
is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us: 
all are welcome, all are welcome, 
all are welcome in this place. 

Let us build a house where hands will reach 
beyond the wood and stone 
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, 
and live the Word they’ve known. 
Here the outcast and the stranger 
bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger:
all are welcome, all are welcome, 
all are welcome in this place. 

Let us build a house where all are named, 
their songs and visions heard, 
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed 
as words within the Word. 
Built of tears and cries and laughter, 
prayers of faith and songs of grace, 
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter: 
all are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place. 

Words & Music: Marty Haugen (b. 1950)
Hymn Tune: TWO OAKS

Taking of the Bread and Wine

Wise and gracious God,
you spread a table before us;
nourish your people with the word of life
and the bread of heaven.

Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer

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.

Why is it right to give thanks and praise?
All children: Listen, and we will hear.

Lord of all life,
you created the universe,
where all living things reflect your glory.
You give us this great and beautiful earth,
to discover and to cherish.
You give us happy times
and things to celebrate.
In these we taste your kingdom,
a feast for all your children.
You made us all,
each wonderfully different,
to join with the angels
and sing your praise:

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 thank you, loving Father,
because, when we turned away,
you sent Jesus, your Son.
He gave his life for us on the cross
and shows us the way to live.
Send your Holy Spirit
that these gifts of bread and wine
may be for us Christ’s body and his blood.

Why do we share this bread and wine?
All children: Listen, and we will hear.

On the night before he died,
when darkness had fallen,
Jesus took bread.
He gave thanks, broke it,
and shared it with his disciples, saying:
‘This is my body, given for you.
Do this to remember me.’

After they had eaten, he took the cup of wine,
gave thanks, and shared it with his disciples, saying:
‘This is my blood, poured out for you and for many,
for the forgiveness of sins.’

So Father, with this bread and this cup
we celebrate his love, his death, his risen life.
As you feed us with these gifts,
send your Holy Spirit,
and change us more and more
to be like Jesus our Saviour.

How do we follow Jesus Christ?
All children: Listen, and we will hear.

Help us, Father, to love one another,
as we look forward to that day
when suffering is ended,
and all creation is gathered in your loving arms.
And now with the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your saints
we give you glory,
through Jesus Christ,
in the strength of the Spirit,
today and for ever.

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.

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.

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

God’s holy gifts
for God’s holy people.

Jesus Christ is holy,
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

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’).

To the words “The Body/Blood of Christ” the communicant replies “Amen”.

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

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you 
for all the benefits you have won for us,
for all the pains and insults you have borne for us.
Most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may we know you more clearly, 
love you more dearly 
and follow you more nearly 
day by day. 
Amen.

Motet

The choir sings a motet.

Hymns

The following communion hymns may be sung during the distribution as time allows. Please remain seated.

Jesus, name above all names,
beautiful Saviour, glorious Lord,
Emmanuel, God is with us,
blessèd Redeemer, living Word.

Words & Music: Naida Hearn (b. 1944)
Music arrangement: Richard Hey Lloyd (1933-2021)

Dear Lord and Father of mankind, 
forgive our foolish ways! 
re-clothe us in our rightful mind, 
in purer lives thy service find, 
in deeper rev’rence praise, 
in deeper rev’rence praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard, 
beside the Syrian sea, 
the gracious calling of the Lord, 
let us, like them, without a word 
rise up and follow thee, 
rise up and follow thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee! 
O calm of hills above, 
where Jesus knelt to share with thee 
the silence of eternity, 
interpreted by love, 
interpreted by love!

Drop thy still dews of quietness, 
till all our strivings cease; 
take from our souls the strain and stress, 
and let our ordered lives confess 
the beauty of thy peace, 
the beauty of thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire 
thy coolness and thy balm; 
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire; 
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire, 
O still small voice of calm, 
O still small voice of calm! 

Words: John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)
Music: Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1918)
Hymn Tune: REPTON

The Post Communion Prayer

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

Keep, O Lord, your Church,
with your perpetual mercy;
and, because without you our
human frailty cannot but fall,
keep us ever by your help from all things hurtful,
and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Father of all,
we give you thanks and praise,
that when we were still far off
you 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.

A hymn is sung.

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven! 
To his feet thy tribute bring; 
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, 
who like thee his praise should sing? 
Praise him! Praise him! 
Praise him! Praise him! 
Praise the everlasting King.

Praise him for his grace and favour 
to our fathers in distress; 
praise him still the same as ever, 
slow to chide and swift to bless. 
Praise him! Praise him! 
Praise him! Praise him! 
Glorious in his faithfulness! 

Father-like, he tends and spares us; 
well our feeble frame he knows; 
in his hands he gently bears us, 
rescues us from all our foes. 
Praise him! Praise him! 
Praise him! Praise him! 
Widely as his mercy flows! 

Angels, help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise with us the God of grace.

Words: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) based on Psalm 103 
Music: John Goss (1800-1880) 
Hymn Tune: PRAISE, MY SOUL 

The Dismissal

The Blessing

The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
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

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.