Theme: ‘Secrets of the Kingdom’
Preparation
Opening
Opening Hymn: Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Opening Prayer
As we enter God’s holy presence this morning,
are you ready to hear again about God’s kingdom?
Come, open your hearts and minds
to see the kingdom around us and within us.
Come, and worship the living God.
Amen.
O God, mere words cannot convey
what a privilege it is to be heirs to your kingdom.
As we explore your word today,
help us to learn about new treasures as well as old.
May we see the amazing things you can do in our lives.
We are part of your kingdom,
and we come to you in awe and wonder.
Amen.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving
Marvellous and mighty Lord,
we are forever grateful
for all the good gifts you give us,
for eyes to see,
for ears to hear,
for a brain to understand,
and a heart to love.
We praise you, Lord.
Amen.
Readings
Response: I will exalt you oh God, my King.
The Gospel: Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52
Jesus tells parables that seek to convey what the kingdom of heaven is ‘like’ or ‘similar to’. Some are about the way it grows and spreads, others stress its value compared to anything else in life.
Audio reflection: based on the Gospel
Reflection:
- What are the things in your daily life that you would describe as ‘gems’ ?
- How might we make the Kingdom of heaven more visible ?
Prayer
Prayers of Intercession:
Lord, you took so much care to describe your kingdom
in ways everyone could understand, including us.
Your kingdom come, O Lord.
Your will be done.
We pray today that you will pass on to us
that gift of making ourselves accessible.
Keep us
from being a stumbling block to those who would seek you;
from using language that puzzles;
from actions that confuse;
from anything that keeps us apart from your people around us.
Your kingdom come, O Lord.
Your will be done.
Amen.
Collect for Trinity7:
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. Amen.
The ‘Our Father’
We draw all our prayers together in the words of –
Our Father who art in heaven…
…for ever and ever. Amen.
Affirmation of Faith:
We believe in God the Father
From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son
Who lives in our hearts through faith and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit
Who strengthens us with power from on high.
We believe in one God
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. based on Ephesians 3
A sending out prayer
Lord, it’s not up to us to sort the bad from the good,
the wheat from the weeds.
Rather, send us out to love everyone equally,
and to do everything we can to promote your kingdom.
Amen.
Closing Hymn: God is love, and where true love is, God himself is there
Organ Voluntary: