11:00 am – Sunday Holy Communion

United Benefice of Altham and Clayton-le-Moors

Fourteenth   Sunday after Trinity 

This service is live in church, with all the usual COVID restrictions, but it will be streamed so if you are unable to attend you can view it online.Now most of the words will also appear when you view the service on line so it will be easier to follow the service.

However, below are the day’s readings plus the intercessions for reference, as there will not appear on screen.

First reading: James 2:1-17

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faithand to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “You shall not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

 

Second reading: Mark 7: 24 -37

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[g] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.[h] 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sighsaid to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Intercessions

Lord of light and vision, open our eyes and hearts to be aware of your presence, to know your love and see your purpose for us all, help us to become what you have called us to be. In our prayers today we bring before God our world, our community and our families and friends.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

We pray for your Church around the world with its rich diversity of worship, service and mission.  We pray for the life, teaching and fellowship of our United Benefice and we pray especially for Toby, our Wardens and PCC’s. Help us to support and care for one another and may we listen more attentively to your words both in worship and in daily life.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our Prayer.

We remember nations and their leaders. Help us all to work together to share resources, we think especially about the climate crisis and those hit by storm Ida across US states. We think about the migrant crisis, we remember those fleeing Afghanistan and the misery of refugees.

We pray that your spirit will move in the hearts of people that the barriers of fear, race, suspicion and hatred, which separate so many, may crumble and disappear; bringing peace and hope into all our lives.

Lord in Your mercy. Hear our prayer

We think about our families, and the local community in which we live. We pray for our children, as they face new demands and new changes at this time of the year – for children beginning pre-school, changing classes, moving from one school to another, or from school to college, University or the world of work. May they always know the support and love of family and friends.

We pray for all those who teach or lead children and young people that they may know your guidance in their work. We pray for all children in need – especially for those who have been abused, for those disabled, for those suffering from marriage breakdowns, for those in care. We thank you for all those who show love and care to such children.

Lord in Your mercy. Hear our prayer 

 We now pray for those in need within our own families and amongst friends we know. Jesus our healer, we remember today the faith of the Syrophoenician woman and how Jesus healed a deaf and mute man. We place into your gentle hands those who are ill, ease their pain, comfort them in their distress, help them to cope with the knowledge of their sickness and the treatment which they receive. Give them courage and strength in their days ahead. Be with those who care for them and fill them with the warmth of your love and presence now and always.

In a moment of quiet we pray for those who are ill and we name them in our hearts.

Lord in Your mercy. Hear our prayer 

Father, we bring to you those who have recently died and commend them into your everlasting care and protection.

Lord in Your mercy. Hear our prayer 

Heavenly Father we rejoice in all the goodness and generosity your love and presence inspires in so many people, and for the way you guide and encourage us in our daily lives.

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