11:00am: 19th November Safeguarding Sunday
Twenty-fourth week of Trinity
This service is live in church, 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 as there will not appear on screen.
First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 1 – 11
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Second reading: Matthew 25: 31 – 46
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Intercessions
Jesus, Lord of the Church,
All: in your mercy, hear us.
We pray all who serve in a safeguarding role within our Church.We especially pray for Elaine our Safeguarding Lead and all who work with her, PCC members and group leaders. Thank you Lord for their commitment to serve in this way. Give then wisdom, discernment and strength.Help us all to support them in their role, remember them in our prayers, and respond to their requests and advice, and encourage them so that we might be a safer place for everyone.
Jesus, Lord of the Church,
All: in your mercy, hear us
Help us to cherish children and all in our community who are vulnerable, to protect them, and keep them safe.Help each one of us to play our part in creating safer places for all your people and may this place rejoice to be a place where your love is celebrated with integrity.
Jesus, Lord of the Church,
All: in your mercy, hear us.
Bring into your healing presence all who have suffered hurt or harm within the family of the Church, whether they are known to us or not, we know that you know them by name. We lift to you those who are vulnerable and in need of protection. Give them your safety, comfort and peace.
Jesus, Lord of the Church,
All: in your mercy, hear us.
May those who have been damaged by abuse not simply survive, but flourish.
May young and old discover Your life-giving love, and delight in Your gift of life, so that fun, laughter and joy overflow to your glory.
Merciful Father,
All: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
