Today’s service continues series on Acts. Our reading is taken from Acts 10: 9-23 Peter’s vision. The service is designed to be used in conjunction with the order of service email earlier but also available to download here 15. Trinity 1 (14.06.2020).
Watch the whole service on YouTube by following this link.
Call to worship
The LORD said to Abram, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2-3).
Opening prayer
Loving God, you created the world and all people and promised to bless the world. You did this through your Son Jesus Christ, who took bread and wine and gave us this supper to remember him. By your Holy Spirit draw us close to your Father heart so that we know ourselves to be blessed this day; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Opening song
Here I am and here i have come (And i will always love your name)
Confession
Let us confess our sins:
God our Father, we have sinned against you and against one another, in thought, word and deed; we have not loved you with all our heart; we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves. But you have kept faith with us. Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and restore us to newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. To all who turn to him he says: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ He also says: ‘Follow me.’ Let us receive his forgiveness and answer his call. Amen.
Reading
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ 14 ‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.’ 21 Peter went down and said to the men, ‘I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?’
22 The men replied, ‘We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.’ 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Reflection
The global gospel (1) – Peter’s vision
Song before communion
Speak, O Lord as we come to you
Prayers
Gracious God, renew the faith of the Church; strengthen its witness and help us to be one in Christ. Grant that we and all who confess that Jesus is Lord may be faithful in service and filled with his Spirit, that the world may turn to Christ.
Gracious God, guide the nations in the ways of justice, liberty and peace, and help them to seek the welfare of all peoples, whatever colour skin or ethnic origin we may have. Give to our Government and Councils wisdom to know what is right and the strength to do it.
Gracious God, as businesses prepare to re-open, may each person have the grace to do their work well and for the benefit of others, and may the resources of the world be used wisely, that the earth may be cared for and our lives enriched.
Gracious God, heal the sick in body, mind or spirit, and deliver those in the throes of darkness. Comfort those in sorrow and help them to see a way ahead. Help us to bear the burden of others that we may fulfil the law of Christ.
Gracious God, keep us and the members of our family and our church family united in loyalty and in love, and always in your care, that we may share in the joy of your eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Holy Communion
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
As we gather at this table, we remember that Jesus was born of Mary; he lived our common life on earth; he suffered and died for us; on the third day God raised him from the dead; and he is always present with us through the Holy Spirit. In his presence, and in the company of all the people of God, past, present, and to come, we celebrate the Supper of the Lord. ‘Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.’ (Revelation 3: 20)
Hear again the words of institution of this feast as they are given by the Apostle Paul: For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also after supper, saying ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We give thanks to you, O God, that from the earth you cause the grain to come for the making of bread and that you cause the vine to yield fruit. We praise you for Christ, the bread of life and true vine, whose body was given for us, and whose blood was poured out for us.
By your Holy Spirit sanctify us and these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread which we break may be the communion of the body of Christ, and the cup which we bless may be the communion of the blood of Christ. As we share the sufferings of Christ, so give us grace to know the power of his resurrection, that we may be made one and evermore abide in him, to your praise and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
When Jesus had given thanks he broke the bread and said: ‘Take, eat: this is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’
When Jesus had given thanks, he gave the cup to his disciples and said: ‘Drink this, all of you; for 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.’ Amen.
The Body of Christ broken for you.
The Blood of Christ shed for you.
Prayer after communion
Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands that have taken holy things. May the ears that have heard your word be deaf to clamour and dispute. May the eyes that have seen your great love shine with the light of hope. May the tongues that have sung your praise also speak the truth. May the feet that have walked in your presence ever walk in the light. May the bodies that have tasted your living body be restored to newness of life. Thanks be to God for his gift beyond words. Amen.
Closing song
Closing prayer and blessing
Most gracious God, we praise you for what you have given and for what you have promised us here. Now we give ourselves to you and ask that our love may be your love reaching out into the life of the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you and all whom you love this day and for evermore. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.