10.00 am Sung Eucharist

A Maths of Mercy? A Calculus of Kindness? A balance sheet of blunders? A spreadsheet of sins?

Do we keep a tally of those who’ve wronged us and those we’ve wronged? Do we net it out? Yet two wrongs don’t make right, even when in maths two negatives make a ‘positive’?

Try to imagine how Joseph’s brothers were feeling, approaching him in fear and trembling after all the wrongs they had inflicted on him, safe as long as their father, Jacob, was alive.

Joseph does more than make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. He placed it all in the hands of God, Who is judge over all. Then we have Jesus’s very tall order to Peter, who questions as a C1 Jew, as only he could.

Let’s not panic about that. Instead, let us consider some poetry of John Donne. 

Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,

Which was my sin, though it were done before?

Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,

And do run still, though still I do deplore?

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

For I have more.

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won

Others to sin, and made my sin their door?

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun

A year or two, but wallow'd in, a score?

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun

My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;

But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son

Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;

And, having done that, thou hast done;

I fear no more.

When we consider the mystery of the Holy Trinity, it’s not about making the maths work. It’s about love. Likewise with the challenge of forgiveness: it’s about love. It is about what Jesus would do.

Fr A

Music before the service

Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 1102 J.S. Bach
You Prince of Peace, Lord Jesus Christ

THE GATHERING

We stand to sing

I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship,
should set his love upon the sons of men,
or why, as Shepherd, he should seek the wanderers,
to bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that he was born of Mary,
when Bethlehem's manger was his only home,
and that he lived at Nazareth and laboured,
and so the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is come.

I cannot tell how silently he suffered,
as with his peace he graced this place of tears,
or how his heart upon the cross was broken,
the crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, he heals the broken-hearted,
and stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
and lifts the burden from the heavy-laden,
for still the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is here.

I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
when, at his bidding, every storm is stilled,
or who can say how great the jubilation
when every heart with love and joy is filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
and myriad, myriad human voices sing,
and earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer,
at last the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is King.

William Young Fullerton (1857-1932)

In the name of the +Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The Greeting

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
and also with you

Prayer of Preparation

Please sit or kneel.

Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of Penitence

Invitation to confession:

We run the race set before us, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.
Therefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely,
bringing them to Jesus in penitence
and faith. Hebrews 12.1

Most merciful God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we confess that we have sinned
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
In your mercy, forgive what we have been
help us to amend what we are
and direct what we shall be;
that we may do justly, love mercy
and walk humbly with you, our God
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

Please stand
(Mass of St Cedd, Nardone)

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

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.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

Genesis 50.15-21

Joseph Forgives His Brothers

15Realising that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’16So they approached[a]Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this instruction before he died,17“Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.” Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him.18Then his brothers also wept,[b]fell down before him, and said, ‘We are here as your slaves.’19But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God?20Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.21So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Romans 14.1-12

Do Not Judge Another

14Welcome those who are weak in faith,[a]but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions.2Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables.3Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them.4Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord[b]is able to make them stand.

5Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds.6Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God.

7We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves.8If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.9For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

10Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister?[c]Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister?[d]For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God.[e]11For it is written,

‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to[f]God.’

12So then, each of us will be accountable to God.[g]

This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

As you are able, please stand

Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who hear the word of the Lord and keep it.
Alleluia.

The Lord be with you
And also with you.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to Matthew
Glory to you, O Lord.

21Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church[a]sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’22Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven[b]times.

23‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents[c]was brought to him;25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made.26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.”27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii;[d]and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.”29Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.”30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt.31When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?”34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt.35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister[e]from your heart.’

Matthew 18.21-35

At the end:

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ.

The Sermon

The Creed

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

Please sit or kneel

Encouraged by our fellowship with all the saints, let us make our prayers to the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cycle of Prayer

Cycle of Prayer
Our bishops: David, Mark and Matthew
The Anglican Communion
The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
Porvoo Communion
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark: Diocese of Ribe
The Diocese of Bath and Wells
Schools and Colleges
All Saints; St Wilfrid’s; Briscoe Lane Academy; Christ the King; Co-op Academy Broadhurst;
Oldham Blue Coat; Trinity High School; Bowdoin College, Maine; Churchill College, Cambridge; University of Coventry; Edge Hill University; University of Leeds; Loretto Sixth Form College; Oldham Sixth Form College.
Parish
Stansfield Street, Staplehurst Road, Starcross Walk, Sunberry Drive, Surbiton Road, Swift Walk.
Book of Remembrance
Robert Caunt; Herbert Drinkwater; Ethel Payne; Colin Brickell-Bowers.

The Peace

Please stand

We are fellow-citizens with the saints and of
the household of God,
through Christ our Lord, who came and
preached peace to those who were far off
and those who were near.
Ephesians 2.19,17

The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Preparation of the Table

Father,
accept all we bring before you this day.
Guide us with your love and feed us at your table
as you nourish the faith of the Church by the preaching of your apostles.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer

Please sit or kneel

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.

The president recites the Preface as far as
“…we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you andsaying

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.

The president continues with the institution narrative as far as
Praise to you Lord Jesus
Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

The Eucharistic prayer continues to its conclusion in the Doxology

by whom, and with whom, and in whom,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory be yours,
almighty Father, for ever and ever
Amen.

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

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

Jesus, Lamb of God:
have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins:
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world:
give us your peace.

Giving of Communion

Behold the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world.
Happy are those who are called to his supper.
Lord I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and I am healed.

We join in Communion.
If you wish to come forward for a Blessing, please bring this booklet with you or keep your arms folded.

Music after Communion

(Remain seated)

God is forgiveness
Dare to forgive
And God will be with you

God is forgiveness
Love and do not fear
Taize

Prayer after Communion

Silence is kept

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.

Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son
Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls
and bodies to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work to your praise and glory.
Amen.

Notices may be given out, including banns of marriage

Hymn

Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
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!
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!
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 with us the God of grace.

The Blessing

God, who has prepared for you a city
with eternal foundations,
bring you, with all the saints,
to the eternal and triumphant joy of that city;
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.

Voluntary

Chant de paix Langlais
Song of peace

Rector 07596 514 541
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Common Worship: Collects and Post Communions, material from which is included here, is copyright ©The Archbishops' Council and published by Church House Publishing.

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.http://nrsvbibles.org