When our plans change...
A service led by Rev Dr Stephen Wigley, chair of the Wales synod of the Methodist church, reflecting on what happens when plans change, and marking the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.
A service led by Rev Dr Stephen Wigley, chair of the Wales synod of the Methodist church, reflecting on what happens when our plans change, and marking the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.
Readings are from Psalm 67, Isaiah 56 and Matthew 15.
The music used in the service was recorded prior to lockdown or is commercially available and is as follows:
New Every Morning Is The Love (Welsh Chamber Singers, 91热爆 recording)
We Rest On Thee (Welsh Chamber Singers, 91热爆 recording)
Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace arr. Paul Mealor (91热爆 National Chorus of Wales, 91热爆 recording)
There's A Wideness In God's Mercy (Cambrensis, 91热爆 recording)
Far Celestial Shore (Mavis Staples: 'One True Vine' TR 5)
For The Healing Of The Nations (St. Woolos Cathedral, 91热爆 recording)
Whitock: Fanfare (St. Mary's Swansea, 91热爆 recording)
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Stephen: Introduction and call to Worship
Good morning and welcome to worship.
This summer isn鈥檛 quite going to plan, is it? Like many other folk, our plans have had to change a lot this year, with a family wedding postponed, a fortnight in Italy replaced by a week in Shropshire 鈥 a perfectly reasonable exchange 鈥 听and the challenge of staying in touch with elderly Mums when different restrictions apply in England and Wales.
This might sound like small fry compared with some things other people have had to suffer; 听bereavement, serious and sustained illness, loss of security and job; but it鈥檚 often the little things which add up to an increasing uneasiness 鈥 we鈥檙e all living with uncertainty and can feel nervous about making or relying on any plans for the future.
So in our service today, we鈥檙e going to be thinking about making plans, how they can change and what we can learn from the process.
But now we begin our worship with John Keble鈥檚 hymn of hope and joy, 鈥淣ew every morning is the love our wakening and uprising prove.鈥
HYMN
New Every Morning is the love 鈥 Welsh Chamber Singers (91热爆 Recording)
This summer there were all sorts of plans to mark two globally significant anniversaries. In May we had a somewhat pared down version of VE day; and yesterday the 75th anniversary of VJ day, the day on which, following the dropping of bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered bringing a final end to World War II.
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It鈥檚 the kind of significant turning point in history which it鈥檚 good to remember: the legacy of VJ day is still something that鈥檚 important for all of us who seek a world in which there is a greater sharing of knowledge and relationships, and where international tensions no longer lead to hostility and war.听
However, in this year our changing plans and an uncertain world can mean that even landmarks such as these don鈥檛 feel quite as certain as we might have hoped.听This morning, we鈥檒l look at what the Bible has to say about God鈥檚 concern for the earth and all its peoples, especially when our plans change; and we鈥檒l hear from my colleague Delyth Liddell, the co-ordinating chaplain at Cardiff University, as she reflects on how amidst all the uncertainty it is still possible to seek learning, share our gifts and help shape our world for the future.
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Delyth: Opening Prayers
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Heavenly Father,
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We gather to sing of your goodness,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 to give thanks for your mercy,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and to praise your holy name.
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We鈥檙e conscious of living in times.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 When so much is uncertain,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 When so many of our plans are subject to change
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 And we become ever more aware
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Of our own fragility and vulnerability.
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We remember before you today
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 All those who bear the cost of war,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 thinking especially of those who suffered and died
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 in the conflicts which ended on VJ day some 75 years ago,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 asking that their sacrifice may not be in vain,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and that their service may be an inspiration to others.
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 In a world of doubt and uncertainty,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 may we count on your faithfulness.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 In these times of confusion and crisis,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听听听听听听听听听听听听听 may we rely on your steadfastness.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 In situations when we feel alone and discouraged,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 may we trust in your unchanging love,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 your arms to embrace us,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 your faith to uphold us and
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 your strength to sustain us.
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We ask this prayer in the power of your Spirit
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 seeking your forgiveness for our failings,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 trusting in your power to heal and restore,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and to make of us a new creation,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 holy and precious in your sight.
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We ask that we may be strengthened
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 to walk in the way of your Son,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 to witness to his saving grace and
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 to live out the truth of your kingdom.
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We ask this, as we say the prayer which Jesus taught us:
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听Stephen: Lord鈥檚 Prayer
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Our Father in heaven,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Hallowed be your name;
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Your kingdom come;
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Your will be done;
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 On earth as it is in heaven.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Give us this day our daily bread.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 And forgive us our trespasses,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 As we forgive those who trespass against us.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 And lead us not into temptation;
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 But deliver us from evil.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 For yours is the kingdom,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 The power and the glory,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 For ever and ever. Amen.
HYMN
We Rest on Thee, our shield and our defender 鈥 Welsh Chamber Singers (91热爆 recording)
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
听Stephen: Introduction to Reading 1
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In our Old Testament reading from Isaiah 56, the prophet speaks of God鈥檚 care for the foreigner and outcast, and concern that his Temple be a house of prayer for all peoples.听
Delyth: Reading 1 Isaiah 56.1,6-8 (from NRSV)
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Thus says the Lord:
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Maintain
justice, and do what is right,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听听 for soon my salvation will come,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听听 and my deliverance be revealed.
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 And
the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听
to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 and to be his servants,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 all who keep
the sabbath, and do not profane it,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听
and hold fast my covenant鈥
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 these I will
bring to my holy mountain,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 their
burnt-offerings and their sacrifices
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 will be accepted on my altar;
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 for my house
shall be called a house of prayer
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 for all peoples.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Thus says the
Lord God,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 who gathers the outcasts of Israel,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 I will gather
others to them
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听
besides those already gathered.
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听Stephen: Reflection 1听听听 鈥榃hen plans change 鈥 remembering VJ day鈥One of the challenges about commemorating VJ Day is that there are fewer people around who remember or were directly involved in it. But 听I can recall two in particular whose lives touched my family after being shaped by their experience of war in the Far East.
听听One was Uncle Bob (Jackson) who was among those captured and then forced to work on the infamous Burma railway. When he returned to Britain he weighed only 6 stone, yet he recovered to work as a fireman, to be a fine cricketer and to enthral younger members of the family with his ability to magic 6d pieces out of nowhere.
听The other was Roy, who returned home after years of intense physical suffering in a PoW camp to meet Edweena while recovering from malaria. Although she initially feared they wouldn鈥檛 have many years together, they went on to share a long and happy marriage, providing love and support to generations of young people growing up in their church family in Aberystwyth.
听These are two people whose lives were changed by the experience of war, yet who by grace were able to enrich the lives of others 鈥 and although there are fewer still alive today, it is right to remember their sacrifice. But there is another reason why VJ day is worth remembering still.听
听For it reminds us that World War II was not just a European affair. The British 14th Army fighting across Asia Pacific included soldiers speaking more than 40 languages representing all the world鈥檚 major religions, called by the ties of Empire and Commonwealth. It is their sacrifice too that we remember and their bodies which lie at rest in Commonwealth War Graves across the world.听
听VJ day reminds us of the global nature and cost of conflict. It also challenges us about the need for wisdom and vision in the outworking of international relationships looking to the future. If it was the case then that hostilities in the Far East arose out of unresolved imperial ambitions between Japan and its neighbours, how much more important is it that the economic rivalries and trade wars between China, the US and their allies find ways of being resolved peacefully today.听
听听听And it鈥檚 here we return to our Bible reading from Isaiah 56. The prophet is reflecting on the bitter experience of Israel, the sad tale of its domination, destruction, and exile. Yet he senses, in its ongoing story of return and restoration, a pattern of redemption which points to a God who cares not just for this his chosen people but for all nations. The Temple is not just a place where Israel can offer sacrifices of thanksgiving for its own redemption, but a place where prayers and praise can be made to the God who seeks to make known his saving grace among all nations.
听That remains a vision for us still today. And perhaps in this quieter moment, amidst a summer in which all our plans have changed, VJ Day reminds us of the importance of thinking beyond our own immediate needs as we try to envisage how a world at peace might appear.
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MUSIC
Make me a channel of your peace 鈥 91热爆 National Chorus of Wales Arr. Paul Mealor (91热爆 Recording)
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Stephen: Introduction to Reading 2
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听 听 听 听 听 听 听听Our Gospel reading from Matthew 15 tells the story of an unexpected meeting for Jesus with a Canaanite woman.听 听 听 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
Delyth: Reading 2 Matthew 15.21-28 (from NRSV)
听 听 听 听 听 听 听听Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, 鈥淗ave mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.鈥 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, 鈥淪end her away, for she keeps shouting after us.鈥 He answered, 鈥淚 was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.鈥
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听 But she came and knelt before him, saying, 鈥淟ord, help me.鈥 He answered, 鈥淚t is not fair to take the children鈥檚 food and throw it to the dogs.鈥 She said, 鈥淵es, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters鈥 table.鈥 Then Jesus answered her, 鈥淲oman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.鈥 And her daughter was healed instantly.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听
Stephen: Reflection 2听听听 When plans change 鈥 gathering up the crumbs鈥
听Our Gospel reading today tells if not exactly of a change of plan, then of a chance encounter which leads to Jesus reassessing his mission in a striking way.听
听听听After ministering to the crowds in Galilee, Jesus is travelling away into Canaanite territory when he鈥檚 confronted by a woman seeking his attention and asking for his help to cure her daughter. The disciples try to shoo her away, but she persists; acknowledging that she is one who stands outside the Jewish faith, she nevertheless calls for the 鈥榮on of David鈥 to have mercy on her.听
听听听Jesus鈥 initial response is also to dismiss her, saying ,in what appears quite a curt manner, that he was sent 鈥榦nly to the lost tribes of Israel鈥 and that 鈥榗hildren鈥檚 food鈥 should not be given 鈥榯o the dogs鈥 鈥 language which may shock us but would have been a surprise to Jesus鈥 hearers. But the woman doesn鈥檛 give up, saying that even dogs 鈥榚at the crumbs which fall from the master鈥檚 table鈥. And here her persistence pays off, as Jesus recognises her faith and grants her request; her daughter is healed.听
听听听It鈥檚 a story of faith and persistence found in an unexpected person, a Canaanite woman, someone outside the community. As the story is told it appears that Jesus almost has to be persuaded to engage with her. But looking across the Gospels as a whole, it鈥檚 one of a number of stories of Jesus finding and responding to people of faith outside the boundaries of Israel, from a Roman centurion to a Samaritan woman by the well.听
听In the Gospel stories, it鈥檚 part of a process by which Jesus comes to fulfil his calling to be a 鈥榣ight to lighten the Gentiles鈥 as well as 鈥榯he glory of God鈥檚 people Israel鈥. And in this account it鈥檚 the persistence of the woman and roughness of the language used (dogs and crumbs) which bring home the radical change which this reassessment involves.听
听听As we have seen, this realisation is not completely new. In a sense it鈥檚 a recovery of what we鈥檝e already found in the prophet Isaiah, who speaks of God gathering the foreigners as well as the outcasts of Israel, and making his Temple a 鈥榟ouse of prayer for all peoples鈥. But here, in a chance encounter recorded in Matthew鈥檚 gospel, we see the significance of this insight brought home in a new and dramatic way for Jesus in his ministry.
听The language of dogs and crumbs remains a challenging issue, but it鈥檚 interesting how even these can be re-interpreted. It was the great reformer and liturgist Thomas Cranmer who took these words and re-worked them into his much loved Prayer of Humble Access in the communion service. Here words of apparent rebuke now become part of God鈥檚 gracious invitation, as we acknowledge that 鈥榳e are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table鈥 but nevertheless rejoice that 鈥榶ou are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy and on that we depend鈥.
听听 So a chance encounter leads, if not to a change of plan, at least to a new realisation of the breadth of God鈥檚 graciousness. And this is a theme picked up in our next hymn, 鈥楾here鈥檚 a wideness in God鈥檚 mercy鈥︹櫶
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HYMN
There鈥檚 a Wideness in God鈥檚 mercy 鈥 Cambrensis (91热爆 recording)
听
Delyth: Introduction to Reading 3 Psalm 67
听
Our final Bible reading today is Psalm 67, a hymn of praise to the God who is concerned for all his people, even to the ends of the earth.听
Stephen: Reading 3 Psalm 67听(from NRSV)
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 May God
be gracious to us and bless us
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 and make his face to shine upon us,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 that your way may be
known upon earth,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 your saving power among all nations.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Let the peoples praise you,
O God;
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 let all the peoples praise you.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Let the
nations be glad and sing for joy,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 for you judge the peoples with equity
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 and guide the nations upon earth.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Let the peoples praise you,
O God;
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 let all the peoples praise you.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 The earth
has yielded its increase;
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 God, our God, has blessed us.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 May God continue to bless
us;
听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听 let all the ends of the earth revere him.
Delyth: Reflection 3
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There is a real unity in the psalm that we鈥檝e just heard, as all peoples are invited to join in praise of God.听 So I think of the university setting in which I work, as students are brought together from all nations to study.听 And as we remember that people from many nations were involved in the horror of World War II, can the international community of a University bring hope for the future, as being alongside each other brings understanding and acceptance?听Young people are full of hope and excitement about the future - and it鈥檚 a joy to work with both home and international students who come to Cardiff University to study the subjects they鈥檙e passionate about.听听 From music to biochemistry, from physics to languages, from business studies to philosophy, they come here to learn 鈥 but they also discover community.听 This is where unity is forged across boundaries as endless possibilities for the future are discussed and debated.
听Of course, students going to University this year will find themselves in a very different situation to what they might have been expecting.听 Most universities will be holding lectures largely on-line with only a few face-to-face teaching hours. But students will still be arriving to their new towns and cities, and getting to know their flat-mates and course mates, as far as social distancing allows.
听There will inevitably be disappointment and grief over the loss of what was expected, and both staff and students will be getting heads around changing plans and getting used to a new way of being and a new way of learning.听 That includes us University chaplains whose role it is to care for and pray with and for those who find themselves in such a new and strange place.
听There鈥檚 one project I鈥檒l particularly miss this autumn: for many years now, we鈥檝e been running a 拢1 Curry lunch for staff and students at the Chaplaincy.听 My colleague and I would spend the morning cooking up chicken and vegan curries, ready to serve to the hungry hoards who would sit together in the common room - sometimes as many as forty people squeezed in at any one time.听 It was popular with folks across subjects and across religions, as our Muslim students could be confident that we were serving halal.听 Often, when the food was over, the students would continue to hang out and talk, and it was a joy to witness a real multi-cultural, international community enjoying one another鈥檚 company.听
听Now, our plans will have to change: those busy lunches are going to have to be halted. But, just as Jesus鈥 ministry took a different direction when he met the Canaanite woman, so we must take a different direction. This term, one of the events we鈥檒l be hosting instead is a weekly 鈥榙og walk and talk鈥 through a city park, where students can meet and join me to walk my 8yr old beagle and 4 month old puppy, and have a chat!听听
听But the changes have been further reaching, and having to invent new plans has brought new opportunities. Like so many religious communities, we鈥檝e become used to live streaming our prayers and meditations, to hosting zoom quizzes and socials, and organising talks from outside speakers on video conferencing platforms.听 In the process, we鈥檝e gained access to speakers who could never have visited Cardiff but now can talk to our students from anywhere in the world!!
听VJ day reminds us that there was a cost of dramatic change from peace to war, from war to peace. Today鈥檚 generation is facing their own change, and of course there is a cost including to students spiritual and mental health. They鈥檒l have to remain isolated from one another at a time of life when building new relationships is so important. Yet there is hope for our students, because support is available 鈥 from their universities, from their communities, and of course from their chaplaincies. And just as Jesus鈥 expectations were challenged, so we can rise to the challenge of change wherever we find it.
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MUSIC
Far Celestial Shore 鈥 Mavis Staples CD: One True Vine Tr 5
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Stephen and Delyth: Prayers of Thanksgiving & Intercession [poss music under]
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We offer to God our prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession,
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 (SW) Gracious God
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We thank you for this world and everything in it,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 for the precious gift of life which you bestow on each one of us,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 for the life which you share with us in Christ Jesus your Son,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and for all that he shows us about living life to the full.
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We thank you for his willingness to lay down his life,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 for the sake of his friends and all whom he came to save,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and for your raising him from the dead,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 to restore all of us who had abandoned him
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and to strengthen us in his resurrection life.
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听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 And now we seek the guidance of your Holy Spirit,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 to assure us of your presence,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and to prompt us in our prayers,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 as we pray for your world, for your Church,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and for your people everywhere.
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 (DL) We pray for your world,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 for leaders of nations and governments
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 called upon to make difficult decisions
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 which affect people鈥檚 health and livelihoods,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 asking that they may be informed by your wisdom and compassion.
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We ask, Lord in your mercy听听听听听听听听 Hear our prayer.
听
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 (SW) We pray for all those who remember the events of VJ day,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 for those who still experience the pain of suffering and loss,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and for those who seek to inspire us to a vision
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 of a world which offers peace and potential for us all.
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We ask, Lord in your mercy听听听听听听听听 Hear our prayer.
听
听
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 (DL) We pray for our communities,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 for the places in which we live and the people whom we love,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 recognising our inter-dependence on each other,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and our shared vulnerability in this time of crisis.
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We ask, Lord in your mercy听听听听听听听听 Hear our prayer.
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 (SW) We pray for your Church,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 seeking to proclaim your message of life and hope,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 yet struggling to find new ways of witnessing and worshipping together,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 asking that we may reassured of your powerful presence,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and strengthened to live out the truth of your kingdom.
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We ask, Lord in your mercy听听听听听听听听 Hear our prayer.
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 (DL) We pray for all people everywhere,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 for those who are struggling with illness and isolation,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 for those fearful about jobs and livelihoods,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and for all those who face an uncertain future.
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Especially we pray for鈥
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 We ask, Lord in your mercy听听听听听听听听 Hear our prayer.
听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 (SW) May we and all for whom have prayed
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 be strengthened by your spirit.
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 renewed by your grace,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 and restored by the presence of your Son,
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 in whose name we pray. Amen.
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HYMN
For the Healing of the Nations 鈥 St Woolos Cathedral (91热爆 recording)
听听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听
Blessing听听听听听听听听听听听听听
May the peace of God,
Which passes all understanding,
Keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
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And may the blessing of God,
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Be with us all,
Now and for evermore, Amen.听听
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MUSIC PLAYOUT
Whitlock: Fanfare 鈥 St Mary鈥檚, Swansea (91热爆 recording)听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
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Broadcast
- Sun 16 Aug 2020 08:1091热爆 Radio 4