Online Worship for Lammastide, 31 July | Windmill United Benefice

This week, 31 July, there is a joint Windmill United Benefice service of Holy Communion to celebrate Lammastide at 10am at St Mary the Virgin, Horne (there will be no services in Burstow or Outwood). And as always, there is an online service here, too, which this week is led by the Revd Nicholas Calver

To follow today’s service just click on the arrow here and find the words below.

For the fruits of his creation
thanks be to God;
for his gifts to every nation
thanks be to God;
for the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth’s safe keeping,
thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labour,
God’s will is done;
in the help we give our neighbour,
God’s will is done;
in our worldwide task of caring
for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing,
God’s will is done.

For the harvests of the Spirit,
thanks be to God;
for the good we all inherit,
thanks be to God;
for the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all, that love has found us,
thanks be to God

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the people of God in ancient times presented to the Lord an offering of first-fruits as a sign of their dependence upon God for their daily bread. At Lammastide, we bring grains of the field and a newly baked loaf as our offering in thanksgiving to God for his faithfulness. This year we also bring soil from the ground as a reminder of our creation from, our connectedness to and our dependence on the earth beneath our feet.

At the service in church, earth, grains and a loaf of bread are presented

Let us pray:

The Collect for Lammastide

Creator God, you made the goodness of the land, the riches of the sea and the rhythm of the seasons; as we bless you for all you have created, may we cherish and respect this planet and its peoples, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The readings
by Margaret Hobson

The first reading is Genesis 2: 4b-9

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

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

The Gospel reading is from Luke 8: 4-8

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

Talk
by Revd Nicholas Calver

The Prayers

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;
in 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.

Blessing

May God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is the source of all goodness and growth,
pour his blessing upon all things created,
and upon you his children,
that you may use his gifts to his glory
and the welfare of all peoples;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Tend the earth, care for God’s good creation,
and bring forth the fruits of righteousness.

Thanks be to God.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been thou for ever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided,
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!

Organist: Peter Nye

Hymn words reproduced under CCLI: 845257.