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for the Week: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit
gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served.
There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives
ability to all for their particular service. The Spirit's presence is shown in
some way in each person for the good of all. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Welcome
to our services today and a special welcome to any worshipping with us for the
first time. This morning’s service is a
Sunday Special service. That means the children and young people meet from
10-15 for Breakfast and to explore together. They will then join the rest of us
for the last part of the service. “The Highbury Church Family is made up of
everyone who belongs … and everyone has a part to play, however small that part
may seem to be.” It was back at the beginning of the year that we launched
Giving for Growth. We invited everyone in the church family to reflect on the
way we can give of our time, our talents and our money so that the church here
at Highbury may grow to the glory of God. At the end of April we were reminded
again of the call to give of our money at our annual Gift Day. Today, our
Explore Group invite us to re-visit all we give of our time and of our talents.
Our morning service is a celebration of creativity and diversity, of difference
within the Body of Christ, around the theme of ‘Diverse Unity’. We are using material prepared by Lucy Mills
for Magnet, a thought provoking magazine a number of the church family
subscribe to. If you would like to have a copy please see Judi Marsh. Today
also marks the beginning of Christian Aid Week and so we shall be commissioning
our collectors. We still need more volunteers to cover the streets around the
church – please take a bag of envelopes and sign your name on the list.
Welcome
as we Gather Together
Gather
us, O God,
As
we focus on your gracious presence in our lives;
As
we reflect on what it means to be the Body of Christ;
As
we open our hearts to receive your Holy Spirit.
All: Gather us, O
God.
103
Fill
your hearts with joy and gladness
Sing
and praise your God and mine!
Confess
Lord,
forgive us when we have treated one another badly,
When
we have treated members of your precious body as disposable.
Restore
us; draw us together in this space
And
teach us how to be your Body in every place, for your glory. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Reading: I
Corinthians 12:1-11
HTC
246 Spirit of holiness
Reflect
– Giving for Growth
Ask
people to reflect on what they enjoy, what energises them, what inspires them
and what challenges them. How can we encourage each other and inspire others to
use their gifdts? Where might we be forcing someone into a mould that isn’t
right for them?
Suggest
taking time to pray over the coming weeks and to think about how the Holy
Spirit has gifted us, where God might be calling us, what we need to pick up or
put down. Offer the challenge that we might need to rethink our activities, as
individuals and as groups, to use our gifts most effectively and to bless our
communities.
Do
our patterns of church and service use the gifst we have or are we forcing
ourselves into a model that doesn’t reflect our gifting? Perhaps we are
spreading ourselves too thinly; on the other hand, maybe we need to broaden our
vision.
How
can we join with each other, within and across congregations and denominations
to embody Christ more fully in our world.
Giving
for growth discussion.
Prayer
– Beyond Ourselves
Grant
us a vision, Lord,
To
see what we can achieve
To
reach out beyond ourselves
To
share our lives with others
To
stretch our capabilities
To
increase our sense of purpose
To
be aware of where we can help
To
be sensitive to your Presence
To
give heed to your constant call.
Pray
for ourselves
Generous
God,
We
celebrate our differences;
We
rejoice in our diversity.
We
give thanks for one another’s gifts;
We
delight in our unity.
Help
us to listen to your Spirit’s leading,
For
it is the same Spirit who gives to us all.
May
we build each other up,
Encourage
one another,
Refuse
to pigeon-hole but instead release one another
Into
your service and for your glory,
Rejoicing
in who we are made to be in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
HTC
233 Filled with the Spirit’s power
Reading:
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Together
we’re Stronger
Poverty
is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of their dignity and lets
injustice thrive. But together we have the power to transform lives.
Will
you #StandTogether with us this Christian Aid Week (13-19 May 2018) to help
families like those of Vilia, Marcelin and Jocelyne live full lives, free from
poverty?
Vilia’s
story
Christian
Aid Commissioning
Loving
God, today we join with thousands of others
stepping
out in mission for the world’s poorest people.
As
Jesus prayed to you before sending out the disciples,
we
pray now that our words, actions and deeds will
bring
your Kingdom closer.
We
pray for the Spirit to fill us with yearning,
and
the courage to live out your love for the world –
a
love so strong that you gave your only Son.
As
Jesus entrusted his disciples with his mission to the world,
we
pray that we, who have felt the transforming power of your love, will bear
witness to that love far and wide.
God,
your people are homeless.
God, send us.
God,
your people are hungry.
God, send us.
God,
your people are oppressed.
God, send us.
God,
your people are ignored.
God, send us.
God,
your people are afraid.
God, strengthen us
as we go.
We pray that as we
reach out
to our sisters and
brothers around the world,
justice and hope
will flourish in our own community.
Amen.
Give
us, Lord God,
a
vision of your Kingdom as your love desires,
a
world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry,
a
world where life is shared, and enjoyed by all,
a
world where all races, nations and cultures
live in tolerance
and respect,
a
world where peace is built with justice,
and justice is guided
by love.
Give
us the inspiration and courage
to build your
Kingdom here and now.
Cornerstone
– Hy-Spirit
Pray
for Others
Everyone
joins with the words in bold. Pause between sentences to allow people to bring
to mind individual circumstances as they pray. You can adapt or add to the
wording if other situations feel relevant at the time.
Loving
Lord, when one part of your body suffers
We all suffer
When
one part of your body is honoured
We all rejoice
We
suffer with those
who have lost
someone dear to them.
Who are battling
chronic illness
Who have been
injured and are recovering in hospital or at home
Who are struggling
to find work
Or a permanent home to live in
Who are worried
and anxious about anything
Who are frightened
for their lives,
Through
violence and war
Terror
and persecution
We all suffer
When one part of
your body is honoured
We all rejoice.
We
rejoice with those
Who have had or are having a new
life arrive in their family
Who have been encouraged in their
workplace this week
Who have made a new friend
Or had healing in a
long-term relationship
Who have made peace where there was
strife
Who have welcomed someone in your
name
Who have found shelter from the cold
And a place to call
home.
When
one part of your body suffers
We all suffer
When
one part of your body is honoured
We all rejoice.
Reading:
1 Corinthians 12:27-31a
251
I the Lord of sea and sky
Sharing
Together for Sunday Special
Song:
Lord, let your love shine through me
Words
of Blessing
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