Sunday 23rd July
Trinity 7 – Known
Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows us better than we know ourselves. So what does this mean for us?
8am
Holy Communion led by Canon John
First Reading: Psalm 139.1–11,23,24
O Lord, you have searched me out and known me;
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You mark out my journeys and my resting place
and are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
You encompass me behind and before
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
so high that I cannot attain it.
Where can I go then from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there your hand shall lead me,
your right hand hold me fast.
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me
and the light around me turn to night,’
Even darkness is no darkness with you;
the night is as clear as the day;
darkness and light to you are both alike.
Search me out, O God, and know my heart;
try me and examine my thoughts.
See if there is any way of wickedness in me
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13.24–30,36–43
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’ He answered, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!
9.30am
A Service of the Word led by Terry
Welcomer – Paul Gilmour
Welcome and Preparation
Song 1 – Here I am to Worship (keys)
Confession and Absolution
Song 2 – Here is Love Vast as the ocean (keys/pads)
Bible Reading: Psalm 139:1-11
Read by Anna Fulton
The Bible reading is from the International Children’s Bible, Psalm 139, Verses 1 to 11.
Lord, you have examined me.
You know all about me.
You know when I sit down and when I get up.
You know my thoughts before I think them.
You know where I go and where I lie down.
You know well everything I do.
Lord, even before I say a word,
you already know what I am going to say.
You are all around me—in front and in back.
You have put your hand on me.
Your knowledge is amazing to me.
It is more than I can understand.
Where can I go to get away from your Spirit?
Where can I run from you?
If I go up to the skies, you are there.
If I lie down where the dead are, you are there.
If I rise with the sun in the east,
and settle in the west beyond the sea,
even there you would guide me.
With your right hand you would hold me.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Talk — Terry
Hymn 3 – Lord Jesus Christ (keys)
Prayers
Led by Helen Campbell
Song 4 – O Lord My God (organ)
Notices, Dismissal Prayer, and Blessing
Hymn 5 – Blessed Assurance (organ)
Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord
9am (COE)
No Worship
10.30am (HTC)
Leader: Jenny
Preacher: John
11am (SPC)
Leader: Anne
Preacher: Anne