All Age Communion
A warm welcome to the parish church of All Saints with Holy Trinity. The Easter Season reaches it’s climax today with the Feast of Pentecost, a celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.
Today we gather for an All Age service of Communion where children are central in participating and leading our worship. If you have young ones please sit somewhere where they can see and join in. (See the note about live streaming below.) The liturgy we use today echoes much of what is used in Children’s Church that gathers in Fearon Hall on other weeks.
All those who have been baptised in any church tradition are welcome to receive communion here. Currently the bread is dipped into the wine by the minister and then placed in your hand. If you need a gluten free wafer please speak to one of the stewards before the service.
At the time of publishing we are still asking members of the congregation to wear a face mask (unless exempt) when entering and moving around the building and to consider leaving it on throughout the service and sit in the outer aisles and towards the back of church if you wish to remove it. This is to support members of our congregation who would otherwise feel unable to attend worship.
Our service this morning is live streamed so that those unable to attend church in person can join in from home. The majority of the time the camera focusses on the front of church, and we do not film those coming up for communion, however there are some views of the congregation during the processions. Therefore, if you would prefer to not be seen on camera please speak to a steward who will advise you where to sit.
To stay in touch and receive regular email updates from All Saints send your contact details to [email protected] or speak to a steward and leave your name, address and phone number if you would prefer this way to be contacted.
Before the service begins there is an informal welcome.
The Gathering
Processional hymn 242 Come, Holy Spirit, come!
All stand to sing the first hymn as the music begins and the servers and ministers process.
The Greeting
In my head
In my heart
And all around me
Jesus is here
In my head
In my heart
And all around me
Jesus is here
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
The theme of the service introduced and then we sing this song from Nigeria which will be the refrain of our service.
Wa wa wa Emimimo. (Emioloye.)
Wa wa wa Alagbaram. (Alagbarameta.)
Wao, wao, wao. (Emimimo.)
Come, O Holy Spirit, come. (Holy Spirit, come.)
Come, Almighty Spirit, come. (Almighty Spirit, come.)
Come, come, come. (O Spirit, come.)
The Pentecost Reading
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Read in Farsi
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
“In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
We remain seated to sing
Wa wa wa Emimimo. (Emioloye.)
Wa wa wa Alagbaram. (Alagbarameta.)
Wao, wao, wao. (Emimimo.)
Come, O Holy Spirit, come. (Holy Spirit, come.)
Come, Almighty Spirit, come. (Almighty Spirit, come.)
Come, come, come. (O Spirit, come.)
We stand to sing the ancient hymn of praise
The Gloria: A song of Praise
Gloria (Clap! Clap!) Gloria (Clap! Clap!) in excelsis Deo
Gloria (Clap! Clap!) Gloria (Clap! Clap!) in excelsis Deo
Lord God, heavenly King,
peace you bring to us;
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we sing our song of praise.
Gloria . . .
Jesus, Saviour of all,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away our sins,
O Lord, have mercy on us all.
Gloria . . .
At the Father’s right hand,
Lord receive our prayer,
for you alone are the Holy One,
and you alone are Lord.
Gloria . . .
Glory, Father and Son,
glory, Holy Spirit,
to you we raise our hands up high,
we glorify your name.
Gloria . . .
The Collect
The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘let us pray’. All remain standing for the period of silence and the collect - the special prayer for the day.
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,
ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
A reading from the letter to the Romans
Read in English
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if
children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Here end the reading
Thanks be to God.
We stand to sing as the Gospel book is carried to the middle of the church
Wa wa wa Emimimo. (Emioloye.)
Wa wa wa Alagbaram. (Alagbarameta.)
Wao, wao, wao. (Emimimo.)
Come, O Holy Spirit, come. (Holy Spirit, come.)
Come, Almighty Spirit, come. (Almighty Spirit, come.)
Come, come, come. (O Spirit, come.)
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Read in Shona
Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.‘
‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
We sing again as the Gospel book is carried back
Wa wa wa Emimimo. (Emioloye.)
Wa wa wa Alagbaram. (Alagbarameta.)
Wao, wao, wao. (Emimimo.)
Come, O Holy Spirit, come. (Holy Spirit, come.)
Come, Almighty Spirit, come. (Almighty Spirit, come.)
Come, come, come. (O Spirit, come.)
We sit after the preacher offers an introductory prayer.
Talk
Affirmation of Faith
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
From whom every family
In heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
Who lives in our hearts through faith,
And fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
Who strengthens us
With power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen
Prayers of Intercession
We pray for God to fill us with his Spirit
The refrain through the prayers sung to the tune of ‘Wind the bobbin up’ is:
Holy Spirit come,
Holy Spirit come,
Come, come spirit come
(Repeat)
Generous God,
We thank you for the power of your Holy Spirit.
We ask that we may be strengthened to serve you better.
We thank you for the wisdom of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to make us wise to understand you will.
Holy Spirit come...
We thank you for the peace of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to keep us confident of your love wherever you call us.
We thank you for the healing of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to bring reconciliation and wholeness
Where there is division, sickness and sorrow
Holy Spirit come...
We thank you for the gifts of your Holy Spirit
We ask you to equip us for the work which you have given us.
We thank you for the fruit of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to reveal in our lives the love of Jesus.
Holy Spirit come...
We thank you for the breath of your Holy Spirit,
Given us by the risen Lord.
We ask you to keep the whole Church, living and departed
in the joy of eternal life.
Generous God,
you sent your Holy Spirit upon your Messiah at the river Jordan,
and upon the disciples in the upper room:
in your mercy fill us with your Spirit,
Hear our prayer,
And make us one in heart and mind
To serve you with joy for ever. Amen
Profession of Faith
Brothers and sisters I ask you to profess together the faith of the Church.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father,
source of all being and life,
the one for whom we exist?
I believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son,
who took our human nature,
died for us and rose again?
I believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the people of God
and makes Christ known in the world?
I believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the Church.
This our faith.
We believe and trust in one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Peace
God has made us one in Christ.
He has set his seal upon us and, as a pledge of what is to come,
has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts.
Alleluia.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you. Alleluia.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
We offer a sign of peace to one another from our seats.
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
Offertory Hymn 358 Be still for the presence of the Lord
During this hymn bread and wine are brought forward and the altar-table is prepared. Gifts of the people are symbolically presented in the offertory plate and the president gives thanks for the gifts of time, talent and finance that are offered to God for the work of this church.
Many people make their financial gift through their bank via the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) but you can also make a one off gift any Sunday through cash or card at the back of church before or after the service.
To find out how you can offer a gift of time and talent in our church community contact [email protected] or speak to one of the ministry or steward team after the service.
Taking of the Bread and Wine
Blessed be God,
who feeds the hungry,
who raises the poor,
who fills our praise
Amen.
The president takes the bread and wine and washes their hands symbolising our desire to come together at the Lord’s table with pure hearts and minds.
The Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you
And also with you
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.
Lord of all life,
you created the universe,
where all living things reflect your glory.
You give us this great and beautiful earth,
to discover and to cherish.
You give us friends and families
busy streets for young and old,
the life of an earthly city
fulfilled in your city to come.
You made us all,
each wonderfully different,
to join with the angels
and sing your praise:
Holy, most holy, all holy the Lord,
in power and wisdom for ever adored!
The earth and the heavens are full of your love;
our joyful hosannas re-echo above!
Blessèd, most blessèd, all blessèd is he
whose life makes us whole and whose death sets us free;
who comes in the name of the Father of light,
let endless hosannas resound in the height!
The president recalls the Last Supper and the prayer continues leading into the final words of praise
…and now with all your saints we give you glory,
through Jesus Christ in the strength of the Spirit,
today and for ever.
Amen.
We kneel or sit and observe a moment of silence
The Lord’s Prayer
Being made one by the power of the Spirit, as our Saviour taught us, so we pray each in the language of our hearts:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for 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.
While the remaining consecrated bread is broken and the communion assistants come
to the front we join in with singing the Agnus Dei (Tune: Blaenwern/Love Divine)
Jesus, Lamb of God, Redeemer,
Lamb of God, have mercy on us,
Jesus, Lamb of God, Redeemer,
Lamb of God, grant us your peace.
You, who took on flesh to save us,
Set us free from sin and death,
Jesus, Lamb of God, Redeemer,
Lamb of God, grant us your peace
Giving of Communion
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Please come forward when directed by the stewards and fold your arms across your chest if you wish to receive a prayer instead of the bread & wine. Please ask if you need a gluten free wafer.
As we share communion the music group leads us in singing the following hymns:
259 She sits like a bird
389 Spirit of God, unseen as the wind
Prayer after Communion
A brief silence is kept before the president says the post communion prayer
Faithful God,
who fulfilled the promises of Easter
by sending us your Holy Spirit
and opening to every race and nation
the way of life eternal:
open our lips by your Spirit,
that every tongue may tell of your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Dismissal
Notices are given
Blessing of Light
We all stand
Blessed are you, sovereign God, overflowing in love.
With Pentecost dawns the age of the Spirit.
Now the flame of heaven rests on every believer.
Strong and weak, women and men tell out your word;
the young receive visions, the old receive dreams.
With the new wine of the Spirit
they proclaim your reign of love.
Amid the birth pangs of the new creation
the way of light is made known.
Source of freedom, giver of life,
blessed are you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
As each member of the congregation receives the light we sing:
Wa wa wa Emimimo. (Emioloye.)
Wa wa wa Alagbaram. (Alagbarameta.)
Wao, wao, wao. (Emimimo.)
Come, O Holy Spirit, come. (Holy Spirit, come.)
Come, Almighty Spirit, come. (Almighty Spirit, come.)
Come, come, come. (O Spirit, come.)
Commission
For fifty days we have celebrated the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ over the powers of sin and death. We have proclaimed God’s mighty acts and we have prayed that the power that was at work when God raised Jesus from the dead might be at work in us.
As part of God’s Church, I call upon you to live out what you proclaim.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, will you dare to walk into God’s future, trusting him to be your guide?
By the Spirit’s power, we will.
Will you dare to embrace each other and grow together in love?
We will.
Will you dare to share your riches in common and minister to each other in need?
We will
Will you dare to pray for each other until your hearts beat with the longings of God?
We will
Will you dare to carry the light of Christ into the worlds’ dark places?
We will
The Easter Candle is extinguished
Conclusion
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Today we have remembered the coming of God’s power on the disciples and we invite that same Spirit to drive us out into the wild places of the world.
Recessional Hymn 264 The Spirit lives to set us free
As we sing our final hymn the servers and ministers process. Children are welcome to join the procession. Please turn to face the ministers for the dismissal.
The Blessing and Dismissal
The Spirit of truth lead you into all truth,
give you grace to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
and strengthen you to proclaim the word and works of God;
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen
Filled with the Spirit’s power;
go in the light and peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Candles are extinguished. You are welcome to stay for a picnic on the Parish Green, if the weather is bad we may have our picnic insideA warm welcome to the parish church of All Saints with Holy Trinity. The Easter Season reaches it’s climax today with the Feast of Pentecost, a celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.