sheffield

parish communion

st paul
wordsworth avenue

first sunday of christmas

30 december 2012

Alan Greaves was viciously attacked on Christmas Eve while he was walking to the midnight service at St Saviours. He died on Thursday evening.

this mornings service

alan greaves
* 12 july 1944 27 december 2012

President and preacher Keith Crookes

opening hymn

Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place, and with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace; this holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface:

collect Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

May he rest in peace and rise in glory

God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, for Jesus Christ our Saviour was born upon this day, to save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray:

O tidings of comfort and joy

English traditional carol (18th century)

for gloria in excelsis

joyce hodges
* 22 november 1928 27 december 2012

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.
From God our heavenly Father a blessd angel came, and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same, how that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name:

Glory in the highest to the God of heaven! Peace to all his people through the earth be given! Mighty God and Father, thanks and praise we bring, singing Alleluia to our heavenly king. Jesus Christ is risen, God the Fathers Son! With the Holy Spirit, you are Lord alone! Lamb once killed for sinners, all our guilt to bear, show us now your mercy, now receive our prayer. Christ the worlds true Saviour, high and holy one, seated now and reigning from your Fathers throne: Lord and God, we praise you! Highest heaven adores: in the Fathers glory, all the praise be yours.
CHRISTOPHER IDLE b 1938
1976 Christopher Idle / Jubilate Hymns CCL Licence No 244236 Cuddesdon WILLIAM H FERGUSON 1874 - 1950

first reading 1 Samuel 2:18-20,26

A reading from the first book of Samuel

Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy wearing a linen ephod. His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, May the LORD repay you with children by this woman for the gift that she made to the LORD; and then they would return to their home. Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favour with the LORD and with the people. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

May she rest in peace and rise in glory

O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings rejoicd much in mind, and left their flocks a-feeding, in tempest, storm and wind, and went to Bethlehem straightway this blessd babe to find:

O tidings of comfort and joy

But when to Bethlehem they came, whereat this infant lay, they found him in a manger, where oxen feed on hay; his mother Mary kneeling, unto the Lord did pray:

O tidings of comfort and joy

psalm Psalm 148

The Lord of heaven confess; on high his glory raise. Him let all angels bless, him all his armies praise. Him glorify sun, moon, and stars; ye higher spheres, and cloudy sky. From God your beings are, him therefore famous make; you all created were, when he the word but spake. And from that place, where fixed you be by his decree, you cannot pass. Praise God from earth below, ye dragons, and ye deeps: fire, hail, clouds, wind, and snow, whom in command he keeps. Praise ye his name, hills great and small, trees low and tall, beasts wild and tame. All things that creep or fly. ye kings, ye vulgar throng, all princes mean or high; both men and virgins young, even young and old, exalt his name; for much his fame should be extolled.

Oh, let God's name be praised above both earth and sky; for he his saints hath raised, and set their horn on high; even those that be of Israel's race, near to his grace, the Lord praise ye.
Psalm 148 The Scottish Psalter 1929
Darwells 148th
th

gradual hymn Help us forgive, forgiving Lord the wrong that others do, and, when our hearts are pierced by pain, to bring the hurt to you. For on the cross you bore for us the curse, the scorn, the hate and gave your life to lift from us sins cruel and crushing weight. Let grace unlock each prisoned heart, uncoil each fisted hand until from hate our hearts are freed, our hands in love extend. And then, the broken circle closed, the broken friendships healed, Lord, hold us fast within the bonds by your forgiveness sealed.
1997 GIA Publications Inc

gospel Luke 2:41-52 Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke Glory to you. O Lord Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travellers, they went a days journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety. He said to them, Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Fathers house? But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour. This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ

Melody by JOHN DARWIN 1731 - 1789 harmonised by W H MONK 1823 - 1889

second reading Colossians 3:12-17

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians

As Gods chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

HERMAN G STUEMPFLE Jr b 1923 Caithness Melody from Scottish Psalter 1635 harmonised by editors of English Hymnal 1906

in our prayers
neighbours in

an act of remembrance
prayer

hymn

Holgate Close Milnrow Crescent

church, community, world

Maureen Greaves and her family in his placement Adrian Bateman The year ahead The lonely
among those who are unwell

Tony Beck David Brown Baby Corbyn Lewis Calton Steven Carr Janet Clarke Beverley Cross Ken Fearn Harold Green Madge Hinchliffe Matthew Jennings Gordon Leach Priest Kenneth Leech Margaret Moorby Philip Morton Joan Mullins
among those who have died

Often they were wounded in the deadly strife; heal them, Good Physician, with the balm of life. Every taint of evil, reading frailty and decay, Revelation 21:1-4 I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the good and gracious Saviour, first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and cleanse and purge away.
the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.

Merciful Father, hear our prayer and comfort us; renew our trust in your Son, whom you raised from the dead; strengthen our faith that all who have died in the love of Christ will share in his resurrection; who loves and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever Amen

Think, O Lord, in mercy on the souls of those who in faith gone from us, now in death repose. Here mid stress and conflict toils can never cease; there, the warfare ended, bid them rest in peace.

Rest eternal grant them, after weary fight; shed on them the radiance of thy heavenly light. Lead them onward, upward, to the holy place, where thy saints made perfect gaze upon thy face
from the Swahili Tr E S PALMER 1856 - 1931 Met de boom des levens IGNACE DE SUTTER 1911 - 1988

lighting of the paschal candle And so we light a candle, a symbol of the light, warmth and power of God. A symbol of Gods light which has shone through the lives of those we have loved. A symbol of the love that they have shared with us, and us with them. A light for us all on our journeys; a warmth for us in these days; and a sign of the power of God shining in the darkness

Alan Greaves Joyce Hodges David George Taylor John William Roebuck Pat Needham John Albert Hinchliffe

lighting of candles

28 December 1988 31 December 1972 31 December 2007 1 January 1986

Candles are now lit in memory of Alan

May they rest in peace and rise in glory

prayers
God of all consolation, your Son Jesus Christ was moved to tears at the grave of Lazarus his friend. Look with compassion on your children in their loss; give to troubled hearts the light of hope, and strengthen in us the gift of faith, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Your mighty power brings joy out of grief and life out of death. Look in mercy on Maureen and all who mourn. Give them patient faith in times of darkness. Strengthen them with the knowledge of your love. Amen You are tender towards your children and your mercy is over all your works. Heal the memories of hurt and failure. Give us the wisdom and grace to use aright the time that is left to us here on earth, to turn to Christ and follow in his steps in the way that leads to everlasting life. Amen Merciful God, hear the cries of our grief, for you know the anguish of our hearts. It is beyond our understanding and more than we can bear. Accept our prayer that as Alan has been released from this world's cruelty so may he be received into your safe hands and secure love. We pray that justice may be done and that we may treasure the memory of his life more than the manner of his death. For Christ's sake. Amen God of love, we thank you that Alan is in your gentle and loving hands, far from the cruelty, violence and pain of our world. When the trouble was near, we could not understand how you seemed to remain far away. And yet it is to you we turn; for in life and death it is you alone whom we can trust, and yours alone is the love that holds us fast. We find it hard to forgive the deed that has brought us so much grief. But we know that, if life is soured by bitterness, an unforgiving spirit brings no peace. We come with so many questions, and recognise that only you have the answers. Lord, save us and help us. Strengthen in us the faith and hope that Alan is freed from the past with all its hurt, and rests for ever in the calm security of your love, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Father in heaven, we thank you because you made us in your own image and gave us gifts in mind, body and spirit. We thank you now for Alan and what he meant to each of us. As we honour his memory, make us more aware that you are the one from whom comes every perfect gift, including the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Amen. Heavenly Father, in your Son Jesus Christ you have given us a true faith and a sure hope. Strengthen this faith and hope in us all our days, that we may live as those who believe in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May God give us his comfort and his peace, his light and his joy, in this world and the next; Amen.

offertory hymn

during the giving of communion

final hymn

words and music

before the service

Lord, we come to ask your healing, teach us of love; all unspoken shame revealing, teach us of love. Take our selfish thoughts and actions, petty feuds, divisive factions, hear us now to you appealing teach us of love. Soothe away our pain and sorrow, hold us in love; grace we cannot buy or borrow, hold us in love. Though we see but dark and danger, though we spurn both friend and stranger, though we often dread tomorrow, hold us in love. When the bread is raised and broken, fill us with love; words of consecration spoken, fill us with love. As our grateful prayers continue, make the faith that we have in you more than just an empty token, fill us with love. Help us live for one another, bind us in love; stranger, neighbour, father, mother bind us in love. All are equal at your table, through your Spirit make us able to embrace as sister, brother, bind us in love.
JEAN HOLLOWAY b 1939
1995 Kevin Mayhew Ltd CCL Licence No 244236

Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour, yet, for loves sake, became so poor; leaving your throne in glad surrender, sapphire-paved courts for stable floor: Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour, yet, for loves sake became so poor. You are our God beyond all praising, yet, for loves sake, became a man; stooping so low, but sinners raising heavnwards by your eternal plan: You are our God beyond all praising, yet, for loves sake, became a man. Lord, you are love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship you; Emmanuel, within us dwelling, make us and keep us pure and true: Lord, you are love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship you.
FRANK HOUGHTON 1894 - 1972
OMF International (UK) CCL Licence No 244236

Who are these who ride by starlight from the corners of the earth, leaving home, forsaking comfort, drawn to one mysterious birth? These are wise men seeking wisdom, disciplined to watch and pray; we will read the signs and follow, see where Christ is born today. Who is this who hears the wise men, trembling while their tale is told, sending troops to slaughter blindly, crush what cannot be controlled? This is Herod, every Herod building power by others' pain; we will mourn the murdered children while their blood is shed again. Who is this, a homeless exile, destined from his earliest hour for rejection, conflict, danger, marked for death by worldly power? Jesus, born to show God's glory shining through despair and loss, we will know you when we meet you by the shadow of your cross.
MARNIE BARRELL b 1952
Marnie Barrell, 1996 used by kind permission

Requiem ternam Op15 No5

BASIL HARWOOD 1859 - 1949

The piece includes the plainsong for

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. A hymn becomes you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall a vow be repaid in Jerusalem. Hear my prayer; to you shall all flesh come. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
after the service

Chorale prelude

Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott

J S BACH 1685 - 1750 BWV 721

The words of the chorale are a translation of the first five verses of Psalm 51

Fragrance French traditional carol harmonised by C H KITSON 1874 - 1944

post communion prayer Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home: help your Church to live as one family, united in love and obedience, and bring us all at last to our home in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Everton HENRY SMART 1813 - 1879

Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my offences. Wash me thorough and through from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults and my sin is ever before me. Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, So that you are justified in your sentence and righteous in your judgement.

after the service Refreshments in the Church Hall

alan greaves There is a card for Maureen at the back of church.. We shall be sending flowers to Maureen: contributions welcomed.

East Acklam FRANCIS JACKSON b 1917

joyce hodges We do not yet know when Joyces funeral will be. There will be a service at St Pauls before interment in Ecclesfield Cemetery. Refreshments in the Hall.

up and coming sunday 6 10.00 tuesday 8 3.30 sunday 13 10.00 epiphany parish communion pauls praise

contact points
priest-in-charge The Rev Keith Crookes 07516 008 993 keith.crookes@mypostoffice.co.uk churchwarden Sheila Beatson 0114 2468437 rota and notices David Rennison 0114 2460349 david@stwand.plus.com John Roch 0114 2464369 0790 3694640 mail@jdroch.com

church hall
baptism of christ parish communion and baptism

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