All Saints Church, Streetly

All Saints' Parish Church, Streetly

Welcome

A Service of Confirmation, and Holy Communion

The Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Rt. Revd. Clive Gregory

Sunday, 13 June 2021 at 10.00a.m. Welcome, Everyone.

Welcome to this service of Confirmation and Holy Communion on Sunday. Today, Bishop Clive, Bishop of Wolverhampton, will be presiding and preaching. Welcome to all our confirmation candidates, their families, supporters and friends. Welcome to those of you joining us online.

We hope that you will feel at home, as we worship God together. You are invited to follow the service and join in the responses as indicated.

The collection today taken on the way out of church will be shared between the Bishop’s Ordination Candidates Fund and the work with children at the Kathryn Mercy Home, India.

Thank you for continuing to give regularly to the mission and ministry of the church. If you normally contribute on the plate or via an envelope, please continue giving your giving by sending cheques payable to All Saints’ Streetly PCC to the church office or make electronic payments into the Co-op Bank Account No. 65317880, Sort Code 089299 (ref surname and initial), on the plate or via contactless giving on the table on the way out of church. Thank you for giving generously today to maintain the ministry and mission of the church.

If it is your custom, you are welcome to join us to receive communion.

Every Sunday at 10.00am, we welcome people of all ages to worship together. The service is intended to be an hour long, followed by refreshments and fellowship outside on the church lawns.

May you know God’s Blessing as we worship together today.

Revd Mandy Walker, Vicar of All Saints’ Parish, Streetly

Please pray for those to be confirmed.

From All Saints’, Streetly:

Eleanor Lodge Ffion Perkins Rhydian Perkins Nathanael Taylor-Dedman Michelle Lucas Simon Lucas Joe Mulberry

From the Parish of Bloxwich:

Liam Cox

Confirmation and Holy Communion

The Preparation Please remain seated

Notices

Hymn

Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live, A place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive. Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace; here the love of Christ shall end divisions: All are welcome, all are welcome, All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone; to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known. Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face; let us bring an end to fear and danger: All are welcome, ……………….

Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word. Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace, let this house proclaim from floor to rafter: All are welcome, ………………… 4

The Greeting

The Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Rt. Revd. Clive Gregory greets the people.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All: Blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

There is one body and one spirit. All: There is one hope to which we were called,

one Lord, one faith, one baptism, All: one God and Father of all.

Peace be with you All: and also with you.

The Collect

The Bishop introduces a period of silent prayer.

God of truth, help us to keep your law of love and to walk in ways of wisdom, that we may find true life in Jesus Christ your Son. All: Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

New Testament Reading

6 So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For all of us must appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.

14 For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17 New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

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

Hymn Please remain seated.

Lord, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness shining. Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us, set us free by the truth you now bring us. Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine! Fill this land with the Father’s glory. Blaze, Spirit, blaze! Set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow! Flood the nations with grace and mercy. Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

Lord, I come to your awesome presence, from the shadows into your radiance. By the blood, I may enter your brightness, search me, try me, consume all my darkness. Shine on me, shine on me.

As we gaze on your kingly brightness, so our faces display your likeness. Ever changing from glory to glory, mirrored here, may our lives tell your story. Shine on me, shine on me.

The Gospel Reading Please stand.

Cantor: Alleluia…. (x4) I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord. No one comes to the Father except through me.

All: Alleluia…..(x4)

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark. All: Glory to you, O Lord.

26 He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’

30 He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’

33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34 he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

Mark 4:26-34, New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

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

The Sermon Please be seated.

The Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Rt. Revd. Clive Gregory

The Liturgy of Initiation

The Presentation of the Candidates Please remain seated as the candidates are presented to the congregation.

The Bishop asks the candidates for confirmation who have been baptised:

Have you been baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit? I have.

The Bishop asks all the candidates:

Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ? I am.

The Bishop addresses the whole congregation:

Faith is the gift of God to his people. In baptism the Lord is adding to our number those whom he is calling. People of God, will you welcome these candidates and uphold them in their life in Christ? All: With the help of God, we will.

Testimony by a candidate may follow. 9

The Decision The Paschal candle is lit and the Bishop addresses all the candidates and all those who are renewing their baptismal promises:

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him. Therefore I ask:

Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God? I reject them.

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil? I renounce them.

Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour? I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour? I turn to Christ.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord? I submit to Christ.

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life? I come to Christ.

Let us declare our faith

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess, together with these candidates, the faith of the Church. Do you believe and trust in God the Father? All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son, Jesus Christ? All: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit? All: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Hymn Please remain seated.

Come down, O love divine, seek thou this soul of mine and visit it with thine own ardour glowing; O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear, and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn, till earthly passions turn to dust and ashes, in its heat consuming; and let thy glorious light shine ever on my sight, and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long, shall far outpass the pow’r of human telling; nor can we guess its grace, till we become the place wherein the Holy Spirit makes his dwelling.

The Confirmation Please sit or kneel. The Bishop stands before those who are to be confirmed, and says:

Our help is in the name of the Lord, All: who has made heaven and earth.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, All: now and for ever. Amen.

The Bishop extends his hands towards those to be confirmed and says:

Almighty and ever-living God, you have given these your servants new birth in baptism, by water and the Spirit, and have forgiven them all their sins. Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding; the Spirit of counsel and inward strength; the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord. All: Amen.

The Bishop may address each candidate by name.

N, God has called you by name and made you his own.

He then lays his hand on the head of each, saying:

Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit. All: Amen.

The Bishop invites the congregation to pray for all those on whom hands have been laid.

All: Defend, O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace, that they may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until they come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

The Welcome and the Peace

The Bishop addresses the newly-confirmed

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism. N, by one Spirit we are all baptised into one body. All: We welcome you in the fellowship of faith; we are children of the same heavenly Father; we welcome you.

The congregation applauds the newly-confirmed.

The Bishop introduces the Peace in these words:

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.

The peace of the Lord be always with you All: and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

All may exchange a sign of peace.

Hymn

I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin, my hand will save. I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send? Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people's pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my Word to them. Whom shall I send? (Refrain)

I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? (Refrain)

The Liturgy of the Eucharist The offerings of the people are remembered and these words may be used:

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendour, and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours. All: All things come from you and of your own do we give you.

Be present, be present, Lord Jesus Christ, our risen high priest; make yourself known in the breaking of bread. All: Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer Please stand

The Lord be with you All: and also with you.

Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give thanks and praise.

Almighty God, Good Father to us all, your face is turned towards your world. In love you gave us Jesus, your Son, to rescue us from sin and death. Your Word goes out to call us home to the city where angels sing your praise. We join with them in heaven’s song:

continued….. 16

All said: Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Father of all, we give you thanks for every gift that comes from heaven. To the darkness, Jesus came as your light. With signs of faith and words of hope, he touched untouchables with love and washed the guilty clean. This is his story. All: This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.

The crowds came out to see your Son, Yet, at the end, they turned on him. On the night he was betrayed, he came to table with his friends to celebrate the freedom of your people. This is his story. All: This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.

Jesus blessed you, Father, for the food; he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said: ‘This is my body, given for you all.’ Jesus then gave thanks for the wine; he took the cup, gave it and said: ‘This is my blood, shed for you all for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.’

This is our story. All: This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.

continued….. 17

Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup, we celebrate the cross on which he died to set us free. Defying death, he rose again and is alive with you to plead for us and all the world. This is our story. All: This is our song: Hosanna in the highest.

Send your Holy Spirit on us now that, by these gifts, we may feed on Christ with opened eyes and hearts on fire.

May we and all who share this food offer ourselves to live for you and be welcomed at your feast in heaven, where all creation worships you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

All: Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer Please sit or kneel.

All: 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. 18

The Breaking of the Bread

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. All: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

Cantor:

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

The Giving of Bread and of Wine

Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you. Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

The Body of Christ. Amen. The Blood of Christ. Amen.

For those of us sharing spiritual communion at home or via Facebook live, you are invited to open our hands to receive and say:

All: Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.

All are welcome to receive Holy Communion after the newly- confirmed and then those in the chancel. A steward will invite you to come up to nave steps to receive. If you would prefer to receive a blessing, please bring this service booklet with you and the Priest will say a prayer for you. Either a wafer, or gluten-free wafer will be available, please indicate your preference to the priest.

During the giving of communion, we listen to the following:

Broken for me, broken for you, the body of Jesus, broken for you.

He offered his body, he poured out his soul, Jesus was broken, that we might be whole: Broken for me....

Come to my table and with me dine, eat of my bread and drink of my wine: Broken for me....

This is my body given for you, eat it remembering I died for you: Broken for me...

This is my blood I shed for you, for your forgiveness, making you new: Broken for me....

Only by grace can we enter, only by grace can we stand; not by our human endeavour, but by the blood of the Lamb. Into your presence you call us, you call us to come. Into your presence you draw us, and now by your grace we come, now by your grace we come.

Lord, if you mark our transgressions, who would stand? Thanks to your grace we are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. Lord, if you mark our transgressions, who would stand? Thanks to your grace we are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.

continued…..

Only by grace can we enter………………

In Christ alone, my hope is found, he is my light, my strength, my song; this cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My comforter, my all in all, here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone – who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe. This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones he came to save: till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied – for ev’ry sin on him was laid; here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground his body lay, light of the world by darkness slain; then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave he rose again! And as he stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me; for I am his and he is mine - bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death - this is the power of Christ in me; from life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from his hand; ‘til he returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Prayer after Communion

Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and live and reign in perfect unity of love: hold us firm in the faith, that we may know you in all our ways and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory who are three Persons yet one God, now and forever. All: Amen.

All: Almighty God. we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him, we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

The Sending-Out

Hymn Please remain seated.

During the hymn, the Bishop, clergy and newly-confirmed, process to the font at the back of church. The Bishop gives all candidates a lighted candle. At the end of the hymn, the congregation turns to the font.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; worship his holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul; I'll worship your holy name. The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning, it’s time to sing your song again. Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; worship his holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul; I'll worship your holy name.

You're rich in love and you're slow to anger. Your name is great and your heart is kind. For all your goodness I will keep on singing; ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; worship his holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul; I'll worship your holy name.

continued…..

And on that day, when my strength is failing, the end draws near and my time has come; still my soul will sing your praise unending, ten thousand years, and then for evermore!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; worship his holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul; I'll worship your holy name.

I'll worship your holy name. Yes, I’ll worship your holy name.

The Blessing

The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. All: Amen.

The Giving of a Lighted Candle

The Bishop says:

God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and has given us a place with the saints in light. You have received the light of Christ; walk in this light all the days of your life. All: Shine as a light in the world, to the glory of God the Father.

The Bishop may give the confirmation candidates a Bible.

The Dismissal

Go in the light and peace of Christ. All: Thanks be to God.

The Bishop leads the newly-confirmed through the main church door, carrying their candles. All others please remain seated until a Duty Warden invited you to leave via the Lady Chapel door.

Organ Voluntary

All are welcome to join us on the Church lawns after the service to greet the newly confirmed.

Acknowledgements Some material included in this service is copyright ©The Archbishops’ Council, Common Worship, 2002 Introit: Defend, O Lord, us your servants– Confirmation Prayer, music by Brian Stokes

Hymn words Come down, O love divine –Bianco da Siena trans. R.F. Littledale Words reprinted by authorization of Calamus, Licence no. 2474 All rights reserved: Let us build a house (All are welcome) – Marty Haugen © 1994 GIA Publications Ltd. I, the Lord of sea and sky - Daniel Schutte ©1981 Daniel Schutte/New Dawn Music Hymn words reproduced under CCL Licence no. 39214: Lord, the light of your love is shining (Shine, Jesus, shine) – Graham Kendrick © 1987 Make Way Music Broken for me –Janet Lunt © 1978 Sovereign Music Only by grace can we enter - Gerrit Gustafson ©1990 Integrity’s Hosanna Music In Christ alone – Keith Getty & Stuart Townend © 2001 thankyou music 28