The Diocese of Sheffield Mothers' Union Commissioning Service

The Diocese of Sheffield Mothers’ Union

Commissioning Service

Thursday 29 April 2021 13.30 Our current service times can be found on the back cover of the order of service.

Welcome to Sheffield Cathedral The Cathedral clergy are pleased to make arrangements for individual conversations with people, or to hear confessions. Please ring the Canon in Residence mobile (07534 653 333) and we will ensure that one of the clergy will contact you within 24 hours. The notes to kneel, sit, and stand are only suggestions: please feel able to adopt whatever posture you wish.

Notes on worship during Covid Please do not greet each other with a handshake before or after the service. At the end of the service, we ask you to leave the Cathedral by the Parker Transept, moving pew by pew. We particularly request you to take your service booklet away with you, as this is safer for the Cathedral staff.

Music during the service We welcome Nigel Groome as our organist.

Practicalities, accessibility and sustainability Due to refurbishment there is limited access to toilets in the Cathedral. Please speak to a member of staff for further information. You are kindly requested to refrain from making any audio or visual recording of any part of this service without the written permission of the Acting Dean of Sheffield. Our service sheet is printed on paper which comes from sustainable forests.

The Gathering

We stand as the procession enters. The cantor sings:

Woodlands

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord; unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice; tender to me the promise of his word; in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name; make known his might, the deeds his arm has done; his mercy sure, from age to age the same; his holy name, the Lord, the Mighty One.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might; powers and dominions lay their glory by; proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight, the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word; firm is his promise, and his mercy sure. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord to children's children and for evermore!

Timothy Dudley-Smith, b.1926 from Luke 1 vs 46-55 © administered by Oxford University Press in Europe (including UK and Ireland) CCL Licence No. 12994

Bishop In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All Amen.

Bishop Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you, All and also with you.

The Bishop briefly introduces the service.

The Confession and Absolution

Bishop Jesus said, ‘Before you offer your gift, go and be reconciled.’ As sisters and brothers in God’s family, we come together to ask our Father for forgiveness. Matthew 5.24 We kneel or sit and keep silence.

All Father, we have sinned against heaven and against you. We are not worthy to be called your children. We turn to you again. Have mercy on us, bring us back to yourself as those who once were dead but now have life through Christ our Lord. Amen. Luke 15 Bishop May the Father of all mercies cleanse you from your sins, and restore you in his image to the praise and glory of his name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen.

The Collect

Bishop Let us pray that we may know and share the light of Christ.

We stand.

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All Amen.

We sit.

The Liturgy of the Word

The Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 29. 1 – 14

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah. These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. This was after King Jeconiah, and the queen mother, the court officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the artisans, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem. The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom King Zedekiah of Judah sent to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. It said: Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, says the Lord. For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfil to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. Reader Let us wait upon the Lord; All in whose word is our hope.

We stand as the cantor sings:

Wiltshire

Through all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy, the praises of my God shall still my heart and tongue employ.

O magnify the Lord with me, with me exalt his name; when in distress to him I called, he to my rescue came.

The hosts of God encamp around the dwellings of the just; deliverance he affords to all who on his succour trust.

O make but trial of his love: experience will decide how blest are they, and only they, who in his truth confide.

Fear him, ye saints, and you will then have nothing else to fear; make you his service your delight, your wants shall be his care.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the God whom we adore, be glory, as it was, is now, and shall be evermore. Nahum Tate, 1652-1715 and Nicholas Brady, 1659-1726

We sit.

The New Testament Reading: Matthew 22. 34 - 40

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew. When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ Reader Let us wait upon the Lord; All in whose word is our hope.

We keep silence together.

The Sermon The Revd Hilda Issacson 6

We stand as the cantor sings:

Here I am, Lord

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? 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? Here I am, Lord…

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? Here I am, Lord…

We sit.

The Commissioning of the Diocesan Chaplain

Bishop We have come together here to worship God and to commission the Reverend Hilda Issacson to the office of Mothers’ Union Chaplain in the Diocese of Sheffield; this is a joyful and important occasion. This office carries great responsibility for Mothers’ Union is a worldwide organisation whose members seek to express the Christian faith by the transformation of communities worldwide through the promotion of stable marriage, family life and the protection of children.

Bishop Hilda, do you accept office in the Mothers’ Union? Hilda I do, the Lord being my helper.

Bishop Will you serve God in this way, in the firm belief that the power of the Holy Spirit will guide and direct all who call upon him? Hilda I will, putting my trust in him.

Bishop Hilda, I admit you to the office of Diocesan Chaplain, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. All Amen.

The Bishop turns to the congregation and says:

Bishop Members of Sheffield Diocese will you now welcome your new Diocesan Chaplain?

Those present both in the building and at home greet the new Dicoesan Chaplain.

Bishop Will you remember Hilda in your prayers and give her your support and encouragement? All We will.

Bishop I call on you now to pray that God will bless his servant and provide such gifts and powers as may be needed for the work ahead.

Let us pray:

O God, we ask that you will bless your servants with a sense of your presence, and knowledge of your constant love. Give wisdom and understanding, your guidance and the humility to accept it. Grant all members the grace to support and uphold all who work in your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen.

The Admission of New Members

Those to be admitted as members of Mothers’ Union gather at the front of the church.

MU President We take a moment to reflect upon the vision and mission of the Mothers’ Union and its continued importance for our world today. The Mothers’ Union Vision is of a world where God’s love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships which members actively pursue by praying, campaigning and enabling others, and our Mission is to show our Christian faith by the transformation of communities worldwide. New members are constantly being added to our number throughout the world. Over four million members serve in eighty three countries. Membership of the worldwide Mothers’ Union is open to all who have been baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity and who declare support for our purpose and objectives. Our aims and objectives are: To promote and support married life. To encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children. To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service. To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children. To help those whose family life has met with adversity.

We stand and new and present members join together in affirming their commitment to the Mothers’ Union.

Chaplain I ask you all - existing members and those to be admitted today - Do you reaffirm your baptism promises? All I do, with God’s help.

Chaplain Will you try to uphold the vision and mission of the Mothers’ Union? All I will, with God’s help.

Chaplain Will you continue to plan your life to include prayer and Bible reading and worship in Church? All I will, by the grace of God.

Chaplain Will you continue to follow in the footsteps of our founder Mary Sumner, and in love and service reach out as our Lord’s hands, wherever you may find yourself? All I will, with God’s help.

Chaplain N, I admit you to membership of the Mothers’ Union, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Each new member receives their membership card and badge.

Chaplain Members of the Mothers’ Union, will you welcome these new members, and continue to support and pray for each other All We will in the power of the Spirit.

The newly admitted members are greeted by us all and return to their places.

The Mothers’ Union Prayer

Chaplain We all commit ourselves to the work of Jesus Christ through our membership of the Mothers’ Union, saying together the Mothers’ Union Prayer. All Loving Lord, we thank you for your love so freely given to us all. We pray for families around the world. Bless the work of the Mothers’ Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life. Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

We kneel or sit.

The Prayers of Intercession

The President introduces the prayers, which are led by members of the Faith and Policy Unit. After each petition:

Intercessor In the name of our Risen Lord Jesus, All Heavenly Father, hear our prayer.

Mary Sumner’s Personal Prayer

MU President We join together in the words of Mary Sumner’s personal prayer:

All All this day, O Lord, let me touch as many lives as possible for thee; and every life I touch, do thou by thy Spirit quicken, whether through the word I speak the prayer I breathe or the life I live. Amen.

The Diocesan Vision Prayer

Chaplain Let us pray:

All Living God, Jesus calls his followers to seek first your Kingdom. Renew us as we make your love known; Release us to share freely in mission; and Rejuvenate us to be fruitful in your service. Give us courage, wisdom and compassion, that strengthened with the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may, as the Diocese of Sheffield, both flourish and grow, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Chaplain Rejoicing in God’s new creation, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:

All Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

We stand.

The Act of Recommitment

Chaplain We commit ourselves anew to the work of God.

All Heavenly Father, as members of the Mothers' Union in this Diocese of Sheffield, we commit our lives to you. We seek your blessing in all we do; your presence in our fellowship; your inspiration in our activities; your strength in our service to the Church and to our communities, and to the world; help us to be faithful in prayer and worship and outgoing in our witness to the gospel, that we may advance your kingdom, and glorify your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bishop Eternal Giver of love and power, your Son, Jesus Christ, has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom. Confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen.

We stand as the cantor sings: Maccabaeus Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son; endless is the victory thou o'er death hast won. Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay. Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son: Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won.

Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb; lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom. Let the church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing; for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting. Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son: Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won.

No more we doubt thee, glorious prince of life; life is nought without thee; aid us in our strife; make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love: bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above. Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son: Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won.

Edmund L Budry, 1854-1932 Translated: Richard B Hoyle, 1875-1939

The Blessing

Bishop The Lord be with you All And also with you.

Bishop The Father, whose glory fills the heavens, cleanse you by his holiness and send you to proclaim his word. All Amen.

Bishop The Son, who has ascended to the heights, pour upon you the riches of his grace. All Amen.

Bishop The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, equip you and strengthen you in your ministry. All Amen.

Bishop And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. All Amen.

Bishop Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. All In the name of Christ. Amen.

Voluntary following the service:

Rondo from Abdelezar Henry Purcell, 1659-1695

Safeguarding

Sheffield Cathedral Chapter is committed to making the Cathedral a safe place for everyone. If you have safeguarding concerns about a child or a vulnerable adult in the Cathedral, please speak directly to the Cathedral Safeguarding Officer, Cherryl Henry-Leach (07879 418230), or contact one of the following confidential services:

NSPCC helpline, for anyone concerned about a child, 0808 800 5000 Childline, for young people and children, 0800 1111 Sheffield City Safeguarding, 0114 2734567 South Yorkshire Police, 101

Sheffield Cathedral Chapter and all who serve here seek to promote the wholeness of every person within God’s loving purpose for us all. We want to make this a safe place for every member of the church community, whatever their age. We understand that it is the responsibility of each one of us to protect children, young people and adults from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and from neglect. Together we can build a community where everyone can flourish.

Giving to Sheffield Cathedral

The ministry at Sheffield Cathedral is only possible because of the generous support we receive from the congregation who give to the Cathedral in a variety of ways and for which we are very grateful.

• To give online or to find out more about supporting the Cathedral, please visit the Cathedral’s website www.sheffieldcathedral.org/donations or use your mobile phone or tablet to scan the QR code below. • We have a contactless donations device in the West End for donations up to £100. • If you’d like to become a regular giver to the Cathedral, then please ask one of the stewards for a Stewardship Pack.

Acknowledgements Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, and Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from both of which is included in this service, are copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000 & 2006 respectively. The Scripture quotations contained in this service are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America, and are used by permission. All rights reserved. The hymns are reproduced under CCLI licence number: 12994 and One Licence number: A-631948. The text of the hymns are reproduced from HymnQuest: Copyright Licence Users' Edition HymnQuest ID: 59441.

Our current opening and service times are as follows:

Sunday • 8.00 BCP Holy Communion at the High Altar. This service will not be livestreamed and it is not necessary to book in advance at present. • 10.30 The Cathedral Eucharist in the Nave. This service will be livestreamed on Youtube and Facebook. Booking in advance is strongly recommended.

Monday – Saturday • 10.00 The daily Eucharist in the Nave. This service will be livestreamed on Youtube and Facebook. It is not necessary to book in advance. • 9.00 to 13.00 The Cathedral will be open to the public for private prayer

Gift Shop • The Gift Shop is open 9.00 to 13.00 Monday to Saturday and 11.00 to 13.00 on Sunday.

Further updates and information will be included in the Newsletter and on our website: sheffieldcathedral.org