Sermon Series – ‘The Building Bricks of a Worship Service’
This Sermon Series was preached by Rev Simon, Rev Louise and Rev Olivia in the Summer of 2026.
Gathering – Rev Olivia
Bible Readings: Hebrews 10:19-25 and Luke 4:14-21
Every Sunday morning in this Benefice, and across the country, church bells ring out calling people to gather. People arrive in church from different places, and different events have taken place in their week. There are different emotions and expectations, that we do not leave behind at the door. The opening words of the service are crafted to allow us to bring to God all that is going on in the rest of our lives as we come to worship. As voices join together in the opening words, we proclaim that we are no longer a collection of individuals but a body of people worshipping God together. The jubilant calling of the bells serves as a reminder of God’s delight when his people gather to praise, worship and encourage one another.
Confession – Rev Simon
Bible Readings: 1 John 1:5-10 and Luke 18:9-14
In the second of our series about Holy Communion we consider the place and importance of confession in our personal and church worship.
Perhaps the hardest words in the English language are ‘I’m sorry’. When we consider how many times over the years we’ve said these words and how many times we should have said them. We have to come to realise that at times we are at fault in our words, thoughts and actions in life. Fellow humanity is not always forgiving, but God is, if we come to him in honesty and repentance. The vast majority of our worship services have an act of confession so we can be right with God, others and ourselves.
May confession be part of our lives, but also the knowledge of the gracious gift of God’s forgiveness, Jesus’ death was to set us free, let us live in this amazing truth. A while ago we looked at the role of forgiveness in a short sermon series. Please take the time to listen again to this immensely important subject which you will find here.
The Creed – Rev Louise
Bible Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 and Matthew 16:13-17
In a 1999 song ‘Affirmation’ by Savage Garden some of the lyrics were a statement of faith.
I believe the sun should never set upon an argument.
I believe you can’t appreciate real love till you’ve been burned.
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side.
I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye.
I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul.
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold.
I believe in love surviving death into eternity.
When it comes to what we believe there will be differences of opinion. How can we have a collective sense on what is true and what is simply opinion, spin or ‘fake news’. The BBC has its own verification team now in the face of so much that can’t be taken as accurate. Faith is not immune from this predicament and since the time of Jesus there have been a myriad of cults and sects who have distorted the truth and encouraged people to believe in a human fabrication of it.
Today we consider what we believe as Christians as we look at the Creed. The word comes from the Latin ‘credo’ meaning I believe or I trust. When all is said, and many a late night debate centres around what we based our life’s values on, we come back to the central figure in history and the universe, Jesus. In what he said and did, can we see the face of God, I believe resoundingly, yes!
May you be encouraged in the truth of Jesus and grow in faith, and to paraphrase that last lyric line, may we believe that God’s love defeated sin, ended death and promises eternity.
Intercessions – Rev Simon
Bible Readings: 1 Timothy 2:1-6 and John 17:1-11
Over the years and far too often in Christian circles I’ve heard people end the conversation with ‘I’ll pray for you’. This usually is a result of someone sharing a challenge or difficulty in their lives or for others. It seems to me that we need to do that very thing, pray, there and then! It may be the case that there is no time then, but the moment there is, pray!
We talk about prayer more than we do it. Prayer meetings are not meant to be the 10 o’clock News, but bringing our world into the presence of God and recognising our need for help and guidance. Prayer is too often complicated, there is no right or wrong way if we are talking to our heavenly Father. As we consider the role of prayer (or more specifically intercessions, prayers made to God on behalf of others) we pray that more would explore the joy, wonder and privilege of prayer.
To be continued
– Rev Louise
Bible Readings: 1 Timothy 2:1-6 and John 17:1-11
Over the years and far too often in Christian circles I’ve heard people end the conversation with ‘I’ll pray for you’. This usually is a result ofsomeone sharing a challenge or difficulty in their lives or for others. It seems to me that we need to do that very thing, pray, there and then! It may be the case that there is no time then, but the moment there is, pray! We talk about prayer more than we do it. Prayer meetings are not meant to be the 10 o’clock News, but bringing our world into the presence of God and recognising our need for help and guidance.
Prayer is too often complicated, there is no right or wrong way if we are talking to our heavenly Father. As we consider the role of prayer (or more specifically intercessions, prayers made to God on behalf of others) we pray that more would explore the joy, wonder and privilege of prayer.