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BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY

September 30th is ‘Back to Church Sunday’ when we are asked to invite to church anyone we know that has come to church in the past, but has now stopped coming. There are a lot of people like this who have simply fallen out of the habit. This might be due to a change in their life circumstances: they might have moved house, need to work at weekends or started taking their child to a Sunday sports activity. Coming back to church might feel like a step too far.

It is up to us to take the initiative and to make people feel comfortable and welcome.

There are any number of cultural hurdles for people to jump before they come to church. If they have children they might be worried at the noise they will make, they might be embarrassed at not knowing what to do at different points in the sermon, they might be unwilling to make the move and to come on their own. People might work at weekends, stay out late on Saturday nights or go away for the weekend.

It is up to us to help. Who might you invite back to church on September 30th?

Processional Hymn                   

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, whose only Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence: give us pure hearts and steadfast wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading                 Jeremiah 18.1-11                              (p.981)
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2‘Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’ 3So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.
5Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. 9And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. 11Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the LORD: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

Gradual Hymn                             

GOSPEL                         Luke 14.25-33                                    (p.986)
25Large crowds were travelling with Jesus;  and he turned and said to them,  26‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother,  wife and children, brothers and sisters,  yes, and even life itself,  cannot be my disciple.  27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me  cannot be my disciple.  28For which of you,  intending to build a tower,  does not first sit down and estimate the cost,  to see whether he has enough to complete it?  29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish,  all who see it will begin to ridicule him,  30saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.”  31Or what king,  going out to wage war against another king,  will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand  to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?  32If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away,  he sends a delegation  and asks for the terms of peace.  33So therefore, none of you can become my disciple  if you do not give up all your possessions.’ 

Amazing love, oh what sacrifice
The Son of God, given for me
My debt He paid, and my death He died
That I might live, that I might live

INTERCESSIONS
Please pray for
- The sick and suffering: especially Felix Okike, Lucilda Bernard, Joan Andrew, Elizabeth Dorsett, Ron & Ivy Smith, Susie Leach, Norbert Edwards, Brother Paul Anthony, Sylvia Steed, John Asbridge, Caroline Nevill, Tracey Davies, Esmay Young, Roger Cox.

Offertory Hymn                           

Communion Hymn                    

Post Communion Prayer
Lord God, the source of truth and love, keep us faithful to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, united in prayer and the breaking of bread, and one in joy and simplicity of heart, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Recessional Hymn                    

Coffee in church after the service

Post Communion (14th after Trinity) ©  1985 Anglican Church of Canada: The Book of Alternative Services. Some material included in this service is copyright: ©  1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA. Some material included in this service is copyright: ©  The Archbishops' Council 2000

NOTICES

THIS WEEK:

Friday 6th                                           FELBURY TRIP

Coach leaves on Friday 6 September at 6 pm sharp from outside the church.  Returning approximately 6 pm on Saturday 7 September.  Please see Barry, Bob or Liz any more details.

NEXT SUNDAY:            16th September 2007 – Fifteenth after Trinity

10 am SUNG EUCHARIST
Celebrant – The Reverend Dr Bob Mayo, Preacher – Gita Bond
1 Timothy 1.12-17 (p 990), Luke 15.1-10 (p 991)

Sunday School starts back next Sunday
Sunday Youth starts back next Sunday

Bush City Youth Academy starts back Tuesday 18th September:
8-10 years – 5-6 pm.  11-19 years – 6.30-8.30 pm

Small Children are welcome to  play in St Thomas’s Chapel, near the porch
Baptised Communicants of other Churches are encouraged to receive communion
Children and other non-communicants are invited to come to the altar for a blessing
The Ministry of Healing is offered in the Chapel, after Communion is given

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Back to Church Sunday - 30 September - www.backtochurch.co.uk

Kensington Area Conference - entitled "For Creed & Creation" -  Saturday 15th September 2007 at St Barnabas Church, Kensington from 10.30am to 4.00pm.  Please let Father Bob know if you are interested in attending.

What about today’s Gospel?
1. How much must we love Jesus?
2. What do we carry when we follow Jesus?
3. What do we have to do to become disciples of Jesus?

Sunday School meets in St Stephen's School
Sunday Youth meets in the Glebe Maisonette
Small Children are welcome to play in St Thomas's Chapel, near the porch
Baptised Communicants of other Churches are encouraged to receive communion
Children and other non-communicants are invited to come to the altar for a blessing
The Ministry of Healing is offered in the Chapel, after Communion is given

Home Communion – Available to any unable to come on a Sunday.  Talk to Father Bob (8743 3166) if you or anyone else might be interested.

Any enquiries about pastoral concerns, baptisms, weddings or funerals please get in touch with Father Bob. The only time that Bob will be unavailable is between Friday pm and Sunday am.