Opening Prayers

 

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Spirt, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name: through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

You asked for our hands
that you might use them for your purposes
We gave them for a moment then withdrew them
for the work was hard.

All  Lord, have mercy.

You asked for our mouth
to speak out against injustice.
We gave you a whisper that we might not be accused.

All  Christ, have mercy.

You asked for our eyes
to see the pain of poverty.
We closed them for we did not want to see.

All  Lord, have mercy.

You asked for our life
that you might work through us.
We gave you a small part that we might not get “too involved.”

All  Christ, have mercy.

 

Lord, forgive us for calculated efforts to serve you
only when it is convenient for us to do so, and
only in those places where it is safe to do so,
and only with those who make it easy to do so.

All  Lord, have mercy.

Father, forgive us
renew us
send us out
as a usable instrument for the well-being of all.

All Amen.

 

Readings

First Reading

From Mae  Fredericks

https://vimeo.com/432883424

Second Reading

From Vivette Ferguson

 

https://vimeo.com/432882789

 

 

Psalm 125

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides for ever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time on and for evermore.
For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
so that the righteous may not stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts.
But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers.
Peace be upon Israel!

 

Gospel Reading

https://vimeo.com/432884323

 

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’

 

Hymns

Amazing Grace

Sung by Naomi Sutherland

https://vimeo.com/432881751

 

Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

 

 

All who would valiant be ‘against all disaster,
let them in constancy follow the Master.
There’s no discouragement shall make them once relent
their first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.

Who so beset them round with dismal stories,
do but themselves confound—their strength the more is.
No foes shall stay their might, though they with giants fight;
they will make good their right to be a pilgrim.

Since, Lord, thou dost defend us with thy Spirit
we know we at the end shall life inherit.
Then, fancies, flee away! I’ll fear not what men say,
I’ll labour night and day to be a pilgrim.

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
And His righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu Alleluia

Ask and it shall be given unto you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and it shall be opened unto you
Allelu Alleluia

 

Reflection

 Rev Julia Porter-Pryce

‘And I say to you: you are Peter, the Rock; and on this rock I will build my church…I shall give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven’. The name Peter the Rock was a nickname, like ‘Rocky’. We think of the great Saint Peter: strong, passionate, outspoken, untiring in his commitment to Jesus. And every Holy Week we identify with Peter’s denial of Jesus. It’s almost as if the denial is a blip in an otherwise heroic story. But if we look carefully at the biblical and related evidence we see someone who is anything but heroic. Peter the Rock was wobbly too.

Simon, as he was called at birth, and his brother Andrew were  fishermen who couldn’t afford their own boat. He was married. We know Peter’s wife travelled with him on some of his missionary journeys. What we don’t know is where she was when he went on the road with Jesus. Perhaps Peter had no thought for her and any children they may have had. Perhaps Peter was so caught up in his own passions that it seemed to her there was no room for anyone else. Peter was very full of himself.

He often acted as spokesperson for the disciples. As the first man to see the risen Christ, he quickly took a leading position in the emerging church. But there are several occasions in the gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles when Peter is presented in a poor light. His position on gentile Christians is not clear. Guided by a vision he was the first to preach to and to convert gentiles. Paul later accused him of refusing to have full fellowship with gentile Christians on a visit to Antioch. Paul was later allotted the gentiles as his missionary concern and Peter the Jews.

After the disagreement with Paul, Peter disappears from the story. James, the brother of Jesus, appears as sole leader of the church in Jerusalem and Peter went travelling. Shortly before he died he went to Rome. Tradition says he was martyred in the persecutions of Nero in 64CE. Later tradition claims that St Peter’s in Rome was built over his burial place.

 

A special recording for Petertide 2020 of Bach cello pieces by local cellist, Alexandra Fletcher.

https://vimeo.com/432921568

Intercessions

from Margaret Glover

 

Dear Lord, as we come together as one in the Trinity, help us to grow in faith and understanding as our patron saint, Simon Peter, did on his journey from fisherman to the rock on which is founded the universal church.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Generous Creator, we give you thanks for the bounty and beauty of summer fruits and flowers. Guide us to become better stewards of this world’s natural blessings.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Resurrected Christ, we bring before you the leaders of your church throughout the world. Strengthen them for service and deepen their discernment of your will through prayer and living leadership. We offer our thanks and ask your blessings for Julia, St Peter’s PCC and pastoral assistants.

Please take this time to offer your prayers for our brothers and sisters in Christ at this Petertide.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Spirit of Wisdom, we bring before you the leaders of the secular world. May they be inspired to love justice, seek mercy and walk humbly among all people.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Gracious Lord, we offer you our joys and sorrows.

Please take this time to offer your personal

thanksgivings and supplications.

 

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

 

Loving Father, we bring before you those who continue to suffer most during this time of illness, isolation and uncertainty. We pray for your healing and comfort.

 

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

 

Holy Spirit, as the weeks turn into months of physical separation from family, friends and our communion in community, we ask that your companionship encourage our hope and patience.

 

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

 

We remember the recently departed among our friends and loved ones along with those who’ve died in total isolation at this time.

 

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord,

And may light perpetual shine upon them.

 

We gather our prayers as one on this our patronal festival and offer them to you, merciful Father, asking that you accept them for the sake of your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

Closing Prayers

Lord, with joy we pledge our love of you.

We are no longer our own, but yours.

Put us to what you will,

place us with whom you will;

let us be put to work for you or put aside for you;

let us be full, let us be empty;

let us have all things, let us have nothing.

We freely and with all our heart

give you all things for you to use.

May we walk through this year in unity

with you and our fellow Christians,

feeding upon your Word, honouring all people,

cherishing your creation, serving our neighbour,

responsive to the leading of your Spirit.

 

Father in heaven,

whose Church on earth is a sign of your heavenly peace,

an image of the new and eternal Jerusalem:

grant to us in the days of our pilgrimage

that, fed with the living bread of heaven,

and united in the body of your son,

we may be the temple of your presence,

the place of your glory on earth,

and a sign of your peace in the world

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

AMEN

 

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CLICK HERE FOR VICAR’S ST PETER’S DAY MESSAGE.