[Bells ring]
We meet as God's people in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Welcome to our online service here from
Winslow Benefice.
We're delighted that you have chosen to
join us this morning.
As you probably know by now, I'm
Didier and I shall be leading this service,
and Mark, our curate, will be preaching
and praying today.
This week, we're thinking about education,
especially as our
schools have reopened and our children
have been returning or will return very
soon and it's always a very big occasion.
And this week we want to give thanks to
God for all who are involved in teaching
and learning. But of course for all of us,
we are all called to lifelong learning. Lifelong learning
in Jesus Christ, for growth, for a better
understanding
and better discipleship.
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
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 Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;  through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
God so loved the world that he gave his
only Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, to be our
advocate in heaven, and to bring us to eternal life. Let us
confess our sins in penitence and faith, firmly resolved to keep God's
commandments and to live in love and peace with all.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our
neighbour in thought and word and deed, through
negligence, through weakness, through our own
deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our
sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant
that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.
[Sung]
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[Spoken]
Almighty God who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from
all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
[Sung]
Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest,
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, 
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest, 
Glory to God in the highest,
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest, 
Glory to God in the highest,
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, 
in the glory of God the Father.
Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest, 
Glory to God in the highest,.
[Spoken]
Let us pray. God of truth, you give gifts
of wisdom and insight
to fathom the depths of your love.
Grant the help of your spirit to all
involved in education,
that those who teach and those who learn
may come to f-
to full knowledge of your purposes,
revealed in your Son Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you in the
unity of the holy spirit,
one god now and forever, Amen.
A reading from the book of Proverbs.
The Lord created me at the beginning of his
work, the first of his acts of long ago.
Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
   when there were no-
when there were no springs abounding with water.
Before the mountains had been shaped,
   before the hills, I was brought forth—
when he had not yet made earth and fields,
   or the world’s first bits of soil.
When he established the heavens, I was there,
   when he drew a circle on the face
of the deep,
when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
when he assigned to the sea its limit,
   so that the waters might not transgress
his command,
when he marked out the foundations of
the earth,
   then I was beside him, like a master
worker;
and I was daily his delight,
   rejoicing before him always,
rejoicing in
his inhabited world
   and delighting in the human race.
This is the word of the Lord.
[Sung]
Alleluia, alleluia.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Now with the strength of your Word, send us to be your disciples,
to bring all the world to the joy of your kingdom.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple
and began to teach. The Jews were astonished at it, saying, ‘How does this
man have such learning, when has he never- when he has never been
taught?’ Then Jesus answered them, ‘My teaching
is not mine but his who sent me. Anyone who resolves to do the will of
God will know whether the teaching is from God
or whether I am speaking on my own. Those who speak on their own seek their
own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him
who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
And may I speak in the name of the
Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
My wife and I, like so many other parents,
not just here in Winslow, not just here in the country,
but around the world, have spent the last
six months or so homeschooling
our children.
We've been desperately trying to
remember the things that we half
remember from school to convey them to our children,
only to find that things have moved on and the
children learn differently. It has been a process
that has been at times challenging,
frustrating,
it's been exhilarating, quite often it's
been hilarious,
and I have to say it is completely
and utterly knackering.
I don't think I have ever felt as
exhausted
as I have during the lockdown.
I admired and respected teachers before,
but it has increased several-fold
since I've had to do it myself.
But hopefully with the children going
back to school this week,
we take another step, however small,
back to 'normality'.
During the lockdown, in a moment of
weakness, my wife
and I thought that we would ask the
children how they would rate us
as teachers. I don't quite know what
answer
I expected, but what I got from my eldest
daughter
was this look of disdain over the
glasses and she said,
'Well, you're obviously not qualified, are
you.'
And she's absolutely right. Sometimes the
truth
hurts. And with the schools going back, we here
in church thought that now would be a good time to talk about
teaching. I find it somewhat ironic that it is me
that is the one doing this now. Andrew the vicar in his former life was
a university lecturer; Didier in his former life
was a solicitor. Both are disciplines
that require
a lot of study years at university,
constant sitting of exams - they take
dedication and a significant amount of grey matter.
I was, for most of my adult life, a
gardener,
something that I am immensely proud of
and something that gave me the
opportunity to travel the world and work
in beautiful places,
but I don't and I never have
thrived in a classroom. That's just not
how I learn things. I wasn't good at it when I was at school,
and I'm not particularly good at it now.
And that is at the core of the matter. We
all learn different things in different ways.
Some of us are activists - we need a
challenge
to be able to learn something new to
grasp onto.
Others need more time and space to work
out
what it is that we need to learn. Yet others will see that they need a
practical focus on what to pay their attention to -
it needs to be practical, it cannot be... What's the word? Abstract!
There are so many different ways that we
can learn,
so many ways that we can teach, and we
can grow.
There are as many different ways as
there are people
to learn them.
And if we're lucky, we find someone or
something that lights a spark.
For me, it was a man called George
Anderson, the head of the school of
horticulture at the botanic gardens in Edinburgh. He
did that for me, and I really hope that you have someone
in your past who managed to enthuse and spark
you into learning what it is that you
can,
because that changes lives. It is a thing
of great
and glorious beauty. If we're all called to be disciples, to
grow into the likeness of Christ, we are all called to learn.
Jesus taught in the synagogues; he was
teaching
all the time. And we are called to learn,
and we're also called to teach.
Every human, regardless of who they are,
has that capacity. The capacity to learn -
that is part of the characteristic that
actually makes us human.
We have to grow - we are not called to be
static,
but we are called to be dynamic,
and that comes through learning and
through teaching. We have so much to learn and to teach
each other. Both happen at the same time - it is not
one-way traffic, it is a dialogue. Christ understood that he was there to
teach and he was there to listen, he was there
to guide and he was there to share.
So despite my daughter's withering
critique
of my teaching style and my lack-
my obvious lack of credentials, I hope
that we can all learn, that we can all teach, and this allows us
all to grow, to flourish, to blossom into the people that Christ
wants us to be, Amen.
And so let us affirm our faith.
We believe in one God, the Father, the
Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all
that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord,
Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, 
God
from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, of one being with the Father;
through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came
down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and
the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was
crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the
third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He
ascended into heaven 
and is seated at the right hand of the
Father. He will come again in glory to judge the
living and the dead, and his kingdom will have
no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord,
the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has
spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and
apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the
forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
So let us pray.
Gracious God, it is a privilege to pray
for your world and your people.
At this time of uncertainty, we give
thanks for those people and those
organisations that are working towards bringing back a
sense of normality. In particular, we pray for our schools -
the teachers, the children, the governors, the support
staff, and we pray that a mutual flourishing
can take place, that those who need support get it,
and that the springs of knowledge are bound with water.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We pray for our church community, always
learning, always giving of itself.
We pray for our life together as
brothers and sisters in Christ,
and we pray for the outreach - that we
have the prophetic voice of wisdom
of learning and of compassion,
that discipleship is individual
and a team effort. We pray
for a collaborative response to Christ's
call.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We pray for those that we have met or we
have talked with in the last week. We pray for those
people who particularly inspire us,
and we pray for those with dilemmas,
problems that may seem
insurmountable, but with your grace are
put in perspective,
unable to diminish our voice as children
of light,
and in the silence of our own hearts we
lift these people
up to you.
We pray for those who have asked for our
intercession,
for Marie Claire, Roy, Tim, Storm,
Carolyn, Nigel and Lisa, Heather, Ethan,
Ann and Alan, Michael, Penny, all of those people associated
with Swan House, Harry, Isabel,
Carrol, Jenny, Grace and family, Becky, Alison, Joshua,
and from our book of remembrance we pray for
Julia McAndrew, may she rest in peace
and rise in glory.
We pray for those people coping with
stress,
those people who are waiting for
something important to happen,
those people whose lives are not content,
the lonely, the desperate, the grieving.
We pray for all of those people for whom
faith would be a precious gift.
Father, everyone that we have mentioned
in our hearts
is known and loved by you, and we entrust
them to you
in confidence and in hope, knowing that
you are the source of healing
and of well-being, and we ask these
things
in the name of Jesus Christ, who is alive
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.
Merciful Father, Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Christ is our peace. He has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross.
We meet and share his peace. The peace of the Lord be always with you.
Wise and gracious Father, open our hearts
to delight in your wisdom,
that through the bread and wine we offer
you
in thanksgiving, we may know Jesus
Christ to be the way, the truth
and the life, God forever and ever
amen.
The Lord is here. His Spirit is with us. Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise. It is indeed right and our joy, at all
times and in all places to give you thanks and praise, Holy
Father, heavenly King, Almighty and eternal God, through Jesus
Christ, your Son, our Lord. For he is your living Word,
through him you have created all things from the beginning
and formed us in your own image, through him you have freed us from the slavery
of sin, giving him to be born of a woman and to
die upon the cross; you raised him from the dead and exalted
him to your right hand on high. Therefore, with angels and archangels, and
with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name,
forevermore praising you and singing
[Sung]
Holy, holy, holy Lord, 
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. 
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
[Spoken]
Accept our praises, heavenly Father, through your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
and as we follow his example and obey his command,
grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these gifts of bread and wine may be to
us his body and his blood; who, in the same night that
he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke
it and gave it to his disciples saying,
‘Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.’
[Bell rings]
In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance
of me.’
[Bell rings]
Therefore, heavenly Father, we remember
his offering of himself 
made once for all upon the cross;
we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension;
we look for the coming of your kingdom, and with this bread and this cup
we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.
Great is the mystery of faith.
[Sung]
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
[Spoken]
Accept through him, our great high priest, this, our sacrifice of thanks and
praise, and as we eat and drink these holy gifts
in the presence of your divine majesty, renew us by your Spirit, inspire us with
your l- with your love and unite us in the body
of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with all
who stand before you in earth and heaven, we worship you, Father almighty, in songs
of everlasting praise:
[Sung]
Blessing and honour and glory and power 
Be yours for ever and ever. Amen.
[Spoken]
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray.
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 break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are on- many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
[Sung]
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, 
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, 
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, 
Grant us peace.
[Spoken]
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed are those who are called to his supper.
Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word
and I shall be healed.
The body of Christ, broken for us all.
The blood of Christ, shed for us all.
Let us pray. Father eternal, source of all wisdom and insight, may we
who have been nourished by these holy mysteries be
schooled in the service of Christ,
that conformed to his image, our lives may
tell of his truth and goodness,
now and in all eternity.
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.
And we pray for God's blessing.
May God, the Father of our lord Jesus
Christ,
who is the source of all goodness and
growth,
pour his blessing upon all things
created
and upon you, his children, that you may
use
his gifts to his glory and the wel-
welfare of all peoples. And the blessing
of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
be among you and remain with you always,
amen. Go in peace
to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.
[Organ plays]
[Sung]
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
But they would not dance and they wouldn't follow me.
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John
They came with me and the Dance went on.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high,
And they left me there on a Cross to die.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I'd gone,
But I am the Dance, and I still go on.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
They cut me down and I leapt up high;
I am the life that'll never, never die;
I'll live in you if you'll live in me -
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
