Welcome
- This service was live-streamed! You can access the recording by clicking here: https://youtu.be/Cu8hBihpp3Q
You will need a Facebook account in order to view the stream this time, but we’re working on fixing this for next week so that it’s available to everyone.
- From next week, all our Sunday services online will be switching over to just the live-stream, which will be uploaded in the same place as these services have been. Either join us live from church at 10:30, or view the recording later during the week.
Song of Worship
Psalm 100:5 ‘For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.’
Children and Family activities
Based on the Israelites being fed Manna in the desert
2 craft activities based on the Parable of the Workers
Bible Readings
Exodus 16:1-15 – Manna and Quail
1 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” 8 Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.” 9 Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’” 10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud. 11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” 13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.
Matthew 20:1-16 – The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.
“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Sermon
Delivered by Dan Penny
Response
When did you first come to faith in Jesus? Was it when you were a child? Or were you much older? It’s amazing to know that God loves and values each one of us equally, and He wants all of us to share in the beauty of heaven with Him – regardless of how long we have known Him.
Do you know someone who hasn’t met Jesus yet? Before you move on, spend some time praying for that person – that they may know the love, grace, and joy that comes from being a part of God’s family.
Song of Worship
Who are the people we know who we long for to come to faith… Jesus is calling… O come to the altar, the fathers arms are open wide. Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Intercessions
Prepared by Jane Fulford
After each section I will say: Lord, hear us Answer our prayer.
Let us pray – Father God, we thank you for your great goodness and mercy to us. You meet our every need and you bless us as your children.
Lord, hear us Answer our prayer.
Lord, we give thanks for our fellowship here in St James’ and pray your blessing as we seek to serve you. We pray for the PCC and for the APCM for your guiding and wisdom for those you call to serve as we move forward. Help us to hear what you are saying to us as your people in whatever you call us to.
Lord, hear us Answer our prayer.
Lord we lift to you our mission partners, the Fletchers working with RoyRak and those who have the least in Bangkok, the Rays and the work of Neema Craft in Tanzania, for Lamb Hospital in Bangladesh, for John Bosco and the work of Kimbilio that the roof may for the school may be paid for and put in place in the DRC.
Supporting Neema Craft 
Kimbilio school awaiting a roof
We pray for the local mission work at JAC with families, the mentoring of the young people and outreach and for Yeldall Manor and its care for young men in their recovery.
Lord, hear us Answer our prayer.
Lord we pray for our government to be wise, to care for the people of the United Kingdom and the world not to renege on laws already signed. We pray that greed and selfishness may be broken and that all people may be seen as created in your image.
Lord, hear us Answer our prayer.
We pray for: the nations of the world struggling with Covid, environmental problems and wars; for the areas of catastrophic fires in the USA and Brazil destroying forests, your creation, habitat and homes. For Beirut still suffering after the devastating explosions caused by mans selfishness for those who have lost homes and families we pray for those who are taking in care to assist when there is so much to do.
Lord, hear us Answer our prayer.
Lord we pray for those who are sick or struggling at this time in many different ways. We also think of those who have died their families and friends. Let us take a minute of silence to mention them in our hearts…
Lord bring your healing and restoration we pray draw us closer into the heart of God. Inspire us to walk in faith to be united in the body of Christ. Amen.
Let us say the Lord’s Prayer together: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Song of Worship
When the world judges us by looks, job status, outward signs… we need to see ourselves and others how God sees us…in his great love and generosity we are chosen, loved, forgiven… all of us, equally.
Final Blessing
Heavenly Father, we share together the blessings of your generosity. Give us in this life knowledge of your love, peace and provision and in the world to come life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
