Croeso! Bore da! Welcome to you all. Happy St Valentine's day! Please do make yourself known to me if you are popping in or if I can help in any way.
+Yn enw'r Tad, a'r Mab, a'r Ysbryd Glan. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
Our opening hymn is: Be still for the presence of the Lord
Heavenly Father,
we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and have failed to do
what we ought to have done.
We are sorry and truly repent.
For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ
who died for us, forgive us all that is past,
and lead us in his way
to walk as children of light. AMEN
May God our Father,
who by the Lord Jesus Christ
has reconciled the world to himself
and forgives the sins of all who truly repent,
pardon and deliver us from all our sins,
and grant us the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
The Gloria.
The Collect for the Sunday before Lent
Almighty Father,
whose Son was revealed in majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross:
give us grace to perceive his glory,
that we may be strengthened to suffer with him
and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. AMEN
Psalm 50 1-6 NRSV
1 The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
3 Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him. 4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge.
2 Kings 2:1-12NRSV 2 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 The company of prophets[a] who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.” 4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5 The company of prophets[b] who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.” 6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the company of prophets[c] also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10 He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 11 As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12 Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
The Gospel of Christ according to St Luke
Glory to you. O Lord.
Mark 2 2-9 NRSV
2 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. 3 Then some people[a] came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’?
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ.
Homily
Do you remember when you were young and it was always said you could tell if someone had first had sex because they looked different, their face changed? Equally, and more than likely linked, someone who had discovered true love changed facially, lips a little pinker, cheeks slightly more flushed, eyes sparkling more and hair softly shaping the face. Maybe you might say a change or even transfigured. But do you remember ever seeing this in someone? Certainly love in someone can clearly be recognised in body language.
Think of Michael Ball singing from Aspects of Love,
Love changes everything: Hands and faces Earth and sky
Today is the day in our church calendar when we recall Jesus’ transfiguration, but also it is the day when we recall the subject and emotion of love, through St Valentine. Did any of you manage a card or flowers, any children giving chocolates to Mummy or Daddy? Who thought fondly of past Valentines and love with your partners? Or did you dismiss it as another commercial venture, possibly to brighten our Winter or empty our pockets?
In the reading from the Gospel of Mark, the scene is painted, Jesus and the disciples are back in Capernaum, in a village house maybe that of Simon Peter's house. We do not think it is a home of Jesus since he lived in Nazareth, but here the crowd is so large listening to his teaching that it even spills out of the house and onto the street. Definitely no social distancing going on there! And then four men carry the paralysed man up the external stair case to the top the roof. They proceed to make an aperture through the wattle and daub type roof and lower the paralysed friend down to Jesus below. This does seem like hugely over familiar behaviour, it is a little like opening someone’s front door and coming in along with your family when not invited and making small physical changes to the property! Yet, it isn't commented upon and we can only guess maybe the friends or the paralysed man, were known in Capernaum perhaps to Peter. However this man who has limited movement is presented to Jesus for healing. Now, don't forget in that society there was a belief that the state of your health was in some way related to your sin. We see this now on occasions in our society, for example, a child who has cancer often the parents will think it is caused because of something they did or said or because they in some way were not good enough or ate the wrong food etc. I have a friend with a child with severe mental handicap issues who believes to this day that she ate the wrong foods in pregnancy and so in part caused his condition. She needs to blame something for not having a perfect child. The paralysed man upon his mat arrives at Jesus feet and Our Lord says when he see the faith of all involved, says to the "injured" party "your sins are forgiven."
Here the four friends who had carried the paralysed man and indeed the man himself demonstrate the deep faith they held. They came for a healing, for the man to be whole and able to move, and yet Jesus says "Your sins are forgiven." Jesus has forgiven the man’s sin and his friends, and made them transformed, healed and complete with God. The paralysed man could even carry away with him his mat and left the house walking. Something tremendous had happened here in the midst of so many people. This was a healing, but moreover it is an act of forgiveness - an act of faith. It was indeed a glory moment!
Today, Transfiguration Sunday is an occasion to celebrate, referring to the revelation of the glory of Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, which was normally not visible during Christ's life on earth. In the Gospel today it was almost like a transfiguration, as Jesus is totally revealed, in His forgiving of the paralysed man. And so today Valentine’s day is a time to celebrate love, physical attraction and the deeper transforming love of Christ which is echoed in peoples’ lives. It is the love that gives up a kidney for another, or body organs after a precious death, it is the pennies from a child’s piggybank to the NHS or self giving in the pursuit of happiness and wellbeing. The behaviour can sometimes be linked to a physical change in a person – a huge stress removed from someone and they now appear so physically different, relaxed and at ease again, the worry and agony removed and person looking years younger. Love can indeed change things and the love of Christ revealed in faith can more so enable us to share in glimpses of the glory of God.
Prayers of intercession and the Lord's Prayer.
Almighty God, at the Transfiguration you showed your son Jesus in a new state of glory and gave His disciples a glimpse of what they would see in his risen life. As we worship together week by week help us to get a glimpse of your heavenly kingdom, as well as a deeper understanding of how your son Jesus can transfigure our broken and unfulfilled lives. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Holy God your Son Jesus was wonderfully transfigured in front of his disciples high upon the holy mountain, and at that time he asked them to keep it a secret. Help us not to keep the secret but to proclaim to all that Jesus Christ is Lord. Give us strength to live the Gospel and to carry our cross in order that other people come to know Jesus in the same, personal way as we do. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Almighty God we pray for our Ministry Area here in the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. We ask you to pour out your Holy Spirit on the congregations of our twelve churches, so that we can show your love for each other and the local community. We pray for all who bring comfort, care and healing. We give thanks for human love and friendship and for all that enriches our daily lives. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer. Father God, we thank you for all those who help our local community to run smoothly because of their jobs, voluntary work or neighbourliness especially through this pandemic. Help us to be supportive and encouraging and to step in to situations where we can serve. Bless our neighbours and strengthen those who are working in your name in order to bring healing and comfort to those in need. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Loving God, we pray for all who are struggle with illness, grief or despair. Bring healing to every broken life, relief to all who are in pain, hope to the dying and strength to all who care for them. We pray for those who have died,mentioning them now before you - may they rest in peace and rise in glory. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Almighty God we ask you to draw close to all who have needs especially for those who mourn so that they may be aware of your healing presence, and we ask you to provide your peace and comfort for them at this time.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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.
Our concluding hymn today is: Beauty for brokenness
The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and ever more. AMEN
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Ewch mewn tangnefedd i garu a gwasanaethu'r Arglwydd.
If you would like to donate £5 to the overall work of the 12 churches in the parish, please carefully text: GIVE5 to 70970. Thank you, diolch yn fawr.
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