 [The service outline below was planned for a communion service at St Andrew’s, Hook Norton, Oxfordshire – those sections more appropriate for communion are marked with an asterisk* - adapt the outline to suit your own needs – Scriptures NIV - you may need to reformat the text]
‘Welcome to Worship’
Welcome and Notices
[led by…]
Many of the prayers and responses in this service
are taken directly from John Newton’s own prayers and sermons, indicated by “quotation marks”
Reader:
The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high.
All:
He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.
Reader:
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge.
All:
The fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.
Reader:
The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
All:
Glorious things are said of you, O city of God.
Hymn:
GLORIOUS THINGS OF THEE ARE SPOKEN
Zion, city of our God!
He, whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for his own abode:
On the rock of ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded
Thou may’st smile at all thy foes.
See! the streams of living waters
Springing from eternal love;
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove:
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace, which like the LORD, the giver,
Never fails from age to age.
Round each habitation hov’ring
See the cloud and fire appear!
For a glory and a cov’ring,
Showing that the LORD is near:
Thus deriving from their banner
Light by night and shade by day;
Safe they feed upon the Manna
Which he gives them when they pray.
Blest inhabitants of Zion,
Washed in the Redeemer’s blood!
Jesus, whom their souls rely on,
Makes them kings and priests to GOD:
’Tis his love his people raises
Over self to reign as kings
And as priests, his solemn praises
Each for a thank–offering brings.
Saviour, if of Zion’s city
I through grace a member am;
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in thy name
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure,
None but Zion’s children know.
John Newton, Easter Day 1775
*Reader:
“When we have lost a dear friend our thoughts often look back upon what he said and did in his lifetime, and especially his last words and actions are noticed and recollected. Jesus said, Do this in remembrance of Me. Now this was one of the last solemn actions in which Jesus our best friend was engaged before his passion – though his own sufferings were just coming upon him he forgot (as it were) himself, that he might think of us.”
*All:
“As I appear at the communion in obedience to the command, and in the remembrance of the sufferings of my dear Redeemer, so may I more fully than ever feel the reality and necessity of his assistance; and that when I say that I can do nothing good without him, may I speak entirely from my heart, and may this absolute dependence upon him only, be the ruling principle of my life. Amen.”
POWERPOINT: Amazing Grace in the Life of John Newton
[available from www.johnnewton.org]
Reader/s: Psalm 107:23-32 & Newton’s Narrative of his conversion
Reader/s:
Others went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
They saw the works of the LORD,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
Newton:
“I went to bed that night in my usual security and indifference: but was awaked from a sound sleep by the force of a violent sea, which broke on board us. So much of it came down below as filled the cabin I lay in with water. This alarm was followed by a cry from the deck, that the ship was going down, or sinking. The sea had torn away the upper timbers on one side, and made the ship a mere wreck in a few minutes.”
Reader/s:
They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
They reeled and staggered like drunken men;
they were at their wits' end.
Newton:
“I was obliged to return to the pump, and there I continued till noon, almost every passing wave breaking over my head; but we made ourselves fast with ropes, that we might not be washed away. Indeed I expected that every time the vessel descended in the sea, she would rise no more. About nine o'clock, being almost spent with cold and labour, I went to speak with the captain.”
Reader/s:
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
Newton:
“Just as I was returning from him, I said, almost without any meaning, "If this will not do, the Lord have mercy on us!" I was instantly struck with my own words, and as Jehu said once, What hast thou to do with peace, so it directly occurred, What mercy can there be for me? I concluded at first; that my sins were too great to be forgiven.
When I saw beyond all probability, there was still hope of respite, and heard about six in the evening that the ship was freed from water, there arose a gleam of hope; I thought I saw the hand of God displayed in our favour: I began to pray. I could not utter the prayer of faith: I could not draw near to a reconciled God, and call him Father. My prayer was like the cry of the ravens, which yet the Lord does not disdain to hear. I now began to think of that Jesus whom I had so often derided: I recollected the particulars of his life, and of his death:- a death for sins not his own, but, as I remembered, for the sake of those who in their distress should put their trust in Him.”
Reader/s:
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.
Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.
Newton:
“When we came into port, our very last victuals were boiling in the pot; and before we had been there two hours, the wind, which seemed to have been providentially restrained till we were in a place of safety, began to blow with great violence; so that, if we had continued at sea that night in our shattered enfeebled condition, we must, in all human appearance, have gone to the bottom.
About this time I began to know that there is a God that hears and answers prayer.”
Hymn:
HOW SWEET THE NAME OF JESUS SOUNDS
In a believer’s ear.
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis Manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary rest.
Dear name! the rock on which I build,
My shield and hiding place;
My never–failing treasury filled
With boundless stores of grace.
By thee my prayers acceptance gain,
Although with sin defiled,
Satan accuses me in vain,
And I am owned a child.
Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
My Prophet, Priest, and King;
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.
Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see thee as thou art,
I’ll praise thee as I ought.
’Till then I would thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath,
And may the music of thy name
Refresh my soul in death.
John Newton
*Leader:
“All you that are weary and heavy laden, wounded, thirsting, tempted souls – all who desire to have guilt pardoned and sin subdued – all who long to call Jesus and his righteousness yours, come – you shall be welcome – the Lord invites you – he has prepared the feast on purpose for such as you. May we not then lift up our hearts and say,
*All:
Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ.”
Leader:
“Examine whether you have truly repented of your sins.
True repentance often begins with conviction and sorrow of some one sin, but then it does not stop here. The true penitent soon sees himself to be a sinner throughout, in heart and life, and that he has come short of the glory of God in everything.
True repentance arises from a believing view of Christ as suffering for our sins – this alone can make sin appear truly hateful. True repentance is always joined with a love to the Lord Jesus Christ and a dependence which is sincere, however feeble, on him alone for salvation.”
(Time for quiet reflection)
Leader:
“Cry to Him, who is mighty to save from all sin.”
All:
“O Lord, let me no longer resolve and pray in vain; strengthen me by your grace, and direct me by your wisdom.”
Leader:
“We presume with a humble awe to apply to ourselves the words our Saviour spoke to some who were thought the chief of sinners: Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven; go in peace; your faith has made you whole.”
All: Amen.
Leader: The Collect or other appropriate Prayer
Reader: Old Testament Reading: 1 Chronicles 17:7,11,14,16-20, 26-27 [or all chapter 17]
"Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men of the earth.
When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.
I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.'
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:
"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O Lord God.
"What more can David say to you for honouring your servant? For you know your servant, O Lord. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.
"There is no one like you, O Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.
O Lord, you are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever."
SERMON: Amazing Grace
[drawn from the JNP website: see www.johnnewton.org/Group/Group.aspx?id=32662
Amazing Grace, Introduction and Newton’s sermon notes]
Hymn: [using these original words by John Newton]
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 those 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.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But GOD, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
John Newton, 1 January 1773
Reader: New Testament Reading:
Philippians 2:5-12
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Hymn: [tunes: 10:10:10:10:10:10 e.g. Anirts; Song 1; Unde et Memores; Yorkshire]
OUR GOD AND FATHER WHOSE ETERNAL MIND
breathed life into our dust and gave us birth,
and of one blood created humankind
to live in peace as fellow-heirs of earth:
for all the long-oppressed in this our day,
whose night is starless, hear us as we pray.
Our Saviour Christ once chose a servant’s part,
maligned, rejected and unjustly tried;
teach us, who follow him, to lay to heart
what love he set on those for whom he died.
Before his cross, who rose and lives and saves,
we fellow-sinners kneel as fellow-slaves.
Your Name we praise for those who fought and won
to drive the slavers’ traffic from the sea;
who spent themselves until the task was done,
who broke the bonds and set the captives free:
on such a cause, on such a victor’s crown,
the stars of heaven shone more brightly down.
Hear now our prayers for those who suffer still
oppression, terror, misery and pain;
give to your ransomed church the strength of will
to frame a world where peace and justice reign:
where those on earth rejoice with those above,
free fellow-children of a Father’s love.
Timothy Dudley-Smith
written for The John Newton Project to mark the bicentenary in 2007 of legislation
by Parliament and Congress to abolish British and American participation in the slave trade.
© Timothy Dudley-Smith, 9 Ashlands, Ford, Salisbury, Wilts, SP4 6DY, England in Europe (including Great Britain and Eire) and Africa. © 2005, Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188, United States of America and the rest of the world.
Leader: [leading in prayer}
“Come, my soul, thy suit prepare,
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee nay.”
John Newton
[followed by prayers]
Reader:
Let us all stand together to share The Peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you:
All:
And also with you.
PowerPoint Hymn: This rebel made a son
[available soon from JNP]
Leader: [Eucharistic Prayer]
“Oh wondrous love! to bleed and die,
To bear the cross and shame;
That guilty sinners, such as I,
Might plead thy gracious name.”
All [spoken]:
“That dear blood, for sinners spilt,
Shows my sin in all its guilt:
Ah, my soul, he bore thy load,
Thou hast slain the Lamb of GOD.
Hark! his dying words; “Forgive,
Father, let the sinner live;
Sinner, wipe thy tears away,
I thy ransom freely pay.”
He has dearly bought my soul
LORD, accept, and claim the whole!
To thy will I all resign,
Now, no more my own, but thine.”
John Newton
*Leader: [prayer]
*All:
We do not presume to come to this Your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in Your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under Your table.
But You, Lord, are the God of our salvation, and share Your bread with sinners. So cleanse and feed us with the precious body and blood of Your Son, that He may live in us and we in Him; and that we, with the whole company of Christ, may sit and eat in Your kingdom. Amen.
*Communion
Leader:
As Jesus taught us, so we pray:
All:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and 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.
Father of all, we give You thanks and praise that when we were still far off You met us in Your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, He declared Your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ’s body live His risen life; we who drink His cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope You have set before us, so we, and all Your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise Your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn:
LET US LOVE AND SING AND WONDER
Let us praise the Saviour’s name!
He has hushed the Law’s loud thunder,
He has quenched Mount Sinai’s flame:
He has washed us with his blood,
He has brought us nigh to God.
Let us love the Lord who bought us,
Pitied us when enemies;
Called us by his grace, and taught us,
Gave us ears, and gave us eyes:
He has washed us with his blood,
He presents our souls to God.
Let us sing though fierce temptations
Threaten hard to hear us down
For the Lord, our strong salvation,
Holds in view the conquerors crown:
He who washed us with his blood,
Soon will bring us home to GOD.
Let us wonder, grace and justice,
Join and point to mercy’s store;
When through grace in CHRIST our trust is,
Justice smiles; and asks no more:
He who washed us with his blood,
Has secured our way to God.
Let us praise, and join the chorus
Of the saints, enthroned on high;
Here they trusted him before us,
Now their praises fill the sky:
“Thou hast washed us with thy blood,
Thou art worthy, Lamb of GOD!”
Hark! the name of JESUS, sounded
Loud, from golden harps above!
LORD, we blush, and are confounded,
Faint our praises, cold our love!
Wash our souls and songs with blood,
For by thee we come to GOD.
John Newton
Leader:
Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God.
All:
“Here I may learn my security: Christ is my life, he is immortal; Christ is my friend, he is unchangeable; he is my prophet, he is infallible; he is my captain, he is invincible; he is my treasure, he is inexhaustible; he is my support, and as such he is the Rock of ages.
Lord complete in me the glorious work which only your free grace could in any measure begin. Amen.”
John Newton
Hymn: [suggested tunes Sardis, or Petersen or Stockwell]
MAY THE GRACE OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR
And the Father’s boundless love,
With the holy Spirit’s favour,
Rest upon us from above!
Thus may we abide in union
With each other, and the Lord;
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.
John Newton
The Blessing
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