Harvest Parade 2026 Sunday 11 October
Led by Ann Evans
Welcome & notices
Call to worship Psalm 106: 1&2
Praise the Lord, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?
Presentation of colours during hymn
Hymn 40 Come ye thankful people come
Opening prayers
Glorious Trinity, we come to you today in awe and thanks to worship you; you who are alive and active not inanimate and cold. Creator God, accept our praise; Lord Jesus, inspire our discipleship; Holy Spirit, empower our lives, that we might reflect your wisdom and your creativity, standing firm when we are certain of your call, changing our stance when we must reconsider our choices. To your glory.
God of all time and all places:
You are a kind God, a generous God, a merciful God.
You are our kind of God.
You are a holy God, a loving God, a creative God.
You are our kind of God.
You are an approachable God, a just God, a joyful God.
You are our kind of God.
You are a challenging God, a fair God, a compassionate God.
You are our kind of God.
And we worship you now in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Let us take a few moments to ask God’s forgiveness for the injustices we see in our world today.
God has blessed us, but still God’s children go hungry. Lord, have mercy.
God has blessed us, but still the poor cry out for justice. Christ, have mercy.
God has blessed us, but still we see inequality and oppression in the earth. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
Forgive us, merciful God: when we want quick fixes in our lives and turn away from you; when we want instant answers and don’t listen to you; when we want gods that are worldly and don’t honour you; when we want to be in control and don’t wait on you. Forgive us and be patient with us, even when we are impatient with you and those around us. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Assurance of forgiveness
God of all that is healing and holy, your faithfulness outweighs your frustration, your forgiveness burns brighter than our mistakes. You do not give up on us, even when we give up on you. Thank you for your constancy and for your Son, Jesus Christ, whose life, death and resurrection reunite us with you.
Amen.
Sharing good news
Activity/talk H-A-R-V-E-S-T
Hymn Autumn days
Dedication of the harvest gifts
Eternal God, you crown the year with your goodness and give us the fruits of the earth in season: grant that we may use them to your glory, to benefit everyone we share our community with: through Jesus Christ your son. We give you thanks we are able to give these gifts to those who need them Amen
Readings: Psalm 23, Matthew 22: 1-14 edited (contemporary English version)
Hymn 42 For the fruits of all creation
Address
Hymn 123 Think of a world without any flowers
Prayers
Let us pray to God, maker and giver of all good things:
Father, we give thanks for your love and generosity. We remember you have created our world, in its diversity and beauty. You have made each of us, giving us life, and purpose, and freedom through Jesus your Son. Help us to remember all your love and generosity.
Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
As we remember the gifts of food and shelter, we pray for those who lack basic necessities. For the poor of every land, for refugees, for the homeless. Help all who try to offer them hope, especially the charities who have skill and experience. Help us to be practical in our care. We pray for the B30 Food bank and all those who help organise it and those who receive the gifts of food.
Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Remembering your creation of the Universe, we pray for scientists and engineers, discovering and working with all you made. We ask that we may use natural resources wisely and sustainably. Give us wisdom to use the understanding we have for the good of all. The riches of the earth are yours, and we are Stewards of all resources, answerable to you. Guide Economists, politicians, and all your people to a right use of wealth.
Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
We pray for world issues that are in the headlines this week and those which are not. The students in France, the people of Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan as they suffer in many ways. May peaceful solutions be found.
Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
We pray for the Church, as it encourages us to give thanks. We ask strength and wisdom for Christian leaders and teachers. We pray for our new minister, Revd Naomi Sakala and her family as she waits to come to be with us.
Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
We remember those who are in crisis, for whatever reason. Help them, and those around them. Be with the sick – we mention by name . . . . . . Have mercy on the bereaved, and show us how to honour the memory of those who have died, ………
Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
We pray for ourselves, that we may use your gifts of time, money, and possessions with love and wisdom. Help us to understand all that has been given us, and done for us, and to respond gladly.
Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers, for the sake of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Lord’s Prayer
Offertory dedication
To the God of us all; the God who gives, and wills all people freedom; we pray that our daily giving and receiving, may be like this offertory, not tired habit or empty duty alone but prompted and steered by celebration of the love of Christ. Amen
Hymn 124 We plough the fields and scatter
Blessing
Bless those close to us, our family and friends.
Bless the neighbourhood of which we are a part.
Bless this town or city we think of as our home.
Bless the young and old, faces known or strangers.
Keep them safe and well, meet them in their needs,
our loving God, we pray. Amen
May 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 evermore. Amen.