SUNDAY SERVICE – 15th November 2026
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, wherever you are, whatever your situation. God calls us to gather in his presence, in love and fellowship. You don’t have to be perfect, for it’s not what we are when God calls us that’s important, but what we become when we answer his call.
Let us praise God by sharing in hymn StF 76: Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
give me joy in my heart, I pray;
give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
keep me praising till the break of day:
Refrain
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
sing hosanna to the King!
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting (or loving),
give me peace in my heart, I pray;
give me peace in my heart, keep me resting (or loving),
keep me resting (or loving) till the break of day:
Refrain
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
give me love in my heart, I pray;
give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
keep me serving till the break of day:
Refrain
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
O God of grace and glory, we gather today as your people, captured by your boundless love and awe-inspiring majesty. Long before we knew you, your wondrous, prevenient grace was already seeking us out, drawing us into your presence. With humble and joyful hearts, we praise you for the countless gifts you pour into our lives. We thank you for the beauty of creation, the strength of our church community, and the unmerited favour that sustains us day by day. We praise you for your holiness that transforms our lives, and for your perfect love that knows no limits. Open our hearts this time as we worship you in spirit and in truth. May our lives reflect your glory and our voices proclaim your praise, now and forever. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Gracious God we come into your presence aware of our shortcomings. So often we have allowed ourselves to become distracted, angry, intolerant, self-centred instead of radiating your boundless love. You have given us so many gifts, yet we have failed to allow them to grow through faithful discipleship. Forgive our waywardness, our lack of faith and our tentative love for those around us. Help us to live lives that glorify you, and reveal your way of love to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 25: 14-30: The parable of the bags of gold
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ New International Version, 2011
Reflection
Our parable in today’s reading is one we probably all heard as children. It was once known as the parable of the talents, but the NIV simply refers to bags of gold. The crux of the parable is of a master entrusting his servants with some of his wealth, and receiving the benefits of their good stewardship on his return, with the exception of one servant, who simply buried the gold and the amount did not increase. His judgemental attitude and laziness was not well received.
The thing is that God has entrusted us with much – and he expects us to be good stewards, faithful servants and to help his Kingdom to grow. We have good food, we have comfortable homes and a wealth of resources at our disposal – yet how often do we get to the end of the week or the end of the month and have little to show for it?
As God’s Church, God needs us to take the abilities we have been given and use them to help the church to grow, to tell others about Jesus and help his Kingdom grow. We have all been given gifts, whether it’s the gift of preaching, or the gift of making a wholesome cake and a welcoming cup of tea, and whatever we do, to do it prayerfully and to the glory of God.
Some of you will have heard the poem about the old lady who made a patchwork quilt. As she sewed the gaudy scraps together, the old woman prayed. When the quilt was finished, she took it along to the vicarage so it could be sent to the missionary overseas. The Vicar saw the quilt and was dismayed, - how would that be of any use to a missionary in a hot country. So he packs the other goods into a crate and puts the patchwork quilt over the top to protect them. As the missionary unpacks the crate, he sees the quilt and puts it to one side dismissively, but as he does so, a local village chief walks by and is immediately drawn to the patchwork quilt. He’s so thrilled with his wonderful robe that in payment, he gives a missionary a piece of ground – just what was needed to build a new church. The church is built and one of its first converts is indeed the local chief – and all because a dear old praying soul made a patchwork quilt.
You see, without the prayer, the patchwork quilt had no value, no relevance and could be put to one side. However, once prayer entered the equation, there was a huge result that was beyond anyone’s expectation. We see the same thing throughout the Gospels in the parables Jesus told. When he fed the multitude – the humble donation of five loaves and two fishes went a long way.
Growing God’s Kingdom isn’t about the big projects, the elaborate buildings, or the clever advertising. It is more about humble people prayerfully serving God and leaving the outcome to God. It’s often the little things that we do just at the right time that yield the most wonderful results. We should never give up because God can use those special moments, those little things we do to touch someone’s life. Sometimes those encounters are with people we might consider difficult, but it doesn’t matter. It’s not what we are when God calls us that’s important, but what we become when we answer his call that really matters, because a life has been transformed.
Prayers of Intercession
Faithful God, we look out on a world that needs so much love poured out upon it. So many folk are in despair, whether through sickness, poverty, war, or natural disaster. When we see those in positions of power or positions of trust bring war and hardship on others, our hearts are filled with despair. We pray that you will bring peace, healing and justice to those who are enduring hardships.
Lord in your mercy , hear our prayer.
We pray for your church, a church that seems to have lost sight of its true calling. A church distracted by politics when it should be sharing the Good News. Guide our church leaders, our clergy and our lay people to a mission that will draw people closer to you, so that lives can be transformed by your Grace.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We also pray for those known to us who are struggling today. Those who are sick, those who are struggling with the challenge of advancing years, those looking after children and others. Bless each and every one. In a time of silence we bring you our prayers.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And Father we pray for ourselves, that our lives will be fruitful in your eyes. Help us to be faithful servants, worthy of your trust and your confidence. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
We close with a wonderful traditional hymn
StF 658: A Charge to keep I have
1 A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify!
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky;
2 To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfil;
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master's will.
3 Arm me with watchful care,
As in Thy sight to live;
And, O Thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give.
4 Help me to watch and pray,
And on Thyself rely;
O let me not my trust betray,
But press to realms on high. Amen.
Lord, thank you for reminding us today of the need to be good stewards. As you send us out, send us out with joy, with confidence and with a right spirit within us. Give us the words and actions that are needed to help your Kingdom grow. May be your love permeate in us and through us. Amen.