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Reflection: Archbishop Vincent Nichols

Bishop of London
Good morning. I’m standing on the banks of the River Thames in London. Just up the road from here, later today, Trafalgar Square is set to host a huge gathering of Christians celebrating Pentecost. The event will be the climax of this year’s Thy kingdom come campaign, a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. In the ten days between Ascension Day and today, Pentecost Sunday, hundreds of thousands of Christians have united by pledging to pray in the most ambitious evangelism project in a generation.

What started in 2016 as an invitation from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer, involving over 65 denominations, in 114 countries around the world. We’ll be hearing from the Archbishop of Canterbury later on in this service.

At Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. We learn that the spirit descended on the apostles as a gift from God. As the worldwide prayer movement culminates today, in this service we’re looking the Holy Spirit’s transformational power and how it works through simple prayer. We also explore how Pentecost is an opportunity to focus on inspiring unity and togetherness across the Christian church.
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We begin our worship this morning with that great Pentecost song of praise: ‘Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me’

MUSIC
Down Ampney
Christian Forshaw, Choir of King’s College London, cond. David Trendall
CD: Sanctuary – Christian Forshaw (Integra Records UK)

Bishop of London
The collect for Thy Kingdom Come.

Almighty God,
your ascended Son has sent us into the world to preach the good news of your kingdom: inspire us with your Spirit
and fill our hearts with the fire of your love, that all who hear your Word may be drawn to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Acts of the Apostles describes how the crowds gathered in Jerusalem – representing many nationalities and speaking many languages – were able to hear the disciples preaching in their own language.
Reading: Acts 2
With international voices from the community of St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square.

MUSIC
Veni Sancte Spiritus (Taize)
Reading Phoenix Choir
CD: Bless the Lord – Taize Songs (Christophorus)

Bishop of London
Christian songwriter Matt Redman, who will help to lead the music at the event in Trafalgar Square later on today.

Reflection: Matt Redman

MUSIC
10,000 Reasons – Matt Redman
CD: 10,000 Reasons – Matt Redman (Kingsway)

Bishop of London
As well as the Archbishop of Canterbury, taking part in this afternoon’s event are leaders of a number of different Christian denominations. We near now from Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, Archbishop Angaelos, General Bishop in the UK of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Michaela Youngson, President of the Methodist Conference.

Reflection: Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Rev Michela Youngson, Archbishop Angaelos

MUSIC
Amazing grace
The Kingdom Choir
CD: Stand by me – The Kingdom Choir (Sony Music)

Bishop of London
In a few moments time our preacher is the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who reflects on Thy Kingdom Come from the Chapel of Lambeth Palace just up the river from here.

SERMON: Archbishop of Canterbury

MUSIC
Blinded by your grace – Stormzy
The Kingdom Choir
CD: Stand by me – The Kingdom Choir (Sony Music)

Prayers
With international voices from the community of St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square.

MUSIC
Jesus, remember me - Taize
St Martin’s Voices
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We pray for God to fill us with his Spirit.

Generous God,
we thank you for the power of your Holy Spirit.
We ask that we may be strengthened to serve you better.

We thank you for the wisdom of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to make us wise to understand your will.

We thank you for the peace of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to keep us confident of your love wherever you call us.

We thank you for the healing of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to bring reconciliation and wholeness
where there is division, sickness and sorrow.

We thank you for the gifts of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to equip us for the work which you have given us.

We thank you for the fruit of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to reveal in our lives the love of Jesus.

We thank you for the breath of your Holy Spirit,
given us by the risen Lord.
We ask you to keep the whole Church, living and departed,
in the joy of eternal life.

Generous God,
you sent your Holy Spirit upon your Messiah at the river Jordan,
and upon the disciples in the upper room:
in your mercy fill us with your Spirit,
hear our prayer,
and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.

Being made one by the power of the Spirit, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

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.

Bishop of London
May the Spirit,
who hovered over the waters when the world was created,
breathe into you the life he gives.
Amen.

May the Spirit,
who overshadowed the Virgin when the eternal Son came among us,
make you joyful in the service of the Lord.
Amen.

May the Spirit,
who set the Church on fire upon the Day of Pentecost,
bring the world alive with the love of the risen Christ.
Amen.

And the blessing …

MUSIC
Praise my soul the King of Heaven
recorded live at the Keswick Convention
CD: Keswick Hymns – In Christ alone (Keswick Resources)

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