Saturday 8^th August

Slide: Rev David Parry

Intro video

Bore da, gobeithio bod dach chi’n iach, I do hope that you’re well.

Tomorrow, for the first time in five months, some of our buildings open for public worship. St. Peter’s Llanbedr-y-Cennin at 9.30am and St. Mary’s Caerhun at 11am. But even once all of our buildings have reopened, we’re committed to continue to worship in this way as well, in online videos which will now appear on a Saturday morning.

Of course, wherever we are we can worship. And our song that we begin with today is a reminder that the first thing we should do, as we open our eyes on a new day and the gift of life, is to worship God.

Opening hymn: the Iona Community: ‘Today I awake’ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uAGtJi00KE

Opening hymn: slide 1 from start

Opening hymn: slide 2

Opening hymn: slide 3

Opening hymn: slide 4

Slide: Bible reading from Habakkuk by Andy Butler

Video: Bible Reading

A reading from the book of Habakkuk, chapter one, 1-3 and chapter two, 1-4. The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received.

How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and it will not prove false.

Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

See, he is puffed up, his desires are not upright – but the righteous will live by his faith.”

This is the Word of the Lord.

Video: Sermon

Can I ask you a personal question? What kind of relationship do you have with God?

Is it polite and conventional, like we all were at the start of the lockdown when people said, “How are you doing?” “Oh, I’m fine, I’m not too bad.”

Or is it real, like the way you might answer to a close friend now and say, “Do you know, I’m really fed up! I’m scared, I’m anxious, I’ve had enough of all this.”

Well Habakkuk had the latter kind of relationship. He was real with God, way passed politeness. I guess that’s in the nature of being a prophet. He says to God with words that sting:

“I call for help but you do not listen. I cry out to you but you do not save. Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong, destruction, violence, strife and conflict?”

It always saddens me that many people lose faith at the very point where being able to ask those questions to a God who was really listening would have made a difference. They conclude that God is either cruel, indifferent or perhaps doesn’t exist at all.

Maybe that’s how you feel.

Have you guessed where I’m speaking from today? If you’re local to Conwy you’ll have recognised that I’m on top of the church tower.

Not many people come up here. The staircase is dark and eroded and twists just like the stairs in the castle all around us. From here I can see the walls of the walled town and the castle for which Conwy is so famous.

I imagine Habakkuk up here. He says, “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts.” Like someone who’s really angry, really distressed and is not giving up. Like the persistent widow in the story that Jesus told who keeps battering on the door of the corrupt judge until in the end, because he wants some rest, he gives in to her demands.

I can relate to that picture of God. That part of being a believer, a person of faith, is not giving up on what God has promised – and shouting, crying out in anger and pain, and waiting and waiting.

But you see we’re not waiting like those who’ve lost hope. We’re not waiting in an endless queue, that will never end. We’re not waiting on a bureaucracy that never replies. No, we’re the men and women who are on the ramparts. We’re those who watch.

We’re like the lookout on a ship, we’re like a soldier guarding a wall. We’re going to be the first to see when Salvation comes and our cries of joy will wake up everyone else to the Good News that is coming into the world.

So if you’re struggling, if your faith is really hard to hang onto or if it’s in a low patch, then I encourage you like Habakkuk to tell God how you really feel (despite the wind!) and to stay on the ramparts and wait for God’s Salvation to come.

Image: rainbow over Conwy

Because we know, we’ve been told, the revelation has been given, that God’s promises will come true. And a world that is sick will find healing, a world that is broken by violence and destruction – like the events in Beirut this week – will find hope for the future, and a world that is full of tears will be consoled by the redeeming love of the Saviour who died for us.

Back to video

Amen.

Slide: Prayers by Ann Roberts

Prayers Video

Heavenly Lord, we have come together to worship, across a considerable distance, during a time of bewilderment and anxiety. In your presence we find a peace, which can only be found in You. We give thanks that we feel the assurance that, as we pray, You will hear us, and in your wisdom bring answers for which we search.

Image 1: prayer

During recent difficult times we may have concerns that a void has crept into our faith, especially when witnessing regular sad and distressing news in the media. Lord, we pray that you will give us patience to trust that you are with us eternally and at the appropriate time we will see the good things you have prepared for us.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Image 2: someone alone

Lord, we pray for those who are finding it difficult to manage life during the present crisis. We ask that You will direct them to seek ways of coping, supported by good and honourable people and organisations set up to help. We pray for any who feel lost and alone. Lord, may they feel your presence and a strong desire to turn to You and to turn away from harmful short-term solutions. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand why some who do wrong go unpunished. Please keep safe those who are especially vulnerable from being taken advantage of during the present time of crisis.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Image 3: books

Loving Father, in recent months we have had time to recall those who have influenced and inspired us by their trust in You during difficult times. We give thanks for them and fondly remember; our family, church members and teachers. We pray for all teachers and principals of colleges as they plan for the new term due to begin in September. We pray for students whose plans have been thrown into chaos following years of hard work. Lord, may they see hope for the future, as we see hope in your light shining through the darkness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Image: flowers

Caring Lord, as we begin to return to some form of normality, we pray for those for whom there will be little change. We pray for the elderly and unwell no longer able to leave their homes and who remain dependent on others for their needs. We pray for those who have lost loved ones and for whom life will be changed, their loss deeply felt. May they be comforted in the sure knowledge that You care deeply for them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Back to video

We ask your blessing, Lord, as placing our trust in You, we lift our eyes to see the beauty of the world around us unchanged.

Father, accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Outro video 

Thank you for joining us this morning for our worship. I do pray that God will bless you and the people you love in every way in the week that lies ahead. It’s a special week for us in the Parry household because our Eryl is going to be ordained as a Priest. And we do pray for her and for the other six candidates in Bangor Diocese, in this strangest of times, as they begin a new chapter of ministry.

What a gift they are to us. What a gift they are to their communities, their friends and their families. I pray that they will always have an Alleluia in their heart and that they will plant Alleluia in the hearts of others.

Eryl Parry to be ordained priest at St. Celynnin’s Church, Llangelynnin in the Ministry Area of Bro Celynnin

Martyn Lewis to be ordained priest at St. Peter’s Church, Pwllheli in the Ministry Area of Bro Enlli

Andy Hughes to be ordained priest at St. Michael’s Church, Gaerwen in the Ministry Area of Bro Cadwaladr

Siôn Rhys Evans to be ordained priest at St. Tudno’s Church, on the Great Orme in the Ministry Area of Llandudno

Steve Rollins to be ordained priest at St. Cadfan’s Church, Tywyn in the Ministry Area of Bro Ystumanner

George Williams to be ordained deacon at St. Cynon’s Church, Fairbourne in the Ministry Area of Bro Ystumanner

Pam Odam to be ordained deacon at St. John the Evangelist’s Church, Barmouth in the Ministry Area of Bro Ardudwy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTcLfdUkfJ8

Slide:

Opening hymn: ‘Today I Awake’

by John Bell

Choir: The Cathedral Singers

Final song: ‘Alleluia’

by John Bell

Choir: Wild Goose Worship Group

© GIA Publications

Final slide: Church in Wales, caruconwy.com website and logo