A Service of Thanksgiving for the

Conservation of

St James’ Finchampstead

Sunday 18th July 2010 at 4pm

Message from the Rector, Rev Dr Richard Warden In an excerpt from A Pageant of The Chronicles of Finchampstead, written by the then Rector Rev W E Woosnam-Jones and performed in the grounds of St James’ Church in July 1956, Sir Alard Banastre pledges loyalty to God and the people by building a new church in Finchampstead on this hill. "I vow to build a new church, of fair stone, where we may all gather Sunday by Sunday to worship God as all children of one family. And may that church still stand there in 1000 years when all of us are gathered to our fathers." Scene 3: Set in 1121 AD Thanks be to God for the dedication of the good people of Finchampstead who in 2009 -10 AD did their part to ensure that St James' Church would stand for another thousand years on this site as a place of Christian worship. It has been an immense privilege to have been your Priest-in-Charge during this great Conservation Work.

Service conducted by Rev Dr Richard Warden, Priest in Charge Director of Music Mr Andrew Bosley Choir Introit O come ye servants of the Lord, by Christopher Tye Welcome and Opening Prayer Welcome in the name of Christ. God's grace, mercy and peace be with you and also with you. Collect Almighty God, to whose glory we celebrate the dedication of this house of prayer: we praise you for the many blessings you have given to those who worship you here: and we pray that all who seek you in this place may find you, and, being filled with the Holy Spirit, may become a living temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Hymn Praise to the Lord the almighty

Prayers of Penitence We come to God as one from whom no secrets are hidden, to ask for his forgiveness and peace. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen. First Reading Genesis Ch 28 v 11-18 The house of God, the gate of heaven.

11Jacob came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. 12And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13And the LORD stood beside him and said, ‘I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; 14and your offspring shall be like the dust

of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. 15Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’ 16Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place – and I did not know it!’ 17And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’ 18So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. Hymn Angel voices ever singing Second Reading Romans Ch 12 v 1-21 Living sacrifices and loving lives 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. Hymn God is here as we his people Sermon Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell BA, Bishop of Reading Choir Anthem Sing praise to God, by Henry Purcell Prayers of Intercession We pray that Christ may be seen in the life of the Church. Jesus, Lord of the Church, in your mercy, hear us. You have called us into the family of those who are the children of God. May our love for our brothers and sisters be strengthened by your grace. Jesus, Lord of the Church, in your mercy, hear us. You have called us to be a temple where the Holy Spirit can dwell. Give us clean hands and pure hearts, so that our lives will reflect your holiness. Jesus, Lord of the Church, in your mercy, hear us.

You have called us to be a light to the world, so that those in darkness come to you. May our lives shine as a witness to the saving grace you have given for all. Jesus, Lord of the Church, in your mercy, hear us. You have called us to be members of your body, so that when one suffers, all suffer together. We ask for your comfort and healing power to bring hope to those in distress. Jesus, Lord of the Church, in your mercy, hear us. You have called us to be the Bride, where you, Lord, are the Bridegroom. Prepare us for the wedding feast, where we will be united with you for ever. Jesus, Lord of the Church, hear our prayer, and make us one in heart and mind to serve you with joy for ever. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the words our Saviour taught us.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come;

thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Act of Thanksgiving and Commitment Poem composed by a member of St James Our Church at Finchampstead The cornerstone of faith and hope nine hundred years it stood, but wear and tear it did erode stone and brick and wood God chose a team of wisdom who, with foresight and resolve, conceived a conservation plan to restore the church we love. The community has toiled and striven to get this plan in motion, has sacrificed and paid out funds with dedication and devotion.

With death watch beetle in the wood and pews to be replaced, and chequered tiles on floor renewed all signs of rot erased. Psalm eighty four has this to say ‘How lovely is your dwelling place’, and this is true of our fine church one filled with peace and grace. A shining haven on the hill a place of fervent prayer and song, our church a refuge for us all a home where we belong. Too pure to know in iniquity God looks down from above, and sees his church filled end-to-end with sanctity and love. Eye could not see nor heart divine how wonderful St James would be, for future man and woman and child a blessed, sacred sanctuary. From outer space where stars abound it seems the smallest part of the grand whole that guides us on from birth ‘til we depart.

Prayer of Commitment God of power, may the boldness of your Spirit transform us, may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us, may the gifts of your Spirit equip us to serve and worship you now and always. Amen Hymn Now thank we all our God Blessing and Dismissal Christ, whose glory is in the heavens, fill this house and illuminate your hearts; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen Like living stones, precious in his sight, go in peace to proclaim the mighty acts of God. Thanks be to God. Copyright acknowledgement (where not already indicated above): Some material included in this service is copyright: © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA Blessing (Dedication Festival 1) © Michael Perham Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops' Council 2000