蜜芽传媒

SUNDAY WORSHIP

听Sunday 11th May 2025

St Stephen鈥檚 Church, West Bowling, Bradford

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Radio 4 Opening Announcement:

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On 蜜芽传媒 Sounds and Radio 4 now it鈥檚 time for Sunday Worship.

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听SPEECH: WELCOME (REV JIMMY HINTON)

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Good morning, and welcome to Bradford -the UK City of Culture 2025; a vibrant city built on textiles and colour and trade.

Welcome to Bradford on this poignant day - the 40th anniversary of the Bradford City fire disaster where 56 fans died in one of the saddest days in the city鈥檚 history but a day which drew people together in support and compassion and care.

Welcome to St Stephen鈥檚 鈥� a church in the heart of Bradford drawing together people from many nations and cultures all with their stories to tell; a church which 20 years ago was on the verge of closure and demolition, it鈥檚 150 year story coming to an end, but now with its own tale of resurrection and new life to share. A church which celebrates diversity, creativity and vitality as it bears witness to the glorious resurrection of Jesus

And welcome from me, Jimmy Hinton, the Vicar of St Stephen鈥檚, on this Sunday midway between Easter and Pentecost when we celebrate the outpouring of the Spirit of God on his people.

Our worship today will reflect some of this creativity and richness of culture.

We will hear of gathered stories transformed into woven glass to be exhibited in our Cathedral in July.

We will hear from others who have made Bradford their home and place of safety and sanctuary having fled danger, persecution and war.

And we will hear from scripture of how we are better together, woven into one body, reflecting the woven textiles on which Bradford is built.

We open our worship together remembering God鈥檚 faithfulness in all places at all times as we sing 10000 Reasons

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MUSIC: 10,000 REASONS (Cathedral Choir and Will (piano), St John鈥檚 School Choir, Congregation, St John鈥檚 Band)

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Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

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The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

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Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

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And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still, my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Forevermore

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Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

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SPEECH: COLLECT (REV JIMMY HINTON)

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Risen Christ,

faithful shepherd of your Father鈥檚 sheep:

teach us to hear your voice

and to follow your command,

that all your people may be gathered into one flock,

to the glory of God the Father.

听 听Amen.听

St Stephen鈥檚 is a place where creativity is celebrated and all around us.

One example right in front and above me is called Flock, echoing the flock in our prayer just now. It is an installation of hand-made birds hanging together.听Made from different fabrics and full of colour each bird is individually created by members of our community - a community of different cultures, different faiths, different stories - but gathered into one.

And,听 it听 is听 in听 our unity that we are most strong. Today that unity is bringing us together from across this great city in prayer and worship. We have members from a whole spectrum of churches, we have friends from our local mosque with whom we are twinned and with whom we seek the wellbeing of our community, we have children from a local school choir. Friends and strangers but gathered as one flock.

This church reflects this varied family,which is picked up in our next song, BIG FAMILY OF GOD. It鈥檚 led by the Choir of St John鈥檚 Church of England Primary School.

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MUSIC 2: BIG FAMILY OF GOD (St John鈥檚 School choir with the Cathedral choir, Will (Piano), congregation, and percussion.)

School choir to sing verses, everyone to join in with the chorus.

Some of us are big and tall
Some of us are very small
Some of us like pink and some like blue
Some of us like reading books
Some of us like feeding ducks
That鈥檚 because we鈥檙e different, me and you

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But God loves everyone he鈥檚 made
God loves each of us, in a special way

That鈥檚 You and You and You and You
And You and You and You and You
God loves you! God loves you!
That鈥檚 You and You and You and You
And You and You and You and You
We鈥檙e part of the big family of God!

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Some of us have curly hair,

Some of us have specs to wear
All of us have different families
Some of us are very loud
Some of us don鈥檛 make a sound
That鈥檚 because we鈥檙e different you and me

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But God loves everyone he鈥檚 made

God loves each of us, in a special way

That鈥檚 You and You and You and You
And You and You and You and You
God loves you! God loves you!
That鈥檚 You and You and You and You
And You and You and You and You
We鈥檙e part of the big family of God!

SPEECH: INTRO TO WOVEN LIVES PIECE (REV JIMMY HINTON)

Four artists have worked together with us here at St Stephen鈥檚 for Bradford City of Culture 2025. Together with members of our community they have created this amazing glass structure next to me here, called Woven Lives. It鈥檚 a large, multicoloured chandelier type design, sharing people鈥檚 life and faith journeys on strips of glass fused together in a kiln, and it symbolises how people are woven together here in our community. Many people in our community have struggled with trauma and this project used a technique typically found in Narrative Exposure Therapy to help them to explore their own life story using rope, stones and flowers. Linda Baines is the lead artist on the project.

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INSERT: Woven Lives

Linda Baines

People lay down a rope and are only given stones and flowers to describe the whole of their experience. People typically put down great big stones where they had a huge trauma, but the idea of the narrative exposure therapy and the stones and flowers is that even in a very stony life, there are flowers, there are moments of joy, there are relationships that make sense for a lot of people, they came to faith, and that was a great big part of their story. When you told your story like this, how did you feel?听

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Anonymous, Urdu speaker

A good feel.

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If people are not kind, I don't feel comfortable sharing my story with them, but if people listen, then I can share my feeling and my story with them.听

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Linda Baines

But people here were kind to Yes, okay.听

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People, when they told their story in stones and flowers, they then chose parts of their story to turn into images, and these simple line drawings were shrunk in size, made into silk screens, and so people pushed ink through the silk screen onto the glass, having drawn it at one size and seeing it at another size, it makes it somehow more powerful.

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Donna听

I'm Donna, and I've been part of the woven lives. This is the first time I've seen the end finished product. Let's have a look.听

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Linda

It's just round in that direction.听

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Donna

I found mine. They look amazing, really, they're really, really, really good. Yeah, it's totally and now lights just shining through. Now we've got a sunny day for it.

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Andy

I'm Andy, and I've been taking part in this project. It was pretty tough to be fair, because it were really, you know, overwhelming to be fair. The first one is when I was in a relationship, and I got beat up and my children ended up into care. So then I left my partner, fighter for my children. I got my children back, came to church, and I'm still here now, it was therapy but it was, in a way, it was hard for me to do it, but I needed to do it to get it out. And since I've done it, I felt a lot better, to be fair.

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Donna

I've already seen down at the cathedral where it's going, so I know it's going to be like pride of place in there. It just looks all fantastic, and the ladies did a really good job, Linda and Sharon, and I really grew from working with them, and that's enabled me to help with a lot more stuff. Now in church, I started helping with the pop up pantry. Then I've been helping with the clothing referrals, and today we're actually doing like a uniform drive to the local schools, and I'm helping with that doing this. It reminds me of the stained glass windows because of the colour and how the lights come through, just bright and colourful. How I'm feeling today, maybe, yeah,

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Linda

I like the fact that glass, you're co operating with the natural environment in that the glass changes all the time according to the light that's coming through it. Because we wanted to say dark times can be transformed. They can be transformed by faith and they can be transformed by being together.听

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Abi
Can you describe this last picture you've drawn?听

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Andy
That鈥檚 when I started coming to church and found my faith and just carrying on where I am now, really going forward

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Abi

What's the picture of?

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Andy

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It鈥檚 a cross, with a smiley face, where I feel at home. at church.听

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SPEECH: JIMMY听

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And if you would like to see the finished Woven Lives piece it will be on display in Bradford Cathedral from the 8th July as part of Bradford City of Culture 2025.

Creativity is expressed in many different ways. For me, I find beauty in Mathamatics! But others are gifted with music and words. Furaha Mussanzi is a singer, songwriter and storyteller. Born in D R Congo, she has lived in Bradford for 20 years and is part of the leadership of the Light Church. In a few moments she is going to share God鈥檚 word with us, but before that her family choir is going to sing for us 鈥淗eshima Na Sifa鈥� in Swahili, which translates into English as 鈥淗onour and Glory.鈥� Furaha is joined by her mum and dad, Ben and Kongosi Mussanzi.

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MUSIC: HESHIMA NA SIFA (The Mussanzi Family Choir, Acapella)

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Reading 鈥� Ecclesiastes 4: 7-12 (READER = Fraser, Amy and Destiny )听

A reading from the from the book of Ecclesiastes (Chapter 4, beginning at verse 7)听

听The Advantages of Companionship
7听I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.听8听This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, 鈥淲ho am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?鈥� It is all so meaningless and depressing.

9听Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.听10听If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.听11听Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?听12听A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.

Three are even better, for a cord of three strands is not easily broken.

This is the Word of the Lord.听

Thanks be to God.听

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SPEECH: SERMON (FURAHA MUSSANZI)

This is a very well-known scripture which highlights the advantages of companionship and is often preached at weddings but when we look further there is a deep mystery here worth unpacking. The book of Ecclesiastes is one of the 5 books of poetry found in the Bible. It鈥檚 a fascinating book trying to make sense of life when all around seems confusing and meaningless. It鈥檚 not merely a depressing book full of doom and gloom but one where the author and teacher is wrestling with the unpredictable nature of life, how generations come and go and nothing seems to ever remain the same.

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I think we can all relate with this sentiment that sometimes life can feel like toil, where we are putting in the hard work and yet when we look back, it seems like we have nothing to show for our exhausting efforts. 40 times the author says that everything in life is 鈥渉evel鈥�, a hebrew word meaning smoke or vapour and we know that like smoke, life is indeed mysterious, ever changing, but can also be beautiful.Growing up in a war zone in DR Congo as a child, I had a lot of questions about the meaning of life and was confronted with deep disappointment and death on a daily basis. I often questioned why God allowed us to live in such a depressing environment with no peace but only now see how even in our darkest valley, God was there, and brought purpose from our experiences in ways I could never have imagined.

This passage also highlights the joy of having people in our lives who help us when we fall, feel low or just when life knocks us sideways. God created each of us unique in his perfect image and designed us, not live on an island all alone, but to thrive in community, as we complement and challenge each other. We manifest God鈥檚 glory on the earth when we embrace each other and when we live and work in harmony and unison. Sometimes it feels like we live in a pretty cold and calloused world. When war broke out in Eastern DR Congo, my home country, earlier in the year, I was left feeling very weak and weary. Everything seemed hopeless. But, together with my parents, I was inspired to organise a silent vigil in Bradford鈥檚 city centre which led to a true heart burning moment. To our amazement sixty people showed up from various faith communities and backgrounds to stand in solidarity with us, to pray, grieve, lament and help to carry our burdens. Despite the freezing cold temperature outside, we huddled together and felt the warmth of people鈥檚 love for our nation thousands of miles away. Although we felt pretty overpowered, we also sensed God鈥檚 deep love and grace in that moment, strengthening us like that three strand cord mentioned in our bible reading.

I have lived in Bradford for more than 20 years now and feel so privileged to experience the beauty and diversity of God鈥檚 masterpiece in knitting my life with others. It was really tough moving to the UK as a refugee, with no word of English and lacking confidence to make friends but over the years I have met some of the most generous, loving and compassionate people who have shown genuine concern for my welfare and helped to support me in my times of need. And now working as a Pastoral Care Leader at the Light Church has enabled me with joy and honour to extend this care and compassion towards others who are also facing the harsh realities of life in their moments of pain and confusion.

So often, culture and arts allow us to create bonds and see the world in a new light and I have seen God weave my life into the life of Bradford in so many ways. At the Tenx9 storytelling events where we hear people鈥檚 real life short stories and share my own, breaking down barriers of prejudice and stereotype. And when the Bradford Friendship choir for asylum seekers and refugees, which I co-lead, join our voices to sing songs from around the world, we are lifted by the music and find peace and joy in the harmony as our voices intertwine. I experience partnership with God and others when I spend time on the allotment with friends, preparing the ground, planting seeds, ruthlessly removing weeds and at the end we get to enjoy the good return of this labour and sharing the delicious food we鈥檝e produced. When I connect with God and others in a creative way, I begin to make sense of life鈥檚 questions and embrace the rich gifts of being present in the moment and the beauty hidden in creation.

There is an African proverb that says, if you want to go fast, go alone and if you want to go far, go together and I am learning that I need to slow down to notice the beauty around me and to celebrate God鈥檚 creativity through people and nature.

But it doesn鈥檛 just stop there because God goes the extra mile in extending his love towards us by weaving us into his own life, through the life and death of Jesus Christ who sacrificed so much for us to enjoy our freedom. God is intentional in his character and brings people alongside us who help us embrace the mystery of life and is always creating beauty even out of ashes for his glory, so whatever you are facing today, know that God wants to rescue you and bring you his strength, courage and wisdom to navigate any situation you are facing.

SPEECH: REV JIMMY HINTON

On the other side of our beautiful park here in Bowling are our brothers and sisters at St John鈥檚 Church, where many of the congregation are from Iran and neighbouring countries. Their band will lead us as we sing Waymaker, with words in both English and Farsi.

MUSIC: WAYMAKER (St John鈥檚 Band and Farsi singers.)

You are here, moving in our midst,
I worship you, I worship you,

To injaee, dar miane ma (mee-ah-ne mar)
parastimat, parastimat

You are; Way Maker, Miracle worker, Promise Keeper, light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are.

To rahi por az mojezat, por az vadeha, noo re taban, Isa khodaye zende

(Bridge)

Agar nabinam karhayat ra,
Agar dark nakonam rahat ra,
Omidam, hamishe bar tost,
Imanam, ataee az tost

Agar nabinam karhayat ra,
Agar dark nakonam rahat ra,
Omidam, hamishe bar tost,
Imanam, ataee az tost

Even when I don't see it you're working,
Even when I don't feel it, you're working.
You never stop, you never stop working.
You never stop, you never stop working.
Even when I don't see it you're working,
Even when I don't feel it you're working,
You never stop, you never stop working,

You never stop.
That is who you are.
Khodaye zende
That is who you are.
Khodaye zende
That is who you are.
Khodaye zende
That is who you are.
Khodaye zende
That is who you are.
Khodaye zende

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SPEECH: REV JIMMY HINTON听

We are now going to be led in a time of prayer by members of St Stephen鈥檚 church and Nathan Javad, from the Grace Urdu Hindi Church. We will be joined again by the musicians from St John鈥檚 Bowling singing in Farsi the song 鈥淢a Moshtaghim鈥�, the words mean 鈥淲e are eager, touch our thirsty hearts.鈥�

PRAYERS AND
MUSIC: MA MOSHTAGHIM (St John鈥檚 Band and Farsi Singers)

Laced into the prayers, with the first refrain sung after each of 3 prayers and then into the rest of the song.

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MUSIC

Moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim.

Moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim.

SPEECH Prayer by NAOMI

Dear God, help all those in authority to make right decisions which help everybody. I pray that you will give them wisdom and they will be able to listen to your voice.

I pray that you will give safety, comfort and peace for people in warzones and that the fighting will end quickly.

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Also grant us the wisdom and strength to look after our planet. Amen.

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MUSIC

Moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim.

Moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim

SPEECH Prayer by STUART

Lord, Thank you for our city of Bradford.

Thank you for all the different cultures and faiths in Bradford.

We pray that people in our city would grow in faith and prayer.

Thank you for calling us to be a City of Sanctuary.

We pray for everyone to find our city a welcoming home.

Thank you for the businesses and workplaces in Bradford.

We pray for more jobs and opportunities for local people.

Thank you for Bradford City Football Club.

We remember the 56 who died in the fire 40 years ago. We pray for peace and safety in our stadium and streets.

We speak the name of Jesus over our city, and pray for God鈥檚 blessing on us.

MUSIC

Moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim.

Moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim

SPEECH Prayer by NATHAN JAVAD

We pray for church unity.
Thank you Lord for the diversity and beauty in your worldwide church.
Thank you for being at work in the churches of our city.
Thank you that you have brought people from all over the world to worship you here today.
We pray for the Roman Catholic Church around the world, as they look to welcome their new Pope.
We pray for peace, joy and hope in the worldwide church.

Lams Kon, ey rooheh khoda in ghalbhayeh, teshneyeh ma
Lams Kon, ey rooheh khoda in ghalbhayeh, teshneyeh ma
Lams Kon, ey rooheh khoda in ghalbhayeh, teshneyeh ma

Teshneh im, ma teshneh im, ma teshneh im, matashneh im
Teshneh im, ma teshneh im, ma teshneh im, matashneh im
Teshneh im, ma teshneh im, ma teshneh im, matashneh im

Lams Kon, ey rooheh khoda in ghalbhayeh, teshneyeh ma
Lams Kon, ey rooheh khoda in ghalbhayeh, teshneyeh ma
Lams Kon, ey rooheh khoda in ghalbhayeh, teshneyeh ma

Moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim
Moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim, ma moshtaghim

SPEECH : REV JIMMY HINTON

Let鈥檚 say the Lord鈥檚 prayer together, in whatever language you prefer.

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.

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SPEECH: REV JIMMY HINTON

A blessing as we close our service. SMILE

The God of peace,

who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,

that great shepherd of the sheep,

through the blood of the eternal covenant,

make you perfect in every good work to do his will,

working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight;

and the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you, wherever you are, now and always Amen

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MUSIC: INDESCRIBABLE (Cathedral Choir and Will (Piano), School Choir, congregation.)

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From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation's revealing your majesty

From the colours of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable

You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name

You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable

You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name

You are amazing God

Incomparable, unchangeable

You see the depths of my heart and you love me the same

You are amazing God

You are amazing God

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Radio 4 closing announcement

Sunday Worship was from St Stephen鈥檚 Church in Bradford. The leader was Reverend Jimmy Hinton, and the preacher was Furaha Mussanzi. The musical director was Graham Thorpe with choirs and musicians from Bradford Cathedral, St John鈥檚 CE Primary School, St John鈥檚 Bowling Church as well as the Mussanzi Family Choir. The producer was Abi Thomas.

Next week鈥檚 Sunday worship comes from Ipswich Minster.

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