St Mary Our Lady: October 2022

Sunday 30th October 2022 All Saints Sunday

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We have had a busy weekend. On Saturday evening we had a Requiem Eucharist for All Souls Day (2nd November) The Eucharist was celebrated by Father Chris, and on the alter were the names of the departed to be remembered at this time. The Choir, joined by some very welcome additional singers sang as the setting the Requiem by Faure. This was a very moving service, one we have not been able to hold for the last 2 years and many, congregation and singers found it very moving to be able to remember those who have departed in the interim.

Today we had our Parish Eucharist to celebrate All Saints day (1st of November) We were joined by the Sunday School children to open the service and they then left for their own session returning later in the service to receive a blessing during the distribution of the Host. Father Chris was the Celebrant, and his sermon discussed the Gospel passage from St Luke, which is similar, but not the same as the Beatitudes in St Matthew. The message that Our Lord gives us from this passage is as up to date as it could be in our difficult times, that we should treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves. Reflecting on this idea is a guide for our prayers this week.

There was coffee after the service and amongst the notices this week are the Church Yard Working Party next Saturday, the last one of the year, the upcoming Christmas Market on the 3rd of December, and Remembrance Sunday on November the 13th. All are welcome to these events!

Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18

A reading from the book of Daniel.

In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon,

Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed.

Then he wrote down the dream:

I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night

the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea,

and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.

As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me,

and the visions of my head terrified me.

I approached one of the attendants

to ask him the truth concerning all this.

So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter:

‘As for these four great beasts,

four kings shall arise out of the earth.

But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom

and possess the kingdom for ever—for ever and ever.’

Ephesians 1:11-23

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians.

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,

having been destined according to the purpose of him

who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will,

so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ,

might live for the praise of his glory.

In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth,

the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him,

were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;

this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people,

to the praise of his glory.

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason

I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,

may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation

as you come to know him,

so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened,

you may know what is the hope to which he has called you,

what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power

for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.

God put this power to work in Christ

when he raised him from the dead

and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,

and above every name that is named,

not only in this age but also in the age to come.

And he has put all things under his feet

and has made him the head over all things for the church,

which is his body,

the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Luke 6:20-31

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:

‘Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.

‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,

for you will be filled.

‘Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

‘Blessed are you when people hate you,

and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you

on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice on that day and leap for joy,

for surely your reward is great in heaven;

for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

‘But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your consolation.

‘Woe to you who are full now,

for you will be hungry.

‘Woe to you who are laughing now,

for you will mourn and weep.

‘Woe to you when all speak well of you,

for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

‘But I say to you that listen,

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you,

pray for those who abuse you.

If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also;

and from anyone who takes away your coat

do not withhold even your shirt.

Give to everyone who begs from you;

and if anyone takes away your goods,

do not ask for them again.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

23 October 2022

Sunday 23rd October 2022 Trinty 19

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We went into church with pouring rain, but those of us who park by the Parish Rooms were met by a splendid view of mushrooms. No idea of what kind, and probably not edible but amazing none the less.

The children's Harvest work was on display in the church.

As was the flower arrangers.

Fr Chris spoke to us based on the Gospel reading, which tells us of the repentant sinner and the boastful pharisee. I hope I have captured the gist of what he said. The parable goes much deeper. It addresses our perception of who we are in relation to God. God chooses us because he loves us, demonstrated by the sacrifice of his Son for us. We often resist his love and run from him. Maybe it is because we are scared of what God will ask of us. St Augustine famously said "God make me pure - but not just yet!" God's love is unique to each of us. We are seen alone - not in comparison to others. We are loved equally. We may try to make ourselves feel better by comparing ourselves with another preceived to be worse than us. We need to see ourselves in the parables. It is folly to compare ourselves in faith. God sees all. We should concern ourselves with what we can do with the gifts he has given us. We are sinners who need God's mercy and forgiveness.

Today the Sunday School were busy making Bible Covers and obviously were so involved in the project that after church they went back to work.

During Communion, the sun came out and we left church in brilliant sunshine.

Don't forget the Requiem Service next Saturday 29th October at 6pm. If you would like someone to be remembered during this service there are sheets at the back of the church, add the name(s). Fr Chris will pray for these people during the service. The choir and singing friends will, as part of the service, perform Faure's Requiem, the first time we have been able to do so since 2019 due to Covid.

Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22

A reading from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah.

Although our iniquities testify against us,

act, O Lord, for your name’s sake;

our apostasies indeed are many,

and we have sinned against you.

O hope of Israel, its saviour in time of trouble,

why should you be like a stranger in the land,

like a traveller turning aside for the night?

Why should you be like someone confused,

like a mighty warrior who cannot give help?

Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us,

and we are called by your name;

do not forsake us!

Thus says the Lord concerning this people:

Truly they have loved to wander,

they have not restrained their feet;

therefore the Lord does not accept them,

now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.

Have you completely rejected Judah?

Does your heart loathe Zion?

Why have you struck us down

so that there is no healing for us?

We look for peace, but find no good;

for a time of healing, but there is terror instead.

We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord,

the iniquity of our ancestors,

for we have sinned against you.

Do not spurn us, for your name’s sake;

do not dishonour your glorious throne;

remember and do not break your covenant with us.

Can any idols of the nations bring rain?

Or can the heavens give showers?

Is it not you, O Lord our God?

We set our hope on you,

for it is you who do all this.

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy.

As for me,

I am already being poured out as a libation,

and the time of my departure has come.

I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.

From now on

there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous judge,

will give to me on that day,

and not only to me

but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

At my first defence no one came to my support,

but all deserted me.

May it not be counted against them!

But the Lord stood by me

and gave me strength,

so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed

and all the Gentiles might hear it.

So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack

and save me for his heavenly kingdom.

To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Luke 18:9-14

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Jesus also told this parable to some

who trusted in themselves that they were righteous

and regarded others with contempt:

‘Two men went up to the temple to pray,

one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector.

The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus,

“God, I thank you that I am not like other people:

thieves, rogues, adulterers,

or even like this tax-collector.

I fast twice a week;

I give a tenth of all my income.”

But the tax-collector, standing far off,

would not even look up to heaven,

but was beating his breast and saying,

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

I tell you,

this man went down to his home justified rather than the other;

for all who exalt themselves will be humbled,

but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

Matins

Genesis 32:22-31

22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.

23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.

24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

Luke 18:1-8

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

16 October 2022

Sunday 16th October 2022 Trinity 18

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This morning we had a Sung Mattins as our 10 am service. Father Chris spoke to us about prayer and how there can't be enough prayer! In the second reading, the story of the unjust Judge, Jesus makes the point that if even an unjust Judge can give a fair response if bothered enough by the plaintiff, how much more will our Father in Heaven give us answers to our prayers. He asked us if our conversations with God were on the 'Speak every day' category or the 'Only in emergencies' category. Sometimes the answers we get are not what we expected, but non the less they are answers!

Psalm 121 was sung to a setting by Walford Davies by the choir, who also sang the Benedictus in the setting by CV Stanford.

Upcoming events The service for All Souls on the 29th of October is at 6pm This will be a Eucharist and the music for the service will be Faure's requiem. If you would like to sing, please come to a rehearsal at 3:30 there will be tea at 5pm If you would like to join us in the congregation please do come along. The names of loved ones who have departed can be put on the list in Church, this list will be on the alter during the service and Father Chris will read them through during the service.

Christmas Market, on the 3rd of December 11 am to 3pm, in the Rooms and the Church will include the opportunity to buy traditional German Christmas food for lunch and to shop the many stalls for presents. See you there!!

Genesis 32:22-31

A reading from the book of Genesis

At night Jacob got up and took his two wives,

his two maids, and his eleven children,

and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.

He took them and sent them across the stream,

and likewise everything that he had.

Jacob was left alone;

and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.

When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob,

he struck him on the hip socket;

and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.

Then he said,

‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.’

But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’

So he said to him,

‘What is your name?’

And he said, ‘Jacob.’

Then the man said,

‘You shall no longer be called Jacob,

but Israel, for you have striven with God

and with humans, and have prevailed.’

Then Jacob asked him,

‘Please tell me your name.’

But he said, ‘Why is it that you ask my name?’

And there he blessed him.

So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying,

‘For I have seen God face to face,

and yet my life is preserved.’

The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel,

limping because of his hip.

2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5

A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy.

Continue in what you have learned and firmly believed,

knowing from whom you learned it,

and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings

that are able to instruct you for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is inspired by God

and is useful for teaching,

for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient,

equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,

who is to judge the living and the dead,

and in view of his appearing and his kingdom,

I solemnly urge you:

proclaim the message;

be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable;

convince, rebuke, and encourage,

with the utmost patience in teaching.

For the time is coming

when people will not put up with sound doctrine,

but having itching ears,

they will accumulate for themselves

teachers to suit their own desires,

and will turn away from listening to the truth

and wander away to myths.

As for you, always be sober,

endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist,

carry out your ministry fully.

Luke 18:1-8

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Jesus told His disciples a parable about their need to pray always

and not to lose heart.

He said,

‘In a certain city there was a judge

who neither feared God nor had respect for people.

In that city there was a widow

who kept coming to him and saying,

“Grant me justice against my opponent.”

For a while he refused;

but later he said to himself,

“Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone,

yet because this widow keeps bothering me,

I will grant her justice,

so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” ’

And the Lord said,

‘Listen to what the unjust judge says.

And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones

who cry to him day and night?

Will he delay long in helping them?

I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them.

And yet, when the Son of Man comes,

will he find faith on earth?