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!!

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. 

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.

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?