30 October 2022
10:00 | 
Posted by
Dr Platts |
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.
