19 February 2023
10:00 | 
Posted by
Dr Platts |
This is the third Sunday of February so our 10 m service was Matins. Sunday School is back in session after half term and we had a lovely morning of worship and prayer. This is the last Sunday before we enter Lent, and the Gospel reading from St Matthew described the Transfiguration of Jesus when Peter, James and John accompanied up a mountain and witnessed Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah, and heard the voice of the Father declare 'This is my Son in whom I am well pleased' In his sermon Father Chris talked about how we may have glimpses of God in our lives, and of course our presence with and joining with Jesus at the Eucharist. He wished us all a transfiguring experience during Lent as we concentrate on the events of Holy Week and the resurrection in preparation for Easter.
The Choir sang 2 pieces by C V Stanford this week the Benedictus in C and a setting of 'O for a closer walk with God'
There was coffee after the service.
On Wednesday we will have two services for Ash Wednesday, a said service at midday and a sung service at 7pm. There will be the opportunity for the imposition of ashes at both services. We look forward to seeing you there.
A study group for Lent is planned on Thursday evenings starting on the 2nd of March, if you would like details please sign up on the list in Church.
In the Church Yard Spring is on its way!
Holy Communion
A reading from the book of Exodus.
The Lord said to Moses,
‘Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there;
and I will give you the tablets of stone,
with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.’
So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua,
and Moses went up into the mountain of God.
To the elders he had said, ‘Wait here for us,
until we come to you again;
or Aaron and Hur are with you;
whoever has a dispute may go to them.’
Then Moses went up on the mountain,
and the cloud covered the mountain.
The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai,
and the cloud covered it for six days;
on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud.
Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord
was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain
in the sight of the people of Israel.
Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain.
Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.
2 Peter 1:16-21
A reading from the second letter of Peter.
We did not follow cleverly devised myths
when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honour and glory from God the Father
when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory,
saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved,
with whom I am well pleased.’
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven,
while we were with him on the holy mountain.
So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed.
You will do well to be attentive to this
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until the day dawns
and the morning star rises in your hearts.
First of all you must understand this,
that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,
because no prophecy ever came by human will,
but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit
spoke from God.
Matthew 17:1-9
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John
and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his face shone like the sun,
and his clothes became dazzling white.
Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus,
‘Lord, it is good for us to be here;
if you wish, I will make three dwellings here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’
While he was still speaking,
suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them,
and from the cloud a voice said,
‘This is my Son, the Beloved;
with him I am well pleased;
listen to him!’
When the disciples heard this,
they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
‘Get up and do not be afraid.’
And when they looked up,
they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them,
‘Tell no one about the vision
until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’
Matins
Exodus 24:12-18
12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.
13 And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.
14 And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.
15 And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.
16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
2 Peter 1:16-21
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 17:1-9
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
