24 September 2023
10:00 | 
Posted by
Dr Platts |
Our second Sunday without Father Chris, but we were joined by Father Lawson who is retired and lives in Chichester. He kindly came to celebrate the Eucharist with us. He gave us some excellent insights into the Gospel passage from St Matthew, and he and his wife, Mary, joined us for coffee after the service.
The Choir sang a setting of Panus Angelicus by Saint Saens as the Anthem. The children joined us after their own session for a blessing and to sing the last hymn.
We continue to prepare for Harvest and the sheet is available to sign at he back of the church if you would like to join us on Saturday evening for a preview of the Harvest decorations, with a glass of wine and some canapes.
On Sunday 1st October we will have a Harvest Eucharist at 10am and at 3:30pm there will be a Choral Evensong followed by tea in the rooms! All are welcome at either or both services!!
A reading from the Book of Exodus.
The whole congregation of the Israelites
complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
The Israelites said to them,
‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt,
when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread;
for you have brought us out into this wilderness
to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’
Then the Lord said to Moses,
‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you,
and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day.
In that way I will test them,
whether they will follow my instruction or not.
On the sixth day,
when they prepare what they bring in,
it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.’
So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites,
‘In the evening you shall know
that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord,
because he has heard your complaining against the Lord.
For what are we, that you complain against us?’
And Moses said,
‘When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening
and your fill of bread in the morning,
because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—
what are we?
Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.’
Then Moses said to Aaron,
‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites,
“Draw near to the Lord,
for he has heard your complaining.” ’
And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites,
they looked towards the wilderness,
and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
The Lord spoke to Moses and said,
‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites;
say to them,
“At twilight you shall eat meat,
and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread;
then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.” ’
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp;
and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
When the layer of dew lifted,
there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance,
as fine as frost on the ground.
When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another,
‘What is it?’
For they did not know what it was.
Moses said to them,
‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.'
Philippians 1:21-30
A reading from e letter of Paul to the Philippians.
For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.
If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me;
and I do not know which I prefer.
I am hard pressed between the two:
my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better;
but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.
Since I am convinced of this,
I know that I will remain and continue with all of you
for your progress and joy in faith,
so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus
when I come to you again.
Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,
so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you,
I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit,
striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel,
and are in no way intimidated by your opponents.
For them this is evidence of their destruction,
but of your salvation.
And this is God’s doing.
For he has graciously granted you the privilege
not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well—
since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had
and now hear that I still have.
Matthew 20:1-16
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
When he went out about nine o’clock,
he saw others standing idle in the market-place;
and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard,
and I will pay you whatever is right.”
So they went.
When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock,
he did the same.
And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around;
and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?”
They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.”
He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.”
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager,
“Call the labourers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and then going to the first.”
When those hired about five o’clock came,
each of them received the usual daily wage.
Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more;
but each of them also received the usual daily wage.
And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner,
saying, “These last worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us
who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.”
But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong;
did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what belongs to you and go;
I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?
Or are you envious because I am generous?”
So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’
17 September 2023
A grey autumnal morning greeted us. No priest as Father Chris is on his well earned break and we had no priest available to stand in (although there was at the 8am said Eucharist).
Our church warden Chris led Matins and Joanna led the choir and congregation as cantor as well as organist.
There will be an Alpha course running from October through to November, sign up in church. Although you can "dip in and out" (not everyone can commit to every evening it is run) but obviously, you derive more benefit from attending all of the sessions. Each starts with a light supper at 7pm and the aim is to be finished by 9pm. All will be held in the Parish rooms.
Althought the families who "Strided and Rided" (I know the grammar is appalling), did not appeal for sponsorship, you can dig into your pockets, purses and wallets and do so retrospectively. Talk to Chris our church warden.
Don't forget Harvest will soon be upon us. Saturday evening you can join us in the church for canapes and wine and listen to a young local lady who is a singer/songwriter and admire the church after it has been decorated. Sunday we have the morning Eucharist and also a Choral Evensong at 3.30 to be followed by tea and cake. All are welcome.
There will be no said Eucharist this Thursday as Fr Chris is still on holiday, but tea, cake and chat (not necessarily in that order) will be happening from 2pm to 4pm in the Parish rooms Thursday afternoon.
A reading from the book of Exodus.
The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army
moved and went behind them;
and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them
and took its place behind them.
It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel.
And so the cloud was there with the darkness,
and it lit up the night;
one did not come near the other all night.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea.
The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night,
and turned the sea into dry land;
and the waters were divided.
The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground,
the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them,
all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers.
At the morning watch
the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud
looked down upon the Egyptian army,
and threw the Egyptian army into panic.
He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty.
The Egyptians said,
‘Let us flee from the Israelites,
for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.’
Then the Lord said to Moses,
‘Stretch out your hand over the sea,
so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians,
upon their chariots and chariot drivers.’
So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea,
and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth.
As the Egyptians fled before it,
the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea.
The waters returned
and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers,
the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea;
not one of them remained.
But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea,
the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians;
and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.
Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians.
So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord
and in his servant Moses.
Romans 14:1-12
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.
Welcome those who are weak in faith,
but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions.
Some believe in eating anything,
while the weak eat only vegetables.
Those who eat must not despise those who abstain,
and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat;
for God has welcomed them.
Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another?
It is before their own lord that they stand or fall.
And they will be upheld,
for the Lord is able to make them stand.
Some judge one day to be better than another,
while others judge all days to be alike.
Let all be fully convinced in their own minds.
Those who observe the day,
observe it in honour of the Lord.
Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord,
since they give thanks to God;
while those who abstain,
abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God.
We do not live to ourselves,
and we do not die to ourselves.
If we live, we live to the Lord,
and if we die, we die to the Lord;
so then, whether we live or whether we die,
we are the Lord’s.
For to this end Christ died and lived again,
so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister?
Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister?
For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God.
For it is written,
‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.’
So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
Matthew 18:21-35
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Then Peter came and said to Jesus,
‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me,
how often should I forgive?
As many as seven times?’
Jesus said to him,
‘Not seven times,
but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king
who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
When he began the reckoning,
one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him;
and, as he could not pay,
his lord ordered him to be sold,
together with his wife and children and all his possessions,
and payment to be made.
So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying,
“Have patience with me,
and I will pay you everything.”
And out of pity for him,
the lord of that slave released him
and forgave him the debt.
But that same slave, as he went out,
came upon one of his fellow-slaves
who owed him a hundred denarii;
and seizing him by the throat, he said,
“Pay what you owe.”
Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him,
“Have patience with me, and I will pay you.”
But he refused;
then he went and threw him into prison
until he should pay the debt.
When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened,
they were greatly distressed,
and they went and reported to their lord
all that had taken place.
Then his lord summoned him and said to him,
“You wicked slave!
I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave,
as I had mercy on you?”
And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured
until he should pay his entire debt.
So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you,
if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
10 September 2023
Today we celebrated our Patronal Festival. We are spoiled for choice as there are lots of Festivals dedicated to St Mary our Lady, but in Sidlesham we have chosen the birth of St Mary for our celebration. This is officially on September 8th so we held our festival on the nearest Sunday, today the 10th.
We had a Eucharist at 10am, and were joined by Canon Deacon Rebecca Swire as our Preacher.
We sang lots of Hymns about Mary and the Ladies of the Choir sang Ave Maria in the setting by Gabriel Faure as the anthem.
Deacon Rebecca talked about the different views that are taken of Mary, from her great bravery to accept the role God gave her as a young woman, to bear the Son of God, through her limited appearances through out the Gospels as a quiet and obedient woman and her presence at the Crucifixion and at Pentecost. She was completely human and is venerated as a Saint.
Thanks to everyone who took part in the Ride and Stride, those who rode and walked and those who welcomed in the Church. The family Barbeque went well and we will hold another one!
Do come along on the 30th September to see our Harvest Thanksgiving decorations 6pm to enjoy the display, a glass of wine and some nibbles and some music. Or come to one of the Sunday Services, 10 am Eucharist of 3pm Choral Evensong with tea and cake afterwards!
Micah 5:1-4
A reading from the book of the prophet Micah.
Now you are walled around with a wall;
siege is laid against us;
with a rod they strike the ruler of Israel
upon the cheek.
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labour has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
Romans 8:28-30
A reading fromt he letter of St Paul to the Romans.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those whom he foreknew
he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,
in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.
And those whom he predestined he also called;
and those whom he called he also justified;
and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Matthew 1:18-23
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ accroding to Matthew.
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.
When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
Her husband Joseph,
being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace,
planned to dismiss her quietly.
But just when he had resolved to do this,
an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
‘Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,
for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
She will bear a son,
and you are to name him Jesus,
for he will save his people from their sins.’
All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’
03 September 2023
First Sunday of the month so our all age Eucharist at 10 am this morning. Its back to school for many tomorrow, and just in time the summer has turned up and it is a lovely sunny day! Many people are back from their summer holidays and we had lots of people with us this morning!
Father Chris talked about the Cross in his sermon, which was an instrument of execution at the time Jesus was on earth. It wasn't used as a Christian sign until about 200 years after he died. Our crosses which we have to bear may be illness, doing things we don't want to do, but they are all made easier by our faith in Jesus and his help.
The Choir are back so today we had an anthem Ave Verum Corpus in the setting by W.A.Mozart. Lovely to hear them singing again!
There was coffee after the service.
Lots of exciting things coming up in the next month, we hope to see you at one or all of these!
Saturday 9th September; Ride and Stride. The Church will be open and manned all day to greet those visiting different churches, on foot or by bicycle! There is a cycle route available for the Peninsula churches in the Church.
At 5:30 there will be a family Barbeque at the Church, please let us know if you would like to come so we can get enough food and drink! A contribution of £3 for Adults and £2 for children will be in order!
Sunday 10th September is our Patronal Festival, there are lots of feasts for St Mary, but this one, the remembrance of her birth is the one we keep. We will be having an invited Preacher so come along and hear the message in a new voice!
Looking ahead the last weekend of the month 30th September and 1st October will be our Harvest Thanks giving!
The Church will be decorated on Saturday morning and in the evening it will be open to come and see the arrangements, this will be accompanied by nibbles, drinks and music, it is free but to gauge numbers please order a ticket from Evenbrite (Sidlesham Harvest Flowers) or sign up on the sheet at the back of the Church.
On October 1st There will be an 8am said eucharist, an all age Eucharist at 10 am, and in the afternoon a sung evensong at 3:30 with the presentation of Harvest gifts and will be followed by a traditional Sidlesham Tea in the Parish rooms. All are welcome to any or all of the services.
Exodus 3:1-15
A reading from the book of Exodus.
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro,
the priest of Midian;
he led his flock beyond the wilderness,
and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
There the angel of the Lord appeared to him
in a flame of fire out of a bush;
he looked, and the bush was blazing,
yet it was not consumed.
Then Moses said,
‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight,
and see why the bush is not burned up.’
When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see,
God called to him out of the bush,
‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’
Then he said, ‘Come no closer!
Remove the sandals from your feet,
for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’
He said further, ‘I am the God of your father,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’
And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Then the Lord said,
‘I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt;
I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters.
Indeed, I know their sufferings,
and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians,
and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land,
a land flowing with milk and honey,
to the country of the Canaanites,
the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,
the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
The cry of the Israelites has now come to me;
I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them.
So come,
I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites,
out of Egypt.’
But Moses said to God,
‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh,
and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’
He said, ‘I will be with you;
and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you:
when you have brought the people out of Egypt,
you shall worship God on this mountain.’
But Moses said to God,
‘If I come to the Israelites and say to them,
“The God of your ancestors has sent me to you”,
and they ask me, “What is his name?”
what shall I say to them?’
God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’
He said further,
‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites,
“I am has sent me to you.” ’
God also said to Moses,
‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites,
“The Lord,b the God of your ancestors,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,
has sent me to you”:
This is my name for ever,
and this my title for all generations.
Romans 12:9-21
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.
Let love be genuine;
hate what is evil,
hold fast to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
outdo one another in showing honour.
Do not lag in zeal,
be ardent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
be patient in suffering,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints;
extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another;
do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;
do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil,
but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you,
live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves,
but leave room for the wrath of God;
for it is written,
‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’
No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them;
if they are thirsty, give them something to drink;
for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’
Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 16:21-28
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
From that time on,
Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering
at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes,
and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying,
‘God forbid it, Lord!
This must never happen to you.’
But he turned and said to Peter,
‘Get behind me, Satan!
You are a stumbling-block to me;
for you are setting your mind not on divine things
but on human things.’
Then Jesus told his disciples,
‘If any want to become my followers,
let them deny themselves
and take up their cross and follow me.
For those who want to save their life will lose it,
and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
For what will it profit them
if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?
Or what will they give in return for their life?
‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels i
n the glory of his Father,
and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.
Truly I tell you,
there are some standing here
who will not taste death
before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’
aGk him
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
