16^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

PARISH MASS

 

SUNDAY 21 JULY 2019 – 10:30 

 

COMMUNICATION: If you hear of anyone in our congregation who is ill or especially if they are in hospital, will you please make sure one of the Churchwardens is told.

 

The Introit Hymn

Hail to the Lord's Anointed, great David's greater Son! Hail, in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun! He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free, to take away transgression, and rule in equity. He comes, with succour speedy, to those who suffer wrong; to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong; to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light, whose souls, condemned and dying, were precious in his sight. He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth; and love, joy, hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth;

before him, on the mountains, shall peace the herald go; and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow. Kings shall fall down before him, and gold and incense bring; all nations shall adore him, his praise all people sing; to him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend, his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end. O'er every foe victorious, he on his throne shall rest; from age to age more glorious, all-blessing and all-blest. the tide of time shall never his covenant remove; his name shall stand for ever, that name to us is love.

 

The Entrance Antiphon

See, I have God for my help. The Lord sustains my soul.

I will sacrifice to you with willing heart, and praise your name, O Lord, for it is

good.

 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

The Lord be with you

And with your spirit   

The Invitation to Confession

                  

Brothers and Sisters let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. 

 

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

         

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen

 

The Kyrie

 

Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

 

The Gloria

 

Glory to God, Glory to God

Glory to God in the highest

Glory to God in the highest

And peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God and Father

We worship you, we give you thanks

We praise you for your glory

Glory to God, Glory to God

Glory to God in the highest

Lord Jesus Christ only son of the Father

Lord God, lamb of God

You take away the sin of the world

Have mercy on us

You are seated at the right hand of the father,

Receive our prayer.

Glory to God, Glory to God

Glory to God in the highest.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord

You alone are the most high Jesus Christ

With the Holy Spirit

In the glory of the God the Father.

Glory to God, Glory to God,

Glory to God, in the highest

   

The Collect

Show favour, O Lord, to your servants

and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace,

that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity,

they may be ever watchful in keeping your commands.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

The First Reading

A reading from the book of Genesis

The Lord appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre while he was sitting by the entrance of the tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up, and there he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them, and bowed to the ground. ‘My lord,’ he said ‘I beg you, if I find favour with you, kindly do not pass your servant by. A little water shall be brought; you shall wash your feet and lie down under the tree. Let me fetch a little bread and you shall refresh yourselves before going further. That is why you have come in your servant’s direction.’ They replied, ‘Do as you say.’

Abraham hastened to the tent to find Sarah.’ ‘Hurry,’ he said ‘knead three bushels of flour and make loaves.’ Then running to the cattle Abraham took a fine and tender calf and gave it to the servant, who hurried to prepare it. Then taking cream, milk and the calf he had prepared, he laid all before them, and they ate while he remained standing near them under the tree.

‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ they asked him. ‘She is in the tent’ he replied. Then his guest said, ‘I shall visit you again next year without fail, and your wife will then have a son.’

 

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

 

The Psalm

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain?

He who walks without fault;

he who acts with justice

and speaks the truth from his heart;

he who does not slander with his tongue.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

He who does no wrong to his brother,

who casts no slur on his neighbour,

who holds the godless in disdain,

but honours those who fear the Lord.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

He who keeps his pledge, come what may;

who takes no interest on a loan

and accepts no bribes against the innocent.

Such a man will stand firm for ever.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

 

The Second Reading

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Colossians It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church. I became the servant of the Church when God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you, the message which was a mystery hidden for generations and centuries and has now been revealed to his saints. It was God’s purpose to reveal it to them and to show all the rich glory of this mystery to pagans. The mystery is Christ among you, your hope of glory: this is the Christ we proclaim, this is the wisdom in which we thoroughly train everyone and instruct everyone, to make them all perfect in Christ. The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God

 

The Gospel Acclamation

 

Alleluia, alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia!

Open our heart, O Lord,

to accept the words of your Son.

Alleluia, alleluia!

 

The Lord be with you: And with your spirit

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Glory to you O Lord

 

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

 

The Gospel of the Lord                             

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

 

The Homily by Fr Stephen

 

THE CREED 

 

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.   God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through Him all things were made.   For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.   For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.   I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the Prophets.   I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

The Prayers of the Faithful 

For the full intercessions please see PARISH PRAYERS 

 

In stillness let us pray to our heavenly Father

 

Lord, hear us;

Lord graciously hear us

 

The Reader will add 

 

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with Thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us Sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen

 

Father, we make our prayers to you, confident of your love for us.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Offertory Hymn 

 

I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto me and rest; lay down, thou weary one, lay down thy head upon my breast." I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad; I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad. I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Behold, I freely give the living water; thirsty one, stoop down and drink, and live."

I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream; my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him. I heard the voice of Jesus say, "I am this dark world's light; look unto me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright." I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my Star, my Sun; and in that light of life I'll walk till travelling days are done.

 

The Preparation of the Gifts

 

Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the almighty Father.

 

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. 

                  

The Prayer over the Offerings

 

O God, who in the one perfect sacrifice

brought to completion varied offerings of the law,

accept, we pray, this sacrifice from your faithful servants

and make it holy, as you blessed the gifts of Abel,

so that what each has offered to the honour of your majesty

may benefit the salvation of all.

Through Christ our Lord.Amen.

 

The Eucharistic Prayer

 

The Lord be with you:

And with your spirit

Lift up your hearts:

We lift them up to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

It is right and just.

 

The Priest continues with the preface 

 

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.

 

The priest continues with the Eucharistic Prayer

 

The mystery of faith:

 

Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

 

The Priest continues

 

… Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, O God almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

  

Deliver us Lord, we pray, from every evil; graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever.

 

The Sign of Peace

                 

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

 

The peace of the Lord be with you always:

And with your spirit

 

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

 

Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

                  

Behold the Lamb of God; behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.

 

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

 

The Communion Antiphon

 

The Lord, the gracious, the merciful,

has made a memorial of his wonders;

he gives food to those who fear him.

 

At the distribution of the Sacrament, the minister says to each communicant:

The Body of Christ

The Blood of Christ

 

The Communion Hymn

 

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want. He makes me down to lie In pastures green; He leadeth me The quiet waters by. In pastures green; He leadeth me The quiet waters by. My soul He doth restore again; And me to walk doth make Within the paths of righteousness, Even for His own Name’s sake. Within the paths of righteousness, Even for His own Name’s sake. Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, Yet will I fear none ill; For Thou art with me; and Thy rod

And staff my comfort still. For Thou art with me; and Thy rod And staff my comfort still. My table Thou hast furnishèd In presence of my foes; My head Thou dost with oil anoint, And my cup overflows. My head Thou dost with oil anoint, And my cup overflows. Goodness and mercy all my life Shall surely follow me; And in God’s house for evermore My dwelling place shall be. And in God’s house for evermore My dwelling place shall be.

 

The Post Communion Hymn 

King of glory, King of peace, I will love Thee; and that love may never cease, I will move Thee. Thou hast granted my request, Thou hast heard me; Thou didst note my working breast, Thou hast spared me.   Wherefore with my utmost art I will sing Thee, and the cream of all my heart I will bring Thee. Though my sins against me cried, Thou didst clear me; and alone, when they replied, Thou didst hear me.

Sev'n whole days, not one in sev'n, I will praise Thee; in my heart, though not in heav'n, I can raise Thee. Small it is, in this poor sort to enroll Thee: e'en eternity's too short to extol Thee.

  

The Post Communion Prayer

Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord,

and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries

to pass from former ways to newness of life.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Blessing and Dismissal

 

The Lord be with you

And with your spirit.

 

May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, ✠ and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

 

Go in the peace of Christ.

Thanks be to God.

 

The Angelus

 

The Angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary: 

 And she conceived by the Holy Ghost. 

 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

 

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 

 

Behold the handmaid of the Lord:

Be it unto me according to Thy word. 

 

Hail Mary . . . 

  

And the Word was made Flesh.

And dwelt among us. 

 

Hail Mary . . . 

 

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

 

Let us pray: 

We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that as we have known the incarnation of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, by the message of an angel, so by his Passion and Cross we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ Our Lord.  Amen.   

 

Cake Stall

Next cake stall date is 4^th August 2019

 

PCC MEETING

 

The PCC meet on Tuesday, 23^rd July, at 7:00pm in the Parish Room.

 

Fr John Eldridge SSC

 

 The Palace have confirmed that the Institution and Induction of Fr John will take place within the context of The Eucharist on Thursday 26^th September 2019 at 7:30 pm.  Please pray for Fr John and his family and also the people of St John the Divine, Worthing.

 

 

 

St Mary Magdalene (Monday)

 

Mary of Magdala was healed of “seven devils” by Jesus. She ministered to him in Galilee and was present at his crucifixion. She was in the group of women who were the first to discover the empty tomb, and it was to her that the risen Jesus first appeared.

The Western tradition is that Mary Magdalene is also “the woman who was a sinner” and the sister of Martha and Lazarus of Bethany. There is no evidence either way, and the tradition is tenuous enough for even such authorities as St Ambrose to hold, with the East, that they are three different people. It seems, therefore, that although the Western tradition is to be respected and is a real inspiration, it may not necessarily be historical. This kind of ambiguity is inevitable in a religion such as Christianity, which is founded on definite historical events rather than myths which can be adjusted into logicality. We need not worry about it too much: if it had been harmful to us to celebrate the tradition of heroic penitence, the Holy Spirit would not have allowed it.

Even without the extra tradition, Mary Magdalene is a unique and important character in the story of the Resurrection, chosen by Christ as one of the first witnesses of the event that changed the world.

 

St James (? - 44) (Thursday)

 

He was the brother of St John and, like him, a fisherman. He was one of the witnesses of the Transfiguration and one of those who slept through most of the Agony in the Garden. He was the first of the apostles to be martyred, being beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I to please the Jewish opponents of Christianity. He was buried in Jerusalem, and nothing more is known about him until the ninth century.

At this time we learn of a tradition that the relics of St James were brought to Spain some time after his martyrdom, (perhaps early, perhaps as late as 830), and his shrine at Compostela in Galicia grew in importance until it became the greatest pilgrimage centre in western Europe. In every country there are churches of St James and known, well-trodden pilgrim routes. In Paris, the Tour St Jacques marks the start of the route and the Rue St Jacques points straight towards Compostela. In England, pilgrim routes lead from all parts of the country to the major ports that were used on the pilgrimage. This network of routes is a vital witness to the fact that the Middle Ages were not the static stay-at-home time that we often think them to be: everyone must have known someone, or known someone who knew someone, who had made the pilgrimage. The scallop-shell, the emblem of St James, has become the emblem of pilgrims generally.

In 1987 the pilgrimage routes to Compostela were designated by the Council of Europe as historical cultural routes of international importance. The Confraternity of St James continues to work to restore and upgrade the refuges on a route which is still in active pilgrim use today.

St Anna and St Joachim (Friday)

 

An ancient tradition, already known in the 2nd century, gives these names to the parents of the Virgin Mary. The cult of St Anna became popular in the 6th century in the East, and in the 10th century in the West, where she is the patron saint of Brittany; Joachim was added a long time later – too often the fate of fathers.

Although the information about Mary’s parents is found in an early apocryphal writing that gives many miraculous and highly-coloured stories about the early life of the Virgin Mary, there is no reason to suppose that such a straightforward fact as her parents’ names should be wrong, since there is nothing to be gained from falsifying it. It does not occur in the Gospels simply because the most reliable evangelists (the only ones whom we have allowed into the Bible) felt they had more important things to talk about.

But what, after all, could be more important than the parents who brought up the Virgin Mary to be the woman she was? At the moment of consenting to the Incarnation she took the most important decision ever taken by any human being, and the fact that she took it is, to a great extent, the work of her parents. The Holy Spirit gave her the strength to take the decision; but her parents’ training gave her the wisdom to choose.

Those of us who have children must seek to bring them up to the best of our ability, to meet challenges that, like Anna and Joachim, we have no way of even imagining.