Saturday morning bible studies take place in the Chester Beatty restaurant, at the new time of 9.30am. This is a joint venture with Ashford Roman Catholic parish.
Compline – Wednesday 23rd March 2022
Topic: Compline – Wednesday 23rd March 2022
Time: Mar 23, 2022 07:30 PM London
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Compline
Wednesday 23rd March 2022
The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen
Brethren, be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist, steadfast in the
faith. (1 Peter 5: 8, 9)
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Thanks be to God.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord’s Name be praised.
A PSALM
Psalm 69
1 Save me, O God, ♦︎
for the waters have come up, even to my neck.
2 I sink in deep mire where there is no foothold; ♦︎
I have come into deep waters and the flood sweeps over me.
3 I have grown weary with crying; my throat is raw; ♦︎
my eyes have failed from looking so long for my God.
4 Those who hate me without any cause ♦︎
are more than the hairs of my head;
5 Those who would destroy me are mighty; ♦︎
my enemies accuse me falsely:
must I now give back what I never stole?
6 O God, you know my foolishness, ♦︎
and my faults are not hidden from you.
7 Let not those who hope in you
be put to shame through me, Lord God of hosts; ♦︎
let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me,
O God of Israel.
8 For your sake have I suffered reproach; ♦︎
shame has covered my face.
9 I have become a stranger to my kindred, ♦︎
an alien to my mother’s children.
10 Zeal for your house has eaten me up; ♦︎
the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.
11 I humbled myself with fasting, ♦︎
but that was turned to my reproach.
12 I put on sackcloth also ♦︎
and became a byword among them.
13 Those who sit at the gate murmur against me, ♦︎
and the drunkards make songs about me.
14 But as for me, I make my prayer to you, O Lord; ♦︎
at an acceptable time, O God.
15 Answer me, O God, in the abundance of your mercy ♦︎
and with your sure salvation.
16 Draw me out of the mire, that I sink not; ♦︎
let me be rescued from those who hate me
and out of the deep waters.
17 Let not the water flood drown me,
neither the deep swallow me up; ♦︎
let not the Pit shut its mouth upon me.
18 Answer me, Lord, for your loving-kindness is good; ♦︎
turn to me in the multitude of your mercies.
19 Hide not your face from your servant; ♦︎
be swift to answer me, for I am in trouble.
20 Draw near to my soul and redeem me; ♦︎
deliver me because of my enemies.
21 You know my reproach, my shame and my dishonour; ♦︎
my adversaries are all in your sight.
22 Reproach has broken my heart; I am full of heaviness. ♦︎
I looked for some to have pity, but there was no one,
neither found I any to comfort me.
23 They gave me gall to eat, ♦︎
and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.
24 Let the table before them be a trap ♦︎
and their sacred feasts a snare.
25 Let their eyes be darkened, that they cannot see, ♦︎
and give them continual trembling in their loins.
26 Pour out your indignation upon them, ♦︎
and let the heat of your anger overtake them.
27 Let their camp be desolate, ♦︎
and let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
28 For they persecute the one whom you have stricken, ♦︎
and increase the sorrows of him whom you have pierced.
29 Lay to their charge guilt upon guilt, ♦︎
and let them not receive your vindication.
30 Let them be wiped out of the book of the living ♦︎
and not be written among the righteous.
31 As for me, I am poor and in misery; ♦︎
your saving help, O God, will lift me up.
32 I will praise the name of God with a song; ♦︎
I will proclaim his greatness with thanksgiving.
33 This will please the Lord more than an offering of oxen, ♦︎
more than bulls with horns and hooves.
34 The humble shall see and be glad; ♦︎
you who seek God, your heart shall live.
35 For the Lord listens to the needy, ♦︎
and his own who are imprisoned he does not despise.
36 Let the heavens and the earth praise him, ♦︎
the seas and all that moves in them;
37 For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah; ♦︎
they shall live there and have it in possession.
38 The children of his servants shall inherit it, ♦︎
and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
A READING
Luke 13: 18-21
He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare
it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and
it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”
And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven
that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”
Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
Keep me as the apple of an eye.
Hide me under the shadow of thy wings.
A REFLECTION
A CANTICLE
NUNC DIMITTIS
1 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word.
2 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
3 To be a light to lighten the Gentiles
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
4 Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Preserve us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Let us pray
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Blessed art thou, Lord God of our fathers,
to be praised and glorified above all for ever;
Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Let us praise him and magnify him for ever.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven
to be praised and glorified above all for ever.
The Almighty and most merciful Lord guard us and give us his blessing.
Amen.
CONFESSION
We confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, That
we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, Through our own grievous
fault. Wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us. Almighty God, have
mercy upon us, Forgive us all our sins, Deliver us from all evil, Confirm and
strengthen us in all goodness, And bring us to life everlasting; Through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us
that thy people may rejoice in thee?
O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us
and grant us thy salvation.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, hear our prayer
and let our cry come unto thee.
Let us pray
THE COLLECTS
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend
us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our
Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the silent hours of this night,
so that we, who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world,
may repose upon thy eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen
Look down, O Lord, from thy heavenly throne, illuminate the darkness of this
night with thy celestial brightness, and from the children of light banish the deeds
of darkness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, who at this evening hour didst rest in
the sepulchre, and didst thereby sanctify the grave to be a bed of hope to thy
people: Make us so to abound in sorrow for our sins, which were the cause of thy
passion, that when our bodies lie in the dust, our souls may live with thee: who
livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God world without
end.
Amen
Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this place (or, our homes), and drive away all the
snares of the enemy; Let thy holy angels dwell herein (or, therein) to preserve us
in peace; and may thy blessing be upon us evermore; through Jesus Christ our
Lord.
Amen
A TIME OF OPEN PRAYER
Now, in a moment of open prayer, we lay before the Lord all that is on our hearts.
Those we want to upload in prayer, for our world or communities or things of our
own which we want to bring before the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord who so
graciously hears us.
We will lay us down in peace and take our rest.
For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest us dwell in safety.
The Lord be with you
and with thy spirit.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and
preserve us this night and for evermore.
Amen.
Service 16 March 2022
Topic: Suzanne Harris’ Zoom Meeting
Time: Mar 16, 2022 07:30 PM London
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Liturgy on the Eve of St Patrick’s Day – Wed 16th March 2022
Tomorrow, we remember Saint Patrick who came to Ireland a long time ago to bring people to God. Saint Patrick taught us that there are three persons in One God: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He taught us using the symbol of a shamrock. As we remember Saint Patrick we pray together –
Saint Patrick of Ireland, we thank you for bringing the Gospel to the people of Ireland. We thank you for your witness and faithfulness in serving the Lord. May we never cease to proclaim Jesus by our way of living. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Collect of St Patrick
Almighty God, in your providence you chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of your Word: Grant that walking in that light we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, Amen.
Psalm 105 verses 1 – 15
1 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
2 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
5 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
6 you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
7 He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
9 the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.
10 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
11 “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.”
12 When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it,
13 they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.
14 He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings:
15 “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever, Amen.
Reading – Luke 13 verses 22 -31 – The Narrow Door
22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’
“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem
31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
Few thoughts
Hymn of St. Patrick
Christ be with me and within me, Christ behind me and before,
Christ beside me and to win me, Christ to comfort and restore,
Christ beneath me and above me, Christ in quiet and in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Christ in every heart that broken, Christ in every joy and pain,
Christ in every word that’s spoken, Christ in sun, moon and rain,
Christ in resting and in rising, Christ the Lord of all my life,
Christ to guide me and to shield me, Christ protecting me, in strife.
Christ be with me and within me, Christ behind me and before,
Christ beside me and to win me, Christ to comfort and restore,
Christ beneath me and above me, Christ in quiet and in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
PRAYERS
Because God’s love for us is strong, we can present our needs with confidence.
That the leaders of the Church in Ireland and the rulers of the countries in our world may have the courage and wisdom of Saint Patrick.
Lord, hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
That peace and friendship may grow among people of all faiths, cultures and nationalities.
Lord, hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
That the civic leaders of Ireland and those in positions of authority may bear witness to Christian values: honesty, generosity and compassion.
Lord, hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
That Irish emigrants abroad may have the help they need, particularly those who feel lonely and lost.
Lord, hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
That the people who enter Ireland as refugees and particularly the Ukrainian People may experience a warm Irish welcome, friendship and the support they need at this time,
Lord, hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
That young men and women may hear the call of God as Saint Patrick did in his teenage years, we think particularly of the young people in our parishes, our children and grandchildren,
Lord, hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
That our loved one who have gone before us, may find rest in the loving arms of Jesus in the promised land of heaven.
Lord, hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
We take a few moments now, to bring to God the people and situations that are on our hearts and in our minds.
Pause for Silence
United as a family, we bring all our prayers together in the prayer that Jesus himself taught us ……………..
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
God of all nations, you are faithful to your people: Hear the prayers we bring on the eve of the feast of Saint Patrick and grant them, we implore you, through Christ our Lord. Amen
Closing Prayer
O God you gave Saint Patrick to the people of Ireland so that we might come to know you and love you. Grant that we will continue to follow you and proclaim your deeds to all, by our thoughts, words and actions and the way we live our lives. This we ask in the name of Jesus our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
Blessing
May the Strength of God pilot us. May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us. May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us. May the Shield of God defend us.
Amen.
Evening Prayer 9th March 2022
Topic: Evening Prayer
Time: Mar 9, 2022 07:30 PM London
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WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH. EVENING PRAYER.
GREETING
Welcome in the name of Christ. God’s grace, mercy, and peace be with you.
And also with you.
PREPARATION
Creator of the world, eternal God,
We have come from many places for a little while.
Redeemer of humanity, God-with-us,
We have come with all our differences, seeking common ground.
Spirit of unity, ever present God,
We have come on journeys of our own, to a place where journeys meet.
So here, let us take time together. For when paths cross and pilgrims gather, there is much to share and celebrate.
In your name, Holy Trinity, pattern of community. Amen.
PENITENCE
The divisions brought about by human sin and pride are matters of great sorrow for us all. Therefore let us confess our sins, and ask for God’s forgiveness and guidance
Silence is kept
God be merciful and bless us, and make his face to shine upon us.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
May your ways be known on earth, your saving power to all nations.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
You, Lord, have made known your salvation, and reveal your justice in the sight of the nations.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon and forgiveness of all our sins, time for amendment of life, and the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
VERSICLES AND RESPONSES
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouths shall proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
THE WORD OF GOD
A READING
St. Luke 11:29-32
When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!
ADDRESS
ANTHEM
Drop, drop, slow tears,
and bathe those beauteous feet,
which brought from heaven
the news and Prince of Peace.
Cease not, wet eyes,
his mercies to entreat;
to cry for vengeance
sin doth never cease.
In your deep flood
drown all my faults and fears;
not let his eye see sin,
but through my tears.
Orlando Gibbons
PRAISE
God is light.
In God there is no darkness.
If we live in the light,
as God is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another
and the fellowship of Christ, who redeems us from sin.
PRAYERS
We pray to the Lord: in faith we pray.
We pray to you our God.
Silence is kept
That the rest of this day may be holy, peace full and full of your presence; in faith we pray.
We pray to you our God.
That we may hear and respond to your call to peace and justice; in faith we pray
We pray to you our God.
That you will sustain the faith and hope of those who are lonely, oppressed and anxious; in faith we pray
We pray to you our God.
That you will strengthen us in your service, and fill our hearts with longing for your kingdom; in faith we pray
We pray to you our God.
God of mercy, you know us and love us and hear our prayer: keep us in the eternal fellowship of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
COLLECT
Merciful Lord, Grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SENDING OUT
Heavenly Father, we share together the blessing of your presence.
Give us in this life knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lenten Poem: A Hymn To God The Father
Poet-priest John Donne wrestles with the fact that Christians continue to sin even after they repent and vow to sin no more. This poem enumerates different types of sin – repeating already repented-of sins, causing others to sin, remembering older sins – and wonders at God’s ongoing forgiveness. Notice the repetition in the last two lines of each stanza; the poem moves from requesting God’s continued forgiveness in response to continued sin to beseeching God for final forgiveness at the moment of death.
I
Wilt Thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which is my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin, through which I run,
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done,
For I have more.
II
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin? and, made my sin their door?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year or two: but wallowed in, a score?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done,
For I have more.
III
I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun My last thread,
I shall perish on the shore;
Swear by Thyself, that at my death Thy Son
Shall shine as He shines now, and heretofore;
And, having done that, Thou hast done,
I fear no more.
John Donne (1623)
Confirmation Group
There will an information meeting for parents and prospective candidates for confirmation on 6th March at 8pm in EGS. Classes will commence the following Sunday.
Devotional for Lent From Down & Dromore Diocese
Bishop David McClay has filmed forty devotionals for Lent that take a fresh look at the Gospel of Luke and the lessons that will shape our living.
He says: “Living lives of fruitfulness and fullness requires us to discover what following Jesus looks like and what loving Jesus means in times of uncertainty and change. The story of Jesus as told by Luke is transformational when we allow his story to change our story. I invite you to join me each day in Lent for a few minutes to look again at Luke’s account of Jesus then, and what that means for us now.”
The short films ‘A Fresh Luke’ will be released at 7.00am each morning
https://www.youtube.com/user/downanddromorevideo
Lenten Book Club
On six Monday nights during Lent, commencing on 7th March, Revd Jack is organising a book club which will discuss Embracing Justice by Isabelle Hamley from 8-9.30pm. This is likely to happen via zoom. The book has been chosen by the Archbishop of Canterbury for Lent. It poses the question: What might a spirituality shaped by biblical portrayals of justice look like for the church of the 21st century? The book is available on Kindle or Jack can get a copy (cost €10).
8 April— Irish Churches Creation Care Conference
On 8th April from 10am to 4pm, the Irish Churches Creation Care Conference will explore the theology and mission response to the climate and nature emergency. The conference takes place at the Dromantine Centre, Newry. Lunch is included in the conference fee of £20.
Bookings can be made at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/irish-churches-creation-care-conference-tickets-250651424157
The Environmental Impact of Flying
While war looms to the east, it is painfully easy to focus all our attention on the desperate plight that so many will face should war occur. However, we also need to keep our minds tuned to the increasingly ominous threat from climate change. To have even the remotest chance of limiting global temperature increase, we all need to make substantial and, for some, unpalatable, behavioural changes. One example is travel. As covid restrictions are lifted, people are flocking to airports to fly to sunnier or snowier climes for foreign holidays, which are now widely regarded as a “human right”. Banning such holidays is currently impractical but it has been mooted by some that the numbers of cheap flights per person could be limited, the extra flights being charged at rates appropriate to help cover the environmental cost. Not popular to so many, but bear in mind that future generations also have a “human right” – a sustainable, liveable world. If we continue without modifying our lifestyles, the climate in our children’s and grandchildren’s lifetimes will be even more tumultuous than it currently is.