UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL, BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND

SUNDAY 24 OCTOBER 2021
THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 25)
BIBLE SUNDAY
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Blessed Lord,
who caused all holy scriptures
to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them,
to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them
that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast
the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Isaiah 55.1-11 – Come to the waters, all who are thirsty, and enjoy abundant life

Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;

and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labour for that which does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.

Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.

I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.

See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.

See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you,

because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.

Seek the Lord while he may be found,
call upon him while he is near;

let the wicked forsake their way,
and the unrighteous their thoughts;

let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes – Thomas Attwood (1765-1838)
To listen, click here.
(The Choir of Somerville College, Oxford recorded at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche, Berlin)

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes, and I will keep them unto the end.
Words Psalm 119, v.33

Gospel: John 5.36b-47 – The scriptures testify to Jesus, as do his works

The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.
‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Offertory

Prayers of Intercession

Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
We pray for those in most need in our own families and neighbourhood, thinking of the elderly, the housebound and those in hospital or hospice. We pray for all carers and visitors whether family members, volunteers or health care professionals and especially for those who minister to people near the end of life’s journey through the hospice movement – for they do your work and so we ask for them your gifts of patience, compassion and understanding.
We pray for those that we know who are sick, lonely or in some special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts…. Praying especially for Cynthia, Don and Pam, Sian, James …
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those we love but no longer see, in the silence we lift them before you… may the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope for you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.
Merciful father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Hymn – We have a gospel to proclaim
To listen, click here.

We have a gospel to proclaim,
good news for men in all the earth;
the gospel of a Saviour’s name:
we sing his glory, tell his worth.

Tell of His birth at Bethlehem,
not in a royal house or hall
but in a stable dark and dim:
the Word made flesh, a light for all.

Tell of His death at Calvary,
hated by those He came to save,
in lonely suffering on the cross;
for all He loved, His life He gave.

Tell of that glorious Easter morn:
empty the tomb, for he was free.
He broke the power of death and hell
that we might share His victory.

Tell of his reign at God’s right hand,
by all creation glorified;
he sends his Spirit on his Church
to live for him, the Lamb who died.

Now we rejoice to name Him King:
Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
This gospel message we proclaim:
we sing his glory, tell his worth.

Words: Edward Joseph Burns (b.1938)
Music: ‘Fulda’ Sacred Melodies, 1815 William Gardiner (1770-1853)

Post Communion

God of all grace,
your Son Jesus Christ fed the hungry
with the bread of his life
and the word of his kingdom:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your true and living bread;
Who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Blessing

The Lord bless us and watch over us;
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The Lord look kindly upon us and give us peace. Amen
Our worship has now ended, and our service now begins……
Go in the light and peace of Christ.

Organ Voluntary – Sonata No 4 Op 65 1st movement – F Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847)
To listen, click here.
(Benjamin Righetti at the organ of the Cathedral of Saint-Nicolas, Fribourg, Switzerland)

We hope you are enjoying the online services which aim to bring the church community together and keep the momentum of faith alive for all generations.
As rural parish churches, we rely heavily on donations to help maintain our beautiful buildings.
We are incredibly grateful for any donations -thank you once again for your kind support and generosity.
God Bless.

Some of the material included in this Service is Copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000
and other Hymns and Music are reproduced and streamed under
Church Copyright Licences 778647 and 873889

SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER 2021
THE TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 24)
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

God, the giver of life,
whose Holy Spirit wells up within your Church:
by the Spirit’s gifts equip us to live the gospel of Christ
and make us eager to do your will,
that we may share with the whole creation
the joys of eternal life;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Job 38.1-7 – God replies to Job: ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?’

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Gird up your loins like a man,
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone
when the morning stars sang together
and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: ‘Greater love’ – John Ireland (1879-1962)
To listen, click here.
(The Priory Singers, St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast))

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. Love is strong as death; many waters cannot quench love. Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness.
Ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus. Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath call’d you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Words from: Canticles 8; St John 15; I Peter 2; I Corinthians 6; and Romans 12)

Gospel: Mark 10.35-45 – James and John ask to sit at Christ’s right hand

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’
When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon – the Revd Canon David Eaton

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Offertory

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

Prayers of Intercession – prepared by Margaret Miller

In the power of the spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you promised through your Son, Jesus Christ, to hear us when we pray in faith.
Heavenly Father, as the seasons change, and we see the countryside around us, we thank you for our world and the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place. With the international conference, Cop 26, being held in the next few weeks, may we be aware of our responsibility to protect and care for your creation. We pray for all working in Government and local authorities who have the responsibility for enacting the laws which govern our lives. May they have the vision, not only to protect us, but also to see their decisions in a wider, more global arena. Give wisdom to all in authority and direct this and every nation in the ways of justice and peace, that we may honour one another, and seek the common good. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We thank you for the opportunity to worship You in many different ways, from the family services taken by the children, to the more formal services, and also the Connect at 4 new venture. May we always remain a welcoming Church family, with open doors for all who seek to find peace and faith in Your love. We pray for Anna, David and Neil, and Kerry as she continues her training with us, give them the guidance to take us forward in our journey of faith, and further understanding of Your love and work for us here. Bless Jonathan and Christopher. our Bishops, and all clergy, and strengthen all your Church in the service of Christ, that those who confess your name, maybe united in your truth, live in your love and reveal your glory in the world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

Father, as the children continue in school, after returning from summer holidays, we pray that they may act responsibly in view of the continuing Covid infections. We also pray for our young people who for the first time are settling into college and Universities away from home, and families. Give them the courage to make new friends, and continue their studies safely. Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours, that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for all who are working in our hospitals and Homes, we thank you that the vaccinations are continuing, and that fewer people require the need for hospital treatment. We thank you for the care given to the elderly and those with dementia in our local homes, at Old Wall Cottage and Broome Park, give us a sense of your love for us, throughout our lives. We pray for those who are in Hospital at this time, and those waiting for treatment. We bring to you also those we know who need your care in whatever way. Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit. Give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Father, we bring to you the families of those who have recently died, those missing loved-ones who are finding it difficult to carry on. Bring their thoughts to happier times and may we be able to support them in their loss. We thank you for those who have been guiding us in our younger days, may we in our turn seek to support and encourage those now taking steps into the future. We also remember those whose anniversaries are at this time. Comfort all who mourn, and according to your promises, grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of all your saints, we commend ourselves and the whole creation to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers,
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn – Father of heaven, whose love profound
To listen, click here.
(Choir of St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham)

Father of heaven, whose love profound
a ransom for our souls hath found,
before thy throne we sinners bend,
to us thy pardoning love extend.

Almighty Son, Incarnate Word,
our Prophet, Priest, Redeemer, Lord,
before thy throne we sinners bend,
to us thy saving grace extend.

Eternal Spirit, by whose breath
the soul is raised from sin and death,
before thy throne we sinners bend,
to us thy quickening power extend.

Thrice Holy!! Father, Spirit, Son;
mysterious Godhead, Three in One,
before thy throne we sinners bend,
grace, pardon, life, to us extend.

Words: Edward Cooper (1770-1833)
Music: ‘Rievaulx’ John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876)

Post Communion

God our Father,
whose Son, the light unfailing,
has come from heaven to deliver the world
from the darkness of ignorance:
let these holy mysteries open the eyes of our understanding
that we may know the way of life,
and walk in it without stumbling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary: Dialogue Sur Les Mixtures from Suite Brève – Jean Langlais (1907-91)
To listen, click here.
(Gillian Weir at the organ of Suntory Hall, Tokyo, Japan)

SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER 2021
THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 23)
PARISH COMMUNION (IONA)

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

O God, forasmuch as without you
we are not able to please you;
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit
may in all things direct and rule our hearts;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Job 23.1-9, 16, 17 – Job’s bitter complaint in the face of adversity

Then Job answered:

‘Today also my complaint is bitter;
his hand is heavy despite my groaning.

O that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his dwelling!

I would lay my case before him,
and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would learn what he would answer me,
and understand what he would say to me.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; but he would give heed to me.

There an upright person could reason with him,
and I should be acquitted for ever by my judge.

‘If I go forward, he is not there;
or backward, I cannot perceive him;

on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him;
I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.

God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;

If only I could vanish in darkness,
and thick darkness would cover my face!

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Song: ‘Simple Living (A Rich Young Man came to ask of Christ)’

To listen, click here.
(Performed by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Ricky Staggs)
Words & Music: Keith & Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend

Gospel: Mark 10.17-31 The rich man told to sell everything he has and give to the poor; the first shall be last

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’
Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Offertory

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

Prayers of Intercession

Hymn – Who would true valour see
To listen, click here.
(Southwark Cathedral))

Who would true valour see,
let him come hither;
one here will constant be,
come wind, come weather;
there’s no discouragement
shall make him once relent
his first avowed intent
to be a pilgrim.

Whoso beset him round
with dismal stories,
do but themselves confound,
his strength the more is.
No lion can him fright:
he’ll with a giant fight,
but he will have the right
to be a pilgrim.

Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
can daunt his spirit;
he knows he at the end
shall life inherit.
Then, fancies, fly away;
he’ll not fear what men say;
he’ll labour night and day
to be a pilgrim.

Words: John Bunyan (1628-1688)
Music: English traditional melody adapted by Ralph Vaughan Williams

Post Communion

Holy and blessed God,
you have fed us with the body and blood of your Son
and filled us with your Holy Spirit:
may we honour you,
not only with our lips
but in lives dedicated to the service
of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary: Vesper Voluntary in F op. 14, No 3 (Andantino) – Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

To listen, click here.
(Robert Fasen at the Organ of the Catholic Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary, Kyllburg, Germany)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL, BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND

SUNDAY 3 OCTOBER 2021
FAMILY COMMUNION & PET SERVICE
HARVEST THANKSGIVING

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Eternal God,
You crown the year with your goodness
And you give us the fruits of the earth in their season:
Grant that we may use them to your glory
For the relief of those in need
And for our own well-being;
Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and for ever.

First Reading: The Sermon of St Francis to the birds

My sweet little sisters, oh, birds of the sky, you are bound unto heaven, to God, your Creator. In every beat of your wing and every note of your song praise Him. He has given you the greatest of gifts, the liberty of the air. You neither sow, nor reap, yet God provides for you the most delicious morsels, streams and lakes to quench your thirst, hill and dale for your home, tall trees to build your nests, and the most beautiful clothing, a change of feathers with every season. You and your kind were preserved in the Ark of Noah. Clearly, the Creator loves you most dearly, His gifts flow forth in abundance; so please be careful of the sin of thanklessness, and always sing out your praises for the Lord, our God!”

Anthem: ‘For the beauty of the earth’ – John Rutter (Contemporary)
To listen, click here.
(The Cambridge Singers – John Rutter, Director)
For the beauty of the earth,
for the beauty of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies:
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our joyful hymn of praise.
For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light:
For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
pleasures pure and undefiled:
For each perfect gift of thine
to our race so freely given,
graces human and divine,
flowers of earth and buds of heaven:
Words: Fulliott Sandford Pierpint (1835-1917)

Gospel: Matthew 6.25-33 Put your trust in God alone

‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Offertory

Prayers of Intercession
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
We pray for those in most need in our own families and neighbourhood, thinking of the elderly, the housebound and those in hospital or hospice. We pray for all carers and visitors whether family members, volunteers or health care professionals and especially for those who minister to people near the end of life’s journey through the hospice movement – for they do your work and so we ask for them your gifts of patience, compassion and understanding.
We pray for those that we know who are sick, lonely or in some special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts…. Praying especially for Cynthia, Don and Pam, Sally, James …
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those we love but no longer see, in the silence we lift them before you… may the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope for you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.
Merciful father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Hymn – All things bright and beautiful
To listen, click here.
(The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge)

All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things wise and wonderful
The Lord God that made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
he made their glowing colours,
he made their tiny wings:

The purple headed mountain,
the rivers running by,
the sunset, and the morning
that brightens up the sky:

The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
he made them every one.

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water
We gather every day:

He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is the almighty,
who has made all things well:

Words: Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-95)
Music: William Henry Monk (1823-1889)

Post Communion

Lord of the harvest,
With joy we have offered thanksgiving
For your love in creation
And have shared in the bread and the wine of the kingdom:
By your grace plant within us a reverence for all that you give us
And make us generous and wise stewards
Of the good things we enjoy;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary
‘Nun Danket Alle Gott’, Op.65 No 13 – Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877-1933)
To listen, click here.
(Jeremy Cole playing the Organ of Wells Cathedral, Somerset)

SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2021
THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 21)
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Almighty God,
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,
and so bring us at last to your heavenly city
where we shall see you face to face;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Esther 7.1-6, 9 10; 9.20-22 Esther complains to Ahasuerus about Haman who is hanged on his own gallows

So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. On the second day, as they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, ‘What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.’ Then Queen Esther answered, ‘If I have won your favour, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me—that is my petition—and the lives of my people—that is my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have held my peace; but no enemy can compensate for this damage to the king.’ Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, ‘Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this?’ Esther said, ‘A foe and enemy, this wicked Haman!’ Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.
Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, ‘Look, the very gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, stands at Haman’s house, fifty cubits high.’ And the king said, ‘Hang him on that.’ So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the anger of the king abated.
Mordecai recorded these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, enjoining them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same month, year by year, as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and presents to the poor..
For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: ‘Lord I trust Thee’ from ‘The Passion of Christ’ by G F Handel (1685-1759)
To listen, click here.
(Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford – Stephen Darlington, Director)
Lord I trust thee, I adore thee.
Ah thou friend of man, restore me!
On thy loving grace relying,
for the bread of life I’m sighing.
Quench my thirst and let my hunger cease.
Fill my heart with joy and endless peace.
When the breath of life has left me,
may my soul be blended with thee.
Words: Barthold Brockes (1680-1747) translated Denys Darlow

Gospel: Mark 9.38-50 It is better to be cast into the sea with a millstone than to be a stumbling block to others

John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
‘For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Offertory

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

Prayers of Intercession

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you promised through your Son Jesus Christ to hear us when we pray in faith.

We pray for the Church throughout the world, and for all who seek through it to show your love for your world and all the people in it. Help us all in our parish churches to be light and salt in the place where we live.
Thank you for Anna, David, Neil and Kerry in their ministry in our two churches, and thank you for all who work so hard to make them places from which love, joy, peace and kindness can radiate to all who live in our communities.
We pray for those who are becoming part of our church family through Connect@4. May they find you there through music, teaching and fellowship.
And for those in Betchworth who express their love and sense of place by becoming a Pillar of St Michael’s.
Strengthen Christopher and Jonathan our bishops and all your Church in the service of Christ, that those who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the world and its leaders, and for all its nations as they face the future, immediate and long term.
We pray for all who are terrified of what the next few weeks and months will bring to their lives, as they struggle to afford food, energy and shelter for their families. Give compassion to our leaders, inspire them to feel and to express care and empathy, and guide them to make decisions that keep the people who depend on them from harm.
We pray for world leaders to show imagination, courage and creativity in their plans to stop human damage to your fragile creation.
Bless and guide Elizabeth our Queen, give wisdom to all in authority, and direct this and every nation in the ways of justice and of peace, that we may honour one another and seek the common good. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We thank you for our beautiful villages, and all that we enjoy here of friendship and love.
We pray for children and teachers back in school, and students and staff in colleges and universities. Keep them safe and well, Father.
As crops are harvested, we give thanks for those who grow them and pray for those they will feed. Guide us all Father, to share our abundance so that all the world can be fed.
Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours, that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for comfort, rest and release from pain for all who are suffering in mind, body or spirit, and comfort in anxiety for all who love, care for and watch over them. We thank you as ever for the selfless work and sacrifice of our health and care workers at this time when the pressures of COVID and its consequences are still being felt. We pray for those who are waiting for and now receiving long-delayed treatment, and for the hope of better health for them.
We pray for those known to us, particularly today …
And in a moment of silence we bring to you those in our hearts who are ill at this time.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit, give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear us as we remember those who have died in the faith of Christ, calling to mind today those whose funerals have recently taken place in our churches …
and those whose anniversaries occur at about this time …
According to your promises, grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of all your saints, we commend ourselves and the whole creation to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Hymn – There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
To listen, click here.
(The Choir of the Weihnachtskirch (Christmas Church) in Berlin Haselhorst and the men’s Choir “Götterfunken” – Director, Dr Jürgen Trinkewitz & Organist, Matthias Schmelmer.)

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in his justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than in heaven;
there is no place where earth’s failings
have such kind judgment given.

For the love of God is broader
than the measure of man’s mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
But we make his love too narrow
by false limits of our own;
an we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he would not own.

There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.
There is grace enough for thousands
Of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations
In that upper home of bliss.

If our love were but more faithful,
we should take him at his word;
and our life would be thanksgiving
for the goodness of the Lord.

Words: Frederick William Faber (1814-63)
Music: Maurice Bevan (1921-2006)

Post Communion

Lord, we pray that your grace
may always precede and follow us,
and make us continually to be given to all good works;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary
Chacony – Henry Purcell (1658-1695)
To listen, click here.
(Mario Hospach-Martini playing the Andreas-Silbermann Organ of 1732 at Église Abbatiale St. Maurice, Ebersmunster, Alsace, France)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2021
THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers
of your people who call upon you;
and grant that they may both perceive and know
what things they ought to do,
and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil them;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading James 3.13- 4.3, 7-8a – Be guided by the wisdom that comes from above

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: 3 Latin Motets, Op 38: No 3, Beati quorum via – Charles Villers Stanford (1852-1924)
To listen, click here.
(Cambridge Singers conducted by John Rutter)
Beati quorum via integra est, qui ambulant in lege Domini (Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord).
Words: Psalm 119.1

Gospel: Mark 9.30-37 – Jesus predicts his passion, and when asked ‘Who is the greatest?’ takes up a child

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Offertory

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

Prayers of Intercession
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
We pray for those in most need in our own families and neighbourhood, thinking of the elderly, the housebound and those in hospital or hospice. We pray for all carers and visitors whether family members, volunteers or health care professionals and especially for those who minister to people near the end of life’s journey through the hospice movement – for they do your work and so we ask for them your gifts of patience, compassion and understanding.
We pray for those that we know who are sick, lonely or in some special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts…. Praying especially for Cynthia, Don and Pam, Sian, James …
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those we love but no longer see, in the silence we lift them before you… may the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope for you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.
Merciful father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Hymn – Immortal, invisible, God only wise

To listen, click here.
(The Royal Garrison Church of All Saints, Aldershot)

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible, hid from our eyes,
most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render: O help us to see
‘tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.

Words: Walter Chalmers Smith (1824=1908)
Music: Adapted from a Welsh song set to a hymn in John Robert’s Caniadau y Cyssegre, 1839

Post Communion

Almighty God,
you have taught us through your Son
that love is the fulfilling of the law:
grant that we may love you with our whole heart
and our neighbours as ourselves;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary
Diversion for Mixtures – Francis Jackson (b.1917)
To listen, click here.
(Anna Lapwood playing an excerpt from this work, recorded on the Kenneth Tickell organ in Keble College Chapel, Oxford.)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2021
THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION (IONA)

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit
upon your Church in the burning fire of your love:
grant that your people may be fervent
in the fellowship of the gospel
that, always abiding in you,
they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading Proverbs 1.20-33 – Wisdom calls out in the streets: a plea to be heard, to avoid disaster

Wisdom cries out in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice.

At the busiest corner she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?

Give heed to my reproof;

I will pour out my thoughts to you;
I will make my words known to you.

Because I have called and you refused,
have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,

and because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,

I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when panic strikes you,

when panic strikes you like a storm,
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently, but will not find me.

Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

would have none of my counsel,
and despised all my reproof,

therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way
and be sated with their own devices.

For waywardness kills the simple,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;

but those who listen to me will be secure
and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.’

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: ‘Lord, For Thy tender Mercy’s Sake’ – either Richard Farrant (d.1580/81) or John Hilton (1560-1608)
To listen, click here.
(The Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by Martin Neary)

Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake lay not our sins to our charge; but forgive that is past and give us grace to amend our sinful lives; to decline from sin, and incline to virtue, that we may walk in an upright heart before thee this night and evermore.
(Words: Christian Prayers and Holy Meditations, 1568)

Gospel: Mark 8.27-38 – Peter confesses Christ and Jesus foretells his death and resurrection

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘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, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon

Offertory

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

Prayers of Intercession
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
We pray for those in most need in our own families and neighbourhood, thinking of the elderly, the housebound and those in hospital or hospice. We pray for all carers and visitors whether family members, volunteers or health care professionals and especially for those who minister to people near the end of life’s journey through the hospice movement – for they do your work and so we ask for them your gifts of patience, compassion and understanding.
We pray for those that we know who are sick, lonely or in some special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts…. Praying especially for Cynthia, Don and Pam, Sian, James …
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those we love but no longer see, in the silence we lift them before you… may the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope for you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.
Merciful father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Hymn – Lay down your head (Iona)
To listen, click here.
(Reading Phoenix Choir)
Representative text cannot be shown for this hymn due to copyright.

Post Communion

Keep, O Lord, your Church, with your perpetual mercy;
and, because without you our human frailty cannot but fall,
keep us ever by your help from all things hurtful,
and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary – No 10 of ‘Esquisses Byzantines’ ‘’Tu es Petra’ (‘You are Peter the rock’) – Henri Mulet (1878-1967)
To listen, click here.
(Gillian Weir on the organ of the Hedvig Eleonora Kyrka in Stockholm, Sweden)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2021
THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
FAMILY COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Almighty God,
whose only Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence:
give us pure hearts and steadfast wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading Proverbs 22.1-2, 8-9, 22-23 – It is better to have a good name than wealth

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favour is better than silver or gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common:
the Lord is the maker of them all.

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of anger will fail.

Those who are generous are blessed,
for they share their bread with the poor.

Do not rob the poor because they are poor,
or crush the afflicted at the gate;

for the Lord pleads their cause
and despoils of life those who despoil them.

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: Be thou my vision – Bob Chilcott (b.1955)
To listen, click here.
(Rochester Cathedral Choir directed by Scott Farrell & Dan Soper, Organist Roger Sayer)

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art
Be Thou my best Thought, in the day or by night,
Both waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art
Be Thou my best Thought, in the day or by night,
Both waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, be Thou my true Word;
Be Thou ever with me, and I with Thee, Lord;
Be Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son;
Be Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou, and Thou only, the first in my heart;
O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure Thou art;
O Sovereign of heaven, be Thou my Vision;
Be Thou my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Words: Irish (8th century) tr. Mary Byrne (1880-1931)

Gospel: Mark 7.24-37 The Syrophoenician woman’s daughter and the deaf man are healed

From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon – The Revd. Anna Moore

Offertory

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

Prayers of Intercession
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
We pray for those in most need in our own families and neighbourhood, thinking of the elderly, the housebound and those in hospital or hospice. We pray for all carers and visitors whether family members, volunteers or health care professionals and especially for those who minister to people near the end of life’s journey through the hospice movement – for they do your work and so we ask for them your gifts of patience, compassion and understanding.
We pray for those that we know who are sick, lonely or in some special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts…. Praying especially for Cynthia, Don and Pam, Sian, James …
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer
We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those we love but no longer see, in the silence we lift them before you… may the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope for you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.
Merciful father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Hymn – Be still, for the presence of the Lord
To listen, click here.
(Portsmouth Cathedral)

Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the holy One, is here;
come bow before him now
with reverence and fear
in him no sin is found
we stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the holy One, is here.

Be still, for the glory of the Lord
is shining all around;
he burns with holy fire,
with splendour he is crowned:
how awesome is the sight
our radiant king of light!
Be still, for the glory of the Lord
is shining all around.

Be still, for the power of the Lord
is moving in this place:
he comes to cleanse and heal,
to minister his grace –
No work too hard for him.
in faith receive from him.
Be still, for the power of the Lord
is moving in this place

Words & Music: David Evans (b.1957)

Post Communion

Lord God, the source of truth and love,
keep us faithful to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
united in prayer and the breaking of bread,
and one in joy and simplicity of heart,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary
‘’Ach, was ist doch unser Leben’ BWV 743 – J S Bach (1685-1750)
To listen, click here.
(Gerrit Veldman on the Organ of Sint-Michaelskerk, Zwolle (via Hauptwerk)

We hope you are enjoying the online services which aim to bring the church community together and keep the momentum of faith alive for all generations.
As rural parish churches, we rely heavily on donations to help maintain our beautiful buildings. We are incredibly grateful for any donations -thank you once again for your kind support and generosity.
God Bless.

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 29 AUGUST 2021
THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Almighty God,
who called your Church to bear witness
that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you;
through him who was lifted up on the cross,
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Song of Solomon 2.8-13 – Hark the voice of the beloved! Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away

The voice of my beloved!
Look, he comes,

leaping upon the mountains,
bounding over the hills.

My beloved is like a gazelle
or a young stag.

Look, there he stands
behind our wall,

gazing in at the windows,
looking through the lattice.

My beloved speaks and says to me:

‘Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away;

for now the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come,

and the voice of the turtle-dove
is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines are in blossom;
they give forth fragrance.

Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away.

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: Blessed are the pure in heart – Henry Walford Davies (1869- 1941)
To listen, click here.
(Wells Cathedral Choir directed by Malcolm Archer)

Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see our God:
the secret of the Lord is theirs,
their soul is Christ’s abode.

Still to the lowly soul
he doth himself impart,
and for his cradle and his throne
chooseth the pure in heart.

Words: John Keble (1792-1866) and others

Gospel: Mark 7.1-8, 14 -15, 21-23 – Jesus and the Pharisees: defilement comes from within, not outside a person

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?’ He said to them, ‘Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,
“This people honours me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines.”
You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.’
Then he called the crowd again and said to them, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.’
For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon – The Revd. Anna Moore

Offertory

Prayers of Intercession

Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer

We pray for those in most need in our own families and neighbourhood, thinking of the elderly, the housebound and those in hospital or hospice. We pray for all carers and visitors whether family members, volunteers or health care professionals and especially for those who minister to people near the end of life’s journey through the hospice movement – for they do your work and so we ask for them your gifts of patience, compassion and understanding.
We pray for those that we know who are sick, lonely or in some special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts…. Praying especially for Cynthia, Don and Pam, Sian, James …
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer

We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those we love but no longer see, in the silence we lift them before you… may the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope for you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.

Merciful father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Hymn – O God of Bethel, by whose hand
To listen, click here.
(St Chad’s Cathedral Choir, Birmingham

O GOD of Bethel, by whose hand
thy people still are fed,
who through this weary pilgrimage
hast all our fathers led;

Our vows, our prayers, we now present
before thy throne of grace;
God of our fathers, be the God
of their succeeding race.

Through each perplexing path of life
our wandering footsteps guide;
give us each day our daily bread,
and raiment fit provide.

O spread thy covering wings around
till all our wanderings cease,
and at our Father’s loved abode
our souls arrive in peace.

Words: Philip Doddridge (1702-1751)
Music: ‘Martyrdom’ Hugh Wilson (1766-1824 adapted by Robert Archibald Smith (1780-1829))

Post Communion
God our creator,
you feed your children with the true manna,
the living bread from heaven:
let this holy food sustain us through our earthly pilgrimage
until we come to that place
where hunger and thirst are no more;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary
‘O Gott, du frommer Gott’ Op. 122 Nr. 7 – Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
To listen, click here.
(Benjamin Righetti on the Great Organ of Saint-François in Lausanne)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 22 AUGUST 2021
THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray
and to give more than either we desire or deserve:
pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid
and giving us those good things
which we are not worthy to ask
but through the merits and mediation
of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading 1 Kings 8.1, 6,10-11, 22-30, 41-43 – Solomon dedicates the Temple to God

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the ancestral houses of the Israelites, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the most holy place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.
And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, ‘O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, “There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.” Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David.
‘But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! Have regard to your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; that your eyes may be open night and day towards this house, the place of which you said, “My name shall be there”, that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays towards this place. Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray towards this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling-place; heed and forgive.
‘Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name —for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—when a foreigner comes and prays towards this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling-place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built.
For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: If ye be risen again with Christ – Orlando Gibbons (1583- 1625)
To listen, click here.
(Truro Cathedral Choir, Robert Sharpe (Director), Christopher Gray (Organist))

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Words: Colossians 3.1-4 from the Epistle for Easter Sunday

Gospel: John 6.56-69 – Jesus has the words of eternal life, but some turn back

Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’
Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.’ He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Offertory

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

Prayers
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord
Lord in your mercy … hear our prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love
Lord in your mercy … hear our prayer
We pray for those in most need in our own families and neighbourhood, thinking of the elderly, the housebound and those in hospital or hospice. We pray for all carers and visitors whether family members, volunteers or health care professionals and especially for those who minister to people near the end of life’s journey through the hospice movement – for they do your work and so we ask for them your gifts of patience, compassion and understanding.
We pray for those that we know who are sick, lonely or in some special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts…. Praying especially for Cynthia, Don and Pam, Sian, James …
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer
We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those we love but no longer see, in the silence we lift them before you… may the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope for you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.
Merciful father, accept these prayers through our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.

Hymn – Angel-voices ever singing
To listen, click here.
(The Choir of Norwich Cathedral)

Angel voices ever singing
round Thy throne of light,
angel harps, forever ringing,
rest not day nor night;
thousands only live to bless thee
and confess thee
Lord of might.

Thou who art beyond the farthest
mortal eye can scan,
can it be that thou regardest
songs of sinful man?
Can we know that thou art near us,
and wilt hear us?
Yea, we can.

Yea, we know that thou rejoicest
o’er each work of thine;
thou didst ears and hands and voices
for thy praise design;
craftsman’s art and music’s measure
for thy pleasure
all combine.

In thy house, great God, we offer
of thine own to thee;
and for thine acceptance proffer
all unworthily
hearts and minds and hands and voices
in our choicest
psalmody.

Honour, glory, might, and merit
thine shall ever be,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
blessèd Trinity.
Of the best that thou hast given
earth and heaven
render thee.

Words: Francis Pott (1832-1909)
Music: ‘Angel Voices’ Edwin George Monk (1819-1900)

Post Communion

God of all mercy,
in this eucharist you have set aside our sins
and given us your healing:
grant that we who are made whole in Christ
may bring that healing to this broken world,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary
Imperial March – Sir Edward Elgar (1858-1934) [written to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897]
To listen, click here.
(Carlo Curley on the Harrison Organ of 1912 at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 15 AUGUST 2021
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Almighty God,
who looked upon the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and chose her to be the mother of your only Son:
grant that we who are redeemed by his blood
may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Isaiah 61.10-11 – The Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all nations

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: Ave Maria (Hail Virgin Mary) – attrib. Jacob Arcadelt (c1500-68)
To listen, click here.
(Riga Chamber Choir)

Ave Maria,
gratia plena
Dominus tecum,
ave Maria:
benedicta tu, in mulieribus
et benedictus fructus ventris
ventris tuae Jesus.
Santa Maria, ora, ora pronobis,
Amen

[Hail Virgin Mary
you are full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Hail Virgin Mary
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is God’s Son
our Lord Jesus.
Most holy Mary, pray for us we ask you.
Amen]
Words: The Angelic Salutation

Gospel: Luke 1.46-55 – The Magnificat

And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Offertory

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

Prayers – prepared by Margaret Miller

In the power of the spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you promised through your Son, Jesus Christ, to hear us when we pray in faith.
We thank you for the beautiful world you have created, for the joy of the summer-time, and the beautiful countryside surrounding us. As we regain the opportunity to meet friends and family after the difficult months of Covid, we pray for those still affected by this infection and those who have lost their confidence in meeting others. Give wisdom to all in authority and direct this and every nation in the ways of justice and peace, that we may honour one another, and seek the common good. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We thank you for the opportunity of bringing our Church services to a wider congregation through the internet, may we continue to be a welcoming presence in both villages as we return to in Church activities. We thank you for Anna, David and Neil, the Church Wardens and all who have maintained the on-going worship here. As we make plans for the coming months, with new commitments and returning to other services, guide us so that all may feel part of this Church community. Strengthen all your Church in the service of Christ, that those who confess your name, maybe united in your truth, live in your love and reveal your glory in the world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

As our young people and children prepare to return to school and college in the next few weeks, we pray that you will comfort those meeting new challenges and making new friends. We pray too for those young people whose exam results have made their transfer to college or further training uncertain. Guide them in their search for the right course, and may they know that You are always with them, unseen but still there. Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours, that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We thank you for all who are caring for friends, relations and those who are unable to care for themselves, through age and infirmity. We thank you for the care given at Broome Park and the Old Wall Cottage, and all working in hospitals. In a moment of quiet, we bring to you all those we know who are unwell or are in need of your care. Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit. Give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

We thank you for the lives of friends and family who have been influential in our upbringing, but are no longer with us. We bring to you the families and friends of those who have recently died and who are mourning their loved ones. Comfort them in their loss, and according to your promises, grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom
Rejoicing in the fellowship of all your saints, we commend ourselves and the whole creation to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers, for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

Hymn – Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
To listen, click here.
(BBC Songs of Praise from St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast)

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of His Word;
In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His name!
Make known His might, the deeds His arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy Name, the Lord, the mighty One.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by;
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight;
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of His Word!
Firm is His promise, and His mercy sure.
Tell out my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children’s children and for evermore!

Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith (b.1926) base on Luke 1.46-55 (Magnificat, The Song of Mary)
Music: ‘Woodlands’ Walter Greatorex (1877-1949)

Post Communion

God most high,
whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh:
we thank you that in this sacrament of our redemption
you visit us with your Holy Spirit
and overshadow us by your power;
strengthen us to walk with Mary the joyful path of obedience
and so to bring forth the fruits of holiness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary
‘Es ist ein’ Ros’ entsprungen’ No 8 of Eleven Chorale Preludes – Johannes Brahms (1833-1897
To listen, click here.
(Geoff Olsen on the organ of St Paul’s United Church of Christ in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 8 AUGUST 2021
THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Let your merciful ears, O Lord,
be open to the prayers of your humble servants;
and that they may obtain their petitions
make them to ask such things as shall please you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: 2 Samuel 18.5-9, 15 31-33 – Absalom is killed in battle and David mourns his loss

The king gave orders to Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.’ And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders concerning Absalom.
So the army went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. The men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the slaughter there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. The battle spread over the face of all the country; and the forest claimed more victims that day than the sword.
Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. His head caught fast in the oak, and he was left hanging* between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on.
And ten young men, Joab’s armour-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him, and killed him.
Then the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, ‘Good tidings for my lord the king! For the Lord has vindicated you this day, delivering you from the power of all who rose up against you.’ The king said to the Cushite, ‘Is it well with the young man Absalom?’ The Cushite answered, ‘May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up to do you harm, be like that young man.’
The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would that I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!’
For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: Verily, verily I say unto you – Thomas Tallis (?1505-1585)
To listen, click here.
(The Tallis Scholars)

Verily, verily I say unto you,
except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man
and drink his blood, ye have not life in you.
Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life,
and I will raise him up at the last day.
For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood
dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Words: John 6.53-56

Gospel: John 6.35, 41-51 – The Jews complain that Jesus is claiming to be ‘the bread of life’

Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.
’This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Offertory

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

Prayers
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord
Lord in your mercy … hear our prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love
Lord in your mercy … hear our prayer
We pray for those in most need in our own families and neighbourhood, thinking of the elderly, the housebound and those in hospital or hospice. We pray for all carers and visitors whether family members, volunteers or health care professionals and especially for those who minister to people near the end of life’s journey through the hospice movement – for they do your work and so we ask for them your gifts of patience, compassion and understanding.
We pray for those that we know who are sick, lonely or in some special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts…. Praying especially for Cynthia, Don and Pam, Sian, James …
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer
We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those we love but no longer see, in the silence we lift them before you… may the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope for you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.
Merciful Father accept these prayers
for the sake of your son
our saviour Jesus Christ
Amen

Hymn – Break thou the bread of life
To listen, click here.
(Metropolitan Tabernacle, London)

Break Thou the bread of life,
dear Lord, to me,
as thou didst break the loaves
beside the sea:
beyond the sacred page
I seek thee, Lord;
my spirit pants for thee,
O living Word!

Thou art the bread of life,
O Lord, to me,
thy holy word the truth
that saveth me.
Give me to eat and live
with thee above;
teach me to love Thy truth,
for Thou art Love.

O send Thy Spirit, Lord,
now unto me,
that he may touch my eyes,
and make me see:
show me the truth concealed
within thy word,
and in thy book revealed
I see thee, Lord.

Bless thou the truth, dear Lord,
to me, to me,
as thou didst bless the bread
by Galilee;
then shall all bondage cease,
all fetters fall,
and I shall find my peace,
my all in all!

Words: vv. 1, 4 Mary Artemisia Lathbury (1841-1913)
vv. 2,3 Alexander Groves (1842-1909)
Music: ‘Lathbury’ William Fiske Sherwin (1826-1888)

Post Communion

God of our pilgrimage,
you have willed that the gate of mercy
should stand open for those who trust in you:
look upon us with your favour
that we who follow the path of your will
may never wander from the way of life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary: Prelude on ‘Croft’s 136th’ – C H H Parry (1948-1918)
(Barbara Hulac on the Organ of Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, Denver CO)
To listen, click here.

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 25 JULY 2021
JAMES THE APOSTLE
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Merciful God,
whose holy apostle Saint James,
leaving his father and all that he had,
was obedient to the calling of your Son Jesus Christ
and followed him even to death:
help us, forsaking the false attractions of the world,
to be ready at all times to answer your call without delay;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Psalm 126 – Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
then were we like those who dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy.

Then they said among the nations,
‘The Lord has done great things for them.’

The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are glad indeed.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses of the Negev.

Those who sowed with tears
will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: Justorum animae – William Byrd (d.1623)
To listen, click here.
(The Marian Consort)

Justorum animae in manu Dei sunt,
et non tanget illos tormentum mortis.
Visi sunt oculis insipientium mori,
illi autem sunt in pace.
[The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and the torment of death shall not touch them.
In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die;
but they are in peace.]
.Words: Offertory for All Saints’ Day, Wisdom of Solomon 3.1-3

Gospel: Matthew 20.20-28 The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favour of him. And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’
When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
’This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon

Offertory

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

Prayers

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Merciful father, accept these prayers through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn For all thy saints, O Lord

For all thy saints, O Lord,
who strove in thee to live,
who followed thee, obeyed, adored,
our grateful hymn receive.

For all thy saints, O Lord,
who strove in thee to die,
and found in thee a full reward,
accept our thankful cry.

Thine earthly members fit
to join thy saints above,
in one communion ever knit,
one fellowship of love.

Jesu, thy name we bless,
and humbly pray that we
may follow them in holiness,
who lived and died for thee.

All might, all praise, be thine,
Father, co-equal Son,
and Spirit, bond of love divine,
while endless ages run.

Words: Richard Mant (1776-1848))
Music: ‘Mount Ephraim’ Benjamin Milgrove (1731-1810)

Post Communion

Almighty God,
who on the day of Pentecost
sent your holy spirit to the apostles
with the wind from heaven and in tongues of flame,
filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel:
by the power of the same Spirit
strengthen us to witness to your truth
and to draw everyone to the fire of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary
Chorale Prelude on ‘Dundee’ – C H H Parry (1848-1918)
To listen, click here.
(John Peace Hill on the 1870 Hill & Son organ at St John the Baptist, Tuebrook, Liverpool))

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 18 JULY 2021
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Lord of all power and might,
the author and giver of all good things:
graft in our hearts the love of your name,
increase in us true religion,
nourish us with all goodness,
and of your great mercy keep us in the same;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Psalm 89.20-37 – God has anointed David whose line will extend forever

‘I have found David my servant;
with my holy oil have I anointed him.

‘My hand will hold him fast
and my arm will make him strong.

‘No enemy shall deceive him,
nor the wicked bring him down.

‘I will crush his foes before him
and strike down those who hate him.

‘My faithfulness and love shall be with him,
and he shall be victorious through my name.

‘I shall make his dominion extend
from the Great Sea to the River.

‘He will say to me, “You are my Father,
my God and the rock of my salvation.”

‘I will make him my first-born
and higher than the kings of the earth.

‘I will keep my love for him for ever,
and my covenant will stand firm for him.

‘I will establish his line for ever
and his throne as the days of heaven.

‘If his children forsake my law
and do not walk according to my judgements;

‘If they break my statutes
and do not keep my commandments;

‘I will punish their transgressions with a rod
and their iniquities with the lash;

‘But I will not take my love from him,
nor let my faithfulness prove false.

‘I will not break my covenant,
nor change what has gone out of my lips.

‘Once for all I have sworn by my holiness:
“I will not lie to David.

His line shall endure for ever
and his throne as the sun before me;

’”It shall stand fast for evermore like the moon,
the abiding witness in the sky.”’

Anthem: Litany to the Holy Spirit – Peter Hurford (1930-2019)

To listen, click here.
(The Choirs of Jesus College, Cambridge directed by Duncan Aspden,
organ accompaniment by Greg Morris)

In the hour of my distress,
When temptations me oppress,
And when I my sins confess,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When I lie within my bed,
Sick in heart and sick in head,
And with doubts discomforted,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the house doth sigh and weep,
And the world is drown’d in sleep,
Yet mine eyes the watch do keep,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

Words: Robert Herrick (1591-1674)

Gospel: Mark 6.3-34 53-56 Jesus has compassion on the crowds; healing the sick in Gennesaret

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon: The Revd David Eaton

Offertory

Prayers

We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love. Remembering today our dear friend Sue, we pray for Richard and her family and friends in their bereavement.
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those we love but no longer see, in the silence we lift them before you… may the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope for you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.

Merciful father, accept these prayers through our Saviour Jesus Christ Amen.

Hymn: Immortal love, for ever full
To listen, click here.
(The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge)

Immortal Love for ever full,
for ever flowing free,
for ever shared, for ever whole,
a never-ebbing sea.

Our outward lips confess the name
all other names above;
love only knoweth whence it came
and comprehendeth love.

We may not climb the heavenly steeps
to bring the Lord Christ down;
in vain we search the lowest deeps,
for him no depths can drown:

But warm, sweet, tender, even yet
a present help is he;
and faith has still its Olivet,
and love its Galilee.

The healing of his seamless dress
is by our beds of pain;
we touch him in life’s throng and press,
and we are whole again.

Through him the first fond prayers are said
our lips of childhood frame;
the last low whispers of our dead
are burdened with his name.

Alone, O Love ineffable,
thy saving name is given;
to turn aside from thee is hell,
to walk with thee is heaven.

Words: John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)
Music: Melody and bass from Select portions of the Psalms, c 1786

Post Communion

Lord God, whose Son is the true vine and the source of life,
ever giving himself that the world may live:
may we so receive within ourselves
the power of his death and passion
that, in his saving cup,
we may share his glory and be made perfect in his love;
for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary: Pomp & Circumstance No 4 – Sir Edward Elgar (1858-1934)
To listen, click here.
(Jonathan Scott on the Organ of the Bridgewater Hall. Manchester)

Some of the material included in this Service is Copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000
and other Hymns and Music are reproduced and streamed under
Church Copyright Licences 778647 and 873889

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 11 JULY 2021
THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
pour into our hearts such love toward you
that we, loving you in all things and above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Psalm 24 – The earth is the Lord’s; lift up your heads, O ye gates!

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world and all who dwell therein.

For it is he who founded it upon the seas
and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep.

Who can ascend the hill of the Lord?
and who can stand in his holy place?’

‘Those who have clean hands and a pure heart,
who have not pledged themselves to falsehood, nor sworn by what is a fraud.

‘They shall receive a blessing from the Lord*
and a just reward from the God of their salvation.’

Such is the generation of those who seek him,
of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them high, O everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.

‘Who is this King of glory?’*
‘The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.’

Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them high, O everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.

‘Who is he, this King of glory?’*
‘The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.’

Anthem: Give us the wings of faith – Sir Ernest Bullock
To listen, click here.
(The Choir of Ripon Cathedral conducted by Kerry Beaumont, organ accompaniment by Andrew Bryden)

Give us the wings of faith to rise
Within the veil, and see
The Saints above, how great their joys,
How bright their glories be.

We ask them, whence their victory came
They with one united breath
Ascribe the conquest to the Lamb
Their triumph to His death.

They marked the footsteps that He trod,
His zeal inspired their breast;
And following their incarnate God
They reached the promised rest

Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Gospel: Mark 6.14-29 The Death of John the Baptist

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’
For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon – The Revd Anna Moore

Prayers

Lord in your mercy … hear our prayer

We pray for those that we know who are sick, lonely or in some special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts…. Praying especially for Cynthia, Don and Pam, Sian, Bridget, James …

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those we love but no longer see, in the silence we lift them before you… may the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope for you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.

Merciful father, accept these prayers through our Saviour Jesus Christ Amen.

Offertory

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

Hymn: Sing we the praises of the great forerunner
To listen, click here.

Sing we the praises of the great forerunner,
tell forth the mighty wonders of his story:
so may his Master cleanse our lips and make them
fit to extol him.

Lo, God’s high herald, swift from heaven descending,
gives to thy father tidings of thy coming,
telling thy name and all the tale of marvels
that shall befall thee.

Oft had the prophets in the time before thee
spoken in vision of the Daystar’s coming;
but when he came, ’twas thou that didst proclaim him
Saviour of all men.

Words: Paul the Deacon (730-799) translated by Charles Stanley Phillips (1883-1949)
Music: Bayeux Antiphoner, 1739 harmonised by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Post Communion
God of our pilgrimage,
you have led us to the living water:
refresh and sustain us
as we go forward on our journey,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The Lord look kindly upon us and give us peace. Amen
Our worship has now ended, and our service now begins……
Go in the light and peace of Christ. In the name of Christ. Amen.

Organ Voluntary: 1st Movement from Sonata 1 – F Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-47)

To listen, click here.
(Roger Sayer, Organ of Temple Church, London)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 4 JULY 2021
THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
FAMILY COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Psalm 48 – A song of praise of the Korahites in praise of Zion

Great is the Lord and highly to be praised;
in the city of our God is his holy hill.

Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion,
the very centre of the world and the city of the great king.

God is in her citadels;
he is known to be her sure refuge.

Behold, the kings of the earth assembled
and marched forward together.

They looked and were astounded;
they retreated and fled in terror.

Trembling seized them there;
they writhed like a woman in childbirth, like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.

As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God;
God has established her for ever.

We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God,
in the midst of your temple.

Your praise, like your name, O God, reaches to the world’s end;
your right hand is full of justice.

Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgements.

Make the circuit of Zion; walk round about her;
count the number of her towers.

Consider well her bulwarks; examine her strongholds;
that you may tell those who come after.

This God is our God for ever and ever;
he shall be our guide for evermore.

Anthem: Go forth into the world in peace – John Rutter (b1945)
To listen, click here.
(The Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia conducted by John Rutter)

Go forth into the world in peace
Be of good courage
Be of good courage
Go forth into the world in peace
Be of good courage
Be of good courage
Hold fast that which is good
Render to no one evil for evil
Strengthen the fainthearted
Support the weak
Help the afflicted
Honour all people
Love and serve the Lord
Rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit
And the blessing of God almighty
The father, the Son and the Holy Ghost
Be among you and remain with you forever
Amen
Words: Book of Common Prayer

Gospel: Mark 6.1-13 Jesus is rejected in his home town of Nazareth and sends out the twelve

He left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon

Merciful Father accept these prayers
for the sake of your son
our saviour Jesus Christ
Amen

Hymn: O Jesus, I have promised

To listen, click here.

O Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end;
be thou forever near me,
my Master and my Friend:
I shall not fear the battle
if thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if thou wilt be my Guide.

O let me feel thee near me:
the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but, Jesus, draw thou nearer,
and shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear thee speaking
in accents clear and still
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten, or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
thou Guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, thou hast promised
to all who follow thee,
that where thou art in glory
there shall thy servant be;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end:
O give me grace to follow,
my Master and my Friend.

O let me see thy footmarks,
and in them plant mine own;
my hope to follow duly
is in thy strength alone;
O guide me, call me, draw me,
uphold me to the end;
and then in heaven receive me,
my Saviour and my Friend.

Words: John Ernest Bode (1816-1874)
Music: Geoffrey Beaumont 9(1903-70)

Post Communion

Grant, O Lord, we beseech you,
that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered
by your governance,
that your Church may joyfully serve you in all godly quietness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

The Lord bless us and watch over us;
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The Lord look kindly upon us and give us peace. Amen
Our worship has now ended, and our service now begins……
Go in the light and peace of Christ. In the name of Christ. Amen.

Organ Voluntary: Passacaglia from Partita on ‘Nun freut Euch’ – Lionel Rogg (b1936)
To listen, click here.
(Tingshuo Yang on the Kenneth Tickell organ in Eton Lower Chapel – this is a recording of the whole Suite: the Passacaglia is at 5.47 to 9.06)

Screenshot 2021-06-04 at 17.10.57

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 27 JUNE 2021
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

O God, the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:
increase and multiply upon us your mercy;
that with you as our ruler and guide
we may so pass through things temporal
that we lose not our hold on things eternal;
grant this, heavenly Father,
for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Psalm 130

Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice;
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.

If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss,
O Lord, who could stand?

For there is forgiveness with you;
therefore you shall be feared.

I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him;
in his word is my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord, more than the night-watch for the morning,
more than the night-watch for the morning.

O Israel, wait for the Lord,
for with the Lord there is mercy;

With him there is plenteous redemption,
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

Hymn: O Christ, the Healer, we have come
To listen, click here.
(The Choir of First Plymouth Church, Lincoln, Nebraska)

O Christ, the Healer, we have come
to pray for health, to plead for friends.
How can we fail to be restored,
when reached by love that never ends?

From every ailment flesh endures
our bodies clamour to be freed;
yet in our hearts we would confess
that wholeness is our deepest need.

In conflicts that destroy our health,
we diagnose the world’s disease;
our common life declares our ills:
is there no cure, O Christ, for these?

Grant that we all, made one in faith,
in your community may find
the wholeness that, enriching us,
shall reach the whole of humankind.

Words: Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000)
Music: ‘Tallis Canon’

Gospel: Mark 5.21-43 Jairus’s daughter is raised to life and a woman is healed

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’ So he went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her haemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?” ’ He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cum’, which means, ‘Little girl, get up!’ And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon By Revd Neil Vigers

Anthem: There’s a wideness in God’s mercy – Maurice Bevan (1921-2006)
To listen, click here.

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in His justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgment given.

For the love of God is broader
than the measures of the mind.
And the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
But we make his love too narrow,
by false limits of our own,
and we magnify His strictness
with a zeal he will not own.

There is plentiful redemption
In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members
In the sorrows of the Head.
There is grace enough for thousands.
Of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations
In that upper home of bliss.

If our love were but more simple,
We should take him at his word;
And our lives would be all gladness
In the joy of Christ our Lord.

Words: Frederick William Faber (1814-1863)

Post Communion

Eternal God,
comfort of the afflicted and healer of the broken,
you have fed us at the table of life and hope:
teach us the ways of gentleness and peace,
that all the world may acknowledge
the kingdom of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Organ Voluntary: Processional – William Mathias (1934-1992)
To listen, click here.
(Christopher Herrick on the Organ of St Paul’s Cathedral)

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United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary
SUNDAY 20th JUNE 2021
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

To download and save this service, click here.

Interlude in D minor – Philip Moore (b.1943)

The Lord be with you
And also with you

Collect

Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin
and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts
whereby we call you Father:
give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service,
that we and all creation may be brought
to the glorious liberty of the children of God;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Hymn: Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us

Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
o’er the world’s tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
for we have no help but thee;
yet possessing every blessing,
if our God our Father be.

Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us:
all our weakness thou dost know;
thou didst tread this earth before us,
thou didst feel its keenest woe;
lone and dreary, faint and weary,
through the desert thou didst go.

Spirit of our God, descending,
fill our hearts with heavenly joy,
love with every passion blending,
pleasure that can never cloy:
thus provided, pardoned, guided,
nothing can our peace destroy.

Words: James Edmeston (1791-1867)
Music: ‘Mannheim’ melody from Friedrich Filitz Choralbuch, 1847
harmonised by Lowell mason (1792-1872)

Reading: Psalm 133 How good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

O how good and pleasant it is,
when a family lives together in unity!

It is like fine oil upon the head
that runs down upon the beard,

Upon the beard of Aaron,
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.

It is like the dew of Hermon
that falls upon the hills of Zion.

For there the Lord has ordained the blessing:
life for evermore.

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: A Gaelic Blessing – John Rutter (b.1945)
To listen, click here.
(The Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia, conducted by John Rutter)

Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
Deep peace of the gentle night to you,
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you,
Deep peace of Christ the light of the world to you.
Words: William Sharp (1855-1905)

Gospel: Mark 4.35-41 Jesus calms the storm

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon: By Revd David Eaton

Prayers read and prepared by Hilary Ely

Merciful Father
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son
Our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blessing

The Lord bless us and watch over us;
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The Lord look kindly upon us and give us peace. Amen

Our worship has now ended, and our service now begins…
Go in the light and peace of Christ
Thanks be to God.

Voluntary: ‘Londonderry Air’ arr. Noel Rawsthorne (1929-1919)

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United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary
SUNDAY 13th JUNE 2021
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

To download and save this service, click here.

Voluntary in G minor – Malcolm Archer (b. 1952 )

The Lord be with you
And also with you

Collect

Lord, you have taught us
that all our doings without love are nothing worth:
send your Holy Spirit
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtues,
without which whoever lives is counted dead before you.
Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Hymn: For the fruits of all creation

For the fruit of all creation,
thanks be to God;
for the gifts to every nation,
thanks be to God;
for the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth’s safe-keeping,
thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labour,
God’s will is done;
in the help we give our neighbour,
God’s will is done;
in our world-wide task of caring
for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing,
God’s will is done.

For the harvests of the Spirit,
thanks be to God;
for the good we all inherit,
thanks be to God;
for the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all, that love has found us,
thanks be to God.

Words: Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000)
Music: Francis Jackson (b.1917)

Reading: Psalm 20 David prays for victory

1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble,
the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 Send you help from his holy place
and strengthen you out of Zion;
3 Remember all your offerings
and accept your burnt sacrifice;
4 Grant you your heart’s desire
and prosper all your plans.
5 We will shout for joy at your victory and triumph in the name of our God;
may the Lord grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that the Lord gives victory to his anointed;
he will answer him out of his holy heaven, with the victorious strength of his right hand.
7 Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we will call upon the name of the Lord our God.
8 They collapse and fall down,
but we will arise and stand upright.
9 O Lord, give victory to the king
and answer us when we call.

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: Jesus Christ the apple tree – Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987)

To listen, click here.
(The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge)

The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit, and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree.

His beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne’er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see
‘Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I’m weary with my former toil,
Here I will sit and rest awhile:
Under the shadow I will be
of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

Words from ‘Divine Hymns or Spiritual Songs’, 1784

Gospel: Mark 4.26-34 Jesus speaks in parables: seeds and mustard seeds

He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’
He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon : By Revd Anna Moore

Prayers: Prepared and read by David Sayce

Merciful Father accept these prayers
for the sake of your son
our saviour Jesus Christ
Amen

Blessing

The Lord bless us and watch over us;
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The Lord look kindly upon us and give us peace. Amen

Our worship has now ended, and our service now begins…
Go in the light and peace of Christ
Thanks be to God.

Voluntary: No 2 from ‘Six Short Preludes and Postludes Set 2’ Op 105 ‘On a theme of Orlando Gibbons (Song 22)’ – C V Stanford (1852-1924)

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United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary
SUNDAY 6 JUNE 2021
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
FAMILY COMMUNION

To download and save this service, click here.

Organ Voluntary: Interlude in A minor – Noel Rawsthorne (1929-2019)

The Lord be with you
And also with you

Collect

O God,
the strength of all those who put their trust in you,
mercifully accept our prayers
and, because through the weakness of our mortal nature
we can do no good thing without you,
grant us the help of your grace,
that in the keeping of your commandments
we may please you both in will and deed;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Reading: Psalm 138 David gives thanksgiving and praise

1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I will sing your praise.

2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your Name,
because of your love and faithfulness;

3 For you have glorified your Name
and your word above all things.

4 When I called, you answered me;
you increased my strength within me.

5 All the kings of the earth will praise you, O Lord,
when they have heard the words of your mouth.

6 They will sing of the ways of the Lord,
that great is the glory of the Lord.

7 Though the Lord be high, he cares for the lowly;
he perceives the haughty from afar.

8 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe;
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your right hand shall save me.

9 The Lord will make good his purpose for me;
O Lord, your love endures for ever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Hymn: Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live

Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live
a place where saints and children
tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome
All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children
dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness
and a symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

Let us build a house where love is found
In water, wine and wheat
A banquet hall on holy ground
where peace and justice meet
Here the love of God, through Jesus
Is revealed in time and space;
As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

Let us build a house where hands will reach
beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger:

Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome
All are welcome in this place.

Words & Music: Marty Haughen (b.1950)

Gospel: Mark 3.20-35 A divided kingdom cannot stand; my family are those that do the will of God

And the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ‘He has gone out of his mind.’ And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.’ And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

‘Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin’— for they had said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’

Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, ‘Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.’ And he replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon: By Revd Anna Moore

Prayers

Lord in your mercy … hear our prayer

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love

Merciful Father accept these prayers
for the sake of your son
our saviour Jesus Christ
Amen

Blessing

The Lord bless us and watch over us;
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The Lord look kindly upon us and give us peace. Amen

Our worship has now ended, and our service now begins…
Go in the light and peace of Christ
Thanks be to God.

Voluntary: Prelude on ‘Rhosymedre’ from ‘3 Preludes on Welsh Hymn Tunes’ – R Vaughan Williams (1872-1956)

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – FAMILY COMMUNION
SUNDAY 2^nd MAY 2021

To download and save this service, click here,

‘Allegro’ – Léon Boëllmann (1862-1897)

The Lord be with you
And also with you

Collect

Almighty God,
who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:
grant that, as by your grace going before us
you put into our minds good desires,
so by your continual help
we may bring them to good effect;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Hymn: You are the vine

You are the vine and we are the branches,
Prune and make us bear more fruit.
We have been cleansed by the word and you have spoken;
Abide in us and we in you.

You are the vine and we are the branches,
Apart from you we are nothing at all.
Teach us to love as you have commanded.
Come to us now, abide in us.

You have commanded us to love one another
There is no greater commandment than this.
No greater love has been shown to your people,
Than to lay down your life for us.

Words: Gordon Giles (b.1966)
Music: ‘Golden Lane’ John Barnard (b.1948))

Reading: Acts 8.26-40 Philip baptises the Ethiopian eunuch

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:

‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.’

The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Anthem: Requiem: Christ is our cornerstone – David Thorne (Contemporary)
To listen, click here.
(Lübecker Knabenkantorei an St. Marien, recorded as part of a 2019 concert tour in St. Vincent-de-Paul, Le Havre, Sven Fanick (Organ) and conducted by Karl Hänsel)

Christ is our cornerstone, on him alone we build.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Alleluia!
Words: Latin Hymn translated by John Chandler (1837)

Gospel: John 15 1-8 Jesus is the true vine

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Sermon by the Archdeacon of Lambeth

Prayers

Lord in your mercy … hear our prayer

We pray for those in most need in our own families and neighborhood, thinking of the elderly, the housebound and those in hospital or hospice. We pray for all carers and visitors whether family members, volunteers or health care professionals and especially for those who minister to people near the end of life’s journey through the hospice movement – for they do your work and so we ask for them your gifts of patience, compassion and understanding.

We pray for those that we know who are sick, lonely or in some special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts…..

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer

We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your encircling love

Merciful Father accept these prayers
for the sake of your son
our saviour Jesus Christ
Amen

Blessing
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The Lord look kindly upon us and give us peace. Amen
Our worship has now ended, and our service now begins…
Go in the light and peace of Christ
Thanks be to God.

Voluntary: Finale from ‘Fireworks Music’ – George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
SUNDAY 25th April 2020

To download and save this service, click here.

Greeting

The Lord be with you
And also with you

Collect

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
raise us, who trust in him,
from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above,
where he reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Hymn: Loving Shepherd of thy sheep

Loving Shepherd of thy sheep,
Keep thy lamb, in safety keep;
nothing can thy power withstand,
none can pluck me from thy hand.

Loving Saviour, thou didst give
thine own life that we might live,
and the hands outstretched to bless
bear the cruel nails’ impress.

I would praise thee every day,
gladly all thy will obey,
like thy blessèd ones above
happy in thy precious love.

Loving Shepherd, ever near,
teach thy lamb thy voice to hear,
suffer not my steps to stray
from the straight and narrow way.

Where Thou leadest I would go,
walking in Thy steps below,
till before my Father’s throne
I shall know as I am known.

Words: Jane Elizabeth Leeson (1809-1881)
Music: ‘Buckland’ Leighton George Hayne (1836-1883)

Reading: Acts 4.5-12 Peter tells the chief priests they crucified the cornerstone of faith

The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is
“the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.”
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’’

Anthem: Requiem: The Lord is my shepherd – John Rutter (Contemporary)
To listen, click here.
(The Cambridge Singers/Aurora Orchestra conducted by John Rutter)
Words: Psalm 23

Gospel: John 10 11-18 Christ the good shepherd

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’

Sermon by Revd Anna Moore

Prayers, prepared and read by David Sayce.

Blessing
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The Lord look kindly upon us and give us peace. Amen

Our worship has now ended, and our service now begins…
Go in the light and peace of Christ
Thanks be to God.

Voluntary: Fugue (Vater unser) from Sonata 6 – Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-47)

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UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
PALM SUNDAY
SUNDAY 28th MARCH 2021

To download and save this service, click here.

‘Herzliebster Jesu’ (O Blessed Jesu) – Johannes Brahms (1833-97)

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Hymn: My song is love unknown

My song is love unknown,
my Saviour’s love to me;
love to the loveless shown,
that they might lovely be.
O who am I,
that for my sake
my Lord should take
frail flesh, and die?

He came from his blest throne,
salvation to bestow;
but men made strange, and none
the longed-for Christ would know.
But O, my Friend,
my Friend indeed,
who at my need
his life did spend!

Sometimes they strew His way,
and his sweet praises sing;
resounding all the day
hosannas to their King:
Then “Crucify!”
is all their breath,
and for his death
they thirst and cry.

They rise, and needs will have
my dear Lord made away;
a murderer they save,
the Prince of Life they slay.
Yet cheerful he
to suffering goes,
that he his foes
from thence might free.

Here might I stay and sing:
no story so divine;
never was love, dear King,
never was grief like thine!
This is my Friend,
in whose sweet praise
I all my days
could gladly spend.

Words: Samuel Crossman (c1624-1683)
Music: John Nicholson Ireland (1879-1962)

1st Reading Isaiah 50 4-9a – The Servant’s Humiliation and Vindication

The Lord God has given me
the tongue of a teacher,

that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.

Morning by morning he wakens—
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.

The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backwards.

I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;

I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;

therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
he who vindicates me is near.

Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.

Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.

It is the Lord God who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’ – Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)
To listen, click here.
(The Cambridge Singers conducted by John Rutter)

Hosanna to the son of David.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the king of Israel.
Blessed be the kingdom that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest places.
Hosanna in the highest heavens.

Words: Based on the Palm Sunday story in the Gospels.
Dramatic Passion Narrative – St Matthew

Gospel Mark 14.1 to 15.47 – The Passion narrative complete

It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; for they said, ‘Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.’

While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, ‘Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.’ And they scolded her. But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’ So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.’ They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, ‘Surely, not I?’ He said to them, ‘It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’

While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, ‘You will all become deserters; for it is written,

“I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.”

But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even though all become deserters, I will not.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ But he said vehemently, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And all of them said the same.

They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’

Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.’ All of them deserted him and fled.

A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.

They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.” ’ But even on this point their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ Jesus said, ‘I am; and

“you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power”,
and “coming with the clouds of heaven.” ’

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’ All of them condemned him as deserving death. Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, ‘Prophesy!’ The guards also took him over and beat him.

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘I do not know or understand what you are talking about.’ And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’ But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.’ But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about.’ At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ He answered him, ‘You say so.’ Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, ‘Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?’ They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’ Pilate asked them, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!’ So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, ‘The King of the Jews.’ And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!’ In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.’ Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling for Elijah.’ And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.’ Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’

There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Prayers by Kerry Evans

Merciful father accept these prayers through our Saviour Jesus Christ Amen.

Blessing
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The Lord look kindly upon us and give us peace. Amen

Our worship has now ended, and our service now begins…
Go in the light and peace of Christ
Thanks be to God.

Organ Voluntary ‘Valet will ich dir geben’ BWV735 – J S Bach (1685-1750)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
SUNDAY 21st MARCH 2021

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‘Da Jesus a dem Kreuze stund’ (The Seven Words on the Cross) BWV 621 – J S Bach (1685-1750)

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

God of compassion,
whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary,
shared the life of a home in Nazareth,
and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself:
strengthen us in our daily living
that in joy and in sorrow
we may know the power of your presence
to bind together and to heal;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Hymn: There’s a wideness in God’s mercy

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in his justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in Heaven;
there is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgment given.

For the love of God is broader
than the measure of our mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
But we make his love too narrow
by false limits of our own;
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he would not own.

There is plentiful redemption
through the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.
There is grace enough for thousands
of new worlds as great as this;
there is room for fresh creations
in that upper home of bliss.

If our love were but more simple,
we should take Him at His word;
and our lives would be all sunshine
in the sweetness of our Lord.

Words: Frederick William Faber (1814-1863)
Music: ‘Corvedale’ Maurice Bevan (1921-2006)

1st Reading Jeremiah 31.31-34 – God will make a new covenant with Israel

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Anthem: Hide not Thou thy face – Richard Farrant (d.1580/1581)
To listen, click here.
(The Chapel Choir of Clare College, Cambridge conducted by Timothy Brown)

Hide not thou thy face from us, O Lord,
and cast not off thy servant in thy displeasure;
for we confess our sins unto thee
and hide not our unrighteousness.
For thy mercy’s sake,
deliver us from all our sins.
Words: Psalm 27:9

Gospel John 12.20-33 – Jesus predicts his death

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.
‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon : Revd. Neil Vigers

Prayers by Pam Armitage

Merciful father accept these prayers through our Saviour Jesus Christ Amen.

Blessing
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The Lord look kindly upon us and give us peace. Amen

Our worship has now ended, and our service now begins…
Go in the light and peace of Christ
Thanks be to God.

Organ Voluntary: O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß’ (O mankind, bemoan your great sins) BWV 622 – J S Bach (1685-1750)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
SUNDAY 14th MARCH 2021

MOTHERING SUNDAY

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UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 7th MARCH 2021
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT – FAMILY SERVICE

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UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2021
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

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UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2021
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

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~~~

ASH WEDNESDAY

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UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 14th FEBRUARY 2021
SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT – The Transfiguration

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UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 7th FEBRUARY 2021
SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT – FAMILY COMMUNION

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UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 31 JANUARY 2021
THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE (CANDLEMAS)

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UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
SUNDAY 24th January 2021

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UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
SUNDAY 17th January 2021

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UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 10 JANUARY 2021
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY ; THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST

The Greeting

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Collect

Eternal Father,
who at the baptism of Jesus
revealed him to be your Son,
anointing him with the Holy Spirit:
grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit,
that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Hymn : Songs of thankfulness and praise

To listen, click here.

Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesu, Lord, to thee we raise,
manifested by the star
to the sages from afar;
branch of royal David’s stem,
in thy birth at Bethlehem:
praises be to thee addrest,
God in man made manifest.

Manifest at Jordan’s stream,
Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
and at Cana, wedding guest
in thy Godhead manifest;
manifest in power divine,
changing water into wine:
praises be to thee addrest,
God in man made manifest.

Grant us grace to see thee, Lord,
Mirrored in thy holy word;
May we imitate thee now,
And be pure, as pure art thou;
That we like to thee may be
At thy great Epiphany;
And may praise thee, ever blest.
God in man made manifest.

Words: Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885)
Music: ‘Salzburg’ by Jacob Hintze (1622-1702)

1st Reading: Genesis 1.1-5 The first day of Creation

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
For the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Anthem: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day – John Gardner (1917-2011)

To listen, click here.
(Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge Conducted by Andrew Nethsingha)

Tomorrow shall be my dancing day:
I would my true love did so chance
to see the legend of my play,
to call my true love to my dance:
Sing, O my love, O my love, my love, my love;
this have I done for my true love.

Then I was born of a virgin pure,
of her I took fleshly substance;
thus was I knit to man’s nature,
to call my true love to my dance:
Sing, O my love, O my love, my love, my love;
this have I done for my true love.

In a manger laid and wrapped I was,
so very poor this was my chance,
betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass,
to call my true love to my dance:
Sing, O my love, O my love, my love, my love;
this have I done for my true love.

Then afterwards baptized I was;
the Holy Ghost on me did glance,
my Father’s voice heard from above,
to call my true love to my dance:
Sing, O my love, O my love, my love, my love;
this have I done for my true love.

Words: Traditional English Carol

Gospel
Mark 1.4-11 John the Baptist at the River Jordan

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you O Christ

Sermon : Revd Anna Moore

Prayers. Written by Trevor Cook

Merciful father accept these prayers through our Saviour Jesus Christ Amen.

Blessing
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The Lord look kindly upon us and give us peace. Amen

Our worship has now ended, and our service now begins…
Go in the light and peace of Christ
Thanks be to God.

Organ Voluntary; Epilogue on ‘Dix’ – W H Harris (1883-1973)
To listen, click here.
(Played by Thomas Moore on the organ of Wakefield Cathedral)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL, BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND

SUNDAY 24 OCTOBER 2021 THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 25) BIBLE SUNDAY PARISH COMMUNION

SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER 2021 THE TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 24) PARISH COMMUNION

SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER 2021 THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 23) PARISH COMMUNION (IONA)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL, BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND

SUNDAY 3 OCTOBER 2021 FAMILY COMMUNION & PET SERVICE HARVEST THANKSGIVING

SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 21) PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY PARISH COMMUNION (IONA)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY FAMILY COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 29 AUGUST 2021 THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 22 AUGUST 2021 THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 15 AUGUST 2021 THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 8 AUGUST 2021 THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 25 JULY 2021 JAMES THE APOSTLE PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 18 JULY 2021 THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 11 JULY 2021 THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 4 JULY 2021 THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY FAMILY COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND SUNDAY 27 JUNE 2021 THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY PARISH COMMUNION

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary SUNDAY 20th JUNE 2021 THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY PARISH COMMUNION

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary SUNDAY 13th JUNE 2021 THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY PARISH COMMUNION

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary SUNDAY 6 JUNE 2021 THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY FAMILY COMMUNION

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – FAMILY COMMUNION SUNDAY 2nd MAY 2021

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER SUNDAY 25th April 2020

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND PALM SUNDAY SUNDAY 28th MARCH 2021

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT SUNDAY 21st MARCH 2021

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT SUNDAY 14th MARCH 2021

MOTHERING SUNDAY

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND SUNDAY 7th MARCH 2021 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT – FAMILY SERVICE

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND SUNDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2021 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND SUNDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2021 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

~~~

ASH WEDNESDAY

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND SUNDAY 14th FEBRUARY 2021 SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT – The Transfiguration

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND SUNDAY 7th FEBRUARY 2021 SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT – FAMILY COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND SUNDAY 31 JANUARY 2021 THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE (CANDLEMAS)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY SUNDAY 24th January 2021

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY SUNDAY 17th January 2021

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND SUNDAY 10 JANUARY 2021 THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY ; THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST

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SUNDAY 24 OCTOBER 2021
THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 25)
BIBLE SUNDAY
PARISH COMMUNION

SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER 2021
THE TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 24)
PARISH COMMUNION

SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER 2021
THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 23)
PARISH COMMUNION (IONA)

SUNDAY 3 OCTOBER 2021
FAMILY COMMUNION & PET SERVICE
HARVEST THANKSGIVING

SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2021
THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (PROPER 21)
PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2021
THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2021
THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION (IONA)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2021
THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
FAMILY COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 29 AUGUST 2021
THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 22 AUGUST 2021
THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 15 AUGUST 2021
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 8 AUGUST 2021
THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 25 JULY 2021
JAMES THE APOSTLE
PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 18 JULY 2021
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 11 JULY 2021
THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 4 JULY 2021
THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
FAMILY COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 27 JUNE 2021
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary
SUNDAY 20th JUNE 2021
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary
SUNDAY 13th JUNE 2021
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
PARISH COMMUNION

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary
SUNDAY 6 JUNE 2021
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
FAMILY COMMUNION

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – FAMILY COMMUNION
SUNDAY 2^nd MAY 2021

United Benefice of St Michael and St Mary
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
SUNDAY 25th April 2020

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
PALM SUNDAY
SUNDAY 28th MARCH 2021

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
SUNDAY 21st MARCH 2021

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
SUNDAY 14th MARCH 2021

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 7th MARCH 2021
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT – FAMILY SERVICE

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2021
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2021
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 14th FEBRUARY 2021
SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT – The Transfiguration

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 7th FEBRUARY 2021
SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT – FAMILY COMMUNION

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 31 JANUARY 2021
THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE (CANDLEMAS)

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
SUNDAY 24th January 2021

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
SUNDAY 17th January 2021

UNITED BENEFICE OF ST MICHAEL BETCHWORTH AND ST MARY BUCKLAND
SUNDAY 10 JANUARY 2021
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY ; THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST