Service for the 3rd Sunday of Epiphany – 23rd January 2022
St Paul’s Athens
Welcome to St. Paul’s Athens especially if you are here for the first time or visiting Athens. We have a POS facility now, so payments can be made to the church by bank cards.
The presiding priest and preacher is The Revd. Canon Leonard Doolan; the deacon is the Revd. Christine Saccali.
Entrance Hymn 391 Let bells peal forth
Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Lord be with you.
All: and also with you
The priest then welcomes the people of God and then the deacon leads us into Confession.
Silence
Deacon: God be gracious to us and bless us, and make his face to shine upon us:
Kyrie eleison
All: Kyrie eleison
Deacon: May your ways be known on earth, your saving power among the nations:
Christe eleison
All: Christe eleison
Deacon: Lord, you have made known your salvation, and reveal your justice in the sight of the nations:
Kyrie eleison
All: Kyrie eleison
Absolution we hear the words of God’s forgiveness to those who are truly penitent
Gloria: Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth, Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Collect: Let us pray (remain standing as the priest sings the Collect of the Day)
Almighty God, whose Son revealed in signs and miracles the wonder of your saving presence: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power; 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. Amen.
First Reading (please sit) Nehemiah 8, 1-3, 5-6, 8-10 ( Jane Mandalios )
All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Reader: This is the word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 531 Refrain: Jesus reigns, our Lord and King
Second Reading 1 Cor 12, 12-31 (Josh Barley)
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honourable we clothe with greater honour, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Reader: This is the word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God
Gospel Hymn 443 Rejoice the Lord is King
Gospel Reading
Deacon: Alleluia. There is one body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all. Alleluia.
All: Alleluia! (sung)
Deacon: The Lord be with you
All: and also with you
Deacon: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke (Luke 4, 14-21))
All: Glory to you, O Lord
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Deacon: This is the gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon: please sit (sermons appear on our website in printed and recorded versions)
Nicene Creed (please stand to declare our historic faith)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father: through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Intercession: Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer (Intercessor: Virginia Stevens)
The Peace: (please stand)
Our Saviour Christ is the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end. The Peace of the Lord be always with you. The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: and also with you
Offertory Hymn 310 We hail thy presence (The Collection will be taken)
The bread and wine are placed on the table; signs of our work, our lives, our total giving of ourselves to God.
Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer. Fruit of the field and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.
All: Blessed be God for ever!
Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer. Fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become for us the cup of salvation.
All: Blessed be God for ever!
The Great Thanksgiving Prayer (please remain standing for this)
Priest: The Lord be with you
All: and also with you
Priest: Lift up your hearts
All: We lift them to the Lord
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
All: It is right to give thanks and praise
Priest: All honour and praise be yours always and everywhere, mighty Creator, ever-living God,
through Jesus Christ your only Son our Lord: for at this time we celebrate your glory made present in our midst. In the coming of the Magi the King of all the world was revealed to the nations. In the waters of baptism Jesus was revealed as the Christ, the Saviour sent to redeem us. In the water made wine the new creation was revealed at the wedding feast. Poverty was turned to riches, sorrow into joy. Therefore with all the angels of heaven we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name and sing our joyful hymn of praise.
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might Heaven and earth are full of your glory Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Priest: continues with the Eucharistic Prayer
Deacon: Great is the mystery of faith
All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Priest: continues with the Eucharistic Prayer. At the end: All: Amen
The Lord’s Prayer: (to be prayed in your own language)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Priest: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ
All: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
Sung: Jesus lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world
Grant us peace, grant us peace.
Priest: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; happy are
those who are called to his supper.
All: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed
All baptized Christians may come forward to receive Holy Communion. If you wish you may receive a blessing. Please let the Sidespeople guide you forward.
Communion Hymn: 305 Soul of my Saviour
Post Communion Prayer: Let us pray (please stand)
Priest: Almighty Father, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world; may your people, illumined by your word and sacraments, shine with the radiance of his glory, that he may be known, worshipped and obeyed to the ends of the earth; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen.
All: Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen
Post Communion Hymn 52 O worship the Lord
Priest: Christ the Son of God perfect in you the image of his glory and gladden your hearts with the good news of his kingdom; and the blessing…
Deacon: Go in the peace of Christ
All: Thanks be to God.
Next Week’s Readings: Ezekiel 43, 27-44,4; 1 Cor 13, 1-13; Luke 2, 22-40
Fr. Leonard’s usual Day Off – Monday. Home tel : 210 72 14 906; email anglican@otenet.gr
Deacon Chris: 22950 53164: Day off – Friday
Swedish Church: contact Fr. Bjorn on 694 607 2428
Notices:
- Leonard has announced that at his 65th birthday (July) he will take his Church pension and work for one more year as chaplain without the salary. He will reduce from 6 days to 5 working days. Expenses and allowances will continue to be paid. In one year this will be a saving of €39,000 to the chaplaincy (salary, pension payments, employers tax, EKA etc). This has been agreed by the Council and approved by Bishop Robert.
- COVID Certificates!!! Everyone should be responsible for the validity of their own certificates. Note that if you don’t have the booster your COVID certificate is time-limited. If you don’t have a valid certificate you will have to show a copy of a valid Rapid Test result or we will have to ask you to sit outside.
- Quiz Night: 4th February at 7.30pm in the Swedish Centre. Speak to Jean Mertzanakis. Valid COVID Certificates only – and these will be checked. From 1st Feb all 2 dose certificates more than 7 months old will be INVALID!!! This is a Government regulation.
- Council Meeting: February 5th at 14.30 in the Swedish Centre
- The Church of England is going through a period of Diocesan discussions on a report called Living in Love and Faith (LLF). This report opens discussions about human sexuality and relationships, and what the church’s response might be. Fr. Bruce, our priest in Crete, is leading a series of discussion evenings online (Zoom) which will allow us all to take part in and express our views on human sexuality. To find out how to join in this discussion please see the St. Paul’s website for the Zoom link. This is an important matter for discussion, and we are opening it up to people of all opinions.
- As in 2020 we will most likely celebrate the Patronal Festival of St. Paul’s in June (not January 25th) when we hope the COVID regulations permit more social activity. Pray hard!
- Bishop’s Advent Appeal – if you have been collecting small change for the Appeal, please hand it in now to Nelly (already counted please).
- Jan 25th – Conversion of St. Paul. There will a liturgy at 10.00am. There will also be the usual Wednesday liturgy.
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