17th Sunday after Trinity (Oct 4th Feast Of St. Francis of Assisi)
Welcome to St. Paul’s Athens especially if you are here
for the first time or visiting Athens. Masks must be worn at all times in the church and in the garden. We must keep a 1.5metre distance from each other. People from the same household can sit normally together. One of the sidespeople will direct you forward for Holy Communion. Your collection should be placed in the envelope provided and placed in one of the offering bags as you leave. There are individualized worksheets for children – please ask. There is coffee after the Liturgy (€1,00 to help church funds!)
The presiding priest and preacher is Fr. Leonard.
Entrance Hymn: 381
Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
Priest: The Lord be with you
All: And also with you
The priest then welcomes the people of God and leads us into Confession.
Silence and stillness follows
Priest: Consider the birds of the air; they do not sow or gather into barns, yet your
heavenly Father feeds them. Kyrie eleison
All: Kyrie eleison
Priest: Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil or spin, yet even
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Christe eleison
All: Christe eleison
Priest: How little faith we have. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
Kyrie eleison.
All: Kyrie eleison
Absolution: Almighty God, who forgives all those who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 glory of God the Father. Amen.
Collect: Let us pray (remain standing as the priest prays the Collect of the Day)
O God, you ever delight to reveal yourself to the child-like and lowly of heart: grant that, following the example of the blessèd Francis, we may count the wisdom of this world as foolishness
and know only Jesus Christ and him crucified, 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) Galatians 6. 14-18
May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule — peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Reader: This is the word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Hymn: Seek you first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Ask and shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find
Knock and it shall be opened unto you.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Gospel Reading (turn towards the gospel book)
Priest: Alleluia! Alleluia! “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure
to give you the kingdom. Alleluia!
All (sung): Alleluia
Priest: The Lord be with you
All: and also with you
Priest: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
All: Glory to you, O Lord
Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, 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, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
At the end of the Gospel
Priest: This is the gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you, O Christ. (Sung) Alleluia
Sermon (Please sit) Most sermons are available on the website, in print or pre-recorded
Creed (Please stand) 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.
Intercessions: Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer
Peace: Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be called children of God. We meet in the name of Christ and share his peace. The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you. We are not physically sharing the peace at this time.
Offertory Hymn Your collection should be placed in the envelope provided and handed in as you leave.
Make me a channel of your peace, where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury your pardon Lord, and where there’s doubt true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace. Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope,
Where there is darkness only light, and where there’s sadness ever joy.
O Master, grant that I may never seek, so much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand, to be loved, and to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving unto all that we receive, and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
Priest: Wise and gracious God, you spread a table before us; nourish your people with the word of life and the bread of heaven.
All: Amen.
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: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. We rejoice in the glorious splendour of your majesty for you have given us a share with Francis in the inheritance of the saints in light. In the darkness of this passing age they proclaim the glory of your kingdom. Chosen as lights in the world, they surround our steps as we journey on towards the city of eternal light where they sing the everlasting song of triumph. In communion with angels and archangels and all who serve you now on earth and worship you now in heaven, we raise our voices to proclaim your glory, for ever praising you and singing:
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. Hosanna in the highest.
Priest: continues the prayer
Priest: Christ is the bread of life
All: When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory.
Priest: continues the prayer – at the end all reply: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer: (to be prayed in the language of your choice)
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 the risen 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.
Invitation to Communion
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 the ‘body of Christ’. If you wish you may receive a blessing. Please let the Sides-people guide you forward.
Communion: the organ will play during the Distribution of Holy Communion
Post Communion Prayer: Let us pray (please stand)
Lord God, you made your church rich through the poverty of blessèd Francis: help us like him not to trust in earthly things but to seek your heavenly gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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: 394
Blessing and Dismissal
Priest: God grant you grace to follow his saints in faith and hope and love; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be among you, and remain with you always. Amen
Priest: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
All: In the name of Christ. Amen.
Next Week’s Readings: (Philippians 4, 1-9; Matthew 22, 1-14)
Fr. Leonard’s usual Day Off – Monday (in emergencies contact Deacon Christine)
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
For all concert bookings and enquiries: 6937257578 and see booking form on website.
The Anglican Church in Greece (including St. Paul’s) is self- financing, and receives no income other than from the generosity of those who worship here. We are a legal body and we pay tax. Our tax number is 997073090. If you wish to donate direct to our bank (IBAN) the account with Piraeus Bank is: The Anglican Church in Greece, St. Paul’s Athens GR 820172 0500 0050 5008 6327 479 Swift code is PIRB GRAA income other than from the generosity of those who worship here.
Notices:
- Easter – Virtual and Viral A book of sermons preached by Fr. Leonard during the first weeks of lockdown is available. Cost €5,00 – all income from sales will go to St. Paul’s Church.
- Luke: Sunday 18th October is the feast of St. Luke, the Physician. Our Liturgy will have ‘healing’ as the theme, and people will be invited to come forward for anointing.
- Church Council will meet on Saturday 24th October at 10.30am in St. Paul’s.
- Harvest Festival: we will celebrate on Sunday 25th
- Churchwardens: Trevor Kamuzonde and Lynn Stavrou were elected as Churchwardens at the Annual Meeting. Council Members: newly elected- Noelle Barkshire, Sue Stephos, Banji Ipensokan, Matilda Amartey.
Fundraising and Special Services for Autumn/Winter 2020
Saturday 10th October – ‘Gift Day’ from 11.00-13.00hrs Fr. Leonard will be at the church to receive donations from individuals in thanksgiving for St. Paul’s Church. Envelopes are now available and a ‘Giving Blessing’ will be offered. You can also take extra envelopes for friends and return them on any Sunday.
Weekly Table –top sale: each Sunday a table is available for you to ‘book’ if you are a usual stall holder for our Bazaars. Please see the list and book your Sunday – only 2 left before Christmas! Monies will be for church funds.
All other fundraising and social events have been cancelled due to Covid 19 restrictions.
Christmas Carol Singalong – 2 December dates this year, Dec 6th and 20th both at 18.30 (to be confirmed nearer the time).
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