sermon news
02/12/2021 In Sermons & Services

Sermon for the 2nd Sunday in Advent – 5th December 2021: Malachi 3, 1-4; Luke 3, 1-6.

Fr Leonard Doolan – St Paul’s Athens

 

The homily this morning is shorter than usual because the Christmas Bazaar is being held today, and it opens at 11.00, so many members of the regular congregation are already there setting up their stalls.

Jesus says (Luke 7, 28) ‘Among those born of women no one is greater’. He is speaking of the one we know as John the Baptist, or as some prefer, John the Baptizer because baptizing people for repentance was perhaps his most note-worthy dynamic action.

What a remarkable character this John the Baptizer must have been. His appearance was described for us – wild and woolly we might say. His courage is described for us – he challenges Herod for his immorality, and pays the price for challenging him, for Herod has him beheaded. His attraction is described for us – for he gathers around him his own disciples, his own followers. We are told much more besides, but yet never enough. He is a tantalizing persona in the gospel narratives, and we are left wanting to know more about him.

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Advent Candle 1
01/12/2021 In Blog News

Service for the 2nd Sunday of Advent – 5th December 2021

St Paul’s Athens

 

Welcome to all. Our Liturgy is shorter in length and time because today is also our CHRISTMAS BAZAAR.  In church please note the distancing rules (1.5m), and the wearing of masks is mandatory in church and around the garden. The presiding priest and preacher is The Revd. Canon Leonard Doolan, Senior Chaplain in Greece.

 

Entrance Hymn: 3  Come thou long expected Jesus

 

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

 

[Lighting of the 2nd Advent Candle

Priest: People of God, be glad! Your God delights in you, giving you joy for sadness and turning the dark to light. Be strong in hope therefore; for your God comes to save. You are God’s children.

All:      Lord, make us one in the love of Christ today and forever. Amen]

 

The priest then welcomes the people of God and the deacon then leads us into Confession.

 

Priest: When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.

 

A period of silent stillness follows

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Advent Candle 1
28/11/2021 In Blog News

Night Prayer (Compline) for the Advent Season

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.  All  Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord

All  who made heaven and earth.

A period of silence for reflection on the past day may follow.

All  Most merciful God, we confess to you, before the whole company of heaven and one

      another, that we have sinned in thought, word and deed and in what we have failed

      to do. Forgive us our sins, heal us by your Spirit and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.

 

O God, make speed to save us.

All  O Lord, make haste to help us.

All  Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

 

The following or another suitable hymn may be sung

  1. Before the ending of the day, Creator of the world, we pray

That you, with steadfast love, would keep Your watch around us while we sleep.

  1. From evil dreams defend our sight, From fears and terrors of the night;

Tread underfoot our deadly foe That we no sinful thought may know.

  1. O Father, that we ask be done Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;

And Holy Spirit, by whose breath, Our souls are raised to life from death.

 

A psalm is now said

At the end of the psalmody, the following is said or sung

All  Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

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Advent Candle 1
28/11/2021 In Blog News

Zoom Service Night Prayer in the Advent Season

Leonard Doolan is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

The order of service is available on the website  for you to download. Please do pass on the information about Night Prayer to others and forward the Zoom link.

Topic: Advent Night Prayer

Time: Dec 1, 2021 09:00 PM Athens

        Every day, until Dec 22, 2021, 22 occurrence(s)

        Dec 1, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 2, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 3, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 4, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 5, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 6, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 7, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 8, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 9, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 10, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 11, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 12, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 13, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 14, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 15, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 16, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 17, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 18, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 19, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 20, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 21, 2021 09:00 PM

        Dec 22, 2021 09:00 PM

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Daily: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZwkd–srTgiGNf6XwkXpDlqW7SYfNeDMg1e/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGgpzssHteWuBuERpw-HYigM-jztnZHjY1byifyCBhDRg_nAbVxC7RRFfz9

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88906433823?pwd=S2Q5QjZCa0xWUnlWT1VWOEt4U1N0UT09

Meeting ID: 889 0643 3823

Passcode: Uygg2w

sermon news
27/11/2021 In Sermons & Services

Sermon for Advent Sunday – 28th November 2021: Jer 33, 14-16; 1 Thess 3, 9-end; Luke 21, 25-36).

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

 

This ancient hymn is based on the Advent Antiphons – or introductions – to the Song of Mary, the Magnificat – that begin on the Feast Day called in the Book of Common Prayer calendar, O Sapientia, translated from Latin as ‘O Wisdom’.

Each daily antiphon is an invocation, so begins with ‘O’, as the verse goes on to address some epithet of Jesus Christ.

So we have ‘O Sapientia’; O Wisdom associating Christ with his very presence in Creation, and the first biblical man – Adam.

‘O Adonai’; a Hebrew name associating Christ with God who reveals himself in majesty to Moses, granting to humanity the ancient law – the Ten Commandments.

‘O Root of Jesse’ – Radix Jesse – Jesse is father of King David whose historic hometown is Bethlehem and of the tribe of Judah.

‘O Clavis David’ – O Key of David – the first King of Israel, introducing royalty into the life of the Hebrews. The royal doors open to announce the coming of another king in the line of David, and Jesus too is born in Bethlehem, the city of Joseph.

‘O Oriens’ – O Rising Star – Christ is the light coming into the world, and is called Sun of Righteousness.

King of the Nations – Rex Gentium – the kingly reign begins in Christ’s birth, and the reversal of our Fall from Grace, and our expulsion from Paradise.

Lastly – O Emmanuel – ‘God with us’ in Hebrew. St. Matthew’s gospel uses this name in the message of the angel of the Lord to Joseph.

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Advent Candle 1
26/11/2021 In Blog News

Service for Advent Sunday – 28th November 2021

St Paul’s Athens

 

Welcome to all as we begin to worship in this holy season of Advent. Note the distancing rules (1.5m), and the wearing of masks is mandatory in church and around the garden, unless you are drinking your coffee. The presiding priest and preacher is The Revd. Canon Leonard Doolan, Senior Chaplain in Greece, and Deacon Christine is assisting.

 

Entrance Hymn: 11   O come, O come Emmanuel

 

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

[Lighting of the Advent Candle

Priest: People of God, awake! The day is coming soon when you shall see God face to face. Remember the ways and works of God. God calls you out of darkness to walk in the light of his coming. You are God’s children.

All:      Lord, make us one as we walk with Christ today and forever. Amen]

 

The priest then welcomes the people of God and the deacon then leads us into Confession.

Priest: When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.

 

A period of silent stillness follows

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Picture Trinity 17
18/11/2021 In Blog News

Service for the feast of Christ the King – Sunday 21st November 2021

St Paul’s Athens

 

Welcome to St. Paul’s Athens especially if you are here for the first time or visiting Athens. Please observe the 1.5m distancing regulation at all times and masks must be worn. Coffee is served after the Liturgy in the garden.  

 

The presiding priest and preacher is Fr. Leonard. The deacon is The Revd. Deacon Christine Saccali.

 

Entrance Hymn   352 Crown him with many crowns

 

Priest:  Blessed be the kingdom of God

All:       Now and for ever.

Priest:  The Lord be with you.

 All:      and also with you

 The priest welcomes the people of God and the deacon then leads us into Confession.

Deacon: Lord, you are gracious and compassionate:

Kyrie eleison

All:          Kyrie eleison

Deacon: You are loving to all and your mercy is over all your creation:

Christe eleison

All:          Christe eleison

Deacon: Your faithful servants bless your name and speak of the glory of your kingdom:

Kyrie eleison

All:          Kyrie eleison

 

Absolution we hear the words of God’s forgiveness to those who are truly penitent

 

Gloria: Glory in the highest to the God of heaven;

Peace to all your people through the earth be given.

Mighty God and Father, thanks and praise we bring,

Singing Alleluia to our heavenly King.

 

Jesus Christ is risen, God the Father’s Son;

With the Holy Spirit, you are the Lord alone.

Lamb once killed for sinners, all our guilt to bear,

Show us now your mercy, now receive our prayer

 

Christ the world’s true Saviour, high and holy one,

Seated now and reigning from your Father’s throne

Lord and God, we praise you! Highest heaven adores

In the Father’s glory, all the praise be yours!

 

Collect:  Let us pray    (remain standing as the priest prays the Collect of the Day)   

Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King; keep the church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

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