Service for All Saints Sunday – 29th October 2023
Welcome to St. Paul’s Athens especially if you are here for the first time or visiting Athens. Fr. Leonard, the Area Dean, will preside and preach. Nelly Paraskevopoulou will assist. In our Liturgy today we are also giving thanks for the life of the Revd. Edward Wetherall (Fr. Ted) who died aged 94 in Tolo on September 26th. May he rest in peace.
Entrance Hymn
- Oh, when the saints Go marching in Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh how I want to be in that number, When the saints go marching in
- Oh, when the drums begin to bang Oh, when the drums begin to bang
I want to be in that number, When the saints go marching in
- Oh, when the stars fall from the sky Oh, when the stars fall from the sky
I want to be in that number, When the saints go marching in
- Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call, Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
I want to be in that number When the saints go marching in
- Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints go marching in
I want to be in that number, When the saints go marching
Priest: Blessed be the Kingdom of God
All: Now and for ever
Priest: Our help is in the name of the Lord
All: Who has made heaven and earth
Priest: The Lord be with you
All: And also with you
The priest then informally welcomes the people and leads the opening prayer for the departed as we pray with thanksgiving for Fr. Ted.
Father in heaven, we thank you because you make us in your image and give us gifts in body, mind and spirit. We thank you now for Ted and what he meant to us and so many people as a faithful priest and friend. As we honour his memory, make us more aware that you are the one from whom comes every perfect gift, including the gift of life eternal through Jesus Christ.
All: Amen
Nelly now leads us into our confession:
We run the race set before us, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Therefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, bringing them to Jesus in penitence and faith. (A short period of stillness and silence)
Nelly: Your raise the dead to life in the spirit.
Kyrie eleison All: Kyrie eleison
Nelly: You bring pardon and peace to the broken in spirit.
Christe eleison All: Christe eleison
Nelly: You make one by your Spirit the torn and divided.
Kyrie eleison All: Kyrie eleison
Absolution: Almighty God, who forgives all 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, 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, 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 prays the Collect of the Day)
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: grant us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those inexpressible joys that you have prepared for those who truly love 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 forever. Amen.
Collect for the Departed
Merciful Father, hear our prayers and comfort us: renew our trust in your Son, whom you raised from the dead; strengthen our faith that Ted and all who have died in the love of Christ will share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
As we pray for Father Ted:
Priest: Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord.
All: And let light perpetual shine upon him
First Reading Ecclesiastes 3, 1-8
- For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:
- a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted;
- a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up;
- a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;
- a time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
- a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to throw away;
- a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak;
- a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.
Reader: This is the word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm: 534 (Psalm 84) How lovely is your dwelling place
Gospel Reading
Nelly: Alleluia! Speak Lord, for your servant is listening. You have the words of eternal life.
All (sung): Alleluia
Nelly: The Lord be with you
All: and also with you
Nelly: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew (Matt. 5, 1-12)
All: Glory to you, O Lord.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
At the end of the Gospel
Nelly: This is the gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon (Please sit)
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.
Intercessor: God of mercy, Lord of life, you have made us in your image to reflect your truth and light: we give you thanks for Ted, for the grace and mercy he received from you, for all that was good in his life and ministry, and for the memories we treasure today, both here in Greece and his parishes in Suffolk, England.
Lord in your mercy
All: Hear our prayer
Lord, you are tender towards your children and your mercy is over all your works. Heal the memories of hurt and failure. Give us wisdom and grace to use aright the time that is left to us here on earth, to turn to Christ and follow in his steps in the way that leads to everlasting life.
Lord in your mercy
All: Hear our prayer
Lord of peace, we pray for your peoples everywhere, and for the reconciliation of the nations. We hold before Ukraine and Russia, Israelis and Palestinians, and we pray for an end to terrorism and war.
Lord in your mercy
All: Hear our prayer
Peace: To crown all things there must be love, to bind all together and complete the whole. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.
All: And also with you.
Offertory Hymn: 231 (Savannah) Palms of Glory, Raiment Bright [the collection is taken]
The Great Thanksgiving Prayer (Please remain standing)
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
The priest prays the preface for All Saints
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 until:
Nelly: 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 the people say: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer: (to be prayed in whichever language you choose
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: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us, have mercy on us (sing twice)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, 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 the body and blood of Christ. If you wish you may receive a blessing. Please let the Sides-people guide you forward.
Communion hymn: 331 (Eventide) Abide with me; fast falls the eventide
Post Communion Prayer: Let us pray (please stand)
Priest: God, the source of all holiness and giver of all good things: may we who have shared at this table as strangers and pilgrims here on earth be welcomed with all your saints to the heavenly feast on the day of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All. We thank you, Lord, that you have fed us in this sacrament, united us with Christ, and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all peoples. Amen.
Words written by Geoffrey May will then be read – his poetic reflection on the life of Fr. Ted.
Notices
Christmas Bazaar on 3rd December at the Atrium of the War Museum
You can join our prayer connect group on Tuesdays at 09.00 on Zoom, the link can be found on the website
POS- the church has a POS machine, so donations and payments can be done by debit or credit card.
Opening The Doors—Our exciting new history book is now available at a cost of €10.00. It is a lasting legacy to the presence of the Anglican Church here in Athens.
Weekly Giving—If you would like to make your weekly giving to the church by our envelope scheme (which we would like to encourage) please speak to Nelly Paraskevopoulou.
Table Top Sales; There is often a Greetings a card stall and a second hand book stall in the gardens after the liturgy. Please do look out for them.
Anyone who wants to join the team of Side Persons is welcome, see the Church Wardens .
Coffee morning November 9th – Swedish Centre – 10:30 am until 12:30pm
Post Communion Hymn: 359 (Duke Street) Fight the good fight
Blessing and Dismissal
Priest: God grant you grace to follow his saints …..
Nelly: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
All: In the name of Christ. Amen.
Deacon Chris: Day Off – Friday 697 737 7655
Swedish Church: Fr. Bjorn 694 6072428
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
- View our Website: anglicanchurchathens.gr
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- Liturgical material C the Archbishops’ Council.
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