Service for Remembrance Sunday – 12th November 2023
Welcome to our worship on this Remembrance Sunday. A particular welcome to His Excellency Matthew Lodge, British Ambassador, and Sub-Lieutenant Elliott Joiner Royal Navy. This Worship is led by The Revd. Fr. Terry Hemming, who is also the preacher. Lay Reader Nelly Paraskevopoulou will assist. There is coffee in the garden after the Liturgy.
Hymn: introit 490 (Rhuddlan) Judge eternal, throned in splendour
Priest: Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you
All: and also with you.
Priest: O Lord, open our lips
All: and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Priest: Give us the joy of your saving help
All: and sustain us with your life-giving Spirit.
The priest welcomes people informally and then prays:
Ever- living God, we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence; may that same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples, and establish harmony among the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Assistant leads us into confession.
Lord, you promise a place in paradise to all who call to you in penitence and faith.
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
Lord, you bring comfort to those who mourn and have suffered loss.
Christ, have mercy.
All Christ, have mercy.
Lord, you speak your word of peace in times of conflict and calm our fears.
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord God, we have sinned against you;
we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent.
Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us and restore us to the joy of your salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Absolution: May the Father of all mercies cleanse you from your sins, and restore you
in his image to the praise and glory of his name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: 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)
Lord of the nations,
Saviour and judge of all:
remove from human hearts all bitterness and hate,
grant to those who have died in war your mercy and forgiveness
and bring us all to the peace of your eternal Kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who suffered and died,
and now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.
First reading from the book of Amos 5. 18-24 (read by the British Ambassador, His Excellency Matthew Lodge)
Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light;
as if someone fled from a lion,
and was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
and was bitten by a snake.
Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?
I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Reader: This is the word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God
Psalm: 417 (St. Anne) O God, our help in ages past
Second reading from 1 Thessalonians 4. 13-18 (read by Sub-Lieutenant Elliott Joiner Royal Navy.)
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died,[b] so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.[c] For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died.[d] For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Reader: This is the word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God
Hymn. 461 (Cross of Jesus) There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
Assistant: Alleluia! Speak Lord, for your servant is listening. You have the words of eternal life.
All (sung): Alleluia
Assistant: The Lord be with you
All: and also with you
Assistant: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew (Matt. 5, 1-12)
All: Glory to you, O Lord.
Reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew 25. 1-13
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.
Assistant : This is the Gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you, O Christ
Sermon Revd. Fr. Terry Hemming (please sit)
The Apostles’ Creed (please stand)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of God the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Intercessions (Please kneel or sit) Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Peace: Jesus says: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All and also with you.
Act of Commitment: (please stand)
Priest: Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men and women; that we may help, encourage and comfort others, and support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations.
All: Lord God our Father, we pledge ourselves to serve you and all mankind, in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering, and for the praise of your name. Guide us by your Spirit; give us wisdom; give us courage; give us hope; and keep us faithful now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn 354 (Melita) Eternal Father, strong to save (during this hymn the collection will be 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
Priest: All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere, mighty creator, ever-living God. We give you thanks and praise for your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who for love of our fallen race humbled himself, was born of the Virgin Mary by the power of your Spirit, and lived as one of us. In this mystery of the Word made flesh you have caused his light to shine in our hearts, to give knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. In him we see our God made visible and so are caught up in the love of the God we cannot see. 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: How wonderful the work of your hands, O Lord! As a mother tenderly gathers her children you embraced a people as your own. When they turned away and rebelled
your love remained steadfast. From them you raised up Jesus our Saviour, born of Mary,
to be the living bread, in whom all our hungers are satisfied. He offered his life for sinners
and with a love stronger than death he opened wide his arms on the cross. On the night before he died, he came to supper with his friends, and taking bread, he gave you thanks.
He broke it and gave it to them, saying: Take eat: this is my body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of me.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine, he gave you thanks, and said: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Assistant: 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: Father, we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all on the cross: we remember his dying and rising in glory, and we rejoice that he prays for us at your right hand. Pour out your Holy Spirit as we bring before you these gifts of your creation; may they be for us the body and blood of your dear Son. As we eat and drink these holy things in your presence, form us in the likeness of Christ, and build us into a living temple to your glory. Remember Lord your Church in every land. Reveal her unity, guard her faith, and preserve her in peace with our Bishops Robert and David and all the congregations of this diocese; bring your church at the last with the Holy Mother of God, Paul, and all the saints to the vision of that eternal splendour for which you have created us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom and in whom, with all who stand before you earth and heaven, we worship you in songs of everlasting praise;
All: Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer: (to be prayed in the language of your own 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: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
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. Blessed are those who are called to his supper.
All: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but speak the word only 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.
We do not presume to come to this your table, O merciful Lord,
trusting in our own righteousness,
but in your abundant and great mercies.
We are not worthy so much as to gather up
the crumbs under your table;
but you are the same Lord
whose character is always to have mercy.
Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord,
so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ,
and to drink his blood,
that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body,
and our souls washed through his most precious blood,
and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
Communion hymn. 353 (Repton) Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
Post Communion Prayer: Let us pray (please stand)
Lord God, in this Eucharist which we have shared,
you have spoken your word of life
and nourished us with the mysteries of Christ’s body and blood;
bring us with all who have died in combat or through the injuries of war,
to know the joys of heaven.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lived and died
and was raised to newness of life,
to whom be glory in every age and for eternity. Amen.
Give rest, O Christ, to your servants with your saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
All And weeping o’er the grave we make our song:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
All: You have opened to us the Scriptures, O Christ, and you have made yourself known in the breaking of bread. Abide with us, we pray, that blessed by your royal presence, we may walk with you all the days of our life, and at its end behold you in the glory of the eternal Trinity, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Priest: They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will
remember them.
All: We will remember them
A short silence will follow
National Anthem of the United Kingdom:
God save our gracious King
Long live our noble King,
God save our King.
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the King.
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour,
Long may he reign:
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save The King
Priest: God grant to the living grace, to the departed rest, to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth and all people, unity, peace and concord, and to us and all God’s servants, life everlasting. Amen.
Sub-Lieutenant Elliott Joiner Royal Navy then says: ‘When you go home tell them of us and say, ‘for your tomorrow we gave our today.’
Blessing and dismissal
Priest:
May the God of peace,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ,
that great shepherd of the sheep,
comfort and assure you of his love
in this world and the next;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Go in peace to love your neighbour.
Go in power to work for reconciliation.
Go in hope to proclaim the resurrection.
All Thanks be to God.
Assistant: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
All: in the name of Christ Amen
Deacon Chris: 22950 53164: Day Off – Friday.
Swedish Church: contact Fr. Bjorn 694 607 2428
Notices :
- Poppies for Remembrance Day are for sale this morning.
- The church history and guide book ‘OPENING the DOORS’ is now available at the cost of €10,00.
- A POS is available so you can make your Sunday donation by card
- Join the online Prayer Group each Tuesday morning at 09.00 – see website for the Zoom link.
- Community Connect Coffee Mornings
December 14th at the Swedish centre – 10:30 until 12:30. Contact Anne Dedes if you need information. - Christmas Bazaar : in the Atrium of the War Museum – December 3rd. Contact Lynn Stavrou for details. Paul’s will be open the week leading up to the Bazaar for things to be delivered. (10.00-14.00hrs)
- Christmas Services: Sunday 17th December 18.00 Carols Sing-a-long
Sunday 24th December 18.00 Lessons and Carols
Monday 25th December 10.00 Christmas Morning Liturgy
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 card stall and a second hand book stall in the garden after the liturgy. Please do look out for them.
- View our Website: anglicanchurchathens.gr
- Or “Like” us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnglicanAthens/
- Or ‘follow’ us on Twitter: @AthensAnglican
- Liturgical material C the Archbishops’ Council.
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