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Service for the 5th Sunday of Easter – in celebration of the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla – 7th May 2023
Welcome to St. Paul’s Athens especially if you are here for the first time or visiting Athens. Our prayers are very much with King Charles III and Queen Camilla following the Coronation service in Westminster Abbey yesterday. To celebrate locally there is our own form of Street Party immediately after the Liturgy. Please do stay if you can and celebrate the lives and reign of the new King and Queen.
The presiding priest this morning is Fr. Leonard, and the deacon is Deacon Christine. We are pleased that His Excellency Matthew Lodge, UK Ambassador is one of the lesson readers today. All the hymns and the psalm reflect the different countries of the United Kingdom.
Hymn: 368 Guide me, O thou great Redeemer Tune:Cwm Rhonddha (Rhondda Valley)
Priest: Alleluia! Christ is risen
All: He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Priest: The Lord be with you
All: and also with you
National Anthem
God save our gracious King!
Long live our noble King!
God save the 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.
The priest then welcomes the people of God and the deacon leads us into Confession.
Silence
Deacon: Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life.
Kyrie eleison
All: Kyrie eleison
Deacon: Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins.
Christe eleison
All: Christe eleison
Deacon: Lord Jesus, you feed us with the living bread.
Kyrie eleison
All: Kyrie eleison
Absolution: May the God of love and power forgive you and free you from your sins, heal and strengthen you by his Spirit, and raise you to new life in 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, the only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sing 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. Amen
Collects: Let us pray (remain standing as the priest prays the Collect of the Day)
Risen Christ, your wounds declare your love for the world and the wonder of your risen life: give us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
First Reading (please sit) Acts 7, 55-end (HM Ambassador Matthew Lodge)
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices. Selah
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and in the name of our God set up our banners.
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with mighty victories by his right hand.
7 Some take pride in chariots and some in horses,
but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They will collapse and fall,
but we shall rise and stand upright.
9 Give victory to the king, O Lord;
answer us when we call.
Reader: This is the word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Responsorial Psalm: Green Hymn Book 531 Jesus reigns, our Lord and King
2nd Reading Ephesians 3, 14-21 (Sue Stephos BEM)
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reader: This is the word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Gospel Hymn 459 The Lord’s my shepherd Tune ‘Crimmond’ from the Scottish Psalter of 1650
Gospel Reading
Deacon: The Lord be with you
All: and also with you
Deacon: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke (Luke 22, 24-30)
All: Glory to you, O Lord
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
At the end of the Gospel
Deacon: This is the gospel of the Lord, Alleluia!
All: Alleluia
Sermon (Please sit) Most sermons are available on the website
Creed of Nicea
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: (kneel or sit – Intercessor: Lynn Stavrou)
Priest: Let us pray.
Almighty God, you reign over all things in wisdom, power, and love. Hear our prayers which we offer in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The intercessor prays:
For Charles our King, that you may pour upon him abundant gifts to help him fulfil the promises made at his coronation: Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.
That he will have the grace, wisdom, and strength to live a life of service to you and to his people: Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.
For Camilla the Queen, William Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and all the Royal Family; that they may love and support the King as he bears the burden of his office: Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.
For the building up of the Church under its Supreme Governor, for the building up of all Christian people, and for mutual understanding and fellowship between all people of faith:
Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.
For the United Kingdom, for His Majesty’s other Realms and Territories, for the whole Commonwealth of Nations, for their governments and ministers, and for all who are called to public service, for all who will be seeking public office the Greek national and local elections that all will seek justice, mercy, and peace: Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.
For the peace of the world, for the welfare of all people, in particular here in Greece, for those who care for others and for the environment, and for all in need: Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.
Loving God, you have taught us that the power of the heart is greater than the power of wealth and might. Hear us as we pray for the fulfilment of your reign. We ask this through Jesus Christ our King; to him be glory and power for ever.
All Amen.
Peace: The risen Lord came among his disciples and said, ‘Peace be with you’. Then were they glad when they saw the Lord! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The peace of the Lord be always with you. Alleluia!
All: And also with you. Alleluia! The Deacon invites us to share the peace.
Offertory Hymn: 205 Christ is made Tune ‘Westminster Abbey’ – the place of the Coronation (The Collection will be taken)
Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
All: 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. Blessed be God for ever!
Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
All: 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. 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: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, almighty and eternal Father, and in these days of Easter to celebrate with joyful hearts the memory of your wonderful works. For by the mystery of his passion Jesus Christ, your risen Son, has conquered the powers of death and hell and restored in men and women the image of your glory. He has placed them once more in paradise and opened to them the gate of life eternal. And so in the joy of this Passover, earth and heaven resound with gladness, while angels and archangels and the powers of all creation sing for ever the hymn of your glory:
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: Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: 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.
Deacon: Great is the mystery of faith
All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of the Holy Mother of God, St. Paul, and all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.
All: Amen. Alleluia!
All: 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.
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: Alleluia! Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us
All: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
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: 408 Tune Blaenwern (a Welsh tune)
Post Communion Prayer: Let us pray (please stand)
Priest: Eternal God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life: grant us to walk in his way, to rejoice in his truth, and to share his risen life; who is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen.
All: Faithful God, in baptism you have adopted us as your children, made us members of the body of Christ, and chosen us as inheritors of your kingdom: we thank you that in this Eucharist you renew your promises within us, empower us by your Spirit to witness and to serve, and send us out as disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All: Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, bless our Sovereign Lord, King Charles,and all who are in authority under him; that they may order all things in wisdom and equity, righteousness and peace, to the honour of your name, and the good of your Church and people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Notices
Post Communion Hymn: 258 O Christ the same Tune ‘Londonderry’ Air from County Derry
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; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
All: Amen.
Deacon: Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!
All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Please join us outside for our celebratory Street Party. God save the King.
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
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
Notices:
- Monthly Giving envelopes – it is never too late to join this scheme. Just ask about it.
- Coffee Mornings (now on Thursdays!!!): May 11th, June 8th, July 13th. These are in the Swedish Centre (Winter time) or Church Garden (Spring and Summer)
- Quiz Nights – these are monthly. Listen out for the dates!
- Coronation Sunday: On May 7th Special Prayers will be offered for King Charles III followed by a bring and share ‘Street Party’ brunch in the garden
- Coronation Bazaar: May 27th in the church garden – look out for details
- We are glad to have welcomed you to St Paul’s today but remember you can keep in touch with us wherever you are you are in the world. See our e-mag on the website.
- From 7th-14th May Leonard is on pilgrimage led by Bishop Robert. It is a visit to the 7 Churches of the Book of Revelation. On 14th Fr. Bjorn will preside and Deacon Chris is preaching.
- On 17th May a group from Baylor College will be attending our Liturgy – students on a placement organized by the 1st Evangelical Church of Athens. We welcome them.
- From Thursday 18th May-Sunday 21st May a group of 38 members of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers (City of London) are visiting Athens to look at buildings that have interesting stained glass. They will visit both the Anglican and German churches among other places.
- Because of the General Election date the usual commemoration of the Battle of Souda Bay has been moved to the following weekend, so Fr. Leonard will be with the Embassy Team in Crete from Friday 26th May – Sunday 28th
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