Service for the 7th Sunday after Trinity – 14th July 2024

For our Prayers: The world-wide Church & The homeless, those struggling with addiction and in recovery.

For Peace with justice in: Palestine/Israel, Armenia, Ukraine, Sudan, all Refugees, Aid Agencies. The Church in Gaza, all victims of war. All affected by fires.

And for the recently departed: Margaret Liveris

A Reading from the Prophet Amos (Amos 7; 7-15)

7 He showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said,

“Behold, I am setting a plumb line

in the midst of my people Israel;

I will never again pass by them;

9 the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,

and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,

and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”

10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. 11 For thus Amos has said,

‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword,

and Israel must go into exile

away from his land.’”

12 And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there; 13 but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”

14 Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son;[a] but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, 15 and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85; 8-end

Response: Show us, O Lord, your mercy.

8 I will listen to what the Lord God will say,

for he shall speak peace to his people and to the faithful,

that they turn not again to folly.

9 Truly, his salvation is near to those who fear him,

that his glory may dwell in our land.

10 Mercy and truth are met together,

righteousness and peace have kissed each other; (Response)

11 Truth shall spring up from the earth

and righteousness look down from heaven.

12 The Lord will indeed give all that is good,

and our land will yield its increase.

13 Righteousness shall go before him

and direct his steps in the way. (Response)

A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1; 3-14)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. 5 He destined us in love[a] to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 which he lavished upon us. 9 For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

Gospel acclamation:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Your Words are spirit Lord and the are life, you have the message of eternal life

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

 A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 6; 14-29)

Glory to you, O Lord.

14 King Herod heard of it; for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. 18 For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Welcome to our Liturgy of Holy Communion (Sung Mass)

New English Hymnal numbers (tunes):

Entrance: 436 (Praise, My Soul)

Gradual: 170 (Lindeman)

Offertory: 398 (All Souls)

Post Communion: 294 (Saffron Walden)

Recessional: 401 (Regent Square)

Church Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Wednesday. 17th July 10 a.m. Mass

Sunday. 21st July 10 a.m. Mass; liturgy followed by refreshments

Dates for the diary

Coffee Morning (12th September (to be confirmed))

Choral Evensong (in September (date to be confirmed))

Book Sale (20th July (Saturday))

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thank you for supporting St Paul’s Church

Priest Chaplain: Fr. Benjamin Drury

frbenjamindrury@gmail.com; Home tel.: 210 72 14 906

Deacon Christine Saccali : Day Off – Friday 697 737 7655

Swedish Church: Fr. Bjorn 694 6072428

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