Service for the Fourth Sunday after Trinity – 23rd June 2024
The Eucharist
with
the Licensing of
The Revd Benjamin Drury
as
Chaplain of Anglican Church of St Paul´s in the Greater Athens Chaplaincy
President:
The Venerable Dr Leslie Nathaniel
Archdeacon of Germany and Northern Europe and the East
Come, my Light, and illumine my darkness.
Come, my Life, and revive me from death.
Come, my Physician, and heal my wounds.
Come, Flame of divine love,
and burn up the thorns of my sins,
kindling my heart with the flame of your love.
Come, my King, sit upon the throne of my heart
and reign there, for you alone are my King and my Lord (Dimitri of Rostov, d. 1709)
ORDER OF SERVICE
T h e G a t h e r i n g
Opening Music
All stand
The president and the other ministers enter.
Opening Hymn 333 All my hope on God is founded
President says
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The president greets the people, welcomes friends and guests and introduces the liturgy.
The congregation is now invited to confession of their sins.
All say:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour, in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.
The president says the 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 in Excelsis
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, 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 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
The president says:
God our Father, Lord of all the world, through your Son you have called us into the fellowship of your universal Church. Hear our prayer for your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry each may be an instrument of your love and give your servant Benjamin now to be licensed the needful gifts of grace; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
All sit
T h e L i t u r g y o f t h e W o r d
New Testament Reading: 2 Corinthians 6.1-13
Read by Reader Nelly Paraskevopoulou
A reading from a letter to the Corinthians
As we work together with him, we entreat you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: in great endurance, afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; in purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors and yet are true, as unknown and yet are well known, as dying and look—we are alive, as punished and yet not killed, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing everything. We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections but only in yours. In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.
This is the word of the Lord. | Thanks be to God.
Hymn 459 (Psalm 23): The Lord´s my Shepherd, I´ll not want
Gospel Reading: John 10:1-16
Read by the Revd Deacon Christine Saccali
Hear the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John | Glory to you, O Lord.
“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to you, O Christ.
All sit
Sermon:
The President
- Hymn Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
- Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
- ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
- Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
- The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
- Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease:
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.
- The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine.
The Licensing
All stand
The Representatives of the Chaplaincy (the wardens) present the priest to be licensed to the president:
Archdeacon Leslie, we present to you the Rev Benjamin Drury to be licensed for his work as Chaplain of the Anglican Church of St Paul´s in the Greater Athens Chaplaincy, Athens. We ask you now to do all that is necessary in order to issue to him the Bishop’s Licence, so that he may begin his work and ministry among us.
President I am happy to do so.
The president addresses the Congregation:
To serve and lead Christ’s people in their worship, mission and ministry is a privilege and a joy. It is also a great responsibility. The Revd Benjamin Drury has already been selected and approved for this office, but before he is admitted, both you and Revd Benjamin must affirm your allegiance to Christ and your commitment to each other.
President Will you accept the Revd Benjamin as your priest here in Athens?
All We will.
President Will you pray with and for him, will you be attentive to the Word of God, regular in public and in private prayer and faithful in receiving Holy Communion?
All We will.
President Will you uphold him in his ministry?
All We will.
President Will you endeavour so to live and work that others may be led to honour Christ and find their place at his table?
All We will.
President Will you actively seek the unity of Christian people so that the world may believe?
All We will.
The Representatives of the chaplaincy return to their places. The congregation sits. The priest faces the president.
The president says:
Benjamin, you have heard the commitment of the people of this chaplaincy. Will you for your part accept the responsibility Christ lays on you today to work with Bishop Robert, to work with me, and all your fellow priests as servant and shepherd?
Priest I will.
President Will you proclaim the word of the Lord, call your hearers to repentance; in Christ’s name absolve and declare the forgiveness of sins? Will you baptise and prepare the baptised for confirmation?
Priest I will.
President Will you preside at the celebration of the Holy Communion, lead your people in prayer worship, intercede for them, and teach and encourage by word and example? Will you minister to the sick and prepare the dying for their death?
Priest I will.
President Will you set the Good Shepherd always before yourself as the pattern of your calling, for the people committed to your charge and joining them in a common witness to the world?
Priest I will.
President You must now declare your belief in the Christian faith as the Church of England has received it and make the oath of canonical obedience.
The president reads the preface to the Declaration of Assent:
The Church of England is part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, worshipping the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It professes the faith uniquely revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds, which faith the Church is called upon to proclaim afresh in each generation. Led by the Holy Spirit, it has borne witness to Christian truth in its historic formularies, the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordering of Bishops, Priests and Deacons. In the declaration you are about to make, will you affirm your loyalty to this inheritance of faith as your guide and inspiration under God in bringing the grace and truth of Christ to this generation and making him known to those in your care?
The priest to be instituted says:
Declaration of Assent
I, Benjamin Drury, do so affirm, and accordingly declare my belief in the faith which is revealed in the holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds and to which the historic formularies of the Church of England bear witness; and in public prayer and administration of the sacraments,
I will use only the forms of service which are authorised or allowed by Canon.
The priest is given a Bible to hold in his right hand; he faces the congregation and says:
Oath of Allegiance
I, Benjamin Drury, do swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and successors, according to law: So help me God.
The priest still holding the Bible turns to face the Archdeacon and says:
Oath of Canonical Obedience
I, Benjamin Drury, do swear by Almighty God that I will pay true canonical obedience to the Lord Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe and his successors, in all things lawful and honest: So help me God.
The priest puts down the Bible and signs the Declaration of Oaths document. The President then signs the same document as witness. After which he signs the licence.
The priest stands in front of the president who reads the licence and gives it to him, saying:
Receive the cure of souls which is both yours and the Bishop’s, in the name of the Father and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
President May God who has called you and moved you to make these promises fill you with his grace that you may perform them faithfully. Amen.
The president leads the priest to the customary stall and says:
The Lord bless you and watch over you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord look kindly upon you and give you his peace. Amen.
Hymn 138 Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire
The Rededication of the Ministry of the People of God
The President says
Now that Benjamin Drury has been instituted and licensed as Chaplain of the Anglican Church of St Paul´s in the Greater Athens Chaplaincy, I invite representatives to come forward for the Affirmation of Ministry, but first let us pray.
Gracious God, we praise and glorify you, because in your infinite love you have formed throughout the world a holy people for your own possession, a royal priesthood, a universal Church, that, sharing in the ministry of our Saviour Christ, we might be witnesses of what he has done for us.
All Gracious God, we praise and glorify you.
Members of the congregation come forward to address the new minister.
Offering water for BAPTISM, One says:
Fr Benjamin, be among us as a priest who rejoices to bring new Christians to baptism and to share with them the Living Water, Jesus Christ himself.
All Together, by God’s grace, we will grow in our faith and discipleship.
Offering the oil of healing, One says:
Fr Benjamin, be among us as a reconciler, showing God’s forgiveness and healing.
All Together, by God’s grace, we will be a Christ-like community of love.
Offering a Bible, One says:
Fr Benjamin, be among us as a priest who studies the Scriptures, proclaims the Word and explores the faith.
All Together, by God’s grace, we will tell the good news of Christ to the world.
Offering a stole and the Book of Common Worship,
One says:
Fr Benjamin, be among us as a pastor and priest, offering the Church’s liturgy and interceding for God’s people.
All Together, by God’s grace, we will worship God in spirit and in truth.
Offering bread and wine, One says:
Fr Benjamin, be among us as to preside at the Eucharist, when we celebrate the Lord’s death and resurrection.
All Together, by God’s grace, we will seek to be the living body of Christ.
Offering a symbol of music, One says:
Fr Benjamin, be among us as a priest using the power of music to deepen our understanding of God’s Word:
All Together, by God’s grace, we will worship the Lord in the beauty
of Holiness.
Offering a symbol of ministry with young people,
Young people jointly say:
The Lord promises his Spirit to old and young alike. Fr Benjamin, be among us as one who will encourage the ministry of children and young people and of those who minister with them.
All Together, by God’s grace, we will value the vision of our young
people and nurture the faith of our children.
Offering a symbol for the local community, One says:
The Anglican Church of St Paul´s, Athens, is open to serve the community of people of multiple cultures. Revd Benjamin, be among us, sharing our vision of a multi-cultural church, reaching out to those who are fragile and struggling in life, those who are sick and those without hope, that our churches be a visible place of welcome and transformation.
All Together, by God’s grace, we will work for His Kingdom.
Offering a symbol of ecumenism, a representative of a partner church says:
Revd Benjamin be among us as one who works with local Christians, strengthening our church-to-church relationships.
All Together by God’s grace we will proclaim Christ crucified to our
local community.
Chaplain I pledge myself to do God’s will in all things, to care for the
community that gathers here, to share with them the Word of God and
work of ministry, to celebrate with them the sacraments of the new
covenant, and to encourage them in their discipleship. Together may we
make this a place where Christian people are equipped for their life and
witness in God’s world.
All Amen.
Hymn 353 Dear Lord and Father of mankind
All stand for the Prayers of Intercession, led by the Chaplain:
We pray for the coming of God’s kingdom, saying:
Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
You came in Jesus to bring good news to the poor, sight to the blind, freedom to the captives, and salvation to your people: anoint us with your Spirit; rouse us to work in his name.
Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
Send us to bring help to the poor and freedom to the oppressed.
Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
Send us to tell the world the good news of your healing love.
Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
Send us to those who mourn, to bring joy and gladness instead of grief.
Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
Send us to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth and we pray for peace between nations.
Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
Send us to proclaim that the time is here for you to save your people.
Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
President Lord of the Church
All hear our prayer, and make us one in heart and mind, to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.
T h e L i t u r g y o f t h e S a c r a m e n t
Peace
All stand
The president introduces the Peace:
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All And also with you.
The Chaplain says: Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
All share the peace
Offertory Hymn : God is here! As we his people (tune: Blaenwern)
God is here! As we his people
Meet to offer praise and prayer,
May we find in fuller measure
What it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us,
All our varied skills and arts
Wait the coming of his Spirit
Into open minds and hearts.
Here are symbols to remind us
Of our lifelong need of grace;
Here are table, font, and pulpit;
Here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching,
Here in silence, as in speech,
Here in newness and renewal,
God the Spirit comes to each.
Here our children find a welcome
In the Shepherd’s flock and fold,
Here as bread and wine are taken,
Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant
Seek in worship to explore
What it means in daily living
To believe and to adore.
Lord of all, of Church and Kingdom,
In an age of change and doubt,
Keep us faithful to the gospel,
Help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day’s dedication,
All we have to give, receive:
We, who cannot live without you,
We adore you! We believe.
Alms collected at Licensing services go towards the Diocesan Ordination Candidates Fund. Alternatively, please make a transfer to the chaplaincy bank account. (see last page)
Preparation of the Table
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation: through your goodness we have this bread to set before you, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life. Blessed be God for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation: through your goodness we have this wine to set before you, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become for us the cup of salvation. Blessed be God for ever.
All remain standing. An authorised Eucharistic Prayer is used.
Eucharistic Prayer
President The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
President Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord.
President Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All It is right to give thanks and praise.
The president praises God for his mighty acts.
You are worthy of our thanks and praise, Lord God of truth, for by the breath of your mouth you have spoken your word, and all things have come into being. You fashioned us in your image and placed us in the garden of your delight. Though we chose the path of rebellion you would not abandon your own. Again and again you drew us into your covenant of grace. You gave your people the law and taught us by your prophets to look for your reign of justice, mercy and peace. As we watch for the signs of your kingdom on earth, we echo the song of the angels in heaven, evermore praising you and singing:
All respond:
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.
All sit as the president recalls the Last Supper,
Lord God, you are the most holy one, enthroned in splendour and light, yet in the coming of your Son Jesus Christ you reveal the power of your love made perfect in our human weakness. Embracing our humanity, Jesus showed us the way of salvation; loving us to the end, he gave himself to death for us; dying for his own, he set us free from the bonds of sin, that we might rise and reign with him in glory.
On the night he gave up himself for us all he 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.
Therefore, we proclaim the death that he suffered on the cross, we celebrate his resurrection, his bursting from the tomb, we rejoice that he reigns at your right hand on high and we long for his coming in glory.
Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
|
As we recall the one, perfect sacrifice of our redemption, Father, by your Holy Spirit let these gifts of your creation be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; form us into the likeness of Christ and make us a perfect offering in your sight. Look with favour on your people and in your mercy hear the cry of our hearts. Bless the earth, heal the sick, let the oppressed go free and fill your Church with power from on high. Gather your people from the ends of the earth to feast with all your saints at the table in your kingdom, where the new creation is brought to perfection in 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. Amen. |
Let us pray with confidence
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.
Breaking of the Bread
President 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.
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.
Giving of Communion
The president says this invitation to communion
God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people.
Jesus Christ is holy, Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
| The Church of England invites to Holy Communion all baptised persons who are communicant members of other Churches which subscribe to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. |
|
Communion hymn The choir will sing the antiphon Come, Christ’s beloved, feed on his body true. The text is to be found in the hymnal at number 514.
Prayer after Communion
The president says:
Almighty God, you have taught us through your Son that love is the fulfilling of the law: grant that we may love you with our whole heart and our neighbours as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The chaplain briefly addresses the congregation and gives any notices.
Brief words of welcome from local Ecumenical representatives
Brief words of greetings from the Area Dean, Fr Leonard Doolan
Final words of greeting by the Wardens of the Anglican Church of St Paul´s, in the Greater Athens Chaplaincy.
Acclamation
All stand
President There are varieties of gifts,
All but the same Spirit.
President There are varieties of service,
All but the same Lord.
President There are different kinds of working,
All but the same God is at work in all.
President There is one body, one Spirit, one hope in God’s call;
All one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
President There is one God, Father of all, over all and in all,
All to whom Christ ascended on high.
President And through his Spirit he gives us gifts:
All some are apostles, some are his prophets;
President evangelists, pastors and teachers he gives us,
All so that we can minister together
President to build up his body,
All to be mature in the fullness of Christ.
Blessing
President Almighty God, who for the salvation of humankind gives to his
people many gifts and ministries to the advancement of his glory, stir up in
you the gifts of his grace, sustain each one of you in your own ministry; and
the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be
among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Chaplain Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All In the name of Christ. Amen.
Final Hymn 368: Guide me, O thou great Redeemer
Closing music during which the president and the other ministers depart.
Thank you for being with us today!
You are warmly invited to stay after the service to meet your new chaplain Fr Benjamin Drury and members of our Chaplaincy.
Please join us as we raise a glass of wine to our future together.
There will also be a buffet.
The Anglican Church of St Paul´s in the Greater Athens Chaplaincy, is entirely dependent on voluntary donations for all our activities. Donations can be made directly to the account with Piraeus Bank : The Anglican Church in Greece, St. Paul’s Athens GR 820172 0500 0050 5008 6327 479 Swift Code is PIRB GRAA
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