Service Sheet for Sunday 30th August – Beheading of St John the Baptist

Celebrant Fr. Benjamin Drury

Sung Mass for the Beheading of St. John the Baptiser

Processional: 169 (Hail, Harbinger of Morn) Hail, harbinger of morn

Resp. Psalm: Ps. 71

Gradual: 170 (Lindeman) Lo, in the wilderness a voice

Offertory: 229 (Genevan Psalm 42) Joy and triumph everlasting

Communion: 294 (Saffron Walden) Just as I am, without one plea

Recessional: 231 (All Saints) Who are these, like stars appearing

All are welcome to stay for refreshments after the liturgy.

The Mass setting is Sir James Macmillan’s ‘St. Anne’s Mass’

A reading from the Prophet Jeremiah (1: 17-19)

The word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying:

‘Brace yourself for action.

Stand up and tell them all I command you.

Do not be dismayed at their presence,

or in their presence I will make you dismayed.

‘I, for my part, today will make you into a fortified city,

a pillar of iron, and a wall of bronze

to confront all this land: the kings of Judah, its princes,

its priests and the country people.

They will fight against you but shall not overcome you,

for I am with you to deliver you – it is the Lord who speaks.’

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God.

Resp. Psalm: Ps. 71: My lips will tell of your help.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge;

let me never be put to shame.

In your justice rescue me, free me:

pay heed to me and save me. (Response)

Be a rock where I can take refuge,

a mighty stronghold to save me;

for you are my rock, my stronghold.

Free me from the hand of the wicked. (Response)

It is you, O Lord, who are my hope,

my trust, O Lord, since my youth.

On you I have leaned from my birth,

from my mother’s womb you have been my help. (Response)

My lips will tell of your justice

and day by day of your help.

O God, you have taught me from my youth

and I proclaim your wonders still. (Response)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (13: 22-26)

when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he

said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after

me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ “Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God.

Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Happy those who are

persecuted in the cause of right,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

+ A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark (6: 17-29)

Glory to you, O Lord.

Herod sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.

An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ The girl hurried straight back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

The Gospel of the Lord: praise to you, O Christ.

Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.(BCP Collect: Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity)

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

Services: Unless noted, liturgies are followed by refreshments

Wednesday 3rd September: 10 a.m.; Low Mass

Sunday 6th September: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass

Community Connect Coffee Morning: Thursday, 10th September (10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.), in the churchyard.

September Sale: 12th September (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.); donations and volunteers very welcome. There shall be books, preserves, clothes, cards, tea towels, and bric-a-brac for sale, as well as food and drink.

For the diary: harvest festival at the Kokotos estate (Sunday, 25th October)

The Friends of St. Paul’s: please speak to Dimitris Ramantanoglou, or Father Benjamin, about becoming a Friend of the church.

Pilgrimage walking group: details from Fr. Benjamin.

Short prayer booklets (Prime and Compline) are available, please speak to Oliver Knight

Donate electronically by scanning the QR code;

the Church does not receive any funding from the   

Church of England or the British Government and is

reliant on the goodwill of congregants and visitors.

We thank you for your support.

Senior Chaplain: Fr. Benjamin Drury SSC

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

Assistant Chaplain: Deacon Christine Saccali: 697 737 7655

Church of Sweden: Fr. Bjorn Kling: 694 6072428

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