Pew Sheet, Sunday 2nd November, 2025. All Saints / 1st Sunday of Kingdom Season

Today we mark the beginning of Kingdom Season by remembering those who have left this life and are now part of that heavenly host of saints who worship God without ceasing. For centuries they have been called ‘The Church Triumphant’ because they have overcome the hardships of this world to receive the glorious inheritance of the saints – which above all, is to rest eternally in the presence of God and forever sing God’s praises - as the Psalmist exhorts us to do today. In many ways, this is the culmination of the ‘blessings’ of which Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel passage. The ‘blessings’ and ‘woes’ we read about are familiar and well known, but I wonder how many of us actually believe them? Most of us, I assume, would not willingly want to be poor, or hungry, or weep, or be excluded for the sake of the Gospel, and may find it difficult to ‘leap for joy’ in such circumstances let alone see them as a blessing.

The passage reminds us however, that no matter how difficult the times we live in, or the personal circumstances that surround us, we have a hope which, if we look upwards, can help us to experience the comfort of those words in the here and now – as well as in the future, when we feel that things are harder than we can bear. Many of those who went before us endured much harder and harsher lives than we experience, but put their faith in the promises of Scripture, and set their hope and their sight on things above. They also of course, supported and cared for each other, often at great cost, which is why so many great philanthropic movements have their origins in the Christian faith of their founders.

The Gospel message is not just about jam tomorrow, but life in all its fullness here and now, which comes, unsurprisingly, from following their example and sharing the joys and sorrows of all in ‘The Church Militant’ here on earth. Militant not because we are a difficult bunch (though we can be!), but because we never doubt the veracity of God’s Word and hold it close to our hearts, even as we suffer ourselves or share in the sufferings of others. This is the true meaning of what it is ‘to be’ Church. Not that we meet in a particular place each week, but that we share a common faith, rejoicing in each other’s joys and comforting each other in our sadness, wherein the mystery of God’s risen life in all believers lies, and sanctity - or sainthood is formed.

Collect

Almighty and eternal God, you have kindled the flame of love in the hearts of the saints. Grant us the same faith and power of love, that as we rejoice in their triumphs, we may be sustained by their example and fellowship, though Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever, Amen

Psalm 149

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples,
to bind their kings with fetters
and their nobles with chains of iron,
to execute on them the judgment decreed.
This is glory for all his faithful ones.
Praise the Lord!

Ephesians 1:11-end

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. Godput this power to work in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Luke 6:20-31

Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.

“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Post Communion Prayer

God, the source of all holiness and giver of all good things:
may we who have shared at this table
as strangers and pilgrims here on earth
be welcomed with all your saints
to the heavenly feast on the day of your kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This week’s events

Monday (Richard Hooker, Priest, Anglican Theologian, 1600)

Bell ringing at 7.30pm in St Laurence. Contact Jan on 07835 461361.

Zoom Julian Group at 8pm, Group ID: 996 4332 0665 password: Julian

Tuesday

Zoom Morning Prayer at 9am. Meeting ID: 539 3978774 Password: TuaR0T (The 0 in R0T is a zero not an ‘O’) or email: [email protected]

Evening Home Groups, contact Jo on 07803 942 687.

Wednesday

Morning Coffee from 10.00 am in the St Laurence Rooms/Great Horwood Village Hall followed by Midweek Holy Communion at 12.00 noon in St Laurence’s.

Thursday (William Temple, Archbishop, Teacher of the Faith, 1944)

Daytime Home Group, contact Jo on 07803 942 687.

Friday (Willibrord of York, Bishop, Apostle of Frisia, 739)

Junior Choir, 6.30pm in St Laurence, followed by full Choir Practice at 7.30pm.

Saturday (The Saints and Martyrs of England)

Christians Working Together Quiet Morning, The Bowls Club at 9.45am

Advance Notice of November Events

Saturday 15^thSt Laurence Quiz Night, The Scout Hut, Picadilly

Saturday 22^ndAdvent Spring Clean in St Laurence from 10.00 am