Pew Sheet, Sunday, June the 9th 2024.
Pew Sheet, Sunday, June the 9th 2024.
Second Sunday after Trinity / Music Sunday
People often ask me why the Church of England does not venerate the Virgin Mary to the same extent as other churches do, and I have even been asked if Anglicans really ‘believe’ in her. This is a strange question, since there would be no Gospel message without her unquestioning obedience or willingness to be used as the means by which God became incarnate amongst us, so my response to such questions is always the same. I tell them that so central is she to God’s purposes, that we use one of the prayers she uttered (from our Gospel reading today) each day in our worship. Known as The Magnificat, because it celebrates the glory and magnificence of God, the prayer is part of our liturgy of Evening Prayer or Evensong; and has provided ample source material for composers and librettists throughout the ages, so it is no mistake that the Magnificat is one of our readings on this ‘Music Sunday’ as we give thanks for all who lead our worship week by week, and celebrate God’s magnificence in our songs of praise.
Another question I am also often asked, is whether the Church should get involved in politics, especially in this election year. But once again, the words of this great canticle may hold the answer. In the text, Mary reminds us that God’s concern is always for the vulnerable, the weak, the poor, and the hungry; and there can be nothing less political than that. In uttering those words, Mary speaks with the same prophetic voice as Amos (5:22-24), Samuel (1 Samuel 2:7-8), Isaiah (41:17), and indeed, our Lord amongst many others, whose Sermon on the Mount outlines nothing less than God’s manifesto for the way in which we should regulate our affairs for the sake of those who are worse off than we are. It is a reminder that we are all our brother’s (and our sister’s) keeper; and should treat others as we want to be treated ourselves. These are issues pertinent to the polity of our nation at any time, but our political parties proffer different, and sometimes conflicting suggestions as to how we might do this. This is why it is important for Christians to pray and weigh up each party manifesto in the light of the Gospel, and actively use their vote to support those they believe most capable of doing this. This is especially true as we recall the sacrifice of those who died to preserve our democratic freedoms and liberties on the beaches of Normandy eighty years ago, and all who have fought for peace and universal suffrage down the ages. Do please spread the word about the hustings meeting for this purpose.
Collect
O God of glory, around whose eternal throne all the heavenly powers offer you ceaseless songs of praise; Grant that we may join our praises with the saints and angels who behold you face to face, and with them,
come into your awesome presence,
where you reign, ever one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Psalm 96
Come O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord; bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvellous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in holy splendour;
tremble before him, all the earth.
Say among the nations, “The Lord is King!
The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar and all that fills it;
let the field exult and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he is coming,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness
and the peoples with his truth.
Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the aid of his child Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Please pray this week for:
All our candidates in the general election, for their party leaders, and for all helping with the campaign that it will be carried out with integrity, truth, and dignity. Pray too for the general election hustings in church this Thursday evening, that kindness, consideration and respect will prevail throughout.
This Week’s Events
Monday
Bell ringing at 7.30pm in St Laurence. Contact Jan on 07835 461361.
Tuesday (Barnabas the Apostle)
Zoom Morning Prayer at 9am ID: 748 9970 4493 Password: Trinity or contact Didier on [email protected]
Daytime Bible Group (2nd and 4th Tuesdays) contact Paula: 07722 808 988.
Evening Home Groups, contact Jo on 07803 942 687.
Wednesday
Morning Coffee from 10.00-11.45 in the St Laurence Rooms.
Midweek Holy Communion at 12 noon, St Laurence Church.
Thursday
General election hustings with our candidates, 7.30pm at St Laurence’s.
Friday (Richard Baxter, Puritan Divine, 1691)
Junior Choir at 6.30 pm followed by full Choir Practice at 7.30pm. Do contact Derry on [email protected] if you would like to know more.
Pastoral Care
Please telephone 07305 271148 or email [email protected]
Spread the word about this important event which gives us opportunity to hear from the local candidates themselves above the sound and fury of the national campaign. Do submit any questions you would like to raise to the office email address, and remember that you must have an appropriate form of photo id to vote on election day (see posters for more information).