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Chaplaincy of All Saints’ Marseille with Aix-en-Provence

and the Luberon

24th October 2021 Last Sunday after Trinity

Bible Sunday

Welcome to our online service. Below you will find readings, prayers and links to music for this Sunday. There is also a reflection by our Chaplain, The Revd Jamie Johnston, published separately on the website, the text of which is included in the service. The service will be in two parts. Reader Jane Quarmby will lead us through the Ministry of the Word. After the Peace, the Chaplain will celebrate the Eucharist and we will share in an act of Spiritual Communion, the prayer used where it is not possible for communicants physically to receive consecrated bread and wine. The Gathering The minister says

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All Amen.

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you

All and also with you.

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Hymn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3-dMvkZM-A

Lord, thy word abideth, and our footsteps guideth; who its truth believeth light and joy receiveth. When our foes are near us, then thy word doth cheer us, word of consolation, message of salvation. When the storms are o'er us, and dark clouds before us, then its light directeth, and our way protecteth. Who can tell the pleasure, who recount the treasure by thy word imparted to the simple-hearted? Word of mercy, giving succour to the living; word of life, supplying comfort to the dying. O that we discerning its most holy learning, Lord, may love and fear thee, evermore be near thee!

Words: Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877) Tune: Ravenshaw – William Henry Monk (1823-1889)

Prayer of Preparation

All Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden:

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cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of Penitence The minister says

My brothers and sisters, as we prepare to celebrate the presence of Christ in word and sacrament, let us call to mind and confess our sins. Let your faithful love come unto me, O Lord, even your salvation, according to your promise: Lord, have mercy.

All Lord, have mercy. Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon my path: Christ, have mercy.

All Christ, have mercy. I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; O seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. Lord, have mercy.

All Lord, have mercy. The minister says

Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

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The Gloria All say:

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.

The Collect The minister says

Let us pray. Silence is kept.

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

All Amen.

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The Ministry of the Word Old Testament Reading Isaiah 55.1-11

Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

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it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God. Psalm 19.7-end

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; * the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right and rejoice the heart; * the commandment of the Lord is pure and gives light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; * the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, * sweeter also than honey, dripping from the honeycomb. 11 By them also is your servant taught * and in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can tell how often they offend? * O cleanse me from my secret faults! 13 Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins lest they get dominion over me; * so shall I be undefiled, and innocent of great offence. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, *

O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever. Amen. New Testament Reading 2 Timothy 3.14-4.5

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to

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instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.

Hymn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbv6SIUBOJk

Thou, whose almighty word Chaos and darkness heard, And took their flight; Hear us, we humbly pray, And where the gospel-day Sheds not its glorious ray, Let there be light! Thou, who didst come to bring On thy redeeming wing, Healing and sight, Health to the sick in mind, Sight to the inly blind, O now to humankind Let there be light! Spirit of truth and love, Life-giving, holy dove, Speed forth thy flight! Move o’er the water's face Bearing the lamp of grace, And, in earth's darkest place Let there be light!

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Holy and blessed Three, Glorious Trinity, Wisdom, Love, Might; Boundless as ocean's tide, Rolling in fullest pride, Through the world, far and wide, Let there be light!

Words: John Marriott (1780-1825) Tune: Moscow – Felice de Giardini (1716-1796)

Gospel Reading John 5.36-end The minister says

Alleluia, alleluia. Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.

cf John 6.63

All Alleluia.

The Lord be with you All and also with you.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. All Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said, ‘The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.

‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’

This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.

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Reflection ‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life… Yet you refuse to come to me to have life.’ (John 5.39-40) A few weeks into my curacy I was sent along to a community meeting organised by the local council in the parish where I was working. The purpose of the meeting was to promote good relations between neighbours on a social housing estate. I was put at a table with a representative of the council and a group of residents. The residents were asked what they thought about living on the estate. The response was an angry outpouring of prejudice towards migrant families who had recently been housed there, complaining that they were unfriendly, had different customs and ‘didn’t even speak English’. Finally, one of the residents turned to me with a sickly smile and said: ‘Doesn’t it say in the good book, Vicar, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”?’ I replied that, actually, the good book says that we are to love our neighbour as ourselves. I asked the lady if she had ever wondered what it might be like to find yourself in a strange city, far from family and friends, where you didn’t speak the language. I wondered if her neighbours might actually be frightened of their surroundings, and of the people living there who were so hostile. There was a silence, following which quite a sensible conversation developed about how cuts in local authority expenditure had led to the closure of services that had in the past enabled new neighbours to get to know one another - and how, by restoring those services, barriers with the new occupants might be broken down. But the comment about the Bible stuck in my memory as an unwelcome, if somewhat ridiculous, example of how if we are not careful scripture can be weaponised in the cause of intolerance and prejudice. Today we celebrate and give thanks for the life and revelation of God in the scriptures, a library of 66 books written over a span of some fifteen hundred years, available to 98% of the world’s population to read in a language that they know. We treasure the truth of God expressed there, the richness of form and language. We are called to engage with all our senses, to wrestle with the parts that challenge and confront us and to use all our intellect and imagination to understand it. There should always be a sense that understanding is a little beyond our reach, so that we work towards a deeper experience of God in its pages. The living creative word of God, that is found as a deep stream running through the scriptures, is beautifully described by the prophet Isaiah in our Old Testament reading this morning. It quenches our thirst, satisfies our appetite, brings life and growth - calling us to thoughts and ways beyond ourselves. ‘Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.’ The creative word of God will shape us and challenge us as individuals and as a community. We need to be absorbed by it and so be led into new understanding. Each time

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we open our hearts and minds to the scriptures we are given the opportunity to connect to the living God, expressed most fully in God’s living Word, Jesus Christ. But what happens when we don’t allow ourselves to see the scriptures as a living text, through which we can find God, but read it with the barrier of our prejudices and fears or use it for our own ends? Jesus’s words in our Gospel today, addressed to some religious leaders who had used the scriptures as a weapon against him when they found him healing on the Sabbath, show how easy it is to manipulate the words of God, to stand outside judging rather than risk being open to the potential life within them. Jesus replies to his detractors: ‘You search the scriptures because you think in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life.’ As with the religious leaders who challenged Jesus, the authority of the Bible and specific texts have been used across the centuries to defend many kinds of intolerance and prejudice, including slavery, racism and the position of women. Scripture has been used as a means of creating barriers to define who is in and who is out; it has been treated as something life denying rather than a way to freedom and life and peace; the living word of God that includes rather than excludes, that brings life rather than denies it. As we enter into the life of God we are called to places and understanding beyond ourselves. God’s thoughts and ways are greater than ours. At present the Church of England is exploring how different ways of approaching and understanding scripture can lead to different conclusions about what it has to say about issues of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. The most intractable issue is how the church should respond to the huge social changes that have taken place over the last fifty years around attitudes to same-sex relationships and questions of gender. There’s a growing acceptance that whatever teaching emerges from this process will somehow need to balance the needs of diversity and unity. Those involved will need to have those words of Christ in their ears as they grapple with the reality that the church contains people with deeply held convictions that differ from their own, yet all are called to be one in Christ. It’s hard work, but a necessary process if the church is to move forward in love and faith. An encounter with Jesus, the living Word of God, changes us, as individuals and as communities – it moves us, shapes us and leads us on new paths to new understanding. In our Epistle today Paul urges Timothy, his younger colleague, to ‘be persistent’ in proclaiming the message of the Gospel, ‘with the utmost patience’. As we are called today to reflect on scripture and use it to develop all our relationships - especially those with whom we disagree - and to deepen our own spiritual lives, let us try to find ways to enter into and be absorbed by God’s word so that it ignites the life in us, drawing us together in love, so that God’s purposes may be fulfilled in us.

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As the prophet Isaiah wrote, ‘So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.’ Amen. The Nicene Creed All We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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Prayers

Gracious God, fountain of all wisdom, on this Bible Sunday, we pray for all Christian people; for Robert and David, our bishops, and for all who teach and guard the faith. We give thanks for the gift of the scriptures and for the work of translators and theologians, publishers and distributors whose work has helped to keep alive our faith in you. May the word of Christ dwell richly in our hearts, and knit us together in the bond of your love. Lord, hear us.

All Lord, graciously hear us

We pray for the leaders of nations, and for those in authority under them, especially before the COP climate conference as they seek solutions to the environmental problems of our world. Give them the gift of your wisdom, and a right discernment in all things. We pray that through the preaching of the Gospel more truth may break forth from your word to transform the thinking of those in power. Lord, hear us.

All Lord, graciously hear us

We pray for the places where we live and work, and for our church community, and for all who work together to seek the common good. We pray for all those studying together through Living in Love and Faith, that their dialogues bring greater understanding and find common ground among those who may hear scripture in different ways. Speak your word of peace in our midst, and help us to serve one another as Christ has served us. Lord, hear us.

All Lord, graciously hear us

We pray for those who do not believe, for those of hesitant belief and those struggling with doubt. Be with them, Lord. Open their ears to hear your voice, and open their hearts to receive you, the very Word of life.

Lord, hear us.

All Lord, graciously hear us

We pray for those bowed down with grief, fear or sickness, remembering especially Malcolm, Peter, Gabrielle, Margaret, Eddie and Martha. And in a moment of silence we bring before you those whom we each hold on our hearts. May Christ your living Word bring them comfort and healing.

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Lord, hear us.

All Lord, graciously hear us

We hold before you all who have died, remembering especially Julie Waller, wife of our Archdeacon of Gibraltar, Italy and Malta in the Diocese, and we pray for Archdeacon David and their daughter Katie. We ask your blessing on all who mourn, that they may be comforted. We remember too those whose anniversaries fall at this time, particularly Kenneth Lo and Liza Grant. Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord.

All and let light perpetual shine upon them. May they rest in peace

All and rise in glory. Lord, hear us.

All Lord, graciously hear us All Lord of the Church,

hear our prayer, and make us one in heart and mind to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.

The Peace The minister says

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us access to his grace.

cf Romans 5.1, 2 The peace of the Lord be always with you

All and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace. Hymn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtteRD5bBNQ

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.

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‘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, We have already come; ‘Twas grace hath brought us safe thus far, And grace will lead us home. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.

Words: John Newton (1725-1807) Tune: American folk melody

Preparation of the Table The celebrant says

As the grain once scattered in the fields and the grapes once dispersed on the hillside are now reunited on this table in bread and wine, so, Lord, may your whole Church soon be gathered together from the corners of the earth into your kingdom.

All Amen. The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here. All His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

All We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All It is right to give thanks and praise.

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It is indeed right and good, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. For he is your eternal and creative Word, through whom all things came into being; the Word made flesh who dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. He fulfils the Law and the Prophets, dying for our sins and rising again in accordance with the Scriptures. He stands among us in his risen power, opening to us his living word, and making himself known in the breaking of the bread. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:

All 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. Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, 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:

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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. Great is the mystery of faith:

All Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again. And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through 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.

All Amen. The Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done;

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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. Notre Père, qui es aux cieux, que ton nom soit sanctifié, que ton règne vienne, que ta volonté soit faite, sur la terre comme au ciel. Donne-nous aujourd’hui notre pain de ce jour. Pardonne-nous nos offenses, comme nous pardonnons aussi à ceux qui nous ont offensés; et ne nous laisse pas entrer en tentation, mais délivre-nous du mal. Car c’est à toi qu’appartiennent le règne, la puissance et la gloire, pour les siècles des siècles. Amen.

The celebrant breaks the consecrated bread, saying:

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.

All 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.

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The celebrant says

Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper.

All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed. An Act of Spiritual Communion As circumstances are such that we cannot share in the Eucharist in person, we make an Act of Spiritual Communion, in which we express our faith in Christ and in his presence in the Eucharist, and we ask him to unite himself with us. Heavenly Father, in union with Christian people throughout the world and across the centuries gathered to make Eucharist, hearing your holy Word and receiving the precious Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, we offer you praise and thanksgiving. Even though we cannot at this time receive Communion, we pray that you will unite us with all the baptised and with your Son who gave his life for us. Come, Lord Jesus, into our hearts, dwell in us in the fullness of your strength, and send your Holy Spirit that we may be filled with your presence. Amen Music

If ye love me Philip Wilby (b. 1949)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMAc-OwyigY

If ye love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever, e’en the Spirit of truth. And ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you.

John 14:15-18

Prayer after Communion

God of all grace, your Son Jesus Christ fed the hungry with the bread of his life and the word of his kingdom: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your true and living bread; who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

All Amen.

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Hymn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88rx0sMFUK8

Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things has done, in whom his world rejoices; who from our mothers' arms has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us, to keep us in his grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills of this world in the next. All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son and Spirit blest, Who reign in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom heaven and earth adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.

Words: Martin Rinkart (1586-1649), trans. Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

Tune: Nun danket – Johann Crüger (1598-1662)

Blessing The celebrant says

Go now in peace, knowing that you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God;

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and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.

All Amen. The minister says

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. All In the name of Christ. Amen. Offertory The Diocese in Europe has a JustGiving page, making it possible for donations to be made to individual chaplaincies in a simple way. For those not already donating by standing order, we would be most grateful for any one-off donations at the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/diocese-ineurope Where you are asked if you would like to ‘add a message’, please include the words ‘This is for the Marseille chaplaincy’. (Occasionally this box does not appear on the JustGiving page – if this happens, please let us know and we will ensure that your gift is allocated to the chaplaincy.) Thank you for your support.