Text Box: Sunday 3rd September                

 

Greetings in the name and  spirit of Christ the Prince of Peace, and of God the Father of all who calls us to himself. May our ears be open to hear his voice as he speaks to us in our worship, our praise and our thanks giving.

 

“Let your merciful ears, O Lord be open to the prayers of your servants”    From the collect of the day.

 

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Opening Hymn:  296  Let all the World

 

First reading:  Isaiah 35: 4-7a

 

Text Box: Say to those who are of a fearful heart, 'Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.' Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.

 

Hymn: 250 In the Lord

 

Gospel: Mark 7: 31-37

 

Text Box: Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, 'Ephphatha,' that is, 'Be opened.' And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, 'He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.'

 

Intercessory Hymn:  409 Open Our Eyes Lord

 

Offertory Hymn: 120  Father Hear the Prayer We Offer

               

 

Communion / Eucharistic Prayer:

Sung responses can be found on page 8

If you would like to receive a blessing at the altar rail you are very welcome, and if you would like a special prayer or a prayer for healing please indicate that to the priest when he comes to you.

 

 

Communion Hymn: 210  Holy, Holy, Holy  ( sung quietly and prayerfully while we remain seated)

 

Text Box: Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands that have taken holy things; May the ears which have heard your word be deaf to clamour and dispute; May the tongues that have sung your praise be free from deceit; May the eyes that have seen the tokens of your love shine with the light of hope; And may the bodies which have been fed with your body be refreshed with the fullness of your life; Glory to you for ever. Amen.

 

Recessional Hymn: 362 O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

 

 

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Please take your pew sheet home with you and leave your hymn book  and service book in your seat. Please do stay for refreshments in the side aisle.

 

Robert Scamardella . We look forward to welcoming Robert Scamardella back again this year. He will be giving piano recitals at the Villa Aurélienne in Frejus on Thursday 7th September and at the Centre Culturel in St Raphael on Tuesday 12th September at 18.00. Tickets will on sale today and next Sunday.   More information from Dawn Runnicles 0494408044

 

Harvest Thanksgiving  Sunday 24th September. 10.30

You are invited to bring an offering of produce  or homemade cakes or preserves. These will be sold after the service in aid of our harvest charities.  Harvest Lunch to follow the service will be held at Ben and Anne’s home. Please bring either an interesting salad or a delicious homemade desert. Quiche, bread and drinks will be provided. Cost 10euros all proceeds to go to our harvest charities.

Rotas. Bill has put a new rota for volunteers to welcome and hand out books before the service or  provide refreshments after the service. Please see when you would be able to help and sign up. Many thanks.

Paella Party. Thank you to everyone who supported Margery’s  Paella party approx. 500 were raised to support the organisation set up, and run, by her son Richard in the Philippines.

Christmas Cards. If you are only here for the summer we don’t want you to miss the opportunity to buy your Christmas cards and at the same time support our Centenary  Appeal.  Cards are in sale in the side aisle this morning. Be sure to pick up a packet.

Centenary Celebrations plans are being finalized to celebrate our Centenary next year. If you do not live here all the time and would like to be informed in the Autumn of the dates and activities for the celebrations for next year please do write your foreign address in the visitors book this morning. If you do not already receive St. John’s newsletter by post then we do not have your address and you don’t want to miss out. One date to mark in ink is the weekend of 28th 29th April  2007 when the Bishop will be here with us for our main celebratory weekend.

Centenary Appeal. If you look at the thermometer at the back of the church you will see that the total is now 70.000 euros. Thank you to everyone! Only 5000 euros to go! Our renovations are progressing well , the meeting room and the new toilet are nearly finished and we now have to wait  a month for the town council to connect the drains. Do take a look at the library installed in its new home in the old vestry, and the new door on the toilet!! It now remains for us to paint the interior, renovate the floor, and replace the wooden entrance lobby  with glass.

There are yellow envelopes to be found at the back of the church. These are of special interest to those of you who would like to make a donation in Sterling. If the outside of the envelope is filled this is accepted by the UK inland revenue and enables the church to claim back the tax at a rate of 28p for every pound given. This is a simple tax efficient way to give. The French Tax authorities will credit you 50 percent of any giving in Euros on your income tax return next year!

 Please remember St John’s receives no funding from outside sources.