Text Box: Sunday 5th November  

From its earliest days, the Church has recognized as its foundation  stones those heroes of the faith whose lives have excited others to  holiness and have assumed a communion with the Church on earth and the Church in heaven.

Celebrating the feast of All Saints' began in the fourth century. At first, it was observed on the Sunday after the feast of Pentecost; this was to link the disciples who received the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the 'foundation of the Church, with those who were martyrs, giving their lives as witnesses for the faith. In the eighth century, a pope dedicated a chapel to All Saints in St Peter's at Rome on 1 November. Within a century, this day was observed in England and Ireland as All Saints' Day.

To all the saints of God today, grace and peace be to you, and all encouragement in the witness,  example and prayers, of  the saints throughout the centuries.

 

A special welcome this morning to someone who himself was something of a cornerstone of faithful service and witness in this church, The Reverend Tom Unsworth.

 

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith”                                                     Hebrews 12:2

                                

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Opening hymn              134 For All the Saints verses 1,2,4,7,8.

 

The Epistle: St Pauls Letter to the Hebrews 11:32-12:2

 

Text Box: And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Around the Gospel          157 Gloria

 

 Gospel: Luke 18: 1-8

 

Text Box: Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

 

Offertory hymn          362  O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing
     
 Communion / Eucharistic Prayer:
        Sung responses can be found on page 8

         If you would like to receive  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:   14 All Heaven Declares

                                                                     ( sung quietly and prayerfully)

 

 God, the source of all goodness and holiness.

We thank you for calling us into fellowship one with another.

We celebrate today all your people, all your saints, both past and present, and we remember before you all whom we have known and loved, and who now live in you.

Inspire and strengthen us to walk with all your saints the path of life and wholeness.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

 

Recessional hymn:     128 Fight the Good Fight

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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.

Sunday  Lunch. The next Sunday lunch at Ben and Anne’s will be on Sunday 19th November. Cost 10 euros.  Volunteers to cook are needed, recipes will be provided and all costs reimbursed. Please ask Anne for the recipe. Please sign up on the list at the back of the church.

Remembrance Sunday will be observed next week Sunday 12th November. With the continuing war and violence in Iraq and elsewhere, Remembrance Sunday has a special significance for us all. Poppies, in aid of the Royal British Legion’s work are on sale as of today. 

Christmas Cards. Carol Marcer has again been busy this year producing lovely Christmas cards in aid of the Centenary Appeal. These are on sale today be sure to buy some today at 15 euros for 20cards. Last year we raised over 1500 euros for the Centenary Appeal  selling these cards, so please do help us to beat this figure this year by buying your cards today. Christmas cards of the Christmas crèche in St John’s are also available. Either in packets or by special order. Please speak to Anne

Library. Don’t forget to pop into the library here on a Tuesday morning, 10.00-12.00 you will get a warm welcome from Jasmine and Marie Jo.

Calendars. Bill Moss is producing a  St. John’s Centenary Calendar. These are not quite ready yet, but for an idea of what they will be like please look at the board at the back of the church. Bill needs photos for the calendar. Please contact him atBillanRose.Moss@fsmail.net

Centenary Appeal. If you look at the thermometer at the back of the church you will see that the total is now €72,000Thank you to everyone! Only €3,000 euros to go! Our renovations are progressing well Lets us see how we can reach our target by the end of the year. The new toilet has been connected to the town drains, and is operational!! The meeting room is nearly finished  and as you can see the painting of the interior is almost completed.  It now remains for us to  renovate the floor, and replace the wooden entrance lobby, that has been dismantled,  in glass.

Thank you all for your support.