Sunday 25th January                                                                                  

 

Welcome to everyone this day.

At this special time we come together to pray

to the God of all, that a new breath and a new

spirit might be realized in us, and in all.

 

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'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'

 

Opening  Hymn:  33 Angel Voices

 

 

 

First  Reading Revelation 19: 1-10

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:  "Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God." At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me. “Do not do it! I am a fellow-servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

 

      

Hymn Around the Gospel:   250  In the Lord

 

 

Gospel Reading  John 2: 1-11

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

 

 Offertory Hymn:  313  Lord of All Hopefulness

     
 
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:  68  Bread of the World


We thank you Lord God of all that you have called us by your grace into a covenant of love. Keep us ever faithful and committed. As you transformed water into wine, so too in our covenant with you, transform us by your spirit in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen

 

 

Recessional Hymn:  321 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alpha Group is meeting this Tuesday at 12.30, starting with a bring and share lunch. Everyone is warmly invited.

 

Bring and Share Lunch. Feast and fellowship! Next Week

 Sunday 1st  February.

There will be a lunch in church after the service, just bring something tasty to share with others. No need to sign up. There will be a walk along the seafront, weather permitting, after lunch. Do plan to stay.

 

Annual Quiz Lunch.  Shrove Tuesday 24th February.

12 noon at the home of Peter and Shirley Rowson.

Sharpen up your brain cells and come and pit your wits against the other teams! Sign up sheet at the back of the church. Shirley asks that you only sign up if you are sure you can come.

 

Greeting cards

Thanks from Shirley and Cynthia  for continuing supply of Christmas cards for recycling. They would like to remind you  that there are packs of all-occasion cards available all year, on the drinks table  for use as notelets and greeting cards of all types.

 

 

 

 St. John’s Church                      The Reverend Canon Ben Eaton

             Avenue Paul Doumer                 04 94 40 48 61

              www.sjevar.com                         revbeaton@aol.com