Sunday 4^th October

Festival of St Francis of Assisi

Welcome to all this morning as we come to celebrate

the festival of the charismatic and compelling Saint

Francis of Assisi, and meditate together on some of his

Teachings, and offer praise as we sing hymns inspired

through him.

“ O Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts you in you” Psalm 84

Opening Hymn: 9 All Creatures of Our God and King

Gloria on page 3 in the yellow service booklet.

Refrain:

Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to God in the highest.

First reading: Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young— a place near your altar,

O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs;

the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayer, O Lord God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Look upon our shield, O God; look with favour on your anointed one. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

O Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Hymn around the Gospel: 487 The Lord is My Song

Gospel Reading. Luke 18: 18-30

A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother.'

"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?"

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!"

"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."

Offertory Hymn: 380 O Lord My God

Communion / Eucharistic Prayer:

Sung responses can be found on page 8 in the yellow service booklet.

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.

During Communion: 328 Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

Recessional Hymn: 474 The Day of the Resurrection

Please take your pew sheet home with you and leave your hymn book and yellow service booklet on your seat.

Refreshments are available please stay if you can.

For those of you who read music, the music for the communion setting is available at the back of the church

Sunday lunch today. Lunch today after the service is a bring and share meal. If you have brought food and are staying please write your name on the list on the bookcase at the back of the church so that we know how many places to set. If you have not brought food and would like to stay please speak to Anne straight after the service, we always have room for extras!

Next Sunday Lunch October 18^th. The third Sunday of the month.

Please sign up on the list at the back of the church if you would like to stay. The cost will be 10 euros. We need cooks please Anne will give you the recipe and all expenses will be reimbursed. Please do stay

“A Life Worth Living” starts this week!!

An exciting follow-up to the Alpha Course, which was well attended and much appreciated last year, is the

studycourse by Nicky Gumbel called:

A Life Worth Living

This is an nine-week course based on the book of Philippians.

Each session explores how it is possible to live the Christian life positively, practically and joyfully!

Full time and part time residents are urged to take part as we here at St John’s try to grow in out Christian faith.

Beginning Tuesday October 6^th, at St John’s, and Tuesdays thereafter at 11.30 with light bring and share lunch followed by discussion.

Please sign up at the back of the church if you intend to come so that we can order a copy of the book for you. It is not necessary to come to all of the sessions just come to as many as you can.

Leona McNamee has made a great contribution to St John’s, most particularly in doing an outstanding job as church secretary, and as leader of the Alpha group. As she now leaves this area, we thank her for all that she has done, wish her well, and ask God’s blessings on her in her new life.

Harvest Charity .

We are very pleased to announce that the sum of £1750 was raised

for Dr Atif and Christine Salib at the Mahaba Benevolent Hospital in Cairo.

More information is available at the back of the church.

A big thank you to all who contributed.

Christmas Cards

Made by Shirley and Cynthia, are now available for a suitable donation on the refreshments table.

St. John’s Church The Reverend Canon Ben Eaton

Avenue Paul Doumer 04 94 40 48 61

www.sjevar.com beneaton@orange.fr