Sunday 24th January

Welcome to everyone this morning as we

recall not only the conversion and transformation

of St Paul, but the continuous need for conversion

of our lives though the light of Christ.

“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes,

and he could see again.” Acts 9

Opening Hymn: 192 For All Your Saints.

Replacing verse two with verse for 25^th January, Conversion of St Paul

First Bible Reading  Acts 9: 1-22

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.

The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

Hymn Around the Gospel: 600 Open Our Eyes Lord

Gospel Reading  Matthew 19: 27-30

Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Offertory Hymn: 413 Just as I am

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: 62 Be Still

Prayer

Lord, like St Paul open our spiritual eyes that we might perceive and understand; open our inner ears that we might listen and obey; like St Paul Lord, use us for your service, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

Recessional Hymn: 379 Jesus Calls Us

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.

For those of you who read music copies of the setting for communion are available at the back of the church.

Christian Unity Service.

St John’s was full of local Christians of all denominations last Wednesday for the service of Christian Unity. Thank you to all of you who supported this occasion and enabled us to give a warm welcome to everyone who came. Thank you to the choir for the lovely music, for those of you who provided food, for those who served and washed up!!

We have received many expressions of appreciation for the warmth of the evening.

Sunday Lunches

The next Sunday lunch here at St John’s will be a bring and share lunch the first Sunday in February, the 7^th. No need to sign up just bring something delicious to share with others. As there is the quiz lunch the week before the third Sunday there will be no Sunday lunch on the third Sunday in February.

In March there will be change to our usual pattern in that we will have a lunch on Mothering Sunday the 14^th of March and not on the first or third Sunday.

Quiz Lunch.

Peter and Shirley Rowson are inviting us to their annual quiz lunch on Shrove Tuesday 16th February at 12 noon at their home in La Motte. Sign up sheet is on the board at the back of the church.

Christmas Cards.

As you clear away after Christmas please let us have your old Christmas cards so that they can be recycled into wonderful cards for next year.

St John’s Church The Reverend Canon Ben Eaton

Avenue Paul Doumer 0494954578 www.sjevar.com

83700 St Raphaël beneaton@orange.fr