Collect for the day
Almighty God, who alone can bring order to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity: give your people grace so to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, among the many changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Readings
EPISTLE READING: A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS. CHAPTER 2. VERSES 1 – 16
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God´s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” – these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God´s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.
Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God´s spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are discerned spiritually. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else´s scrutiny.
“For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 112
1 Alleluia. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and have great delights in his commandments.
2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land, a generation of the faithful that will be blest.
3 Wealth and riches will be in their house, and their righteousness endures for ever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright; gracious and full of compassion are the righteous.
5 It goes well with those who are generous in lending and order their affairs with justice.
6 For they will never be shaken; the righteous will be held in everlasting remembrance.
7 They will not be afraid of any evil tidings; their heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 Their heart is sustained and will not fear, until they see the downfall of their foes.
9 They have given freely to the poor; their righteousness stands fast for ever;
their head will be exalted with honour.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Gospel Reading
HEAR THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW – CHAPTER 5 VERSES 13 – 20
Glory to you, O Lord.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, nor one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ.
Intercessions
Please remember in your prayers, all those of our community who are unwell, or who have asked for our prayers.
Please remember in your prayers, those who have died recently,
and whose anniversary falls at this time and those who still mourn their passing.
Please continue to pray for the people of the Ukraine, especially those displaced by the conflict.
Final Prayer
Merciful Father, who gave Jesus Christ to be for us the bread of life, that those who come to him should never hunger: draw us to the Lord in faith and love, that we may eat and drink with him at his table in the kingdom, where he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
Amen.
Welcome to all our visitors today
The Offertory Collection will be collected from the pews today.
During the service we will be offering the Common Cup. If you wish to take the communion wine please pass to the left of the altar after receiving the Communion wafer and then leave to return to your seat on that side of the church. Please do not dip the Communion Wafer in the cup of wine. The cup is for sharing only. If you do not feel comfortable sharing the Common Cup please pass to the right hand side of the altar and return to your seat on that side of the church.
CRUZ ROJA
Please continue to donate non-perishable food items for distribution to families in need. If you prefer to donate money you can put it in the Cruz Roja collection tin situated at the exit door.