Queen Elizabeth Ii

Sunday 11th September 2022

In this Mass we pray for the repose of the soul of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and thank God for her life of dedication and service.

Hymns today: Introit 456, Offertory 205,Communion 285, Recessional 239

First Reading: Lamentations 3: 17-26, 31-33.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
**they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
**“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.

For the Lord will not reject forever.
Although he causes grief, he will have compassion
according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.

2 He will not let your foot be moved and he who watches over you will not fall asleep. Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

3 The LORD himself watches over you; the LORD is your shade at your right hand, So that the sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

4 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; it is he who shall keep you safe. The LORD shall watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore.

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:4

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

GOSPEL John 6:35-40

Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.’

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News From St Michael's

As we give thanks today for the life and example of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we pray for His Majesty the King, for our country, and for all who hold positions of power and responsibility at this challenging time.

Welcome to new readers and those new to St Michael's; a special welcome and thanks to Fr Paul Matthias, our celebrant this morning, who is also kindly celebrating Mass for us on Thursday 15th September. If you are a newcomer or a visitor, please make yourself known to a member of the congregation so that we can welcome you properly.

Our Harvest and Patronal Festival is approaching. Mass at 10.30 on October 2nd will be followed by a Buffet Lunch in the Vestry Hall. Our guest preacher at Mass that day will be the Archdeacon of Maidstone, who will be joining us for lunch. Please sign up on the list at the back of church, indicating what you could bring, and any help you are willing to give on the day or beforehand. Everyone is invited, and anyone new to St Michael's will be particularly welcome. Please try to be there! NB To tidy up before our Festival, there will be Church Cleaning on Saturday 17th from 10 am. The Garden Working Party has planned two extra sessions: many thanks to those who helped on Saturday 10th, and it would be wonderful if others could join in on Saturday 17th from 1.30pm. (Additionally, the GWP would love to see anyone who can join in the session planned for October 8th – do speak to Martyn Nash if you would like to know more).

The Funeral of Fr Paul Gibbons takes place at St Francis' RC Church, Maidstone, on Tuesday 13th September at 11.30 am. As you can see below, he has received a fitting tribute from the Tower of this church, where he was parish priest for 40 years:

Kent County Association: Maidstone, St Michael and All Angels:

Friday, 2 September 2022 in 39m (6–1–24 in C)

1272 Carlisle Surprise Minor

1Janice Byrne

2Jacqueline Barlow

3Pam Thomas

4Mark Elvers

5Rupert Cheeseman

6Neil Jones (C)

In thanksgiving for the life of Father Paul Gibbons (1937-2022), R.I.P.

Sunday, 4 September 2022 in 41m (6–1–24 in C)

1280 Spliced Surprise Major (6m)

(256 changes Cambridge, Lincolnshire, Pudsey, Rutland; 128 changes Superlative, Yorkshire; 39 com.

1Kath White

2Rupert Cheeseman

3Jacqueline Barlow

4Mark Elvers

5Paul Barton

6Janice Byrne

7Ray Taylor

8Neil Jones (C)

Rung in thanksgiving for the life of Father Paul Gibbons (1937-2022) on the Feast of St Birinus, first Bishop of Dorchester and Apostle of Wessex.

Prayers, please, for our PCC Meeting at 7.30 pm on Thursday 15th September.

The Forward in Faith Committee for Canterbury Diocese meets on Sept. 24th. Please speak to our reps (Mike Trout or Eleanor Relle) if you have ideas or suggestions.

Deepening Discipleship - a Diocesan course for people who may be exploring lay ministry, or who just want to develop their Christian life – is available via Zoom this autumn (enrolment closes Sept. 16th). Details on the Diocesan website.

Thank You to all (particularly our bellringers) who have helped St Michael's to mark in a fitting manner this solemn moment in our history.