Transfiguration
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD
FIRST READING Daniel 7.9,10,13,14
As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire.
A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousand served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him.
The court sat in judgement, and the books were opened.
As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 97
Response: The Lord is King, most high, above all the earth.
1. The Lord is King; let earth rejoice;
the many coastlands be glad.
His throne, justice and right. R.
2. The skies proclaim his justice:
all peoples see his glory.
All you spirits, worship him. R.
3. For you indeed are the Lord:
most high above all the earth,
exalted far above all spirits. R.
SECOND READING 2 Peter 1.16-19
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
GOSPEL Luke 9.28-36
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
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NEWS FROM ST MICHAEL'S
A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's. A special welcome and thanks to Fr Paul, our celebrant this morning, who will also kindly be saying Mass for us on Thursday at 10.30 am. If you are new to St Michael's, do join us in the Vestry Hall after the service, so that we can welcome you properly.
Please note that there will be no Mass on Thursday, 17th August, as Fr Paul will be at Walsingham on pilgrimage during that week.
Thank you to everyone who has been working so hard on the redecoration of the Vestry Hall, and particular thanks to Trevor Gatehouse for his advice and help in procuring the materials. The progress already made does everyone credit, but help will still be welcome. Please speak to Martyn or Paul if you are able and willing to join the decorators.
On Sunday, August 13th, we shall be looking forward to the Assumption of Our Lady. We look forward also to welcoming Archdeacon Andrew, who will be preaching at Mass. Please try to be here to join in our greetings.
CALLING ALL AVAILABLE SINGERS! There will be a choir practice on Friday 11th at 6.15 pm.
Looking ahead: Saturday, September 9th, 10 am – 4 pm, is a Heritage Open Day. As our church is a listed building, we want our community – and visitors from further afield – to be able to enjoy our lovely Angel Windows, and, God willing, to get a sense of the beauty of holiness as St Michael's tries to show it. We shall need volunteers to bake cakes/biscuits, make tea and coffee, welcome visitors and act as stewards, answer questions, and sign in the Ride and Stride participants – including Catherine - who will be doing their sponsored walk or cycle-ride on the same day in aid of the Friends of Kent Churches. A parcel of publicity and decorating materials has already arrived from the organisers. This is an important opportunity to develop our community links and to encourage people to explore our building - and what it stands for. Please put the date in your diary and see how you could help.
From our Tower: Our Tower will be welcoming visiting ringers on Saturday, 12th August, from 3 pm to 4.30 pm, and we all look forward to hearing our lovely bells being in action, and being appreciated, beyond the usual routine.
Kent County Association Maidstone, Kent St Michael and All Angels
Sunday, 16 July 2023 in 44m (6–1–24 in C)
1260 Grandsire Triples
- Philip Jarvis
- Shona Clark
- Jacqueline Barlow
- Susan Clements
- Emma Jarvis
- Graham Heath
- Neil Jones (C)
- Mark Elvers
Remembering Irene Horton (12/7/22) and Jeanette Ardley (17/7/2016), R.I.P..
Bishop Norman will be leading a weekend pilgrimage to Walsingham for members of Richborough family parishes, from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th September. To book, please contact the Shrine accommodation office direct on 01328 820239, indicating when you book that this is for the Richborough Family Pilgrimage. If you have never been to Walsingham and are inclined to be hesitant, that weekend might be for you; it will of course be less expensive than a longer pilgrimage, and would be a chance to “test the water”. Bishop Norman's connection with Walsingham goes back many years (he was once vicar of that parish), and a Walsingham pilgrimage under his leadership should prove to be a spiritual shot in the arm!
An opportunity for this autumn? Canterbury Diocese is running an eight-session “Deepening Discipleship” course which will take place on Wednesday evenings via Zoom, beginning on 27th September – thus participants will not be faced with cold and tiring journeys in the evenings. This course encourages participants to reflect on, and develop, their Christian life, and it also provides a starting-point for anyone who is exploring the possibility of undertaking lay ministry. Applications close on September 13th. Visit Deepening Discipleship - Diocese of Canterbury (canterburydiocese.org) for further information and an application form. (A chance for personal growth – or, indeed, might God be calling you to serve St Michael's as a lay minister?)
Meanwhile, we do need more servers! Servers (who can be make or female) have a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Faith and the liturgy, as well as having the privilege of making an important contribution to our worship. Why not speak to Fr Paul about becoming a server?