Trinity 10
TRINITY 10 Hymns: NEH 184, 188, 297, 494
FIRST READING 1 Kings 19.9-18 At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.’
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 85 Response: Let us see, O Lord, your mercy; and give us your saving help. 1. I will hear what the Lord God has to say: a voice that speaks of peace.
His help is near for those who fear him: and his glory will dwell in our land. R.
2. Mercy and faithfulness have met: justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth: and justice look down from heaven. R.
3. The Lord will make us prosper: and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him: and peace shall follow his steps. R.
SECOND READING Romans 10.5-15 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that ‘the person who does these things will live by them.’ But the righteousness that comes from faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’ (that is, to bring Christ down) ‘or “Who will descend into the abyss?”’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’
GOSPEL Matthew 14.22-33 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’
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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, and to our preacher, Archdeacon Andrew Sewell, who will also be formally inducting Jonathan as our Churchwarden today. 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: no Mass on Thursday, 17th August, as Fr Paul will be at Walsingham on pilgrimage.
Looking ahead: Saturday, September 9th, 10 am – 4 pm, is a Heritage Open Day. We want our local community – and visitors from further afield – to enjoy the lovely Angel Windows in this listed building, and, God willing, to get a sense of the beauty of holiness as St Michael's tries to show it. We 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. This is a precious opportunity to develop our community links and to encourage more people to get to know St Michael's - and what it stands for. Please sign the list of helpers at the back of church!
Ride & Stride on 9th September will number Catherine among its Riders. Please look for the yellow form at the back of church if you would like to sponsor her. Her Riding (around as many participating churches as she can on the day) will benefit the Friends of Kent Churches, but there is a welcome rake-off for her parish church as well. Do give Catherine your support.
Warmest thanks to all involved in redecorating the Vestry Hall, whose combined efforts are producing most encouraging results. It isn't too late to offer further help – please speak to Paul or Martyn.
Maidstone's Eco Hub at The Mall is open until 8th September – Thursday, Friday and alternate Wednesdays and Saturdays – with advice on sustainable living, wildlife-friendly gardening, money-saving grants and more, as well as holiday activities for children. Why not drop in?
The Princess Project began in Maidstone and is now helping disadvantaged mums all over Kent. It's holding an Open Day at the URC Church Hall on Friday, 8th September, 10am-2pm. The Project is opening 2 new hubs and is seeking more helpers who can advise and support mums in difficulties; it's always keen, too, to hear from mums who need help. Find out more at hello@princessproject.co.uk.
Why do we….? Fr Paul will soon be providing a chance to discover more, or refresh our memories, about what we believe and how it is expressed and embodied in what we do in church. If you might like to be part of a group exploring this aspect of our faith, please speak to Fr Paul about it. If you are thinking of becoming a server, please speak to him about that, too – we need more servers!
Please pray for pilgrims – particularly for the little party from St Michael's heading for Walsingham this week. If you've never been to Walsingham and are perhaps hesitant, an upcoming opportunity to “test the water” is the weekend Richborough Family Pilgrimage – Friday 8th to Sunday 10th September, led by Bishop Norman. Book direct with the Accommodation Office (01328 820239), mentioning “Richborough Family Pilgrimage”. Bishop Norman, former vicar of that very parish, is an inspiring pilgrimage leader. If you wonder why people go to Walsingham – ask anyone who has been! A teenager on a recent youth pilgrimage said, she could “feel God right next to me.”
From Our Tower: Kent County Association - Maidstone, Kent, St Michael and All Angels
Friday, 11 August 2023 in 41m (6–1–24 in C): 1260 Plain Bob Minor
- Jacqueline Barlow
- Charlotte Elvers
- Steve Newlands
- Mark Elvers
- Janice Byrne
- Neil Jones (C)
Remembering Jason Orwin (1/8/2020), R.I.P..
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?)
Vacancy news: Our advertisement will appear again in September. Please pray that God will send us a faithful priest.