Trinity 11
TRINITY 11 Hymns 385, 475, 273, 361
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Send everyone away from me.’ So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.” And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honoured in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.’ Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 133 Response: How good it is when brothers dwell in unity!
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard. R
It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion,
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for evermore. R
SECOND READING Romans 11.1-2a,29-32 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
GOSPEL Matthew 15.21-28 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.
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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 Matthias, our celebrant this morning, who will also kindly be saying Mass for us on Thursday (St Bartholomew's Day) 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.
Fr Paul Gibbons: Members of our present congregation, whether or not they knew him, have reason to be aware of the long and dedicated ministry here of Fr Paul Gibbons. In particular, when we look at our icons or listen to our bells, we should remember him with thanksgiving. His generous concern for St Michael's found its final expression in a legacy, for which our appreciation has now been conveyed to his executor. As his year's mind (25th August) approaches, we pray: May Fr Paul rest in peace and rise in glory.
Renewed 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.
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!
Richborough Family Pilgrimage to Walsingham – 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, including those of us who have just come back! A teenager on a recent youth pilgrimage said she could “feel God right next to me.”
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.
A chance to help the Royal National Lifeboat Institution! There is now a box for used stamps at the back of church – please bring yours along. Don't try to detach them from the envelopes – about an inch of paper all round the stamp is desirable, if possible.
From Our Tower (Kent County Association: Maidstone, Kent; St Michael and All Angels)
Sunday, 13 August 2023 in 41m (6–1–24 in C)
1250 Cambridge Surprise Major
- Neil Jones
- Graham Heath
- Jacqueline Barlow
- Paul Barton
- Philip Jarvis
- Mark Elvers
- Stephen Coaker (C)
- Rona Joiner
A birthday compliment to Janice Byrne.
Please note: The peal rung on Friday, August 11th, was in memory also of Josephine Heath (7/8/22) - RIP.
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.
A FREE “Back to School” Event at Canterbury Cathedral takes place on September 16th, 10 am -12 noon. It should appeal chiefly to families with children aged 4-11. Book via the Cathedral website.