Thursday 11th March, 2010
The Third Sunday In Lent
Holy Communion
The Epistle
And immediately after the Collect the Priest shall read the Epistle, saying, The Epistle [or, The portion of Scripture appointed for the Epistle] is written in the — Chapter of — beginning at the — Verse. And the Epistle ended, he shall say, Here endeth the Epistle.
The Third Sunday In Lent
The First Reading. Ephesians 5:1-14
BE ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Back to top of pageA Hymn
God of Unexampled Grace
GOD of unexampled grace,
Redeemer of mankind,
Matter of eternal praise
We in thy passion find:
Still our choicest strains we bring,
Still the joyful theme pursue,
Thee the friend of sinners sing,
Whose love is ever new.
2 Endless scenes of wonder rise
From that mysterious tree,
Crucified before our eyes,
Where we our Maker see:
Jesus, Lord, what hast thou done?
Publish we the death divine,
Stop, and gaze, and fall, and own
Was never love like thine!
3 Never love nor sorrow was
Like that my Saviour showed:
See him stretched on yonder cross,
And crushed beneath our load!
Now discern the Deity,
Now his heavenly birth declare!
Faith cries out, " 'Tis He, 'tis He,
My God, that suffers there!"
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Back to top of pageThe Gospel
Then shall he read the Gospel (the people all standing up) saying, The holy Gospel is written in the — Chapter of — beginning at the — Verse.
Ed.— Several 17-18th century authorities state that the People traditionally respond Glory be to thee, O Lord in this place. And after the Gospel is ended, they say Thanks be to God for this Gospel. Bishop Sparrow (1612-1685) recommends kissing the Gospel book.
The Gospel. Luke 11:14-28
JESUS was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
The Nicene Creed
And the Gospel ended, shall be sung or said the Creed following, the people still standing, as before.
Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924), Durham Cathedral Choir |
Service in A major Op.12: Credo
I BELIEVE in one God,
the ' Father Al'mighty :
Maker of heaven and earth,
Ps 33:6
Rev 14:6-7
and of all things ' visi·ble
' and in'visible
Col 1:16;
2 And in one Lord
Eph 4:4-6
' Jesus ' Christ : the only-be' gotten ' son
of ' God;1 Jn 4:9
3 Begotten of his Father be'fore all
' worlds :
Jn 1:3
God of God,
Jn 1:1
Light of Light,
1 Jn 1:5-7
Jn 1:5
Very ' God of ' very ' God
Jn 20:28.
4 Begotten, not made, Being of one '
substance with the ' Father :
By ' whom all ' things
were ' made Jn 1:2.
5 Who for us men, and for our salvation came ' down from
' heaven :
Jn 3:16
And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin
Mary,
Lk 1:26-38
' And was ' made ' man
Jn 1:14;
6 And was crucified also for us under ' Pontius ' Pilate
Mk 15:15.
He ' suffered ' and was ' buried.
Mk 15:42-47
7 And the third day he ' rose a' gain :
ac' cording ' to the
' Scriptures;
Mk 16:1-8
Acts 2:22-36
8 And ascended ' into ' heaven :
Acts 1:6-11
and sitteth on the ' right hand ' of the
' Father
Heb 1:3-4.
(2nd pt) 9 And he shall come again with glory to judge both the
' quick and ' dead :
Rom 2:14-16:
Whose ' kingdom shall ' have no ' end
Lk 1:31-33.
10 And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and ' giver
of ' life :
2 Cor 3:6
Who proceedeth from the ' Father
' and the ' Son;
Jn 15:26
Jn 16:7
Rom 8:9
11 Who with the Father and the Son together is
' worshipped and ' glorified :
Who ' spake '
by the ' Prophets.
Zech 7:12
12 And I believe one Catholick and
' Apostolick ' Church :
I acknowledge one Baptism for the re' mis'sion of
' sins.
Eph 4:4-6
13 And I look for the Resurrection '
of the ' dead,
1 Cor 15:20-22
Rom 6:5
And the life of the
' world to ' come,
Rom 8:18
2 Cor 5:1-5 A' men.
Then the Curate shall declare unto the people what Holy-days, or Fasting-days, are in the week following to be observed. And then also (if occasion be) shall notice be given of the Communion; and Briefs, Citations, and Excommunications read. And nothing shall be proclaimed or published in the Church during the time of Divine Service, but by the Minister : nor by him any thing, but what is prescribed in the Rules of this Book, or enjoined by the Queen, or by the Ordinary of the place.
Back to top of pageThe Sermon
Then shall follow the Sermon, or one of the Homilies already set forth, or hereafter to be set forth, by authority.
Ed.— The following is a Prayer Before the Sermon, by Bishop Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667).
O LORD God, fountain of life, giver of all good things, who givest to men the blessed hope of eternal life by our Lord Jesus Christ, and hast promised thy Holy Spirit to them that ask him; be present with us in the dispensation of thy holy word and sacraments; grant that we, being preserved from all evil by thy power, and, among the diversities of opinions and judgments in this world, from all errors and false doctrines, and led into all truth by the conduct of thy Holy Spirit, may for ever obey thy heavenly calling: that we may not be only hearers of the word of life, but doers also of good works, keeping faith and a good conscience, living an unblamable life, usefully and charitably, religiously and prudently, in all godliness and honesty, before thee our God, and before all the world, that, at the end of our mortal life, we may enter into the light and life of God, to sing praises and eternal hymns to the glory of thy name in eternal ages, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bishop Sparrow (1612-1685) quotes a canon of Queen Elizabeth I's time (1571), saying "The Preachers chiefly shall take heed that they teach nothing in their preaching, which they would have the people religiously to observe and believe, but that which is agreeable to the Doctrine of the Old Testament and the New, and that which the Catholick Fathers and Ancient Bishops have gathered out of that Doctrine".
The Benefits Of Self-Examination
Richard Baxter (1615-1691)
CONSIDER also what would be the sweet effects of this self-examination. If thou be upright and godly, it will lead thee straight towards assurance of God's love; if thou be not, though it will trouble thee at the present, yet it will tend to thy happiness, and at length lead thee to the assurance of that happiness.
Is it not a desirable thing to know what shall befall us hereafter? especially what shall befall our souls? and what place and state we must be in for ever? And as the very knowledge itself is desirable, how much greater will the comfort be of that certainty of salvation? What sweet thoughts wilt thou have of God? All that greatness and justice, which is the terror of others, will be thy joy.
How sweet may be thy thoughts of Christ, and the blood he hath shed, and the benefits he hath procured! How welcome will the word of God be to thee, and how beautiful the very feet of those that bring it! How sweet will be the promises when thou art sure they are thine own!
The very threatenings will occasion thy comfort, to remember that thou hast escaped them. What boldness and comfort mayest thou then have in prayer, when thou canst say, "Our Father," in full assurance! It will make the Lord's supper a refreshing feast to thy soul. It will multiply the sweetness of every common mercy.
How comfortably mayest thou then undergo all afflictions ! How will it sweeten thy forethoughts of death and judgment, of heaven and hell! How lively will it make thee in the work of the Lord, and how profitable to all around thee! What vigor will it infuse into all thy graces and affections, kindle thy repentance, inflame thy love, quicken thy desires, and confirm thy faith, be a fountain of continual rejoicing, overflow thy heart with thankfulness, raise thee high in the delightful work of praise, help thee to be heavenly-minded, and render thee persevering in all! All these sweet effects of assurance would make thy life a heaven upon earth.
A Prayer After the Sermon, by Jeremy Taylor
O LORD, pity and pardon, direct and bless, sanctify and save us all. Give repentance to all that live in sin, and perseverance to all thy sons and servants for his sake, who is thy beloved, and the foundation of all our hopes, our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus; to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, praise and adoration, love and obedience, now and evermore. Amen.
