PewNews Feast of Michael and All Angels 27 September 2020

From the Vicar Parish Office Today is the Feast of Michael and All Angels in which we are reminded that Sarah Rogers beyond our world of utilityand function lies mystery, beauty and gift. Ours is a Wilbury Road, Hove, BN3 3PB world alive to God, a world in which God strives to be known, a world that 01273 733331 communicates beyond itself, a living sign of the life of God itself. Today is our [email protected] APCM in which we look back at the year that has been and consider our Open: 9.30am – 12.30pm financial and strategic health. But if we only focus on the technical necessities Tuesday and Thursday of our life, then we will miss what belongs at the heart of things: our life together with God. There are a number of things that we have held onto even Vicar in these difficult times and I think it is important to highlight these as they tell Fr Ryan Green us much about the resilience of this community as a community of faith, love 01273 746849 and hope. The first thing is our desire to continue to meet together as the [email protected] People of God here in this place. Even in the middle of lockdown while our Curate church building was forcibly closed, this desire brought us together online at Fr Angus Reid our Zoom masses. No longer did we take it for granted that we could simply 01273 746849 meet, but now we worked hard to do so as even the older members of our [email protected] congregation got family and friends to set them up on Zoom. During this time we even managed to see each other more closely as the barriers between Interim Director of Music young and old broke down and we got to know each other better. We must James Elias always remember that the Church is this ‘gathered community,’ and that we [email protected] need each other in order to become the people we are called to be. The second Associates thing is the continuation of our Faith Formation group. It was been so amazing Fr David Ingledew to spend time with a group of people who are serious and excited about their Fr John Joyce faith, and this group has continued to meet fortnightly, even in the most difficult times of isolation and lockdown, again through Zoom. We have Churchwardens continued to explore God’s mission and ours in the world and to speak Ann Joyce courageously about faith and vocation. However adaptable we will need to be [email protected] as Church in the future, those things at the heart of who we are – our Adrian Herbert commitment to God and one to another, and the vibrancy of our faith – are the [email protected] things that will ultimately see us through. Secretary of the PCC

Glo Boughton Fr Ryan Treasurer Tony Mollett Giving to All Saints [email protected] No cash? Tap to donate! Safeguarding officer You can donate by debit or credit card. Choose from the three donation Sue Atkins amounts and tap your card on the reader located at the welcome desk. Health & Safety Officer Gift Aid: Adding value to your donation Peter Millar If you are a UK taxpayer and do not have a set of planned giving envelopes, website please place your donation inside a white envelope (available from the www.allsaintshove.org welcomers). Remember to fill in your details completely or we cannot claim Gift Aid (a further 25%) on your donation. Regular Giving Should you wish to make regular donations to All Saints, our preferred Electronic versions of the latest Sunday method of giving is via the Parish Giving Scheme. Further information about sermons and the current issue of PewNews the scheme is available online at www.parishgivingscheme.org.uk. Forms are availabe to download on the website. are available from the Parish Office.

Today’s Readings A reading from the book of Genesis We can sometimes place God and heaven Jacob left Beer-sheba and went towards Haran. He came to a certain place and at a distance, making them abstract with stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of no relevance to our lives. Not only do we the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed close ourselves offfrom God, but we flatten that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the world, evacuating places, history, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside interactions, even worship, of depth. The him and said, ‘I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; image of Jacob’s ladder dispels such paltry the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring vision. Heaven and earth are entwined. Our shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to world teems with spiritual richness beyond the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall imagining, even spiritual beings in God’s be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you active service – angels – who both worship wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until God and work alongside God in our lives. I have done what I have promised you.’ Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, For God is ever near us, bidding us to step ‘Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!’ And he was afraid, and said, through the gate of faith onto the ladder of ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is love into God’s life so that we may enter the gate of heaven.’ more deeply into our world's vital mystery, Genesis 28.10–17 right where we are. Did we not know it? A reading from the Book of Revelation This account of a war between opposing And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. angelic forces can be bewildering. We often The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no demythologise such accounts into longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that irrelevance or overindulge them as in ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole popular culture’s interest in angels and world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with demons. But what of illness, oppression, him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, ‘Now have come the poverty, war? Let us hear the voice of salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his heaven: in Christ’s dying and rising, God Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses has shown nothing can overcome God’s them day and night before our God. But they have conquered him by the blood of love for us. Let us, together with Michael the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to life even in and his angels, embrace Christ’s victory the face of death. Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them! But knowing it entails real spiritual struggle woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath, that will attract savage resistance from the because he knows that his time is short!’ powers of destruction. We need not fear. Revelation 12.7–12 Christ has called time on their deceit. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John Amid today’s celebration ofMichael and all When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an angels, our Gospel reminds us that the Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come forces of spiritual goodness serve the to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called greater goal of our personal encounter with you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ God in Christ. Nathanael is overcome by Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig how Jesus knows him in a way true only of tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell God. The gateway between heaven and you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending earth, Jacob’s ladder, is here fully revealed upon the Son of Man.’ in Jesus. All the angels of heaven are John 1.47–51 enlisted in Christ’s loving concern for each person. Do we share in this greater thing?

Today’s Mass All Saints Food Spread We continue to raise funds through our Food Spread project Collect to provide food deliveries for local charities. See Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted the www.justgiving.com/campaign/Allsaintshovefoodspread for ministries of angels and mortals in a wonderful order: grant details. that as your holy angels always serve you in heaven, so, at your command, they may help and defend us on earth; Completion on East End Tower Repairs through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and The scaffolding will be coming down over the next few weeks reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now so please take care if you are in that area. There will be and for ever. photos of the work at the back of church and on our website and even a stone or two for auction. A big thank you to Universal Stone and the team. Parish Notices Generous Giving Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) Thank you to the many people who have made very Our APCM will be held today immediately after our choral generous donations to the Church during the closure. It has mass and adhering to social distancing protocols. Please been a great help in partly offsetting the considerable loss of remain in your seats after mass and we will begin the income we have suffered during the lockdown. Now that the meeting as soon as we can.The meeting will last about 30 Church is reopening, and following Government guidelines, minutes and we hope you have all taken the time to read the we will not be accepting coins in the collection plates, only reports sent to you last week. notes. We would much prefer you to make contactless Harvest Festival donations by credit or debit card if you are able to. The card reader is available at the entrance desk. Tony Mollett, our On Sunday 11th October we will be celebrating our Harvest treasurer, is available via email (see contacts on first page) Festival. Due to Coronavirus restrictions we will not be for more information on other ways of giving. collecting any goods, but if you would like to donate to our All Saints Food Spread then please do this online or else For our Prayers place cheques (with All Saints Food Spread written on the Sick: Lou; Martyn; June & Sara Cuttress; Kala; Wyatt Baker; back) in our donations box. Please do give generously. Sheila Dishington; Joy; Sheelagh; James Walker; Lorna; Fleur Congratulations Fr Angus and Mthr Jessica Boxell; Hunter; Betty; David James; Heather, June Elves, Trish Abala; Derek, Jane Stone, Margaret Giddings, Anne Ore, It is with great joy to hear that Angus and Jessica are Jonathan Davidson, Audrey Ryder, Ann Quirk. For those who expecting another baby next March! Please do keep them have recently died: Mary Birch; and for those whose and Jack in your prayers. anniversary of death falls at this time: Jessie Bowler and Current Guidelines for Public Worship David Venables. To ensure the safety of all who come to worship at All Saints, Sacrament of Reconciliation we continue to follow government guidance. Please listen to Available by appointment with the Vicar. the usher’s instructions on arrival. Hand sanitiser is to be used at the door and when using the toilet facilities and face Next Week’s Readings: Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity coverings are now required by law in places of worship, Isaiah 5.1–7; Philippians 3.4b–14; Matthew 21.33–end unless you are medically exempt. Ordinations to the Diaconate This Week Sarah Van den driessche, known to many of us here at All Saints, was ordained as a deacon on Friday at St Mary’s The Daily Office Kemptown. Please pray for Sarah and send her your support Morning prayer Sun-Thurs, 9:00am at this exciting and important time in her vocation and Evening Prayer Mon-Thurs, 5:00pm ministry. Weekly Eucharists YMCA Sleep Easy Fundraising Event Tuesday In support of the YMCA, please note their forthcoming Sleep 11.30am Mass Easy challenge. This asks you to spend one night sleeping Wednesday anywhere but your bed to raise funds to tackle youth 9.30am Mass homelessness. It takes place on Friday 9 October, 7-10pm. Sunday Find out more or sign up here: www.ymcadlg.org/sleep-easy. 8:00am BCP Mass (1st Sundays only) Art and Christianity 10:00am Mass For those interested in the relationship between art and religion, we can commend the charity “Art and Christianity.” For more information about their work, including their journal, exhibitions and lecture series and how to support them, see: https://www.artandchristianity.org/.

Sunday Mass Congregational Texts he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Please respond with the words in bold (unless they are sung He will come again in glory by a cantor). to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. The Gathering We believe in the Holy Spirit, The Lord be with you. And also with you. the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son, Almighty God, who with the Father and the Son to whom all hearts are open, is worshipped and glorified, all desires known, who has spoken through the prophets. and from whom no secrets are hidden: We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. cleanse the thoughts of our hearts We acknowledge one baptism by the inspiration ofyour Holy Spirit, for the forgiveness of sins. that we may perfectly love you, We look for the resurrection of the dead, and worthily magnify your holy name; and the life of the world to come. Amen. through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Sanctus and Benedictus Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. The Kyrie Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Hosanna in the highest. Christ have mercy, Christ have mercy, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. Hosanna in the highest. The Gloria The Acclamation Glory to God in the highest, Great is the mystery of faith. and peace to his people on earth. Christ has died. Lord God, heavenly King, Christ is risen. almighty God and Father, Christ will come again. we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. The Lord’s Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Our Father, who art in heaven, Lord God, Lamb of God, hallowed be thy name. you take away the sin of the world: Thy kingdom come; have mercy on us; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. you are seated at the right hand of the Father: Give us this day our daily bread. receive our prayer. And forgive us our trespasses, For you alone are the Holy One, as we forgive them that trespass against us. you alone are the Lord, And lead us not into temptation; you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, but deliver us from evil. with the Holy Spirit, For thine is the kingdom, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, Breaking of the bread Maker of heaven and earth, We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. of all that is, seen and unseen. Though we are many, we are one body, We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, because we all share in one bread. the only Son of God, Giving of Communion eternally begotten of the Father, Jesus is the Lamb of God God from God, Light from Light, who takes away the sin of the world. true God from true God, Blessed are those who are called to his supper. begotten not made, Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, of one being with the Father; but only say the word, and I shall be healed. through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, The Blessing was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary The Lord be with you. And also with you. and was made man. The Dismissal For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, Go in the peace of Christ. Thanks be to God. he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;