MORNING PRAYER THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 25 OCTOBER 2020

‘Testament and Death of ’ (detail) and Bartolomeo della Gatta, 1482.

HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL, WANGARATTA

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK Almighty God, your Son has shown us how to love one another and you call us to be holy as you are holy. Assured of your love, may our love for you overflow into joyous service and be a healing witness to the world. Help us to cast aside all fear, that we may love our neighbours as ourselves, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

HYMN COME DOWN, O LOVE DIVINE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIvKDgktutI

1 Come down, O Love divine, seek thou this soul of mine, and visit it with thine own ardour glowing; O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear, and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.

2 O let it freely burn, till earthly passions turn to dust and ashes in its heat consuming; and let thy glorious light shine ever on my sight, and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

3 And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long, shall far outpass the power of human telling; For can we guess its grace, till we become the place wherein the Holy Spirit makes his dwelling.

Bianco da Siena, 14th century; Tr. Richard Littledale, 1867.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22.37–40

Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit: as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.

The Opening Canticle, Te Deum Laudamus, is said. We praise you, O God: we acclaim you as Lord. All creation worships you: the Father everlasting. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven: the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might: heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you: The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you: Throughout the world, the holy Church acclaims you: Father, of majesty unbounded: your true and only Son, worthy of all praise, the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the King of glory: the eternal Son of the Father. When you took our flesh to set us free: you humbly chose the virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death: and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory: We believe that you will come to be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood: and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

The Opening Prayer As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

CONFESSION

A pause for self-examination is taken before the confession is said.

O God, our Redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope: renew us by your Holy Spirit, that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Psalm 90: 1-6, 13-17.

1 Lord, you have been our refuge: from one generation to another.

2 Before the mountains were born or the earth and the world were brought to be: from eternity to eternity you are God.

3 You turn us back into dust: saying ‘Return to dust, O children of Adam.’

4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday passing: or like one watch of the night.

5 You cut them short like a dream: like the fresh grass of the morning;

6 In the morning it is green and flourishes: at evening it is withered and dried up.

13 Relent, O Lord; how long will you be angry?: take pity on your servants.

14 O satisfy us early with your mercy: that all our days we may rejoice and sing.

15 Give us joy for all the days you have afflicted us: for the years we have suffered adversity.

16 Show your servants your work: and let their children see your glory.

17 May the gracious favour of the Lord our God be upon us: prosper the work of our hands, O prosper the work of our hands! or Psalm 90: 1-8, 12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFZRx8hoQI8

God of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FIRST READING Deuteronomy 34:1-12 A reading from the book of Deuteronomy Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the Lord showed him the whole land: Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain -- that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees -- as far as Zoar. The Lord said to him, "This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there." Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord's command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired, and his vigour had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended. Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses. Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequalled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

HYMN BROTHER, SISTER, LET ME SERVE YOU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttW9oQ-yiuU&t=11s

1. Brother, sister, let me serve you; let me be as Christ to you; pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.

2. We are pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road; we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

3. I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night-time of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.

4. I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh I'll laugh with you; I will share your joy and sorrow, till we've seen this journey through.

5. Brother, sister, let me serve you; let me be as Christ to you; pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.

Richard Gillard © 1977, Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing

SECOND READING Matthew 22: 34-46 A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: "What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." He said to them, "How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet"'? If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?" No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

May your word live in us, and bear much fruit to your glory.

SERMON

The Canticle, The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus) is said Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel: you have come to your people and set them free. You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour: born of the house of your servant David. Through your holy prophets, you promised of old: to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us, To show mercy to our forebears: and to remember your holy covenant. This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship you without fear: holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life. And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way, To give God’s people knowledge of salvation: by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God: the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death: and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1.68–79

HYMN O SPLENDOUR OF GOD’S GLORY BRIGHT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5BxM0v0O30

1 O splendour of God’s glory bright, Who bringest forth the light from light, O Light of light, the fountain spring, O Day, our days illumining.

2 Come, very Sun of truth and love, Come in thy radiance from above, and shed the Holy Spirit's ray on all we think or do today.

3 O joyful be the livelong day Our thoughts as pure as morning ray Our faith like noonday’s glowing height Our souls undimmed by shades of night.

4 All praise to God the Father be All praise eternal Son to thee whom with the Spirit we adore for ever and forevermore.

Ambrose of Milan, 4th century; Tr. Louis Benson, 1910.

The Apostles’ Creed is said. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

The Collect of the Day O God, whose Son has taught us that love is the fulfilment of your law: stir up within us the fire of your Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts your greatest gift of love, so that we may love you with our whole being, and our neighbours as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

CHORAL MUSIC

‘A Rose Touched by the Sun's Warm Rays’, Jean Berger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHLOob5q1QI

‘Exsultate justi in Domino’, Ludovico da Viadana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDLeiOTlLiM

‘A New Commandment’, Thomas Tallis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAKOzRwYgVg

‘Jesus, Sun of Life, My Splendour’, G.F. Handel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y76x77IWuw8

Intercessions

O God, your love for your children is without end, and you teach us to love you in return: hear the prayers we bring for all your people.

Loving God, we pray for the peoples of the world, for those whose lives are still threatened by the coronavirus pandemic and for those forgotten millions who are still affected by poverty, oppression and war. Help us to struggle for justice and peace. Give us wisdom and courage, and may we thirst for righteousness and peace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God, we pray for your worldwide church, for those of other faith traditions and for those who seek to proclaim the good news of your love for all people. Within the life of the Australian Church, we pray today for the Diocese of the Northern Territory, for Bishop Anderson and the clergy and people of that Diocese. We pray for Christ Church Cathedral Darwin, for the Dean, the Very Rev’d Rob Llewellyn, and for the clergy and people of that Cathedral. Within our own Diocese we pray for our Bishop Clarence and for the Parochial District of Yackandandah, for Priest-in-Charge Alan Kelb and for the leaders and congregations of Yackandandah, Kiewa, Dederang and Allans Flat. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God, we pray for all in this community, for our neighbours, for our families, our friends and for all who we encounter in our daily lives. We continue to pray for those who are at the front line of the pandemic response within our communities, praying especially for all who work in testing centres throughout our state. Help us to build true community with enlightened minds, welcoming hearts and souls that long for understanding. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God, we pray for all who are lonely, isolated, and for those who are sick or in pain. We pray for all those on our parish list of prayer; for Bill, Penny, Joanne, Gwen, Dorothy, Greg, Matthew, Heather, Sonya, Patrick, Sylvia, Robyn, David, Marj, Bronwyn, Kevin, Kimberley, Nicola and Sarah. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God, we remember your faithful servants of every age, for all who have followed your law of love. We remember our departed loved ones and friends, and all whose Years Mind falls this week. Open our hearts to your love, that we may worthily serve you in our lives, and at our life’s end, raise us up to share with all your saints in glory. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The Morning Collect Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed; guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13.14

HYMN REJOICE, THE LORD IS KING https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDFAv0eh-s8

1 Rejoice, the Lord is King: Your Lord and King adore! Mortals, give thanks and sing, And triumph evermore. Lift up your heart, Lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

2 Jesus, the Saviour, reigns, The God of truth and love; When He has purged our stains, He took his seat above; Lift up your heart, Lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

3 His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o'er earth and heaven; The keys of death and hell Are to our Jesus given: Lift up your heart, Lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

4 Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the judge shall come And take His servants up To their eternal home: We soon shall hear the Archangel’s voice, The trump of God shall sound, rejoice!

Charles Wesley (1744)

ORGAN POSTLUDE ‘Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier’, BWV 731, J. S. Bach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64sNRDBnRt0

The Service is adapted from ‘Daily Prayer – Sunday Morning’ from A Prayer Book for Australia 1995, published under the imprint Broughton Books. © The Anglican Church of Australia Trust Corporation. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. Hymns reproduced under CCLI License 496826