31st August: Trinity 11
online Holy Communion from St.Oswald’s.
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Christians are told they must remain true to the values and traditions of behaviour that they have been taught.
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honour by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?’
Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.
Luke 14:1,7-14
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’
He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’
Something to think about
It was the custom for visiting teachers to be invited to a meal after the Sabbath day service. Jesus used the occasion to offer advice on how to behave, not looking for the best seats for themselves. When they invited guests, they should be the poor who could not return the hospitality.
Collect
God of glory, the end of our searching,
help us to lay aside all that prevents us from seeking your kingdom,
and to give all that we have to gain the pearl that has no price,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Post Communion
Lord of all mercy,
we your faithful people have celebrated that one true sacrifice
which takes away our sins and brings pardon and peace:
may our communion keep us firm on the foundation of the gospel
and preserve us from all sin;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Next Sunday’s (7th) Readings:
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
Please remember in your prayers this week:
Those who are unable to be with us in church, including Linda Torr and Arthur Williams.
Those who are ill, especially Graham Price.
The recently bereaved, especially the family and friends of Wyndham Crum, Ivan Hammersley, Christopher Bloor, Anne Brown, Patricia Jones and Gloria Bates.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches, and Dwayne Engh, our new priest-in-charge.
Our Ministry Team: Maggie, Nigel & Lynda and her support: Simon.