26th October: Bible Sunday.
online Holy Communion from St.Oswald’s.
Psalm 119:129-136
The 116 verses of Psalm 119 are a poetical description of God’s Word, his Torah (or Teaching) which, alongside his Spirit, Ruah (in Hebrew) brought about the creation of the world. Genesis 1 and John 1 both begin with the phrase ‘In the beginning’ - and there we have also, the beginning of The Bible!
Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name.
Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.
My eyes shed streams of tears because your law is not kept.
Luke 4:16-24
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your home town what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’ ” “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town.
Something to think about
When Jesus was invited to read from the Scroll on the sabbath, he chose a passage which included Isaiah 61:1-2, 58:6. The’ Servant of the Lord’ is an enigmatic figure described by Isaiah in a series of poems which describe his mission and his role (Isaiah 42:1-4, 49:1-6, 52:13-53:12). Jesus seems to have identified himself with this Servant on several occasions in relation to his own ministry.
Collect
Merciful God, teach us to be faithful in change and in chance,
that trusting in your word and obeying your will
we may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Post Communion
God of all grace, your Son Jesus Christ fed the hungry
with the bread of his life and the word of his kingdom:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness sustain us by your true and living bread;
who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
Next Sunday’s (2nd) Readings:
Ephesians 1:11-19
Luke 6:20-31
Please remember in your prayers this week: *See footnote
Those who are unable to be with us in church, including Linda Torr and Arthur Williams.
Those who are ill, especially Graham Price, Pam Phillips and Reina Hammond.
The recently bereaved, especially the family and friends of Duncan Renshaw.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches.
Our Ministry Team: Dwayne, Maggie, Nigel & Lynda.
*The Prayer List
Please email me (t.wilmore469@btinternet.com) to add names to this list. It is not enough to add them to the little book in St. Oswald’s vestry, as I rarely see it.
We pray for the friends & relatives of the deceased for a month. If you wish to suggest a name for inclusion on the “illness” list, please also let me know when the situation has improved so that I can amend the list.