From the organist: The final hymn this week is the first recording for St. Catherine’s on the renowned organ in the Pauluskirche. We’re very fortunate to be allowed to use this instrument, although there was some poignancy in playing this particular hymn away from our own organ and away from
‘These stones that have echoed their praises..’
and
‘…the ground where their feet have once trod.’
However, under the current circumstances I suspect that many of us have found ourselves to be strangers and pilgrims in one way or another, and there’s a certain unexpected aptness in the way that the hymn and the situation fit each other, and indeed in the apparent irony of keeping a Patronal Festival as an online service.
Theme: ‘King of compassion’
Preparation
Opening
Opening Hymn:
Opening Prayer
We come to you,
people who are hungry,
people who are thirsty,
strangers, imprisoned, exposed,
knowing that you have come to us, too,
in these same guises.
In our brokenness, welcome us.
And open up our defences as we come to you,
O Lord of many guises.
Amen.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving
Yours is the earth and all in it.
The valleys, mountains, seas and spray;
the land, the pastures, the trees and fauna.
All around us, we see stories of your bounty,
your exuberant goodness, your flourishing provision.
You have made us to live here,
nurtured by this earth, and by work.
We find joy in this vocation, to be your people,
living, working, resting, supporting.
We thank you for the gifts of living,
and for these gifts of bounty all around us.
Amen.
Readings
response: Bless this house, O Lord we pray
The Bible Reading: Matthew 25.31-46
In a dramatic image, a king separates people into two camps on the basis of how they behaved towards vulnerable people: did they act with compassion towards them, or not ?
Reflection:
- During the worst of the pandemic who did you most want to show appreciation to ?
- When have you instinctively responded to human need ?
- How might we become more compassionate ?
Audio reflection:
Transcript of reflections on Matthew25_31-46
Prayer
Prayers of Intercession:
For the times when we are sick:
may we have healing.
For the times when we are isolated:
may we have company.
For the times when we are oppressed:
may we have justice.
For the times when we are exposed:
may we have dignity.
For the times when we are mistreated:
may we have humanity.
For the times when we are ignored:
may we be heard.
For the times when we ignore, or isolate,
or oppress,
or expose or mistreat:
may we change.
Amen.
Collect for St Catherine of Alexandria:
Almighty and everlasting God who gave St Catherine of Alexandria to your people as an invincible martyr grant that through her intercession we may be strengthened in faith and constancy and spend ourselves without reserve for the unity of the church through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Anthem:
in stillness we pray for ‘die Katharinenkirche, die Alt-Katholische Gemeinde ‘ with whom we share this church…..
The ‘Our Father’
We draw all our prayers together in the words of –
Our Father who art in heaven…
…for ever and ever. Amen.
Affirmation of Faith:
Do you believe and trust in God the Father,
source of all being and life,
the one for whom we exist?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son,
who took our human nature,
died for us and rose again?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the people of God
and makes Christ known in the world?
We believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the Church.
This is our faith.
We believe and trust in one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
A sending out prayer
O God of kindness,
send us out with more time for interruptions,
and more generosity for kindness,
so that we might see you
within these walls and beyond these walls.
Amen.
Closing Hymn:
Blessing:
Organ Voluntary:
(A little bit of the St. Catherine’s organ, from the archive)