Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

6th August 2023

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Year A

Ninth Sunday after Trinity

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ORDER OF SERVICE

You can click to expand or minimize the order of service below.

All are requested to join in wherever text is GREEN or when instructed by Fr. David.

Where the is shown, all are encouraged to make the sign of the cross. The people respond with confidence everywhere which is in bold type

The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is his new creation
By water and the word:
From heaven he came and sought her
To be his holy Bride,
With his own love he bought her,
And for her life he died.

Elect from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses
With every grace endued.

Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace for evermore;
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with thee.

♫♫ Scroll to the bottom of the page for the media player where you can hear the music and practice your singing. ♫♫

Blessed be God:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen

 

From Easter to Pentecost:

Allelulia. Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia

 

In Lent and other penitential occasions:

Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins;

His mercy endures for ever.

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

 

Let us pray:

Almighty God, to whom all hearts be open, all desires known and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE PENITENTIAL RITE

God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy, welcoming sinners and inviting them to the Lord’s table.

Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith, confident in God’s forgiveness.

Merciful God, our maker and our judge, we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, and in what we have failed to do: we have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves; we repent and are sorry for all our sins , Father forgive us, strengthen us to love and obey you in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

**(Note: all are encouraged to strike their breast 3 times following the lead of the Celebrant as he utters the words: ‘sorry for all our sins’)**

Almighty God, who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith, pardon you and set you free from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord, have mercy

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy,

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy,

Lord, have mercy.

(This prayer is omitted during Advent and Lent)

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, h in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A reading from the book of

ISAIAH

Thus says the Lord:

“Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;

and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.

Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.

I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.

See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.

See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you,

because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.”

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

PSALM 145

8-9, 15-22

Exaltabo te, Deus

8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.

9 The Lord is loving to everyone *
and his compassion is over all his works.

15 The Lord upholds all those who fall; *
he lifts up those who are bowed down.

16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *
and you give them their food in due season.

17 You open wide your hand *
and satisfy the needs of every living creature.

18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways *
and loving in all his works.

19 The Lord is near to those who call upon him, *
to all who call upon him faithfully.

20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *
he hears their cry and helps them.

21 The Lord preserves all those who love him, *
but he destroys all the wicked.

22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; *
let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.

 

 

A reading from the first letter of Paul to the:

ROMANS:

I am speaking the truth in Christ– I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit– I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.

They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

All stand for the Acclamation and the Gospel reading.

(Response outside of Lent: “Alleluia!”)

Response during Lent: “Praise to you, O Christ, King of Eternal Glory.”

Alleluia!  Alleluia!

From mere loaves and fishes, a feast for thousands;

behold the divine abundance!

Alleluia!

A reading from the Holy Gospel, according to

MATTHEW:

Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.

When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”

They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

After the Gospel reading

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Here is our homily delivered; Sunday, 6th August;

Dearly beloved in Christ, I extend my warm welcome to you all as we gather to explore the deep wisdom contained within the scriptures and reflect upon the Word of God. Today, our readings bring us to passages from Isaiah, Romans, and the Gospel of Matthew, while also guiding us towards Psalm 145 for reinforcement of the key themes discussed. As we navigate through these readings, let us remain open to the teachings they bear and the transformation they inspire.

Our journey begins with the prophet Isaiah, who cries out to the spiritual seekers of his time, and indeed all time, saying, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!” (Isaiah 55:1-5). This passage is not a mere call to action but an invitation to participate in the richness of God’s bountiful blessings, the invitation to taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

In Isaiah’s poetic imagery, water symbolizes the life-giving and renewing power of God’s grace, wine stands for the exhilarating joy of spiritual discovery, milk conveys the nurturing love of the Divine, and bread represents life’s sustenance.
The prophet urges us to partake of these spiritual nourishments that come to us freely, without cost, testifying to God’s profound generosity and boundless love. The only price we must pay is attention: attention to His Word, attention to His call.

Church Father Augustine of Hippo wrote, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.” This restlessness, this spiritual thirst, finds its solace in the spiritual waters that God offers. The water, wine, milk, and bread in Isaiah’s invitation symbolize the outpouring of God’s blessings. God’s invitation is not restricted by earthly status or wealth, but only requires an open heart to receive His boundless gifts.

From Isaiah, we turn to the Apostle Paul’s emotional reflections in Romans 9:1-5. Here, Paul expresses a deep sorrow for his fellow Israelites. Despite being endowed with divine privileges and treasures such as the adoption, the divine glory, the covenants, the law, the temple worship, the promises, and above all, being the people from whom the Messiah descended, they failed to recognize and cherish these blessings.

As we listen to Paul’s lament, let us pause to reflect on our own lives. Do we, like the Israelites, overlook the priceless gifts we’ve received through Christ’s love? How often do we fail to appreciate God’s ceaseless blessings, the spiritual banquet set before us? Brothers and sisters, let us learn from the Israelites and strive to cherish God’s blessings consciously, for as we read in Psalm 145:15-16, “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”

St. John Chrysostom, the Church Father, wisely observed: “The rich man is not one who is in possession of much, but one who gives much.” Our spiritual wealth is not merely for personal consumption but to be shared generously with others, reflecting God’s own generosity.

We then move to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 14:13-21, which narrates the remarkable miracle of feeding the five thousand.

In this account, Christ takes the scant offerings of five loaves and two fish and magnifies them to nourish an enormous crowd. This act is not merely about the multiplication of food but about God’s abundant providence, His grace that makes the seemingly impossible, possible.

The disciples initially saw scarcity in the face of the crowds’ hunger, but Christ saw an opportunity, an opportunity to display God’s generosity, to illustrate that in God’s realm, there is no lack, only abundance. This Gospel passage encourages us to adopt a similar attitude, to look beyond our limitations, and trust in God’s endless provision. Let’s remember that even when we think we have too little, with God, it can always be enough, and more.

Collectively, these readings paint a vivid portrait of our God: a God who issues an open invitation to all, who abundantly blesses His people, who transforms scarcity into surplus, a God who is, as the Psalmist writes, “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” (Psalm 145:8-9). But more than just painting a portrait of God, these scriptures beckon us to respond. They urge us to accept the divine invitation, appreciate our blessings, and trust in His provision.
But our response should not stop there.

As we are recipients of God’s lavish blessings, we are also called to be channels through which these blessings can flow to others. The disciples did not merely witness the miracle of the loaves and fishes; they participated in it. They distributed the multiplied food to the people. This is a call for us today. God invites us not just to observe His miracles but to partake in them, to extend our hands and hearts to those around us in the spirit of Christ’s love and compassion.
As we gather at the Lord’s Table today, partaking of the bread and the wine, let’s remember that we’re not only recipients of God’s grace, but also distributors of it. In the same spirit of generosity with which we’ve been served, let’s serve others. Let’s express our gratitude for His endless provision and unfathomable love and strive to live out our calling as His followers, sharing His blessings with those in need.

To conclude, I draw upon the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 145:21, “My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise His holy name forever and ever.” As we leave this sacred gathering today, let these words resonate within us, inspiring us to live a life of praise and thanksgiving. Let us rejoice in God’s abundant blessings, trust in His provision, and share His love with all we encounter.

As we embody these teachings, we become living testaments of God’s grace, and our lives become a living sermon, touching hearts and transforming lives. As we live into this calling, we bring honour to God’s holy name, forever and ever.

Amen.

Please stand for the Nicene Creed.  Let us individually affirm the faith of the Church.

I believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Let us pray for the world and for the Church:

(Prayers of intercession are now said, and at the end of each petition the intercessor says:)

Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

or

Lord hear us,
Lord graciously hear us.

(At the conclusion of the prayers the priest says:)
Almighty God, who has promised to hear our prayers:
Grant that what we have asked in faith we may by your grace receive, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE PEACE:

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles:
I leave you peace, my peace I give you.
Look not on our sins, but the faith of your Church, And grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom Where you live for ever and ever. Amen.

Please stand for the greeting of peace

We are the Body of Christ.

His Spirit is with us.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace, in the traditional Thai way, with a ‘wai’.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I’m found,
Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come.
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me;
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

♫♫ Scroll to the bottom of the page for the media player where you can hear the music and practice your singing. ♫♫

THE OFFERTORY

Blessed are you, God of all creation. Through your goodness, we have these gifts to share. Accept and use our offerings for your glory and the service of your kingdom.

Blessed be God forever.

 

Let us pray

We do not presume to come to your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies.  We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table, but you are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us.  Amen.

The Lord be with you.

and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

Father, we give you thanks and praise through your beloved Son Jesus Christ, your living Word, through whom you have created all things; who was sent by you in your great goodness to be our Saviour.

By the power of the Holy Spirit he took flesh; as your Son, born of the blessed Virgin, he lived on earth and went about among us; he opened wide his arms for us on the cross; he put an end to death by dying for us; and revealed the resurrection by rising to new life; so he fulfilled your will and won for you a holy people.

Proper Preface

Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.    Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest.

Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Great is the mystery of faith:

Christ has died:

Christ is risen:

Christ will come again.

And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice, made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption.

As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of [N and] all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Let us pray with confidence to the Father, as our Saviour has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.  

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

**(Note:  All are encouraged to tap their breast three times following the example of Fr. David as he utters the words ‘…have mercy, …have mercy and …grant us peace’)**

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

This is the Lamb of God , who takes away the sins of the world;

Happy are those who are called to his supper.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

**(Note:  All are encouraged to strike breast following the example of the Celebrant as all utter the words ‘not worthy’)** 

Please approach the altar with cradled hands if you wish to receive the sacrament, or with the hands behind your back if you wish to receive a blessing. Each communicant responds ‘Amen’ when receiving communion in either kind.

After Communion, there is time for silent prayer and meditation.

THE THANKSGIVING

Let us pray.

Father of all we give you thanks and praise that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. 

Keep us in this hope that we have grasped; so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name.

Father, we offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice through Jesus Christ our Lord. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit , be amongst you and remain with you always.

Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:

In the name of Christ.  Amen.

Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings within, and fears without.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve
Because thy promise I believe.

Just as I am (thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down),
Now to be thine, yea thine alone,

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth and height to prove,
Here for a season than above,
O Lamb of God, I come

♫♫ Scroll to the bottom of the page for the media player where you can hear the music and practice your singing. ♫♫
‘

CONTRIBUTE TO OUR WORK

Music – use hymns from the same week last year

Here is the music for this week’s hymns, if you would like to practice beforehand.

Performed by Fr. David Price

NOTE: The introductory music is ‘REPLACE THIS WITH TITLE OF INTR0”.