Easter 7 - 2001 - Hymns, Psalms, Readings and Sermon.


Reuben's Sermon for the Seventh Sunday of Easter:
Reuben's Theme: "May our God go with us!"

(7th. Sunday of Easter) - EVENSONG 1830hrs. at Saint George's - Cullercoats.

Sunday, 27th. May 2001 Anno Domini.
Morning Mass: Acts: 16.16-34 Ps: 97 Revelation: 22.12-14, 16-17, 20-21 John: 17.20-26
Evensong: Psalm: 68. Isaiah: 44.1-8 Ephesians 4.7-16

May 27, 2001 Cycle C 7th. Sunday of Easter (The Sunday after Ascension Day).

Morning Mass Readings & Prayers:

Collect for the week (27th. May - 3rd June 2001)
O God the king of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you, leave us not comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

FIRST READING (morning Mass)

Acts: 16.16-34
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
16 One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling.
17 While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.'
18 She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And it came out that very hour.
19 But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market-place before the authorities.
20 When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, "These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews and are advocating customs
21 that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.'
22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods.
23 After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely.
24 Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.
27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.'
29 The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 Then he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'
31 They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.'
32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptised without delay.
34 He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.

Psalm: 97 (morning Mass)
R R The Lord is king, most high over all the earth.
1 The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him, righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
3 A fire goes before him and burns up his enemies on every side. R R
4 His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees it and is afraid.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. R R
7 Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false gods! Bow down before him, all you gods.
8 Zion hears and is glad and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgements, O Lord.
9 For you are the Lord: most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. R R
10 The Lord loves those who hate evil; he preserves the lives of his saints and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light has sprung up for the righteous, and joyful gladness for those who are true-hearted.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name. R R

SECOND READING (morning Mass)

Revelation 22.12-14, 16-17, 20-21.
A reading from the book of Revelation.
I, John, heard a voice saying to me:
12 "See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.'
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
16 "It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.'
17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come.' And let everyone who hears say, "Come.' And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
20 The one who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

GOSPEL (morning Mass)

John 17.20-26
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed: "Holy Father,
20 I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word,
21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one,
23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
25 Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me.
26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.'

Post Communion Prayer
Eternal God, giver of love and power, your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom: confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Evensong:

Psalm 68 (RSV)

1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee before him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before fire, let the wicked perish before God!
3 But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy!
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds; his name is the LORD, exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
6 God gives the desolate a home to dwell in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
7 O God, when thou didst go forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness, [Selah]
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, at the presence of God; yon Sinai quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, thou didst shed abroad; thou didst restore thy heritage as it languished;
10 thy flock found a dwelling in it; in thy goodness, O God, thou didst provide for the needy.
11 The Lord gives the command; great is the host of those who bore the tidings:
12 "The kings of the armies, they flee, they flee!" The women at home divide the spoil,
13 though they stay among the sheepfolds -- the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with green gold.
14 When the Almighty scattered kings there, snow fell on Zalmon.
15 O mighty mountain, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why look you with envy, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount which God desired for his abode, yea, where the LORD will dwell for ever?
17 With mighty chariotry, twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands, the Lord came from Sinai into the holy place.
18 Thou didst ascend the high mount, leading captives in thy train, and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. [Selah]
20 Our God is a God of salvation; and to GOD, the Lord, belongs escape from death.
21 But God will shatter the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22 The Lord said, "I will bring them back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may bathe your feet in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe."
24 Thy solemn processions are seen, O God, the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary --
25 the singers in front, the minstrels last, between them maidens playing timbrels:
26 "Bless God in the great congregation, the LORD, O you who are of Israel's fountain!"
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zeb'ulun, the princes of Naph'tali.
28 Summon thy might, O God; show thy strength, O God, thou who hast wrought for us.
29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem kings bear gifts to thee.
30 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample under foot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Let bronze be brought from Egypt; let Ethiopia hasten to stretch out her hands to God.
32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord, [Selah]
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; lo, he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and his power is in the skies.
35 Terrible is God in his sanctuary, the God of Israel, he gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!


Old Testament. Isa. 44:1-8 (RSV)

1 "But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen!
2 Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshu'run whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring.
4 They shall spring up like grass amid waters, like willows by flowing streams.
5 This one will say, 'I am the LORD's,' another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and surname himself by the name of Israel."
6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it, let him declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be.
8 Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any."


New Testament. Eph. 4:7-16 (RSV)

7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
8 Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."
9 (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ;
14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.


Hymns: (NEH)

128 (office hymn)

Eternal Monarch, King most high,
Whose blood hath brought redemption nigh,
By whom the death of Death was wrought
And conquering grace's battle fought.


129 (hymn directly before the sermon)

O Christ, our hope, our heart's desire,
Redemption's only spring;
Creator of the world art Thou,
Its Saviour and its King.

135 (hymn directly after the sermon)

The Lord ascendeth up on high,
Loud anthems round Him swelling;
The Lord hath triumphed gloriously,
in power and might excelling;
Hell and the grave are captive led;
Lo, He returns our glorious head,
To His eternal dwelling



The Sermon

Reuben's Theme: "May our God go with us!"
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

To the choirmaster.
A Psalm of David.
A Song.
Let God arise,
let His enemies be scattered;
let those who hate Him flee before Him!
As smoke is driven away,
so drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
let the wicked perish before God!
But let the righteous be joyful;
let them exult before God;
let them be jubilant with joy!
Sing to God,
sing praises to His name;
lift up a song to Him who rides upon the clouds;
His name is the LORD,
exult before Him!


The first four verses of Psalm 68.
The psalm appointed for this evening.
The psalm we we sang about 20 minutes ago.

People often wonder why certain readings, hymns and psalms are selected to be read together on certain days.

So let's have a quick look and see what we've heard today...

Tonight's psalm, Psalm 68, is a battle-march and processional hymn, which would be sung as the ark was carried into Jerusalem.
For my younger friends, that's not the ark as in Noah's Ark. It's the ark as in the one the Indiana Jones story was based on. The original scriptures passed down from Moses.
Anyway, psalm 68 would have been be sung as the ark was carried into Jerusalem, or at the ceremony commemorating that event.

The psalm paints a series of vivid pictures of God's victorious power.
In verses 1-6 we have a tribute to God.
In verses 7-10 God leads the nation through the desert.
In verses 11-14 we have the conquest of the land.
In verses 15-18 God choses Mount Zion in Jerusalem to be His home,
and in verses 19+20 Israel is saved.
Interesting to note that tonight we stopped at verse 20.
So God did not shatter the heads of His enemies...
...well not tonight anyway.

There is a definite sense of triumph in most of the readings and hymns we have sung today.

This morning we heard of Paul's triumph.
His escape from prison, by the help of God, and the birth of the Christian Church in Philippi.
Born from a bunch of oddly assorted converts...
A businesswoman and her household,
a slave-girl,
and a gaoler and his family.

In this morning's second reading, however, John warns us that in the end, those who are not saved will be lost.
Those who do not enter into eternal life and the presence of our triumphant God... ...will be shut out for ever....

So we have been warned!



In the first reading tonight, Israel is named as God's servant, the object of God's love;
God is proclaimed as Lord of history, the only one able to draw back the veil on the future;
There is no need to be afraid, there is no god other than our God, the lifeless "no-gods' that men worship are not even recognised by our God.

"Is there a God besides me?
There is no Rock; I know not any."



In this morning's Gospel, however, we took a step back.
Back to when Jesus' ministry on earth was completed.
He had passed on God's message.
He had made God known.
There remained only the final challenge of death,
death on the cross,
and beyond it, the glory He had renounced to become human.
So the triumph... ...is God's triumph!

Jesus' followers are about to be left, bereft in a hostile world.
In this morning's Gospel, Jesus prays that God will protect His disciples, and all those who follow... ...SO THAT'S US!
That our lives may be shaped by the truth of God's word;
That we may display such unity among ourselves that the world will be shaken out of its disbelief;
And that we may, in the end, go to be with Him and see His glory for ourselves.

So the victory belongs to Jesus.
God is victorious.

How can God's victory be ours, now that Jesus has ascended into Heaven?

How can God's victory continue without Jesus here on earth?

In our second reading tonight, Paul is writing about Christians in action.
Christian Unity is a fact.
We are bound together by a common faith,
a common life,
a common loyalty,
a common purpose.
We serve one master.
He is the head, we are the limbs of a single body.

We are not the same...

in temperament...
personality...
or gifts.

We must constantly cement our bond with our Christian brothers and sisters by a loving, forbearing attitude to one another,
and by using our different gifts for the common good.
We have to grow up together until we are all Christ wants us to be.
Until we are really like Him!

To do all this we need a little help.

Where can we get this help?

About a month ago, while we were drinking in the pub (aprés-evensong at the Quarry Pub every Sunday) and again two weeks ago when we were sailing in Norfolk, John Bradford posed an interesting question to me.

There are many Holy places you can go to, and when you are there, you can sense the presence of God.

In Walsingham, you can feel that God is present.
In many churches, when you enter, you know God is there.
When you come into this church you can feel God's presence.
Throughout the day, when it's quiet, when you come into this church, you can feel, in the stillness, that God is here.

But, and here's the question...

When you leave, and this church is empty, is God still in here?

At first I thought it was a bit like the famous question,
"If a tree falls in the middle of the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a noise?"
(A worrying little concept in itself)
But it's not like that at all.

So, when we leave tonight, and this church is empty, is God still in here?

I think I may have the answer.

To answer the question properly, we must look upon the whole being of God:

God the Father...

The creator of all that is.
Existing throughout all time
and in all time
and beyond all time.

God the Son...

Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
God made man.
Our Redeemer,
who by dying for us, conquered death and opened the gates to eternal life.

God the Spirit...

By who's power WE are enabled to continue the work of Jesus, here on earth.
The Holy Spirit which God has sent to comfort and strengthen us in our united mission to proclaim the Gospel in our daily lives.
The Holy Spirit which helps us to live the good news we proclaim through Jesus Christ.

So, when we leave this church?

God the Father is always everywhere.
When we leave this church, God the Father is still here.

God the Son has ascended into heaven.
He is present during Holy Communion and Benediction.
When we leave this church, God the Son is in heaven...
...and here (holds up the Gospel Readings Book)...
...and here (hold's hand on heart)...
...and here (points to head indicating the mind)...
AND UP THERE! (points to Blessèd Sacrament Chapel above the baptistry at the back of the church).


When we leave this church God also comes with us.
When there is no one here, The Holy Spirit is not here.
The Holy Spirit is in US.

When we leave, we take the Holy Spirit with us.
We take the Holy Spirit with us into the world.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can continue Jesus' mission.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can bring people back to the true faith.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can share in God's triumph!

WE CAN BE TRIUMPHANT!

So, my loyal friends...
You, the true and faithful worshippers in this church.
You, the backbone of our congregation and choir.
You, the "Evensong Brigade"....

Let us use the gifts the Holy Spirit inspires in us.

Let us bring our Christian brothers and sisters back to church MORNING and EVENING!

Let us become the Church Militant here in Cullercoats.

We have been invited!

Let's accept the invitation!



To the choirmaster.
A Psalm of David.
A Song.
Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered;
let those who hate Him flee before Him!
As smoke is driven away,
so drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
let the wicked perish before God!

But let the righteous be joyful;
let them exult before God;
let them be jubilant with joy!
Sing to God,
sing praises to His name;
lift up a song to Him who rides upon the clouds;
His name is the LORD,
exult before Him!
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.