The Strife of Tongues

Modern Pentecostals, to justify their use of tongues, refer most of all to St Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians. St Paul wrote this passage precisely because "tongues" had become a source of disorder in the Church of Corinth; and even while he does not forbid them, he decidedly minimizes their significance. This passage, therefore, far from encouraging any modern revival of "tongues", should on the contrary discourage it- especially when one discovers (as Pentecostals themselves admit) that there are other sources of speaking in tongues besides the Holy Spirit! As Christians we already know that speaking in tongues as a true gift of the Holy Spirit cannot appear among those outside the Church of Christ.

If we are already made suspicious by the exaggerated importance accorded to "tongues" by modern Pentecostals, we should be completely awakened about them when we examine the circumstances in which they occur.

Far from being given freely and spontaneously, without man's interference- as are the true gifts of the Holy Spirit- speaking in tongues can be caused to occur quite predictably by a regular technique of concentrated group prayer accompanied by psychologically suggestive hymns, culminating in a laying of hands, and sometimes involving such purely physical efforts as repeating a given phrase over and over again, or just making sounds with the mouth. One person admits that, like many others, after speaking in tongues, "I often did mouth nonsense syllables in an effort to start the flow of prayer-in-tongues", and such efforts, far from being discouraged, are actually advocated by Pentecostals. "Making sounds with the mouth is not speaking in tongues" but it may signify an honest act of faith, which the Holy Spirit will honour by giving that person the power to speak in another language". Another Pastor says: "The initial hurdle to speaking in tongues, it seems, is simply the realization that you must speak forth.... The first syllables and words may sound strange to your ear. They may be halting and inarticulate. You may have the thought that you are making it up. But as you continue to speak in faith... the spirit will shape for you a language of prayer and praise".

A Jesuit theologian tells how he put such advice into practice "After breakfast I felt almost physically drawn to the chapel where I sat down to pray. Following Jim's description of his own reception of the gifts of tongues, I began to say quietly to myself "la,la,la, la". To my immense consternation there ensued a rapid movement of tongue and lips accompanied by a tremendous feeling of inner devotion.

Can any sober Christian confuse these dangerous psychic games with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is clearly nothing whatever Christian, nothing spiritual here in the least. This is the realm, rather, of psychic mechanisms which can be set in operation by means of definite psychological or physical techniques, and speaking in tongues would seem to occupy a key role as a kind of trigger in this realm.  In any case, it certainly bears no resemblance whatever to the spiritual gift described in the New Testament, and if anything is much closer to shamanistic speaking in tongues as practised in primative religions, where the shaman or witch doctor has a regular technique for going into a trance and then giving a message to and from God in a tongue he has not learned.    

Christopher Wordsworth 1807-1885, Bishop of Lincoln



Christopher Wordsworth; (1807 to 1885) , a bishop of the Church of England, was born October 30, 1807, at Lambeth, England, his father, Christopher Wordsworth, being rector of the parish.

He distinguished himself in athletics as well as in scholarship at Winchester. Entering Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1826, he won numerous university honors, graduating in 1830, after which he served as fellow, lecturer, and public orator in the college. In 1836 he became Headmaster of Harrow School, working in the school during his incumbency a moral reform which filled many students in the school with enthusiastic admiration. He was appointed a canon of Westminster in 1844, which offee he continued to fill during the nineteen years of his residence in Berkshire as the rector of a quiet country parish, living four months of each year in London, as was made necessary by his canonry. He was appointed Bishop of Lincoln in 1869, which office he held for fifteen years, resigning only a few months before his death, March 20, 1885. He, was a nephew of the poet William Wordsworth, with whom his relations were most intimate. He was a voluminous author, among his works being a Commentary on the Whole Bible (1856-70), a Church History (1881-83), and a volume of hymns titled The Holy Year, 1862. "This last-named volume," says Prebendary Overton, in Julian's Dictionary, "contains hymns not only for every season of the Church's year, but for every phase of that season, as indicated in the Book of Common Prayer. Like the Wesleys, he looked upon hymns as a valuable means of stamping permanently upon the memory the great doctrines of the Christian Church. He held it to be the first duty of a hymn writer to teach sound doctrine, and thus to save souls." Of Bishop Wordsworth's one hundred and twenty-seven hymns, about fifty are in common use.



Sunday After Ascension

Voluntary: Plien Jeu, Duo; from suite II Louis-Niccolas Clerambault (1676-1749)

Processional Hymn: Come, let us join our cheerful songs

Kyrie: Mass of the Quiet Hour- Oldroyd

Gloria: John Merbecke (1510-1585)

Collect: 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 lives and reigns with you,

            in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

            one God, now and for ever. 

                                                     Amen

First Reading: Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26

Psalm 1

Second Reading: 1 John 5. 9-13

Gradual: Breath on me, Breath of God.

Gospel: John 17. 6-19

Sermon

The Creed, Intercessions, The Peace

Offertory Hymn: The Lord ascendeth up on high

Sanctus, Benedictus & Agnus Dei : Mass of the Quiet Hour- Oldroyd

Motet: God is gone up- Croft

Post Communion Hymn: Rejoice, the Lord is King

Voluntary: Prelude and Fugue in D. J.S.Bach (1685-1750)

St Machar's Episcopal Church, Bucksburn

Nestled away in the secrecy of  Old Meldrum Road, between Aberdeen International Airport and Aberdeen City proper, stands this little temple of holiness and praise. Not to be confused with it's famous namesake St Machar's Cathedral, this building, although not as imposing as the Church of Scotland Cathedral has a lot to offer.

I attended an Ascension Day Service in this particular church yesterday and it was a wonderful experience. Although we were few in number, six in all, which is not a surprise when you attend church in the north east of Scotland, rather it is the rule than the exception, it was a profoundly moving and spiritual Eucharistic Service. It is one of those services that is now ingrained in my memory and I dare say that in years to come I will recall what happened here to those with ears to listen.

I was aware of the existence of St Machar's Church, (It shall henceforth be referred to as St Machar's Church, to save any confusion) many years ago, but never bothered to attend, because it was somewhat out of the way, indeed Bucksburn itself is a bus journey away from Numenorian Exile's current location. I was not alone on the occasion of this journey, a dear friend was also with me and we both decided yesterday to take the bus from the city centre to Bucksburn.

Arriving at the church we were given a wonderful welcome, and told that the service would be taking place in the sanctuary in it's entirety, therefore we would have to sit in the choir stalls. Opening the doors to the main body of the church one's eyes are instantly drawn to the altar and the beautiful sanctuary. Hand painted murals of the life of Christ adorn the ceiling of the sanctuary, painted I am led to believe by a famous Scottish artist. Advancing along the aisle, which is plain, yet wholesome, you approach the most beautiful altar, and I am delighted that the church has managed to maintain it's choir stalls, such a common feature of Scottish Episcopal Churches in the North East, is the removal of choir stalls.

We sat with a few of the locals and it was a beautiful Eucharist, the priest in charge using a combination of liturgies, the Scottish Prayer Book, both the Red Version and the Blue Book. Hymns Ancient and Modern, and the most beautiful reflection.

The Priest in charge, who I know very well, and who it is fair to say is ripe in years, moved a chair in front of the altar after the reading of the gospel, and sat down. Here in this simple act I felt that some wise sage was imparting wisdom to his faithful followers, indeed perhaps more akin to the prophets of ancient Israel, he sat and gave us the must beautiful reflection on Ascension Day. I can't remember the full in's and out's of the address, but I do know that at the time I felt a very much an inward dwelling of the Holy Spirit. It was a most uplifting experience.

I knew that this place was special when I was able to pray, properly pray, without distraction and within an instant, normally it takes me a while to get into the zone, so to speak, but here I was unusually receptive. 

The conclusion of the Rite was beautiful. The whole service had a profound sense of the sacred and the presence of the spirit was there, everyone could feel it, a woman turned to my friend and I at the end and said, "that was so very special because you both where here", I mean what can you say to that? This church did not need gimmicks, it did not need all the modern things that all the other "trendy" churches offer, what this church offers is simple, it offers Christianity.

I will remember St Machar's Church now and forever more in my prayers.

   

Rogation Sunday

Voluntary: Voluntary number one for double organ- John Lugge (1587-1647)

Processional Hymn: "To the our God we fly"

Kyrie: Byrd: Mass for three voices

Gloria: John Merbecke (1510-1585)

Collect: God our redeemer,

            you have delivered us from the the power of darkness

            and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:

            grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life,

            so by his continual presence in us

            he may raise us to eternal joy;

            through Jesus Christ our Lord,

            who lives and reigns with you,

            in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

            one God, now and for ever.

                                                   Amen.

First Reading: Acts 10.44-48

Psalm 98

Second Reading: 1 John 5.1-6

Gradual Hymn: "O God of Bethel, by whose hand"

Alleluia Acclimation

Gospel: John 15.9-17

Sermon

The Creed, Intercessions, The Peace

Offertory Hymn: "Deck thyself, my soul with gladness"

Eucharistic Prayer

Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei: Byrd: Mass for three voices

Motet: Give almes of thy goods- Tye

Post Communion Hymn: O Jesus I have promised

Voluntary: Prelude in Fugue in C- J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Traditions and Decline.

Reading the Spring Edition of "Northern Lights" (News from the Scottish Episcopal Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney) I saw an intriguing picture of the Bishop of the Diocese with a monk on the island of Orkney. It appears that there is a religious order on Orkney known as the Transalpine Redemptorists. In Northern Lights, they were described as adhering to "extreme theology", ha ha ha, indeed they do, because as I have discovered they are affiliated to the Society of St Pius X. 

Everyone knows that the SSPX are very lax when it comes to liturgy. 

Originally based at the Monastery of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary in the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, they moved to the Mother of Perpetual Succour Monastery in Joinville, France in 1994 until they bought the island of Papa Stronsay on 31 May 1999.[in the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, they moved to the Mother of Perpetual Succour Monastery in Joinville, France in 1994 until they bought the island of Papa Stronsay on 31 May 1999.

Looking at their blog it does not look like a rather nice place for a retreat, I would not use the term "extreme" theology, I was use the term "harsh", the whole discipline is reminiscent of something from the middle ages, and one wonders how they maintain this way of life. I don't think that I shall criticise them, yet, I wonder, how is possible to maintain that way of life and yet still allow oneself access to the inter web, as they appear to have a blog and a dreaded Facebook account, this does not strike me as adhering to the strict rule of the order?

I note that within the whole of the SSPX there appears to be a conflict regarding the internet and it's usage. I recall a sermon in which Bishop Richard Williamson expounds the dangers and great evils of the internet and how it is part of the modern corruption of our times. Within ten mins the Lord Bishop changed his mind and said that the internet was good in bringing like minded people together. It must be rather difficult to stand one way or the other on this issue. However, you would think that being an anti-modernist  the internet would not even get a look in. Well you would be wrong.

Bishop Richard Williamson, positively medieval except when it comes to the internet.

I must admit that I do have a soft spot for the SSPX, their Bishops, Priests, and Religious. When one want's to examine what the pre Reformation, Pre Vatican II Church, one simply looks to them and I must confess that they do a very good Mass, albeit in a dead language that no one understands, not even that but the Latin itself is of very poor quality. Now the Pope has brought them back to the fold, well very good. I say "the" Pope, because he is not my Pope, thankfully I am an Anglican, mind you in saying that we have some odd balls in our Church, and in fact if I were a Roman Catholic I would be inclined towards the SSPX, at least they preserve the traditional liturgy. In that Provence of the Anglican Communion that holds my heart, Ireland, I am concerned at the lack of respect for the liturgy.

There are clergy who do not wear proper attire, do not use the prayer book, do not even bow at the name of Christ, and woe betides the day when they should administer the body of our Lord as a wafer. Such people have no respect for tradition, or indeed heritage. They think that church is a gimmick factory for their mad cap ideas. There is at least one Temple of the Lord in East Belfast that I am familiar with. It calls itself "Anglican", yet what I saw there was very far from Anglican, it was positively Presbyterian/Baptist/Pentecostal, with a complete lack of Catholicity, reason, and tradition. No Prayer Book. 

St Brendan's Church, Sydenham, East Belfast, Diocese of Down and Dromore. What's wrong with this picture?  The answer is that this is an Anglican building, although you may be forgiven for thinking that it was a "Gospel Hall", with the graffiti on the front. This is part of the problem for the Church in Northern Ireland, it is loosing it's identity and succumbing to trends rather than adhering to tradition. Tradition which has been handed down to us from the Apostles, and from the Celtic Church. That was ever so slightly tainted in the middle ages but was recovered in the Reformation and was thus preserved throughout the centuries. Some clergy would do well to remember that the reason why tradition is important is because it is a Spirit that has been tested, and has not been found wanting. I am dubious of gimmicks that have not been tested.

On the other side of the river Lagan is a church that claims or rather declares itself "Anglo-Catholic", this is rather funny because it is not Anglo-Catholic, it is let's pretend to be Anglo-Catholic in our liturgy. Yes of course the clergy dress up, but the celebration of the Eucharist is not presented in the Anglo-Catholic tradition, and of course they use the Book of Common Prayer, not the English Missal. How funny, look's Catholic, doesn't smell Catholic (no incense, forbidden by Canon Law), sounds Anglican. That is what we in liturgical circles call "A joke". The one thing they have mastered in that particular church is the snobbishness, arrogance, and inflated ego of say Westminster Abbey or St George's Chapel Windsor. A window cleaner would not be welcome, which is rather amusing given that in the good old days Anglo-Catholics were the slum missionaries.... how times have changed.

So you see we Anglicans could do with a Bishop Richard Williamson and an organisation in the style of SSPX, an organisation to meet the trendy "Vicars", with good old fashioned Catholic tradition.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Sunday 29th April 2012

10.45 a.m. Sung Eucharist

Celebrant: The Provost Very Rev'd Richard Kilgour

Sermon: The Provost Very Rev'd Richard Kilgour

Voluntary: Christ lag in Todesbanden (BWV 625) - J. S.Bach (1685-1750)

Processional Hymn: "Happy are they, they that love God"

Kyrie: Sumsion in F

Gloria: John Merbecke (1510-1585)

Collect:                                                 Almighty God,

whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:

raise us, who trust in him,

from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,

that we may seek those things which are above,

where he reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever. Amen.

First Reading: Acts 4.5-12

Psalm: 23 1-6

Second Reading: 1 John 3.16-24

Gradual Hymn: "Faithful Shepherd, feed me"

Choir sings "Alleluia" acclamation and congregation joins in response "Alleluia"

Gospel: John 10.11-18

Sermon

Choir Promotions

Mother's Union Enrolment of New Members

The Peace

Offertory Hymn: "The Lord my pasture shall prepare"

Eucharistic Prayer: IV

Sanctus, Benedictus & Agnus Dei:  Sumsion in F

Motet: The Lord is my shepherd - Berkley

Post Communion Hymn: "Thine for ever! God of Love"

Voluntary: Chromatic Fugue (Sonata IV)

Second Sunday of Lent

Sunday 4th March

10.45 a. m. Sung Eucharist

Second Sunday of Lent

Celebrant: The Provost

Sermon: The Provost Very Rev Richard Kilgour

Voluntary: Hilf Gott, dass mir's gelinge (BWV 624)-

                                                                            J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Processional Hymn: 238 "New every morning is the love"

Kyrie: Wills: Missa Brevis

Collect: Almighty God,

             you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,

             that they may return to the way of righteousness:

             grant to all those who are admitted

             into the fellowship of Christ's religion,

             that they may reject those things

             that are contrary to their profession,

             and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;

             through Jesus Christ our Lord,

             who lives and reigns with you,

             in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

             one God, now and for ever.

Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 17vv 1-7, 15-16  "The Covenant of Circumcision"

Psalm: 22 vv 23-end

Epistle: Romans 4.13-25 "Abraham Justified by Faith"

Gradual Hymn: 64 "Be thou my guardian and my guide"

Gospel: Mark 8.31-38  "Jesus Predicts His Death"

Sermon: The Provost

The Creed, Intercessions, The Peace

Offertory Hymn: 338 omit v6 "At the name of Jesus"

Eucharistic Prayer: Form III

Sanctus, Benedictus & Agnus Dei: Wills: Missa Brevis

Motet: Nolo mortem peccatoris - Morely

Post Communion Hymn: 379 "In the Cross of Christ I glory"

Voluntary: Prelude in B minor, BWV 544 - J.S. Bach 

Anglo-Saxon Prayer

May the Lord be my friend,

Who once on earth endured on the gallows-tree,

Suffered here for the sins of men.

He has redeemed us, he has given us life

And a home in Heaven. Hope was renewed

With bliss and a blessing for those

who had been through burning.

The Son was successful in that expedition,

Mighty in victory, when with a mass,

A great crowd of souls, came to God's Kingdom

The Almighty Ruler, to joy among the angels

And all the saints, who in heaven already

Lived in glory, then the Lord,

Almighty God, came home to his own land.

Anonymous, Anglo-Saxon, from "The Dream of the Rood", translated by Rachel Boulding

Eucharistic Prayer: Form III. 1982 Scottish Liturgy.

Eucharistic Prayer III

Returning to God (Suitable for Lent and Passiontide) 

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 him thanks and praise.

Worship and praise belong to you,

maker of light and darkness.

Your wisdom draws beauty from chaos,

brings a harvest out of sorrow

and leads the exiles home.

In Christ your Son enemies are reconciled                                                      Opening Prayer:

debts forgiven                                                                                              celebrating the work 

and strangers made welcome.                                                                        of God, Father, Son     

                                                                                                                                                        and Holy Spirit, 

                                                                                                                                                        in creating, restoring,

                                                                                                                                                        and bringing to

                                                                                                                                                        completion all that is 

                                                                                                                                                        His.

Your Spirit frees us

to live as sons and daughters

in our Father's house.

Who by Christ's power

follow the way of the Cross,

sharing his obedience ,

now offer you our praise,

with angels and archangels 

and the whole company of heaven

singing the hymn of your unending glory:

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord,                                                                                 SANCTUS:

God of power and might.                                                                               an anthem to

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.                                                       God's glory.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.                                        BENEDICTUS:

Hosanna in the highest.                                                                               The greeting to him

                                                                                                                    who came in the flesh,

                                                                                                                    comes in the sacrament,

                                                                                                                                                           and is still to come

Glory and thanksgiving be to you,                                                                    CHRISTOLOGICAL

most loving Father,                                                                                         PRAYER:

for Christ in whom the world is reconciled,                                                       Thanksgiving to God for

Lifted on the Cross,                                                                                        all that was 

his suffering and forgiveness                                                                           accomplished in the life,

spanned the gulf our sins had made.                                                                 death and resurrection of 

Through that dark struggle                                                                              Jesus.

death was swallowed up in victory,

that life and light might reign.

Before he was given up to suffering and death,

recalling the night of Israel's realise,

the night in which the sons of Egypt died,

your Chosen One, himself the First-Born,

freely offered his life.

At supper with his disciples

he took bread and offered you thanks.

He broke bread,                                                                                            NARRATIVE OF THE

and gave it to them saying:                                                                             INSTITUTION

"Take, eat.                                                                                                   An account of the Last 

This is my Body: it is broken for you."                                                            Supper.

After supper, he took the cup,

he offered you thanks,

and gave it to them saying:

"Drink this, all of you.

This is my Blood of the new covenant;

it is poured out for you, and for all,

that sins may be forgiven.

Do this in remembrance of me."

We now obey your Son's command.                                                            ANAMNESIS AND

We recall his blessed passion and death,                                                     OBLATION:

His glorious resurrection and ascension;                                                     The  work of Christ is 

and we look for the coming of his Kingdom.                                                recalled and linked with

Made one with him, we offer you these gifts                                                our offering.

and with them ourselves,

a single, holy, living sacrifice.

Hear us, most merciful Father,                                                                        EPICLESIS:
and send your Holy Spirit upon us                                                                   We ask for the descent 
and upon this bread and this wine,                                                                   of the Holy Spirit as the
that, overshadowed by his life-giving power,                                                    Divine response to our
they may be the Body and Blood of your Son,                                                   obedience.
and we may be kindled with the fire of your love
and renewed for the service of your Kingdom.


Help us, who are baptised into the fellowship of                                           PRAYER OF 
Christ's Body                                                                                               PETITION:
to live and work to your praise and glory;                                                    As members of the 
may we grow together in unity and love                                                       Church we pray for her 

until at last, in your new creation,                                                               whole life and mission.

we enter into our heritage

in the company of the Virgin Mary,

the apostles, and prophets,

and of all our brothers and sisters

living and departed.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,                                                                        DOXOLOGY:
with whom, and in whom,                                                                               A concluding act of 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,                                                                           praise.
all honour and glory be to you,
Lord of all ages,
world without end.


Amen.

A Short "Office" Of Prayers, Readings and Reflection For the Beginning Of The Season Of Lent In Thee Church

THE PREPARATION
At the entry of the ministers THIS SENTENCE may be used.

The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart

you will not despise. Psalm 51.17

A HYMN, A CANTICLE, or a PSALM may be sung

The president welcomes the people.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all

All: and also with you.

In these or other subtle words, the president explains the meaning of Lent and invites the people to observe it faithfully.

Brothers and sisters in Christ: since early days Christians have observed

with great devotion the time of our Lord's passion and resurrection. It

became the custom of the Church to prepare for this by a season of

penitence and fasting.

At first this season of Lent was observed by those who were preparing for

Baptism at Easter and by those who were to be restored to the Church's

fellowship from which they had been separated through sin. In course

of time the Church came to recognize that, by careful keeping of these days,

all Christians might take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of 

forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel, and so grow in faith and in devotion

to our Lord.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a

holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, self-

denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy word.

The president says THE COLLECT.

Let us pray to keep Lent faithfully.

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent.

Create and make in us new and contrite hearts,

that, lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,

we may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect forgiveness and peace;  

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE

Sit

OLD TESTAMENT READING

Isaiah 58 1-8

At the end the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 51.1--17

This response may be used --

Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Epistle

James 4.1-10

At the end the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

A CANTICLE, A HYMN, or a PSALM may be used

Stand THE GOSPEL

When it is announced

Glory to Christ our Saviour.

Matthew 6.16--21

This is the Gospel of Christ

Praise to Christ our Lord.

Sit.

THE SERMON/ADDRESS/REFLECTION

THE LITURGY OF PENITENCE

President: Let us now call to mind our sin and the infinite mercy of God.

Kneel

The Litany

President: Give us true repentance;

               forgive us our sins of negligence and ignorance

               and our deliberate sins;

               and grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit

               to amend our lives according to you holy word.

               Holy God,

               holy and Strong,

               holy and immortal,

               have mercy upon us.

President: Make our hearts clean, O God;

               and renew a right spirit within us.

                Father eternal, giver of light and grace,

                we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,

                in what we have thought,

                in what we have said and done,

                through ignorance, through weakness,

                through our own deliberate fault,

                We have wounded your love,

                and marred your image in us,

                We are sorry and ashamed,

                and we repent of all our sins.

                For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us,

                forgive us all that is past;

                and lead us out from darkness

                to walk as children of light. Amen

President: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.

Say together

God our Father,

the strength of all who put their trust in you,

mercifully accept our prayers;

and because, in our weakness,

we can do nothing good without you,

grant us the help of your grace,

that in keeping your commandments

we may please you, both in will and deed;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

President shall say

Lord our God,

grant us grace to desire you with our whole heart;

that so desiring, we may seek and find you;

and so loving, may hate those sins

from which you have delivered us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE DISMISSAL

The President may say THIS BLESSING.

Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him;

and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

President: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

ALL: In the name of Christ. Amen.

President: Go in the peace of Christ.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

The ministers and people depart.

President: The Provost of the Cathedral Church of St Andrew, Aberdeen, The Very Rev'd Richard Kilgour.

First Sunday of Lent: Order of Service

Sunday 26th February 2012

10.45 a.m. Sung Eucharist

First Sunday of Lent

Celebrant: The Provost, Very Rev'd Richard Kilgour

Processional Hymn: 425 "O love, how deep, how broad, how high !"

Kyrie: Healey Willan: Missa de SantaMaria Magdalena 

Collet: Almighty God,

            whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days and forty nights in the wilderness,

            and was tempted as we are, yet without sin:

            give us grace to discipline ourselves

            in obedience to your Spirit;

            and, as you know our weakness,

            so may we know your power to save;

            through Jesus Christ our Lord,

            who lives and reigns with you,

            and the Holy Spirit,

            one God, now and for ever.

Old Testament Lesson:  Genesis 9.8-17 God's Covenant with Noah

Psalm:  25 vv 1-9, 

Epistle: 1 Peter 3.18-22 Christ died for our sins.

Gradual Hymn: 70 "Lord Jesus, think on me"

Gospel: Mark 1.9-15 The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus.

Sermon: The Provost

The Creed, Intercessions, The Peace

Offertory Hymn: 67 "Forty Days and forty nights"

Eucharistic Prayer: (Form III from the 1982 Scottish Liturgy)

Sanctus, Benedictus & Agnus Dei: Healy Willan: Missa de Santa Maria Magdalena

Motet: The Call - Vaughan Williams

Post Communion Hymn: 357 "Father hear the prayer we offer"

Voluntary: Prelude in A minor, BWV 543 - J. S. Bach (1685 - 1750)

Ecumenical Service for Ash Wednesday: 22nd February 2012, King's College Chapel.

King's College Chapel, University of Aberdeen. Construction began in 1498 and ended with the consecration of the building in 1509. The chapel is dedicated to the Trinity and the Virgin Mary in her Nativity. The chapel also commemorates a number of monarchs, both Scottish and British, as well as founders and patrons of the university. The name "King's" in particular recalls King James IV of Scotland, the main patron of the university.

Service Sheet

Welcome

Rev Dr V Easter Smart

Opening Responses

Leader: In this season, we worship remembering Jesus suffering in love for us and all people.

ALL: Lent is a time of tears

Leader: But out of tears, joy is born-  the joy of sin forgiven, hope reborn and life restored.

ALL: We stand in awe of God who brings joy out of tears and life out of death.

Leader: Let us worship with reverence as we sing our hymn:

Opening Hymn

Forty days and forty nights

thou wast fasting in the wild;

forty days and forty nights

tempted, yet undefiled.

Sunbeams scorching all the day;

chilly dew-drops nightly shed;

prowling beasts about thy way;

stones thy pillow; earth thy bed.

Shall not we thy sorrows share,

learn thy discipline of will,

and, like thee, by fast and prayer

wrestle with the powers of ill?

And if Satan, vexing sore

flesh and spirit should assail,

thou, his vanquisher before,

wilt not suffer us to fail.

Watching, praying, struggling thus,

victory ours at last shall be;

angels minister to us

as they ministered to thee.

Prayer

Leader: The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

ALL: and also with you.

Leader: Let us pray for grace to keep Lent faithfully.

            Almighty and everlasting God

            you hate nothing that you have made

            and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent.

            Create and make in us new and contrite hearts,

            that, lamenting our sins and acknowledging our

            wretchedness,

            we may receive from you, the God of all mercy, 

            perfect forgiveness and peace;

            through Jesus Christ our Lord,

            who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

            one God, now and for ever. Amen.

ALL: Our Father who art in Heaven...

Reading: I Corinthians 13:1-13

PSALM 51

Leader: Have mercy on me, God in your kindness.

             In your compassion blot out my offence.

ALL: O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse

           me from my sin.

Leader: My offences truly I know them;

             my sin is always before me.

ALL: Against you, you alone, have I sinned;

          what is evil in your sight I have done.

Leader: A pure heart create for me, O God,

            put a steadfast spirit within me.

ALL: Do not cast me away from your presence,

          nor deprive me of your Holy Spirit.

Leader: Give me again the joy of your help;

             with a spirit of fervour sustain me,

ALL: that I may teach transgressors your ways and sinners

          may return to you.

Reading: Luke 18:9-14

MEDITATION

Rev Dr Duncan Heddle

HYMN

Come down, O Love Divine,

seek out this soul of mine,

and visit it with your ardour glowing;

O Comforter, draw near,

within in my heart appear,

and kindle it, your holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn,

till earthly passions turn

to dust and ashes, in its heat consuming;

and let thy glorious light

shine ever on my sight

and clothe me round the while my path illuming.

Let holy charity

my out ward vesture be,

and lowliness of heart,

which takes the humbler part,

and o'er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.

And so the yearning strong,

with which the soul with long,

shall far outpass the power of human telling;

we cannot guess its grace,

till we become the place

wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.

PRAYER

Leader: Make our hearts clean, O God;

ALL: and renew a right spirit within us.

ALL: Father eternal, giver of light and grace,

          we have sinned against you and against

          our neighbour,

          in what we have thought,

          in what we have said and done,

          through ignorance, through weakness,

          through our own deliberate fault.

          We are sorry and ashamed,

          and repent of our sins.

          For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

          who died for us,

          forgive us all that is past;

          and lead us out from darkness

          to walk as children of light. Amen.

THE IMPOSITION OF ASHES

Leader: As a sign of the spirit of penitence with which we shall

            keep the season of preparation for Easter, we invite you

            to receive on your head in ash the sign of the cross, the

            symbol of our salvation.

            God our Father,

            you create us from the dust of the earth:

            grant that these ashes may be for us a sign of our

            penitence and a symbol of our mortality;

            for it is by your grace alone that we receive eternal life in

            Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

People who wish to receive the imposition of ashes are invited to come forward. At the imposition the minister shall say to each person:

TURN AWAY FROM SIN AND BE FAITHFUL TO CHRIST

ALL: God our Father,

          the strength of all who put their trust in you,

          mercifully accept our prayers;

          and because, in our weakness,

          we can do nothing good without you,

          grant us the help of your grace,

          that in in keeping your commandments

          we may please you, both in will and deed;

          through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

HYMN

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died.

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,

Spreads o'er his body on the tree;

Then I am dead to all the globe,

And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far to small;

Love so amazing. so divine,

Demands my soul, my life my all.

To Christ, Who won for sinners grace

By bitter grief and anguish sore,

Be praise from all the ransomed race

Forever and evermore.

BLESSING AND DISMISSAL

Some of the clergy that shared the service:

Chaplain to the university: Rev Dr Easter Smart, (Kirk of Scotland)

Rev. Dr Duncan Heddle, (Episcopal Church of Scotland)