Widows and wrestlers

Today’s gospel reading is the account of the widow and the unjust judge, very neatly paired with the story of Jacob wrestling with God at Peniel. As a result of both these encounters there is transformation: the widow receives justice and Jacob is renamed. Spoiler alert for my homily: don’t over-think these, and try to find meanings in these stories which were never intended. I say that to myself too.

For example, the gospel account makes no mention of the legitimacy of the widow’s claim, and you know how if can be sometimes, when we just sigh, as we can imagine the judge doing, and for the sake of a quieter life, cave in to the one nagging us and say ‘O alright, go on then’. Or are we to expect that every time we ‘wrestle with God’ we will be ‘blessed’?

That is, it’s the morals , or lessons for life, we learn from these stories, pretty much at face value, which are important, rather than whether these ‘events’ ever took place in that way. Of course, with God all things are possible.

Both stories are rich in insights into human nature, or the human psyche if you prefer. These ought to inform our prayers to God in what we prioritise, and how we glorify God in what we give back. Ta-dah! Another spoiler alert: there you have the connection with the texts and this Stewardship Sunday.

Fr A

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Music before the service

Tranquillo, ma con moto Herbert Howells
(Tranquil but with movement)

The Processional Hymn

Hail to the Lord's anointed,
great David's greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
to set the captive free,
To take away transgression<
and rule in equity.

He comes in succor speedy
to those who suffer wrong,
To help the poor and needy,
and bid the weak be strong.
To give them songs for sighing,
their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying,
are precious in His sight.

He shall come down like showers
upon the fruitful earth,
Love, joy, and hope, like flowers,
spring in His path to birth.
Before him on the mountain
shall Peace the herald go,
And righteousness in fountains
from hill to valley flow.

Kings shall bow down before him,
and gold and incense bring,
All nations shall afore him,
his praise all people sing.
To him shall prayer unceasing,
and daily vows ascend,
His kingdom still increasing,
a kingdom without end.

O’er every foe victorious,~
He on his throne shall rest.
Frome age to age more glorious<
all blessing and all blest.
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove.
His Name shall stand forever,
That Name to us is Love.

The president says:

In the name of the +Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The Lord be with you.
and also with you

Prayer of Preparation

Please sit or kneel.

Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are 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.

Prayers of Penitence

Invitation to confession

God so loved the world
that he gave his only Son Jesus Christ
to save us from our sins,
to be our advocate in heaven,
and to bring us to eternal life.
Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith,
firmly resolved to keep God’s commandments
and to live in love and peace with all.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you
and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for us,
forgive us all that is past
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name.

Amen.

Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon you,
+pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Gloria in Excelsis

Please stand

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his 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,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God,
increase in us your gift of faith
that, forsaking what lies behind
and reaching out to that which is before,
we may run the way of your commandments
and win the crown of everlasting joy;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

Genesis 32.22-31

22 The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 24Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’ 27So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’ 28Then the man said, ‘You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.’ 29Then Jacob asked him, ‘Please tell me your name.’ But he said, ‘Why is it that you ask my name?’ And there he blessed him. 30So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.’ 31The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

2 Timothy 3.14 - 4.5

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Gradual

I look towards the hills;
can they bring help to birth?
My help comes from the Lord himself,
who made the heaven and earth.

He will not let you slide,
your keeper will not sleep,
for Israel's Lord will never tire,
who has us in his keep.

The Lord will keep you safe,
the Lord will be your shade.
Of sun or moon or deadly curse
you need not be afraid.

The Lord will keep your soul,
from evil at your door.
The Lord will keep you day by day,
both now and evermore.

Metrical translation of Psalm 121: Adam Carlill
Tune: Carlisle

Gospel Reading

As you are able, please stand

Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who hear the word of the Lord and keep it.

Alleluia.
The Lord be with you
And also with you.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to Luke
Glory to you, O Lord.

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” 4For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” ’ 6And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’
Luke 18.1-8

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ.

The Sermon

The Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.
We 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 from the Holy Spirit and the
Virgin Mary and was made man.
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.
We 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.
We believe in one holy catholic
and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for
the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the
dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Please sit or kneel

We come boldly to the throne of grace, praying to the Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for mercy and grace
Our Bishops
David, Mark and Matthew
The Anglican Communion
The Episcopal Church (of the United States)
The Porvoo Communion
The Church of England: Diocese of Oxford
The Church of Sweden: Diocese of Växjö
Schools and Colleges
All Saints, St Wilfrid’s, Briscoe Lane,
Christ the King, Oldham Bluecoat, Trinity High School, Co-op Academy Broadhurst; Loreto College; Bowdoin College, Maine; Churchill College Cambridge; Coventry University; Edge Hill University; Leeds University.
Streets
Skilgate Walk, Southgate Avenue, Sparth Road, St. Anne’s Street, St. Mary’s Road, Stanley Street.
Book of Remembrance
Irene Prince; Graham Thomas; John Taylor; Guy Lily; Eric Hitchen; Alice Crompton.

accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

The Peace

Please stand

The celebrant introduces the Peace with suitable words and says,

The peace of the triune God be always with you
and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Preparation of the Table

The Eucharistic Prayer

Please sit or kneel

The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.

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.

The president recites the Preface as far as
while angels and archangels and the powers of all creation sing for ever the hymn of your glory:

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.

The president continues with the institution narrative as far as

Praise to you Lord Jesus
Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

The Eucharistic prayer continues to its conclusion in the Doxology
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.

The Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray with confidence 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.

Breaking of the Bread

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.

The Agnus Dei

Jesus, Lamb of God:
have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins:
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world:
give us your peace.

Giving of Communion

Behold the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin 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

Hymn after Communion

Remain seated

When peace, like a river,
Attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet,
Though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded
My helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss
Of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross,
And I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day
When my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound,
And the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888

Prayer after Communion

We praise and thank you, O Christ,
for this sacred feast:
for here we receive you,
here the memory of your passion is renewed,
here our minds are filled with grace,
and here a pledge of future glory is given,
when we shall feast at that table
where you reign
with all your saints for ever.

Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son
Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls
and bodies to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work to your praise and glory.
Amen.

Church News may be shared.

Hymn

sung by St Martin’s Voices

Praise to the Lord,
the Almighty, the King of creation;
O my soul, praise him,
for he is thy health and salvation:
all ye who hear,
now to his temple draw near,
joining in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord,
who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,
shieldeth thee gently from harm,
or when fainting sustaineth:
hast thou not seen
how thy heart's wishes have been
granted in what he ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord,
who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy
shall daily attend thee:
ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
if to the end he befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord!
O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath,
come now with praises before him!
Let the Amen
sound from his people again:
gladly for aye we adore him!

Joachim Neander (1650-1680), translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), adapted by the compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern.

The Blessing

The Dismissal

Go in the light and peace of Christ
Thanks be to God.

Voluntary

Fanfare William Mathias

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