20 June 2010

Welcome to  St Alban’s Anglican Church  

Today's Scripture:  Isaiah 65: 1-9                   Galatians 3: 23-end                   S. Luke 8: 26–39

Today– S. Alban’s Patronal: 8.35 a.m. Matins; 9.00 a.m. Church School; 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 6 p.m. EP.  This Week: Tues –Wed, Fri 12.30 p.m. Prayers; Thurs (S.John Baptist) 5 p.m. Holy Communion

Next Sunday: 8.35 a.m. Matins; 9.00a.m. Ch School; 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 6.00 p.m. EP

Third Sunday after Trinity

O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray, may by thy mighty aid be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Saint Alban, First Martyr of Britain, c. 304

Almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy martyr Alban triumphed over suffering  and was faithful even unto death: Grant to us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to thee in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

ALBAN SHELTERED a Christian priest (Geoffrey of Monmouth's later interpolation giving his name as "Amphibalus", the name for the cloak) in his home, and was converted and baptised by him. When the "impious prince", as Bede has called him, sent Roman soldiers to Alban's house to look for the priest, Alban exchanged cloaks with the priest and was arrested in his stead at Chantry Island. Alban was taken before the magistrate, who was furious at the deception and ordered that Alban be given the punishment due to the priest if he had indeed become a Christian. Alban declared, "I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things." These words are still used in prayer at St Albans Abbey. St Alban was eventually sacrificed to the Roman gods and was condemned to death. He was taken out of the town across the River Ver to the top of the hill opposite. The reputed place of his beheading is where St Albans Cathedral now stands. Gildas does not state that Alban was martryed in Verulamium; Bede is the first person to document the execution and burial of Alban as happening in Verulamium.

WORD OF GOD

The man begged that he might be with Jesus; but he sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” (S. Luke 8:38)

 

WORD FOR TODAY

Following Christ is more than just words. It means a daily conscious effort to live life in a radically different way, in a way that puts self-interest second and service of others in first place. To follow Christ is to carry a cross.

 

AS YOUR FAITH IS STRENGTHENED you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit.

(Emmanuel Teney)

 

WE’RE NEVER SO VULNERABLE than when we trust someone. But, paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love or joy. (Walter Anderson)

FIVE OF THE BEST

1.             Is Daniel in the Old or New Testament?

2.             Can you name any two angels?

3.             Give the names of all twelve apostles.

4.             In what language was the Old Testament written?

5.             Who came first and who came last: Sarah, Ruth, Mary, Lydia, Esther?

 

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS 

Mon: Judg 8: 22-end, Luke 15: 1-10, Rom 11: 25-end

Tues: Judges 9: 1–21, Lk 15: 11-end, Rom 12: 1–8

Wed: Judg 9: 22-end, Luke 16: 1–18, Rom 12: 9–end

Thurs (BIRTH OF S.JOHN BAPTIST): Isaiah 40: 1-11, Acts 13: 14b–26, S. Luke 1: 57-66, 80

Fri: Judges 11: 29–end, Luke 17: 1-10, Rom 13: 8–end

Sat:  Judges 12; 1-7, Luke 17: 11-19, Rom 14: 1-12

NEXT SUNDAY : 1 Kings 19: 15–16, 19-end, Galatians 5: 1, 13-25, S. Luke 9: 51–end