ST. JAMES

PARISH CHURCH Holetown, St. James, Barbados

TO BE A BEACON RADIATING GOD’S LOVE AMONG ALL PEOPLE

Rector: The Reverend Beverley Sealy-Knight

ZOOM.US/J/7259892279

EVENSONG

6:00 P.M.

MAY 27, 2020

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EVENING PRAYER

Ascension

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4: 14, 16

The Minister / Kay Smith

V. Blessed be the Lord our God, R. By whose grace we are yet alive.

V. Blessed be His Son Jesus Christ, R. By whose rising we are set free.

V. Blessed be the Spirit of God, R. In whom is our hope and our joy.

V. Glory to the Father and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit; R. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen.

The minister

Father, we come together in the Name of your Son Jesus Christ,

our Redeemer, to offer you our worship, praise and thanksgiving.

To you belong all power and glory. You are the source of all

goodness. Let our worship bear witness to your peace and

saving power. Through your Spirit may we ever rejoice in the

abiding presence of our risen and ascended Lord. Amen.

Canticle Of Praise Or Invitatory

VENITE

Psalm 95:1-8

Michelle Hinds

O come let us sing out to the Lord:

let us shout in triumph to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before His face with thanksgiving:

and cry out to Him joyfully in psalms.

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For the Lord is a great God:

and a great king above all gods.

In His hands are the depths of the earth:

and the peaks of the mountains are His also.

The sea is His and he made it:

His hands moulded dry land.

Come let us worship and bow down:

and kneel before the Lord our maker.

For he Himself is our God:

we are the people of His pasture, and the

sheep of His hand.

If only you would hear His voice today:

for He comes, He comes to judge the earth:

He shall judge the world with righteousness:

and the peoples with His truth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son:

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now:

and shall be forever. Amen.

The minister Lord, we pray to you for the forgiveness of our sins.

Silence may be kept.

Ena / Colin Bowen

Have mercy upon us,

most merciful Father;

in your compassion forgive us our sins,

known and unknown,

things done and left undone;

and so uphold us by your Spirit

that we may live

and serve you in newness of life,

to the honour and glory of your Name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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The minister

Almighty God, 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.

Hymn 257 (CPWI Hymnal)

(Jesus is Lord! Creation's voice proclaims it)

1. Jesus is Lord! Creation's voice proclaims it, for by his power each tree and flower was planned and made. Jesus is Lord! The universe declares it; sun, moon and stars in heaven cry: 'Jesus is Lord'

Refrain: Jesus is Lord! Jesus is Lord! Praise Him with hallelujahs, for Jesus is lord!

2. Jesus is Lord! Yet from His throne eternal in flesh He came to die in pain on Calvary's tree. Jesus is Lord! From Him all life proceeding, yet gave His life a ransom thus setting us free.

Refrain

3. Jesus is Lord! O'er sin the mighty conqueror, from death He rose and all His foes shall own his Name. Jesus is Lord! God sends His Holy Spirit to show by works of power that Jesus is Lord.

Refrain

Psalm 99

Adzil Stuart

Priests and people praise God

1. The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

2. The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.

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3. Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he!

4. Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity;

you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

5. Extol the Lord our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!

6. Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on his name. They cried to the Lord, and he answered them.

7. He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept his decrees, and the statutes that he gave them.

8. O Lord our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

9. Extol the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now: and shall be forever. Amen.

The First Lesson: Leviticus 9:1-11, 22-24

Marguerite Knight-Williams

The high priest Aaron offers sacrifice

A reading from the word of God, written in the Book of the Leviticus, Chapter 9, beginning at the first verse.

On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. He said to Aaron, “Take a bull calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the Lord. And say to the people of Israel, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering; a calf and a lamb, yearlings without blemish, for a burnt offering; and an ox and a ram for an offering of well-being to sacrifice before the Lord; and a grain offering

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mixed with oil. For today the Lord will appear to you.’” They brought what Moses commanded to the front of the tent of meeting; and the whole congregation drew near and stood before the Lord. And Moses said, “This is the thing that the Lord commanded you to do, so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.” Then Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people; and sacrifice the offering of the people, and make atonement for them; as the Lord has commanded.”

Aaron drew near to the altar, and slaughtered the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar; and the rest of the blood he poured out at the base of the altar. But the fat, the kidneys, and the appendage of the liver from the sin offering he turned into smoke on the altar, as the Lord commanded Moses; and the flesh and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp.

Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them; and he came down after sacrificing the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the offering of well-being. Moses and Aaron entered the tent of meeting, and then came out and blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

The Word of the Lord

R: Thanks be to God

The Magnificat Luke 1:46-55 Tracy Broomes

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Saviour,*

for you have looked with favour on your lowly servant,*

From this day all generations will call me blessed:*

You, the Almighty, have done great things for me,

and holy is your Name.

You have mercy on those who fear you*

from generation to generation

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You have shown strength with your arm*

and scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones*

and lifting up the lowly.

You have filled the hungry with good things*

and the rich you have sent away empty.

You have come to the help of your servant Israel,*

for you have remembered your promise of mercy,

The promise made to our forebears,*

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son:*

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,*

and shall be for ever. Amen.

The Second Lesson: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Hartley Richards

Live by the will of God

A reading from the word of God, written in the First Epistle of Peter, Chapter 4, beginning at the first verse.

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also

with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has

finished with sin), so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no

longer by human desires but by the will of God. You have already

spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in

licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and

lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you no longer join them

in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. But

they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to

judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel

was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been

judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the

spirit as God does.

The Word of the Lord

R: Thanks be to God

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Nunc Dimittis

Roger Hunte

LORD, now you let your servant go in peace* your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation* which you have prepared in the sight of every people;

A light to reveal you to the nations:* and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father and to the Son: * and to the Holy Spirit; As it was in the beginning is now,* and shall be for ever. Amen

THE APOSTLES’ CREED:

Margaret Quintyne-Hunte

I believe in God the Father Almighty,

creator of heaven and earth

I believe in Jesus Christ,

His only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and

born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day He rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the

right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge

the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body

and the life everlasting. Amen.

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The Prayers The Minister / Kay Smith

V. The Lord be with you. R. And also with you.

V: Let us pray:

The Lord’s Prayer Margaret Quintye-Hunte

Let us pray:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your Name;

your kingdom come;

your will be done

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

The Suffrages

The Minister / Kay Smith

V. Lord, reveal your love among us; R. That we may know the joy of your salvation.

V. Grant peace within and among all nations; R. And teach our leaders wisdom.

V. Endow your Church with faithfulness; R. And her servants with knowledge and true godliness.

V. Defend, O Lord, the rights of the poor and the oppressed; R. That your justice may be known among all people.

V. Lord, renew your Spirit within us; R. That in us and through us your will may be done.

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Collect: Seventh Sunday of Easter

The Minister

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus

Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not

leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen

us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone

before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one

God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Shawndelle Pollard

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of day

and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of

those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the

evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past so be

with us in the coming night. Free us from evil, sin and fear; for

you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To

you be glory for endless ages. Amen.

Shawndelle Pollard

O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until the

shades lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is

hushed, the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then, Lord,

in mercy grant us safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Shawndelle Pollard

Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray; and in your mercy defend

us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your

only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST BY THOMAS A

KEMPIS (1330 – 1471)

Chapter XI – OF SEEKING PEACE OF MIND AND OF

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Today we are continuing to examine Thomas A Kempis’ book “The Imitation of Christ” and we are looking at the topic “of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual growth’ (Chapter XI).

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Kempis is inviting us to look ‘within to enjoy abundance of peace rather than busying ourselves with the sayings and doings of others, and things which concern not ourselves.’ In other words is he saying that we should look inward at the things which occupy our mind – work, purchasing of home, car, maybe envy of our fellowman, holding a grudge; not having the correct focus or not having our priorities in the correct order. What is it that makes us unhappy and keep searching? I quote Kempis “ how can we abide long time in peace who occupies himself with other men’s matters, and with things without himself, and meanwhile pays little or rare heed to the self within?”

One way he suggests is that we follow the examples of the many Saints who rid themselves of worldly desires and cling their whole heart to God, so that they could be free and at leisure to put their complete thoughts on God. This calls for us to put our priorities in order and let God be our guide letting go of our hate and malice, and our possessions. How can we do this? Firstly, by praying daily to God for guidance and having a close friend. Secondly: recognize that we have baggage/obstacles and start to sift through them and get rid of unnecessary items. Thirdly, arm yourself with a bible, a Bible Dictionary and Bible Commentary and read them with a new purpose asking God for understanding to interpret the passages and fourthly, attending church fellowship, This is the first step of finding inner peace and prepares you for the rocky road ahead. You are now entering a new phase of life and stumbling blocks will come but you have to be prepared to either go forward knowing that God is there beside you to the end or choose the easier path of going back to the world for comfort. Whichever way you chose will determined how strong you are and what progress you have made in finding peace.

At this stage you are beginning to question the inner self and having serious discussions with your spiritual friend. How are you feeling within yourself? Is there a change in how you are feeling about someone who has wronged you? Am I ready to forgive? Are you a good listener or are you tune out to what the person is saying to you? What are your feelings now towards your neighbours? Are you beginning to understand fellowship?

This spiritual walk moves a little deeper in understanding the scriptures. This can be done by attending and taking part in and understanding Sunday worship, listening to sermons, attending bible study sessions, reading the Bible for further understanding, the Morning and Evening prayers found in the Book of Common

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Prayer, and any inspirational books for educational purposes. Quoting Kempis:” For God Himself is always ready to help those who strive and who trust in Him; he provides for us occasions for striving, to the end that we may win the victory”

Kempis warns us “that if we look upon our progress in religion as a progress only in outward observances and forms, our devoutness will soon come to an end.”

At this stage of your progress God is inviting you to let go and surrender everything and placed your faith and trust in him recognizing and warning us that “it is a hard thing to break through a habit, and a yet harder thing to go contrary to our own will“ and freedom.

So he exhorts us to try to overcome obstacles bit by bit in the beginning so that we can avoid being led into worst difficulties when larger problems arises. If we do this, inner peace can be attained by God’s help, and what a time of rejoicing that will be to your inner soul and your start to becoming more zealous for spiritual growth.

Jesus reminds us in Matt.: 28: 20 “Lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age”. With these words to his disciples that he will always be with them, so we can also apply them to ourselves knowing that God will grant us that assurance and inner peace.

Most Sunday mornings we hear these words at the end of the Eucharist:

President: Go in peace and serve the Lord.

All: In the name of Christ. Amen.

Will we take comfort in these words day by day, week by week in finding our inner peace? Amen

Comments: Rev. Beverley Sealy-Knight

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Hymn 259 (CPWI Hymnal)

(Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us)

1. Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us, You are one with us, Mary's Son; Cleansing our souls from all their sin, pouring your love and goodness in: Jesus, our love for you we sing - living Lord!

2. Lord Jesus Christ, now and every day teach us how to pray, Son of God; You have commanded us to do this in remembrance, Lord, of you: into our lives your power breaks through - living Lord!

3. Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us, born as one of us, Mary's Son; led out to die on Calvary, risen from death to set us free: living Lord Jesus, help us see you are Lord!

4. Lord Jesus Christ, I would come to you, live my life for you, Son of God; all your commands I know are true, your many gifts will make me new: into my life your power breaks through - living Lord!

Prayers

Amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Rose Boyce

Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this

time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the

anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we

may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate

us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to

care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time

of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the

sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, for

your name’s sake. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication Richard Field

Almighty God, we thank you

for the gift of your Holy Word.

May it be a lantern to our feet,

A light to our paths,

And a strength to our lives.

Take us and use us to love and serve all persons

in the power of the Holy Spirit

and in the Name of your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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The Rector

Notices and announcements.

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The Minister:

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or conceive, by the power which is at work among us, to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all ages. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

THE MINISTER / KAY SMITH

MINISTER: The Lord be with you. PEOPLE: And also with you.

MINISTER: Let us bless the Lord. PEOPLE: Thanks be to God.

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Hymn 26 (CPWI Hymnal)

(The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended)

1. The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended, the darkness falls at thy behest; to thee our morning hymns ascended, thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

2. We thank thee that thy church unsleeping, while earth rolls onward into light, through all the world her watch is keeping, and rests not now by day or night.

3. As o'er each continent and island the dawn leads on another day, the voice of prayer is never silent, nor dies the strain of praise away.

4. The sun that bids us rest is waking our brethren 'neath the western sky, and hour by hour fresh lips are making thy wondrous doings heard on high.

5. So be it, Lord; thy throne shall never, like earth's proud empires, pass away; thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever, till all thy creatures own thy sway.

Rest well.

Sleep well.

Stay safe.

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ST. JAMES

PARISH CHURCH

P.O.Box 3009, Holetown, St. James, Barbados

Tel: (246) 422-4117 Email: jamesthegreat@caribsurf.com

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