Hymn 52 Tune Ratisbon

We worship you, O God,

with songs of praise.

We worship you with words of prayer

and with ears that listen for you to speak.

We long for a glimpse of your glory:

the glory that shines in the darkness.

The darkness cannot overcome it;

the glory that touches lives with a beauty so holy

that it heals the wounded soul;

the glory that gives strength to the weary.

We say sorry for the things we have done wrong

Loving God, we confess that we are not living in the freedom that you offer to those who have been baptized: that we are sometimes overwhelmed by guilt and envy; that we are consumed by anger and greed; that we are inhibited by anxiety and fear; that we are sometimes passive or resentful or unforgiving.  God of justice, hear our prayer for mercy, grant us forgiveness and give us your peace.

Amen.

We are forgiven

May the God of love forgive us, lift our burdens from us,

heal and strengthen us by his spirit; that we may journey in love,

to live our lives freely and lightly. Amen.

Collect

O almighty God,

whose blessed Son called Matthew the tax-collector

to be an apostle and evangelist:

Give us grace to forsake the selfish pursuit of gain

and the possessive love of riches;

that we may follow in the way of your Son Jesus Christ,

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

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A reading from the book of Proverbs

Happy are those who find wisdom,

   and those who get understanding,

for her income is better than silver,

   and her revenue better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels,

   and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Long life is in her right hand;

   in her left hand are riches and honour.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

   and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

   those who hold her fast are called happy.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

                                                             Proverbs 3: 13-18

Psalm 119

65  You have dealt graciously with your servant, ♦︎
   according to your word, O Lord.
66  O teach me true understanding and knowledge, ♦︎
   for I have trusted in your commandments.
67  Before I was afflicted I went astray, ♦︎
   but now I keep your word.
68  You are gracious and do good; ♦︎
   O Lord, teach me your statutes.
69  The proud have smeared me with lies, ♦︎
   but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
70  Their heart has become gross with fat, ♦︎
   but my delight is in your law.
71  It is good for me that I have been afflicted, ♦︎
   that I may learn your statutes.
72  The law of your mouth is dearer to me ♦︎
   than a hoard of gold and silver.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be:

world without end. Amen.

A reading from the second epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians

Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practise cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

2 Corinthians 4: 1-6

Hymn 6 Tune St Denio

Hear the Gospel of our Saviour Christ, according to St Matthew.

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.

And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 9: 9-13

What do we believe? (we say together)

We believe in God the Father, the source of all life, by whom every family in heaven and earth has been created.

We believe in God the Son, our friend and brother Jesus, who lives in our hearts through faith and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with his power, and makes Jesus known in the world.

We believe and trust in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Hymn 493 Tune Hyfrydol

We say our prayers

Lord Jesus, as we pray today, help us to know the glory of your presence among us and to see more clearly the beauty of your holiness.

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the fulfilment of the law and the prophets of Israel and in you the hopes and fears of all people are met. Inspire your church today with a renewed vision of your glory so that we may walk as children of light and, by your grace, reveal your presence in the world.

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, we pray to you for the life of this nation with its joys and its sorrows. We pray for all those who are involved in government in this island of Ireland. Give wisdom to all those who are in authority over others. We pray for justice and equality for all your children.

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, we pray for all who are in distress, as a result of war and violence. May your power extend over all the earth, bringing peace and comfort where there is war and disaster.

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, you know what it is to suffer pain. Help us to know that you are with us and all who are sick or suffering, that although your presence may be hidden from us, you are there, with power to bring comfort and healing of body, mind and spirit.

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, we pray for those who are now with you in your eternal glory. As we rejoice in the fellowship of those who now see the fullness of your glory, be with us in our journey and transform our lives with the promise that you will grant us, with them, a share in your eternal kingdom.

The Lord’s Prayer

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.

Hymn 7 (omit verse 5) Tune Westminster

We pray together

Heavenly Father, as we worship you,

We pray for your light to shine upon us.

Brighten our daily lives with your holy love,

speak to us your transforming truth.

Then, grant us grace

to live every moment

changed by such glory

to live with hope and courage and love

reflecting the life of Jesus,

through whom your glory shines.

Amen.

The Blessing

Lord, together today we have been blessed and strengthened in our connection, not only with each other but also with you: so may the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always. Amen.

The Parish of Saint Catherine & Saint James with Saint Audoen

Canon Mark Gardner Tel: 01 454 2274 Mobile 087 266 0228

Email: markgardner300@gmail.com

Diocesan Lay Reader: James Kilbey

Parish Reader: Cletus Ogbata

Organist: Olesia Borsuk

Review Distribution: Margery Bell Tel: 01 4542067

Website: stcatherineandstjameswithstaudoen.ie

St Audoen’s Cornmarket, 10.00 Eucharist (every Sunday) with Hymns and Anglican Chant. Organist, Olesia Borsuk. Access on foot through St Audoen’s Park. Cars may be parked between Francis Street and Christ Church. The Church and the OPW Visitor Centre are open every day.

St Catherine & St James, Donore Avenue, 11.30 Service of the Word (Eucharist on the first Sunday of the month). Organist, Olesia Borsuk. Cars may be parked in the Churchyard.

Diary Dates

On Sunday 29 September feast of St Michael and All Angels the Rector will be in residence in St Patrick’s Cathedral. On Sunday 6 October Stuart Nicholson will bring the choristers to sing at St Catherine & St James.

Holy Baptism

At the Church of St Catherine & St James, Anniela, daughter of Jose and Yuleni Barboza, home worker, of Islandbridge (adult) and Sebastian Miguel, son of Miguel Fuenmayor and Anniela Barboza, Godparents Marcus Gaiti and Orlianys Gaiti Villalobos.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice

At the end of June I invited everyone on the parish list to a celebration of my fortieth anniversary of ordination to the Priesthood. There was a great gathering in the Church of St Catherine & St James followed by a reception provided by my friend Noel Clarke of the Bakery on Cabra Road. It was a very enjoyable occasion and it was good to see so many in Church at a time when congregations have fallen low. Some family members and personal friends also attended. Presentations were later made to me by the clergy and people of St Teresa’s Donore Avenue and the Church of South India Holy Trinity congregation which meets in the Church of St Catherine & St James.

and weep with them that weep.

It came as a great shock to learn of the untimely death of John McGuire at a comparatively young age, apparently of a heart attack, after some years of battling cancer. The funeral was brought to the family Church at Enfield followed by interment in the adjoining Churchyard. The following Sunday at St Audoen’s where he was Churchwarden, I said a few words at the beginning of the Eucharist. His partner of 15 years, Darwin, repeated the tribute he had paid to John at Enfield, and Tom Tynan, Churchwarden, read from the devotional writing of John O’Donohue. The staff of the OPW kept the Visitor Centre closed as a mark of respect and attended the service.