Thank you for joining us as we celebrate the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Here you can find resources for our Sunday liturgy to pray at home or wherever you are
Preparation
Organ Prelude – Christian Friedrich Rudolph: Introductory Voluntary
Opening
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Collect for Purity
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.
Gloria (Organ Reflection) – JG Walther: Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr
The Collect
O Lord, watch over your household with constant love:
that, supported by you alone,
we may always stand firm in your protection;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
world without end.
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
You can find the texts of the readings on the pew sheet
First reading: Isaiah 40.21-31 (Sue Stirling-Aird)
Psalm 147.1-12
(please say the psalm, pausing shortly at the asterisk *)
Refrain: Sing praises to our God who heals the brokenhearted.
Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honour him with praise!
The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.
The Lord lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.
He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;
He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.
He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.
He is not impressed by the might of a horse, *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favour.
Refrain: Sing praises to our God who heals the brokenhearted.
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 9.16-23 (Sue Stirling-Aird)
Gospel acclamation (Celtic Alleluia)
Gospel reading: Mark 1.29-39 (The Rector)
Sermon (The Rector)
Nicene 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 substance with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate of 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.
With the Father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified.
He 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.
Intercessions (led by Andrew Pont)
Organ Reflection – Ignace Leybach: Pastorale
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
In church, the service continues with the Eucharistic Prayer, the Breaking of Bread and Communion
The Lord's Prayer
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Thanksgiving and Sending Out
A Blessing is pronounced:
The peace of God which passes all understanding,
keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord:
and may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Thank you for joining us for worship from Holy Trinity Church, Stirling
as we celebrate the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Organ Postlude – Georg Andreas Sorge: Fughetta in G minor
THIS WEEK
(updated)
Sunday 14th February
SUNDAY BEFORE LENT
10.30 a.m. Holy Communion
(said in private – online resources will be available)
Readings
2 Kings 2.1-12
2 Corinthians 4.3-6
Mark 9.2-9
Lent Book 2021
One of my favourite bits about Lent in the Rule of St Benedict (a rule for monastic life written in the 6th century) is this:
‘During this time of Lent each one is to receive a book from the library, and is to read the whole of it straight through. These books are to be distributed at the beginning of Lent.’
You are invited to join in this exercise at Holy Trinity this Lent. The monks described in our 6th-century text would not all have read the same book – so whatever you may decide to read will be fine (the rule only asks us to stick to it!), but you would also be very welcome to join in reading and discussing the HT Lent Book by the Franciscan monk Richard Rohr:
Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: a spirituality for the two halves of life,
(London, SPCK, 2012)
We grow more spiritually by doing it wrong than by doing it right. In Falling Upward, Fr Richard Rohr offers a new understanding of one’s life most profound mysteries: how our failing can be the foundation for our ongoing spiritual growth. Drawing on the wisdom from time-honoured myths, heroic poems, great thinkers and sacred religious texts, the author explores the two halves of life to show that those who have fallen, failed or ‘gone down’ are the only ones who understand ‘up’. The heartbreaks, disappointments and loves of the first half of life are actually stepping stones to the spiritual joys that the second half has in store for us.’
Online Space will be offered to discuss aspects of the book and our response to it via Zoom (on Thursdays during Lent at 7.30 p.m.), but just to join in reading the book would be fine!
