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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST PAUL
Rome
Sunday 22 August 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojvIRkOwH-8
‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’
Philippians 4:13
‘May the power of Christ, which brings freedom and
service, be felt in so many hearts afflicted by war,
persecution and slavery.’
Pope Francis
Led by the Revd Dr Sandy Forsyth, Hillary Leslie,
and the congregation in church and online
***
AS A DIVERSE PEOPLE, THE CHURCH GATHERS TO WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD
Organ Voluntary
Welcome & Church News
The Grace
Preparatory Silence for Worship
Call to Worship
From words of John van de Laar
Leader: In every fragment of time, O God,
All: You work Your acts of grace.
Leader: In every grain of earth, O Christ,
All: You bring Your grace to life.
Leader: In every breath of every living thing, O Spirit,
All: You whisper Your grace to our souls.
Leader: Open our eyes, open our ears, and open our hearts…
All: That those of us who are disillusioned may hope again,
Leader: That those of us who are worried may trust again,
All: That those of us who are sad may rejoice again…
As we are one in Christ.
Hymn 202 Stand Up and Bless the Lord
(t. Carlisle)
Stand up, and bless the Lord,
all people now rejoice;
stand up, and bless the Lord your God
with heart, and soul, and voice.
Though high above all praise,
above all blessing high,
who would not fear His holy Name,
give thanks and glorify?
O for the living flame,
from His own altar brought,
to touch our lips, our minds inspire,
and wing to heaven our thought!
God is our strength and song,
and His salvation ours;
then be His love in Christ proclaimed
with all our ransomed powers.
Stand up and bless the Lord,
the Lord your God adore;
stand up, and bless His glorious Name
both now and evermore.
Prayer of Approach, Praise and Confession & 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen.
Opening Reflection
‘Essential Packing’
Led by Hillary Leslie
Reading Acts 28:11 - 31
Read by Walter Thomson
Paul Arrives at Rome
11 Three months later we set sail on a ship that
had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship
with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. 12
We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for
three days; 13 then we weighed anchor and
came to Rhegium. After one day there a south
wind sprang up, and on the second day we came
to Puteoli. 14 There we found believers and were
invited to stay with them for seven days. And so
we came to Rome. 15 The believers from there,
when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum
of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On
seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
16 When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to
live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
Paul and Jewish Leaders in Rome
17 Three days later he called together the local
leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled,
he said to them, ‘Brothers, though I had done
nothing against our people or the customs of
our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem
and handed over to the Romans. 18 When they
had examined me, the Romans wanted to release
me, because there was no reason for the death
penalty in my case. 19 But when the Jews objected,
I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even
though I had no charge to bring against my nation.
20 For this reason therefore I have asked to see
you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of
the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.’
21 They replied, ‘We have received no letters from
Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming
here has reported or spoken anything evil about
you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what
you think, for with regard to this sect we know
that everywhere it is spoken against.’
Paul Preaches in Rome
23 After they had fixed a day to meet him,
they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers.
From morning until evening he explained the matter
to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying
to convince them about Jesus both from the law of
Moses and from the prophets.
24 Some were convinced by what he had said,
while others refused to believe. 25 So they
disagreed with each other; and as they were
leaving, Paul made one further statement:
‘The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your
ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,
26 ’Go to this people and say,
You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look,
but never perceive.
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn—
and I would heal them.’
28 Let it be known to you then that this salvation
of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.’
30 He lived there for two whole years at his own
expense and welcomed all who came to him, 31
proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about
the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without
hindrance.
Anthem I will sing with the Spirit
Text: 1 Corinthians 14 v 15
Music: John Rutter (b.1945)
I will sing with the Spirit,
alleluia; and I will sing
with the understanding
also: alleluia
Reading Philippians 4:10-13
Read by Walter Thomson
10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you
have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were
concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show
it. 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I
have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12
I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is
to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have
learned the secret of being well-fed and of going
hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Hymn 577 Christ be Beside Me
(t. Bunessan)
Christ be beside me,
Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me,
King of my heart.
Christ be within me,
Christ be below me,
Christ be above me,
never to part.
Christ on my right hand,
Christ on my left hand,
Christ all around me,
shield in the strife.
Christ in my sleeping,
Christ in my sitting,
Christ in my rising,
light of my life.
Christ be in all hearts
thinking about me,
Christ be in all tongues
telling of me.
Christ be the vision
in eyes that see me,
in ears that hear me,
Christ ever be.
from St Patrick's Breastplate, 8th century
adapted James Quinn (b.1919)
Sermon
Paul in Rome – ‘Legacy’
Revd Dr Sandy Forsyth
Prayer for Others
Hymn 555 Amazing Grace
(t. Amazing Grace)
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
Closing Responses
Words of Paul from 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Leader: Finally, brothers and sisters farewell…
agree with one another, live in peace;
All: and the God of love and peace will be with us.
Leader: Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All: All the saints greet us.
Leader: And the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
All: the love of God,
Leader: and the communion of the Holy Spirit
All: be with all of us.
***
THIS MORNING’S ANTHEM
The anthem, written for the Royal School of
Church Music in 1994, is by the contemporary
composer John Rutter, much renowned for
his justly popular arrangements and original
compositions of Christmas carols. It is
typical of his style, the sopranos setting out
the attractive melody over a running
accompaniment and then being joined
by the other voices. The ‘alleluia’ interjections
are not part of the original text. The parts
answer each other for ‘and I will sing with the
understanding’ before reverting to the opening
theme and text, this time decorated by a
soprano descant.
***
NEWS AND INTIMATIONS
PLEASE NOTE Sandy Forsyth is on holiday this week until Monday 30 August. For any urgent pastoral matters in his absence, please contact Kay McIntosh on
FORTHCOMING SERVICES Next Sunday is the last of the summer services at 10.15am, when we welcome an old friend of the congregation, Very Rev. Professor David Fergusson, to lead worship. From Sunday 5th September, there will be two Sunday services once more.
MIDWEEK PRAYERS You’d be very welcome for prayers and a time for peace and reflection in the church, this Tuesday at 10.00am, led this week by Kay McIntosh.
THE GUILD A new joint Church of Scotland Guild is beginning for the churches on much of Edinburgh’s south side, including our own, which you are very welcome to join. Come along to a taster session for the new beginning on Tuesday 14th September at 2pm at Marchmont St Giles, to hear Karen Gillon, The Guild Associate Secretary, talk about the Guild and moving forward into the future
CURRY AND CONVERSATION: STUDENT HOSTING EVENT AT MAYFIELD SALISBURY ON THURSDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 6.30pm – 8.30pm Mayfield Salisbury Church are hosting an ecumenical and interfaith welcome event on the evening of Thursday 16th September for postgraduate divinity students arriving next month to study at New College. It will be an informal get-together with a meal provided by the Mosque Kitchen. If you have already expressed an interest in supporting this, I will be in touch with you directly in the near future. If you have not yet done so but would like to attend to provide a welcome for these students, please let me know as soon as possible on
YOUTH NEWS
Youth Group 22 August 7.00pm – 9.00pm - Tonight, the S2-S6 group is invited to join together for a walk up Arthur's Seat. For more information and to sign-up, please contact Hillary.
Youth Group 5 September 6.00pm - 7.30pm - On 5 September, the P6-S1 group is invited to join together for a treasure hunt on Blackford Hill! For more information and to sign-up, please contact Hillary.
Youth Worship 29 August 7.00pm (Zoom) - We will be having a Youth Worship service on Zoom at 7pm - a time for prayer, readings, reflections and music for all ages! Contact Hillary for Zoom log-in details.
PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER CHAIN Would you now like to be allocated a visitor or someone to phone you regularly? Are you going into hospital or know of someone who is ill? Do you have anything you would like to be prayed for, or included in the Prayer Chain? Contact Kay:
WILL RELIEF SCOTLAND We’re happy to be supporting Will Relief Scotland, a campaign that comes into effect every September. Participating solicitors all over Scotland set aside their fees for making or amending a will, and instead accept a donation for their services. That donation goes to four charities: Blythswood Care, EMMS International, MAF and Signpost International. These are four Scottish, Christian charities that have a shared vision to see the lives of people in need touched and transformed across the world.
If you are interested in making or amending your will as part of the campaign, for more information take a leaflet as you leave church, or visit willreliefscotland.org, the Will Relief Scotland Facebook page or phone Mairi who is co-ordinating the campaign on 01349 830777.
CONGREGATIONAL PILGRIMAGE – 11 SEPTEMBER You are warmly invited to be take part in a one-day congregational pilgrimage on Saturday 11 September, walking from North Queensferry to Dunfermline Abbey, the first leg of the Fife Pilgrim Way to St Andrews. The full distance is 8.5 miles, but a smaller section is possible of around 3 miles from North Queensferry to Inverkeithing with a train then to Dunfermline, as is simply joining at the Abbey for worship, food and fellowship. All ages and stages are welcome, as would be friends from outwith Mayfield Salisbury. If you would like to register now to be a part of the day, please mail David Booth of the Fellowship Committee, indicating too whether you would anticipate walking the full distance, or the shorter three-mile stretch, or joining at the Abbey without walking –
SUPPORT MAYFIELD SALISBURY CHURCH Regular and one-off donations, now possible through: www.give.net/20311853
Books for the Journey
Steve Aisthorpe, Re-Wilding the Church (2020)
Richard Frazer, Travels With a Stick: A Pilgrim's Journey to Santiago de Compostela (2019)
Walter Brueggemann, Virus as a Summons to Faith (2020)
Forthcoming Deadlines
Order of service for next week: Thursday at 6.00pm.
Next Grapevine: Friday 27 August at 6.00pm.
Please send submissions to the Church Manager, William Mearns.
Phone: 0780 801 1234 or email:
Copyright Notices
Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church holds a CCLI Streaming License: #88916
Some images from Pixabay / MotionWorship under licence.
Social Media
www.facebook.com/MayfieldSalisbury
www.youtube.com/user/MayfieldSalisbChurch
www.flickr.com/photos/98063709@N06/
Scottish Charity Number SC000785
