MP25MAY26

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:01]Good morning. Sorry to be a few minutes late this morning and I haven't even lit my candle yet.

[00:00:09]Running a tad late but here we are.

[00:00:15]Good morning. We have two people to commemorate uh today. Uh one is the venerable bead a monk at Jerro a scholar and historian. His year is 735.

[00:00:28]His is a lesser festival. And then there is Old Helm, Bishop of Sherborn. And his his year is 709.

[00:00:36]And that is a commemoration.

[00:00:38]As I said, I'm running late. I haven't had me coffee yet.

[00:00:44]And as I told you before, I'm not worth a thing before coffee.

[00:00:50]So, let us come before God, calm our thoughts, and still our minds as we prepare to worship him.

[00:00:58]The Lord open open Oh Lord, open our lips and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

[00:01:04]Blessed are you, sovereign God, creator of all. To you be glory and praise forever. You founded the earth in the beginning and the heavens are the work of your hands. In the fullness of time, you made us in your image. And in those la these last days, you have spoken to us in your son Jesus Christ, the word made flesh.

[00:01:24]As we rejoice in the gift of your presence among us, let the light of your love always shine in our hearts. Your spirit ever renew our lives and your praises ever be on our lips. Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

[00:01:39]Blessed be God forever.

[00:01:44]A song of God's compassion.

[00:01:49]The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness. He will not always accuse us, neither will he keep his anger forever.

[00:01:59]He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his mercy upon those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he set our sins from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so is the Lord merciful towards those who fear him.

[00:02:23]For he knows of what we are made. He remembers that we are but dust. Our days are but as grass. We flourish as a flower of the field. For as soon as the word the wind goes over it, it is gone.

[00:02:37]And its place shall know it no more. But the merciful goodness of the Lord is from of old and endures forever on those who fear him. and his righteousness on children's children, on those who keep his covenant and remember his commandment commandments to do them.

[00:02:55]And so, 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.

[00:03:11]The night has passed, and the day lies open before us.

[00:03:16]and a very warm, bright, sunny one it looks to be. So let us pray with one heart and mind.

[00:03:31]And as we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, oh God, set our hearts on fire with love for you now and forever. Amen.

[00:03:48]We have not one, not two, not three, but four psalms this morning, starting with Psalm number 123.

[00:03:59]The refrain, our eyes wait upon the Lord our God. Our eyes wait upon the Lord our God. To you I lift up my eyes to you that are enthroned in the heavens. As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, or the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress. So our eyes wait upon the Lord our God until he has have mercy upon us. Our eyes wait upon the Lord our God.

[00:04:28]Have mercy upon us, oh Lord. Have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of the arrogant and of the contempt of the of the proud. Our eyes wait upon the Lord our God.

[00:04:45]And the prayer for Psalm 123. Sovereign God enthroned in the heavens, look upon us with your eyes of mercy as we look as you look on you with humility and love and fill our souls with your peace through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[00:05:01]We move on to Psalm 124.

[00:05:07]The refrain, our help is in the name of the Lord.

[00:05:12]Our help is in the name of the Lord. If the Lord himself had not been on our side, may now may Israel say, if the Lord had not been on our side when enemies rose up against us, then would they have swallowed us alive when their anger burned against us. Then would the waters have overwhelmed us and the torrent gone over our soul, over our soul would have swept the raging waters.

[00:05:37]Our help is in the name of the Lord.

[00:05:41]But blessed be the Lord who has not given us over to be a prey for for their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowler. The snare is broken and we are delivered. Our help is in the name of the Lord who made has made heaven and earth.

[00:06:00]Our help is in the name of the Lord.

[00:06:03]And the prayer, oh God, maker of heaven and earth, you save us in the water of baptism and by the suffering of your son, you set us free. Help us to put our trust in the victory, his victory, and to know the salvation won for us by Jesus Christ our Lord.

[00:06:21]Psalm 125 and the refrain for this one. Glorious things are spoken of you Zion city of our God.

[00:06:44]Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but stands fast forever.

[00:06:51]As the hills stand about Jerusalem, so the Lord stands around stand around about his people from this time forth forever more. The scepter of wickedness shall not hold sway over the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous turn their hands to evil.

[00:07:07]Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are true of heart.

[00:07:12]Those who turn aside to crooked ways, the Lord shall take away with the evildoers. But let there be peace upon Israel.

[00:07:20]Glorious things are spoken of you, Zion, city of our God.

[00:07:25]And we pray, God of power, you are strong to save and you never fail those who trust in you.

[00:07:32]Keep us under your protection and spread abroad your reign of peace through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[00:07:42]And finally, Psalm number 126, the refrain, "The Lord has indeed done great things for us."

[00:07:53]The Lord has indeed done great things for us. When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were were we like those who dream.

[00:08:04]Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with songs of joy. Then said they among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has indeed done great things for us, and therefore we rejoice. The Lord has done indeed done great things for us. Restore again our fortunes, O Lord, as the river beds of the desert. Those who sew in tears shall reap in with songs of joy. And those who go out weeping, bearing the seed, will come back with shouts of joy, bearing the sheep with them.

[00:08:37]The Lord has indeed done great things for us.

[00:08:42]And we pray, Lord, as you send rain and flowers even to the wilderness, renew us by your Holy Spirit. Help us to sew good seed in time of adversity and to live to rejoice in your good harvest of all creation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[00:09:01]And so, 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.

[00:09:11]We have a uh a different book today uh for our Old Testament lesson. It is in fact the book of the prophet Joshua. And we have got the whole of chapter 1.

[00:09:31]After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, the Lord spoke to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying, "My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all his people, into the land that I am going to going to giving to them to the Israelites. Every place that the soul of your foot will tread upon, I have given to you as I promised to Moses.

[00:09:56]From the wilderness and the Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hazites to the great sea in the west shall be your territory. No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with the law that my servant Moses commanded you. You do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go.

[00:10:42]The book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth.

[00:10:48]You shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you, be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or destroyed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

[00:11:12]Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, "Pass through the camp and command the people, prepare your provisions, for in three days you are to cross over the Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God gives you to possess."

[00:11:30]to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh. Joshua said, "Remember the word that Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you, saying, "The Lord your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you the land.

[00:11:46]Your wives, your little ones, your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan. But all the warriors among you shall cross over armed before your kindred and shall help them until the Lord gives rest to your kindred as well as to you. And they too take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land and take possession of it, the land that Moses, the servant of the Lord, gave you beyond the Jordan to the east.

[00:12:19]They answered Joshua, "All that you have commanded us, we will do. And wherever you send us, we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you. As he was with Moses.

[00:12:38]Whoever rebelss against your orders and disobys your word, your words, whatever you command, shall be put to death. only be strong and courageous.

[00:12:51]That last bit doesn't quite chime with the way that they uh continually complain to Moses as they were coming to the we wilderness, but that's folk for you.

[00:13:03]A song of deliverance.

[00:13:05]All the earth shout and sing for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One.

[00:13:10]Behold, God is my salvation. And I will trust and I will not be afraid. For the Lord God is my strength and my song and has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. On that day you will say, "Give thanks to the Lord. Call upon his name. Make known his deeds among the nations. Proclaim that his name is exalted.

[00:13:33]Sing God's praises who has triumphed gloriously. Let this be known to all the world. Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion. For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

[00:13:46]And so, 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.

[00:13:55]All the earth, shout and sing for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One.

[00:14:02]We are continuing through the Gospel according to St. Luke. And we have the middle verses of chapter 9.

[00:14:12]Once when Jesus was praying alone with only the disciples next near him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They answered, "John the Baptist, but others Elijah and still others that one of the ancient prophets has risen."

[00:14:28]He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God."

[00:14:35]He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."

[00:14:48]Then he said to them, "All, if any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those whose life who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them that they gain the whole world but lose or forfeit themselves?

[00:15:11]Those who are ashamed of me and of my work, of them, the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the Holy Angels. But truly I tell you, there are none standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.

[00:15:32]And so we arrive at our responsory.

[00:15:36]Trust in the Lord with all your heart and be not wise in your own sight. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and be not wise in your own sight. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

[00:15:51]Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and be not wise in your own sight.

[00:16:00]The Benedictus, the song of Zechariah.

[00:16:08]Those they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as an eagle.

[00:16:15]Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets, God promised of old to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us, to show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. And you child shall be called the prophet of the most high. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his way. To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us to shine on those who dwell in darkness in the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace. And so, 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.

[00:17:15]Amen. They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as an eagle.

[00:17:26]And so we arrive at our time for intercession.

[00:17:29]And as I mentioned at the beginning, we have two people to commemorate today.

[00:17:32]The first is the venerable bead.

[00:17:36]He was an English monk, a scholar and historian who lived during the seventh and 8th centuries. He was born in North Umbrea around 673.

[00:17:45]He spent most of his life at the monasteries of Weirmouth and Jerro.

[00:17:51]He wrote extensively about theology, science, poetry, and history.

[00:17:59]But he's best known for his ecclesiastical history of the English people.

[00:18:04]This influential work helped preserve early English history and earned him the title father of English history.

[00:18:12]bead was admired for his careful scholarship and clear writing. He was later declared a doctor of the church by the Catholic Church in 1899.

[00:18:22]So that's the venerable bead. We also have to commemorate Old Helm, Bishop of Sherborn. Old Helm was an Anglo-Saxon scholar, poet and church leader who lived during the seventh and 8th centuries.

[00:18:35]He was around the same time as be born around 639.

[00:18:40]uh he became the first bishop of Sherbornne and played an important role in spreading Christianity in Wessex.

[00:18:48]Oldm was educated at Marmsbury and at Canterbury where he developed a strong reputation for learning. He wrote Latin poetry, letters and religious works admired throughout medieval Europe.

[00:19:01]As abbot of nonspy, he improved education and monastic life. Oldh helm was known for combining classical learning with Christian teaching. He died in 709 and was later honored as a saint in England. So there we go. Old Helm, Bishop of Sherborn and the venerable bead. And so now we move on to our time of prayer.

[00:19:25]So let's once again steal our thoughts and calm our minds as we prepare to come before the throne of God.

[00:19:34]Gracious and loving God, as this day unfolds and as this week unfolds before us, we place into your hands all its duties, challenges, hopes, and opportunities.

[00:19:46]Guide our thoughts, our words, and our actions that everything we do may be marked by wisdom, kindness, patience, and integrity.

[00:19:56]We pray that you will strengthen those who rise early to labor, those who care for others, those who teach, protect, heal, and serve, and all whose daily work sustains the life of the world.

[00:20:09]When tasks seem heavy or endless, grant perseverance.

[00:20:14]When decisions are difficult, grant clarity.

[00:20:18]And when we grow weary, renew us with your peace.

[00:20:26]Merciful Father, we pray for the needs of the world.

[00:20:30]We pray that you will look with mercy upon places troubled by war, by violence, by hunger, by poverty, and by injustice.

[00:20:38]We pray that you will comfort the suffering, shelter the displaced, heal the sick, and uphold all who feel forgotten or abandoned.

[00:20:47]We pray that you will inspire the leaders of nations to seek peace over conflict and compassion over power.

[00:20:55]We pray that you will teach all peoples to value one another as neighbors and fellow children of your creation.

[00:21:02]And may generosity overcome greed, truth overcome falsehood, and hope shine in places of despair.

[00:21:13]Father God, we pray for your church throughout the world. We pray that you will strengthen bishops, priests, deacons, ministers, missionaries, and all who proclaim the gospel.

[00:21:24]We pray that you will bless congregations in their worship, service, and witness.

[00:21:29]And where the church is divided, we pray that you will bring unity. Where it is fearful, we pray that you will bring courage.

[00:21:37]Where it is weary, we pray that you will bring renewal.

[00:21:41]We pray that you will help your people to reflect the love of Christ in humility and faithfulness, serving not themselves but the needs of others. And may the church be a place of welcome, healing, and reconciliation for all who seek you.

[00:22:01]Father in heaven, we pray for those who work in the media and the arts.

[00:22:06]We pray that you will bless bless all writers, journalists, musicians, actors, painters, broadcasters, filmmakers, and all who communicate ideas and shape culture.

[00:22:18]We pray that you will grant them honesty, imagination, and wisdom so that their work may enrich society, reveal truth, and inspire beauty and understanding.

[00:22:30]We pray that you will guard the media from distortion and cruelty and help all forms of communication to encourage justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity.

[00:22:47]Father God, we remember farmers and fishes and all who work close to the land and the sea.

[00:22:53]bless their labor and protect them from in times of hardship, poor harvest, dangerous weather, and uncertainty.

[00:23:04]We give thanks for the food they provide and for the care that they show toward creation.

[00:23:12]We pray that you will teach us all to use the earth's resources responsibly and thankfully.

[00:23:21]God in heaven, we pray for those involved in commerce and industry, for employers and employees, for inventors, builders, drivers, shopkeepers, and all whose work keeps communities functioning.

[00:23:34]We pray that you will grant fairness in business, dignity in labor, and wisdom in leadership. We pray that you will protect those whose occupations are stressful, exhausting, or dangerous.

[00:23:46]We pray that you will strengthen emergency workers, medical staff, factory workers, transport workers, and all who daily face risk or pressure.

[00:24:00]Father God, we pray for those who are unemployed or struggling to find purpose and security.

[00:24:07]We pray that you will comfort those burdened by anxiety.

[00:24:21]and disappointment or loss of confidence. We pray that you will open new opportunities before them, surround them with encouragement, and remind them that their of their worth and dignity. May no one feel abandoned or without hope.

[00:24:37]We pray for those who are ill either at home or in hospital.

[00:24:42]We pray for those who must undergo surgery in the coming weeks.

[00:24:53]We pray for your presence with them, comforting them, supporting them, and guiding them.

[00:25:03]And finally, Father, we pray for ourselves as we go forward into another week. We pray for your presence with us, guiding us, showing us the way you want us to live.

[00:25:14]And we ask all these things in the name of your son, our savior Jesus Christ. So Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

[00:25:24]And the collect for today.

[00:25:27]God our maker whose son Jesus Christ gave to your servant bead grace to think to drink in with joy the word that leads us to know you and love you in your goodness. Grant that we also may come at length to you the source of all wisdom and stand before your face through Jesus Christ your son our Lord who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit one God now and forever.

[00:25:53]Amen.

[00:25:57]Let us pray with confidence as our savior has taught us. 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 forever and ever.

[00:26:21]Amen.

[00:26:23]The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil and keep us in eternal life.

[00:26:28]Amen. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Indeed, thanks be to God and thanks to you for joining me this morning. That is my shift for this week over. I shall be back at uh 9:00 next Saturday morning and uh look forward to you joining me then and uh if I don't see you during the week. So, until Saturday, the later time 9:00. Bye for now.