A beautiful autumnal morning and a very large congregation had gathered at St. Mary's for the morning Eucharist - the 13th Sunday after Trinity.
Canon David Jenkins extended a warm welcome to all and advised them of the forthcoming events. The processional hymn was 'Son of God, eternal Saviour.' This was followed by the morning's readings. Mrs. Alison Cale read from the Book of Micah and from Apostle James. The first reading states that the Lord requires no material gifts from us, all he requires of us is to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God. The Apostle James urges us to be doers of the word and not hearers only.
The readings were followed by Psalm 51 and by Rev. David Hammon reading from the Apostle Luke. Luke relates the parable of two men entering a temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee prayed on his own extolling his own virtues. The Tax collector with his head bowed and asked for forgiveness.
Canon David Jenkins, who took as his topic the morning's readings, gave the sermon. He stated that religion binds us to God and the basic ingredient - love, binds everything.
In the parable, the Pharisee went to pray in an insular fashion and listing all his supposed virtues. The tax collector prayed with humility, saying 'God, be merciful to me a sinner.' Luke tells us 'he who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.'
Canon David asked that we not sink ourselves in pride, but ask for forgiveness and we will be forgiven. Ask for God's mercy and when we say it, let us mean it.
Mrs. Glynis James led us in a wonderful, thoughtful prayer. The offertory hymn was 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind.'
Canon David, helped by Bishop Dewi Bridges and Rev. Hammon, led the communion at both altars. He welcomed all present to join with him in communion with our living Lord. During Communion, the choir sang the motet 'Lord for thy tender mercy's sake' by Richard Farrant. The final hymn was 'All for Jesus, all for Jesus.' This Sunday, September 17, there will be a Service of Thanksgiving for the Battle of Britain at 3 pm in St. Mary's.
On September 24, Harvest Thanksgiving begins: Penally - September 24 at 9.30 am; Gumfreston - September 24 at 3 pm; St. Julian's Harbour - September 27 at 7 pm; St. Mary's - October 1 at 8 am, 10 am and 6 pm; New Hedges - October 6 at 7 pm.