St Edburg's Church - Bicester

Collect of the Day

Almighty God,
you have knit together your elect
in one communion and fellowship
  in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord:
grant us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living
that we may come to those inexpressible joys
that you have prepared for those who truly love you;
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 for eve

 

First Reading

Daniel 7.1–3, 15–18

7In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream:2I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, 3and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.

15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. 16I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: 17‘As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. 18But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever—for ever and ever.’

 

Psalm

Psalm 149  

1  Alleluia.
     O sing to the Lord a new song; ♦︎
  sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.
2  Let Israel rejoice in their maker; ♦︎
  let the children of Zion be joyful in their king.
3  Let them praise his name in the dance; ♦︎
  let them sing praise to him with timbrel and lyre.
4  For the Lord has pleasure in his people ♦︎
  and adorns the poor with salvation.
5  Let the faithful be joyful in glory; ♦︎
  let them rejoice in their ranks,
6  With the praises of God in their mouths ♦︎
  and a two-edged sword in their hands;
7  To execute vengeance on the nations ♦︎
  and punishment on the peoples;
8  To bind their kings in chains ♦︎
  and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9  To execute on them the judgement decreed: ♦︎
  such honour have all his faithful servants.
     Alleluia.

 

Second Reading

Ephesians 1.11–23

11In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

 

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Gospel

Luke 6.20–31

20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
  for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
  for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
  for you will laugh.

22 ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
24 ‘But woe to you who are rich,
  for you have received your consolation.
25 ‘Woe to you who are full now,
  for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
  for you will mourn and weep.

26 ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

27 ‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

 

Post Communion Prayer

God, the source of all holiness and giver of all good things:

may we who have shared at this table

as strangers and pilgrims here on earth

be welcomed with all your saints

to the heavenly feast on the day of your kingdom;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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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. nrsvbibles.org.

The Common Worship psalter is © The Archbishops’ Council of the Church