15th Sunday after Pentecost service from St Paul's Cathedral Sale
September 4th, 2021
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Greetings on this 15th Sunday after Pentecost, and a very happy Fathers’ Day to those of a paternal disposition!
In this pre-recorded Eucharist from St Paul’s Cathedral I am joined in the sanctuary by The Revd David Perryman, Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Avon and Chaplain to the Bishop, who reads and reflects on the Scriptures for us – a ministry of the word that speaks into the conflict weighing on our hearts as we continue to uphold Afghanistan and its peoples, among other places where there is division and suffering as a result of human strife or natural disaster.
Behind the camera is one of our consistent ‘broadcasting five’ (as required by the current restrictions), Christine Morris, and the Registrar has kindly smoothed out the transitions for us to bring you this edited offering.
We are yet to learn, of course, whether parts of regional Victoria will be free to gather for worship next weekend, mindful of those in Cardinia Shire and metropolitan Melbourne who face a longer wait to resume that privilege. In any event, we will continue to prepare these services for distribution and for the diocesan website in the hope that they are helpful for you and others during this uncertain period.
Even as the rain sets in again, the welcome burst of Spring sunshine across the region last week serves as a reminder that the One who knows us completely and loves us utterly is ever calling us – along with the whole creation – into fulness of life.
May the blessings of this ‘season of creation’ be yours. +Richard
A prayer for Spiritual Communion (at the point of distribution of the Sacrament):
O Lord Jesus Christ, through your tender mercy grant that as the hem of your garment, touched in faith, healed the woman who could not touch your body, so the soul of this your servant may be healed by like faith in you, whom I cannot now sacramentally receive. In union with the faithful at every altar-table in your Church I desire to be united with you, and pray that you will come spiritually into my heart. Let nothing ever separate me from your love, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.