大象传媒

VERY REVEREND KELVIN HOLDSWORTH

Good morning and welcome to St Mary鈥檚.

Our congregation this morning includes a group of people sitting in front of me who look as though they are eager to be off and get on with their day. Alongside them there are backpacks and suitcases, daysacks and other assorted baggage.

I can see at least one pair of walking boots and before we began someone was showing me their route on a map they鈥檇 called up on a smart phone.

Each of them is wearing a badge that bears their name and an intertwining Celtic cross.

CANON MISSIONER AUDREY O'BRIEN STEWART

This congregation tries every week to find the open, inclusive and welcoming love of God at the heart of the city. Today though, a group of pilgrims are travelling from here to go north to Iona where they will spend a week at Bishops鈥� House, meeting the same God in the pure clear air and within the sound of the wild waves of that holy island.

In our service this morning we will bless our pilgrims as they begin their journey together and we鈥檒l hear something of the God who meets us, usually unexpectedly, somewhere along the road.

And there seems no better way to begin than to sing together John Bunyan鈥檚 great hymn of pilgrimage 鈥� Who would true valour see.

OPENING HYMN听听听听听听听 Who would true valour see (Monks Gate)

Words: John Bunyan

Music: English trad adapted by Ralph Vaughan Williams

听

1.Who would true valour see,听
Let him come hither;听
One here will constant be,听
Come wind, come weather;听
There鈥檚 no discouragement听
Shall make him once relent听
His first avowed intent听
To be a pilgrim.

听

2. Whoso beset him round听
With dismal stories听
Do but themselves confound;听
His strength the more is,听
No lion can him fright;听
He鈥檒l with a giant fight;听
But he will have a right听
To be a pilgrim.

3. Hobgoblin nor foul fiend听
Can daunt his spirit;听
He knows he at the end听
Shall life inherit,听
Then fancies fly away,听
He鈥檒l fear not what men say;听
He鈥檒l labour night and day听
To be a pilgrim.

KELVIN

Let us pray.

Eternal God, you abide with us
wherever we rest on our journey through life.
Be with us now as we enjoy your company
as we worship together this day.
We pray in the power of your spirit
and the name of your Son
Jesus Christ our Lord.

ALL听听Amen

AUDREY

Nothing can separate us from the love of God 鈥� neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor anything in all creation 鈥� yes,听 not even hobgoblins can daunt the spirit of those who seek God!

And people do go seeking, people travel to places like Iona all the time looking for inspiration, hope and answers to life鈥檚 questions. We鈥檙e now going to hear some words written by someone who for a number of years welcomed those same pilgrims to Iona. Peter Millar served as Warden of Iona Abbey and these words of hope that Kelvin will read are Peter鈥檚 reflection on that experience.

KELVIN

鈥淎 place of hope鈥�, they say:

and in their thousands

they journey, year by year ... (Copyright material)

AUDREY

Sometimes the journey is hard and we look to God for strength and healing as we travel. In our first reading this morning, we hear the writer to the Hebrews encouraging those who first heard the words to look to God whenever they felt disheartened.

BRIAN:

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

听Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

You have not come to something听 that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. (For they could not endure the order that was given, 鈥業f even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.鈥� Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, 鈥業 tremble with fear.鈥�) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all.

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

AUDREY:

Our gospel reading for this morning is one that we more commonly hear at Eastertide as it is set on the evening of the first Easter Day. But every day is Easter Day in our hearts and this is a story that won鈥檛 be tied down to one day of the year 鈥� for Christ meets us on many roads.

NARRATOR (Pamela): A reading from the twenty-fourth chapter of the gospel of Luke

All: Glory to Christ our Saviour

NARRATOR: Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles听from Jerusalem,听and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.听While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,听but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.听And he said to them,听

JESUS (Taylor): 鈥榃hat are you discussing with each other while you walk along?鈥櫶�

NARRATOR: They stood still, looking sad.听Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him,

CLEOPAS (Brian): 鈥楢re you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?鈥�

JESUS: 鈥榃hat things?鈥櫶�

CLEOPAS: 鈥楾he things about Jesus of Nazareth,听who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,听and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.听But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.听Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning,听and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive.听Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.听

JESUS: 听鈥極h, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!听Was it not necessary that the Messiah听should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?鈥櫶�听

NARRATOR: Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

KELVIN

We will pick up the story of the travellers on the road to Emmaus in a moment or two. But first let us think about what people do on pilgrimage journeys.

They tell stories to one another, they tell jokes and usually talk about their blisters. But for as long as pilgrims have made holy journeys, they have sung songs to keep their spirits up on the way, and especially they have sung from the psalms. Our psalm this morning is one I sang in my own childhood growing up in Leeds and Clydebank 鈥� words inspired by Psalm 121 by Ernest Rance. Ideal words for any pilgrim 鈥� To the hills I lift my eyes.

CHOIR + ORGAN

PSALM 121

听

To the hills I lift my eyes (Ernest Rance)

AUDREY

So, let us rejoin our travellers on their pilgrimage from Jerusalem that first Easter Day.

NARRATOR: Reading 鈥� Luke 24:28-35a

As they came near the village to which they were going, Jesus walked ahead as if he were going on.听But they urged him strongly, saying, 鈥楽tay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.鈥� So he went in to stay with them.听When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.听Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.

They said:

CLEOPAS: 听鈥榃ere not our hearts burning within us听while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?鈥�

NARRATOR: That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together.听They were saying, 鈥楾he Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!鈥櫶齌hen they told what had happened on the road.

Give thanks to the Lord for his glorious gospel.

ALL:听 Praise to Christ our Lord.

SERMON

The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth

I was recently travelling in Malta and its northern sister island of Gozo. As I drove into the little village that I was due to stay in, I quickly realised that something was up. Elaborate drapes had been hung up from every lamp-post, there were brightly painted religious statues dotted about the village square and the local church was bedecked in lightbulbs which as I was to see later would light up not only the church but the whole of the village in every shade of blue. There was no-doubt that something was going on.

When I arrived at my B and B I asked what was happening and was told 鈥� don鈥檛 worry, it is just a religious festival, it won鈥檛 disturb you. You can still be on holiday, just take no notice and the religious people won鈥檛 bother you at all.

Well-meaning though this was, it was probably addressed to the wrong person.

As the evening drew on I chased back up to the village square on hearing the bells of the parish ring out to find that people were packing themselves into the church where a glorious church service was being celebrated with an orchestra, massed choirs and clouds of incense.

Thinking everything was over for the evening at the final Amen, I made my way out into the square only to find that things were hotting up. The first of several brass bands was marching into the square and the smell of the local delicacy - deep fried rabbit and chips, competing with the incense.

The church was dedicated as this one is, to the Blessed Virgin and far from being over, the festivities were just beginning as an enormous statue of our Lady was brought out of the church and processed through the streets. Teetering along at shoulder height and accompanied by freshly fortified brass band players, she made her away though the streets of one quarter of the village. I was later to learn that she would visit all the other streets on the subsequent evenings.

The idea clearly was that the festivities were not merely about going up to the church to worship God as Mary of old had done when she made family pilgrimages with Jesus to Jerusalem. Instead this was about Mary coming to your street and sharing in celebrating the goodness of God wherever you actually lived.

Every street turned into an impromptu party wherever she went.

The journey itself was a celebration with fireworks, dancing and confetti canons.

For our travellers on the road to Emmaus, the journey that they were making was just the opposite. They were so full of grief that they didn鈥檛 even recognise the traveller who drew alongside them as the one whom they were mourning.

They did not recognise him as they walked with him.

They did not recognise him when they invited him in.

But suddenly at the meal they saw by the way that he behaved that he whom they had thought was lost was with them now forever.

As bread and wine were shared, their thanks were offered and God鈥檚 blessing sought, they suddenly found that Jesus himself was with them again.

There are many in the world today who will be unable to see that God is with them; many who will be unable to recognise that Christ draws beside them; many whose own troubles mean that they will struggle to find hope.

Yet my faith tells me that God鈥檚 first care is for those who are in the greatest need.

There鈥檚 a common joke told about many different places which has a traveller asking a local for directions; only for the local to reply 鈥� well, if that鈥檚 where you鈥檙e going to, I wouldn鈥檛 start from here.

Yet here is very obviously where we are and here is where every journey must begin.

And for some of us in St Mary鈥檚 today a real journey begins here and now with this service 鈥� a pilgrimage to Iona, a place which nearly always seems a long way away, no matter where you start.

Each pilgrim will carry baggage on their journey 鈥� not just backpacks and suitcases but the baggage of life 鈥� sorrows and cares, hopes and fears.

Our prayer today is that those who travel from here to Iona and back this week will find their sorrows turned into celebrations by what they encounter on the journey and that they will return nourished deep within and ready to share what has happened to them on their travels. For a pilgrimage doesn鈥檛 end when you arrive at your pilgrimage destination but when you return home and tell others of what you have found.

The essence of the idea of pilgrimage is that by journeying from here to there somehow we will be changed. Somehow the journey changes us.

Each of us has journeys to make this week. Some travelling on intentional religious journeys. Some undertaking frightening journeys full of uncertainty, others travelling the highways and byways of modern life wherever we find ourselves.

My prayer today is God will open our eyes to see that every journey is a pilgrimage. And that we will be enabled to see that God is with us wherever we are on our travels and whatever troubles we face.

For travel broadens the mind but pilgrimage refreshes the soul.

In our anthem this morning, the choir takes up the theme of God refreshing us and nourishing us as we journey.

However tough our journey this week 鈥� whatever sorrows we bear for ourselves and for the terrible pain we witness in the world, let us trust that we are held in the palm of God鈥檚 hand. And that gentleness and love are the true inheritance of all who journey with Jesus on the road.

CHOIR + ORGAN

ANTHEM

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Irish Blessing (Bob Chilcott)

AUDREY听听听听听听 Intro to Intercessions

As we pray, let us raise our expectations that somewhere along the road today, we will encounter God鈥檚 presence and hear the voice of God. Let us pray that wherever we travel, God will go with us as companion, guide and friend.

Let us pray.

Interspersed in the prayers is the choir singing 鈥楲ord of Life鈥�

Music: Eriskay Love Lilt, Words Catherine Walker.

READER

Eternal God,
remembering the people of Aleppo and all on the run from war and violence,
you call us to share your journey
in creating a world of justice, equity and peace.

Choir: Lord of life, we come to you ...

AUDREY

Saviour of the world,
we remember those attempting terrifying journeys across the Mediterranean.
You have come amongst us to share our earthly journey
protect and comfort those who travel in danger.

Choir: Lord of life, we come to you ...

READER

Holy Spirit of God
we remember all those who face a difficult journey through the week that is to come.

Your voice calls us on, to new tasks, to new risks of faith and obedience.

Help us to be ready to run and follow that call, all the days of our life.

Choir: Lord of life, we come to you ...

AUDREY

Creator, Saviour and Holy Spirit, on this day we remember before you lives that are ending and lives that are beginning. We hold up especially the sick, the sorrowful, the weary and the dying. 听All our journeys begin and end with you.

Give to those who have perished your eternal life and to those who mourn the grace and comfort of your holy spirit.

Choir: Lord of life, we come to you ...

Eternal God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one听

with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our
earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this
fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be
surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We
ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our
intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives
and reigns for ever and ever.
ALL: AMEN

KELVIN听听听听听听 Intro to Pilgrim Blessing

As we sing our next hymn, those who are travelling on pilgrimage from this church to Iona today will make their way to the front of the church to receive a pilgrim鈥檚 blessing as they each begin their journey north to Columba鈥檚 Isle.听

HYMN

Be thou my vision听听 (Tune: Slane)

KELVIN听听听听听听 Pilgrim Blessing

This prayer for our pilgrims comes from Scotland鈥檚 Gaelic tradition.

Let us pray:

Bless to me, O God,听 The earth beneath my foot,

Bless to me, O God,听 The path whereon I go;

Bless to me, O God,听 The thing of my desire;

Thou evermore,听 Bless Thou to me my rest.

Bless to me the thing 听Whereon is set my mind,

Bless to me the thing听 听Whereon is set my love;

Bless to me the thing听 听Whereon is set my hope;

O thou King of kings, 听Bless Thou to me mine eye!

AUDREY:

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious
favour, and further us with your continual help; that in all our
works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify
your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting
life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

ALL: AMEN

Kyrie 鈥� Spoken听

Lord have mercy upon us
ALL:听 Christ have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us.

LORD'S PRAYER 鈥� 听(AUDREY LEADS) 听 听 听 听 听

As our Saviour has taught us, so we pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,听 your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. 听Amen.

CLOSING HYMN

Guide me O thou Great Redeemer

(Cwm Rhondda)

Words: Welsh 鈥� William Williams 鈥� translated by Peter Williams and others
Music: William H. Ferguson
Cwm Rhondda 鈥� John Hughes听 arr James O鈥橠onnell]

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听KELVIN听听听 Collect and closing responses

God of our pilgrimage

give us courage on our journey
friendship in the company of others
and inspiration on every pathway.
Keep us safe in our travels
and bring us ever one more step
closer to our eternal home with you. Amen

ALL ( Kelvin leading)

God most holy,听

we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night
into the light of morning,
and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service
so that when evening comes,
we may once more give you thanks,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

ALL:听 Amen

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole

creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve
those who travel in particular those who travel from this place today;

Surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger;
and bring them in safety to their journey's end; through
Jesus Christ our Lord.

ALL: AMEN

听KELVIN + ALL

Let us bless the Lord
ALL:听 Thanks be to God

The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil;
ALL:听 and bring us to life eternal.

Amen

ORGAN VOLUNTARY

Allabreve: 听J S Bach BWV 589 听

Pub: Barenreiter 听

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