Welcome to this Service of Worship
Third Sunday of Easter
23 April 2023 at 10.45am
Led by Revd Helen Alexander
with the congregation in the sanctuary and online
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WELCOME! This congregation is part of the Church of Scotland: we are
Reformed in our understanding of Christian faith, Presbyterian in how we
form our community, and a member of the worldwide family of the
Christian Church. Whether you are in regular attendance at worship or this
is one of your first visits, you are very welcome as part of this community
and today’s service of worship. God bless you. If you would like to keep in
touch, please complete the Connection Card on the back page or email
AS A DIVERSE PEOPLE, THE CHURCH
GATHERS TO WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD
Organ Voluntary
Welcome
Moment for Mission
Miriam Coutts CrossReach Perinatal Services
The Grace
Preparatory Silence for Worship
Introit: Abendlied
Words: St Luke 24:29
Music: Josef Rheinberger (1839 -1901)
Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden,
und der Tag hat sich geneiget.
[Bide with us, for evening shadows darken,
and the day will soon be over]
Call to Worship
From Psalm 118
Minister: O give thanks to the Lord for he is good;
All: his steadfast love endures for ever!
Minister: This is the day that the Lord has made;
All: let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Minister: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
All: we bless you from the house of the LORD.
Minister: O give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
All: for his steadfast love endures for ever.
Hymn 412 The strife is o’er
(t. Vulpius)
Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the
power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Hymn 424 - Blest be the everlasting God
(t. Bishopthorpe)
Reading Isaiah 51: 1 - 6
Read by Diana Tudhope (NT p.691)
Blessings in Store for God’s People 51 Listen to me, you that pursue
righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you
were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. 2 Look to
Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I
called him, but I blessed him and made him many. 3 For the Lord will
comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her
wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and
gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.
4 Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching
will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. 5 I will bring
near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will
rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me,and for my arm they hope. 6
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the
heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and
those who live on it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be for ever,and
my deliverance will never be ended.
Anthem O for a closer walk with God
Words: W Cowper (1731 – 1800)
Music: arranged Charles Villiers Stanford (1852 - 1924)
O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!
Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast.
So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
Reading St Luke 24: 13 - 35
Read by Diana Tudhope (NT p.86)
The Walk to Emmaus
13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called
Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other
about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and
discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes
were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, ‘What are you
discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking
sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are
you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have
taken place there in these days?’ 19 He asked them, ‘What things?’ They
replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in
deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests
and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.
21 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.
22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the
tomb early this morning, 23 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. 24 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.’
25 Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart
to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that
the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ 27
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them
the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked
ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay
with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he
went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took
bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were
opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32
They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us[f] while he
was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’
33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found
the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying,
‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ 35 Then they
told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known
to them in the breaking of the bread.
Reader: For the Word of God revealed through Scripture.
ALL: Thanks be to God
Hymn 662 - Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts
(t. St Agnes (Dykes) 560)
Sermon
Revd Helen Alexander
Hymn 404 I danced in the morning
(t. Lord of the dance) Omit v3
Prayer for Others
Hymn 642 Ye that know the Lord is gracious
(t. Abbot’s Leigh)
Closing Responses
Minister: Go forth in the freedom and light of God through
the grace of Lord Jesus Christ.
All: In the grace of the Holy Spirit of God we go to
love and serve the Lord.
Benediction
Threefold Amen
Organ Voluntary
THIS MORNING’S CHOIR MUSIC
Josef Rheinberger, born in Lichtenstein, spent most of his life in Germany ,
latterly in a senior post at the Munich Conservatorium. He is best known for
his organ compositions. “Abendlied” (Evensong”) the third of a set of three
anthems opus 69 is probably the best known of his vocal or choral
compositions. This magical setting of the invitation by Cleopas to the then
unrecognized risen Christ on the road to Emmaus, makes full use of the six
vocal parts in which it is set, providing a richness of sound to carry the
melodic line of the piece.
Stanford’s anthem is based on a tune from the Scottish Psalter of 1633.
After a lilting introduction, and which reappears throughout the piece, the
sopranos sing the principal tune. The second verse is a variation of it set
first for the lower voices but with the whole choir joining later. The final
verse is a more elaborate version of the main theme rising to a climax
before a calm conclusion.
NEWS AND INTIMATIONS
1. YOUTH GROUP TONIGHT: 23 April (All those who are P6 to S6 aged
welcome). 'Design your own pizza and film night’ from 6.15pm to 8.15pm.
Meeting in the Youth Room in Church House.
2. OPEN TO ALL Coffee and tea will be served in the Bill McDonald Hall
at the close of the Sunday services. Everyone is very welcome.
3. ANNUAL LEAVE AND PASTORAL COVER Our Minister, Sandy, will be
on annual leave until tomorrow, Monday 24 April. Whilst Sandy is away,
contact Anne Mulligan in relation to pastoral issues. Revd Donald Scott
from Priestfield has kindly agreed to provide cover for any serious issues
that arise.
4. CROSSREACH PERINATAL SERVICES Today we are having a bucket
collection for CrossReach perinatal services at the end of the 9.30 and 10.45
services. CrossReach PNS provide vital support to families expecting a
baby and those with small children - this includes counselling, infant
massage, creche facilities and more. Gift aid envelopes are on the pews.
Your support would be greatly appreciated. If you would prefer to give
online then please visit the Crossreach website here:
www.crossreach.org.uk page and click the purple “Donate” button at the top
right of the page. These routes take you to a Just Giving page which is for
general CrossReach donations but there is a box in which you can “Add a
message of support” and please would you type in there that the donation
is for Perinatal Services (or PNS) which will ensure funds are routed to PNS.
Please note that Just Giving automatically adds a platform fee but this can
be changed to zero if preferred (with no reduction in the amount that is
then routed to PNS). There is also the opportunity to gift aid your
donation.
5. ARRIVAL OF NEW CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT WORKER We’re
delighted to announce that Bettina Hather will be joining Mayfield
Salisbury as our new Children and Young Adult Worker, starting on 3 May.
Bettina will be employed initially until the end of 2023, up to the time of
the new union. She brings much experience and skill in Christian youth
work, and is currently employed in a similar role at Gorgie Dalry Stenhouse
Church of Scotland. We’re very much looking forward to her starting work
and getting to know everyone.
6. THURSDAY CLUB The Thursday Club resumes on 27 April at 2.00pm in
the Bill McDonald Hall. The club will be visited by Susan Wooding &
George Ross who will perform a piano recital with a sing-a-long.
Refreshments follow. All welcome.
7. UPCOMING CONGREGATIONAL PILGRIMAGE WALKS
All are welcome for the next two walks on the Forth to FarneWay, which are:
• Monday 8 May 2023
Circular walk from Coldingham Priory, via St Abbs’ Lighthouse (c. 7miles)
• Saturday 10 June 2023
Beal Farm Cafe to Lindisfarne (approx. 5miles)
Please sign up for the May walk by emailing Pamela Molyneaux
friends at Traprain Parish Churches in East Lothian, and locally at Priestfield
and Craigmillar Park. Additionally, the walking group at the Traprain
Churches have a pilgrimage walk from Athelstaneford Church to
Prestonkirk Church (approx. 5 miles) in the morning of Saturday 13 May,
and have invited us to join. If you would like to do so, contact Pamela for
more information or to register.
8. PASTORAL CARE - MATTERS Anne Mulligan is the principal contact
point for pastoral matters now that Kay has departed, until such time as a
replacement is appointed for Kay. The contact details remain the same as
before -
contact Anne if you have any pastoral issues or concerns and/or if you wish
anyone to be remembered in the confidential prayer chain or wish to be
added to the email circulation list.
9. STATED ANNUAL MEETING I duly give notice that the Stated Annual
Meeting of Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church will be held at 12:15 pm after
the 10:45 service Sunday 30 April. The meeting is open to all members and
adherents of the congregation. The purpose of the meeting is to receive
the Annual Report and Accounts which will be available shortly on the
website. Summary papers will be available next Sunday and at the
meeting. This provides an opportunity to ask questions about the papers of
the Minister and office bearers. I invite you to come along.
10. GIVING – QR CODE Our Quick Response code is a handy way of
using your smart ‘phone or tablet’s QR app to link you to our Giving Page.
Once you have joined the Giving Page safeguards are still operative.
PLATES: Those who would have wished to use it may make use of the
offering plates situated in the vestibule and halls entrance, at the close of
the service. Regular and one-off donations are possible online at
www.give.net/20311853 (scan the QR code) or please contact our Freewill
Offerings Treasurer, Hugh Somerville on 0131 466 2446 or
11. EDINBURGH NEWMAN ASSOCIATION I am writing to invite you to the
next meeting of the Edinburgh Newman Association which is on Thursday
evening April 27th at 7.30pm --- until 9.30pm approximately. Our guest
speaker will be the renowned Irish theologian and author, Fr. Gerry
O'Hanlon SJ. Fr. Gerry was Provincial of the Irish Jesuits from 1998 to 2004.
He is the author of several books often on the themes of social theology
and church renewal. He was last in Edinburgh in 2019 following the
publication of his book " The Quiet Revolution of Pope Francis-Towards a
Synodal Model of church" and that was the theme of his talk then.His
theme on April 27th will be " The Synodal Pathway, where are we at now".
Fr. Gerry has been one of the prime movers in the incredibly positive
response there has been to the Synod in Ireland and he will be a very
interesting speaker on this subject.
The meeting is at our usual venue, Mayfield Salisbury Church Hall, 18 West
Mayfield, Edinburgh EH9 1TQ The Association would like to extend a warm
invitation to all who would wish to attend. Please do feel free to also
convey this invitation to anyone you feel would be interested. There is no
admission fee but a donation--£5 -- to help cover the costs of the evening
would be welcome.
Forthcoming Deadlines
Order of service for next week: Thursday at 6.00pm
Next parish magazine Grapevine: Friday 28 April at 6.00pm
Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church holds a CCLI Streaming License: #88916
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WELCOME! We are glad to see you worship with us today and hope to
see you again soon. We would love to get to know you better! Please
complete this form and place it in the offering plates at the doors or
pass to one of the Welcomers.
Name: ________________________________________________________
Contact: ______________________________________________________
I would like to receive from the church:
A phone call/email from the Minister/ Pastoral Assistant
Information on house groups and ways of getting involved
Weekly news emails Monthly parish magazines
www.mayfieldsalisbury.org
Scottish Charity Number SC000785
www.give.net/20311853