A Very Warm Welcome to All Our Visitors Today

Services and Notices

Sunday 21st February 2016

Second Sunday of Lent

A very warm welcome to all our visitors today.

Please feel free to introduce yourself to one of the clergy after the service.

Please let us know if you are new and would like to join our regular congregations or would like to know more about how we can support you in your faith.

Please, take this Pew Slip away with you so that you can refer to the notices contained in it. Please, also use it to prompt prayers for this Cathedral and all that we seek to do in God’s service.

Large print versions of the Order of Service and this notice sheet are available.

Please ask a member of Select Vestry or a Verger if you would like one.

An induction loop system is also in operation for hearing aid users.

At every Eucharist in the Cathedral gluten free wafers are available for those who need them. Please request one as you receive communion.

All hymns covered by the Christian Copyright Licensing have been reproduced under CCL Licence no 97098.

A Note from the Dean

Welcome to the Cathedral. A special welcome if you are joining us for the first time. Please, complete a Welcome Card if you would like to give us your contact details.

The Nneed to Sshare the Ggood Nnews of Christ

Dduring Lent, the Church encourages its members to to focus on their relationship with god and put things right as much as possible; removing as many obstacles to faithful living as is possible. Of course, we should be trying to do this all the time, but inspired by the account of Christ’s forty days and nights in the wilderness, we attempt to make a special effort of self-discipline.

How we live life as Christians could also be seen to relate to how we share the good news of Christ with others; by what we do, and say, and so on. During the meeting of General Synod last week, the Archbishop of Canterbury introduced a presentation from the Archbishops’ Evangelism Task Group: he shared important insights into what Evangelism is and how mainstream we should regard it as being. For a Cathedral community that appointed a Canon Evangelist last year, I thought this was encouraging. However, it still presents a timely challenge to us as individuals and as a community: not a bad thing for us to consider in a Lent when we are looking forward to the publishing of the Cathedral’s vision and strategy for future development. Here are extracts from Archbishop Justin’s address.

"The high points of the calling to serve God in His Church are the times when he works to draw people to himself. The times when hearts begin to thaw with his love, eyes open to his light, and shoulders lift as He comes alongside to bear burdens, as those who have carried around guilt, like in the Pilgrim's Progress, that has weighed down memory with regret and shame know a freedom and release they never dreamt possible, as those who assumed that they had no worth realise their inestimable and infinite worth to God.

"God works through his Spirit to draw people to open their hands to receive his love and transforming power - and we have the huge privilege of seeing this happen. For me some of the most memorable and grace-filled moments of the last three years have been seeing God at work in the lives of those who would not call themselves Christians, but who I have had the privilege of seeing gently and profoundly drawn to Jesus Christ.

"This is our duty, our privilege and our joy. There is nothing like it.

"For too long the ministry of evangelism in the church has been viewed as an app on the system. I don’t know what kind of apps you have on your mobile device. . . but some of you will know that apps are simply add-ons, optional extras, suited to those with particular interests and activities. As I said, for many it seems that evangelism is such an app – simply to be used for those who are gifted, who don’t mind being out of their comfort zones, who are happy talking about faith with strangers, and have a clever way of explaining the mysteries of God’s love.

"But evangelism and witness are not an app. They are the operating system itself.

"Evangelism is the proclamation, the setting forth, the holding out of the Good news of Jesus Christ, in ways that do justice to the beauty, integrity, joy and power of the one who was dead and is now alive. The one who lived for us, died for us, rose for us, ascended and prays for us. It is from God, about God, with God and because of God. Above all, He calls and enables us to be his heralds - those who proclaim the Good News.

"All Christians are witnesses of the love of Jesus Christ. The Spirit comes to us precisely for this task. And as witnesses of Jesus we then become witnesses to Jesus, relaying what we have experienced and what we have known to others.

"The Archbishop of York and I set up this Task Group because we want to recall the Church of England to the operating system of the love that overflows in evangelism. Many have been engaged within the church for many years in evangelism. This is not new to many, if not most, of those sitting here today and indeed in the Church of England. It was set out in “Towards the Conversion of England” in 1945 that every local church should live to see those who know nothing of God’s love hear, see, taste and accept his gracious presence in their lives. This commitment is seen in our prayers, our budgets, our diaries, our resources and our planning.

"In the presentation that follows, drawing on the history of commitment to evangelism that has existed in the Church of England and in God's church globally, we will highlight three particular areas of attention, which the Task Group has seen as urgent. Bishop Paul Bayes will then lead through a ‘Take Note’ debate, something we felt, in liaison with the Business Committee and having carefully listened to comments from the floor in November, that would enable members of Synod to participate fully in discussing how we might be increasingly devoted as a church, without exception, to evangelism and witness.

"I hope we can be very clear about one thing. A commitment to evangelism and witness comes out of love, not out of fear. It comes out of obedience to Chris, not out of a concern at the latest figures on church attendance. It is a sign of our discipleship, not a church growth strategy or a survival technique. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5: 14-15: ‘For Christ’s love compels us' - or, in the King James Version, 'constrains us' - 'because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.'

"A prayerful, sensitive, respectful, love-filled renewal of evangelism and witness will renew the whole church. It will renew each of us deeply. For as I said a few moments ago, there is nothing as wonderful as seeing God at work leading people from darkness to light."

Keeping a Holy Lent

The introduction to our services on Ash Wednesday included the following encouragement to keep Lent faithfully:

Brothers and sisters in Christ, since early days Christians have observed with great devotion the time of our Lord’s passion and resurrection and prepared for this by a season of penitence and fasting.

By carefully keeping these days, Christians take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel, and so grow in faith and in devotion to our Lord.

I invite you therefore, in the name of the Christ, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy word.

So, again today on this First Sunday of Lent, I encourage all who are members of the Cathedral community to observe a holy Lent. For several weeks, we have made available a leaflet explaining the different ways offered by the Cathedral to help each one of us do that. Copies are still available. If you have not yet received one, please, do ask for a copy and do take full advantage of the opportunities available.

Ripon Cathedral Revealed

Ripon Cathedral Revealed is the forthcoming festival of flowers, music, spirituality, food and drink taking place at the Cathedral 28 April to 2 May 2016. This is a celebration of the life of the Cathedral and a way of showcasing many of the dimensions of its life that people don’t often know about. We will also be launching our far-reaching vision for the future.

To make this festival as enjoyable as possible for the large number of visitors who are expected, we need a very long list of volunteers prepared to give two hours of their time, and other people who are prepared to get involved in undemanding (but important) ways. Please, do help us to make Ripon Cathedral Revealed a wonderful festival for everyone.

This morning, you are receiving with this Pew Slip a copy of theIf you have not already received a copy of the Festival publicity and a leaflet explaining how you can get involved, please do ensure you obtain one before leaving the Cathedral. . There is also information on the Cathedral Website. I would like to encourage all members of the Cathedral community to support this initiative and to help make this Festival the great event that it promises to be.

Mothering Sunday

Please, join us for the 10..30am Service on Mothering Sunday, 6th March, when, with the help of Children, we will be celebrating the gifts of motherhood. There will be flowers for all the ladies and cake for everyone.

WithWith my very best wishes

Dean John

Today’s Services

8.00 amHoly Eucharist (1662 Book of Common Prayer)

President & Preacher: Dean John

9.30 amMattins Psalm 119 [161-end]

10.30 amChildren’s Church

takes place during the10.30am Eucharist. All welcome

Activity Bags are also available for younger children – please ask if you would like one.

10.30amSung Eucharist

Collect

Almighty God,you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,that they may return to the way of righteousness:grant to all those who are admittedinto the fellowship of Christ’s religion,that they may reject those thingsthat are contrary to their profession,and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;through our Lord Jesus Christ,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading A reading from the book of Genesis

The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.’ But the word of the LORD came to him, ‘This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.’ He brought him outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness. Then he said to him, ‘I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.’ But he said, ‘O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?’ He said to him, ‘Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.’ He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire-pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.’

[15. 1-12, 17-18]

This is the word of the Lord

AllThanks be to God

Psalm 27

THE Lord is my light and my salvation ; whom then shall I fear : the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh : they stumbled and fell. Though an host of men were laid against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid : and though there rose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him. One thing have I desired of the Lord, which I will require : even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to visit his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle : yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone. And now shall he lift up mine head : above mine enemies round about me. Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness : I will sing, and speak praises unto the Lord. Hearken unto my voice, O Lord, when I cry unto thee : have mercy upon me, and hear me.

My heart hath talked of thee, Seek ye my face : Thy face, Lord, will I seek. O hide not thou thy face from me : nor cast thy servant away in displeasure. Thou hast been my succour : leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me : the Lord taketh me up. Teach me the way, O Lord : and lead in the right way, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over into the will of mine adversaries : for there are false witnesses risen up against me, and such as speak wrong. I should utterly have fainted : but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. O tarry thou the Lord's leisure : be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart ; and put thou thy trust in the Lord.

Second Reading A reading fromthe letter of Paul to the Philippians

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

[3. 17-4.1]

This is the word of the Lord

AllThanks be to God

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”’

[13. 31-end]

This is the Gospel of the Lord

AllPraise to you, O Christ

Motet

O Lord, I lift my heart to thee,my soul in thee doth ever trust;O let me not confounded be,but make me righteous with the just.

Prayer after Communion

Almighty God,you see that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves:
keep us both outwardly in our bodies,and inwardly in our souls;that we may be defended from all adversitieswhich may happen to the body,and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul;through Jesus Christ our Lord.