This Sunday we hear as our Old Testament reading one of the most famous biblical texts, and yet one that we nowadays hear quite rarely. The Ten Commandments once had a very particular place in the liturgy of the Church of England, being recited at the start of every service of Holy Communion. These days, even at services that follow the Book of Common Prayer, the words of the Ten Commandments are usually replaced with Jesus’ summary of the law. And as well as being repeated Sunday by Sunday during the Communion service, they were also at one time usually found displayed on the walls of churches, as in the image above. Children were taught them in catechism classes, as an important part of preparation for confirmation. There may be good theological reasons for the modern liturgical emphasis on what God does for us, over what we do for God and for others; and yet it is well worth reflecting on the place of rules in Christian life, and on their uses as well as their limitations.
This Sunday:
8am Holy Communion (BCP) (St Mary’s)
9.30am Sung Eucharist and Junior Church (St Mary’s)
11.15am Sung Holy Communion (BCP) (St Nicholas Remenham)
3pm Baptism Preparation (Rectory)
4pm Evening Prayer (BCP, said)
This week:
Monday 9 12.30pm Funeral of Gill Elkington 12.30pm (St Mary’s)
Tuesday 10 1pm CAP Debt Centre Meeting (Chantry House) 7.30pm Holy Eucharist (St Mary’s)
Wednesday 11 10am BATS (Chantry House) 12noon Holy Eucharist (St Mary’s)
Thursday 12 10am Holy Eucharist (St Mary’s) 11am Bible Study (Chantry House) 6pm Fire Safety Briefing (St Mary’s) 6pm Melody Makers (Chantry House) Choir Practice 7.15pm (St Mary’s)
Friday 13 9am Rupert House rehearsal (St Mary’s) 10am Ashes interment (St Mary’s) 12noon Holy Eucharist (St Mary’s) 2pm Rupert House Harvest Festival (St Mary’s)
Morning Prayer will be said at 9am Tuesday to Thursday at St Mary’s, and in the Chantry House on Friday.
Next Sunday:
Sunday October 15th ~ The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion (BCP) (St Mary’s)
9.30am Sung Eucharist and Junior Church (St Mary’s)
11.15am Sung Matins (BCP) with Hymns (St Nicholas, Remenham)
4.00pm Choral Evensong (St Mary’s)
Photograph credit: Keith Edkins