Yesterday (7th) we celebrated the 121st anniversary of the Dedication of our wonderful Church. The choir enhanced the Mass with the Howell's setting 'Collegium Regale', the splendid Motet that was sung at our late Queen's Coronation was also by Howell's 'Behold our God and defender. We conclude Mass with the postlude,' Rhapsody No 3 in C', again by Howells. A goodly number were in attendance both in person and on Zoom, although apologies to those on Zoom for a less than a perfect transmission!
Our church, which stands as one of the most beautiful parish churches in our country, is not just a testament to the architectural genius of Sir Ninian Comper, but also a sanctuary dedicated to the Glory of God. It is a place where we, as a small yet flourishing congregation, come together to live out our calling as Christians, walking faithfully along the Christian Road, a road less travelled these days. As we reflect on our journey and the significance of this church, our readings yesterday from The Book of Revelation, the Epistle to the Hebrews, and most importantly, the Gospel of Matthew, provided profound insights into our shared mission and the spiritual essence of our community. In the reading from the Book of Revelation, we were given a vision of the New Jerusalem, a city that shines with the glory of God. This vision reminds us of the divine beauty and perfection that awaits us in the Kingdom of God, a beauty that our church strives to reflect in its own humble way. The epistle reading from the Epistle to the Hebrews contrasts the terrifying scene at Mount Sinai with the joy and celebration of Mount Zion, the city of the living God. Here, we are reminded of the new covenant, a covenant of grace and mercy made possible through Jesus Christ. It is in this covenant that we find our true identity as Christians and our purpose as a congregation. We are called not to a place of fear and trembling, but to a place of festal gathering, where we come together as the firstborn enrolled in heaven, worshiping God with reverence and awe. Then came our reading from Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus enters the temple and drives out all who were buying and selling there. He overturns the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, declaring, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it 'a den of robbers." The use of this term amplifies the severity of Jesus’ critique, underscoring the urgency and righteousness of his actions in the temple. His cleansing of the temple was a dramatic assertion of the need to return to genuine worship and integrity, free from corruption or mere money making. Just as Jesus sought to restore the temple's sanctity, we are called to ensure that our places of worship remain true to their purpose—centers of genuine worship, justice, and community. This powerful act of cleansing the temple underscores the importance of preserving the sanctity, purity and purpose of our places of worship. Jesus' actions in the temple were not just about removing physical clutter, but also about addressing the deeper issues of corruption and exploitation that had taken root. He was challenging the practices that had turned a sacred space into a marketplace, burdening those who came to worship and hindering their ability to connect with God. As we celebrate the dedication of Saint Cyprian's, we are called to reflect on the ways in which we can ensure that our church remains a true house of prayer, a place where God's presence is felt, and God’s glory is magnified. Just as Jesus expelled all that did not bring glory to God or unduly burdened the faithful, we too must be vigilant in maintaining the spiritual integrity of our church. And how? Firstly, by giving thanks to God for this beautiful building. The architecture of Sir Ninian Comper, with its exquisite details and reverent design, helps to lift our hearts and minds to God. It is a space that invites contemplation, prayer, and worship, reminding us of the divine beauty that surrounds us and the holiness that we are called to embody. Secondly, to be grateful for the gift of music that fills this sacred space. Our church has developed, in recent years, a rich tradition of choral and organ music that enhances our worship and brings us closer to the divine. Music has the power to transcend words and touch our souls, drawing us into a deeper relationship with God. Thirdly, we celebrate our wonderful community of people. Saint Cyprian's is not just a building; it is a living, breathing community of believers who come together to support and uplift one another. We welcome everyone, embracing doubt, praying hopefully, and celebrating diversity. In a world that often seeks to divide and exclude, our church stands as a testament to the inclusive and transformative power of the Gospel. We must also recognise our commitment to social justice. As followers of Christ, we are called to care for the marginalised, the oppressed, and the vulnerable. Our faith is not confined to the walls of this church but is practiced in our everyday lives. We strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, bringing His love, compassion, and justice to those in need. Finally, we give thanks for the freedom to worship. In many parts of the world, Christians face persecution and hardship for their faith. Here, we are blessed with the freedom to gather openly, to worship without fear, and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we move forward, let us carry with us the lessons from our readings. Let us strive to ensure that Saint Cyprian's remains a place that brings glory to God, free from anything that hinders our worship or burdens the faithful. In closing, we were encouraged to remember the words of Jesus: "My house will be called a house of prayer." May Saint Cyprian's always be a house of prayer, a place of peace, love, and hope, dedicated to the glory of God. You priest & friend Fr Michael Our choir singing in the Cathedral. I am pleased and proud to announce that our choir will lead the worship at St Paul's Cathedral at Choral Evensong at 5:00pm on the 27th July. It is suggested that perhaps we might go as a group and perhaps meet for a drink or even a meal, would you be interested in joining us? They will also sing on Sunday 28th at 11:15 and 3:00pm. We wish them joy and happiness on this great opportunity. Inviting others to Church. In a recent poll about why people came to church, it was stated that 86% came because they were invited by a friend. The remaining 16% were spread between such issues as, people being lonely, people receiving a leaflet through the door (3%) and a variety of other reasons. It is us that need to invite people, we have a gospel to share, good news in a world of turmoil. No new government, no freshen initiatives are going to change the hearts and minds of people, however the transformative power of the Holy Spirit can do this.
In another poll church attendees For asked why they didn't invite people to church. The answers were quite surprising! The major difficulty for those who responded was coping with the fear of rejection, other said it was not their job, that's what they had a vicar for. A number were confused as to why we needed to invite people and several said 'why should I, my Club doesn't expect me to'. Others did not want to be known as a religious freak, whilst others were not sure what they were inviting them to and we're afraid that if their friends came, they would find it boring.
We need to remember in all this that people bring people. When did you last invite someone to church with you?
Hymn singing. One of many things it is impossible to get right are the hymns at Mass. the lament that 'we didn't know them' or 'they were dreary' or 'we had that hymn only five years ago, why repeat it?' is a sad reflection upon our engagement with the liturgy. Here's what Dietrich Bonhoeffer had to say about hymn singing: "Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak and pray the same Word at the same time; in other words, because here they can unite in the Word. There should be singing, not only at devotions, but at regular times of the day or week. The more we sing, the more joy will we derive from it, but, above all, the more devotion and discipline and joy we put into our singing, the richer will be the blessing that will come to the whole life of the fellowship from singing together. It is the voice of the Church that is heard in singing together. It is not you that sings, it is the Church that is singing, and you, as a member of the Church, may share in its song. Thus all singing together that is right must serve to widen our spiritual horizon, make us see our little company as a member of the great Christian Church on earth, and help us willingly and gladly to join our singing, be it feeble or good, to the song of the Church." ~from LIFE TOGETHER by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Thank you. A very big thank you to all who continue to support us financially. It is no exaggeration to say that it is humbling to witness such generosity. I realise it's not easy and that there are many demands upon our resources. By giving to the church, we strengthen our life together and then are enabled to go out and take the gospel to those in need of both spiritual and material support. You can give, via this link, to our ‘give a little’ donation site. If you have online banking, you can transfer money via the Church bank account, the details of our bank account are; NatWest plc., Baker Street Branch. Sort Code: 56-00-14. Account: St Cyprian’s Parochial Council. Account Number: 12138126.
What is Prayer? I used to pray that God would feed the hungry or do this or that, but now I pray that God will guide me to do whatever I'm supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I'm praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes me and you and we change things. St Teresa of Calcutta