VERSION: 13 November 2001
ST JAMES THE ELDER, APOSTLE
(25 July)
ST JAMES
'James, a fisherman, son of Zebedee and brother of John, is the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in Scripture (Acts 12:2). He was beheaded by Herod Agrippa near Easter in 43 or 44, and in the Eastern churches he has been commemorated on dates near Easter.'
(Contemporary Worship 6: The Church Year, Calendar and Lectionary, 1973)
LITURGY
PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Traditional
Merciful God,
as your holy apostle St James
left all that he had
and obeyed the calling of your Son Jesus Christ:
Grant that we may forsake every selfish desire,
and be ready at all times to obey your will;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, modernised traditional
Merciful God,
your holy apostle St James left all he had
and obeyed the calling of your Son Jesus Christ.
Help us to forsake every selfish desire,
and be ready at all times
to obey your will.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, alternative
Almighty and merciful God,
you have instructed your holy church
with the teaching
of your apostle St James.
Do not let us be blown about
by every wind of deceitful teaching,
but build us up in the truth
of the good news about your salvation.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, another alternative
Almighty God,
you have built your church
on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.
Join us together in one spirit
by their teaching,
and make us into a holy temple pleasing to you.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
FIRST READING
1 Kings 19:9-18 The Lord appears to Elijah
PSALM
Psalm 7:1-10
Antiphon:
God is my shield, who saves the upright in heart. (Ps 7:10 NRSV)
SECOND READING
Acts 11:27 - 12:3a Herod puts James to death
ALLELUIA VERSE (2 Cor 4:11 NRSV)
Alleluia, alleluia.
While we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake,
so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Mark 10:35-45 James will share in Christ's suffering and death
HYMNS AND SONGS
BY ALL YOUR SAINTS
The hymn 'By all your saints in warfare' by Horatio Bolton Nelson may be used; the second verse focusing on St James the Elder has here been modernised by David Sch¸tz. It may be sung to the tune Nyland (LH 16), or to the original tune King's Lynn (LBW 177, 178; LW 193, 194; TIS 249). The first line of verse 1 could be changed to: 'By saints on earth who struggle'.
By all your saints in warfare,
for all your saints at rest,
your holy name, O Jesus,
forevermore be blest!
For you have won the battle
that they might wear the crown;
and now they shine in glory
reflected from your throne.
For James, O Lord, we praise you,
who, slain by Herod's sword,
drank of your cup of suffering,
and thus fulfilled your word.
Save us from our impatience
to know your hidden plans,
and strengthen us with courage
to suffer for your name.
Then let us praise the Father,
and worship God the Son,
and sing to God the Spirit,
eternal Three-in-one,
till all the ransomed number
fall down before the throne,
ascribing power and glory,
and praise to God alone.
TOGETHER IN SONG
Together in Song suggests TIS 232 'O the deep, deep love of Jesus' for St James.
VISUAL
COLOUR
The colour for the day is red.
SYMBOLS
St James the Elder is represented by a pilgrim's staff. His shield is decorated with one or two scallop shells (used by pilgrims for dipping water and drinking).
|