United Benefice of St.Mary, Higham Ferrers, and St. John, Chelveston
The United Benefice of St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers with St John the Baptist, Chelveston-cum-Caldecott
Fourth Sunday after Trinity
Sunday 28th June 2026
Our opening hymn is a version of the Gloria in Excelsis – one of the oldest hymns in church history and an integral part of the Holy Communion service
HYMN –
Glory in the highest to the God of heaven!
Peace to all your people through the earth be given!
Mighty God and Father, thanks and praise we bring,
singing hallelujah to our heavenly king.
Jesus Christ is risen, God the Father’s Son!
With the Holy Spirit, you are Lord alone!
Lamb once killed for sinners, all our guilt to bear,
show us now your mercy, now receive our prayer.
Christ the world’s true Saviour, high and holy One,
seated now and reigning from your Father’s throne:
Lord and God, we praise you! Highest heaven adores:
in the Father’s glory, all the praise be yours.
Words : Christopher Idle (b. 1938)
Tune: William Harold Ferguson (1872-1950)
Father Paul introduces a reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.
Acts 9 : 20-26
After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
HYMN
We have a gospel to proclaim,
good news for all throughout the earth;
the gospel of a Saviour's name:
we sing his glory, tell his worth.
Tell of his birth at Bethlehem
not in a royal house or hall
but in a stable dark and dim,
the word made flesh, a light for all.
Tell of his death at Calvary,
hated by those he came to save,
in lonely suffering on the cross;
for all he loved his life he gave.
Tell of that glorious Easter morn:
empty the tomb, for he was free.
He broke the power of death and hell
that we might share his victory.
Tell of his reign at God's right hand,
by all creation glorified.
He sends his Spirit on his Church
to live for him, the Lamb who died.
Now we rejoice to name him King:
Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
This gospel-message we proclaim:
we sing his glory, tell his worth.
Words: Edward J Burns (born 1938) © Edward J Burns
Tune: William Gardiner(1770-1853)
A reflection on a dramatic escape for Saul (Paul) from Damascus and not such a warm welcome in the church at Jerusalem
Final Prayer and blessing
ANTHEM –
This new arrangement with the combined choirs of Peterborough Cathedral offers an inspiring conclusion to our service
He's got the whole world in his hands
he's got the whole wild world in his hands
He's got the whole wild world in his hands
he's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the wind and the rain in his hands
he's got the wind and the rain in his hands
He's got the wind and the rain in his hands
he's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the sun and the moon in his hands
he's got the sun and the moon in his hands
He's got sun and the moon in his hands
he's got the whole world in his hands
​
He's got you and me brother in his hands
He's got you and me brother in his hands
He's got you and me brother in his hands
he's got the whole world in his hands.
He's got you and me sister in his hands
he's got you and me sister in his hands
He's got you and me sister in his hands
he's got the whole world in his hands.
​
He's got everybody in his hands
he's got everybody in his hands
He's got everybody in his hands
he's got the whole world in his hands
​
He's got the whole world in his hands.
He's got the whole world in his hands.
He's got the whole world in his hands.
He's got the whole world in his hands.
He's got everybody in his hands
he's got everybody in his hands
He's got everybody in his hands
he's got the whole world in his hands
Traditional
Material used in this service is copyright of its respective rights owners. Music and hymn words are reproduced under ONE LICENSE number A-633137, Church Copyright License 2148907 and Music Reproduction License 2216255. Material in this order of service is taken from Common Worship, copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000-2006 and is used here with permission. www.commonworship.com.
images by permission of www.christart.com