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
Sunday 28th January 2026
Conversion of St. Paul
Father Paul welcomes us to the “Home of Amazing Grace”
HYMN
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.
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Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
and grace will lead me home.
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When we've been there ten thousand years
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we've first begun.
Words: John Newton (1725-1807)
Music: probably of Scottish origin
BIBLE READING FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”​
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“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind and did not eat or drink anything.
Then Ananias went to the house (where Saul was) and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
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. Acts 9 1 – 22
Ananias opens Paul's eyes
HYMN
One more step along the world I go,
One more step along the world I go.
From the old things to the new
Keep me travelling along with you.
And it’s from the old I travel to the new,
Keep me travelling along with you
Round the corners of the world I turn,
More and more about the world I learn.
All the new things that I see
You’ll be looking at along with me.
And it’s from the old I travel to the new,
Keep me travelling along with you
As I travel through the bad and good
Keep me travelling the way I should.
Where I see no way to go
You’ll be telling me the way, I know.
And it’s from the old I travel to the new,
Keep me travelling along with you
Give me courage when the world is rough,
Keep me loving though the world is tough.
Leap and sing in all I do,
Keep me travelling along with you.
And it’s from the old I travel to the new,
Keep me travelling along with you
You are older than the world can be,
You are younger than the life in me.
Ever old and ever new,
Keep me travelling along with you.
And it’s from the old I travel to the new,
Keep me travelling along with you
Words & Music: Sydney Carter (1915-2004)
A Meditation on the bright light and call on the road to Damascus
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A PRAYER AND BLESSING
HYMN – O JESUS I HAVE PROMISED (Sung by the choir of Peterborough Cathedral)
O Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end;
be thou forever near me,
my Master and my Friend:
I shall not fear the battle
if thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if thou wilt be my guide.
O let me hear thee speaking
in accents clear and still
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
thou guardian of my soul.
O Jesus thou hast promised
To all who follow thee
That where thou art in glory
There shall thy servant be
And Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end
O give me grace to follow
My Master and my friend
O let me see thy foot-marks,
and in them plant mine own;
my hope to follow duly
is in thy strength alone:
O guide me, call me, draw me,
uphold me to the end;
and then to rest receive me,
my Saviour and my Friend.
Words: John Ernest Bode (1816-1874)
Music: Day of Rest - James W Elliott (1875)
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