13th September 2026 - The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
9.00am Responsorial Eucharist
Gathering
The celebrant welcomes the people.
All STAND to sing the INTROIT HYMN, during which the clergy process in.
Introit Hymn (REH 552)
1. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To his feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise the everlasting King.
2. Praise him for his grace and favour
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same for ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless.
Praise him! Praise him!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
3. Father-like, he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows;
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him! Praise him!
Widely as his mercy flows.
4. Frail as summer's flower we flourish;
Blows the wind and it is one;
But, while mortals rise and perish,
God endures unchanging on:
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise the high eternal one.
5. Angels, help us to adore him;
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon bow down before him,
Dwellers all in time and space:
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Tune: PRAISE MY SOUL John Goss 1800-80
Words: Henry Francis Lyte 1793-1847
The celebrant then greets the people
In the name of the ✠ Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.
Greeting
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
(or)
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you
All and also with you.
The celebrant then greets the people All REMAIN STANDING and say
Collect for Purity
All Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Confession
The celebrant invites the people to KNEEL and confess their sins. All KNEEL or SIT.
All Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you
and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for us,
forgive us all that is past
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name.
Amen.
Kyrie eleison
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
All Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
Absolution
Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon you,
pardon ✠ and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
All STAND.
Gloria in Excelsis
All Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Collect
Let us pray:
All REMAIN STANDING. Silence is kept.
God, who in generous mercy
sent the Holy Spirit upon your Church
in the burning fire of your love:
grant that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel that,
always abiding in you,
they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service;
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
All Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
All SIT.
First Reading
Genesis 50. 15-21 (NRSV)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’ So they approached Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this instruction before he died, “Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.” Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, ‘We are here as your slaves.’ But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
The Choir sings
Psalm
Psalm 103. 8-13 (Coverdale)
8. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy : long-suffering, and of great goodness. / 9. He will not alway be chiding : neither keepeth he his anger for ever. / 10. He hath not dealt with us after our sins : nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses. / 11. For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth : so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him. / 12 Look how wide also the east is from the west : so far hath he set our sins from us. / 13. Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children : even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him. / Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
Second Reading
Romans 14. 1-12 (NRSV)
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God. We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
All STAND.
During the Gradual Hymn, the Gospel book is carried to the nave. All turn to face the Gospel.
Gradual Hymn (REH 87)
1. ‘Forgive our sins as we forgive’
You taught us, Lord, to pray;
But you alone can grant us grace
To live the words we say.
2. How can your pardon reach and bless
The unforgiving heart
That broods on wrongs, and will not let
Old bitterness depart?
3. In blazing light your cross reveals
The truth we dimly knew,
How slight the debts are owed to us,
How great our debt to you.
4. Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls,
And bid resentment cease;
Then, reconciled to God and man,
Our lives will spread your peace.
Tune: EPWORTH Charles Wesley 1757-1834
Harmony by Martin Shaw 1875-1958
Words: Rosamond Eleanor Herklots 1905-87
Gospel Reading
Matthew 18. 21-35 (NRSV)
The acclamation heralding the Gospel reading is proclaimed. The congregation responds
All Alleluia.
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
Peter came and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
All SIT.
Sermon
Following the sermon, all STAND.
Creed
All We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
The celebrant introduces the prayers.
All KNEEL or SIT. The intercessor continues.
The celebrant concludes the prayers with a Collect.
Liturgy of the Sacrament
Peace
All STAND and the celebrant introduces the Peace, and then the following is said:
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All and also with you.
The celebrant may say
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
All may exchange a sign of peace.
The Offertory
Taking of the Bread and Wine
All REMAIN STANDING as the collection is taken. The gifts of the people are gathered and presented. The altar is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.
Offertory Hymn (REH 575)
1. There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice
Which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
Are more felt than up in heaven;
There is no place where earth’s failings
Have such kindly judgement given.
2. For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man’s mind;
And the heart of the eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.
But we make his love too narrow
By false limits of our own;
And we magnify his strictness
With a zeal he would not own.
3. There is plentiful redemption
In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members
In the sorrows of the head.
There is grace enough for thousands
Of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations
In that upper home of bliss.
If our love were but more simple,
We should take him at his word;
And our lives would be all gladness
In the joy of Christ our Lord.
Tune: CORVEDALE Maurice Bevan 1921-2006
Words: Frederick William Faber 1814-63
The celebrant says the prayer at the preparation of the altar. All responds
All Amen.
(or)
All Blessed be God for ever.
All REMAIN STANDING.
Eucharistic Prayer E
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All It is right to give thanks and praise.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
From sunrise to sunset this day is holy,
for Christ has risen from the tomb
and scattered the darkness of death
with light that will not fade.
This day the risen Lord walks with your gathered people,
unfolds for us your word,
and makes himself known in the breaking of the bread.
And though the night will overtake this day
you summon us to live in endless light,
the never-ceasing sabbath of the Lord.
And so, with choirs of angels
and with all the heavenly host,
we proclaim your glory
and join their unending song of praise:
All Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
We praise and bless you, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord;
and as we obey his command,
send your Holy Spirit,
that broken bread and wine outpoured
may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.
On the night before he died he had supper with his friends
and, taking bread, he praised you.
He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.
Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.
So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,
in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice
made once for all upon the cross.
Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,
we proclaim his death and resurrection
until he comes in glory.
Great is the mystery of faith:
All Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
Lord of all life,
help us to work together for that day
when your kingdom comes
and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.
Look with favour on your people,
gather us in your loving arms
and bring us with the Blessed Virgin Mary,
St John the Evangelist, St Stephen and all the saints
to feast at your table in heaven.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,
for ever and ever.
All Amen.
All KNEEL or SIT.
Lord’s Prayer
The congregation is invited to say the Lord’s Prayer in the language of their choice.
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
All Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
All 我們在天上的父，
願你的名被尊為聖，
願你的國降臨，
願你的旨意行在地上，
如同行在天上。
我們日用的飲食，今天賜給我們。
饒恕我們的罪，
如同我們饒恕得罪我們的人。
不叫我們遇見試探，
拯救我們脫離凶惡。
因為國度、權柄、榮耀，都是你的，
從現在直到永遠。阿們。
All Ama namin sa langit,
sambahin ang Ngalan Mo,
sumapit nawa ang kaharian Mo,
sundin ang loob Mo,
dito sa lupa gaya rin sa langit.
Bigyan Mo kami ngayon
ng aming kakanin sa araw-araw.
Patawarin Mo kami sa aming mga kasalanan
gaya rin ng pagpapatawad namin sa mga nagkakasala sa amin.
Huwag mo kaming itulot sa pagsubok
kundi i-adya mo kami sa masama.
Sapagkat sa Iyo ang kaharian
ang kapangyarihan,
at ang kaluwalhatian,
ngayon at magpakailanman.
ya Nawa.
Breaking of the Bread
The celebrant breaks the consecrated bread.
We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.
All Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.
Agnus Dei
All Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world,
grant us peace.
(or)
All Jesus, Lamb of God,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
grant us peace.
Giving of Communion
The celebrant says the invitation to communion.
Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.
(or)
Jesus is the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed are those who are called to his supper.
All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word, and I shall be healed.
The celebrant and people receive communion If you are baptized in any Christian tradition you are very welcome to receive Holy Communion at our altar.
Words of the distribution are said and the communicant replies
Amen.
Those who are not baptized are welcome to come to the altar for a blessing. Please keep your arms crossed upon your breast as an indication.
During the distribution, the Choir sings
Communion Anthem
Communion Antiphon
Prayer after Communion
The celebrant says
Let us pray:
All KNEEL or SIT. Silence is kept.
Keep, O Lord, your Church,
with your perpetual mercy;
and, because without you our human frailty cannot but fall,
keep us ever by your help from all things hurtful,
and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
One of these prayers of thanksgiving may then be said.
All Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out
in the power of your Spirit
to live and work
to your praise and glory.
Amen.
(or)
All Father of all,
we give you thanks and praise,
that when we were still far off
you met us in your Son and brought us home.
Dying and living, he declared your love,
gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.
May we who share Christ's body live his risen life;
we who drink his cup bring life to others;
we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.
Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,
so we and all your children shall be free,
and the whole earth live to praise your name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
All SIT.
Notices
Commissioning of Sunday School
The congregation REMAINS SEATED. The Sunday School teachers gather before the altar.
The Dean addresses the Sunday School teachers:
You have been chosen and have offered yourselves
as teachers of St John’s Cathedral Sunday School.
God has called you to take this responsibility
of showing our young people Jesus Christ.
Therefore I ask:
will you teach the faith which you believe,
care for those entrusted to you,
and pray regularly for the children?
R. With the help of God, I will.
Will you nurture them in the worshipping community of St John’s Cathedral?
R. With the help of God, I will.
Will you be faithful in your own prayer and spiritual life,
and be an example of the Christian life to them?
R. With the help of God, I will.
The Dean addresses the Sunday School students:
Will you, the children of St John’s Cathedral Sunday School,
learn from your teachers, say your prayers,
and take part in all the Sunday School activities when possible,
and be a good example of the teachings of Jesus?
R. With the help of God, I will.
The Dean addresses the congregation (remain seated):
Will you the families, friends, and congregation of this church,
encourage and support these children and teachers
in the way of Christ?
Will you join with them in the study of God’s word?
Will you support their work with your time, talents and prayers?
All With the help of God, we will.
Let us pray:
O Lord our God,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and love,
we pray for these your servants entrusted with the care
and teaching of your children in this church.
Inspire them in their teaching, fill them with your love
so that all they do, in word or deed,
may be reflection of your own love to the world,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I hereby offer our Sunday School children
and commission our Sunday School teachers
in the name of God the Father, ✠ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, now and forever.
All Amen.
The Sunday School teachers return to the seats.
The congregation STANDS for the Blessing.
Blessing
All STAND as the celebrant gives the blessing:
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
A seaonsal blessing is said, which is followed by:
The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, ✠ the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
Dismissal
After which, the deacon says
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All In the name of Christ. Amen.
(or)
Go in the peace of Christ.
All Thanks be to God.
The ministers and people depart.
All REMAIN STANDING to sing the Recessional Hymn.
Recessional Hymn (REH 508)
1. Let us, with a gladsome mind,
Praise the Lord, for he is kind:
(Refrain) For his mercies ay endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
2. Let us blaze his name abroad,
For of gods he is the God: (Refrain)
3. He with all-commanding might
Filled the new-made world with light: (Refrain)
4. He the golden-tressèd sun
Caused all day his course to run: (Refrain)
5. And the hornèd moon by night,
Mid her spangled sisters bright: (Refrain)
6. All things living he doth feed,
His full hand supplies their need: (Refrain)
7. Let us, with a gladsome mind,
Praise the Lord, for he is kind: (Refrain)
Tune: Monkland Johannes Freylinghausen 1670-1739
adapted by John Antes 1740-1811
Words: John Milton 1608-74
Organ Voluntary
Copyright acknowledgement:
This order of service has been prepared by the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, Hong Kong from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is copyright: © The Archbishops’ Council 2000; and from Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is copyright: © The Archbishops’ Council 2006.