This Weekend's Bulletin, with Readings, Collect and Notices
Sunday 6 July 2025
in the Aughaval Group of Parishes
Hymns, or as announced
39 - For the fruits of his creation
247 - When I survey the wondrous cross
517 - Brother, sister, let me serve you
478 - Go forth and tell! O Church of God, awake!
Collect
Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts, whereby we call you Father: Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that we and all creation may be brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Naaman in Jordan River, artist unknown
Credit: Wikipedia
The First Reading 2 Kings 5: 1-14
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favour with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, ‘If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.’ So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. And the king of Aram said, ‘Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel.’
He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, ‘When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy.’ When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, ‘Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me.’
But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, ‘Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel.’ So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.’
But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, ‘I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?’ He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, ‘Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, “Wash, and be clean”?’ So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.
The Psalm Psalm 30
The Second Reading Galatians 6: (1-6), 7-16
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbour’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads. Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
The Gospel Reading Luke 10: 1-11, 16-20
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way.
See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” ‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’
The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
Post Communion Prayer
O God, whose beauty is beyond our imagining and whose power we cannot comprehend: Give us a glimpse of your glory on earth but shield us from knowing more than we can bear until we may look upon you without fear; through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Collect Of The Word
God of the covenant, in our baptism you called us to proclaim the coming of your kingdom: give us courage, as you gave it to the apostles, that we may faithfully witness to your love and peace in every circumstance of life; in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Some remaining summer dates
Subject to change
Friday 18 July Summer Evening Prayer and Praise at Knappagh, gathering in the churchyard at 7pm, with music by James Kilbane.
Sunday 20 July Mini-pilgrimage on Achill, starting at St Thomas’s Church, Dugort, at 3pm. This event is being run under the Spiritual Tourism banner for this (TLK) diocese, with the help of Valerie Raitt (COI Pioneer Ministry). More details on TLK and Aughaval websites.
Saturday 26 July Return to Inishbiggle. Details to follow.
Sunday 27 July Reek Sunday
Communion on the Mountain
This year our Church of Ireland parishes have been invited, most kindly, by our ecumenical friends from the Roman Catholic Diocese to avail of the Oratory on Croagh Patrick to hold a service in our own church tradition. We are grateful for their thoughtfulness and generosity, a reflection of the hospitality of God. We hope to avail of the offer. Details to follow shortly.
2.30pm Gentle walk-and-talk-and-pray
For those who wish to enter in to the spirit and joy of the day but are unable to make the climb, there will be the opportunity to gather in the Murrisk carpark and with a few others at the St Patrick statue at the foot of the
mountain for prayer and reflection.
Sunday 10 August Bishop Michael will preside at Holy Communion at 3pm in St Thomas's, Dugort, Achill.
Sunday 24 August Turlough Parish, Late Summer Get-Together, gathering at 3pm at the park gates of the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough. Details to follow. If you would like to help with planning and organising please contact Fiona Kelly or Hilary McInerney or the Rector. Thank-you.
Regular Service Pattern
Turlough Parish Church: Saturdays weekly at 7pm. Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th of month; Evening Prayer on 1st and 3rd Sundays.
Christ Church Castlebar: Sundays weekly at 10am. Holy Communion on 1st and 3rd of month; Morning Prayer, 2nd and 4th, followed by tea.
Holy Trinity Westport: Sundays weekly, currently in St Mary's Church, South Mall, at 12 noon, followed by tea/coffee in Carrowbeg House.
St Thomas's Dugort, Achill: Sundays weekly (April to Sept incl.) at 3pm
Midweek Holy Communion, Wednesdays at 10.30am in St Mary’s Church. S. Mall, followed by coffee in Clew Bay Hotel (from 11.05 am).
Open Church Weekly Drop-in, Christ Church Castlebar, Fridays 11am -1pm.
Pastoral care and enquiries:
Revd Suzanne Cousins
Phone 083 800 3233
Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org
Website aughaval.tlk.ie
Please see also the Aughaval Parishes Facebook page.
