Commemorating Nicholas Ferrar
Nicholas Ferrar is commemorated in the calendar of the Church of England on the date of his death, 4 December. This page is a collection of material suitable for use at that commemoration.
Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon,
Founder of the Little Gidding Community, 1637
Collect
Loving God, the Father of all,
whose servant Nicholas Ferrar
renounced ambition and wealth
to live in a household of faith and good work:
keep us in the right way of service to you
so that, feasting at the table in your household,
we may proclaim each day the coming of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Amen.
Old Testament Reading
Proverbs 8.1–11
Proverbs 8.1–11
Does not wisdom call,
and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
‘To you, O people, I call,
and my cry is to all that live.
O simple ones, learn prudence;
acquire intelligence, you who lack it.
Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right;
for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
They are all straight to one who understands
and right to those who find knowledge.
Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold;
for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
or
Isaiah 61.10 – 62.5
Isaiah 61.10 – 62.5
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the Lord delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your builder marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 119.57–64
Psalm 119.57–64
| R | | Incline your heart to understanding
[and find the knowledge of God].
|
You only are my portion, O Lord;
I have promised to keep your words.
I entreat you with all my heart,
be merciful to me according to your promise. R
I have considered my ways
and turned my feet back to your testimonies.
I made haste and did not delay
to keep your commandments. R
Though the cords of the wicked entangle me,
I do not forget your law.
At midnight I will rise to give you thanks,
because of your righteous judgements. R
I am a companion of all who fear you
those who keep your commandments.
The earth, O Lord, is full of your faithful love;
instruct me in your statutes. R
New Testament Reading
Acts 4.32–35
Acts 4.32–35
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
The whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
This is the word of the Lord.
or
1 John 2.15–17
1 John 2.15–17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 19.16–21
Matthew 19.16–21
Someone came to Jesus and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’
or
Luke 12.32–37
Luke 12.32–37
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
‘Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.’
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Post Communion
Holy Father,
who gathered us here around the table of your Son
to share this meal with the whole household of God:
in that new world where you reveal the fullness of your peace,
gather people of every race and language
to share in the eternal banquet of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Intercessions
Loving God,
you called Nicholas Ferrar to be a servant and deacon in your Church:
we pray for the whole Church, and for all who are called to leadership,
especially N our bishop [and NN].
silence
Loving God,
you called Nicholas Ferrar to care for the colony of Virginia,
and to establish democratic government there,
we pray for the people of Virginia, remembering N their Governor
and the members of the state legislature.
silence
Loving God,
you called Nicholas Ferrar to give honour to the rulers of this country:
we pray for our own country,
for Elizabeth our queen,
and all who exercise authoirty under her.
silence
Loving God,
you called Nicholas Ferrar to live in a Christian household:
we pray for our own families and our community;
may we in our own lives help to reveal your love for all.
silence
Loving God,
you called Nicholas Ferrar to use his skills
in the care of the sick and those in need:
we pray for all who are ill and those who care for them and love them
[and among them NN]
may they come to wholeness in you.
silence
Loving God,
you called Nicholas Ferrar to eternal life with you:
we remember those whom we have known but see no more
[and among them NN];
grant us with them a share in your eternal life.
Hymn
This hymn, appended
to a page about
the Order of the Good Shepherd, is particularly appropriate. It
may be sung to a tune with suitable metre, for
example, Tallis’s Canon.
To thee Good Shepherd now we raise
our thankful hymn of joy and praise
for Nicholas thy servant bless’d
who thee in heart and deed confess’d.
A scribe instructed wise and true
he brought forth treasures old and new.
He found thy Word, Eternal Cause
in sacred page and nature’s laws.
The gospel music of thy love
in four-fold harmony he wove.
His life returns an answering note
to each who Gospel music wrote.
Like Mark in early days of youth
he learned of thee the way, the truth.
Like Matthew, counted riches vain
to find in thee, O Christ, his gain.
Like Luke, his hands made sick men whole;
his words a medicine to the soul.
Like John he saw thy light to shine
in mystic fellowship divine.
Good Shepherd may we in our turn
like him thy holy wisdom learn,
and seeking but thy will alone
rejoice with him before thy throne.
Bishop John How