The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Burton Latimer
Making the love of God known in our community & homes
Week commencing 5th April 2020
Palm Sunday
Dear friends,
So here we are at Palm Sunday and walking into Holy Week in very unfamiliar territory. I’m guessing like me and all of us in the ministry team and ministers all over the world, this is the first Easter celebration behind closed doors….or is it?
That very first Easter the disciples and followers of Jesus were locked away for fear of their lives. Many Christians persecuted for their faith over the centuries have had to worship behind closed doors. I wonder if the gift of this troublesome time is that we can begin to truly identify with the persecuted church and to discover what is most important in our life; that despite the violence caused by this virus we have absolute peace and certainty that we are loved by God.
Through Jesus’ statement of intent by entering into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, we can know and experience the love He has for us by His walking towards the cross, rather than running away from it. The necessity to isolate cannot isolate us from our Father in Heaven, His Son our Lord, because His Holy Spirit binds us together with our brothers and sisters all over the world who are also worshipping God sheltering from the virus.
Every blessing….Jez
PS if we find ourselves bemoaning that we are behind our doors this Palm Sunday, praise God we have doors and walls to hide behind, many are not so blessed. Look forward to our time together on Sunday and Wednesday. x
Daily Psalms
Sunday, 5th April – Psalm 31.9-16
Monday, 6th April – Psalm 41
Tuesday, 7th April – Psalm 27
Wednesday, 8th April – Psalm 102.1-18
Thursday, 9th April – Psalm 42;43
Friday, 10th April – Psalm 69
Saturday, 11th April – Psalm 142
Prayers
Merciful God, as we enter Holy week, turn our hearts again to Jerusalem, and to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Stir up within us the gift of faith that we may not only praise him with our lips, but may follow him in the way of the cross.
Amen
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
We pray to the Lord, who is our refuge and stronghold.
For the health and well-being of our nation, that all who are fearful and anxious may be at peace and free from worry:
For the isolated and housebound, that we may be alert to their needs, and care for them in their vulnerability:
For our homes and families, our
young people, and all in any kind of need or distress:
For a blessing on our local community, that our neighbourhoods may be places of
trust and friendship, where all are known and cared for:
We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God.
Amen.
Our Prayer List
In company with the other churches in the town, each week we pray for a different street: this week is Brooks Close
We remember those who are ill or need our prayers at this time, especially:
Heather, Carter Lewis, Sarah Pattison, Ian Staires, Daphne Dacre
We pray for the souls of those who have died:
Margaret Phillips
We remember those whose anniversaries of death are at this time:
Collect
Almighty
and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
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.
Amen
First Reading
Philippians 2.5-11
5Let the same mind be in you that was in
Christ Jesus,
6who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death –
even death on a cross.
9Therefore God also
highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Gospel
Matthew 21.1-11
1When they had come near
Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two
disciples, 2saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and
immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and
bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, just say this,
“The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ 4This
took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
5‘Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7they
brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on
them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others
cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds
that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
10When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking,
‘Who is this?’ 11The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus
from Nazareth in Galilee.’
Prayer after Communion
Lord Jesus Christ,
you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant,
and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation:
give us the mind to follow you
and to proclaim you as Lord and King,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen
Hymn for Palm Sunday
Theodulph of Orleans, ca. 760–821
1.All glory, laud, and honour
To thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Whog in the Lord’s name comest,
The King and Blessed One.
Contact details:
The Rector: The Revd Jez Safford, The Rectory, Preston Court, Burton Latimer,
NN15 5LR. Telephone: 01536 723810.Email: jez.safford766@gmail.com.
Assistant Curate: The Revd Tom Houston, 3 Virginia Crescent, Burton Latimer,
NN15 5GB. Telephone: 01536 685664. Email: houston89@hotmail.co.uk
Pioneer Ordinand: Yvonne Desroches, 7 Hollow Wood Road, Burton Latimer, NN15 5RB. Telephone: 01536 678377/07989023206. Email: yvonnebing@hotmail.co.uk
Safeguarding Officer: Lucy Lorentzen, 3 Clipson Close, Burton Latimer,
NN15 5GH. Telephone: 07944597181. Email: lucy@lorentzen.co.uk
Website: www.stmarysburtonlatimer.co.uk or visit us on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmarysburtonlatimer.co.uk
Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops’ Council 2000.
© St Mary the Virgin Burton Latimer, 2011.
CCL Licence No. 480320
Internet Order of Service for use at home.
Welcome
Lighting of the candle(s)
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.
All Amen.
The Collect
The minister prays the collect on your weekly sheet
All Amen.
Reading
Please see the weekly sheet.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Reflection
Invitation to Confession
The minister
You then, who truly and earnestly repent of your sins,
and are in love and charity with your neighbours,
and intend to lead a new life,
following the commandments of God,
and walking from this day forward in his holy ways:
draw near with faith,
and take this holy sacrament to your comfort;
and make your humble confession to almighty God.
Confession
All Father eternal, giver of light and grace,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,
in what we have thought,
in what we have said and done,
through ignorance, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We have wounded your love,
and marred your image in us.
We are sorry and ashamed,
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 lead us out from darkness
to walk as children of light.
Amen
Absolution
The minister says
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
who in his great mercy
has promised forgiveness of sins
to all those who with heartfelt repentance and true faith turn to him:
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and bring you to everlasting life,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Please refer to the weekly sheet
Eucharist Prayer
Have your bread a wine ready
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
Father, on the night before he died,
Jesus shared a meal with his friends.
He took the bread, and thanked you.
He broke it, and gave it to them, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this to remember me.
After the meal, Jesus took the cup of wine.
He thanked you, and gave it to them, saying:
Drink this, all of you.
This is my blood,
the new promise of God’s unfailing love.
Do this to remember me.
Jesus Christ has died.
All Jesus Christ has died.
Jesus Christ is risen.
All Jesus Christ is risen.
Jesus Christ will come again.
All Jesus Christ will come again.
Father, as we bring this bread and wine,
and remember his death and resurrection,
send your Holy Spirit,
that we who share these gifts, though apart but together now in you,
may be fed by Christ’s body and his blood.
Pour your Spirit on us
that we may love one another,
work for the healing of the earth,
and share the good news of Jesus,
as we wait for his coming in glory.
For honour and praise belong to you, Father,
with Jesus your Son, and the Holy Spirit:
one God, for ever and ever.
All Amen
We take communion.
Prayer after Communion
Post communion prayer available on your sheet
The Lord’s Prayer
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
All Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Blessing
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.