The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Burton Latimer
Making the love of God known in our community & homes
Week commencing 10th May 2020
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Dear Friends
Back in the day – and still assumed and even treasured by those who support the concept of the established Church of England – every resident in the country has a parish church that they can use and a parish priest they can call on in need or to perform certain tasks – it was not uncommon for vicars to knock on doors without an appointment to introduce himself. One good example was Canon John Beaumont, who has recently died. He was the Vicar of Finedon from 1970 to 1996 and was said to have visited every single house in Finedon during that time. In the case of incomers I usually found that this way of visiting was appreciated, but for others, who were not expecting visitors, there could be a rather different initial response. On one occasion I recall a door being opened and a startled young woman exclaiming loudly, ‘Oh my god!’ to which I replied, ‘ no sorry only the Rector’ before explaining the reason for calling.
Amidst all the deprivations and suffering of the Nazi concentration camps there were some wonderful examples of people of faith caring for fellow inmates in sore distress. In one case an atheist prisoner challenged a Romanian Christian who was putting ‘loving his neighbour’ into practice. He was asked, ‘What is this God you worship like?’ The Romanian’s answer was, ‘He’s like me’.
Is this not like Philip’s question to Jesus in the second part of today’s Gospel reading and Jesus’ reply that if you have seen and experienced the Lord you have seen his Father?
Like Father, like Son. Jesus is a kind of window through which we can see God.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life as we reaffirm today. When we believe in Him we follow and become part of him as we share in his life through word, sacraments and practical actions. As God the Father is in Jesus so we are called to be involved too.
Although we must never think we deserve anything through adopting Christian beliefs and we all continue to sin, we are nevertheless called to be mirrors of God and his Son to others. The way to faith is often via the example of how Christians live out our lives, as can, sadly, at times be a hindrance where Christians fall short of God’s ways and Christ’s teachings. ‘Example is not the main thing in influencing others – it is the only thing’. (Schweitzer). Every blessing Roger
Daily Psalms
Sunday, 10th May – Psalm 31.1-5, 15-16
Monday, 11th May – Psalm 118.1-3,14-15
Tuesday, 12th May – Psalm 145.10-end
Wednesday, 13th May – Psalm 122.1-5
Thursday, 14th May – Psalm 15
Friday, 15th May – Psalm 57.8-end
Saturday, 16th May – Psalm 100
Prayers
Even in the darkest moments, love gives hope. Love compels us to fight against coronavirus alongside our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Love compels us to stand together in prayer with our neighbours near and far. Love compels us to give and act as one. Now, it is clear that our futures are bound together more tightly than ever before. As we pray in our individual homes – around the nation and around the world – we are united as one family. So, let us pause and find a moment of peace, as we lift up our hearts to you, our Lord and Saviour
Amen.
I will not worry about tomorrow, I will trust in my Heavenly Provider to meet the needs for today. For when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. Thank you God for protecting me and caring for all of my needs. I am well taken care of; through Jesus Christ your benevolent Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, in Oneness and power, now and forever. (Reference 1 Peter 5:7)
Amen.
Be with us, oh Lord, in all our prayers, and direct our way toward the attainment of salvation, that among the changes and chances of this mortal life, we may always be defended by your gracious help, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Prayer List
In company with the other churches in the town, each week we pray for a different street: this week is Centurion Way
We remember those who are ill or need our prayers at this time, especially: Heather, Sarah Pattison, Ian Staires, Daphne Dacre, John, Marjorie,
Henry Flynn, Graham Dayer, Helen, Emma Howe, Derek Masingham
We pray for the souls of those who have died:
Jackie Drury, Colin McCall, Freddie Groome, Janet Cailes, Aldo Delli-Gatti
We remember those whose anniversaries of death are at this time:
Ann Knight, Sheila Cosby
Collect
Almighty God,
who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:
grant that, as by your grace going before us
you put into our minds good desires,
so by your continual help
we may bring them to good effect;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord.
Amen
First Reading
Acts 7.55-60
Standing before the high priest and the council, 55Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ 57But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ 60Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Gospel
John 14.1-14
Jesus said to his disciples: 1‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ 5Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ 6Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
8Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ 9Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise be to you, O Christ
Prayer after Communion
Eternal God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life:
grant us to walk in his way,
to rejoice in his truth,
and to share his risen life;
who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
You’re Always There for Me
When the world comes crashing in
And chaos rules my mind,
I turn my heart to you, Lord,
And pure, sweet peace I find.
You lift me out of trouble
You comfort me in pain;
You nourish, heal and cleanse me,
Like cool, refreshing rain.
In times of joy and bliss,
When things are going right,
You lift me even higher,
And fill me with delight.
You listen to my prayers;
You hear my every plea;
I’m safe because I know
You’re always there for me.
By Joanna Fuchs
Christian Aid Week runs from 10-16th May. As many of you will know, in previous years we have been able to undertake collections in church and our community has always been extremely generous. Clearly this year this isn’t going to be possible, so we just wanted to let people know that, if they wish, they can make a donation online at https://www.christianaid.org.uk/ or by calling 0845 700 0300″.
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.