The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Burton Latimer
Making the love of God known in our community & homes
Week commencing 3rd May 2020
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Dear Friends
Has it really only been a few weeks, that we have faced extraordinary changes? Changes in life style and routines. Thursday evenings will never be the same again! It started with just a few, and now I find myself outside witnessing a beautiful sight and listening to a mighty sound. Communities join together to applaud and show their support for our key workers. However, this communal event has also been an individual and personal response, where like many, I find myself filled with emotion, love and affection for the many key workers that are giving their all, being prepared to risk their lives to protect, tend, watch over and care for many during this Pandemic.
I have been given the wonderful opportunity to rediscover and have my eyes opened to the best of human nature. I see people of courage, and generosity, people giving and loving wherever they are, whatever it costs.
Jesus said “I am the good shepherd”. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Jesus the good shepherd knows each of us by name. He reaches out to us as individuals and as a community. He knows when we are struggling, feeling lost, afraid or anxious. He is always ready to pick us up when we fall, steady us when we stumble, guide us through the storms and comfort us in the midst of these uncertain times.
We have followed one another in celebrating the care given by the many key workers, therefore in these uncertain times let’s celebrate the love that the Shepherd has for each one of us. God’s deep and abiding care for us in Jesus Christ, and put our trust in Christ our faithful Shepherd. May Christ the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for his sheep, draw you and all into his loving care always.
As he does so, I pray that your day be touched with words of kindness, brightened by a song in your heart and warmed by the smiles of the people you love. With love and every Blessing, Yvonne.
Daily Psalms
Sunday, 3rd May – Psalm 106.6-24
Monday, 4th May – Psalm 42.1-2; 43.1-4
Tuesday, 5th May – Psalm 87
Wednesday, 6th May – Psalm 67
Thursday, 7th May – Psalm 89.1-2,20-26
Friday, 8th May – Psalm 2
Saturday, 9th May – Psalm 98.1-5
Prayers
O Lord our God, source of all goodness and love, accept the prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies look with compassion upon all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Amen
Merciful God, we entrust to your tender care those who are ill or in pain, knowing that whenever danger threatens your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe. Comfort and heal them, and restore them to health and strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health; 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 Castle Coombe
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
We pray for the souls of those who have died:
Jackie Drury, Colin McCall, Freddie Groome, Aldo Delli Gatti
We remember those whose anniversaries of death are at this time:
Barry Kirton, Adrian Sharman, Mavis Gilbert, John Cosby, Kathleen Bryce
Collect
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
raise us, who trust in him,
from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above,
where he reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
First Reading
Acts 2.42-47
Many were baptized and were added to the community. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Gospel
John 10.1-10
Jesus said to the Pharisees: 1‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise be to you, O Christ
Prayer after Communion
Merciful Father,
you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd,
and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again:
keep us always under his protection,
and give us grace to follow in his steps;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayers for VE Day, Friday, 8th May 2020
We give thanks for the selfless and courageous service and sacrifice of those who brought peace to Europe, and for the good example they have given us.
We pray for nations still devastated by war, for their people and their leaders, and for those who suffer the effects or memories of past wars; for veterans, for those who mourn, and for all innocent victims whose lives have been shattered by the cruelty of others.
We give thanks for those who work for peace and liberty throughout the world, for the Armed Forces of the Crown, and for all who strive to bring an end to injustice and oppression.
We pray for those in our own day who have grown weary or lost hope as a result of violence or terror; for all refugees and displaced people, and for those who seek to address the causes of discord and distrust; Lord, hear us.
Let us give thanks for the reconciliation of former enemies, for the flourishing of goodwill between them, and for the many blessings we enjoy as a result of the sacrifices which have made for peace.
We pray for the young people of our own day and for all who will shape the future of this nation, that they may be inspired by those who have gone before them to serve as they have been served.
We pray for the reconciliation of former enemies and for the flourishing of goodwill between them, and for the many freedoms and benefits we enjoy as a result of the sacrifices which have made for peace.
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.