The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Burton Latimer
Making the love of God known in our community
Welcome to our worship today
Sunday 5th February 2023-The Third Sunday Before Lent.
8.30am BCP
10.00am – Family Service
Our Prayer List
Each week we pray for a different street: this week is Acorn Park.
We remember those who are ill or need our prayers at this time, especially: Susan Downing, Liliarna, Margaret Jones, Marion Heygate, Hazel Smith, Maureen Shaw, Christalla Hodgkins
We pray for the souls of those who have died: John Alibone, Pat Perkins, Roy Terry.
We pray for those anniversaries at this time: Ivan Cox.
Contact details:
Rector: The Reverend Patrick Kelleher, The Rectory, Preston Court, Burton Latimer, Kettering, NN15 5LR. Telephone 01536 722844, email: patrickkelleher185@outlook.com
Churchwardens:
Mike Jones, telephone 01536 724860,
Carol Sharman, telephone 01536725759, (weddings, baptisms and funerals)
Safeguarding Officer: Lucy Lorentzen, telephone: 07944597181,
Website: www.stmarysburtonlatimer.co.uk or visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmarysburtonlatimer.co.uk
Collect.
Almighty God, who alone can bring order to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity: give your people grace so to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, among the many changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; 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.
First Reading
Isaiah 58.1-9a
Thus says the Lord: 1Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. 2Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practised righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to God. 3‘Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’ Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day, and oppress all your workers. 4Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. 5Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? 6Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
8Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your regard. 9Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.
Gospel reading.
Matthew 5.13-20
13‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’
Post Communion Prayer
Merciful Father, who gave Jesus Christ to be for us the bread of life, that those who come to him should never hunger: draw us to the Lord in faith and love, that we may eat and drink with him at his table in the kingdom, where he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
5th February 2023
We should like to thank everyone who contributes to our stewardship scheme, whether by standing order to our bank, through the Parish Giving Scheme or by regular giving through the plate. We are grateful for your gifts. If you would like to support us, please contact Charmaine Augustus for further information.
Chip and Pin: We are able to accept donations for our church by chip and pin and there is card reader available at the back of church for this purpose. The plate collection will also be available.
Alternatively, please use your phones camera to scan this QR code to go directly to the Parish Given Scheme page. Using this method you can give a one-off gift or join the scheme.
Prayer list: The names of those who are ill or in need of prayer will remain on the prayer list for three weeks. However, we realise that some people may need to be on for longer and, if this is the case, please speak with Carol Sharman who will be happy to arrange this.
Open House- Roger is planning to offer his house as an ‘open house group’ to talk informally about anything of interest re the Bible, Church teaching or customs for St Mary’s or BL people. The next meetings are Thursdays 2nd and 9th February from 7.30 to 9pm.
Please email or text me if you are interested or would like to know more 07874877939.
Wellbeing Café: Come along. Speak to Sharon to find out more
Next Week
Monday- 9am Morning Prayer (Chapter House)
Tuesday-10.30am SMUFs (Guiding Centre Alexandra Street)
Wednesday – 9.30am mid-week service, followed by light refreshments.
10.30am Wellbeing Café in church
Friday-9am Morning Prayer
Sunday-8.30am Holy Communion
Sunday-10am Holy Communion
Sunday 12th February 2023-The Second Sunday Before Lent.
8.30am Holy Communion
10am Holy Communion