The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Burton Latimer
Making the love of God known in our community & homes
Week commencing 7th February 2021
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemass)
Our Prayer List
Each week we pray for a different street: this week is Hamlet Gardens
We remember those who are ill or need our prayers at this time, especially:
Sebastian, Lily Kirchman Retirement Home, Stephen Bakewell, Anne-Marie Miller
We pray for the souls of those who have died:
Gloria Long, Robin Sharp, Rosemary Greenwood,
Marjorie Bransom, John Aveling
We remember those whose anniversaries of death are at this time:
Ivan Cox, Frank Pearson, Celia Hill
Contact details:
The Rector: The Revd Jez Safford, The Rectory, Preston Court, Burton Latimer, NN15 5LR. Telephone: 01536 723810.
Email: jez.safford766@gmail.com.
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
The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Burton Latimer
Making the love of God known in our community & homes
Week commencing 7th February 2021
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemass)
Our Prayer List
Each week we pray for a different street: this week is Hamlet Gardens
We remember those who are ill or need our prayers at this time, especially:
Sebastian, Lily Kirchman Retirement Home, Stephen Bakewell, Anne-Marie Miller
We pray for the souls of those who have died:
Gloria Long, Robin Sharp, Rosemary Greenwood,
Marjorie Bransom, John Aveling
We remember those whose anniversaries of death are at this time:
Ivan Cox, Frank Pearson, Celia Hill
Contact details:
The Rector: The Revd Jez Safford, The Rectory, Preston Court, Burton Latimer, NN15 5LR. Telephone: 01536 723810.
Email: jez.safford766@gmail.com.
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
Collect
Almighty and ever-living God,
clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son
was this day presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh:
grant that we may be presented to you
with pure and clean hearts,
by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
All Amen
First Reading
Hebrews 2.14-18
14Since the children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
This is the Word of the Lord
All Thanks be to God
Gospel
Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ was revealed in flesh, proclaimed among the nations
and believed in throughout the world.
All Alleluia
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
Luke 2.22-40
22When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every
firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
30for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’
33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
All Praise to you, O Christ
Prayer after Communion Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna,
who lived to welcome the Messiah:
may we, who have received these gifts beyond words,
prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes
to bring us to eternal life;
for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
Stewardship If you have already signed up to our Parish Giving Scheme (PGS), thank you. If you would like to join this scheme, please contact our treasurer Charmaine Augustus (telephone 352914), who will be happy to provide you with the necessary form/information. We now have so little take up on the boxed weekly stewardship envelopes that it is no longer viable for us to purchase them. We hope therefore that those of you who currently give via this method will feel able to change to PGS,
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.
Hymn
Like a candle flame,
flick’ring small
in our darkness,
uncreated light
shines through infant eyes.
God is with us,
alleluia,
come to save us,
alleluia, alleluia!
Stars and angels sing,
yet the earth
sleeps in shadows;
can this tiny spark
set a world on fire?
Refrain
Yet His light shall shine
from our lives,
spirit blazing,
as we touch the flame
of His holy fire.
Refrain
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)
Faithful one, whose word is life:
come with saving power
to free our praise,
inspire our prayer
and shape our lives
for the kingdom of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Collect
A minister introduces a period of prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’
Reading
Please see the weekly sheet.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Reflection
Prayers of Intercession
Please refer to the weekly sheet
Invitation to Confession
‘Be imitators of God;
love as Christ loved;
do not grieve the Holy Spirit;
put away all anger and bitterness,
all slander and malice.’
So let us confess our sins to God,
who forgives us in Christ.
Confession
All Most merciful God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we confess that we have sinned
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may do justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly with you, our God.
Amen.
Absolution
Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
Eucharist Prayer
Have your bread and wine ready
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
On the night before he died he had supper with his friends
and, taking bread, he praised you.
He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.
Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Jesus Christ is Lord
All Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.
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.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,
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 God of all grace,
who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus,
establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All Amen.