Today the fifth Sunday in Lent is known as Passion Sunday, Judica Sunday or Carling Sunday to name a few.
So we shall listen and join in with our opening hymn, which is Praise to the holiest in the height.
+ In the name of the Father,
And of the Son
And of the Holy Spirit.
Grace and Peace be with you and keep you in the love of Christ.
Heavenly Father, all hearts are open to you.
No secrets are hidden from you.
Purify us with the fire of your Holy Spirit
That we may love and worship you faithfully,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Lord Jesus, you were sent to heal the contrite.
Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you came to call sinners.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you plead for us at the right hand of the Father.
Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Almighty God,
Who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy on us and set us free from sin, strengthen us in goodness
And keep us in eternal life: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Reading:- John 14: 1-7
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In 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? 3 And 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. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ 5 Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ 6 Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
Reflection today from Rick, our Ordinand in the Parish. We are grateful to him for sharing this and remember in our prayers Rick working as a key worker with B.A and his wife, Cath a nurse.
Reflection for 26th March 2020
For many years we as a family we have gently made fun of my Dad as he has squirrelled away a stock of toilet rolls under the spare bed in our family home he shares with my mum. For the past 10 years we would enquire as to the current stock level which very rarely dipped below 80 rolls. Whenever an offer was on in the supermarket, he would purchase more ensuring his reserves never run low. However, he was very generous with them or should I say my mum was as she would often sneak a multi pack to me as I was leaving the house, I can only imagine how my Dad wondered how the stock got depleted so much. Of course, during the current Corona virus crisis one thing my parents are not short of is toilet rolls.
I believe my Fathers interest in keeping certain items at a sufficient level in the house comes from the job he was employed in during the 1970`s when he was employed at Ransomes Sims and Jefferies an agricultural machinery parts factory, and was responsible to ensure that there was sufficient spare parts available when the farmers agricultural vehicles broke down and this was most important during the season of harvest when farmers called him out all through the night to obtain spares to keep their Combine Harvesters and tractors working at that crucial time. My Dad knew that you needed reserves at critical times.
As we come together spiritually during these strange and never before experienced times. We all need to call on our reserves of faith and hope in God built up throughout our lifetime. Today`s Gospel reading is one that you may well have heard at funerals and may remind you of a sad time. However, it actually is Jesus speaking of a time of great hope. The opening line of our Gospel reading today says “Do not let your hearts be troubled”.
As Christians we must draw on our reserves of faith in that God is with us during these difficult days and not allow the situation to overcome and overwhelm us but instead to show that this is the time for our lights to shine most brightly in the world in what we say and what we do to help our community. It is difficult not to worry however, but by drawing on our reserves of faith and knowledge of life eternal we can allow our hearts to be not troubled. All of us are amazing that when trouble and crises happen in our lives the incredible depths of reserves, we each can find to deal with it and support others, with Gods help.
As we enter next week in a changing world than we are used to. We should remember repeat to ourselves and pray that line in our mind.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled, Believe in God, believe also in me”
And take comfort that God is beside us always
Amen
Rick Gratton Ordinand Church in Wales
Prayers.
O God, your generous love surrounds us in all we do, think and pray and so we pray together for the needs of our world and your people.
We give thanks for the beauty of the world you have given to us. Help us to truly care for it and use what we have sensibly; remembering as faithful stewards we need to care for the planet for the future too.
Lord hear us Lord graciously hear us.
We pray for our communities, where we are now and those who live around us. For key workers who work in all manner of places to keep life going on. For our doctors, pharmacies, food and provision shops. For the caring work which goes on through volunteers, trying to enable everyone’s needs are met.
Lord hear us Lord graciously Hear us.
We find it hard to believe that the doors of our churches are shut and there is no access in this pandemic. Let the church be active its witness through new and different ways. We pray for June our bishop and the clergy and lay team here in this parish, that they will continue to lead us through these difficult days.
Lord hear us Lord graciously hear us.
We bring before you Lord all who are ill whether in body, mind or spirit. We especially remember all those who are worried and frightened as the vulnerable. For those in isolation and feeling isolated. Give them peace and strength Lord to cope afresh with each new day. I ask your prayers for Ian who has Covid 19, baby Oscar, John Wishart and those known to you.
Lord hear us Lord graciously hear us.
We remember all those who have died, those known to us and those who have died in this pandemic, we remember with gratitude, David Bounds, Ken Jones and Brenda Hiscock. May they rest in peace and rise in glory. For their loved ones as they mourn and for the funerals, which aren’t the way we envisaged saying farewell to our loved ones.
Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The grace of our lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and evermore.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen