Services for the coming week
Sunday, 24th March, Palm Sunday
8.00 am Holy Communion BCP
9.30 am Holy Communion at Levisham
10.00 am Parish Communion Meet outside the Parish Hall
6.00 pm Evensong
Monday 25th March
12.00 noon Midday Service for Holy Week
Tuesday, 26th March
12.00 noon Midday Service for Holy Week
Wednesday, 27th March
10.00 am Holy Communion
12.00 noon Midday Service for Holy Week
2.30 pm Funeral
Thursday, 28th March, Maundy Thursday
12.00 noon Midday Service for Holy Week
7.00 pm Holy Communion
Friday, 29th March, Good Friday
10.30 am Churches Together Walk of Witness. Meet by the cross on Smiddy Hill
12 – 3 pm Devotional Service
Saturday, 30th March
7.45 pm Blessing of the Light
Sunday, 31st March, Easter Day
8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
9.00 am Holy Communion at Levisham
10.30 am Parish Communion Please note later time of Parish Communion. Coffee will be available beforehand.
6.00 pm Holy Communion at Marishes
Welcome to our worship for
Palm Sunday, 24th March
Palm Sunday
True and humble king, hailed by the crowd as Messiah:
grant us the faith to know you and love you, that we may be found beside you on the way of the cross, which is the path of glory.
grant us the faith to know you and love you, that we may be found beside you on the way of the cross, which is the path of glory.
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
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.
Amen
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
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.
Amen
Readings for Today
First Reading: Isaiah 50. 4-9a
The servant of the Lord said: The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.
The Lord God helps me, therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Psalm 31 Response: ‘I trust in you, O Lord, for you are my God.’
In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Incline your ear to me; make haste to deliver me. Be my strong rock, a fortress to save me, for you are my rock and my stronghold. R
Guide me, and lead me for your name's sake. Take me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my strength. Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. R
Second Reading: Philippians 2. 5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name,that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel Reading: Mark 14. 1 – 15.end
Liturgy of the Passion
Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.
“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”
They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”
“It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” Yet even then their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept
The servant of the Lord said: The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.
The Lord God helps me, therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Psalm 31 Response: ‘I trust in you, O Lord, for you are my God.’
In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Incline your ear to me; make haste to deliver me. Be my strong rock, a fortress to save me, for you are my rock and my stronghold. R
Guide me, and lead me for your name's sake. Take me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my strength. Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. R
Second Reading: Philippians 2. 5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name,that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel Reading: Mark 14. 1 – 15.end
Liturgy of the Passion
Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.
“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”
They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”
“It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” Yet even then their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept
Thoughts on the readings for this week.
From 'Common Worship - Living Word'
“This is my body.” Mark 14:22b
Judicial murder, that is killing by the state, is all too common. Executions are sometimes hidden, often public, but are frequent and widespread. And often they come after the person has been celebrated in public by the ordinary folk for bringing hope to their lives, that things don’t have to go on being the same. Those who are silenced in this way have often been those who have dared to challenge the status quo. Naming them is important, so that their clear-sightedness, their courage and willingness to speak out, is not forgotten. We could name Steve Biko from South Africa or Oscar Romero from El Salvador – both men who were killed by the state in our lifetime. They stood against tyranny not for themselves, but for those who suffered under regimes of terror.
Terror is a powerful weapon in the hands of rulers. Power lies in making a public show of the awful consequences for those who step out of line. Killing one person is effective but making everyone else afraid is even more powerful. It encourages others to stay back, to remain hidden, to keep quiet, not to name the evil being done in their midst for fear that they, too, will face torture and death. In some places, as with Biko and Romero, the end point is death, while in other places it is public shaming or ridicule on trumped-up charges, so the person appears to lose all credibility. That happens all too frequently in political life. And there is the repression of whole communities through the violence of poverty, lack of access to justice and the demonisation of whole groups of people, whether for their sexuality, ethnicity or class, or as migrants.
The long Gospel today includes the account of the murder of Jesus by the Romans alongside stories that show gentleness and compassion. First, the unnamed woman who comes to the house of Simon the leper and anoints Jesus has taken herself to a place of “outsideness”, a leper’s home, and unbidden has touched Jesus. All of this is way beyond the bounds of the usual accepted way of behaving. Simon knows about exclusion because of his condition; the woman is excluded by virtue of her sex. It’s all shocking and the one who voices the shock, Judas Iscariot, is of course the one who will go on to betray Jesus.
In the account of the Last Supper, we hear Jesus say the words “This is my body” and “This is my blood”. Here he gives himself away and, in a sense, the authorities cannot take anything away from him, because he has already given himself away.
At the end of this long passage we read about two women who cared for Jesus’ body and a man, Joseph of Arimathea, who has kept his belief secret in order to perhaps keep himself safe as a member of a council.
Knowing there is a better way than violence, but also knowing that way is costly, is a Christian calling. We are not the only people who know it: many others of other faiths and political and human understanding also “get it”. For Christians, it’s important to hold this Gospel of compassion close in a world where powerful people all too easily resort to evil deeds in order to keep hold of power.
Christians follow a God who we see, in our reading from Isaiah, does not abandon the one who teaches truth and gentleness. In the reading from Philippians Paul, depicts God as the one who is humbled and poured out even to death, but not defeated by it. The hard truth is that violence often wins over compassion and gentleness. We are however offered another truth, which is that self-giving love is not defeated, that there is hope and that evil will not ultimately triumph because in the end it destroys itself.
As people of faith we are part, with others, of this living hope and that is a costly calling, but we follow one who didn’t shirk it and who left us his body and his blood to sustain and encourage us.
Judicial murder, that is killing by the state, is all too common. Executions are sometimes hidden, often public, but are frequent and widespread. And often they come after the person has been celebrated in public by the ordinary folk for bringing hope to their lives, that things don’t have to go on being the same. Those who are silenced in this way have often been those who have dared to challenge the status quo. Naming them is important, so that their clear-sightedness, their courage and willingness to speak out, is not forgotten. We could name Steve Biko from South Africa or Oscar Romero from El Salvador – both men who were killed by the state in our lifetime. They stood against tyranny not for themselves, but for those who suffered under regimes of terror.
Terror is a powerful weapon in the hands of rulers. Power lies in making a public show of the awful consequences for those who step out of line. Killing one person is effective but making everyone else afraid is even more powerful. It encourages others to stay back, to remain hidden, to keep quiet, not to name the evil being done in their midst for fear that they, too, will face torture and death. In some places, as with Biko and Romero, the end point is death, while in other places it is public shaming or ridicule on trumped-up charges, so the person appears to lose all credibility. That happens all too frequently in political life. And there is the repression of whole communities through the violence of poverty, lack of access to justice and the demonisation of whole groups of people, whether for their sexuality, ethnicity or class, or as migrants.
The long Gospel today includes the account of the murder of Jesus by the Romans alongside stories that show gentleness and compassion. First, the unnamed woman who comes to the house of Simon the leper and anoints Jesus has taken herself to a place of “outsideness”, a leper’s home, and unbidden has touched Jesus. All of this is way beyond the bounds of the usual accepted way of behaving. Simon knows about exclusion because of his condition; the woman is excluded by virtue of her sex. It’s all shocking and the one who voices the shock, Judas Iscariot, is of course the one who will go on to betray Jesus.
In the account of the Last Supper, we hear Jesus say the words “This is my body” and “This is my blood”. Here he gives himself away and, in a sense, the authorities cannot take anything away from him, because he has already given himself away.
At the end of this long passage we read about two women who cared for Jesus’ body and a man, Joseph of Arimathea, who has kept his belief secret in order to perhaps keep himself safe as a member of a council.
Knowing there is a better way than violence, but also knowing that way is costly, is a Christian calling. We are not the only people who know it: many others of other faiths and political and human understanding also “get it”. For Christians, it’s important to hold this Gospel of compassion close in a world where powerful people all too easily resort to evil deeds in order to keep hold of power.
Christians follow a God who we see, in our reading from Isaiah, does not abandon the one who teaches truth and gentleness. In the reading from Philippians Paul, depicts God as the one who is humbled and poured out even to death, but not defeated by it. The hard truth is that violence often wins over compassion and gentleness. We are however offered another truth, which is that self-giving love is not defeated, that there is hope and that evil will not ultimately triumph because in the end it destroys itself.
As people of faith we are part, with others, of this living hope and that is a costly calling, but we follow one who didn’t shirk it and who left us his body and his blood to sustain and encourage us.
Prayers for today
Blessed are you, Lord God. As the Jerusalem crowds proclaim the entry of your Son Jesus Christ, you have opened the way to glory. In him the world is seen in greater depth and in him is the way to eternal life. Lord, you ease our troubled hearts as we put our faith in you. Continue to teach us to walk in your way and rejoice in your truth so that we may know the fullness of life eternal.
Father, we bring to you the pain and the anguish of your children in the troubled parts of your world. Help us to restore a peaceful world, a world of love, compassion and respect, a world where your face is seen and respected, and love shines in the faces of all your children.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
We lift in prayer our ministry team. We pray for your church and for those who preach the word, that with one voice the cry will be for peace, justice, and reconciliation. Help us, as members of your body, to seek your face in the crowd. Let us hear your voice calling us always to love our neighbour, to reach out and take the hand of all in need. With that promise in mind, we pray for success in our outreach.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
We pray for all who live in distress; for those who are ill in hospitals and care homes; for those who are living with chronic illness, those whose days and nights are full of pain. O God, you know the depths of human suffering. Be with all who suffer, and take the dying by the hand, leading them gently to your kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
In this coming Holy Week, help us to be faithful. Help us to walk with you, the way of redemption, not averting our eyes from the suffering around us but finding your love that is always present. A love even for those who do their worst, and we pray that they may come to repentance. May all know the salvation you bought by your suffering love on the cross.
We give thanks on this Palm Sunday loving God, for Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Not an earthly king but a heavenly King, a king who would be a servant. You call us to be different and to serve our King. We pray that difference will help us bear the fruit of your Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Father, we bring to you the pain and the anguish of your children in the troubled parts of your world. Help us to restore a peaceful world, a world of love, compassion and respect, a world where your face is seen and respected, and love shines in the faces of all your children.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
We lift in prayer our ministry team. We pray for your church and for those who preach the word, that with one voice the cry will be for peace, justice, and reconciliation. Help us, as members of your body, to seek your face in the crowd. Let us hear your voice calling us always to love our neighbour, to reach out and take the hand of all in need. With that promise in mind, we pray for success in our outreach.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
We pray for all who live in distress; for those who are ill in hospitals and care homes; for those who are living with chronic illness, those whose days and nights are full of pain. O God, you know the depths of human suffering. Be with all who suffer, and take the dying by the hand, leading them gently to your kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
In this coming Holy Week, help us to be faithful. Help us to walk with you, the way of redemption, not averting our eyes from the suffering around us but finding your love that is always present. A love even for those who do their worst, and we pray that they may come to repentance. May all know the salvation you bought by your suffering love on the cross.
We give thanks on this Palm Sunday loving God, for Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Not an earthly king but a heavenly King, a king who would be a servant. You call us to be different and to serve our King. We pray that difference will help us bear the fruit of your Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Please pray for:-
the sick, and those who care for them, including Patricia Gordon-Duff, Robert Heal and Lynn Grove
those who have lit candles and those for whom candles have been lit
those who have recently died including Reginald John Marton and Anita Hancock
and those whose anniversary of death falls at this time, including Norman Willox and Carol Hammond
Post Communion Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant,
and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation: give us the mind to
follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the
Father. Amen.
and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation: give us the mind to
follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the
Father. Amen.
Our Diocesan Prayers from April to June
From The Church of England
You are invited to our Live service on Sunday from 9am on our website, Facebook or YouTube . It will be available for playback immediately after as well.
All of our weekly service content is manually subtitled and contains British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation throughout.
CHURCH GIVING
A few people have asked how they can support the church financially if they can't do their normal weekly giving. Please continue to use Pam’s letterbox to drop off church donations – either envelopes, cheques (made payable to PCC of Pickering Parish Church) or other loose cash (In a sealed envelope marked for the Church). If you are unable to go outside, please ring, and we will see if there is an alternative way to collect.
Pam Robb at 16 Garden Way, Pickering, YO18 8BG. 07769 801708
WITH VERY MANY THANKS.