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Download the order of service here - 25 06 01 Seventh Sunday of Easter Eucharist
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The Reading
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the gaelor to keep them safely:
Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Scripture quotations are from: New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org
The Sermon
Prepared by The Revd Dr Beth Keith.
The Prayers
Prepared by Barbara W.
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
O God, the creator and preserver of all, we pray for people in every kind of need; make your ways known
on earth, your saving health among all nations …
This week we pray for all those affected by wildfires in Canada, which have erupted over wider areas and
much earlier in the year than usual in the prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and
are affecting air quality throughout Canada and much of the United States. Thousands of people have
already had to be evacuated, many by air as there were no remaining safe land routes out of fire-hit areas.
Please help all those fighting these fires, and all of those facing evacuation or possible evacuation. Please
help all of us to recognise that this is the result of climate change and help us to take what measures we
can make personally to combat the effects of climate change!
Closer to home, this week we particularly pray for the future of Ukraine, as the country faces renewed
attacks by Russia. Please help the United Kingdom, Canada and Europe to stand strong in backing
Ukraine against Russia. We pray for the strengthening of ties with Europe, both in trade and in military
support of Ukraine and other countries facing the threat of Russian aggression. Together we are much
stronger than we are as individual countries. Help our government to see that with clear eyes, and act
accordingly.
We also pray for all those in this country who are feeling the pinch of a harsh economic climate. Please
help our government to find ways to help those who need help most, remembering that they were elected
to serve all the people of this country including those most vulnerable because of ill health, disability or
age. Please help those of us who are more able to afford it to play our part willingly, by paying more taxes
as needed. Help us to help the vulnerable of our own community, by providing a warm and welcoming
place and by supporting our local food bank.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We pray for your Church throughout the world; guide and govern us by your good Spirit, that all who
profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of
spirit, in the bond of peace and in righteousness of life …
We pray for the joint worshipping community of St. Mark’s Broomhill, St. John’s Ranmoor and St. Mary’s
Walkley, and for the newly announced Bishop of Doncaster, Revd. Leah-Vasey Saunders. Please help us to
be a supportive part of the Diocese of Sheffield.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any way afflicted or distressed, in mind, body
or estate; comfort and relieve them in their need, give them patience in their sufferings, and bring good
out of their troubles …
In moments of peace and contemplation, we name to you all those known to us who are suffering. Please
care for them and for all those of whose suffering we are unaware.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We remember those who have gone before us in the peace of Christ, and we give you praise for all your
faithful ones, with whom we rejoice in the communion of saints …
We name to you in our hearts all those known to us both near and far who are suffering the loss of friends
and loved ones, asking that you bring your comfort and healing to them at this time of grief.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is used here is copyright (c) 2010 The Archbishops' Council