7th May 2023 10.30am – Fifth Sunday of Easter Eucharist

Posted on by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 7.55-end

But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.

John 14.1-14

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 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? 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. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’

Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

 

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
By Revd Shan Rush

 

(to follow later)

The Prayers
Prepared by Barbara

 

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 …

We pray for all those affected by natural disasters everywhere, thinking today particularly of those suffering from wildfires and flooding. We pray also for all those affected by war, thinking especially of those in Sudan and Ukraine.

We pray for all those severely affected by the cost of living crisis here in the UK, facing hard choices about what necessities they can afford. We think of those on strike or about to go on strike, many of whom have not had a decent pay rise in years.

Please help us to keep all these people in our hearts and to be generous in helping them when we can.

We pray for all of those newly elected to our local government, especially but not only Laura McClean, elected here in Walkley. Please give all of those elected the wisdom and skills they need to listen to, help and represent all their constituents regardless of party affiliations.

Lord, in your mercy
All 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 our newly crowned king and queen. Please guide them and give them the ability to fulfil their duties with wisdom, compassion, patience and humility. We recognise the king as the new Supreme Governor of the Church of England: please help us to support him in this role by continuing to support the Church of England here in Walkley.

We pray for the success of the Christian Aid campaign here in Walkley, which is a wonderful way to help our brothers and sisters in other countries.

Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.

 

We commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are any ways 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
All 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 …

Today we give you thanks for Violet, a long-time member of our congregation. We remember her company and service with love.

We also thank you for the lives and music of Gordon Lightfoot and Harry Belafonte.

We name to you in our hearts all those known to us both near and far, asking that you bring your comfort and healing to their families and friends at this time of grief.

All this we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake.

Merciful Father,
All accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

 

 

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is used here is copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council 2000