29th October 2023 10.30am – Simon and Jude, Apostles, Eucharist

The Readings

Ephesians 2.19-end

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.

John 15.17-end

I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, “Servants are not greater than their master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. It was to fulfil the word that is written in their law, “They hated me without a cause.”

‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

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 Prayers
Prepared by Catherine.

God of Simon and Jude, we pray for your church. We give thanks that they
answered your call to follow Jesus and were among the earliest people to share
the good news of your kingdom. We pray for all churches worldwide, whether
they be long established or pioneering, like the early church. We pray for
church leaders, ministers, evangelists and pastors, and for all who give of their
time and resources to share the gospel in today’s world.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of Simon and Jude, who lived and served you first in Israel-Palestine and
then perhaps in Persia, we pray for the Middle East. We ask for a safe return of
the hostages in Gaza, and an end to the violence. We pray for the leaders of the
Israelis and the Palestinians, and for those of countries worldwide, that all
might work wisely towards a peaceful and just solution to the conflict.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of Simon and Jude, who were among Jesus’ circle of friends, we pray for
our own communities of family, church and friends. We give thanks for the
mutual support and care we receive from each other, remembering that you are
a God of community. We pray for any who find it difficult to make or maintain
friendships and ask that we be open and inclusive of all who might feel lonely.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of Jude, patron saint of lost causes, we pray for all who are suffering or
find life a struggle. We ask that you bring comfort, healing and hope to all who
are in particular need. In a few moments of silence we think of Kath, and
others known to us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of Simon and Jude, who followed you faithfully to the ends of their
earthly lives, we remember all those who have gone before us and who we see
no more. We remember those who have died recently or long ago, giving
thanks for their lives and examples to us and resting in the hope of everlasting
life.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Merciful Father
Accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son
Jesus, Christ,
Amen.

St Marys Walkley

The Church on the Road: inclusive, eucharistic, a safe place to be with God

29th October 2023 10.30am – Simon and Jude, Apostles, Eucharist