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

Posted on May 7, 2023 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 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

30th April 2023 6.30pm – Easter Reflection Service

Posted on April 30, 2023April 30, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

John 20. 1 - 8

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;

Luke 24. 2 - 9

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest.

Luke 24. 13 - 35

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Luke 24. 36 - 49

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

John 20. 21 - 29

Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

John 21. 1 - 14

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

30th April 2023 10.30am – Fourth Sunday of Easter Eucharist

Posted on April 30, 2023April 29, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 2.42-end

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

John 10.1-10

‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

The Sermon
By Joe P, a Reader at St. Mary's

I stockpile stuff I find online to read when I have time. Then I have a bit of a reading session and try to catch up. Unfortunately for me, I find much more of interest than I ever get the time to digest – my list gets longer….and longer…..
This week I came across an item about the rise in interest in what’s called Modern or New Gnosticism amongst spiritual seekers. Whilst we might regard Gnosticism as a historical heresy, it’s still relevant to us today.
To see how, we need to go back to sheep farming culture in 1st Century Palestine.
The events in today’s Gospel reading probably take place around Hannukah – December time - one of the major Jewish festivals – there’s a reference to this a little after today’s reading. Jesus is probably talking to a mixed audience of passers-by, religious leaders – who by this point are his regular sparring partners – and his disciples, who he often teaches with the aid of parables.
Jesus uses something that would be common to his audience in the two parables he teaches. The role of the shepherd and the fold in keeping the sheep safe. This would be a relevant and understood starting point for the listeners, which Jesus then elaborates on.
We have this idea of a shepherd as someone on their own, wandering the hills with a dog and some sheep. He’ll have a fold – a stone walled area that acts as a compound for the sheep to be in at night so that they’re all together and under the protection of the sheep from wandering off or predators – or thieves. There might have been a gate on the fold – a simple wooden barrier. Alternatively, the shepherd himself might act as the gate, sleeping across the opening, effectively blocking it with his body.
Jesus points out that there is but one legitimate way in and out – through that gate. Anyone climbing the wall to get in is up to no good.
So far so good – then we come to Verse 3:
“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
Who is the gatekeeper? Well, many flocks of sheep were small – perhaps only a half dozen animals – and so it would be uneconomic for every shepherd to have his own fold. Instead, communal sheepfolds were built, which could be large enough to house dozens or even hundreds of sheep in safety. And these had a permanent guard and a proper secure gate. The gatekeeper was someone paid to look after the fold. When the shepherd wanted to take his sheep to the hills for grazing, he’d go to the gatekeeper, the gatekeeper would open the gate, and the shepherd would call his sheep out. He’d have a specific call to which his sheep would respond – they would recognise his voice, and what he called, and follow him out from the fold. And these sheep were not just for meat – they would provide wool, season after season, so a shepherd would develop a close – almost parental – relationship with his flock.
Jesus then expands on this;
“Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.”
The people are the sheep; we’re not talking about the modern, derogatory, use of the word here. The sheep to which Jesus refers are the people in the communal fold, who did not listen to the ‘thieves and bandits’ who came before him. When Jesus talks about those thieves, he’s not talking about the prophets of old, like Moses and Isaiah. He’s most likely talking about his contemporaries - the religious authorities of His own day who’ve taken the teachings away from God to benefit themselves. He will also know that his audience will understand this, as there are a number of references in the Old Testament where God stops the religious teachers of older times from exploiting the people and took the people under His wing – like a shepherd. This analogy is common in the Old Testament – particularly in the Psalms.
To get in to the fold, the people must come past the gatekeeper – Jesus is here taking this role. And in the fold, His followers and people who love God will know the voice of Jesus as their shepherd, who will lead them out to feed. The food available in the fold would be hay, probably a few days old, not exactly good. When He leads his sheep to pasture, the shepherd is taking the sheep to fresh grass and water – the ‘green pastures’ of the 23rd Psalm.
As Christians, Jesus as shepherd leads us to the green pastures of the Kingdom, and doesn’t leave us to feed on the dry and spiritually unfulfilling food in the fold of modern society.
So – back to Nick Cave and the New Gnostics.
• Jesus tells us He is the gate through which sheep enter the His fold.
• Jesus tells us he is our shepherd, and that we should recognise His voice if we wish to be led to the green pastures of the Kingdom.
• Jesus warns us that there are thieves and brigands who may get in to the fold – but not through the gate. And that those thieves mean the flock no good.
The New Gnostics are an increasingly powerful influence amongst people seeking spiritual certainties because they claim to know all the answers, but through the means of ‘secret’ knowledge, known only to the adepts or those in the know. For Christians, the way to the Kingdom is clearly and openly laid out for us in the Gospels and the teachings of Christ – no secrets there.
Many modern spiritual leaders – who sometimes identify as Christians - offer ladders over the wall of the fold, or they pull a few stones from the wall to by-pass Jesus as the gate.
Jesus’s role as THE gate – or, as He says in John 14:6:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me”
Is central to our belief – we help bring people to God by proclaiming this central fact about our faith. The path to the Kingdom of Heaven and nearness to God is through THE gate offered by Jesus Christ.
In an uncertain world, it’s no surprise that the message of the New Gnostics is appealing. Especially when some of it can sound very much like Christian teachings.
• What can we – the Christian sheep in the fold of modern society – do to ensure that we listen for, hear, and respond to the voice of our true shepherd with so many competing voices?
• We need to listen; does a tempting voice reflect the teachings of Christ as given in the Gospels and other scripture?
• Does the voice remind us that we are to love God and love one another – as is written in John 13:34 – “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
• Does the voice offer the way to true abundance - not material wealth but the abundant wealth of the Kingdom of God? And is it available to us all – not just to a few ‘further up the tree of knowledge’?
• Asking yourself ‘Can I imagine Jesus, as I know Him through the Gospels, saying or doing this?’ is a good way forward.
It’s our job as followers of Christ to bring the open and true knowledge of the Gospels and the central message – the following Jesus is the ONLY way to God’s Kingdom.
Amen

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica

Lord our God, we continue to give you thanks for the resurrection of your Son, and our hope of forgiveness and salvation. We pray for the Church worldwide, that all Christians may grow closer in sharing the bread and wine which Christ told us to do in remembrance of Him. We pray for our bishops, Pete and Sophie, and that all Christians will work together to bring about a peaceful and cooperative world,
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the world, for all in responsible positions of government, at national and local level. We pray that our local election next week will produce new councillors who will genuinely work for the good of all. We pray also for King Charles on the occasion of his coronation next Saturday. Guide all who are called to positions where they can make a real difference to the quality of life, particularly of the poor and sick, for whom Jesus showed special care.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the well-being of our City, and also for our local community of Walkley. We give you thanks for all those who contribute to the quality of our local area: Walkley Forum, Zest, the library, churches, those who look after our local green spaces, the many Art, Music and Writing groups, and all involved in organising Walkley Festival.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill or unwell at this time. We pray also for all who work in our Health and Care Services, supporting those who are ill and also their family members. Give them the strength to continue in their chosen professions, despite the severe strains they are under at this time. In a moment of quiet we pray for those known to us in need of our prayers……….
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember before you all those who have died recently, and particularly those we have known well. We hold all who have been dear to us in our hearts…………… According to your promise grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of Mary, Mark and John and all your saints, we commend ourselves and all your people to your unfailing love.

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

23rd April 2023 10.30am – Third Sunday of Easter Eucharist

Posted on April 29, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 2.14a, 36-41

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.
Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.’

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

Luke 24.13-35

The Sermon
By Revd Dr Alan Billings

I was recently talking to a member of my staff in my Monday to Friday job. She’s a relatively young woman in her twenties. I asked her whether she’d had a good weekend. She told me how, every Sunday, she and her partner meet up with her parents and grandmother for lunch in one of the pubs in the Stannington-Bradfield area, where they all live.

She said, ‘I expect it sounds a bit dull. It’s become a habit.’

I said it didn’t sound dull at all and that some habits were good. This Sunday habit was a brilliant way of both celebrating something of great value in her life – her family relationships – and also a way of deepening them. I imagine they talk about all sorts of things, enjoy one another’s company, are very relaxed - and grow their love for one another. I would call their Sunday lunch a habit of love.

A habit of love.

Many families do something similar. It may not be every Sunday; it may be on birthdays or anniversaries or at Christmas or Easter. It may be a zoom or telephone call on Friday nights – whatever. Family rituals when they come together and deepen their relationships. Habits of love.

Another member of my staff told me how she hugs her children, two boys, every night before they go to sleep. Every night. She said she did it not only because she loved them, but in order to love them more.

They’ll probably resist it when they get to be teenagers, but they’ll remember, and probably do the same with their own children. A habit of love.

In a similar way I think we can talk about habits of faith. Habits of faith.

People often seem to think that being a Christian means believing things. Well, there are, of course, things that we believe. We will shortly say a summary of them in the creed. But long before Christians had things to say together, there were things we did together. We formed habits.

Today’s gospel reminds us how soon after Christ’s death and resurrection one of those habits came into being and why.

There was obviously a circle of people around Jesus that was wider than the twelve apostles. There were the women for a start, the ones who saw where the body of Jesus was lain after his crucifixion, and who came to the tomb on Easter morning and found the tomb empty. Then there were these two men whom we read about just now in the gospel. On the day of resurrection they are journeying, walking, from Jerusalem to Emmaus – about seven miles. As they travel, they are joined by the risen Christ, though they don’t know about his resurrection and at first don’t recognise him. Until, that is, when they persuade him to stay with them that night. As they gather round the table to eat together, he blesses and breaks the bread.

It is as the bread is broken that they realise they are in the presence of the risen Lord. Their faith is strengthened through this action.

And this blessing and breaking of bread becomes a habit for all Christians. They go on repeating this week by week, recalling as they do so the words that Christ spoke at his last supper on the night before he died. Taking the bread he said that it was his body broken for us.

Breaking the bread becomes a habit. A habit of faith. In this way faith is built up, faith is deepened. Because every time we do this we become aware of Christ’s risen presence with us, as those two discovered at Emmaus. And every time we do it we remember all that he did for us in coming among us, dying and rising for us. It strengthens and deepens our faith.

So yes, faith is in part about what we believe. We do need to be able to put things into words and to feel confident that what we say is trustworthy.

But what principally deepens our faith week by week is coming here for the breaking of the bread. As Luke tells us, Christ was known to them in the breaking of the bread – known to them and so known to us.

Just as the love that dwells in families is the result of the habits of love, so our faith in the risen Christ is the result of the habits of faith.

The Prayers
Prepared by Catherine

Risen Christ,

who made yourself known to your disciples

through walking alongside them

through interpretation of the scriptures

through accepting hospitality

and through the breaking of bread,

we pray for your Church, that in the same simple ways,

we, your disciples today, might similarly make you known to the world.

Jesus, Lord of life,

In your mercy, hear us.

Risen Christ,

who came to earth with a message of peace

and hope for all the world,

we pray for your world

and especially those areas where there is no peace

and hope is a challenge.

We pray for peacemakers, negotiators, aid agencies and governments.

We hold before you the people of Sudan

and continue to remember many other places of war and unrest.

Jesus, Lord of life,

in your mercy, hear us.

Risen Christ,

Who lived among others in community

We pray for our own local community

We give thanks for the efforts of local artists to brighten up our neighbourhood

and all who maintain our streets and parks.

We think of those struggling to pay bills or to feed their households

and continue to remember the work of the food bank.

We pray for the upcoming local elections

that all may use their votes thoughtfully

and that those elected may serve our area wisely.

Jesus, Lord of life,

in your mercy, hear us.

Risen Christ,

You showed compassion for the sick, the lonely and the confused.

We pray for all who are unwell or in any kind of need,

asking that we too might show compassion

and support them in any way we can.

In a few moments’ silence we think of those known to us personally who are in particular need…

Jesus, Lord of life,

in your mercy, hear us.

Risen Christ,

You overcame death and your disciples rejoiced.

We pray for those close to death and those who have died.

We think particularly of Richard, and any others known to us.

Be with all who mourn the loss of a loved one,

In times of sadness, help us to hold on to that Easter hope and joy

experienced by the women at the empty tomb

the disciples in the upper room

and the pair on the Emmaus road

And help us to share that hope and joy with others.

Merciful Father,

Accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

16th April 2023 10.30am – Second Sunday of Easter Eucharist

Posted on April 16, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 2.14a, 22-32

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.

‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,
“I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover, my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”

‘Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
“He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.”
This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.

John 20.19-end

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

The Prayers
Prepared by Kath

God our Father, hear us when we pray to you faith.
We give you thanks for this day, for our lives and the amazing
world you have given us to live in. Help us to be good stewards
and to look after it for this generation and the generations to
come.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Father we pray for your church throughout the world and for
those of other faiths who worship you. May we treat each other
with respect and we pray that those engaged in the inter-faith
strife currently taking place in Israel will find better ways to air
their differences.

We give thanks for all those who give their time, talents and
money for the benefit of this church and all the other churches
and the communities they serve. Be with us in our service and
help us not to lose heart when the tasks before us often seem
so large and the results of our efforts seem slow or small.
Above all, help us not to give up on prayer when we feel
unheard or unanswered. Give us the patience and vision to see
how you work in our lives.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for the world and all peoples, especially those who live
in troubled places because of wars, oppression, natural
disasters, political strife, economic problems and great need for
food, shelter and safety. Father help us to find ways to live
peaceably together, sharing the earth’s resources fairly and
working together for the good of all. Bless all who strive for
these things. From individual to international situations help us
not to see each other as enemies when we don’t see eye to
eye and to genuinely seek to work through our disagreements
to fair and just solutions.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill and those who are nearing the end of
their lives. May they receive the care, comfort and compassion
they need. We pray also for those who accompany them on
their journey who also need to be supported.
We pray for Alan and for Sue
In a moment of quiet let us think of anyone known to us who is
in special need of our prayers at this time.

Let us also pray for ourselves and our own concerns and
needs.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We remember all who have died, some recently and some long
ago. We pray that they are at peace and that those who love
and miss them will be comforted and cared for in their grief.
Especially we pray for Richard and for Martin who have died
recently.

Again in a short time of quiet let us remember those special to
us who are no longer with us.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

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

9th April 2023 10.30am – Easter Day Eucharist

Posted on April 9, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 10.34-43

Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’

John 20.1-18

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

The Sermon
By David, Reader at St Mary's.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

On Good Friday we ended our service with Jesus’ burial in a new tomb within a garden.

Mary Magdalene has come to the tomb, maybe on her own, maybe with other female disciples of Jesus. It’s dark, a darkness of the early morning. But also a metaphorical darkness of a world without Jesus. A world where the powers of sin and death rule. A darkness too of confusion and lack of understanding.

The contrast between light and darkness is a theme in John’s Gospel, right back to the light that shines in the darkness, mentioned in chapter 1, which we heard at Christmas. People move from darkness into light, Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night and journeys into the light, preparing Jesus’ body for burial. Judas travels the other direction. From working in Jesus’ light to the darkness of a night-time handover by a kiss. Jesus presents a choice between light and darkness.

Before we go any further into the reading it’s worth remembering that these biblical figures were once living breathing women and men. They were human. They were fallible, rather than the saintly figures we can sometimes make them.

Mary finds the tomb opened. This provokes confusion, bewilderment and pain. Who has done this? Grave robbers seeking money? A common problem of the time. Maybe the temple authorities or Roman occupiers? Both trying to stamp out all memory of a troublesome threat. Equally believable.

Mary runs to Peter and the beloved disciple, exclaiming “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter and the beloved disciple respond by running to the garden. There is still confusion and a lack of understanding. The disciples aren’t expecting the resurrection. There is frantic behaviour, a hurriedness, a panic.

Peter is his usual impetuous manner enters the tomb and sees the grave bindings and the folded head cloth. The beloved disciple follows him in and believes. They do not yet understand the fullness of what has taken place. The beloved disciple embodies the model of discipleship laid out in John’s Gospel. It’s a model where the goal is love and intimacy with Jesus. This intuitive response, to believe without understanding, requires trust. It points to experiential faith, rather than one based on knowledge and understanding. The beloved disciple is in relationship with Jesus, not a scholar or theologian. This is a faith flowing from encountering Jesus.

Neither of them quite grasp the significance of the grave clothes. Remember Lazarus, who Jesus brought back to life in John chapter 11? We heard the story two weeks ago. Lazarus comes out of the tomb still wrapped in the bandages like a mummy. Lazarus will, in the fullness of time, die of old age, infirmity or illness. Jesus has conquered death and, when raised, leaves its trappings behind for ever.

Exiting the tomb the other disciples return to their homes, still in a state of confusion. Something has happened. They don’t know what. They may be going to resume their grieving in private. Mary stays in the garden and weeps, as Jesus wept publicly over the death of his friend Lazarus. Two angels appear and question her. She responds, in same words used to inform the disciples of Jesus’ disappearance. “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” The disciples, are still grieving, broken and confused. We too like them will encounter times in own lives when we suffer and face adversity. It may be public, it may be private. We may grieve the loss of a loved one, or be challenged in some other way.

The disciples are still in the in darkness of doubt and fear. But light is breaking, first around Mary. Turning from the angels she sees Jesus, but doesn’t understand who he is. Jesus gets the first question in “Why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?” These first words of the risen Jesus, echo Jesus’ first words in the entirety of John’s Gospel in chapter 1 “What are you looking for?” What began as a search for something has changed. It is now a journey in relationship with a person, the risen Jesus.

Even though Jesus speaks Mary still doesn’t recognise him and asks if he has emptied the tomb. Jesus responds by calling her by name, as he called Lazarus from his tomb. The light overcomes the darkness. Jesus is revealed to Mary and the bewilderment and loss fall away. As words from our final hymn this morning put it “Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb, lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.”

We too can hear Jesus call us by name. As disciples we are found by Jesus, named, and live in relationship with him. Our stories can stand in succession to those of Mary, Peter, the beloved disciple and all the followers of Christ through time and eternity.

Following Mary’s response to her name Jesus warns her not to try and stay in this moment. “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father.” This is the most daunting challenge of the Christian faith. We are not in control. We can’t hold on to Jesus. He isn’t, as C.S. Lewis puts it, a tame lion. We cannot control Jesus’ presence or absence. God in Christ cannot be constrained by human powers. He is out in the world. To remind us of this we close our service today with the words “He is not here, he is risen, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

Mary Magdalene has not always been treated well. After our reading today she disappears from scripture. Her recognised role in the early church as the apostle to the apostles is swept aside and she is mislabelled a prostitute. But without her, and the women in the other gospels, all witnesses to the resurrection there would be no Christianity. I pray that her last words will be on our lips this Eastertide. “I have seen the Lord.”

8th April 2023 7.30pm – Easter Vigil and Service of Light

Posted on April 8, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Romans 6.3-11

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 28.1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

7th April 2023 2.00pm – Good Friday

Posted on April 7, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Isaiah 52.13-53.end

See, my servant shall prosper;

he shall be exalted and lifted up,
and shall be very high.
Just as there were many who were astonished at him
—so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of mortals—
so he shall startle many nations;
kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
for that which had not been told them they shall see,
and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.

Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by others;
a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity;
and as one from whom others hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him of no account.

Surely he has borne our infirmities
and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have all turned to our own way,
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By a perversion of justice he was taken away.
Who could have imagined his future?
For he was cut off from the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people.
They made his grave with the wicked
and his tomb with the rich,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain.
When you make his life an offering for sin,
he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days;
through him the will of the Lord shall prosper.
Out of his anguish he shall see light;
he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.
The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;
because he poured out himself to death,
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

John 18.1-19.end

After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus replied, ‘I am he.’ Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, ‘I am he’, they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.’ This was to fulfil the word that he had spoken, ‘I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.’ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?’

So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing round it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, ‘I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.’ When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, ‘Is that how you answer the high priest?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?’ Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, ‘You are not also one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.

Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, ‘What accusation do you bring against this man?’ They answered, ‘If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.’ Pilate said to them, ‘Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.’ The Jews replied, ‘We are not permitted to put anyone to death.’ (This was to fulfil what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?’

After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, ‘I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ They shouted in reply, ‘Not this man, but Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas was a bandit.

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, ‘Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.’ So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Here is the man!’ When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.’ The Jews answered him, ‘We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.’

Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, ‘Where are you from?’ But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, ‘Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?’ Jesus answered him, ‘You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’ From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, ‘If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.’

When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge’s bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, ‘Here is your King!’ They cried out, ‘Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!’ Pilate asked them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but the emperor.’ Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, ‘Do not write, “The King of the Jews”, but, “This man said, I am King of the Jews.” ’ Pilate answered, ‘What I have written I have written.’ When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.’ This was to fulfil what the scripture says,
‘They divided my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.’
And that is what the soldiers did.

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘None of his bones shall be broken.’ And again another passage of scripture says, ‘They will look on the one whom they have pierced.’

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

6th April 2023 7.30pm – Maundy Thursday Eucharist

Posted on April 6, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

1 Corinthians 11.23-26

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

John 13.1-17, 31b-35

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

2nd April 2023 10.30am – Palm Sunday Eucharist

Posted on April 2, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Isaiah 50.4-9a

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?
All of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.

Matthew 26.14-27.66

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I betray him to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so.’

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them, ‘You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,
“I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”
But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.’ Peter said to him, ‘Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And so said all the disciples.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.’ At once he came up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you are here to do.’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?’ At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, ‘This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.” ’ The high priest stood up and said, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, ‘I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you,
From now on you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of Power
and coming on the clouds of heaven.’
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’ Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, ‘Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?’

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the Galilean.’ But he denied it before all of them, saying, ‘I do not know what you are talking about.’ When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ Again he denied it with an oath, ‘I do not know the man.’ After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.’ Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know the man!’ At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: ‘Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ But they said, ‘What is that to us? See to it yourself.’ Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, ‘It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.’ After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, ‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.’

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so.’ But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?’ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgement seat, his wife sent word to him, ‘Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.’ Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And they said, ‘Barabbas.’ Pilate said to them, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ All of them said, ‘Let him be crucified!’ Then he asked, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified!’

So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.’ Then the people as a whole answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’

Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.’ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, “I am God’s Son.” ’ The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘This man is calling for Elijah.’ At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.’ Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’

Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise again.” Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, “He has been raised from the dead”, and the last deception would be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

The Prayers
Prepared by Shirley

We stand with Christ in his suffering.

For forgiveness for the many times we have denied Jesus,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For grace to seek out those habits of sin which mean
spiritual death,
and by prayer and self-discipline to overcome them,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For Christian people,
that through the suffering of disunity
there may grow a rich union in Christ,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For those who make laws, interpret them, and administer them,
that our common life may be ordered in justice and mercy,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For those who still make Jerusalem a battleground,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For those who have the courage and honesty to work openly for justice and peace,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For those in the darkness and agony of isolation,
that they may find support and encouragement,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For those who, weighed down with hardship, failure, or sorrow, feel that God is far from them,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For those who are tempted to give up the way of the cross,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

That we, with those who have died in faith,
may find mercy in the day of Christ,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal,
have mercy upon us.

St Marys Walkley

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

Author: St Mary's

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

30th April 2023 6.30pm – Easter Reflection Service

30th April 2023 10.30am – Fourth Sunday of Easter Eucharist

23rd April 2023 10.30am – Third Sunday of Easter Eucharist

16th April 2023 10.30am – Second Sunday of Easter Eucharist

9th April 2023 10.30am – Easter Day Eucharist

8th April 2023 7.30pm – Easter Vigil and Service of Light

7th April 2023 2.00pm – Good Friday

6th April 2023 7.30pm – Maundy Thursday Eucharist

2nd April 2023 10.30am – Palm Sunday Eucharist