Prayer and Meditation for May

Holy Spirit, be especially close to those who feel lonely and isolated in their task of giving witness to their faith in Jesus Christ. Do not let them become discouraged.  Keep them united and courageous, so that the message they may give, may come from cheerful hearts and bring light and hope to others. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27)

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Sunday 15th May

5th Sunday of Easter, Year C

Collect:     

Risen Christ, your wounds declare your love for the world and the wonder of your risen life: give us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Reading:   Acts 11.1-18

Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?’ Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, ‘I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance, I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely, I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But I replied, “By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.” But a second time the voice answered from heaven, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, “Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.” And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?’ When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, ‘Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.’

Gospel:                  John 13.31-35

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.’

MUSIC AT THE SUNDAY 10am MASS

HYMNS                 532         All creatures of our God and king

                                537         For the beauty of the earth

                                165         An upper room did our Lord prepare

                                710         Light’s abode, celestial Salem (v1-3,6)

St Thomas                           

Organ Postlude:                Prelude in C minor, BWV546, J S Bach

Please pray for those who are unwell:

Patrick and Gillian Crow, John Crocker, Marcia, Annie and Andy, Chris Sterry, Mark Lawson Jones, Theo, Elvira Vryoni-Dickson and family, Tom and Tegan Watson, Mthr Hilary, Susan, Anthony, Mary Strange, Mattei, Valerie, Fr John Wilson, Peggy Hall, Matthew, Becky and Sister Bernadette

Please pray for the recently departed: Mike Rees, and Mthr Wendy

and for those in our Year’s Mind:  Alexandra Vryonis, Jason Victory (15th), Donald Gover (16th), Edward Holloway (17th), Peter Hine (19th), and Linda Burdon (20th)

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A PRAYER FOR PEACE AND THE PEOPLE OF THE UKRAINE

Holy and gracious God, we pray for the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia.

We pray for all those who are afraid; for those who are suffering; and for those who are grieving, that your everlasting arms may hold them in this time of great suffering.

We pray for those who choose war; that they will turn their swords into ploughshares and seek for peace.

We pray for the leaders of nations; that they may follow the wisdom and compassion of Christ.    We ask this in the name of your blessed Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.