There are two special Sundays still to come before we enter the period in the church liturgical calendar that is known as ‘Ordinary Time’ – these being Pentecost (or Whit Sunday) and Trinity Sunday.
Rev’d John would like you to join him in some fun activities to co-incide with these special days and if you’re willing, he would like you to provide photos so he can use them in our online services:
“My hopes for the next few weeks are; Sun 31st May – Pentecost – make yourself a hat of flame(s) (not real ones) and wear on your head. Sun 7th June – Trinity – examples of the trinity i.e. things that come in Three’s or work in Three parts. Sun 14th June – 1st of Ordinary Time – examples of people being normal doing ordinary things (or not) requires personal interpretation 🙂
Please provide photos of yourself (doing) (flame / ordinary person stuff) or of your Three’s. In providing these photos you understand that you are agreeing for them to be used in the online Parish Communion services between the above dates and which may remain available through our Parish website for some time and the Parish YouTube channel”
Please include the following statement along with your photos in your email replies: I agree for these pictures to be used in the Parish Communion service for (date) and I do have the permission of all those who appear in the pictures.
Please email your photos to Leigh-Anne Willitts at parishofchristtheking@gmail.com before or on the preceding Friday for each of the Sunday services.
We hope you enter into the ‘SPIRIT’ of these ‘THREE IN ONE’ fun activities during these extra-ORDINARY times 🙂
“If you look at the world – you’ll be distressed –
If you look within – you’ll be depressed
If you look at Christ – you’ll be at rest ”
Corrie ten Boon
Often when we pray, we ask God for things we want or need, and there is nothing wrong in that. But sometimes prayer is not about asking for things; sometimes prayer is more like this;
just enjoying God’s presence and saying, ‘I have you, Lord, I have enough.’
Remember His words – ‘Be Still and know that I am God.’
The first prayer of intercession for this week spells out what a difficult task is set before all the leaders of the nations. Here in the UK, our leaders are tentatively allowing or relaxing some of the measures in place at present in certain categories in the world of business, commerce and manufacturing.
We might focus our prayers for the re-entry of certain Primary School children on the 1st of June.
We need to support the teachers and all auxiliary staff in the difficulties they are about to face.
So we start with a comprehensive prayer that we have been using over the past week as it is so inclusive in its structure.
Prayer for those taking decisions for the future that will shape the lives of us all
So much, Lord, is in the melting pot –uncertain, unsure.
It’s not just risks to health, though that’s scary enough; it’s the very fabric of our society: our schools, colleges and universities, our shops and stores, our arts, sport and leisure facilities, our businesses, factories, financial institutions, economy.
Everything, everywhere, is under threat, and though governments across the world are doing their best to limit the damage, desperately trying to keep the plates spinning, the balls somehow still juggled, there’s a danger that it will all come crashing down, leaving hardship in its wake such as we can scarcely begin to imagine.
Give wisdom, Lord, to those who must take decisions, those who must formulate plans, those who must weigh up the options and decide on the path least painful for all. See us through this difficult time, we ask you, but see us also through the time beyond that, and the challenges it will surely bring. Amen.
Our second and new prayer for this week starts us thinking about the work of our scientists.
For scientists seeking to develop a vaccine against coronavirus.
Hear my prayer, Lord, for scientists, for all involved in seeking a vaccine against coronavirus, a way of releasing us from its stranglehold, and from the threat it poses to the elderly and vulnerable.
Guide them in their research, in their experiments, in their early trials with volunteers, and keep them and all who work with them safe.
Give them insight in to the nature of this disease – into the way it develops, the way it spreads, the way it affects the human body, and help them to unravel its secrets so as to find solutions affectively to combat it.
Grant that through their efforts, we may look forward soon to a time when this pandemic is consigned to history, and it presents a danger no longer. Amen
Scripture Reading – Numbers 6 : 24-26
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:1-5 (NIV)
On the day of ascension Jesus went up. He went up to heaven and sits on the throne of glory. John 17:5 makes it clear that he shared the Fathers glory from before the world was made, ascension is when he returned to that place of glory.
When he came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem the angels declared that he was king, throughout his ministry on earth he remained king, and he was still king when he was lifted up on the cross.
Jesus’s sovereignty over all of creation is never in question. The question that we all need to ask ourselves is, whether we accept Jesus as our king? Do we acknowledge his sovereignty in our own lives?
This means accepting his plan for us and acknowledging that we don’t always get things right. The good news is that as our ascended king, fully God and fully human, he understands our struggles and is always ready to forgive us and help us.
Reverend John (Vicar)
Social distancing, services and buildings. I am aware that some of the recent anouncments from the government were not as clear as they may have been. However, the position of the Church of England and the Diocese of Leeds remains to be that all of our buildings must remain closed for now. If any body feels that they need to access any of our buildings they must contact me so to see if it will be safe for them to do so, and so that I can maintain an accurate register of access.
Website Our parish communion will be posted on our website www.melthamparish.co.uk this will be pre-recorded but Rev John will be repeating the service at 5pm so that it may be considered spiritually live. Please join in if you are able.
#melthamprays
Many people are looking for a simple way to pray. I hope that this will offer an opportunity to do so. Please look at the magazine, facebook, or our website for more details.
Sunday 24th May – Ascension Sunday Join us for a special on-line Parish Communion for the Sunday after Ascension – 24th May. This can be viewed at any time but Rev’d John will be conducting the service from the vicarage at 5pm this evening so that the worship may be considered spiritually live. The service words will appear on the video to enable you to join in easily. Today’s service features our Virtual Parish Choir singing a new song for us all to learn and a special demonstration of Jesus going UP! – don’t forget to watch the funny out-takes at the end.
Today’s service will be delayed due to technical issues with YouTube. We are hoping to overcome them and aim to have the service online later this afternoon. Rev’d John will conduct the service at 5pm from the vicarage.
In the past week we have begun to see how difficult it is to come out of seven weeks of Lockdown. The first prayer spells out the enormity of the task before all the world’s leaders and decision makers. Last week our prayers were prayers of thanksgiving for all the support being given by family and friends, members of our local churches and community ventures in times such as these. It is in these times we need to pray in earnest.’ Extra Ordinary Need -Demands Extra Ordinary Prayer’.
Our second Prayer is an affirmation of our own trust in God. As you pray imagine you are at the centre of the Disciples, ask yourself what if feels like to be in their midst in the presence of Jesus. Trust Jesus who said that He and his Father are one. We, through the Holy Spirit, are also one with Jesus and the Father who is always present with us and knows our needs and helps us to pray.
Prayer for those taking decisions for the future that will shape the lives of us all
So much, Lord, is in the melting pot –uncertain, unsure.
It’s not just risks to health, though that’s scary enough; it’s the very fabric of our society: our schools, colleges and universities, our shops and stores, our arts, sport and leisure facilities, our businesses, factories, financial institutions, economy.
Everything, everywhere, is under threat, and though governments across the world are doing their best to limit the damage, desperately trying to keep the plates spinning, the balls somehow still juggled, there’s a danger that it will all come crashing down, leaving hardship in its wake such as we can scarcely begin to imagine.
Give wisdom, Lord, to those who must take decisions, those who must formulate plans, those who must weigh up the options and decide on the path least painful for all.
See us through this difficult time, we ask you, but see us also through the time beyond that, and the challenges it will surely bring. Amen.
Prayer for trust, despite appearances, that God is with us
You’re here, Lord, though we do not see it.
You’re here, though we do not feel it.
You’re here, though it doesn’t seem it
You’re here, though our plight denies it.
You’re here, though we cannot grasp it.
You’re here, though we sometimes doubt it.
You’re here, though our dread obscures it.
You’re here, though we can’t believe it.
You’re here, Lord, as much in the night as in the day, the bad as in the good.
You’re here, You’re here
Amen
Scripture reading: “Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” John 14:21 (NIV)
“If you love me, keep my commands”. At the very top of the list of these commands must always be, love your neighbour (Mark 12:29-31 love the Lord you God and love your neighbour)
It seems a little strange to me that Rogation Sunday has been largely forgotten in many communities whilst the harvest festival is still as popular as ever. At harvest we thank God for all his blessings, but Rogation is when we ask God for those blessings, and not just for ourselves but for all our community.
The harvest festival should of course remain a time of great joy for everyone. However, for the Church rogation should be at least as great a joy. Rogation is not just about asking for God to bless us; it is a chance to ask God to bless everyone. If we truly love our neighbours, then this should be something we can really get excited about.
The early Church did not just bless their neighbours, they were a blessing to them wherever they went. Surely, as we seek to be a prayerful and generous Church we must want to bless and be a blessing to our community.
Reverend John (Vicar)
Social distancing, services and buildings. I am aware that some of the recent anouncements from the government were not as clear as they may have been. However, the position of the Church of England and the Diocese of Leeds remains to be that all of our buildings must remain closed for now. If any body feels that they need to access any of our buildings they must contact me so to see if it will be safe for them to do so, and so that I can maintain an accurate register of access.
Online Services Our parish communion will be posted on our website www.melthamparish.co.uk This will be pre-recorded but Rev John will be repeating the service at 10:30am so that it may be considered spiritually live. Please join in if you are able.
#melthamprays Many people are looking for a simple way to pray. I hope that this will offer an opportunity to do so. Please look at the magazine, facebook, or our website for more details. Yesterday (Sat 16th), people from across the Diocese prayed especially for our Parish here in Meltham!
