Copy
Share to your Facebook Share to your Facebook
Tweet Tweet
Forward to a friend Forward to a friend
View this email in your browser
Sunday 3rd May 2020
Welcome to our simple order of Prayer & Praise for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (often referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday), for use while we are unable to meet as a Church during this lock down period. Despite the need to stay at home, we hope that you will feel united with all who make up our Chaplaincy at this time – both regulars and visitors alike.
 
By using the reading/s, prayers and psalms set for today, we are also joining our fellow Christians around the world who will also be praying these words and reading these scriptures at different times and in very different places today – so we join them in praising God and praying for one another… we are never alone!
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
 
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord;
by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia!
 
Jesus, our way, our truth, and our life:
As the gift of this new day unfolds,
open our hearts and minds to you,
that we may see you clearly and follow where you lead;
to you, risen Saviour, we offer praise,
now and always. Amen.
Hymn:
https://youtu.be/csjkP4X0Veo
 
Jesus is Lord!
Creation's voice proclaims it,
for by his power each tree and flower
was planned and made.
Jesus is Lord!
The universe declares it -
sun, moon and stars in heaven cry:
Jesus is Lord!
 
Jesus is Lord,
Jesus is Lord!
Praise him with alleluias,
for Jesus is Lord.


Jesus is Lord!
Yet from his throne eternal
in flesh he came to die in pain
on Calvary's tree.
Jesus is Lord!
From him all life proceeding -
yet gave his life a ransom
thus setting us free.
 
Jesus is Lord!
O'er sin the mighty conqueror;
from death he rose and all his foes
shall own his name.
Jesus is Lord!
God sends his Holy Spirit
to show by works of power
that Jesus is Lord.
 
Words & Music: David J. Mansell (b.1936)
 
 

PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
 
As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ’s love,
let us acknowledge our sins and ask for pardon and for strength:
 
Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd,
you call by name those who are yours
and you lead them in right paths for your Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy.
 
Lord Jesus, you are the door,
those who enter by you will be saved.
Christ, have mercy.
 
Lord Jesus, you came that we might have life
and have it abundantly.
Lord, have mercy.
 
May the God of love and power forgive us and free us from our sins,
heal and strengthen us by his Spirit,
and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
 

The Opening Prayer:
 
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
raise us, who trust in him,
from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above,
where he reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
(Acts 2: 42-47
)
 
Many were baptised and were added to the community.
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.
 
 

A Metrical Version of Psalm 23
(from ‘The Scottish Psalter’, 1650 – Music: ‘Brother James’s Air’)
 
https://youtu.be/H6R_FvWApBw
 
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
in pastures green. He leadeth me
the quiet waters by.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me,
the quiet waters by.
My soul he doth restore again,
and me to walk doth make
within the paths of blessedness,
ee’n for his own name’s sake.
Within the paths of blessedness,
ee’n for his own name’s sake.


Yea, though I pass through shadowed vale,
yet will I fear no ill.
For thou art with me, and thy rod
and staff me comfort still.
Thy rod and staff they comfort still.
 
My table thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes.
My head with oil thou dost anoint,
and my cup overflows.
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.
 
Goodness and mercy all my days
will surely follow me.
And in my father’s heart alway
my dwelling place shall be.
And in my heart forevermore,
thy dwelling place shall be.
A reading from St Luke’s Gospel
(John: 10: 1-10)


Jesus said to the Pharisses:
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.

Just a thought…
A Reflection by Fr. Peter Ford

 
Jesus said  “I am the Good Shepherd and I know my sheep”
 
On this Good Shepherd Sunday what does it mean to us, when we read about Jesus calling Himself  “The Good Shepherd”? You may have been lucky to have known a shepherd, but for many of us our understanding comes from the television and images of the good shepherd from art and bible stories.

It may be the art of the Pre-Raphalites, or the pictures of Jesus in stained glass windows, and of course from our hymns – ‘The Lord´s my Shepherd’ and its varients  ‘The King of Love /the God of love’. Perhaps it may be the music – ‘Crimond’ and the beautiful music of John Rutter. Another inspirational tune is ‘Brother James' Air’. This all adds up to a mosaic of our understanding of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  But this image may be a little removed from the image of shepherd in the bible.
 
But Jesus was no soft option!  Even here, He is being very political!  In the Old Testament the leaders of Israel are often called the ‘Shepherds of Israel’ and there were often many scandals and issues around them – usually corruption and greed.  So when Jesus says ‘I am the Good Shepherd’ He is really challenging the present day order and that is not just in a religious sense, but also in a political sense. But the concept of the Good Shepherd is even greater!  In his book The Good Shepherd, published in 2015, Kenneth E Bailey identifies nine situations, from Psalm 23 to 1 Peter, to prove that Jesus is Messiah and Redeemer.  Of course many in history and perhaps even today make similar statements, but Jesus is different in two aspects: 1. He is prepared to die for the sheep and 2. He knows them, even down to the numbers of hairs on their head.
 
In Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd declares that He will be with us in the darkest of times. He will comfort us as we travel through the valley of the shadow of death.  He is with us.  He is with us at this present time of a pandemic virus, when we are isolated from our families, our friends and everyone we would normally have contact with – and it is hard going.  But we take hope in Jesus, the Good Shepherd, for He goes where we cannot go and be with those we are unable to be with.  As St Paul says in Romans 8: 38 -  “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” So we can be confident that Jesus’s promise is true  “I am the Good Shepherd and I know my sheep”.  My sisters and brothers, we are the sheep of His pasture and He loves us very dearly. 
 
You can listen to Howard Goodall’s setting of: The Lord is my Shepherd - here:
 
https://youtu.be/7O1nijBP7LE
Affirmation of Faith: 
 
Let us declare our faith in the resurrection of our Jesus Christ:
 
Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he was buried;
he was raised to life on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
afterwards he appeared to his followers,
and to all the apostles: this we have received,
and this we believe. Amen.
Intercessions
 
In joy and hope let us pray to our heavenly Father.
 
Risen Lord as Mary Magdalene met you in the garden on the morning of your resurrection, so may we meet you today and every day and we feel your presence with us…
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
 
Risen Lord may your Easter rising continue to surprise your church with new life and hope especially at this time. We pray for all members of our Church family scattered far and wide and for the preparations being made for when we can start to gather again for worship....
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
 
Risen Lord, as the Good Shepherd you care for us all, inspire many to offer themselves for the continuing ministry of your Church – through the Religious life, Ordained ministry and Reader ministry, so that your people may be nurtured and cared for today…
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
 
Risen Lord, news of your rising was greeted with alarm and fear. Free us from all that concerns and worries us, especially those who are finding this time of lockdown particularly difficult, and guide the leaders of the nations through these times, that they may act with all honestly and integrity…
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
 
Risen Lord, your appearing changed lives and made witnesses from broken people. Give hope to all those who seek your transforming love. We pray for all families separated at this time and give thanks for the modern technology that helps us find new ways of being together. Form us all in your grace and likeness and remind us to welcome you into every situation…
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
 
Risen Lord you make each day dawn with new promise. We bring to you today those who are ill, those who are lonely and those who are afraid… surround them with your love and help them to remember that with you there is hope. We also pray for your blessing and strengthen on all who work in the medical and caring professions, all who work in our shops and keep them supplied with food, and on those who work in the essential services that help to keep us all safe…
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
 
Risen Lord on this day you did conquer death and rise from the dead. Draw to yourself all who have died, especially those who have died recently. We pray that you will be with those who mourn and bring them comfort in the joy of the Easter message and help us all to remember your risen presence forever with us.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
 
Let us offer our own prayers of thanksgiving and concern…
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us. Raise us up to newness of life, that we may live to serve you risen Lord, who with the Father and the life-giving Spirit are one God, world with out end. Amen
Hymn:
https://youtu.be/S2JEwda8G0U
 
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die. 
 
Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now,
and touching every place and time. 
 
In every insult, rift and war,
where colour, scorn or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
and lives, where even hope has died. 
 
Women and men, in age and youth,
can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
and find the way, the life, the truth,
revealed in Jesus, freed for all. 
 
Christ is alive, and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring with joy,
with justice, love and praise.
 
Words: Brian Wren (b. 1936)    Music: ‘Truro’
THE LORD’S PRAYER
 
Rejoicing in God’s new creation,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour taught us;
 
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
now and for ever. Amen.
AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
 
When circumstances are such that we cannot share in the Eucharist in person, we can still make an Act of Spiritual Communion, in which we express our faith in Christ and in His Presence in the Eucharist, and we ask Him to unite Himself with us. (See the introduction to the Order for Palm Sunday, for more information on this ancient practice)
 
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits you have given me,
for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.
O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.
 
(after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester)
 
O God, help me to trust you,
help me to know that you are with me,
help me to believe that nothing can separate me from your love
revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Lord, in these days of mercy, make us quiet and prayerful;
in these days of challenge, make us stronger in you;
in these days of emptiness,
take possession of us;
in these days of waiting,
open our hearts to the mystery of your cross. Amen.     (Angela Ashwin)
 
After a short period of quiet reflection, we sing in thanksgiving:
https://youtu.be/GWG6W1FZuls
 
Jesus, where'er thy people meet,
there they behold thy mercy seat;
where'er they seek thee, thou art found,
and ev'ry place is hallowed ground.

For thou, within no walls confined,
inhabitest the humble mind;
such ever bring thee where they come,
and, going, take thee to their home.
 
Dear Shepherd of thy chosen few,
thy former mercies here renew;
here to our waiting hearts proclaim
the sweetness of thy saving name.
 
Here may we prove the pow'r of prayer
to strengthen faith and sweeten care,
to teach our faint desires to rise,
and bring all heav'n before our eyes.
 
Lord, we are few, but thou art near;
nor nor short thine arm, nor deaf thine ear;
O rend the heav'ns, come quickly down,
and make a thousand hearts thine own.
 
Words: William Cowper (1731-1800)
Music: Wareham
Merciful Father,
you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the Good Shepherd,
and in his love for us lay down his life and rise again:
keep us always under his protection,
and give us grace to follow in his steps;
through Jesus Chirst our Lord. Amen. 
 

Blessing
 
Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, who has opened for us the gate of glory, give us life in all its fullness and lead us to life eternal; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with us, and all those we love and care about, now and always. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/WdHBqT4sbTY
 
Shout for joy and sing your praises to the King,
lift your voice high, let your hallelujahs ring;
come before His throne to worship and adore,
enter joyfully now the presence of the Lord.

You are my Creator, you are my Deliverer,
you are my Redeemer, you are Lord,
and you are my Healer,
you are my Provider
you are now my Shepherd, and my Guide,
Jesus, Lord and King, I worship you. 
 
Words & Music: David Fellingham (b.1788)
 

To end:
 
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
This service is also available to download as a PDF from our website
www.st-andrewscofe-spain.org/this-weeks-services
To keep you posted….

I am sure that all of us have been keenly awaiting news about how we will be released from the lockdown restrictions. A simple reading of recent Government and Regional guidelines, plus the guidelines on good practice from our Bishops, makes it very clear that sadly we cannot resume our normal pattern of worship, probably for some time to come. I am sure this is not the news we would like to be hearing - but we have to stay safe.
Behind the scenes, members of the Standing Committee of the Chaplaincy Council have been meeting on Zoom to plan a sensible way forward to ensure pastoral care and liturgical material in various forms for our spiritual growth and well-being continues, in what is proving to be a really challenging time for all of us.

At our most recent meeting (Fri 1 May), we all felt that as we have a clear duty of care towards everyone who comes to our churches, things should not be rushed. There needs to be further consultation and advice, and we need to wait for instructions from FEREDE (the Government Agency that regulates non-Catholic Churches), before we can agree on a date for our first service.

It is also very clear that we will need your full support and co-operation when we do meet, so that we can comply to the law in order for our services to take place. I am confident that you will all gladly play your part when the time comes – but it will not be easy! The requirement of two-metre social distancing, for example, will be a real problem in some of our centres, let alone arranging for suitable cleaning of the churches before and after we meet. You would rightly expect nothing less from those who have the responsibility for these things!

We will let you know as soon as possible about what services we will be able to offer, which I am sure will be a great joy and blessing for us all.   Fr Nigel
Sharing page on our website

Sharing - is the title of a new page on our website: https://www.st-andrewscofe-spain.org 
Where we can share poems, reflections, meditations or stories to engage our spirituality. 
We all of have different ways of engaging with our spirituality. Whether it is through formal worship, sharing Communion, worshiping through song or through words. This new page gives us the opportunity to offer each other those words of hope and companionship, during this time of lock-down.

It may be that you wish to contribute or to comment on a contribution by others. This can be done by sending an email with your words to:  jrbafc@aol.com 
We will try to update this page within 24 hours of receiving your input.

May this be a blessing to us all.
Pastoral Care in the Chaplaincy continues
 

Please be assured that while we may be unable to meet for worship or socially, pastoral care and concern for one another, is still very much part of our life together. Please make contact should you simply need a chat, prayerful support or just quiet reassurance at this difficult time. Our Reader, Caroline, and Churchwardens, John and Jen are also available:

Fr Nigel - 608 403 024 - vicar.costadelsol@gmail.com
Caroline - 697 867 377  -  carriemachome@gmail.com
Jen  - 622 252 074   -  jennetsutton@gmail.com
John – 655 342 874  -  Jrbafc@aol.com
Supporting your Chaplaincy during this difficult time:
 
As the period of lockdown continues and looks set to be extended for a further period, there is now some concern about our Chaplaincy finances. Jen & John, our Churchwardens, would encourage those who are able, to consider making a bank transfer for their stewardship giving.

We are so grateful to all who have made recent offerings by bank transfers – these will help us enormously. They fully support Billy Dawson’s (our Stewardship Officer) suggestion that all who use the Stewardship envelopes can continue to put their stewardship in them and bring them along when we are next able to gather together. But as the period of lockdown is now far longer than anyone expected, whether we meet together or not, there are still monthly bills to meet and as time goes on, the chaplaincy’s finances will be more and more challenged, therefore, they suggest that perhaps now is time to consider supporting our ministry by using a bank transfer instead, either to our Spanish or UK accounts
 

Spain:
Bank: Unicaja    
Account  Name: Iglesias Anglicana De La Costa Del Sol Este
Swift/BIC:UCJAES2MXXX
IBAN: ES39 2103 0194 6500 3001 0341

 

Please note these important changes to our UK account details:

UK:
Bank: Barclays Bank plc     
Account name:  Diocese in Europe Fund 
Account number: 40317039
Sort code: 20-06-13
IBAN:  GB16 BUKB 2006 1340 3170 39
Swiftbic: BUKBGB22
Please include the reference:  CdSEast

It is very important that you include the reference CdSEast – otherwise any offering may get lost in this account, which serves every Chaplaincy in the Diocese!
 
Thank you for your continued practical support. Fr Nigel
The Church of England has produced a small handy-sized booklet with Prayers for use during the coronavirus outbreak, which can be downloaded from their website or the link below, along with other material.
 CofE.io/ChurchOnline
 and Joining Daily Prayer:
https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer
If you have received this email because a friend has forwarded it to you, or you have followed a link from facebook... you may like to subscribe to receive regular  services and news direct from St Andrew's Chaplaincy. To do this click on the link below (you can unsubscribe at any time).
Sign up to receive services and news from St Andrew´s Chaplaincy
Visit our Facebook Page
Visit our Website
Find us on Facebook
Our Website
Copyright © 2020 St Andrew's Chaplaincy, All rights reserved.


Our mailing address is:
Oficina 1, Edificio Júpiter,
Avenida Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo 44
,
Los Boliches 29640
Fuengirola, Málaga


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp