Welcome to our simple order of Prayer & Praise for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, 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 with 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.
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds;
he has revealed to the nations his saving power, 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/sZF1mK0cxP0
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God is love: his the care
tending each, everywhere,
God is love, all is there!
Jesus came to show him,
that we all might know him:
Sing aloud, loud, loud!
Sing aloud, loud, loud!
God is good!
God is truth!
God is beauty! Praise him!
Jesus came, lived and died
for our sake, crucified.
Rose again, glorified,
Jesus came to save us,
by the truth he gave us:
To our Lord praise we sing:
light and life, friend and king.
Coming down love to bring,
pattern for our duty,
showing God in beauty.
Words: Percy Dearmer (1867-1936) alt.
Music: Personent Hodie from Piae Cantiones (1582)
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PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Christ our Passover Lamb has been offered for us. Let us then rejoice by putting away all malice and evil and confessing our sins with a sincere and true heart:
Praise the Lord O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits:
Lord, have mercy.
Who forgives all our sins and heals our infirmities:
Christ, have mercy.
Who saves our life from destruction,
and crowns us with mercy and loving kindness:
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.
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The Opening Prayer:
Almighty God
who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
have overcome death and opened to us
the gate of everlasting life:
grant that, as by your grace going before us
you put into our minds good desires,
so by your continual help
we may bring them to good effect;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
(Acts 7: 55-60)
Standing before the high priest and council, Stephen 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.
A Metrical Version of Psalm 31 (vv 1-3, 15-16)
(Words: Fred R. Anderson Music: ‘Spiritus Vitae’)
https://youtu.be/FspJL1XM3e0
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In you, O Lord, I seek my refuge;
let me not e’er be put to shame.
In righteousness be my deliver;
I wait and trust in your strong arm.
Incline your ear to all my pleading;
my comfort, help, and safety be.
My fortress strong, my rock and refuge,
for your name’s sake, come rescue me.
My times are in your hand’s safe keeping;
from foes, Lord, come and set me free.
In steadfast love now save your servant;
come, let your face now shine on me.
A dramatized version of the Gospel reading is available to watch here:
https://youtu.be/1Oedf79Rbds
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A reading from St Luke’s Gospel
(John 14: 1-14)
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.
Hymn:
https://youtu.be/Qgz9MEd3Utc
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Thou art the Way, by thee alone
from sin and death we flee;
and he who would the Father seek
must seek him, Lord, by thee.
Thou art the Truth: thy word alone
true wisdom can impart;
thou only canst inform the mind,
and purify the heart.
Thou art the Life: the rending tomb
proclaims thy conqu’ring arm,
and those who put their trust in thee
nor death nor hell shall harm.
Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life;
grant us that Way to know,
that Truth to keep, that Life to win,
whose joys eternal flow.
Words: George Doane (1799-1859) based on John 14
Music: ‘Saint James’
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Just a thought…
A Reflection by the Rev’d John Sutton
Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the Life”
John’s gospel records seven different occasions when Jesus uses the phrase ‘I am….’ To describe the uniqueness of His life and ministry.
In John 14 we hear the words ‘I am the way, the truth and the Life’.
It would seem that Jesus is trying to answer some of the big questions in life that were asked both then and now. One of those questions can perhaps be summed up this way: ‘Is there an objective truth which is the same for everyone, or can we rely on our own understanding and find our own truth’?
The Apostle Paul referred to the confusing picture of his day when approaching the city of Corinth, he made comment about the statue to ‘the unknown god’. ‘Believe in whatever takes your fancy’ seemed to be the rule of the day. The same was true about the world in which Jesus walked. Jesus asked His disciples as they walked towards the city of Caesarea Philippi, ‘who do people say I am? and a variety of answers came back. Caesarea represented that melting pot of ‘any belief will do’.
The same attitude can be seen and heard today. While over the past decade or so there has been a huge rejection of traditional religious belief and teaching, people are still looking for a truth that will satisfy them, and it seems that ‘any truth will do’!
The world would much rather that Jesus has said, ‘I am A way, I am A truth, I am A life’, giving to all an option to take Him or leave Him. The reason for the exclusivity of His statement is made clear as we read on; ‘no one comes to the Father except through me’
Who is God, and how do I know him? are part of the big search, and Jesus is making it quite clear who and how one enters into that life-giving, soul-satisfying relationship.
The Apostle Peter speaking on behalf of the other disciples asked Jesus. "Show us the Father and we will be satisfied!" and Jesus replied,“Have you been with me so long and still you ask; I and the Father are One, he who has seen me has seen the Father".
Scripture tells us that Jesus is the very eternal essence of the Godhead. Jesus is making it quite clear that all our answers about God are to be found in Him. It is through Him that we enter the presence of the Father (I am the way), the truth about who the father is and His relationship with His creation is revealed in Jesus (I am the truth), and life in all its fullness has its origins in Jesus (I am the Life).
Our first reading from Acts 7, is where we read of the stoning to death of Stephen. His faith in Jesus opened the gates of heaven to him as he approached his death. Stephen saw all that awaited him through the love of the Father. Jesus showed him the glory that awaited him and the truth of what he had believed in life.
Songs of Praise aired on Sunday 3rd May asked the question of a bishop ‘What is your ambition?’ The reply was, ‘I just wish that people would know that God loves them!’ This presents a great challenge to the Church, that through our faithful witness, people will come to know the love of the Father as we point them to Jesus who is The Way, The Truth and The Life.
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.
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Intercessions
Let us pray for God’s Church and for the world that God loves
Living God, how often are we like Thomas questioning your son Jesus whilst thinking that we are on our own to work things out. Help us to listen to your promises, to receive your assurances, to let you remove troubles from our hearts and may we always remember your constant presence with us. We pray for Fr. Nigel and all who are facing the difficult task of how we move forward in the life of our Chaplaincy
Lord in your mercy, Hear our Prayer
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Living God, we pray for all those we witness in our News bulletins, those affected by the pandemic and those caring for them. We pray for those in power that they make decisions for the good of all and ask that we may recognise our responsibility to support and stand up for what is right.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our Prayer
Living God, we pray for family and colleagues, friends and loved ones, for neighbours and strangers, For those with whom we break bread at home, for those we have missed during this time, in the community, and in our church, giving thanks for Social Media and the Internet which allows us to keep in touch with those we love.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our Prayer
Living God, you can use and transform all our experiences. We lay before you now those who are travelling through a time of pain or anguish, tragedy, loneliness, all made more difficult to cope with at this time. We stand alongside them in their suffering and offer it to your transforming love.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our Prayer
Living God, we remember those who have died and pray for them now. Lead them out of their pain into the light of eternity, and keep us all in the Way that leads us to share that everlasting life with you
Lord in your mercy, Hear our Prayer
Living God we thank you for showing us the Way in human terms that we find easier to understand and which helps us to recognise all the wonderful things in your world for which we should be grateful
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Hymn:
https://youtu.be/IlmF3xc2vKM
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O let the Son of God enfold you
with his Spirit and his love,
let him fill your heart
and satisfy your soul.
O let him have the things that hold you,
and his Spirit, like a dove,
will descend upon your life
and make it whole.
Jesus, O Jesus,
come and fill your lambs.
Jesus, O Jesus,
come and fill your lambs.
O come and sing this song with gladness
as your hearts are filled with joy;
lift your hands in sweet
surrender to his name.
O give him all your tears and sadness,
give him all your years of pain,
and you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name.
Words & Music: John Wimber (b.1933)
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AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
During the coronavirus pandemic Christians across the world have been unable to gather for public worship. This means that many people who would have received Holy Communion each Sunday, and some of them every day, are not able to receive the comfort and benefits of the sacrament.
This is a huge loss. However, it is not the first time that the Church has been in such a position. Throughout Christian history some Christian people have found themselves isolated from the sacramental life of the Church for all sorts of reasons, and particularly in times of plague, famine and warfare.
At such times the Church has encouraged people to make what is called A Spiritual Communion. It is a way of uniting yourself with Jesus and entering into communion with him even though you are not able to receive the sacrament itself.
The prayer that follows draws on the story of the woman who comes to Jesus but only touches the hem of his garment. She still receives healing and blessing (See Mark 5. 25-34). In a way, spiritual communion is like this. We are not able to receive the sacramental bread and wine. But in a spiritual communion we still come to Jesus and he still receives us.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
In fellowship with the whole People of God,
let us offer the Prayer of the Church:
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.
O loving God, in union with Christian people throughout the world and across the
centuries gathered to make Eucharist, hearing your holy Word and receiving the Precious Body and Blood of your dear Son, I offer you praise and thanksgiving. Even though I am exiled from tasting the Bread of Heaven and drinking the Cup of Life I pray that you will unite me with all the baptised and with your Son who gave his life for us. Amen.
Come Lord Jesus, dwell in me and send your Holy Spirit that I may be filled with
your presence. Amen.
O Lord,
who by triumphing over the power of darkness
prepared our place in the new Jerusalem:
grant that we, who have this day
given thanks for your resurrection,
may praise you in the city where you are the light;
for there with the Father and the Holy Spirit
you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
Heavenly Father, your steadfast purpose
is the completion of all things in your Son Jesus Christ.
May we who have received the pledges of the kingdom,
live by faith, walk in hope and be renewed in love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(St Matthew’s, Westminster)
After a short period of quiet reflection, we sing in thanksgiving:
https://youtu.be/_DWa8oWu1nQ
Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends.
Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Love, perfect love, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Love, perfect love, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends.
Love, perfect love, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Faith, perfect faith, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Faith, perfect faith, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends.
Faith, perfect faith, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends.
Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Joy, perfect joy, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Joy, perfect joy, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends.
Joy, perfect joy, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Words & Music: Kevin Mayhew (b.1942)
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Blessing
May Christ, who out of defeat brings new hope and a new future,
fill you with his new life 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.
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https://youtu.be/gGpFQK1WoYM
I danced in the morning
when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon
and the stars and the sun,
and I came down from heaven
and I danced on the earth,
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
and I'll lead you all,
wherever you may be,
and I'll lead you all
in the Dance, said he
I danced for the scribe
and the pharisee,
but they would not dance
and they wouldn't follow me;
I danced for the fishermen,
for James and John
they came with me
and the dance went on.
I danced on the Sabbath
and I cured the lame:
the holy people
said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped
and they hung me on high,
and they left me there
on a cross to die.
I danced on a Friday
when the sky turned black;
it's hard to dance
with the devil on your back.
They buried my body
and they thought I'd gone,
but I am the dance,
and I still go on.
They cut me down
and I leapt up high;
I am the life
that'll never, never die;
I'll live in you
if you'll live in me:
I am the Lord
of the dance, said he.
Words & Music: Sydney Carter (b.1915)
To end:
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
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This service is also available to download as a PDF from our website
www.st-andrewscofe-spain.org/this-weeks-services
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More Tea Vicar
A Zoom ‘Afternoon-tea’ gathering…
We are trying to organise a virtual afternoon tea gathering, using Zoom on Thursday 21 May. Details of the time and links will be available soon. If you are interested in joining us, please drop Fr Nigel an email by Tuesday 19 May at the latest, so the ‘invitation’ to join the gathering - which has all the necessary information from Zoom can be sent out. Look forward to seeing you then – vicar.costadelsol@gmail.com
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To keep you posted….
Following recent Government and Regional guidelines, together with instructions from FEREDE (the Government Agency that regulates non-Catholic Churches), and guidelines on good practice from our Bishops, it is very clear that sadly we cannot resume our normal pattern of worship, just yet. 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 last meeting on 8 May, we all felt that as we have a clear duty of care towards everyone who comes to our churches, and we still strongly believe things should not be rushed. There needs to be further consultation and advice, 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
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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.
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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
Don’t forget our Prayer Chain...
A small dedicated team who will pray for you or those you may be concerned about. It is done in complete confidence, and you will never be approached by a member of the Prayer Chain about your requests. Only first names are used and details are kept to a minimum. For information about the Prayer Chain please contact Mike or Wendy Edwards at cdsolprayer@gmail.com or have a word with Caroline or Fr Nigel.
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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
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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
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