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Sunday 7th June 2020
Welcome to our simple order of Prayer & Praise for Trinity Sunday, for use while we are unable to meet as a Church during this lockdown period. Despite the need to stay at home, we hope that you 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!
 
You may care to light a candle as you begin this time of Prayer & Praise
[not to worry if you don’t have one to hand!]

  
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.
A Gathering Prayer:

Holy, holy, holy God;
Holy and Strong One,
Holy and Mighty One,
Holy and Immortal One,
Holy Three, Holy One,
Be with us now and evermore.
Be with us now and evermore. Amen.
Today, is one of the few celebrations of the Christian Year that commemorates a reality and doctrine rather than a person or event. On this Trinity Sunday, Christians remember and honour the eternal God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Trinity Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost, and lasts only one day, which is symbolic of the unity of the Trinity.

Hymn:
https://youtu.be/39ZfrO0UW_s
The words for this hymn are on the screen and you have ‘two for the price of one’ - as this Songs of Praise recording also has another hymn following!
 
Hoy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty.
 
Words: Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
Music: ‘Nicaea’  J.B. Dykes (1823-1876)

 
 

PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
 
God the Father forgives us in Christ and heals us by the Holy Spirit.
Let us therefore put away all anger and bitterness, all slander and malice,
and confess our sins to God our redeemer:
 
Father, you come to meet us when we return to you:
Lord, have mercy.
 
Jesus, you died on the cross for our sins:
Christ, have mercy.
 
Spirit, you give us life and peace:
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 Collect for Trinity Sunday:
 
Holy God,
faithful and unchanging:
enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth,
and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love,
that we may truly worship you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever. Amen.
A reading from the Second Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians
(2 Cor.13:11-13)

 
Brothers and sisters, put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
 

Hymn:
https://youtu.be/rhq-hV0i-90
  
Hallelujah, my Father,
for giving us your Son;
sending him into the world
to be given up for all,
knowing we would bruise him
and smite him form the earth!
Hallelujah, my Father,
in his death is my birth.
Hallelujah, my Father,
in his life is my life.
 
Words & Music: Tim Cullen
 
A dramatized version of the Gospel reading is available to watch here:
(it’s a slightly longer version ~ Matthew 27:57-60, 28:1-20)

https://youtu.be/-eDONqj3gFI
 

A reading from St Matthew’s Gospel
(Matthew 28: 16-20)

 
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’
 

Just a thought…
 
For most clergy and readers, Trinity Sunday is not the highlight in terms of ease, when preparing to preach. No doubt countless generations have suffered in their attempts to explain the most Holy and Undivided Trinity. Whether armed with a shamrock, or a pithy phrase such as '3 who’s and 1 what'. When even the most confident can be derailed by that simple question: 'How?' It would surely be easier doctrinally to stay on Mnt. Sinai as a Jew or be a Muslim for that matter.
 
Legend has it that one of my more illustrious predecessors in a former parish in the wilds of West Yorkshire, was greeted on the Vicarage doorstep by a Muslim neighbour, who was most disturbed by this notion that ‘Christians have three Gods’. Sadly it was not recorded in PCC minutes as to the good Canon's reply and explanation.
 
Yet, our God has revealed himself as Father, Son and Spirit. Unless God is fibbing, that must be who God is. So we're stuck with it. To ask: 'Why?' may be an easier question than to ask than 'how?'
Why? - 'God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son' - Why? 'So that everyone that believes in him may not be lost but have eternal life.'
And what would that life consist of?
Well having matured just about enough to let go of the vision of eternal life as sitting on gorgeous fluffy clouds all day, probably strumming the odd harp, I concede that the secret to this eternal life, must be rooted in love, rather than entertainment. And if God is rooted in love, then God's very essence must be sacred relationship.
 
To know God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, opens up an amazing understanding of our God, which has inspired generations of Christian men and women. The inspiration, of course, centres on God's love for us. To think and ponder on God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is to think and ponder about such a depth of love, which is almost beyond our understanding. We have been touched by that love in the incarnation of Jesus, as he becomes like us.
 
In our changing world today, with so much indifference towards the Church, and faith in general, all Christians surely need to be confident Christians. Confident in God's love, revealed in such a richly diverse way. It is such faith, that we celebrate in our four church centres, week in and week out, and of course, in this strangest of times, at home.
 
During this lockdown we are told that there has been a significant increase in the number of people across the world, making use of the varied material that churches have been making available during this time. The question that many of us are now pondering, is how do we respond to that obvious need and interest when life gets back to ‘the new normal’….?
 
Our baptism services talks about faith as a gift of God. To have faith in the Holy Trinity is indeed a gift of God. But simply having faith and being Baptised is not enough, of course. We need to be faithful and determined at nurturing that gift within us. As our knowledge and appreciation of our Baptism and for many of us, our Confirmation grows - and don't dismiss that, simply because a number of decades may have passed since we received those sacraments - our inner desire must surely be to want to live the life of the Trinity. To be caught up in the very person of God, revealed in this amazing way of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
 
Then we can say with S.Paul: 'Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more that we can ask or imagine.'
 
But what can get us to that point? Perhaps our prayer should be to ask that we may daily become more aware of God's presence in our lives. Then we will become part of this divine mystery, of being caught up into the life of God - the very life of the Trinity. That circle of love that actually exists - and living and working in you and me! And what amazing things can be achieved in our lives, and in our Chaplaincy, as a result!  
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 

Affirmation of Faith: 

Let us declare our faith in God:
 
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
 
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
 
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.

We believe in one God;
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
(cf Ephesians 3)
Intercessions
 
We come boldly to the throne of grace,
praying to the almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
for mercy and grace:
We plead before your throne in heaven.
 
Father of heaven, whose love profound
a ransom for our souls has found:
We pray for the world, created by your love,
for all nations and governments, especially as they ease the restrictions of
this lockdown period….
Extend to them your peace, pardoning love, mercy and grace.
We plead before your throne in heaven.
 
Almighty Son, incarnate Word,
our Prophet, Priest, Redeemer, Lord:
We pray for the Church, created for your glory,
that all ministry may reflect those works of yours …
Extend to us your salvation, growth, mercy and grace.
We plead before your throne in heaven.
 
Eternal Spirit, by whose breath
the soul is raised from sin and death:
We pray for families and individuals, created in your image,
for the lonely, the bereaved, the sick and the dying, remembering especially all those we know, love and care about…
Breathe on them the breath of life
and bring them to your mercy and grace.
We plead before your throne in heaven.
 
Thrice holy! Father, Spirit, Son,
Mysterious Godhead, Three in One:
We pray for ourselves,
for our Chaplaincy, for all whom we remember before you …
 
In a moment of quiet, let us offer our own concerns and thanksgivings …  
 
Bring us all to bow before your throne in heaven,
to receive life and pardon, mercy and grace for all eternity,
as we worship you, saying,
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Amen.

 
Hymn:
https://youtu.be/oyguLv5A_b4
 
The words for this hymn are on the screen
 
Father, Lord of all creation,
ground of Being, Life and Love.
 
Words: Stewart Cross (1928-1989), a former Bishop of Blackburn
Music: ‘Abbot’s Leigh’ by Cyril Taylor (1907-1991)
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 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 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. 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.
 
Come Lord Jesus, dwell in me and send your Holy Spirit that I may be filled with your presence. Amen.
Almighty and eternal God,
you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
and live and reign in the perfect unity of love:
hold us firm in this faith,
that we may know you in all your ways
and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory,
who are three Persons yet one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
                              
After a short period of quiet reflection, we sing in thanksgiving:
Hymn:
https://youtu.be/-_Is8uw2laM
 
Holy, holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, Lord God almighty;
and we lift our hearts before you as a token of our love,
holy, holy, holy, holy.
 
Gracious Father, gracious Father,
we are glad to be your children, gracious Father;
and we lift our heads before you as a token of our love,
gracious Father, gracious Father.
 
Risen Jesus, risen Jesus,
we are you have redeemed us risen Jesus;
and we lift our hands before you as a token of our love,
risen Jesus, risen Jesus.
 
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,
come and fill our hearts anew, Holy Spirit;
and we lift our voice before you as a token of our love.
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit.
 
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah;
and we lift our hearts before you as a token of our love,
Hallelujah, hallelujah
 
Words& Music: Jimmy Owens (1850-1936)
Blessing
 
May God the Holy Trinity make us strong in faith and love,
defend us on every side, and guide us in truth and peace;
and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, be with us all, now and always. Amen.
Hymn:
https://youtu.be/_28Div-17s0
 
Meekness and majesty,
man-hood and deity,
in perfect harmony, the man who is God.
Love of eternity dwells in humanity,
Lord of eternity dwells in humanity,
kneels in humility and washes our feet.
 
O what a mystery, meekness and majesty,
Bow down and worship for this is your God,
this is your God.

 
Father’s pure radiance,
perfect in innocence,
yet learns obedience to death on a cross.
Suff’ring to give us life
conqu’ring through sacrifice,
and as they crucify prays: ‘Father forgive.’
 
Wisdom unsearchable,
God the invisible,
love indestructible in frailty appears.
Lord of infinity, stopping so tenderly,
lifts our humanity to the heights of his throne.
 
Words & Music: Graham Kendrick (b. 1950)
To end:

Let us bless the Lord,
Thanks be to God.
 
Jubilate (Song of Joy)  
You may care to listen to William Walton’s (1902-1983) setting of the Jubilate – this clip has some rather nice pictures of English cathedrals….
https://youtu.be/heFcW4y192o
 
O be joyful in the Lord, all the earth;
serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.
 
Know that the Lord is God; it is he that has made us and we are his;
we are the his people and the sheep of his pasture.
 
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and bless his name.
 
For the Lord is gracious; his steadfast love is everlasting,
and his faithfulness endures from generation to generation. (Psalm 100)
N O T I C E S
Re-opening our Church – An up-date
It was announced last Wednesday, that following a recent Zoom meeting of the Standing Committee it was decided that we would not be re-opening our churches, just yet. We had thought it would be prudent to have a sort of ‘trial run’ to see how things would work, as we followed the rules and regs for opening, and so a Eucharist was planned during the week for Council members, which would give us the opportunity to meet and worship together and to pray for our Chaplaincy. I personally thought this would have been a very special moment for everyone, especially those of us who value the gift of the Eucharist, after so many weeks of being denied that opportunity. 
While we believe we can meet the rules and regs about cleaning and social distancing, but between the five of us, who make up the Standing Committee, there was a general feeling of un-ease about it all, followed by a feeling of great relief, as we came to our decision. 
 
Which is a rather long way of saying that as a Standing Committee we believe this is the wrong time to re-open any of our churches for worship. 
 
Our return will be emotional enough for most of us as it is, but seeing Church set out with rows of chairs missing to allow for social distancing, as I did last Monday, and then thinking about wearing gloves and masks, not being able to sing, not being able to give anyone a hug or even warm hand-shake (remembering that we are C/E and mostly from the UK!!) - this will be a very different church to what we are used to. 
 
So, the re-opening of our Churches is now postponed until such time as we have the rules and regs that will govern the ‘new normal’ after the period of emergency is over.
 
The is all very disappointing and sad news indeed - but just before I started writing this, I read an email from one of our members of the Benalmadena email group, who said: "I’ve been out for coffee most days. Some bars are less careful about hygiene, so have been careful where we go.”  I do not want anyone coming into
 
one of our churches in the next few months to have to think - ‘is this safe’ - we have a duty of care to all - including ourselves. This is not an excuse to do nothing – it is simply taking responsibility for our Chaplaincy as we follow the strict and detailed rules and regs as set by the Spanish Government, FEREDE and our own Diocesan Guidelines. The rules from FEREDE for example, clearly states that at the moment anyone over 70, and anyone with underlying health concerns, should not be encouraged to attend….
 
As a Standing Committee, we are aware that this decision will disappoint some, but our decision does seem to have support from the majority of

those who replied to the request for thoughts about re-opening, a couple of week’s back - which was to delay re-starting services.  We are not alone in this decision. From conversations with colleagues, the majority of Chaplaincies along the Costas are also delaying re-opening of their churches for public worship at this time. 
 
Meanwhile, we will look to new ways of staying in touch with our congregations and continue to send out the Orders of Service, which from the number of emails and calls that we have received, have clearly been much appreciated.
 
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.   Fr Nigel
Different ways of staying in touch
As we explore different ways of staying in touch and providing resources for our Chaplaincy, we offer:

A Holy Hour:
By way of moving forward and as an experiment, we will open St Andrew’s, Los Boliches on Wednesday 10 June from 10am-11am for private prayer – often referred to in church circles as a ‘Holy Hour’. Social distancing will be required, as will the wearing of masks and using hand gel as you enter and leave the building. It will not be a social gathering, just an opportunity to provide space for silent prayer and reflection. Come and go as you wish during that time. If this is found to be helpful, then we will make it a regular time. It will also provide an opportunity for those who have expressed concern about not being able to give their offerings as usual for Chaplaincy Ministry. So it will be possible to safely leave your weekly envelopes during this time.
 
YouTube Videos
A new way to keep in touch is through our newly developed YouTube channel.
We will try to regularly keep this updated with new thoughts and reflections.
Our first video is a Reading & Reflection from John and Caroline 

https://youtu.be/DkmLHInUP4o
Visit our new YouTube channel
New ways to meet for Bible Study
We are now running two different Bible Studies - using Zoom.
On Wednesday evenings we’ll be running a more traditional style of Bible Study, when we shall be looking at the theme of 'interceding for the nation' and we shall base the study on 2 Chronicles 6: 12-21. Any further information or logon details for Zoom to join the study can be requested from johnsutton2104@gmail.com or 634253848
 
While on Thursday afternoons we will use Lectio Divina - where one person reads a short bible passage then after a brief time of silent reflection we each share (if we want to) a word or phrase that has jumped out at us, nothing more just that word or phrase. We read the passage a second time, maybe from a different version of the bible, then after another time for reflection we say, in just a few words, (if we want to) what we feel about our word or phrase.
The passage is then read a third time when after reflection we share (if we want to) what we feel this passage might be leading us to do. If you’re interested or have any questions  please contact Caroline carriemachome@gmail.com
Sharing page on our website
Sharing - is the title of a 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.

If there is someone you know who would value a call at this time, then please do email us in confidence – and then this can happen.
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.
Supporting your Chaplaincy during this difficult time
As the period of lockdown continues there is growing 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 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 bills to be paid. 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

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
Church of England
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.
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-parishes/coronavirus-covid-19-liturgy-and-prayer

and Joining Daily Prayer:
https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer
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Oficina 1, Edificio Júpiter,
Avenida Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo 44
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Fuengirola, Málaga


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