Dear Friends,
I hope you have been able to stay safe and healthy this week.
We had a lovely service via Zoom on Thursday for Ascension Day with an address from the Archbishop of York! (Thanks again to Tim for all his detailed preparation and a thoughtful service) This Thursday we revert to Compline at 8.45pm. Hope to 'see' you there.
On Monday we held our first St Cuthbert's PCC meeting via Zoom. There's nothing of great importance to report (as you can imagine during this time), however I can report that we have purchased a CCLI ( Christian Copyright Licensing International) including the streaming module. This makes us 'legal' and also gives Tim a bit more flexibility using music for the on line worship. Hopefully we'll still hear from our local singers and musicians now and again!
We haven't received any detailed information from the Archbishops about our buildings opening up again, we'll share it with you when it comes.
Here are the details of what's coming up this week.
Morning Worship (Easter 7) on You Tube | Sunday 24th May from 10.30am
This Sunday we welcome Bishop Christine to lead us in worship. Susie Stafford will take us through our prayers of intercession and John Blackett-Ord is reading Acts 1 6-14 ( reproduced below). You can download the service sheet here and the You Tube Channel link is just below. I'll try and send out the direct link to the service on Saturday evening or Sunday morning. once Tim has uploaded it.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9n-fcEn8eQYCervykNHyYQ
Sunday Morning 'Coffee Morning' via Zoom | Sunday 24th May at 11.15am
A few prayers please to avoid the problems we had last week. Apparently Zoom had issues in the UK for most of Sunday and it wasn't our fault in any way. Maybe too many church services and coffee mornings through out the country!
If you'd like to join in please email admin@allendalechurch.co.uk and request the link.
Those of us who did manage to chat last Sunday agreed that we'll have a little self introduction and a potted history from anyone who offers. Be nice to get to know each other a little better. So please be prepared to just say 'who you are and where you come from'! Roseanna has offered to give us a 'potted history'.
The following Sunday, the 31st, Susie is going to lead us in a Brain of Britain style quiz. The week after that, on 7th June, Sylvia is going to talk to us on a subject yet to be decided!
If you can offer something for a Sunday, please let me know, I'm looking for more ideas.
Compline via Zoom | Thursday 28th May at 8.45pm
Please email admin@allendalechurch.co.uk and request the link. No service sheet needed as all the words are on the screen
I think that's all for now folks, stay safe
Shirley
Churchwarden
St Cuthbert's
23 May 2020
Collect
O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
or
Risen, ascended Lord,
as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness and know your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.
Acts 1.6–14 †
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ 7 He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
This is the word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Let us pray to the Father through his Son who suffered on the cross for the world's redemption.
For all who celebrate Jesus' resurrection across the world today, that whatever difficulties, losses or fears they face, they may find A New Hope in Christ our Risen Lord.
Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Lord, we are all affected by this pandemic. Help us to trust you to bring us hope courage and fortitude. Help us to reach out to those in need, and to accept kindness and support from others.
Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Lord, we cannot find our own way through this pandemic. We asked you to strengthen and guide those who govern the countries of the world to work together and to keep us safe.
Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Lord, at this time our faith may be tested. We thank you for the vocation of our clergy, and especially our church wardens and Lay reader, as they provide comfort in the worship and community they so brilliantly make available to us all, especially as we begin this interregnum.
Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Lord, never before has our healthcare system been so tested. We pray that all our NHS staff and volunteers and support workers continue to be valued and cared for, as they care for our sick and dying in hospitals and care homes and in our own communities.
Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Lord, so many families are separated from their loved ones who are hospitalized with COVID. We remember to you all those who are so anxious for their relatives, not knowing if they will see them again give them hope and comfort. We pray also for those who have died, and those who mourn, often from afar; unable even to attend the funeral service.
Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Lord, as the nation begins to work towards recovery, we pray for teachers, parents and pupils as they contemplate a return to school. We also pray for businesses and staff as they work out how to work in safety and keep their clients and customers safe.
Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Lord, we remember to you the many families who have been separated, or thrown together, testing relationships. We asked you to bring your love and comfort to those who are frightened, those who are lonely and those who are overwhelmed.
Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Lord, we pray for those who are struggling to provide an income to educate their children to feed the family and to provide a safe home.
Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen
