Weekly Pew Sheet

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2^nd Sunday before LENT Year C Sunday 23rd February 2025

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – Holy Communion

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. Morning Worship

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. Holy Communion

Friday 28thFebruary 2025 – Parish Prayers – Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Friday 28^th February 2025 - Soup and sweet in St. Bart’s Hall – 12 noon to 1.30 p.m.

Saturday 1^st March 2025 – Messy Church in Holy Cross – 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday 2nd March 2025

St. Mary’s – 8 a.m. Holy Communion – BCP.

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – All Age Worship

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. Morning Worship

COLLECT : Almighty God, give us reverence for all creation and respect for every person,

that we may mirror your likeness in Jesus Christ our Lord.

1^st Reading;. Genesis 2.4b–9, 15–25

In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up – for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground – then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’ Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.’ So out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So, the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, ‘This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.’ Therefore, a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2^nd Reading ; Revelation 4. After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal. Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’ And whenever the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.’

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL Luke 8: 22-25 Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke ALL SAY; Glory to you O Lord. One day Jesus got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A gale swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?’

This is the Gospel of the Lord ALL SAY; Praise to you O Christ

POST COMMUNION. God our creator, by your gift the tree of life was set at the heart of the earthly paradise, and the bread of life at the heart of your Church: may we who have been nourished at your table on earth be transformed by the glory of the Saviour’s cross and enjoy the delights of eternity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

***In each Church there are copies of notes taken at the recent meeting with Archdeacon Will, Area Dean Simon and Deanery Lay Chair Malcolm to explain and discuss informally how the Parish of the three churches is to be managed during the upcoming period of interregnum and the considerations for future planning. Please do make sure you take a copy home with you. ***

PARISH PRAYER FOR THE INTERREGNAM.

DEAR GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR LOVING FATHER. PLEASE MAY YOU BLESS OUR PARISH DURING THE INTERREGNAM AND GUIDE US FORWARD ONE DAY AT A TIME. MAY WE WORK TOGETHER AS A UNITED COMMUNITY, SERVING YOU AND ONE ANOTHER. AMEN

O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: grant to us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNWELL: Richard, April and Ella A, James B, Valerie H, Lindsey P, Ray J, Graeme A, Anita B, Paul M, Clare, Aaron W, Abbie N, Gordon & Marita W, Sheila M, Annie and Alisdair W, Kim H, Joy N, Alexandra, Linda M, Marian B, Andrew P, Brian, Joan S, baby Logan Lay, Julie and Richard, Don, Sarah, Liz, Patsy M, Mike E, Beverley, Simon S, Matilda R, John C, , Kevin J, Jean H, Mary H , Del, Sandy Rogers, Geoff N, Floss, Paul A, Babette, John and Olivia and family,

Sue D, Toby, Carrie, Michael, John B, Sue B, Anthony, Sally L, Elizabeth N, George S and Alison.

URGENTLY NEEDED FOR UKRAINE,

Mens shirts, buttoned (warm if possible) for the hospital. Antiseptic cream, & Sanitary wear, Toiletries, Medical Items, Dry Food, Tinned Food, Blankets, Torches, Batteries,

PLEASE NOTE:

Contact Details for Iain & Ros Farquhar

As we no longer have a landline phone number, all calls now need to be to our mobile phones. Please delete our landline (01227 372402) from your phone book.

Iain Farquhar Mob: 07734 580805

Ros Farquhar Mob: 07739 152703

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3rd Sunday before LENT Year C Sunday 16^th February 2025

Sunday 16^th February 2025

St. Mary’s – 8 a.m. Holy Communion – BCP.

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – Morning Worship

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. All Age Worship

Friday 21st February 2025 – Parish Prayers – Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Friday 21st February 2025 - Soup and sweet in St. Bart’s Hall – 12 noon to 1.30 p.m.

Sunday 23^rd February 2025

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – Holy Communion

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. Morning Worship

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. Holy Communion

COLLECT : Eternal God, whose Son went among the crowds and brought healing with his touch:

help us to show his love, in your Church as we gather together, and by our lives as they are transformed into the image of Christ our Lord.

1^st Reading;. Jeremiah 17.5–10. Thus says the LORD: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the LORD. They shall be like a shrub in the desert and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought, it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse – who can understand it? I the LORD test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2^nd Reading ; 1 Corinthians 15.12–20. If Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ – whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL Luke 6: 17-26Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke ALL SAY; Glory to you O Lord. He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord ALL SAY; Praise to you O Christ

POST COMMUNION; Merciful Father, who gave Jesus Christ to be for us the bread of life, that those who come to him should never hunger: draw us to the Lord in faith and love, that we may eat and drink with him at his table in the kingdom, where he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

PARISH PRAYER FOR THE INTERREGNAM.

Creator God, you made us all in your image: may we discern you in all that we see, and serve you in all that we do; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sue D, Toby, Carrie, Michael, John B, Sue B, Anthony, Sally L, Elizabeth N and George S.

URGENTLY NEEDED FOR UKRAINE,

Mens shirts, buttoned (warm if possible) for the hospital. Antiseptic cream, & Sanitary wear, Toiletries, Medical Items, Dry Food, Tinned Food, Blankets, Torches, Batteries,

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4^th Sunday before LENT Year C Sunday 9^th February 2025

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – Holy Communion

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. All Age Worship

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. Holy Communion

Tuesday 11^th February – Messy Church in Reculver School – 3.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday 14 ^th February 2025 – Parish Prayers – Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Friday 14^th February 2025 - Soup and sweet in St. Bart’s Hall – 12 noon to 1.30 p.m.

Saturday 15^th February – 8 a.m. Prayer Breakfast in Holy Cross

Saturday 15^th February – 10 a.m. to 12 noon - Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy in Holy Cross

Sunday 16^th February 2025

St. Mary’s – 8 a.m. Holy Communion – BCP.

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – Morning Worship

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. All Age Worship

COLLECT Lord of the hosts of heaven, our salvation and our strength, without you we are lost: guard us from all that harms or hurts and raise us when we fall; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1^st Reading; ) Isaiah 6.1–8, (9–13) In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!’ Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed, and your sin is blotted out.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’ And he said, ‘Go and say to this people: “Keep listening, but do not comprehend; keep looking, but do not understand.” Make the mind of this people dull, and stop their ears, and shut their eyes, so that they may not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and comprehend with their minds, and turn and be healed.’ Then I said, ‘How long, O Lord?’ And he said: Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is utterly desolate; until the LORD sends everyone far away, and vast is the emptiness in the midst of the land. Even if a tenth part remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak whose stump remains standing when it is felled. The holy seed is its stump. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2^nd Reading ; 1 Corinthians 15.1–11. I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you – unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to someone untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them – though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL Luke 5.1–11 Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke. ALL SAY; Glory to you O Lord. While Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So, they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed Jesus.

This is the Gospel of the Lord ALL SAY; Praise to you O Christ

POST COMMUNION; Go before us, Lord, in all we do with your most gracious favour, and guide us with your continual help, that in all our works begun, continued and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name, and finally by your mercy receive everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty God, whose Son revealed in signs and miracles the wonder of your saving presence: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

PARISH PRAYER FOR THE INTERREGNUM.

DEAR GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR LOVING FATHER. PLEASE MAY YOU BLESS OUR PARISH DURING THE INTERREGNUM AND GUIDE US FORWARD ONE DAY AT A TIME. MAY WE WORK TOGETHER AS A UNITED COMMUNITY, SERVING YOU AND ONE ANOTHER. AMEN

Sue D, Toby, Carrie, Michael, Anthony, Sally L, Elizabeth N and George S.

URGENTLY NEEDED FOR UKRAINE,

Mens shirts, buttoned (warm if possible) for the hospital. Antiseptic cream, & Sanitary wear, Toiletries, Medical Items, Dry Food, Tinned Food, Blankets, Torches, Batteries,

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CANDLEMAS Year C Sunday 2^nd February 2025

Sunday 2^nd February 2025

St. Mary’s – 8 a.m. Holy Communion – BCP.

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – All Age Worship

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. Morning Worship

Friday 7^th February 2025 – Parish Prayers – Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Sunday 9^th February 2025

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – Holy Communion

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. All Age Worship

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. Holy Communion

COLLECT: Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us,

and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, your God, and our God.

1^st Reading; Malachi 3.1–5. Thus says the LORD God: See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight – indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2^nd Reading ; Hebrews 2.14–18 Since the children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL Luke 2: 22-40Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke. ALL SAY; Glory to you O Lord. When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

This is the Gospel of the Lord ALL SAY; Praise to you O Christ

POST COMMUNION; Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

PARISH PRAYER FOR THE INTERREGNAM.

Urgently needed for Ukraine,

Mens shirts, buttoned (warm if possible) for the hospital. Antiseptic cream, & Sanitary wear, Toiletries, Medical Items, Dry Food, Tinned Food, Blankets, Torches, Batteries,

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Epiphany 3 Year C Sunday 26^th January 2025

Sunday 26^th January 2025

St. Mary’s 11.00 a.m. Holy Communion

Last service with Rev. Sue followed by lunch in Reculver School

Friday 31^st January 2025 – Parish Prayers – Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Sunday 2^nd February 2025

St. Mary’s – 8 a.m. Holy Communion – BCP.

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – All Age Worship

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. Morning Worship

COLLECT: God of all mercy, your Son proclaimed good news to the poor, release to the captives,

and freedom to the oppressed: anoint us with your Holy Spirit and set all your people free

to praise you in Christ our Lord.

1^st Reading; Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10. All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen’, lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So, they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2^nd Reading ; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it,so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL. Luke 4: 14-21 Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke. ALL SAY; Glory to you O Lord. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” This is the Gospel of the Lord ALL SAY; Praise to you O Christ

POST COMMUNION; Almighty Father, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world:

may your people, illumined by your word and sacraments, shine with the radiance of his glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

PARISH PRAYER FOR THE INTERREGNAM.

DEAR GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR LOVING FATHER. PLEASE MAY YOU BLESS OUR PARISH DURING THE INTERREGNAM AND GUIDE US FORWARD ONE DAY ATA TIME. MAY WE WORK TOGETHER AS A UNITED COMMUNITY, SERVING YOU AND ONE ANOTHER AMEN

Sue D, Toby, Carrie, Michael, Anthony, Sally L, Elizabeth N and George S.

Urgently needed for Ukraine,

Mens shirts, buttoned (warm if possible) for the hospital. Antiseptic cream, & Sanitary wear, Toiletries, Medical Items, Dry Food, Tinned Food, Blankets, Torches, Batteries,

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Epiphany 2 Year C Sunday 19^th January 2025

Sunday 19^th January 2025

St. Mary’s – 8 a.m. Holy Communion – BCP.

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – Morning Worship

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. All Age Worship

Friday 24^th January 2025 – Parish Prayers – Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Sunday 26^th January 2025

St. Mary’s 11.00 a.m. Holy Communion

Last service with Rev. Sue followed by lunch in Reculver School

COLLECT: Eternal Lord, our beginning and our end: bring us with the whole creation

to your glory, hidden through past ages and made known in Jesus Christ our Lord.

1^st Reading; Isaiah 62:1-5 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.
The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendour in the Lord’s hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulahfor the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2^nd Reading ; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore, I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL John2: 1-11 Jesus Changes Water into Wine. Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to. ALL SAY; Glory to you O Lord. On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom asideand said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

This is the Gospel of the Lord ALL SAY; Praise to you O Christ

POST COMMUNION; God of glory, you nourish us with your Word who is the bread of life: fill us with your Holy Spirit that through us the light of your glory may shine in all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Sue D, Toby, Carrie, Michael, Anthony, Sally L, Elizabeth N and George S.

Urgently needed for Ukraine,

Mens shirts, buttoned (warm if possible) for the hospital. Antiseptic cream, & Sanitary wear, Toiletries, Medical Items, Dry Food, Tinned Food, Blankets, Torches, Batteries,

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Epiphany 1 Year C Sunday 12^th January 2025

Sunday 12^th January 2025

St. Mary’s 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

St. Bart’s 9.30 a.m. All Age Worship

Holy Cross 11 a.m. Holy Communion

Friday 17^th January 2025 – Parish Prayers – Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Friday 17^th January - Soup and sweet in St. Bart’s Hall – 12 noon to 1.30 p.m.

Saturday 18^th January 2025- 8 a.m. Prayer Breakfast in St. Mary’s

Saturday 18^th January 2025 – Coffee Morning 10 a.m. to 12 noon in Holy Cross

Sunday 19^th January 2025

St. Mary’s – 8 a.m. Holy Communion – BCP.

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – Morning Worship

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. All Age Worship

COLLECT: Heavenly Father, at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son: may we recognize him as our Lord and know ourselves to be your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

1^st Reading; Isaiah 43:1-7. But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2^nd Reading ; Acts 8:14-17 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was openedand the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL Luke3: 15-17Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke. ALL SAY; Glory to you O Lord. The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord ALL SAY; Praise to you O Christ

POST COMMUNION; Lord of all time and eternity, you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son: by the power of your Spirit complete the heavenly work of our rebirth through the waters of the new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sue D, Toby, Carrie, Michael, John B, Sue B, Anthony, Sally L, Elizabeth N and George S.

Urgently needed for Ukraine,

Mens shirts, buttoned (warm if possible) for the hospital. Antiseptic cream, & Sanitary wear, Toiletries, Medical Items, Dry Food, Tinned Food, Blankets, Torches, Batteries,

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Epiphany Year C Sunday 5^th January 2025

Friday 3^rd January 2025

Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m. Parish Prayers

Soup and Sweet in St. Bart’s Hall – 12 noon to 1.30 p.m.

Sunday 5^th January 2025. EPIPHANY

St. Mary’s – 8 a.m. Holy Communion – BCP.

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – All Age Worship

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. Morning Worship

Friday 10^th January 2025 – Parish Prayers – Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Friday 10^th January - Soup and sweet in St. Bart’s Hall – 12 noon to 1.30 p.m.

Saturday 11^th January –Reculver School – Messy Church New Year Party– 11.30a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday 12^th January 2025

St. Mary’s 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

St. Bart’s 9.30 a.m. All Age Worship

Holy Cross 11 a.m. Holy Communion

COLLECT: Creator of the heavens, who led the Magi by a star to worship the Christ-child:

guide and sustain us, that we may find our journey’s end in Jesus Christ our Lord.

1^st Reading; Isaiah 60:1-6 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2^nd Reading ; Ephesians 3:1-12. For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL Matthew 2: 1-12Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke. ALL SAY; Glory to you O Lord. The Magi Visit the Messiah. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

This is the Gospel of the Lord ALL SAY; Praise to you O Christ

POST COMMUNION; Lord God, the bright splendour whom the nations seek: may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light discern the glory of your presence in your Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord.

PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED AND THEIR FAMILIES Hilda passed away peacefully in the early hours of 10^th Dec 2024. Please pray for her and all her family – Nigel and Jude and the grandchildren. Hilda’s funeral is on Thursday 2^nd January at 2 p.m. at Herne Bay Crematorium. Apologises but the information was not available in time to put on the last pew sheet.

Urgently needed for Ukraine,

Mens shirts, buttoned (warm if possible) for the hospital. Antiseptic cream, & Sanitary wear, Toiletries, Medical Items, Dry Food, Tinned Food, Blankets, Torches, Batteries,

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Christmas 1 Year C Sunday 29th December 2024

St. Mary’s 8 a.m. Holy Communion BCP

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. JOINT PARISH SERVICE – COMMUNION

Friday 3^rd January 2025

Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m. Parish Prayers

Soup and Sweet in St. Bart’s Hall – 12 noon to 1.30 p.m.

Sunday 5^th January 2025. EPIPHANY

St. Mary’s – 8 a.m. Holy Communion – BCP.

St. Mary’s – 9.30 a.m. – All Age Worship

St. Bart’s – 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. Morning Worship

Friday 10^th January 2025 – Parish Prayers – Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Friday 10^th January - Soup and sweet in St. Bart’s Hall – 12 noon to 1.30 p.m.

Saturday 11^th January –Reculver School – Messy Church – 11.30a.m. to 1 p.m.

COLLECT: God in Trinity, eternal unity of perfect love: gather the nations to be one family,

and draw us into your holy life through the birth of Emmanuel, our Lord Jesus Christ.

1^st Reading; 1 Samuel 2:18-26. But Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod. Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to^[^a^] the Lord.” Then they would go home. And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the Lord’s people is not good. If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who will intercede for them?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death. And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favour with the Lord and with people. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2^nd Reading ; Colossians 3:12-17 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL: Luke 2: 41-end Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke. ALL SAY; Glory to you O Lord.. Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company; they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”^[^a^] ⁵⁰But they did not understand what he was saying to them.Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

This is the Gospel of the Lord ALL SAY; Praise to you O Christ

POST COMMUNION; Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home: help your Church to live as one family, united in love and obedience, and bring us all at last to our home in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In this Advent season, draw us together in unity, that our praise and worship might echo in these walls And also through our lives. Draw us together in mission, that the hope within might be the song we sing, and the melody of our lives. Draw us together in service, that the path we follow might lead us from a stable To a glimpse of eternity. Amen.

Urgently needed for Ukraine,

Mens shirts, buttoned (warm if possible) for the hospital. Antiseptic cream, & Sanitary wear, Toiletries, Medical Items, Dry Food, Tinned Food, Blankets, Torches, Batteries,

Wrapped Sweets ( not Chocolate), Colouring Books and Colouring Crayons for children.

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Advent 4 Year C Sunday 22^nd December 2024

St. Mary’s 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

St. Mary’s 6 p.m. Carols by Candlelight followed by refreshments.

St. Bart’s 9.30 a.m. Morning Worship

Holy Cross – 11.00 a.m. Holy Communion

TUESDAY 24^th DECEMBER

Christingles at all three churches at 4 p.m.

St. Mary’s 11.30 p.m. – Midnight Communion

WEDNESDAY 25^TH DECEMBER 2024

St. Mary’s 8 a.m. Holy Communion

St. Bart’s 10 a.m. Christmas Day Communion

FRIDAY 27^th DECEMBER 2024

Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m. Parish Prayers

NO SOUP AND SWEET IN THE HALL.

29^TH DECEMBER 2024

St. Mary’s 8 a.m. Holy Communion BCP

Holy Cross – 11 a.m. JOINT PARISH SERVICE – COMMUNION

Friday 3^rd January 2025

Holy Cross – 9.15 a.m. to 10 a.m. Parish Prayers

Soup and sweet in St. Bart’s Hall – 12 noon to 1.30 p.m.

Sunday 5^th January 2025.

COLLECT: Eternal God, as Mary waited for the birth of your Son, so we wait for his coming in glory; bring us through the birth pangs of this present age to see, with her, our great salvation

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

1^st Reading; Micah 5:2-5 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.” Therefore, Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labour bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders, who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. He will deliver us from the Assyrians when they invade our land and march across our borders. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2^nd Reading ; Hebrews 10:6-10 With burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.
Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’

First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL: Luke 1: 39-45 [45-55]Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke. ALL SAY; Glory to you O At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!” And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful ^to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord. ALL SAY; Praise to you O Christ

POST COMMUNION; Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Urgently needed for Ukraine,

Mens shirts, buttoned (warm if possible) for the hospital. Antiseptic cream, & Sanitary wear, Toiletries, Medical Items, Dry Food, Tinned Food, Blankets, Torches, Batteries,

Wrapped Sweets ( not Chocolate), Colouring Books and Colouring Crayons for children.

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Advent 3 Year C Sunday 15^th December 2024

St. Mary’s 8 a.m. Holy Communion BCP

St. Mary’s 9.30 a.m. Morning Worship

St. Bart’s 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

St. Bart’s 6 p.m. Carols by Candlelight followed by refreshments

Holy Cross 11 a.m. All Age Worship

Wednesday 18^th December 2024 – 7 p.m. Carols Round the Tree at St. Mary’s -

with the Birchington Silver Band - followed by refreshments.

Friday 20^th December 2024 – 12 noon to 1.30 p.m. Soup and Sweet Party in St. Bart’s Hall.

Sunday 22^nd December 2024

St. Mary’s 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

St. Mary’s 6 p.m. Carols by Candlelight followed by refreshments.

St. Bart’s 9.30 a.m. Morning Worship

Holy Cross – 11.00 a.m. Holy Communion

TUESDAY 24^th DECEMBER

Christingles at all three churches at 4 p.m.

COLLECT: God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord.

1^st Reading; Zephaniah 3:14-20 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.” “I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you. At that time, I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honour in every land where they have suffered shame. At that time, I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honour and praise
among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the Lord.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2^nd Reading ; Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL: Luke 3 : 7-18Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke. ALL SAY; Glory to you O Lord

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. This is the Gospel of the Lord. ALL SAY; Praise to you O Christ

POST COMMUNION; We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts; kindle in us the fire of your Spirit that when your Christ comes again, we may shine as lights before his face; who is alive and reigns now and for ever.

Urgently needed for Ukraine,

Mens shirts, buttoned (warm if possible) for the hospital. Antiseptic cream, & Sanitary wear, Toiletries, Medical Items, Dry Food, Tinned Food, Blankets, Torches, Batteries,

Wrapped Sweets ( not Chocolate), Colouring Books and Colouring Crayons for children.