Dear friends,
I hope you are keeping well and find the resources below an encouragement as we consider our place as exiles and strangers in this world. As ever if you need assistance with any practical needs or errands, I am happy to arrange and coordinate people with offers of help in the church family, so please get in touch. If you’re new with us, you can sign up for email updates here.
It was lovely to see many faces for 'coffee time' after the service last week. This Sunday you are also invited to join us again via Zoom. Do get in touch if you would like details.
With my warmest greetings in Christ,
Steve
Welcome & Preparation
Hymn
All hail the power of Jesus’ name.
Confession
Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed for us. Let us therefore rejoice by putting away all malice and evil and confessing our sins with a sincere and true heart. (1 Cor 5:7-8)
O King enthroned on high, filling the earth with your glory:
holy is your name, Lord God almighty.
In our sinfulness we cry to you to take our guilt away,
and to cleanse our lips to speak your word,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy on us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Word of God
Our readings are Acts 7:55-69 and 1 Peter 2:11-3:9 read by David from St Mary’s and Catherine from All Saints’.
Creed
Let us declare our faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; he was buried; he was raised to life on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; afterwards he appeared to his followers, and to all the apostles: this we have received, and this we believe. Amen.
from 1 Corinthians 15.3-7
Reflection: Exile's long walk
Hymn
Prayers
Today’s prayers are led by Margaret from All Saints’ in the video below.
Collect
Heavenly Father, our ever-present help in trouble, our fortress and our God: calm the anxious fears of all who turn to you; give strength and healing to those who are sick, and courage and skill to those who care for them; grant wisdom and clarity to those in authority; and humble us all to call upon you that we may be saved not only in this life, but also for that which is to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant that, as by your grace going before us you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Please continue with your own prayers and the Lord’s Prayer.
Conclusion
"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)
Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hymn
It is well with my soul.
Seeking Help
We know from research and statistics that at times of close social proximity instances of domestic abuse increase. People are at home and may be unable to escape the risks they face during this lockdown period.
Should you have any concerns about a person you know or are yourself worried or experiencing difficulty about domestic abuse, please seek help. If you are at immediate risk you should call the Police immediately using 999,
Speak to a trusted friend or to the Vicar at allsaintsgobowen@gmail.com
Speak to one of our Safeguarding Coordinators.
Call the West Mercia Domestic Abuse helpline on 0800 783 1359 or the National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247.
In an emergency, dial 999.