Ahead of Tonight's Maundy Thursday Mass at 7.30pm,
I've prepared a brief reflection on the Eucharist at this time:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KlpVukf3Wk
Hope to see you later!
Fr Nathan
The Eucharist: Longing for Reality
A Brief Reflection on the momentous act of Maundy Thursday in light of the present crisis.Dear Friends,
As the season of Lent draws to a close under the most unusual circumstances, we may not enjoy the opportunity to worship in the full way we might wish, but we will still be keeping Holy Week as best we can, recalling Jesus' own sufferings and death, and holding all those suffering and dying before Him in prayer, and holding out hope for the light of Resurrection and Easter.
These are the services that will be streamed. the 10am on the Sunday is not guaranteed yet: If Rev'd Jacky has her new laptop delivered and gets it working, we hope it will be her debut live stream!
Otherwise I commend to you the Easter Vigil, best watched either in the night or first thing in the morning, that you may welcome His light into your life again.
Holding you close in prayer at this time as always,
Fr Nathan
Something to tickle the grey matter today!
Something for the families to do perhaps, but I'm certainly finding it enough of a challenge.
Fr N
A reflection on Psalm 23
The words of The Lord is My Shepherd or Psalm 23 have been heard in countless services in churches and elsewhere for hundreds of years. It is one of the Psalms that I turn to during the difficult times when I need comfort and strength. But what is it that make these words so
meaningful to people across the centuries?
They are words of comfort to us all in times of uncertainty and sustain us through sorrows and losses. They can give us courage when we are afraid. They assure us there is nothing to fear in the dark valley of death. They remind us there is a way forward when we feel powerless and anxious. They promise us that we never walk alone.
When we take in all that has changed about our life and world; when I take on board the world where there is no certainty about what the future holds; when I see the the increasing numbers of new cases and deaths; when I think about those who are wondering how they are going to keep their families housed and fed. The uncertainty of job losses. Those who along with all of us wonder when we will next feel the hugs of family and friends. And to be honest I am feeling a bit weiry of the next bit of information of what to do or not to do.
I want to hear words of hope. I want to keep remembering that “the Lord is my shepherd” and “I shall not want.” I look to be comforted, I want to feel that level of certainty I had not long ago.
I began by holding on firmly to the words of Psalm 23 and to let them once again comfort me. And I am betting you want the same things I do.
I want to increase the knowledge of God's love which will give peace of mind at this time that it gives comfort for life, for as Paul writes in his letter to the Roman's there is nothing - not even death- that can keep God's love from reaching us and ministering to our needs, giving comfort and hope at this time.
In the following days I commend you to read the Psalm, pray the words slowly and deliberately with every line.
May the hope and promise of Jesus Christ bless and keep you safe and well and sustain you in the uncertainties of your life under the assurance of God's love, especially in these times.
With love and prayers
Reverend Jacky
Due to the beautiful services Fr Nathan has lead for us today I will now post my reflection tomorrow. If you would like some help, more personal prayers said please do phone me. I am in daily contact with members of our congregation and others so please do let me know if I haven't reached you yet.
As always I keep you all in my prayers and and my love to you all.
Reverend Jacky.
According to the Book of Common Prayer
www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-in-daily-prayer/evening-prayer-traditional-sun...
Hi everyone.
Just popping on to say I hope that you are all well and keeping safe.
I have had a busy week as I am a key worker so I have been travelling to and from work staying in the office for the day and then coming home and staying put. I have found this time of isolation a time when I can pray for so many people focussed and without distraction.
I especially hold in prayer (and I hope you will join me) those who are ill, those who have lost loved ones and those who have died. I pray for those who are helping others, risking themselves and those who have sacrificed their own families to keep them safe whilst they carry on helping. I pray for all who are bringing us food and medicines, the list can go on and on. I pray for all of you.
I will be posting a short reflection tomorrow on Psalm 23 which is one of my favourite Psalms to turn to in difficult times and gives me so much hope and knowledge of the love of God in my life.
I commend to you the Julian prayer which reminds me to trust in God in everything, something I can forget sometimes.
All shall be well. All shall be well. Every manner of thing shall be well.
I hope you will hold on to what those words say. Let them bind you to faith, hope, and love, and connect you to one another.
With my love and prayers.
Reverend Jacky
'I will lay me down in peace a take my rest;
For it is thou, Lord, only that makest me to dwell in safety'