This coming Thursday, the 21st May is Ascension Day, a major festival of the Church’s year, so there will be an extra page especially for that day, published here on Wednesday evening, along with Fr Ron’s usual mid-week letter.
In case you missed this week’s midweek letter, please click here to see latest information about the possible timeline for reopening All Saints’ Church.
Fr Ron’s Reflection on todays readings
Collect for The Sixth Sunday of Easter
God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; 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.
The Epistle Reading – 1 Peter 3:13-22
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
The Gospel Reading – John 14:15-21
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Intercessions for Sixth Sunday of Easter -Year A – 17th May 2020
Gracious God, you are anything but unknown to us for you made us, our world and everything in it and so we pray with one voice, proclaiming your presence to all the earth.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Holy God we pray for your church throughout the world, for sceptics and believers, for clergy high and low. For all those who seek God at home, at work, in the streets, and in the pews, for all who search for life. We pray for the stillness to listen to the voice of the Spirit and to recognise what our personal relationship with you has done for us. We pray for all who strive to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel especially in these difficult times when we cannot meet together in our church buildings.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Creator God, we pray for prime ministers and presidents, for bosses and workers; for leaders and trendsetters. For those who set the targets at home, at work, in the streets, and in the pews. For all who wield power, that they may be guided by the Spirit of Truth. We especially pray all the world’s governments as they continue to do their best during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Father God, we pray for family and colleagues, friends and lovers, for neighbours and strangers, For all those who we are missing with whom we normally would break bread: at home, at work, in the community, and in our church but we continue to pray for all who grow, harvest and prepare the food we eat and for those who continue to deliver to shops and supermarkets. We give especial thanks for those who continue to risk their lives, in those shops and supermarkets and in delivery and postal service.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Loving God, we pray for the sick and troubled, for the fearful and alone, for those in pain at home, at work, in the streets, and in the pews. We pray that all who suffer, may feel the Spirits healing presence. We especially ask for healing for those with Corona Virus and for our wonderful health service who are at the frontline.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Merciful God, we pray for those kept fresh in our memory and for those long forgotten, For all who ever took the breath of life at home, at work, in the streets, and in the pews. We pray for mercy and forgiveness for the dead and those who mourn them, may they find rest in the Spirit’s embrace and we commend them to your keeping for ever.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
God of heaven and earth, companion in life, Spirit of truth, to you alone we turn our eyes and lift our hearts. Help us to keep your commandments and to love one another as you love us.
Merciful Father:
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Thanks to the Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy for sharing their prayers for this Sunday.