The Parish of Christ Churchwith St Mary Magdalen and St Peter and

St PaulSt Leonards on Sea

5th

SUNDAY OF EASTER 10 May 2020

THE GATHERING

Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,

Endless is the victory thou o'er death hast won;Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,Kept the folded grave-clothes where thy body lay. Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son, Endless is the vict'ry thou o'er death hast won.

Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;Let the Church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,For her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting:

No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of Life;Life is nought without thee: aid us in our strife,Make us more than conquerors through thy deathless love;Bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above:

Words French, Edmond Budry

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Penitential Rite

You raise the dead to life in the Spirit Lord, have mercyYou bring pardon and peace to the sinner Christ, have mercyYou bring light to those in darkness Lord, have mercy

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen

Gloria

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth,Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father; we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you

for your glory.Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, receive our prayer.For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the most high, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal; through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORDActs 6. 1-7; 1 Peter 2.4-9; John 14. 1-12

First ReadingA reading from the Acts of the Apostles

About this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, theHellenists made a complaint against the Hebrews: in the daily distributiontheir own widows were being overlooked. So the Twelve called a fullmeeting of the disciples and addressed them, ‘It would not be right for usto neglect the word of God so as to give out food; you, brothers, mustselect from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with theSpirit and with wisdom; we will hand over this duty to them, andcontinue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.’The whole assembly approved of this proposal and elected Stephen, a manfull of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor,Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They

presented these to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.The word of the Lord continued to spread: the number of disciples inJerusalem was greatly increased, and a large group of priests made theirsubmission to the faith.

The word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Psalm from Psalm 33

May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp,with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs

For the word of the Lord is faithfuland all his works to be trusted.The Lord loves justice and rightand fills the earth with his love.

The Lord looks on those who revere him,on those who hope in his love,to rescue their souls from death,to keep them alive in famine.

Second ReadingA reading from the First Letter of St Peter

The Lord is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and preciousto him; set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood thatoffers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God,may be living stones making a spiritual house. As scripture says: See how Ilay in Zion a precious cornerstone that I have chosen and the man who rests his truston it will not be disappointed. That means that for you who are believers, it isprecious; but for unbelievers, the stone rejected by the builders has provedto be the keystone, a stone to stumble over, a rock to bring men down.

They stumble over it because they do not believe in the word; it was the fatein store for them. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, aconsecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who calledyou out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

The word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.No one can come to the Father except through me.’. Alleluia

GospelThe Lord be with you And also with youA reading from the holy Gospel according to JohnGlory to you, O Lord

Jesus said to his disciples:‘ Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in Godstill, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if therewere not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you,and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take youwith me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the placewhere I am going.’ Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you aregoing, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truthand the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If youknow me, you know my Father too. From this moment you know him andhave seen him.’ Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shallbe satisfied.’ ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him‘and you still do not know me? ‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”? Do you not believe that I am inthe Father and the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speakas from myself: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is inme; believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the sameworks as I do myself, he will perform even greater works, because I amgoing to the Father.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Homily (Fr Nick)

‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father ex-cept through me.’

Strong words which Jesus speaks to His disciples in today’s Gospel.

There’s a lot packed in to our Gospel today - Jesus speaks of a lot - He speaks of how to come to God, He speaks of seeing God, He speaks of His relationship with the Father, and He speaks of the future, of what He is preparing for us. Words of hope and comfort, but also words of clear in-struction.

All that Jesus says in today’s Gospel is almost a sermon itself - He says that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life – when I read it I thought to myself, what more can I really add to this!

Jesus says “do not let your hearts be troubled.” Appropriate words I think for us at all times, but especially perhaps at this time, a time when I would suggest that many of us are anxious to one degree or another - whether we realise it or not. Fear, and anxiety, and uncertainty can take over - it can feel sometimes that something else is in control - and it’s easy for our hearts to be troubled.

But Jesus tells them to not let their hearts be troubled - they are to believe and trust in God and in Him, the man before them. And He assures them that in His Father’s house there are many rooms, many dwelling places, and that He is going to prepare a place for each of them, before coming back to take them with Him.

It must have seemed slightly odd to the Disciples - rooms in God’s house - so Thomas asks the rational question - ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ It sounds almost as if Thomas is asking Jesus if He has a map or directions if you like in order to get to wherever it is that Jesus is going. During the lockdown I’ve been explor-ing a lot more of the countryside surrounding Hastings, and discovering

many different footpaths and trails – many different ways which often eventually connect up and arrive at the same place, it’s hard to get lost, be-cause I’ll often end up somewhere I know; in a sense there’s no one ‘way’.

But Jesus doesn’t provide a physical map to a physical place - Jesus says “I am the Way”; it’s this man before them who is the Way to the Father, the way to the Father’s house; it’s through Jesus, and Jesus alone, that the disciples, and us, can see and experience God in His fullness.

Jesus is the Way - a crucial term - ‘the Way’ - He’s not just a wise spiritual guide who simply gives us a catalogue of good advice and good tips so that we can use them to come closer to God ourselves - yes He teaches us how we should live, how we should interact with others, He sets an ex-ample, and He teaches, but ultimately He Himself is the Way to God - the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

We do live in a world of different attractions, different things and thoughts and ideas which can pull us in one direction or the other. There are differ-ent thoughts and ideas and tips and so on which the world gives us which can help us in life and support us, but when it comes to seeing God, to coming to God, Jesus is the Way. What should we build our lives on? What should be our foundation? Many things can distract us, and can provide some comfort and support, but we often find that they only get us so far. In Jesus’ day there were also different attractions – money, and power, and so on – but also different teachers and philosophies and ideas, but Jesus was different. In Jesus we have One who rose from the dead, we can have One who is God Himself. We have proof in His very self that He is God.

The movement which Jesus started was not a movement (like so many oth-ers) which with time and with the death of its charismatic leader just withered and faded away into the background, but the Way which is Jesus endured, and lasted, and is alive and active in our world today; the Way to the Father, founded on the solid rock - the living stone - which is the risen Christ.

Our Lord calls us to try to let go of other things which we think will bring us security and a future, and to entrust ourselves entirely to Him. He is faithful, and works through us, and He can be seen working in our world, often in ways we don’t always notice. We have the assurance that He is

working in us and for us, for our salvation and for our good, and that we are not to let our hearts be troubled or afraid, but to trust in the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

The Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (all bow) was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen

Prayers of the People After each petition this response may be usedLord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

Heavenly Father, we pray for the universal Church, for peace and harmony in the Church, and that we may be a sign of God’s love for all, and point to Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We pray for all of her leaders, especially for Martin, our Bishop as he guides our diocese in these troubled times.

We pray for our world. For all of her leaders, for wisdom, and for good decisions which benefit all people. We pray for the poorest members of our world, and people who live with an uncertain future. We pray for all those suffering with coronavirus, those who care for them, and those searching for a cure.

We pray for our Church family at Christ Church, that those who feel lonely and cut off may be uplifted by our prayer. We pray for our school, for St Richard’s House, for our Scout groups, and for all who we encounter.

We pray for those who suffer. For the fearful, the sorrowful, the bereaved. We pray for all those suffering with coronavirus, those who care for them, and those searching for a cure.

In His Resurrection Jesus Christ overcame death. Hear our prayers for those who have passed beyond the veil of death.

We commend all of these our prayers to almighty God, joining them with those of all of the saints, especially those of St Mary Magdalen, St Peter, St Paul, St Leonard, and Our Lady, whom we greet, saying:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed by thy name.Thy kingdom come,thy will be done, on earth as it is in heavenGive us this day our daily breadand forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil. Graciously grant us peace in our days, that by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; look not on our sins, but the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will; who live and reign for ever ad ever. Amen

Agnus Dei

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died for his flock, alleluia.

Act of Spiritual Communion

In union, dear Lord, with the faithful at every altar of your Church where your blessed Body and Blood are being offered to the Father, I desire to offer you praise and thanksgiving. I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament. And since I cannot receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you, and embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Let me never be separated from you. Let me live and die in your love. Amen.

Prayer of St Richard of Chichester

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have won for us, for all the pains and insults you have borne for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen Hymn

Thou art the Way: by thee alone From sin and death we flee;And he who would the Father seek Must seek him, Lord, by thee.

Thou art the Truth: thy word alone True wisdom can impart;Thou only canst inform the mind And purify the heart.

Thou art the Life: the rending tomb Proclaims thy conquering arm;

And those who put their trust in thee Nor death nor hell shall harm.

Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life: Grant us that Way to know,That Truth to keep, that Life to win, Whose joys eternal flow.

Words George Doane

Prayer God of life, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection have delivered us from the power of our enemy: grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his risen life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

May almighty God bless us, keep us free from evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen

Let us bless the Lord, alleluia, alleluia. Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.

During the weekThe calendar, intentions and readings for Mass are below.

Readings Easter weekday Acts 14. 5-18 The sick and infirm

John 14. 21-26

Easter weekday Acts 14. 19-28 Personal intention John 14. 27-31

Our Lady of Fatima Acts 15. 1-6 Pilgrims John 15. 1-8

Matthias Apostle Acts 1. 15-26 Bishop MartinJohn 15 .9-17

Easter weekday Acts 15. 7-31 The departed

John 15 12-17

Easter weekday Acts 16.1-10 Christ Church school John 15.18-21

The cycle of readings at Mass continues readings from the Acts of the Apostles. Whereas at Mass during the week we (almost) complete the whole of the book, on Sundays our readings are spread over the 3 year cycle.The Gospels for Eastertide are taken from the Gospel according to St John. We continue this week readings from St John’s account of Our Lord’s farewell discourse at the Last Supper. This daily cycle is interrupted by the feast of St Matthias, though the Gospel is taken from exactly the same point as we reach in the weekday cycle. Perhaps using some of the outline from the Sunday booklet, you could use these to form a daily offering of prayer with the clergy saying Mass in Church.

NEXT SUNDAY 17th May 2020 6th Sunday of Easter Next Sunday’s Readings: Acts 8. 5-8, 14-17; 1 Peter 3. 15-18; John 14. 15-21 Intention: The parish

For Your PrayersFrom the congregation Noreen Knight, Lesley Manser, Kathleen Hughes, Sheila Johnston, Pam Simmons, Sonia Rook, Antonella Lewis, Wil Jewitt, Julie Langdon, David Dawkins, Anne Brice

From those for whom our prayers are askedMonica Ellis, Jan & Howard Hill, Roger Clark,, Maureen Pocock, Gemma Bruno, Miranda and family, Margaret Buck, Denny and Marley Nassey, Fr Bill Campen, Fr Mike Havell, Stephen Gurden, Adela, Barbara Crofts, Diane Tarling, Katie Alexander-Redford, Gavin Everton, Ollie Spencer, Celia Fleming – and all suffering from the Coronavirus and all caring for the sick

This list is revised monthly and if you wish someone to continue to be remembered at Mass or added to the list (with their consent if possible), please let Fr Nick know (details on the Directory below).

THE DEPARTED

The Recently Departed: Peter Kraus, Maggie Jackson, Colin Campbell,. Colin Tolworthy, priest, Derek Robin Wood, Christopher Hopkins, priest

Anniversaries:

10th Ellen Walter11th Joanna Thompson (2014)12th Helena Spilstead, Florence Ivy Joan Dale, Eileen Wheeldon, Gerald Richard Vernon sometime Bishop in Madagascar and sixth Rector of this Parish (1963)13th Patricia Kate Fowler, Shelley Speed14th Selina Dawkins, Joyce Gillman-Davis (2015)15th Gordon Waller priest16th Donald Prescott, Eleanor de Rooij-Cliff, Lillian Wilson

NoticesHelping the NHSThere are some amongst our congregation who have volunteered to help the NHS in the present situation. They are sewing some of the much needed resources the staff so desperately need. Fittingly, some of the bedding material donated for our Monthly Sales is being used in this ef-fort.We are thankful and appreciative of such a response on behalf of us all. Thanks, love and prayers, Jane Read

If there are other pieces of news which people would like to share – or just to share how they are getting on, please forward it to the Parish Office christchurchstleonards@hotmail.co.uk

Financial Appeal

We know that it is a difficult time for many of you, and understand that there is real hardship in many families both financially and healthily presently.Our Church is in the same position, and our costs continue whilst being closed for actual attendance and worship. This closure reduces our in-come from Planned Giving, Collections and Fund Raising activities. Our shortfall of income over expenditure is almost £3,000 each month.We continue to be grateful to those who contribute to the Church through the Planned Giving Scheme. This enables us to receive Gift Aid from your donations on a frequent basis.   We are also grateful to all who contribute through the green envelopes.  Your commitment to a gift week by week, even when you are not in church on a particular Sunday, enables us to feel secure as we budget for our expenditure.   Unfortunately we are not receiving this income at present, but thank you for continuing to put aside money for this.   If you contribute in this way, or otherwise generously contribute via the collection plate, would you consider one of the options below?

1. Joining the Parish Giving Scheme – there are three ways that this can be done – (i) online at https://register.parishgiving.org.uk, or (ii) by telephone 0333 0032 1271 (Monday to Friday 9-5), or (iii) by completing a form (please leave a message on the Parish telephone 01424 447784 with your name and address and we will post one to you). The details you will need to provide in all instances are:Your Bank detailsName of Parish St Leonards Christ ChurchDo you wish to increase donations annually in line with inflation Yes/NoAre you a tax payer and can gift aid your donation Yes/NoOur Parish Giving Scheme number 1006104212. Making a payment directly to our Bank CAF Bank, or by cheque to the Parish Office.Hoping you keep well and look forward to being back in Church and see-ing you all again.

Sue Shaw and Maureen Harman Churchwardens Trevor Davies Treasurer

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