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

St PaulSt Leonards on Sea

4th

SUNDAY OF EASTER 3 May 2020

THE GATHERING

Love's redeeming work is done;

Fought the fight, the battle won:Lo, our Sun's eclipse is o'er!Lo, he sets in blood no more!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal,Christ has burst the gates of hell;Death in vain forbids his rise;Christ has opened Paradise.

Lives again our glorious King;Where, O Death, is now thy sting?Dying once, he all doth save;Where thy victory, O grave?

Soar we now where Christ has led,Following our exalted Head;Made like him, like him we rise;Ours the cross, the grave, the skies.

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven!Praise to thee by both be given:Thee we greet triumphant now;Hail, the Resurrection thou!

Words Charles Wesley

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 mercy

You 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 God, lead us to share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before, 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 2. 14, 36-41; 1 Peter 2. 20-25; John 10. 1-10

First ReadingA reading from the Acts of the Apostles

On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed

the crowd in a loud voice: ‘The whole House of Israel can be certain thatGod has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.’  Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles,‘What must we do, brothers?’ ‘You must repent,’ Peter answered ‘andevery one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for theforgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all thosewho are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.’He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urgedthem, ‘Save yourselves from this perverse generation.’ They were convincedby his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised.That very day about three thousand were added to their number.

The word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Psalm from Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.

He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.If I should walk in the valley of darkness, no evil would I fear.You are there with your crook and your staff;with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell, for ever and ever.

Second ReadingA reading from the First Letter of St Peter

The merit, in the sight of God, is in bearing punishment patiently when youare punished after doing your duty. This, in fact, is what you were called

to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to followthe way he took. He had not done anything wrong, and there had been noperjury in his mouth. He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults;when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in therighteous judge. He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross,so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his woundsyou have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you havecome back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

The word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia

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

Jesus said: ‘I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter thesheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and abrigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock;the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls hisown sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goesahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice.They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognisethe voice of strangers.’ Jesus told them this parable but they failed tounderstand what he meant by telling it to them.So Jesus spoke to them again: ‘I tell you most solemnly,I am the gate of the sheepfold. All others who have comeare thieves and brigands; but the sheep took no notice of them.I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe:he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture.The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.’

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

Homily (Bishop Peter)

I have come that they may have life and have it to the full (John 10.10)

It has been moving to remember in this past week those workers in the National Health Service who have lost their lives recently. Often it is said of one or other who has died that caring for others was their life's vocation. Our Lord said, 'Greater love has no-one than this than to lay down one's life for one's friends.' (John 15.13) But these were not their friends in the accepted sense of the word. They were simply sick people who needed the right help. Not everyone is able to have work which is also a vocation but everyone has the chance in life to be a Good Samaritan caring for one's neighbour. Jesus's teaching about fullness of life is about gaining the courage to be loving and generous.

‘Love your enemies and do good; lend and expect nothing in return.... Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you – good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap.’ (Luke 6. 35 & 38)

A lot of people have noted how neighbourliness has come to the fore during this epidemic. When we had a water stoppage the other day, a neighbour whom I had never seen stopped me in front of the house and offered me bottles of water which they had just collected from the supermarket. It was quite a surprise to be offered pastoral help when I think of myself as one who organises pastoral care.The word 'pastoral' is itself significant. My dictionary tells me that its first meaning is 'of or pertaining to shepherds'.

We are not set in the midst of sheep and pasture and anyway the farming habits of England and the Holy Land are different. In the Gospel Jesus says, 'I am the gate.' He is like the shepherd who sleeps across the entrance to the sheepfold. God's commitment to us in his Son is like the shepherd who will defend his sheep to the last; and part of the significance of the Resurrection is that God's commitment to us is infinite. 'Lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age.' Or in terms of last week's Gospel of the walk to Emmaus, the risen Christ walks beside us though we may not recognise him. There should be huge reassurance for us in this especially in these times of lockdown. 'I am the good shepherd,' says the Lord. (John 10.16) 'The Lord is my shepherd; there nothing I shall want.' (Psalm 23.1)

As a bishop I carry a pastoral staff and I have had to be taught what the psalm means, 'You are there with your crook and your staff. With these you give me comfort.' The crook is there to catch the sheep round the back legs when they stray. The staff is there to count the sheep as they come into the sheepfold. They each get a little tap on their backs and they feel comforted in this daily ritual. Especially when many of us are missing the touch of a handshake and the warmth of a kiss, we can in imagination feel the pat on the back as we say our prayers and the embrace of the Shepherd as he holds us when we err.

But in the Gospel the Shepherd does not only lead his sheep into safety, he leads them out and goes ahead of them (John 10. 3 & 4). He may lead us near restful waters but Not for ever by still waters Would we idly rest and stay But would smite the living fountains From the rocks beside our way We need times of reflection – such as we are afforded now, but there is still a journey through life to be made.

How shall we bring about a more abundant life? That is

the challenge of tomorrow which needs addressing today. Maybe we can find ways to foster the neighbourliness that has blossomed recently. Round the corner from my house someone has scrawled on the pavement in chalk, 'Thank you dustman.' 'We are all in it together.' Maybe we can help to foster the political will so that everyone receives a just reward for their labour, a society where there is fairness in the distribution of wealth, where people have the opportunity to make the best of their talents and where there is a genuine safety net so that food banks are again a thing of the past.

As we have seen with the current epidemic, what happens in China can have grave consequences here. The minerals in my smartphone come from countries where people still live in poverty and danger. Our Church partners abroad need our ongoing help. We start local but extend globally. Our Good Shepherd nurtures us and then leads us outwards to extend his mission: 'I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.' 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, enable your Church to be a source of inspiration for a new way of living together in harmony. We pray for Pope Francis as he speaks to the world, and for Martin, our Bishop as he guides our diocese in these troubled times.

May the worldwide suffering at this time from the Coronavirus epidemic kindle a desire for a world of peace and harmony. May the leaders of the nations heed the cry of the afflicted for a fairer sharing of human resources.

Father, surround those dear to us with your love, especially those from whom we are separated at this time. We pray for our Church family at Christ Church, that those who feel lonely and cut off may be uplifted by our prayer.

Father, your Son Jesus, like every human being, experienced fear, sadness and a sense of abandonment. By your Holy Spirit reassure the fearful, uphold the sorrowful, comfort the bereaved and inspire in us all a sense of renewed trust in your love for us.

Jesus, risen Lord, already here on earth you enable us to know the beginning of a life that will have no end. Hear our prayers for those who have passed beyond the veil of death.

May Our Lady who supported the apostles in Upper Room with her prayers support us also:

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

Faithful Shepherd, feed me in the pastures green;Faithful Shepherd, lead me where thy steps are seen.

Hold me fast, and guide me in the narrow way;So, with thee beside me, I shall never stray.

Daily bring me nearer to the heavenly shore;May my faith grow clearer, may I love thee more.

Hallow every pleasure, every gift and pain; Be thy self my treasure, though none else I gain.

Day by day prepare me as thou seest best, Then let angels bear me to thy promised rest.

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 English Martyrs Acts 7. 55-60 Persecuted Christians

Matthew 11. 25-30

Easter weekday Acts 11.19-26 The National Health Service John 10. 22-30

Easter weekday Acts 12.24 – 13.5 Christ Church Academy John 12. 44-50

Easter WeekdayActs 13. 13-25 The sick and infirmJohn 13. 16-20

Easter weekday Acts 13. 26-33 Prisoners

John 14. 1-6

Easter weekday Acts 13. 44-52 Walsingham John 14. 7-14

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. On Friday we begin continuous 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 the English Martyrs of the Reformation era. 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 10th May 2020 5th Sunday of Easter Next Sunday’s Readings: Acts 6. 1-7; 1 Peter 2.4-9; John 14. 1-12 Intention: The parish

For Your PrayersFrom the congregation Fr Christopher Hopkins, 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 – and all suffering from the Coronavirus and all caring for the sick

From last month (should they continue on the list?) Rosemary Smith, Elliot Fowler, Jonathan Davies, Maria Maslin, Denise Sweatman, Debbie Heneke, Tanya Stanley, Ollie Spencer, Helen, Timothy Chapel, Mathew Chapel, Kieran Clark, Celia Fleming, Merle Lynch, Mary Perry, Christine Lee

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: Doris Tomlinson, Peter Kraus, Maggie Jackson, Colin Campbell, Christopher Langdon. Colin Tolworthy, priest

Anniversaries:

3rd Kenneth Wilfred Clinch, priest4th Richard Bryant, Ernest William Fraser priest5th Henry Percy Farnfield, Peggy Bryant6th Janet Sturt7th Veronica McVey (2011)8th Eric Aubrey Bone9th Edward Albert Hewitt, Wilfred Coombs

NoticesChristopher Langdon RIP Members of the Church will be very sorry to learn of the sudden death of Christopher Langdon, just a week after he was taken into hospital on Good Friday. His funeral will be at the Crematorium on Thursday 7 May. We hope there can be a service of memorial at a later date. Julie Langdon thanks everyone for their prayers at this time.

Toilet Twinned One of the toilets in the crypt has been twinned with an outside toilet in Uganda through the gift of two members of the Church as a Lenten offering (the expectation being that this will enable better sanitary facilities to be installed).

Helping 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