- The Rectory
- The Street, Barham
- Canterbury
- Kent
- CT4 6PA
01227 668190
Email Us
Benefice Pew Sheet
The Barham Downs Group of Church
Adisham • Barham • Bishopsbourne • Kingston • Wymynswold
Also for Podcasts and spiritual reflection in Holy Week go to WORD-19 Tab
https://www.barhamdownschurches.org.uk/word-19.htm
See Pew Sheet Readings below
Temporary Church Closures
Following on from the PM's broadcast on the evening of the 23rd March we are required to close our churches for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is a sad decision as we normally and willingly keep our churches open to all whether of faith or no faith, but these are extraordinary times.
I pray that this will be for the shortest time possible but we pray that the Holy Spirit guides our medical and political leaders in their discernment and decision-making for the benefit of all our communities.
For the time being our buildings may be inaccessible but Christ never is as we are his hands and feet, his mouthpiece and remains within us in our prayers.
Should your wish to be on our group emailing list please ‘email us’ with your permission to hold your data for church purposes only as per GDPR compliance.
Worship & Prayer Resources through the CofE
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-liturgy-and-prayer-resources
Also check out the 15 minute daily service on BBC Radio 4 Long Wave (or Sounds App)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wzfs/episodes/player
Notice Sheet for 12th April 2020 Easter Sunday
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
Happy Easter everyone!
Collect (Prayer of the Day)
God of glory,
by the raising of your Son
you have broken the chains of death and hell:
fill your Church with faith and hope;
for a new day has dawned
and the way to life stands open
in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Acts 10:34-43 Hear the Good News
Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’
Psalm 118:14-24 The Gate of the Lord & Chief Corner Stone
The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
‘The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
the right hand of the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.’
I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not give me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Matthew 28:1-10 The Resurrection of Jesus
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
Post Communion 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.
Prayers
We continue to pray not just for our community and nation but also for the nations of the world that God has given us. We pray that through the presence of the Holy Spirit that wisdom, courage and healing will be among those treating and being treated by sickness. We pray for all who are finding the changing of life routines troubling and for relationships that prove difficult in confinement. We pray for hope and support for those families and businesses facing an unknown financial future. We pray that being brought into the resurrection of life that we can encourage others to glimpse the Kingdom of heaven around us.
For any who are sick or in particular need at this time;
Richard Bellamy, Maureen Baker, Terry Bradshaw, Kelly, Colin Richards, Charlie
We remember those who have died and those who mourn their Passing;
Gordon Langdon, Doreen Rumsey (formerly Bradshaw)
and those who we remember on the anniversary of their death:
Notice Sheet for 5th April 2020 Palm Sunday
Beginning of HOLY WEEK
As we read the Bible, take time over each of the readings so that you can see their links about prophecy and fulfillment and ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Collect (Prayer of the Day)
True and humble king,
hailed by the crowd as Messiah:
grant us the faith to know you and love you,
that we may be found beside you
on the way of the cross,
which is the path of glory.
Amen.
Here is something for but especially for children.
Liturgy of the Palms
Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
‘Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’
Homily: Who do we cheer?
Jerusalem at Passover is a bustling city of expectation and celebration.
Jesus times his entry at the right moment in fulfilment of Zechariah’s prophecy
(9:9) and the expectant crowd lining the streets are already buzzing about an
expectant Messiah because that seems to be the growing expectation. Why?
Passover is a celebration of deliverance from oppression and slavery from the
time of Moses. As Jesus approaches the city the people are again under
the yoke of powerful overlords - the Romans.
I think ‘word’ would have quickly gone round about this holy wanderer, this prophet of Nazareth, and some may have known that he was born in Bethlehem hence why they cheer-on the Son of David!
This is the beginning of the end of Jesus’ ministry to bring his Father’s Kingdom right into the heart of the holy city, to replace the Great Temple with his body and his blood - an offering for all eternity.
Now instead, imagine the city streets being empty of commerce and traffic, imagine a contagion forcing people to look from their windows, balconies and roof-tops at the now lonely procession to the Temple.
Instead of immediate jubilation there is a hushed sense of awe as people crane their necks to get a good view and see perhaps just one of the disciples at a social distance leading the colt and a donkey on which Jesus rides. Now imagine the residents become much bolder and start to wave; the waves of hands and garments give way to a loud cheer and clapping as this Son of Man comes to his people to save them from their sins - our sins!
Fortunately no imagination is required for ourselves for the last consecutive Thursday evenings as we cheered and clapped for our heroic health professionals, care workers and all who keep this country going whether from: law to logistics or, from farmers to food shelves including our own village shop and for the dedicated team that keep it going.
As a nation we have always valued our health service but now in these days so much more for those who help to contain, heal, restore and cure us.
This Easter coming shall we also give thanks to Him who comes to restore us in heart, body mind and spirit?
Amen.
Liturgy of the Passion
Psalm 31:9-16
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow,and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,and my bones waste away.
I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbours,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’
My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.
Philippians 2:5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited, but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name
that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel Reading Matthew 26:14-27:66 click below for the reading as it is the longest reading in the church year. If reading with a family you may want to assume the different character roles to add to the effect of The Passion.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26%3A14-27%3A66&version=NRSVA
Prayer for the week
Lord of compassion and mercy,
as we travel with Jesus into the Jerusalem of our hearts, give us the strength and love to persevere no matter how hard life is changing all around us. Bless our families and neighbours and all those in service to their country at this time of peril and yet also of hope. As we transform our living, transform our hearts and minds always, through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. Amen
For any who are sick or in particular need at this time;
Richard Bellamy, Maureen Baker, Terry Bradshaw, Kelly, Colin Richards.
We remember those who have died and those who mourn their Passing;
Gordon Langdon, Doreen Rumsey (formerly Bradshaw)
and those who we remember on the anniversary of their death:
Notice
Sheet for 29th March 2020 PASSIONTIDE
Collect (Prayer of the Day)
Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; 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
Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.”
This is the Word of the Lord, Thanks be to God.
The Gospel - John 11:1-45
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.” After saying this, he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.” Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.”Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”
Jesus Weeps
When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
Jesus Raises Lazarus to Life
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go."
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ
Our Prayers this week
Lord,
As a mother to us all we pray for your continued presence in body, mind and spirit in this time of crisis. We remember the healing touch of your son Jesus Christ and of his promise that you are always with us to the end of time. We pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit that you will imbue wisdom and good discernment to all leaders in politics, economy, medical and pastoral matters. Bless our parishes, now and always.
Amen.
For any who are sick or in particular need at this time;
Richard Bellamy, Maureen Baker, Terry Bradshaw, Kelly, Colin Richards.
We remember those who have died and those who mourn their Passing;
Peter Evans, Jean Bailey, Jeremy Ansell, Gordon Langdon, Doreen Rumsey (formerly Bradshaw)
and those who we remember on the anniversary of their death:
John Spanton, Henry Maude, Margaret Keeler.
Events this week from 29th March to 4th April
|
Date |
Time |
Event |
Place |
|
|
|
Upcoming Events and notices
See COVID-19 (Coronavirus Advice) Tab
See WORD-19 Tab