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WORD-26
BiblIcal & Spiritual Reflection
also see https://www.barhamdownschurches.org.uk/podcasts.htm
Easter Sunday / Season
Alleluia. Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia.
5th April 2026
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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.’
Collect (Prayer)
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.
Blessing
God, who through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ
has given us the victory,
give you joy and peace in your faith;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen
HAPPY EASTER!
Triduum: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday
& Holy Saturday/Eve of Easter
Observing the final moments of Jesus' life
2nd-4th April 2026
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The Last Supper from Matthew 26
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the
disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’
Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave
it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’ When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Collect
God our Father,
your Son Jesus Christ was obedient to the end
and drank the cup prepared for him:
may we who share his table watch with him
through the night of suffering and be faithful. Amen
---oOo---
The Death of Jesus upon the Cross from Matthew 27
three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘This man is calling for Elijah.’ At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.’ Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was
Collect
Eternal God,
in the cross of Jesus we see the cost of our sin and the depth of your love:
in humble hope and fear may we place at his feet all that we have
and all that we are, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen,
---oOo---
The guarding of Jesus' tomb from Matthew 27
The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise again.” Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, “He has been raised from the dead”, and the last
deception would be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them,
‘You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.’
So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by
sealing the stone.
Collect
In the depths of our isolation we cry to you, Lord God:
give light in our darkness and bring us out of the prison of our despair;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Palm Sunday
Celebrating He who comes in the name of the Lord
29th March 2026
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Collect (Prayer for the day/week)
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.
Matthew 21:1-11 (Triumphant 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.’
Praise
All glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of Children
made sweet hosannas ring.
To thee before thy passion
they sang their hymns of praise:
to thee now high exalted
our melody we raise.
St Theodulph of Orleans (tran. J.M.Neale)
Ash Wednesday
Turning around during our journey through Lent
to go the right way
18th February 2026
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Collect (Prayer for the day/week)
Holy God,
our lives are laid open before you:
rescue us from the chaos of sin
and through the death of your Son
bring us healing and make us whole
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
John 8: 1-11 Jesus helps someone to turn their lives around
while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women.
Now what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.
Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’
Imposition of Ashes (receiving of ashes upon the forehead in Ash Weds Service)
Remember that you are dust,
and to dust you you shall return.
Turn away from sin
and be faithful to Christ.
Candlemas
Small flickering light in the hands of the created
2nd February 2026
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Collect (Prayer for the day/week)
Almighty and ever-living God,
clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh:
grant that we may be presented to you
with pure and clean hearts,
by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
From Luke 2 (Baby Jesus is presented in the Temple to be blessed)
Simeon took him in his arms and
praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in
peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
There was also a prophet, Anna] the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Candlemas Lyrics by Elizabeth J. Cosnett (1936-2024)
When candles are lighted on Candlemas Day
the dark is behind us, and spring's on the way.
A glory shines in every dark place,
the light of Christ, the fulness of grace
The candles invite us to praise and to pray
when Christmas greets Easter on Candlemas Day
Epiphany
The Saviour of the world
is revealed!
6th January 2026
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Collect
O God, who by the
leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully
grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to
face; 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
Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; for your
light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For
darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but
the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over
you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to
the brightness of your dawn.
Psalm
72:10-12
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. May all kings fall down before
him, all nations give him service. For he delivers the needy when they call, the
poor and those who have no helper
Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its
rising, and have come to pay him homage.
Christmas
Come Prince of Peace,
be born in us today
25th December 2025
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Acclamation
When peaceful silence lay over all,
and night was in the midst of her swift course:
from your royal throne, O God, down from the heavens,
leapt your almighty Word.
John 1:1-5,14 The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Collect (Prayer)
Lord Jesus Christ,
your birth at Bethlehem
draws us to kneel in wonder
at heaven touching earth:
accept our heartfelt praise
as we worship you,
our saviour and our eternal God.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Advent Sunday
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus
30th November 2025
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Collect
Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Isaiah 2:2-3
In days to come
the mountain where the Temple stands
will be the highest one of all,
towering above all the hills.
Many nations will come streaming to it,
and their people will say,
“Let us go up the hill of the LORD,
to the Temple of Israel's God.
He will teach us what he wants us to do;
we will walk in the paths he has chosen.
Romans 13:9b-12
“Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” If you love someone, you will never do them wrong; to love, then, is to obey the whole Law.
You must do this, because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed. The night is nearly over, day is almost here. Let us stop doing the things that belong to the dark, and let us take up weapons for fighting in the light.
Matthew 24:36,42-44
No one knows, however, when that day and hour will come — neither the angels in heaven nor the Son; the Father alone knows…Be on your guard, then, because you do not know what day your Lord will come. If the owner of a house knew the time when the thief would come, you can be sure that he would stay awake and not let the thief break into his house. So then, you also must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him.
Michael & All Angels
Celebrating the Order of Angels
29th September 2025
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Collect
Everlasting God, you
have ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and mortals in a
wonderful order: grant that as your holy angels always serve you in heaven, so,
at your command, they may help and defend us on earth; 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 forever. Amen.
Revelation 12:7-12 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, who fought back with his angels; but the dragon was defeated, and he and his angels were not allowed to stay in heaven any longer. The huge dragon was thrown out — that ancient serpent, called the Devil, or Satan, that deceived the whole world. He was thrown down to earth, and all his angels with him.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now God's salvation has come! Now God has shown his power as King! Now his Messiah has shown his authority! For the one who stood before our God and accused our brothers and sisters day and night has been thrown out of heaven. Our brothers and sisters won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die. And so be glad, you heavens, and all you that live there! But how terrible for the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to you, and he is filled with rage, because he knows that he has only a little time left.”
Rejoice in God, rejoice,
praise echo through this place,
as organ thunders, voices sing
God’s glorious grace.
With grateful hearts
sing evermore:
The living God,
O, come adore! Rosalind Brown
Sing, ye heights of heaven,
his praises:
Angels and Archangels, sing!
whereso’er ye be, ye faithful,
let your joyous anthems ring,
every tongue his name confessing,
countless voices answering,
evermore and evermore. Prudentius
VJ80
Commemorating the ending of WWII in the Far East
15th August 2025
Luke 15:18-24 - The return of the Prodigal Son
I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.
VJ80 Prayer
God of the nations,
our refuge and our dwelling place,
we remember with thanksgiving
those whose service achieved Allied victory in the Pacific,
and hold before you all those who suffered
from the devastation and trauma of war.
may their memory inspire us
to learn from the atrocities of the past
and to pursue peace, justice and reconciliation
in our own generation;
though Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
see also podcast page
Trinity Sunday
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit
15th June 2025
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John 16:12-15 The Spirit glorifies Jesus in God
‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you
A Timeless Path K.P. Behm
Present past and present future
Holy Trinity with the here and now
Three states that bind all known creation
Defining when but never how
This very instant the past calls forward
The future answers from a timeless path
Where all three join and walk together
To bless this moment
—the one to last
Collect The Prayer for the day
Holy God,
faithful and unchanging:
enlarge our minds with the
knowledge of your truth,
and draw us more deeply
into the mystery of your love,
that we may truly worship you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
one God now an forever.
Amen.
Pentecost/Whitsunday - The Spirit of many tongues yet one language of God's love!
8th June 2025
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Acts 2:1-4 The Coming of the Holy Spirit
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Collect (Prayer for the day)
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, ignite is us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
A prayer by D.Hamflett God of fire, burn brightly in your Church. Consume our petty concerns and jealousies, purify our deeds and intentions, kindle in our hearts the fire of your love. Amen.
28th December 2024
Commemorated 29th December at Holy Innocents Adisham
Holy Innocents
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Our Prayer
Lord, as we rejoice in the joy of the divine moment of the Nativity there
still remains the human pain of terror and slaughter of the innocents in war
zones across the world and for children who suffer closer to home through
neglect, poverty and hunger. Come, and refashion into the children you desire
us to be. Amen.
Collect
Heavenly Father, whose children suffered at the hands of Herod, though
they had done no wrong: by the suffering of your Son and by the
innocence of our lives frustrate all evil designs and establish your reign of justice and peace; 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.
24th/25th December 2024
Christmas Eve/Day
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see also https://www.barhamdownschurches.org.uk/podcasts.htm
When peaceful silence lay over all,
and night was in the midst of her swift course:
from your royal throne, O God, down from the heavens,
leapt your almighty Word.
Luke 2:8-16
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
Collect (Prayer) for Christmas Night
Eternal God,
in the stillness of this night
you sent your almighty Word
to perve the world's darkness with the light of salvation:
give to the earth the peace that we long for
and fill our hearts with the joy of heaven
through Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Collect (Prayer) for Christmas Day and Season
God our Father,
whose Word has come among us
in the Holy Child of Bethlehem:
may the light of faith illumine our hearts
and shine in our words and deeds;
through him who is Christ the Lord. Amen.
Wishing you all a blessed Christmastide
1st December 2024
Advent Sunday
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Collect
Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Jeremiah
33.14–16
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: The Lord is our righteousness.
Luke 21.25–31,36
There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
Then he told them a parable: Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.
So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God i
14th February 2024
Ash Wednesday & the beginning of Lent
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The Collect of the day
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
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.
Psalm 51:1-5,12-15
Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my offences.
Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my faults and my sin is ever before me.
Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
So that you are justified in your sentence and righteous in your judgement.
Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy spirit from me.
Give me again the joy of your salvation and sustain me with your gracious spirit;
Then shall I teach your ways to the wicked and sinners shall return to you.
Deliver me from my guilt, O God, the God of my salvation,
and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. Amen
25th December 2023
Christmas Day
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Acclamation
When peaceful silence lay over all,
and night was in the midst of her swift course:
from your royal throne, O God, down from the heavens,
leapt your almighty Word.
John 1:1,14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his
glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
Luke 2:16-19
They went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in
the manger. When they saw this , they made known what had been told
them about the child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the
shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and
pondered them in her heart
Collect (Prayer for the Day/Week)
Lord Jesus Christ
your birth at Bethlehem
draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:
accept our heartfelt praise
as we worship you,
our Saviour and our eternal God.
Amen.
3rd December 2023
Advent Sunday
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Collect (Prayer for the Day/Week)
Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you,
in the
unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
Mark 13:24-27, 32-33 The Coming of the Son of Man
‘But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.
Acclamation
People of God: awake!
The day is coming soon when you shall see God face to face.
Remember the ways and the works of God.
God calls you out of darkness to walk in the light of his coming.
You are God's children.
Lord, make us one as we walk with Christ today and for ever.
25th November 2023
Advent Ask ~ Christmas Curiosity
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Sunday 26th June 2022
Confitmation Service
East Bridge Deanery Service with + Rose at St Peters Aylesham
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Congratulations to Matthew, Caroline and Lisa (plus 6 other
confirmands) on this wonderful occasion.
Sunday 5th June 2022
Pentecost / Whitsun
The Coming of the Holy Spirit and the founding of the Church
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Acts 2: 1-6 The
Coming of the Holy Spirit
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were
all together in one place.
And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind,
and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of
fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them
were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the
Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation
under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was
bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of
each.
The
Collect for Pentecost/Whitsun
God, who as at this time taught
the hearts of your faithful people
by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who is alive and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
May the Spirit kindle in us the
fire of God’s love.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Saturday 4th June 2022
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Images from the Jubilee
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Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd June 2022
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Giving Thanks for her long reign over us
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Jubilee Prayer
These prayers may be used throughout the Jubilee Year.
Gracious God, we give you thanks
for the reign of your servant Elizabeth our Queen,
and for the example of loving and faithful service
which she has shown among us.
Help us to follow her example of dedication
and to commit our lives to you and to one another,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Baptism of Christ (Epiphany Season) - 10th January 2021
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The message is clear Christ is truly chosen for mission, he is the messiah, the Christ, God incarnate. When we are baptised it reaffirms God's calling, for we are all special in his creation and with us he is 'well pleased' in the same way when humanity was the culmination of creation God saw that what he created was 'very good' and not just 'good'.
Collect
Heavenly Father,
at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:
may we recognise him as our Lord
and know ourselves to be your beloved children:
through Christ our Saviour.
Amen
Epiphany - 6th January 2021
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Collect
Creator of the heavens,
who led the Magi by a star
to worship the Christ-child:
guide and sustain us,
that we may find our journey's end
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From Isaiah 60
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you...
Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around;they all gather together, they come to you...
Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice...
They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
From Matthew 2
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking,
‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?
For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage...
They set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen
at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.
When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother;
and they knelt down and paid him homage.
Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return
to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Prayer
Jesus,
may we not hoard,
but freely give
the gold of our hearts,
the myrrh of our grief,
the frankincense of our dreams,
to you. Amen (Mary Palmer)
2nd Sunday of Christmas - 3rd January 2021
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Collect
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Word was made flesh and lived among us:
and we have seen his glory.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
New Years Day - 1st January 2021
Lizzie Hopthrow invites to her Epiphany Taize and who knows
what might be 'revealed' in song and prayer
Christmas Day - 25th December 2020
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When peaceful silence lay over all,
and night was in the midst of her swift course:
from your royal throne, O God,
down from the heavens,
leapt your almighty Word.
Collect for Midnight Mass
Eternal God,
in the
stillness of this night you sent your
almighty Word
to pierce the
world's darkness with the light of salvation:
give to the
earth the peace that we long for and fill our hearts
with the joy of heaven through our
Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Collect for Christmas Day
Almighty God,
you have given us your
only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to
be born of a pure virgin:
grant that we, who have
been born again and made your children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by
your Holy Spirit;
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.
*****WISHING YOU A BLESSED CHRISTMASTIDE*****
Advent Window tribute to Lucas Webb
22nd December 2020
Image courtesy of the Webb family as Day 19
in the Village Advent Windows Calendar
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
4th Sunday of Advent - 20th December 2020
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The Collect
God our redeemer,
who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son:
grant that, as she looked for his coming as our Saviour,
so we may be ready to greet him
when he comes again as our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Open Carol Services - 20th December
4 pm on the Village Green near the Christmas Tree, Barham
6.30 pm on the Station Road Green Adisham
19th December 2020
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Dear Parishioners,
It is with deep regret that we need to cancel the Sunday outdoor Carol Services at Barham (4pm) and Adisham (6.30pm).
Cancellation is implicitly consistent with our overall risk assessment since the risk element has changed; and even though we planned to take extreme care, the information shared by the Government tonight must make more problematic the idea of having a large group of people of all age groups and the hidden transmission by those who are asymptomatic.
I am waiting to read the fine print re: Christmas services but will keep ou all posted. What is more important is that we protect those whom we love and hold the light of Christ before us.
Yours
Stefan (RevT)
16th December 2020
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Lucas Webb
The last few days have seen an outpouring of love and sympathy for the Webb Family following devastating news of Lucas' death. The family really appreciate all the support from family, friends and the Barham Community but understandably can not respond to all social media messages.
Lucas was baptised at St John the Baptist.
We pray:
O God of compassion,
as we gather around Lucas,
we can scarcely take in what has happened.
Be alive to us as our hearts are shaken with sorrow,
for a life so full of promise has been taken.
In our sadness, contain us:
in our shock and grief, comfort us.
Meet us in our anger,
hear the questions that have no answers
and in our dark and lonely times bring hope to his family and us all.
Amen.
3rd Sunday of Advent - 13th December 2020
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The Collect
God for whom we watch and wait,
you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son:
give us the courage to speak the truth,
to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right,
with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2nd Sunday of Advent - 6th December 2020
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Did you now that in some parts of Europe the children woke up on the 6th Dec to shoes, boots or clogs filled with sweets and goodies - that is if they had been good! A reminder of St Nicholas' generosity, a Christian Saint who provided for the poor. Next time you eat a chocolate coin you might want to think of a time where St Nick threw gold coins into a house which landed in stockings hanging up to dry!
All are welcome to join in with the Bridge Group of Churches Holy Communion. My thanks to Rev Estella Last.
Go to http://youtu.be/hGXAgb20SE8
Advent Taize - 4th December 2020
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Rev Lizzie Hopthrow kindly invites us to be drawn further into Advent to touch the hearts of so many living in darkness and fear in the Advent Taize from the Quiet View. The Link will be available from 9am.
https://youtu.be/3hI6SlCcwxE
Armistice Day - 11th November 2020
100 Years Commemoration of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior
and of the Cenotaph
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Liz Minter offers us a short history in her capacity as a Registered Tourist Guide.
Collect (Prayer) for Remembrance Day
God, our refuge and strength,
bring near the day when wars shall cease
and poverty and pain shall end,
that earth may know the peace of heaven
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Remembrance Sunday - 8th November 2020
Lest we forget
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There will be a 'short' act of Remembrance outside St John's Barham,
St Mary's Bishopsbourne and at Adisham starting 10:50.
If attending please observe social distancing!
God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble Psalm 46:1
Do not repay anyone evil for evil; bless those who persecute you, and where possible, live peaceably with all.’ Romans 12.14,17
Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5.9
Collect (Prayer) for Remembrance Sunday
Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son,
the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
Friday - 6th November 2020
Taize from the Quiet View
with Rev Lizzie Hopthrow
30/03/20
Transforming kingdom
One of the more powerful moments of Jesus' ministry where he stands between the accused and the accusers. This is where he clearly demonstrates that loving God for the sake of God and not solely the laws of Moses is far more purposeful and needed. Remember, Jesus did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them - to transform everything we cling to. The woman is also transformed knowing that she must change. The coming weeks will transform us all, and pray that we in our communities transform for the better so that we see the signs of the kingdom of heaven within around us. RevT
read https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A1-
Homily for Passion Sunday 29/03/20
Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. Ezekiel 37:5
Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ John 11:23
Today marks a moment of change in our Lenten journey as the Bible readings* focus on the victory to come - ‘life over death’ and so poignant with our current health crisis. Today is the start of Passiontide and where some churches choose to cover their crosses and religious imagery until the Easter Vigil.
In an unforeseen way we have already done this in the closing of our churches for what will be until Easter at the very earliest. We enter a solemn period knowing that Jesus is gradually being drawn to his crucifixion and our way of life has also become more saddened with the social restrictions imposed upon us. Nevertheless, we know how the narrative plays out with Christ triumphant bursting forth from the tomb; death can no longer restrain him nor us - ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even thou they die, will live’ (John 11:25).
Whether in the image of The Valley full of dry bones or in the stench of a burial tomb, our souls, our divine patterns, are not just restored but utterly transformed. In the heroic work of our frontline medical practitioners their faith in their training help to restore our bodies and minds. They are resuscitating near-to-death patients as if they are near-death-Lazarus’ and yet like Lazarus even those who survive like the rest of us must still one day enter ‘through the valley of the shadow of death, (Psalm 23:4).
I think up to this present moment the reality of death has often been hidden, sanitised, and surely not acceptable in a society of fulfilled consumer desires. Surely death can be air-brushed out like other undesirables that we face in life? This may suggest that we would rather race to Easter Sunday with its imagery of vibrant and verdant Spring growth, lambs and rabbits, oh... not forgetting the inconceivable moment of the Resurrection of course! Doing Good Friday this year means having to reflect upon our existential selves more so than previous years and in isolation rather than looking for a Bank holiday bargain in the shops.
In light of what we are experiencing and in our sojourn to the foot of the cross how will we recognise what might seem to be dead and dry in our own spiritual practices and beliefs?
When the stone of doubt and sorrow is rolled away at Eastertide may we be given grace to breathe healing into the relationships of our families and communities and to come through the pandemic - restored and risen.
RevT
* readings can be found in the Benefice Pew Sheet tab under Welcome
https://www.barhamdownschurches.org.uk/beneficepewsheet.htm
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.
27/03/20
Psalm 35 - The Lord hears
17 The righteous cry and the Lord hears them •
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted •
and will save those who are crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous; •
from them all will the Lord deliver them.
Last night’s national applause for our wonderful NHS was justly deserved and should not remain a one-off act of public recognition. At the sharp end of care in receiving COVID-19 patients our medics ‘tread where angels fear to tread.’ They are treating the ‘crushed’ and ‘broken hearted’. The psalmist is all to aware of despair and death and how it afflicts all people.
Delivering the physical self out of trouble will also restore our mental states and in time reduce anxiety and stress. God remains constant throughout as our deliverer; as he was for the Hebrews out of Egypt; as he promises in Psalm 23 to be our rod and staff through the darkest vale; and as he fulfills prophetic expectation in Christ where death has lost its sting. Prayer, no matter its form, can offer hope for our despondent souls. Jesus assures is that even in secret (or the in the quietness of our isolation) God, our Father and Mother, hears us.
Loving God,
before we even pray you are constantly in our presence,
Like the Father of the prodigal son always ready
to embrace us on our journey.
As we pray for our NHS workers and their families, hear also of our troubles and bring us comfort and grace with your love.
We give thanks for those who are healed,
and we ask your blessing upon those
who enter your kingdom where there is no more pain, dying or death, as we pray for comfort for their families. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ who made all things new.
Amen
26/03/20
Check out: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000gnbj
A meaningful reflection by Rev'd Dr Sam Wells (St Martins-in-the-Fields) in today's Daily Service on BBC Radio 4LW.
The prophet Jeremiah suffered immensely when Jerusalem was over run by foreign forces. We may be fearing the force of a global coronavirus but we pray that our "balm in Gilead' will be found in our NHS medics and healers, in our families and neighbours for all recovering from all illnesses.
The Prophet Mourns for the People - Jeremiah 8
18 My joy is gone, grief is upon me,
my heart is sick.
19 Hark, the cry of my poor people
from far and wide in the land:
‘Is the Lord not in Zion?
Is her King not in her?’
(‘Why have they provoked me to anger with their images,
with their foreign idols?’)
20 ‘The harvest is past, the summer is ended,
and we are not saved.’
21 For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt,
I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me.
22 Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
Why then has the health of my poor people
not been restored?
may your energy and power flow
through those who can heal,giving skills to hands,
compassion to hearts,
clarity and judgement in mind.
Give us all strength to minister
to those who suffer and are in pain,
in the name of Jesus who suffered and rose again.
Amen.
25/03/20
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Mary surprised by a strange announcement (Annunciation)
Short reading from the Gospel of Luke 1: 26b-27, 30-32
the angel Gabriel
was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to
a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The
virgin’s name was Mary.
The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High...
How are we to be startled and challenged by God today?
As life in our communities suddenly changes and the pace of life starts to slow - how can we hear God asking us to be more than we are and to cross the threshold into the uncomfortable zone?
Blessed are you sovereign God,
creator of heaven and earth,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
as your living Word, eternal in heaven,
assumed the frailty of our mortal flesh,
may the light of your love be born in us
to fill our hearts with joy as we sing:
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
24/03/20
Is this not the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice...is it not to share your bread with the hungry..... Isaiah 58:6,7
The Night Reading is very much in line with the Church's commemoration of Archbishop Oscar Romero who realised in his ministry that to defend the weak, the disempowered, to campaign against the injustices and the gross violation of human rights in El Salvador was far more in keeping with Christ's message than adhering to the blind politics of the Church. To challenge the fascist government of his time was no different to Jesus challenging the religious institution of his time. Romero was martyred on this day in 1980.
Merciful Lord,
you know our struggle to serve you:
when sin spoils our lives
and overshadows our hearts,
come to our aid
and turn us back to you again:
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
24/03/20
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.
23/03/20
Night Prayer (Compline)
Collect
Visit this place, O Lord, we pray,
and drive far from it the snares
of the enemy:
may your holy angels dwell with
us and guard us in peace,
and may your blessing be always upon us:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
After midday prayer on Tues 24th March 'Prayers' will still be offered at St John's everyday at 12pm and Compline at 7pm on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I'm hoping that I will be able to pray at the other churches in our benefice but awaiting latest government advice on restricted movements.
Almighty God,
may we, by the prayer and discipline of Lent,
enter into the mystery of Christ's sufferings;
that by following in the Way,
we may come to share in the glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
If you have a mobile phone operating on Android or Apple this is a good App to download which covers 'Prayer During The Day' and 'Night Prayer' (Compline)
22/03/20
My thanks to Jean Cave in continuing her knitting of liturgical colour-linked hats which will be worn today (Mothering Sunday) for Office Prayers at St John's
12pm & 7pm