PARISH OF ST. PETER IN THANET
3 May 2020 – Pew Sheet
The Collect for The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
INTERCESSIONS 3 MAY
Father God, we stand in awe at the fact that you are always with us, showing your constant love in these difficult and distressing times. We pray for the world and all who are affected in so many different ways, looking to you our God, as a flock looks to its shepherd, trusting you to shine your light on us, in our grief and hardship.
We give thanks for our clergy ministering to their flocks and sharing our isolation.
Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer
We pray for all those affected by Covid 19, and all involved in responding to that virus ‘on the front line’, for key workers together with volunteers supporting our community working together to uphold it. For those who own small, independent businesses, we ask for peace amidst the uncertainty. We give thanks for those using their skills in changed ways.
We pray for farmers who are anxious that crops and fruit may not be harvested and milk wasted.
Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer
We pray for our neighbours, those who fear unemployment and business failings, for those furloughed or made redundant, particularly for those who are struggling financially as a result. We give thanks for those involved in home schooling.
We pray for older people who are isolating and feeling alone at home at this time, missing the usual visits of family and friends, and for those feeling disconnected because of being unable to join in with online church activities.
Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer
Bring healing to those who suffer from all illnesses; bring life to the dying, and comfort those who have been bereaved. We pray for all who are working to find solutions to the pandemic, that they will soon be successful, and we ask that you strengthen and uphold our government, scientists, and health authorities in their fight. Empower them with your wisdom, your strength and your grace to overcome.
Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer
Let your light shine through the turmoil as we put our faith in Jesus. Look back and remember that He was with us. Stand still and realise that He is with us now. Walk forward and trust; He will be with us always. Amen.
Written by Margaret Tate.
In your prayers please remember
Prayers for healing – Alexander Tate; Gordon Burley; Tony Bridges; Sybil Warner; Mandy Winters; John Cox; Nick Biggs; Betty Lockwood; Johnathan Aitken; Andrew Cox….and those whose names have been entered in the book for prayers in St. James’ Chapel.
Our son, Alexander in Australia seems to be a permanent member of the prayer list for healing. In the Corona virus crisis he is at high risk, awaiting a transplant for his kidneys that were damaged by the drugs used during his heart transplant. He is on home dialysis 3 days a week, but cancer on his liver during last summer has delayed a transplant. Work is still out of the question, but he is in good spirits. We are all grateful for your prayers. David & Margaret Tate
Those who have died recently– Denise Haynes; Cliff Haynes; Martin Lanham; Ernie Turner…..and all those relatives and friends who are mourning the loss of their loved ones.
Funeral of Ernie Turner will take place on the 18th May at Leamington Spa Crematorium.
DAILY HOPE
The Church of England has set up ‘ Daily Hope’ which offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line.
The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind, and is completely free. Please do give them a ring. Rev Jan
Please do keep in touch with one another. There will be many who are feeling very isolated, afraid and vulnerable, so a friendly phone call will make all the difference.
In the words of Gloria Gaynor, “At first I was afraid and then petrified.” Have you had a lockdown meltdown? Hope that you haven’t, but it’s getting a bit tedious and I am missing your smiling faces.
Friends old and new tell us how their gardens are pristine, house maintenance all up to date and all books in the house read etc., and some ask,” Where is God in the coronavirus crisis? What is God doing about it? “
Our house and garden jobs were delayed because of our long absences in Australia, and we are catching up, but time enough for reflection on these questions.
There are some weird and sometimes damaging theories being bandied about. Some people are thinking that God is using COVID 19 to punish the corrupt and sinful human race.
I simply do not believe that God punishes people in anything like this way. However, I do believe that he allows us to experience the sometimes-dreadful consequences of our behaviour. We make our own bed, and I think that God lets us lie in it and to see what happens as a result. In my way of thinking, this is how the wrath of God is expressed.
This week’s Gospel reading from John and the appointed Psalm23 both tell us about God, The Good Shepherd, and how we must believe in Jesus. He is not there to punish us, but to provide, protect guide and love us, His flock. He will see us through.
Right now I imagine God seeing, with a broken, frustrated and even angry heart, the mess we have got ourselves into. Could we not see the consequences of the way we abuse the beautiful planet He has given us, together with the people in it?
I believe that God is watching and waiting now to see whether the human race will change for the better as a result of this crisis.
Will we, and our fellow human beings re-discover what is really important in the life we are given with all its opportunities to love, create and to care? The Christian church worldwide has got a real challenge and opportunity ahead of it now.
As a church, I think we are watching and waiting to see what God is going to bring out of the crisis. What will church be like as a result of the pandemic? Will we re-examine our priorities? Will we make more of a priority of seeking out the lost and caring for the poor in body and in Spirit?
At St Peter’s, I know that we are all watching and waiting for the time when we can meet together again. But we simply don’t know when that will be, and we have no way of knowing at the moment. It could be some time yet; we have to wait patiently in hope and in expectation.
Again with a nod to Gloria Gaynor, “We can survive with God at our side.”
DT