United Benefice of

St Mildred’s, Whippingham

and

St James’, East Cowes

29th May 2022 : The Seventh Sunday of Easter

CURRENT AND FUTURE WORSHIP ARRANGEMENTS

As we are now in a period of interregnum, details of the forthcoming month’s services will be given here. We are very grateful to Rev Mike and Rev Peter, who have kindly agreed to preside at Holy Communion at both churches on the first and third Sunday of each month. The second and fourth Sundays of each month will be lay-led Morning Worship, a full service of the Word which will largely follow the structure of the communion service, only without the sacramental liturgy, and with an All-Age focus at Whippingham on the second Sunday. For details of services on the months with a fifth Sunday, please check here.

Sun 5th Jun Holy Communion – 9.30 at St James, 11.15 at St Mildred’s

Sun 12th Jun Morning Worship – 9.30 at St James, 11.15 at St Mildred’s (AAW)

Sun 19th Jun Holy Communion – 9.30 at St James, 11.15 at St Mildred’s

Sun 26th Jun Morning Worship – 9.30 at St James, 11.15 at St Mildred’s

At present numbers in church remain unrestricted, but if this changes we will give details. It is no longer compulsory to wear a mask in church, although you may feel safer doing so. If you wish to sit at a social distance, please check with the sidespeople, who will be able to advise you. Meanwhile, this pewsheet will continue to contain material for offering a “spiritual communion” at home.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK:

Give thanks for: the work of the NHS and the emergency services

Pray for: All people affected by the school shooting in Texas; the victims of the conflicts in Ukraine and Ethiopia; people struggling with the cost of living

PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN NEED:

Emergency prayers needed for: Daisy C; Baby Alex; Jan; Hazel; Sandra; Paula; Lorraine; Gillian H.

Long term, please pray for: Mike; Valerie B; Charles and Susan; Stuart; Reg and Eileen; Irene and Henry; Richard G; Bob; Beryl; Joy and Dave; Margaret; Emily; Sammie; Richard S; Carol T; Betty B.

Give thanks for: all people involved in supporting the growing number of refugees from Ukraine

If you wish particular names to be added to the prayer list, please inform Stuart. All names are reviewed on a regular basis. Please keep Stuart updated if you would like a name to stay on the list beyond the current month.

PRAYERS FOR THE DEPARTED:

All whose anniversary falls at this time.

***

COLLECT FOR THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

O God the King of glory,

you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ

with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:

we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,

but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us

and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

PSALM OF THE DAY – Psalm 97

1 The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him and consumes his adversaries on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples behold his glory.
7 All servants of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice because of your judgments, O God.
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

10 You who love the Lord, hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light dawns for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

NEW TESTAMENT READINGActs 16: 16-34

16 One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a female slave who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. 17 While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

19 But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20 When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men, these Jews, are disturbing our city 21 and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us, being Romans, to adopt or observe.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. 34 He brought them up into the house and set food before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.

GOSPEL –John 17: 20-26

20 “I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

25 “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in them.”

REFLECTION ON ACTS 16: 16-34

It is easy for us to read passages like this and miss the severity of what happened. Paul and Silas are beaten with rods and then, badly bruised and in severe pain, chained and cast into the deepest and darkest part of a rat-infested prison. It would be enough to make the average person sink into despair, self-pity, and perhaps even a semiconscious state.

Yet what do we find? That they are singing and praising God. It is loud enough that the other prisoners in other parts of the prison hear them. Paul and Silas, despite every external discomfort and tremendous physical pain, have a joy that cannot be taken away. They have a connection to God that cannot be severed.

It is too often the case today that we strive to root our happiness in external matters such as money, esteem, creature comforts, and the like. And yet it remains true that many who have these things in abundance are still unhappy, and conversely that many who lack these things in abundance are happy. The happiness of these people is like that of Paul and Silas, an inner and stable state of joy, unaffected by external events and accessible even in moments of sorrow. It is a joy in which a consolation, difficult to describe, is always at work.

What would it take for us to exude such a joy, and to show a confidence that liberates others from the prison cells of despair, sin, and depression. Do people see you as a person of hope? Does your joy liberate and give confidence? Also, note the love that is manifested by Paul and Silas and how that love moves the jailer to repentance and conversion. How could your love and reverence for life win the hearts of others?

Adapted from a homily by Msgr. Charles Pope.

ARCHBISHOPS’ PRAYER FOR UKRAINE

God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Amen.

INTERCESSIONS (supplied by Gill Jackson)

Heavenly Father, we thank you for loving us through our ups and downs. Help us to demonstrate our Christian love for one another. We pray for the unity of all who believe, so that others will believe. Grant us renewed strength to continue the mission of Jesus to the world.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

We pray for all those trying to make a difference in bringing renewed hope to the struggling regions of the world; for the work of the United Nations and the Red Cross in Ukraine, and for all those selflessly giving a place of safety to those who have been forced from their homes.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

We pray for a reawakening of your Church, Lord, filling all congregations, clergy and helpers with renewed zeal. Grant us the confidence and hopefulness we need as we look to you for your faithful guidance and understanding.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

Inspire and instruct our world leaders to work tirelessly for the day when all the world’s peoples may enjoy security, justice and peace, and can live without poverty or fear for their lives.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

Bless Elizabeth our Queen as we approach the celebrations of her Platinum Jubilee, and guide Charles Prince of Wales and all the royal family. Keep us all safe and let all enjoy this coming special moment in history.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

Compassionate Lord, we pray for the sick and those affected by mental illness and all who care for them; for all in need, for the anxious, distressed, agitated and afraid, that you will comfort them and bring them relief. In a few moments of quiet we humbly bring before you our own concerns.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

May we all be graced Lord, with your presence, power, and potential, as we go forward in life to do what we can to bring glory to your name. Help us to follow you with the obedience and humility of Jesus. May your Spirit of truth lead and guide us.

Merciful Father,

Accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

PREPARING FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

In union, Lord, with the faithful at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated, I offer you praise and thanksgiving. I present to you my soul and body with the sure hope that I may always be united to you. And since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you and embrace you with all my being. Let nothing ever separate you from me. May I live and die in your love. Amen.

You might like to sit in silence for a while, then pray:

Post Communion

Eternal God, giver of love and power,

your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world

to preach the gospel of his kingdom:

confirm us in this mission,

and help us to live the good news we proclaim;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

To conclude, either follow the links below to our YouTube channel or simply rest quietly in God’s presence.

https://youtube.com/shorts/9gQHIEqL5P4?feature=share

https://youtu.be/T36TOl96WSs

If you are unable to use the links, search YouTube for ‘St Mildred and St James’ and subscribe to the channel for updates.

***

NOTICES

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

St Mildred’s will be having a community BBQ NEXT SUNDAY (5th June) at 1.30pm. Attendance is free of charge, but spaces are limited to a maximum of 100 people. Spaces are open to all our volunteers and regular local coffee shop customers.

SUMMER FETE

The summer fete at St James’ will be taking place on Saturday 11th June. Any gifts would be most welcome. If you have anything to donate, please bring it along to church on a Sunday. Volunteers is also required, so if you might be available to help out, please contact Rose.

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

From May 17th until June 17th, Carisbrooke Priory are hosting an exhibition entitled “Wight in Focus”, showcasing works by local photographers Anne Linington, Rachel Salter, and Sarah Kite. This will be open to visit on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Fridays.

EAST COWES FOOD PANTRY SCHEME

The Food Pantry Scheme at Community Spirited, Vectis Road, East Cowes, has been up and running for a month now. The operation is similar to the food bank, only based on membership which for £5 a week, gives customers £15 of food. Donations are needed to replenish stocks, and priority items are currently as follows:

Baked beans, pasta sauce (any), tinned corned beef, tuna (4 in a pack), long life semi skimmed milk, toilet rolls (packs of 4), squash (any flavours), coffee

MORNING PRAYER

During the interregnum, regular morning prayer at St Mildred’s will be continuing at 9am on Tuesdays and Fridays. All are welcome! Any changes will be announced in the pew sheet.

PEW SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Stuart is away this week, so any new notices will go in the pew sheet for Sunday 12th June.

FOOD BANK – MAY UPDATE

Priority items needed, if you can help:

Long grain rice (1kg)

Fruit juice (long-life)

Jam

Tinned fruit

Sponge pudding

Due to the generosity of the public, we have plenty of:

Cooking sauces

Baked beans

Tinned vegetables

Tinned meat

Tinned fish

Tinned tomatoes

Pasta

Cereal

Tea

***

The Parish of

St Edmund with St Mark,

Wootton Bridge

The relaxation of Covid measures means that it is no longer necessary to book for services, but you will be asked to sign in and sanitize your hands. We would also ask you to wear a mask if you feel comfortable with it.

Wed 1st Jun 9.30am Holy Communion (St Edmund’s)

Thu 2nd11.00am Bible Study Group (St Mark’s)

Jubilee Flower Festival (Holy Cross)

Fri 3rdJubilee Flower Festival (Holy Cross)

Sat 4th Jubilee Flower Festival (Holy Cross)

Please note: all services of Holy Communion are dependent upon a priest being available.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Mondays 7.15pmTrident Concert Band

Tuesdays 10.00am Mark’s Brothers Bacon Butty Group (2nd Tue in the month)

7.30pm Whitgar Morris Dancers

Wednesdays 10.00am Little Lions Toddler Group (except 1st Wed in the month)

Thursdays 2.00pmThe Elephant Club – social group for people with memory problems (2nd Thu in the month)

For skateboarding activities, see the website for John Cattle’s Skate Club.

For more information about services or activities, email the parish office at stedmundsandstmarks.