Prayer

with the Anglican Communion we pray for the province of the Indian Ocean; for Archbishop Justin; for Bishops Tim, David and Debbie; for the Anglican Communion worldwide as it responds to the challenges of Covid-19

our mission giving: £450 for Winchester Churches Nightshelter, which remains open during these challenging days but needs our help (see Notices)

all affected by Covid-19 worldwide; the safety of medical staff; the new Nightingale hospitals

wisdom for national leaders and scientific advisors as they do their best to limit the spread; our own role in keeping those around us safe by observing advice on handwashing, self-isolation and other preventive measures

for good to come out of this difficult situation, as we each look to help those more vulnerable than ourselves as we join in local community initiatives

our keeping of Holy Week: that the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection become more real, especially as these big themes resonate so strongly with all we are going through

for all who are victim to violence, or driven to violence as a means of survival those who suffer under inhumane leaders and from appalling conditions; that we

may have the strength, courage and resolution to identify and act to find ways to use our current isolation from others as a way of experiencing

God’s presence and intimate love for each of us deep within ourselves the unwell: Cheryl Barkwill, Christopher Browne, Johnny Burt, baby Emily, Bob

Harland, Phillippa Lerclercq, Louisa (21 months), Louise (Anne Odling’s stepdaughter), Tony Silcox, Philip Surrage, Brett Tribe, Patricia Watts, David Wilson and Dennis Wright

the long-term unwell: Caroline Behan, William Buncombe, Vera Edwards, Julia Jones, Kate Morgan, Jane Seal and Vera Willnecker

those who have died recently, including John Bidmead, Nicholas Dibley and Bernard Lancaster; all living with the pain of untimely death; God’s comfort for all who remember loved ones

Welcome to the parish online

5 April 2020

Palm Sunday; the Sunday next before Easter

Please feel free to send prayer requests to ursula@stmatthewstpaul.org, 844878

Peter Seal writes: Thank you for using this online resource while our churches are closed. We hope this service will help you feel connected to other people and also help you to worship God from wherever you are. This week we’ve included the first line of the hymns – you may like to sing them to yourselves at some point today! Though many of us are having to self-isolate, we are joined together in love and prayer – that which is invisible has become hugely important. If you need help in any way, do please be in contact with any of us.

‘Virtual’ service for 5 April

9.30 am

Introduction

The Lord’s entry into Jerusalem

Parish Eucharist

Welcome to the rectory garden for this online liturgy for Palm Sunday. I’m here with Liz Stuart and it’s good to be together, though we’re keeping safely 2 metres apart. We will appear on your screen at different times.

We’re certainly living through unusual days in many ways, but the response to our online services in recent weeks has been so encouraging – thank you.

We’d usually be gathering together outside for our procession with palm branches, recalling Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem when he was welcomed by the crowd with palms and colourful clothing. Today let’s gather in our imaginations and feel joined together in that way.

Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, during Lent we have been preparing by works of love and self-sacrifice for the celebration of our Lord’s death and resurrection. Today, at this strangest and most challenging time in our world, we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the Church everywhere. Christ enters his own city to complete his work as our Saviour, to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us go with him in faith and love, so that, united with him in his sufferings, we may share his risen life.

The Palm Gospel

Opening hymn

God our Saviour, whose Son Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem as Messiah to suffer and to die; let these palms be for us signs of his victory and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

Matthew 21: 1–11 When Jesus and his disciples 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’.

This is the gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Let us go forth, praising Jesus our Messiah.

Make way, make way, for Christ the King in splendour arrives

Collect

Liturgy of the word

Let us pray for a closer union with Christ in his suffering and in his glory.

Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; 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 50: 4–9a [p. 110] The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens – wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

New Testament reading

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

Christ Jesus became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Save me O God: for the waters have come up even to my throat. I sink in the deep mire where no footing is: I have come into deep waters and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with crying out, my throat is parched: my eyes fail with watching so long for my God.

Christ Jesus became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. For your sake have I suffered reproach: and shame has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers: an alien to my mother’s sons. Zeal for your house has eaten me up: and taunts of those who taunt you have fallen on me.

Christ Jesus became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Insults have broken my heart: my shame and disgrace are past healing. I looked for someone to have pity on me, but there was no one: for some to comfort me, but found none. They gave me poison for food, and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.

Christ Jesus became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2: 5–11 [p. 112] 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,

Gradual hymn

Passion reading

and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity

Matthew 27: 11–54 [p. 117] Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so’. But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?’ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ For he realised that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgement seat, his wife sent word to him, ‘Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him’. Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And they said, ‘Barabbas’. Pilate said to them, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ All of them said, ‘Let him be crucified!’ Then he asked, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified!’

So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves’. Then the people as a whole answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews’.

Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.’ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, “I am God’s Son”.’ The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until 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 torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’

This is the Passion of the Lord.

Prayers of intercession

We stand with Christ in his suffering. For forgiveness for the many times we have denied Jesus, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For grace to seek out those habits of sin that mean spiritual death, and by prayer and self-discipline to overcome them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For Christian people, that through the suffering of disunity there may grow a rich union in Christ, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who make laws, interpret them and administer them, that our common life may be ordered in justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who still make Jerusalem a battleground, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who have the courage and honesty to work openly for justice and peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those in the darkness and agony of isolation, that they may find support and encouragement, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who, weighed down with hardship, failure, or sorrow, feel that God is far from them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those in our health service and all who are at risk from Covid-19 as they care for others. let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who are unwell, including Cheryl Barkwill, Christopher Browne, Johnny Burt, baby Emily, Bob Harland, Phillippa Lerclercq, Louisa, Louise, Tony Silcox, Philip Surrage, Brett Tribe, Patricia Watts, David Wilson and Dennis Wright;

Liturgy of the sacrament

Offertory hymn

The Eucharistic Prayer

and the long-term unwell: Caroline Behan, William Buncombe, Vera Edwards, Julia Jones, Kate Morgan, Jane Seal and Vera Willnecker, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who are tempted to give up the way of the cross, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

That we, with those who have died recently –John Bidmead, Nicholas Dibley and Bernard Lancaster, and others known to us; and all who have died or will die today from Covid-19 – may find mercy in the day of Christ, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

Once we were far off, but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought near through the shedding of Christ’s blood, for he is our peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you.

My song is love unknown

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given, and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life. Blessed be God for ever.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer: fruit of the vine, and work of human hands. It will become for us the cup of salvation. Blessed be God for ever.

The Lord is here. His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. For as the time of his passion and resurrection draws near the whole world is called to acknowledge his hidden majesty. The power of the life-giving cross reveals the judgement that has come upon the world and the triumph of Christ crucified. He is the victim who dies no more, the Lamb once slain, who lives for ever, our advocate in heaven to plead our cause, exalting us there to join with angels and archangels, for ever praising you and saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross.

Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation, we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory.

The Lord’s Prayer

Breaking of the Bread

Jesus Christ is Lord:

Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the world.

Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.

Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with blessèd Mary, Paul, Matthew and all the saints to feast at your table in heaven. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

Agnus Dei

Giving of Communion

Prayer after Communion

Jesus, Lamb of God, Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.

Jesus, Lamb of God, Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.

Jesus, Lamb of God, Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us your peace, grant us your peace.

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

Most merciful Lord, your love compels us to come in. Our hands were unclean, our hearts were unprepared; we were not fit even to eat the crumbs from under your table. But you, Lord, are the God of our salvation, and share your bread with sinners. So cleanse and feed us with the precious body and blood of your Son, that he may live in us and we in him; and that we, with the whole company of Christ, may sit and eat in your kingdom. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant, and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation: give us the mind to follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Post-Communion hymn

Blessing and Dismissal

Father of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink this cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!

Christ crucified draw you to himself, to find in him a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you all, evermore. Amen.

Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.

Online services for the coming week

Maundy Thursday, 9 April

Good Friday, 10 April

Easter Sunday, 12 April

Parish Eucharist Readings: Exodus 12: 1–4, 11–14; 1 Corinthians 11: 23–26; John 13: 1–17, 31b–35 [p. 129]

Devotional service Readings: Psalm 22: 1–20; John 19: 1–42; Matthew 26: 14–27: 66 [p. 110]

Parish Eucharist Readings: Acts 10: 34–43; John 20: 1–18 [p. 164]

Archbishops and bishops:

stay at home but continue to pray, to love, to care for the vulnerable

The archbishops and bishops of the Church of England have urged everyone to follow the instructions given by the Prime Minister to stay in their homes in a national effort to limit the transmission of the coronavirus (Covid-19). But they called on the Church to ‘continue to pray, to love, to care for the vulnerable’.

It means all Church of England churches have closed in line with the government’s instructions. There will be no weddings or baptisms.

Funerals can still go ahead at the crematorium or graveside, but with only the closest family in attendance and essential physical distancing measures in place.

In a joint statement the bishops said: ‘In the light of the government’s measures, announced by the Prime Minister, we urge everyone to follow the instructions given’.

Pandemic

What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath –

the most sacred of times? Cease from travel.

Cease from buying and selling. Give up, just for now,

on trying to make the world different than it is.

Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you commit your life.

Center down. And when your body has become still,

reach out with your heart. Know that we are connected

in ways that are terrifying and beautiful. (You could hardly deny it now.)

Know that our lives are in one another’s hands.

(Surely, that has come clear.) Do not reach out your hands.

Reach out your heart. Reach out your words.

Reach out all the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly,

where we cannot touch. Promise this world your love –

for better or for worse, in sickness and in health,

so long as we all shall live.

Lynn Ungar, Unitarian Minister in San Francisco Bay area

#Live Lent Care for God’s Creation challenge 6 Apr Give thanks to God today for the animals with whom we share a common home, and for making such an abundance of life.

7 Apr Reflect today on these words of Pope Francis: ‘Human beings, endowed with intelligence and love, and drawn by the fullness of Christ, are called to lead all creatures back to their Creator’.

8 Apr We need to buy and use less to take better care of the natural world and free up resources for those who need them. Ask yourself: do I need this?

9 Apr A key step to more sustainable eating is to reduce our food waste (https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/), which accounts for an estimated 8% of all global carbon emissions.

10 Apr Many Christians eat no meat or fast today in solidarity with Jesus and all who suffer. In the light of the climate crisis, are you ready to eat less meat and dairy from today?

11 Apr Make a space today to lament the ways we have failed to treat people as made in the image of God or care for the world entrusted to us.

12 Apr What will you take forward from all that you have learned and done during Lent? How might your prayer, your actions and your giving change to reflect your care for God’s creation?

‘A virus is infectious in ways that are unseen but real. I believe faith, hope and love can be just as infectious and real.

If we can be people who share kindness and care, our behaviour can be infectious in ways that bring life, comfort and joy.’

Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester Cathedral

A single individual is enough for hope to exist

‘Feeling hopeful does not mean to be optimistically naïve and ignore the tragedy humanity is facing. Hope is the virtue of a heart that doesn’t lock itself into darkness, that doesn’t dwell on the past, does not simply get by in the present, but is able to see a tomorrow. Hope is the door that opens onto the future. Hope is a humble, hidden seed of life that, with time, will develop into a large tree. It is like some invisible yeast that allows the whole dough to grow, that brings flavour to all aspects of life. And it can do so much, because a tiny flicker of light that feeds on hope is enough to shatter the shield of darkness. A single individual is enough for hope to exist, and that individual can be you. And then there will be another “you”, and another “you”, and it turns into an “us”. And so, does hope begin when we have an “us”? No. Hope began with one “you”. When there is an “us”, there begins a revolution.’

Pope Francis

Compline

A number of us have adopted the habit of saying Compline each night at 9 pm (see https://www.facebook.com/groups/652796952212998/about/). Please join in from your own home. What follows comes from the Northumbria Community website.

Compline brings a perfect end to the day. Many use it on a regular basis, usually just before retiring to bed. It is recommended that a time of quietness should precede Compline, emptying out all the tensions and concerns of the past day and shifting the focus of our attention back to God.

If this Compline is being used in a group setting the * notation indicates a change of reader; words in bold are said all together; words in bold italic are said by each person in turn; and + indicates where you might make the sign of the cross.

The Aidan Compline

+

* O Christ, Son of the living God, may Your holy angels guard our sleep,

may they watch over us as we rest and hover around our beds.

* Let them reveal to us in our dreams visions of Your glorious truth, O High Prince of the universe, O High Priest of the mysteries.

* May no dreams disturb our rest and no nightmares darken our dreams.

May no fears or worries delay our willing, prompt repose.

* May the virtue of our daily work hallow our nightly prayers.

May our sleep be deep and soft so our work be fresh and hard.

I will lie down and sleep in peace for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

My dear ones, O God, bless Thou and keep, in every place where they are.

* Into Your hands I commit my spirit; I give it to You with all the love of my heart.

* How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.

When I awake, I am still with You.

I make the cross of Christ upon my breast, + over the tablet of my hard heart,

and I beseech the Living God of the universe – may the Light of Lights come

to my dark heart from Thy place; may the Spirit’s wisdom come to my heart’s tablet

from my Saviour.

* Christ without sin, Christ of wounds, I am placing my soul and my body

under Thy guarding this night, Christ of the poor, Christ of tears.

Thy cross be my shielding this night, O Thou Son of tears, of the wounds, of the piercing.

I am going now into the sleep: O be it in Thy dear arm’s keep,

O God of grace, that I shall awake.

* My Christ! my Christ! my shield, my encircler,

each day, each night, each light, each dark.

* My Christ! my Christ! my shield, my encircler,

each day, each night, each light, each dark.

Be near me, uphold me, my treasure, my triumph.

Circle me, Lord, keep protection near

and danger afar.

* Circle me, Lord, keep light near

and darkness afar.

* Circle me, Lord, keep peace within;

keep evil out.

The peace of all peace be mine this night

+ in the name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

© Taken from Monday Compline from Northumbria Community’s Celtic Daily Prayer published by Collins

Notices

Bishop John Dennis is settling very happily at Abbotts Barton care home. Due to an outbreak of D and V in recent weeks visitors have not been allowed. John can be contacted on his mobile, 07752 532792. He would love to receive cards by post at 40 Worthy Rd, Abbotts Barton, Winchester SO23 7HB.

We’re on Facebook! Our thanks to Liz Stuart, who has set up a page for the Parish of St Matthew with St Paul and started posting. If you would like to help with posts, please contact liz@stmatthewstpaul.org.

Lent charity Christian Climate Action (CCA) is a community of Christians supporting each other to take meaningful action in the face of imminent and catastrophic human-induced climate breakdown. The parish is supporting CCA this Lent and is inviting cheque donations (made out to Christian Climate Action, with Gift Aid details attached), direct giving at https://christianclimateaction.org/donate/ or cash via the Lent boxes, for us to forward to them in due course.

Basics Bank You will probably be aware that many people are going to be in acute financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. This will result in a huge need for food banks. At the same time people shopping online have no obvious way to contribute as they do in store. You are invited to give online at https://winchesterbasicsbank.co.uk/donate/.

Trinity Winchester emergency appeal Coronavirus is affecting us all. But imagine trying to self-isolate when you are homeless. People sleeping rough are afraid. Many have underlying health conditions, which puts them at greater risk. Having poor mental health makes it even more difficult to cope. Trinity has had to postpone all upcoming fund-raising events, including the Big Sleep-Out. But homeless people are still in need of food, washing and laundry facilities, telephone counselling and crisis support. You are invited to help Trinity keep them safe by donating at https://tinyurl.com/swmpjww.

Nightshelter – a much-needed home Thorough planning enabled the Nightshelter to respond quickly to the Prime Minister’s announcement that we must all stay at home. Residents now remain there 24 hours a day. The shelter has drafted in additional staff and volunteers and arranged catering whilst liaising closely with Winchester City Council and other services to do its best to accommodate people sleeping rough within the city. At present there are enough volunteers, but the staff are keen to put together an emergency list of helpers should the situation change; contact email admin@wcns.org.uk. What the Nightshelter now most requires is donations to help support residents through to more stable times. As well as providing counselling and emotional support, gifts will help cover the cost of essential resources such as food, cleaning products and toiletries: https://wcns.org.uk/ways-you-can-give/donate-money/.

NHS volunteer responders The NHS is seeking volunteers aged 18 or over who are fit and well, with no symptoms. People in higher-risk groups (including those over 70 and those who are pregnant or with underlying medical conditions) can offer support by telephone. There are four ways to help: as Community Response volunteer, as Patient Transport volunteer, as NHS Transport volunteer and as Check-in and Chat volunteer. To offer help, please go to https://tinyurl.com/rvvf3mt.

Online worship resources To access Winchester Cathedral’s daily video reflection and prayer, go to https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/prayers-for-coronavirus/. The Royal School of Church Music hymn of the day is at https://www.rscm.org.uk/our-resources/hftd/.

PE workout for children (and adults?) Mary Copping writes: Joe Wicks presents a workout live on YouTube every weekday, 9–9.30 am (you can also access it later if you miss it). He’s going to do this every weekday while schools are closed. It’s a wonderful start to the day (I can vouch for that!), and will keep children (and us adults) healthy and fit while we are confined to our homes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz0go1pTda8

Friends of St Matthew with St Paul As soon as we are able, the Friends hope to continue with a variety of talks and concerts. A number of events are in the planning stage. Maggie Lippiett will talk about her life in Weeke and India at St Matthew’s; this was scheduled for Thurs 4 June, 7 pm, and perhaps will be able to go ahead then? We’re hoping to hold a garden party in the summer and another sponsored readathon in St Matthew’s on Sat 26 September, raising funds for Building for Life. The plan is for this to run 9 am–6 pm, with all the Psalms (in the Book of Common Prayer version) and the book of Isaiah (King James Bible) read by six people, each reading for 30 minutes three times. They will seek sponsorship from friends and acquaintances, but general sponsorship of the event will also be invited. We aim to establish the full team of six readers, with a reserve, before the end of July. To be considered to take part, please contact Geoffrey Burnaby, 865432, birchmore1@talktalk.net.

Contributions for May magazine We would welcome articles, reflections, prayers, book reviews, etc. for the next parish magazine. Please send contributions to ursula@stmatthewstpaul.org by Thurs 9 April. (Final editorial choice rests with Peter Seal, and we reserve the right to edit material.)

Building for Life

Amiri Construction held a conference call following the Prime Minister’s briefing on 23 March and elected to close all of their sites. They have taken this decision based on the need to safeguard staff and their families, and for the good of wider society. One employee will continue to visit the site daily to keep an eye on security.

Click here to view photos of the wonderful progress to date.

Contact us

Canon Peter Seal, Rector 854849 (h) 844878 (office) M, Tu, W, Th, peter@stmatthewstpaul.org

Revd Mary Copping, Children/Youth Co-ordinator & Assistant Priest 07921 886016 M, Tu, W, F, youth@stmatthewstpaul.org

Revd Liz Stuart, Curate liz@stmatthewstpaul.org

Katy Palacio, Parish Administrator 844878 M, W, F, admin@stmatthewstpaul.org

Ursula Payne, Rector’s Assistant & Building for Life Administrator 844878 M, Tu, Th, ursula@stmatthewstpaul.org (please send me any notices)

Parish Office (generally open M, W, F, 9.30–3), St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Hill, Winchester SO22 5AB, 844878, www.stmatthewstpaul.org

Please make cheques payable to St Matthew’s PCC – all gifts gratefully received

Some material included in the service is copyright. © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society, used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. © The Archbishops’ Council 2000. Baptism of Christ © Oxford University Press, The Book of Common Worship in the Church of South India. Printed on recycled paper

In line with government advice, all parish meetings are cancelled until further notice. Church staff are working from home whenever possible, and can be reliably contacted by email.