The Rectorial Benefice of Cowbridge.

Serving the communities of Aberthin, Cowbridge, Flemingston, Holy Cross, Llanblethian, Llandough, Llanfrynach, Llangan, Llansannor, Penllyn, St. Hilary, St. Mary Church, St Mary Hill & Ystradowen.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER ~ 3rd May

THE COLLECT He shall refresh my soul and guide me in the paths of Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection righteousness for his name’s sake. Though I walk and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they those things which are above, where he reigns with you comfort me. in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Amen. You spread a table before me in the presence of those THE FIRST READING who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil my cup shall be full. Surely goodness and loving mercy A reading from Acts shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell (2.42-47) in the house of the Lord for ever.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and THE SECOND READING signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they A reading from the first letter of Peter would sell their possessions and goods and distribute (2.19-25) the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the For it is to your credit if, being aware of God, you temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure with glad and generous hearts, praising God and when you are beaten for doing wrong, where is the having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day credit in that? But if you endure when you do right and the Lord added to their number those who were being suffer for it, you have God’s approval. saved. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you This is the word of the Lord. should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no Thanks be to God. deceit was found in his mouth.’ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges THE PSALM justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, (Psalm 23) so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me This is the word of the Lord. beside still waters. Thanks be to God.

I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. THE GOSPEL FOR PRAYER

Alleluia, alleluia! In the Anglican Communion for Nippon Sei Ko I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and the Kai (The Anglican Communion n Japan) and the living one; I was dead, and behold I am alive for Mopst Rev’s Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu, Primate evermore. of The Nippon Sei Ko Kai and Biskop of Hokkaido. Alleluia!

Listen to the Gospel of Christ according to St John. In the diocese for the Parish of Llanilid with Glory to you, O Lord. Pencoed and Heol0y-Cyw, Ian Hodges, Vicar and (10.1-10) Glenda Oglesbee, Curate designate.

‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter All those who are sick & housebound in our the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another Parish and for all those who receive Holy way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by Communion at home. the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The All who are sick, particularly Muriel Maslin, gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep Dawn Conrad, Maureen Dixon, Charlotte hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and Carpenter, Christine Williams, Christopher leads them out. When he has brought out all his Browner, Phillip Rosser, Helen Saunders, William own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow Watkins, Tony Arnold, Doreen Stafford, Dave him because they know his voice. German, Ellie Harris, Grayson Finn, Peter Sey, Bill They will not follow a stranger, but they will run Clay and Margaret Launder. from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with Those who have recently departed this life, them, but they did not understand what he was among them: Ronald Thomas Williams. saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I Those whose ’years mind’ fall at this time, among am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me them Margaret Elizabeth Thomas, Harold are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen Harrison, Hilary Jenkins, Betty Hoare, Cumming to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will Naismith, Linda Pauline McAllen, Trevor John be saved, and will come in and go out and find Williams, Serena Margarey Homfray, James pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and Mansley, Jamie Raleigh and Megan Olwen David. destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it May they rest in peace and rise in glory. abundantly.

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

Prayer Merciful Father, you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd, and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again: keep us always under his protection, and give us grace to follow in his steps; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE BLESSING The Lord bless you and keep watch over you; the Lord’s face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord look lovingly on you and give you peace. Amen. Parish Directory

Rector Rev’d Dr. Stephen Adams 771625 / 07506 689450 [email protected]

Team Vicar Rev’d Victoria Ashley 775381 / 07434 443885 [email protected]

Parish Administrator & Treasurer Mr David -Lloyd Jones 772302 [email protected]

Parish Wardens Mr Howard Perks 773973 [email protected] Mr Peter Davies 775211 [email protected]

Honorary Assistant Curates Rev’d David Boult 07767 818257 [email protected] Rev’d Norman E Williams 772107 [email protected]

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