ST MARK’S CHURCH, KEMPSHOTT 3 MAY 2020 St Mark’s at home God is with us wherever we are…

Holy Spirit, fill us up. Give us strength, give us power. Holy Spirit, fill us up. Make us one, sisters and brothers. Holy Spirit, fill us up. Give us strength to share your truth. Holy Spirit, fill us up. Fill our hearts to live for you. Amen.

Sam Hargreaves engageworship.org The Acts of the Holy Spirit We might wonder why Jesus didn’t stay around for longer after his triumphant resurrection- there are only a few weeks between his rising from the dead and ascending to heaven. He tells his disciples that it is for their good that he goes away- ‘Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you…he will guide you into all the truth.’ (John 16) The ‘Advocate’ is another name for the Holy Spirit- the presence of God with us. In the Old Testament the Spirit of God is seen in creation and is given to specific people at certain times, but Jesus comes to bring in a new era when the Holy Spirit will be available to all people- including us! Jesus has promised not to leave us, but to be with us and empower us for the life that he has called us to. We can know that presence with us even now, whatever our circumstances. In the New Testament we see several images for the Holy Spirit: • In Acts 2 it descends on the disciples as a rushing wind and tongues of fire. • In Matthew 3 the Holy Spirit is a dove alighting on Jesus. • In John 7 the Spirit is described as living water. • In John 14 Jesus promises the Spirit will be a comforter and counsellor. • In the Celtic tradition the Holy Spirit is a wild goose: untameable, free and unpredictable – always on the move.

What image of God’s presence resonates with you at this time?

Images by Richard Lyall on engageworship.org

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PSALM 23 ACTS 2. 42-47 JOHN 10. 1-10

1 A PRAYER FOR PRESENCE

Mysterious threefold God, O God our mystery, visit our hearts you bring us to life, and there find a welcome call us to freedom, as Maker, and move between us with Mender love. and Builder. May we so participate Come, our Source, in the dance of your trinity, our Saviour, that our lives may resonate our Comforter; with you, take us up now and for ever. Amen. into the movement of love which flows in your timeless unity, threefold God, Father, Angela Ashwin/Janet Morley- Iona Community Son and Spirit SONGLIST ‘Glow’ The Spring Harvest Big Start Theme Song 2020 https://youtu.be/ 7QJuUcvKSQM ‘Raise a Hallelujah’ by Bethel Music https://youtu.be/YAMmrpXg7w4 Casals: ‘O vos omnes’ sung by the choir of King’s College https:// youtu.be/I6AGX1tfs8c ‘Use this Gospel’ by Kanye West (Feat. Clipse & Kenny G) https:// youtu.be/8yQVcGkbpAc ‘How Great Thou Art’ sung by Lauren Daigle https://youtu.be/ 8BL06fxHPVo ‘Holy Spirit’ sung by the MAYC Orchestra & Singers https:// youtu.be/046TkXSlG5M

Used with permission from Lindisfarne Scriptorium

The church building is closed… but the church as the Keep in touch! Tell us your news or about any people of God is still very much open! prayer and support you need… You can find a reflection, some questions, children’s 01256 840502 sheets and video content based on the theme of this offi[email protected] week’s readings on the website. www.saintmarks.org.uk Updated information can be found on our website and Facebook page.

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