Thursday 21st May 2020- Ascension Day Risen Christ, the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is [a] You have raised our human nature written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from 47 to the throne of heaven: the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to help us to seek and serve you, all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are that we may join you at the Father’s side, witnesses[b] of these things. 49 And see, I am sending where you reign with the Spirit in glory, upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the now and for ever. Amen. city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, Luke 24:44-53 (NRSV) 44 Jesus said to the disciples, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried still with you—that everything written about me in the up into heaven.[c] 52 And they worshiped him, and[d] law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand continually in the temple blessing God.

Today we celebrate Ascension day! From Tony Robinson, Bishop of “Dear brothers and sisters in Churches in Wakefield, We are living through this present crisis which none of us could have imagined a few weeks ago; many people have died and many families have lost loved ones. We also know that many people have joined our churches in services which have been streamed recently. Prayer is the very thing which can unite people and give us hope for the future. For the past few years the ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ prayer initiative has taken place from Ascension Day (21st May) until Pentecost (31st May). A number of us have been talking and wondered if we could cover the time with continuous prayer in Wakefield with individuals or churches agreeing to take slots of an hour each. I will begin the prayer at Sandal Castle on Ascension Day with an hour of prayer from 7.30am and we could conclude with a joint time of prayer from 11am to 12noon on Pentecost Sunday.” Bishop Tony Robinson Here at St George’s Church we are praying on Friday 22nd May from 6am-12 midnight! I invite you to set some time aside to pray for the Covid 19 situation. You might like to light a candle for an hour or sit in the garden and find some peace or however you feel comfortable praying. St Laurence was famous for praying when he was washing up the dishes. I also encourage you to look at the “Thy Kingdom come” resources on the website. They have reflections everyday along with activities for children. I send you all my love and prayers!

Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven; God our Father, To His feet thy tribute bring. you have raised our humanity in Christ Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, and have fed us with the bread of heaven: Evermore His praises sing: mercifully grant that, nourished with such spiritual Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia! blessings, we may set our hearts in heavenly places; Praise the everlasting King. through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fatherlike He tends and spares us, The Blessing: Well our feeble frame He knows; Christ our ascended King pour upon you the In His hands He gently bears us, abundance of his gifts and bring you to rain with him in Rescues us from all our foes. glory; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia! Widely yet His mercy flows. the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Angels, help us to adore Him, Amen Ye behold Him face to face; Sun and moon, bow down before Him;Dwellers all in time and space, Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace. Final Prayer: Sunday 24th May 2020- The seventh Sunday of Easter Risen, ascended Lord own presence with the glory that I had in your presence As we rejoice at your triumph, before the world existed.6 “I have made your name known to Fill your Church on earth those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, with power and compassion and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. that all who are estranged by sin 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from may find forgiveness and know your peace, you; 8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to to the glory of God the Father. Amen. them, and they have received them and know in truth that I John 17:1-11 (NRSV) 1 Jesus looked up to heaven and came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because authority over all people,[a] to give eternal life to all whom they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by finishing the work you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have that you gave me to do. 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.

A short reflection by The Revd Martine Crabtree: In this passage from John, Jesus is praying. We observe the beautiful intimacy between the Father and the Son. Jesus shows his deep love and care for us. He asks the Father to protect us. It is a difficult time to be physically separated from each other and our church building. This passage reminds us that nothing can ever keep us away from the mind of Christ. We belong to God in connection with Jesus, “All mine are yours, and yours are mine.” Last week we observed mental health awareness week. This pandemic can be a stressful time for anyone. We know that the wonderful NHS is there to help us. Please do get professional help if you need it. Alongside professional medical help I also believe that God and the Church can be there to support you. The passage above reminds us of the deep love that Christ has for us. I know that God can give us a peace in times of deep pain. I also believe in the power of prayer and healing. In addition to this, remember that you are part of a church family that loves and cares for you. We are always here to listen and pray for you. I am only a phone call away! I want to encourage anyone who might be finding this time difficult to ask for help if you need it. The Church of England website also has some excellent material and support for people who are feeling depressed or even just a little low. “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7. I send you all my love and prayers! Perfectly restored in Thee; Love divine, all loves excelling, Changed from glory into glory, Joy of heaven to earth come down; 'Til in heaven we take our place, Fix in us thy humble dwelling; 'Til we cast our crowns before Thee, All thy faithful mercies crown! Lost in wonder, love, and praise Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation; Eternal God, giver of love and power, Enter every trembling heart. your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom: Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit, confirm us in this mission, Into every troubled breast! and help us to live the good news we proclaim; Let us all in Thee inherit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Let us find thy promised rest. The Blessing: Take away the love of sinning; The love of the Lord Jesus Alpha and Omega be; draw you to himself, End of faith, as its beginning, The power of the Lord Jesus Set our hearts at liberty. Strengthen you in his service, and the blessing of God almighty, Finish, then, Thy new creation; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Pure and spotless let us be. be among you and remain with you always. Let us see Thy great salvation