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Benefice of w , Lindsey, w Semer, Nedging and Naughton.

Order of Service for Rogation Sunday –17 May 2020 Transcript of the Online recorded service from the Rectory led by Revd Elke Cattermole

Hymn:

“All people that on earth do dwell” 1 All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice: serve him with joy, his praises tell, come now before him and rejoice!

2 Know that the Lord is God indeed, he formed us all without our aid; we are the flock he loves to feed, the sheep who by his hand are made.

3 O enter then his gates with praise, and in his courts his love proclaim; give thanks and bless him all your days: let every tongue confess his name.

4 For God, our mighty Lord is good, his mercy is for ever sure; his truth at all times firmly stood, and shall from age to age endure.

5 Praise God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit evermore; all praise to God the Three - in - One, let heaven rejoice and earth adore!

Introduction from Revd Elke Good Morning everyone on this Rogation Sunday from the Rectory. Because of the restrictions we have not been able to have the Benefice Rogation Sunday Service as we planned. I have improvised, and we will have photographs from around the Benefice depicting the natural beauty of our villages. I have been joined by some of our churchwardens Neil Ashwell, Martin Rodgers, Frank Taylor, Jill Taylor, Carole Homer, and members of the ministry team Rev Jackie Sephton, Teresa Lester, and Jim Sephton, who have been able to record readings and intercessional prayers. I will indicate when they are undertaking the readings or prayers. 2

What is Rogation As with many of our Christian festivals it initially came from a Roman pagan festival, but then was taken up by the early Christian Roman church.

The Rogation Day celebrations are thought to have arrived in the British Isles in about the 7th/8th century. Rogation walks were used to pray for the yield of the crops and continued in the post reformation church. Some villages continued over the centuries, but probably the recent decline has been because of many parishes joining into a benefice. I was introduced to Rogation Sunday Services several years ago, with the minister, churchwardens, choir, and members of the congregation joining in, walking to together as we undertook readings and prayers. This year I had wanted to re-instate Rogation Sunday Services, starting at Nedging Church. Obviously because of the lockdown we are doing it differently and safely, I think for us to read scripture and say prayers for each of our parishes at this time just seems right. As we together remember not just the church community but the village community as well.

IN CHURCH

Opening the service We commence our service with the photo of inside of Nedging church as we start our visual journey around the benefice.

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. We have come together in the name of Christ in our offer of praise and thanksgiving in our own homes as we cannot meet physically in our churches or around the benefice.

Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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First Reading – read by Jill Taylor Matthew 7: 7 - 11 Ask, Seek, Knock “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

This the word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God

Invitation to Confession –

We seek the forgiveness of our sins, Let us ask God to have mercy on our tired land, and to prosper the work of our soiled hands. Let us ask God to forgive our delusion of self-sufficiency so that we may praise him for his provision and goodness. Lord, you give us this good earth, yet we take your generous gifts for granted.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, you give us this good earth, but we squander its rich resources.

Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.

Lord, you give us this good earth, but we fail to share your bounty with all your children.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Absolution May the God of love and power forgive us and free us from our sins, heal and strengthen us by his Spirit, and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen

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AT A MEADOW OR PASTURE

We now travel from Nedging to Naughton and pass the growing fields of crops that will eventually feed us.

Second Reading - read by Carole Homer The Parable of the Growing Seed He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” The Parable of the Mustard Seed Again, he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

This is the word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God

Reflection – Revd Elke From our first reading to our second reading, we have left the inside of the church and begin our virtual journey to worship and praise God. In our second reading we can reflect on the famous parable of the mustard seed. We may not have planted a mustard seed, but we can think of all the other seeds that have been planted a few months or weeks ago, by our farmers or ourselves in our fields, gardens, greenhouses, and allotments. We have started to see them grow. That in a way represents our faith, we start in a very small way and if we receive the right food we grow as God wishes us to.

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FARMYARD AND FARM ANIMALS We continue our journey towards Semer, we pass the cattle in the fields. It is not just a pretty picture, but we must remember the hard work that is done when farmers look after livestock.

Bless, O Lord God Almighty, this farm with their cattle and those who live and work here. Give them health, strength, goodness, and mercy. We remember in our prayers all farmers as well those who care for animals. May God preserve us all with our going out and our coming in; for ever more. Amen

As we continue our journey, we realise that things in life can hinder us and we can become parched and dry. We observe how hard the ground is becoming in parts.

Third Reading – read by Jim Sephton Jeremiah 14: 1 - 9 Drought, Famine, Sword This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: “Judah mourns, her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem. The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads. The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads. Even the doe in the field deserts her new-born fawn because there is no grass. Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights and pant like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of food.” 6

Although our sins testify against us, do something, LORD, for the sake of your name. For we have often rebelled; we have sinned against you. You who are the hope of Israel, its Saviour in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveller who stays only a night? Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, LORD, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!

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

Reflection by Revd Elke Jeremiah cries out to God in the Old Testament; life was going wrong all around him. We have been through a difficult time over the last few weeks, our way of life has changed. Initially we may have thought it was great, being locked away in our houses has it given us a chance to catch up on things. Others we may know have had to go into work in potentially dangerous areas and situations. Many have worked from home with all its positive and negative results. As we have taken our daily exercise in the wonderful weather we have had, we have noticed how the lack of rain has dried up the ground. Along the footpaths, I have noticed at the edge of the fields how hard the ground has become and cracked. The fields, gardens and allotments need rain. It made me think how as a nation there appears some moving towards irritation and cracking up in how we have worked together. If we are not careful, we will start finding fault with so much. It is time for us to continue to focus on God through Jesus Christ at this difficult time. It is not over, and many changes may have to be made for all of us as we reshape our lives.

Prayer O God who has blessed our ploughing and sowing, protect we pray our crops from adverse weather conditions. We pray for rain as well as the continual sunshine. So, the soil becomes wholesome and the crops grow so our farmers and growers enjoy a prosperous harvest, to feed us as you feed us spiritually through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen

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AT A WELL, OR STREAM, OR RIVER

As we look at the River Brett and arrive at Semer, it takes me back to Christmas and when we were preparing for the Carol/Crib service at Semer. The fun we had as we sung. “Between the river and Semer Mere, where our church stands” using the music from “By the Rivers of Babylon” We may have our own visions of water from our holidays, streams; lakes; waterfalls. Whatever it is we know how precious water is. Fourth Reading - read by Rev Jackie Sephton

John 4: 13 - 14 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

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

Blessed be the Giver of Water Blessed be he who sends the dews and the rain. Blessed be he who refreshes the land with streams and rivers. Blessed be he who has divided the sea from the dry land. Blessed be he who has taught people to find food in the sea. Blessed be he who gives water for the thirst of people and animals. Blessed be he who gives us LIVING WATER.

Reflection by Revd Elke As we look at streams and rivers on our daily walks, it can take us to reflect how much we need water. Reminding us that we need it not just for our crops, but for us and our animals. It is needed to sustain human life. Many parts of the world are without a proper water system and need us to help them, through things like ‘Water Aid’. Jesus went further because he spoke of not the water we drink from our taps and in his case a well. But a ‘Living Water’ that sustains us forever. 8

The beauty of the video pictures Jackie had with her prayers in a way can give us a feeling of seeing the ‘Living Water’ that Jesus Christ gives, in its natural form.

AT GARDENS, ALLOTMENTS OR ORCHARDS We continue our journey to Bildeston, and we see the plants that have been grown and put together for the benefit of the church.

Fifth Reading - read by Martin Rodgers For Plants, Gardens, and allotments O God, who has given each one of us the chance to share in the cultivation of the land: give us also such skill and patience in digging and sowing and planting that fruit and vegetables and flowers may gladden our hearts by their usefulness and beauty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reflection by Revd Elke So many of us have been in our gardens during the lockdown. As part of our daily exercise has been gardening. Growing of plants for many had been in preparation for our village shows and fairs. Because of the COVID 19 they have had to be cancelled. Yet we cannot ignore the pleasure we have had in growing these plants. Many of us have heard how our grandchildren have been growing and planting and awaiting with great excitement the outcome of their labour. We heard so much before this pandemic, on how we were misusing the planet. We are so fortunate in especially in the area we live that we have the wonderful natural world all around us, even when we live in a street. We can add the joy of our plants to this wonderful natural world.

We continue our journey to Lindsey

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AT THE VILLAGE GREEN

This village green near the church has often had some of the villagers congregate and chat with one another. This has been a difficult time when the houses in our villages are spread out and we have had to keep social distancing.

Sixth Reading - read by Frank Taylor

Reflection by Revd Elke We live in different parishes that make up our benefice. We are different but in the same time we are joined in many ways. We have all been walking on similar paths these last few weeks and months. This surely can help us build further our bond together in the coming weeks and months. We will meet in a joint village green as we welcome one another again in our normal way.

We make our way back through Bildeston on our way to Whatfield.

OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR RESPONSIBILY

Teresa our Reader is our lead for the benefice for ECO church and how we should improve on how we should sustain the environment. Reminds us all us responsibly in caring for the world.

I am going to read this poem that she has sent to me. Wildflowers by Wilf Ward, 1948 The old church stands down Old Church Lane, where it has stood for years. It is seen the people come and go, their laughter and their tears. It is hard to think that fine old church once colourful and new, But long before the church was built, the wildflowers grew.

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The village folk all gather down upon the village green, To have a fete and celebrate and crown the village queen. To have a joke and have a laugh of how things used to be. Village without the village folk, it would not be the same. But long before the village folk, the wildflowers came.

Lorries, heavy lorries all thunder through the lanes, Revving up their engines and leaving diesel stains. Tainting wayside verges, with tar and oil and grease, Rumbling, shifting noises of now-forgotten peace. But with the help of sunshine, and early morning rain, The never-failing cycle, wildflowers bloom again.

Neil will lead us in our Intercessional Prayers that he wrote. Dear Lord, we offer you our prayers today on this wonderful morning. We thank you for the peace and tranquillity of our countryside at this time as we cope with lockdown and shielding. We see first-hand the benefit on our planet and the environment of reduced travel and reduced pollution, and we pray that these observations are never forgotten for the sake of future generations. We pray that the challenge that Covid19 virus has brought to the world can soon be overcome and solutions found. We pray that testing goes smoothly and that new antibody tests help to track the disease more specifically. And most of all we pray for all families who have lost loved one to this virus and that you bring them comfort and care in these times of need. Lord in your mercy All: Hear our prayer

Send down upon us the gift of the Spirit and renew your church with power from on high, especially for our Bishops, our own Diocese for our united benefice for St Mary Magdalene, for our benefice, Priest in Charge Revd Elke, our elders, our churchwardens and everyone involved in building your church here in our benefice. Lord in your mercy All: Hear our prayer

We pray especially today for the Queen and Prince Philip as they are shielded away from the Corona Virus in Windsor Castle. We trust that the experience and knowledge of our Queen can guide the nation through these dark times and help to bring hope and confidence that soon we will all be able to meet again. Guide our government and opposition to tackle with impartiality the actions needed to tackle the Corona Virus with fairness, with good judgement and constructive appraisal 11

Lord in your mercy All: Hear our prayer

Dear God at this time, we pray that you give comfort peace and understanding to all those who suffer in body, mind, and spirit. Give them strength and courage to help them through their trials, pains, and suffering. Help all who suffer and to trust in thy unfailing love and support Let those who are depressed and worried find solace in your care. In a silent moment of prayer let us remember those who are close to us who need your help today and, in the weeks, ahead.

Lord in your mercy All: Hear our prayer We pray for those who have died in faith to guide and strengthen their spirit and souls now in your care

Comfort the bereaved and even in their darkest days, comfort them, place your hand of compassion on their shoulder and give them a vision of your light in life everlasting.

Lord in your mercy All: Hear our prayer

As we finish our prayers today, perhaps we could finish together by saying the Grace. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

Collect for Today God, who from of old taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Standing by the foot of the cross, as our Saviour taught us, so we pray. Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom comes. 12

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen

IN THE CHURCHYARD

Reflection by Revd Elke

We have arrived now at Whatfield, we have had our prayers and thoughts around the Benefice. We think we have come to the end, but it does end here.

As I reflect on the bench in Whatfield churchyard it takes me back to a year ago on a sunny day when Roger and I were looking around the benefice and praying where God wanted us to be. We sat on that bench and had our picnic.

From there I remembered back on my first day at theological college in the chapel and read the icon on the wall. “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you”

It is in a way going through a gate where God is leading you

As with all our Christian journeys God takes us to the place, he wants us to be when we are open to him.

As we look at all our churchyards, there will be memories of people you know who have meant so much to you.

We all remember those who have been part of our life and sustained us in our journey towards God.

Reading – Revd Elke Remember, O Lord, Those who have brought us into the world and counselled us and guided us. Those who have borne with us, sacrificed themselves for us, surrounded us with their influence, and loved us. Those before us who planned the fields, and marked out the farms, and trod the roads, and cleared the ditches. Those who first lived in our villages, and built our churches, and brought the Good News of Christianity to their neighbours.

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All those who throughout the ages have worked hard and trusted in God, help us to continue our journey with you, through Jesus Christ Amen

The Blessing O God, whose Son was content to share the life of his village at Nazareth, bless we beseech you, the life of our Parishes and Benefice with your continual presence.

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen

Go in peace in peace to love and serve the Lord. All: In the name of Christ

I thank everyone for their participation in this video and for Jill sending me copies of Rogation Sunday Services, which I have been able to use for ideas.

It is a time for us also remember those who work so hard in our churches and villages but were unable to take part today.

The putting together of this video has really shown me as a benefice how we can move forward in the future.

Hope we can all join in next year, meeting together in our villages.

Final Hymn “Praise my Soul the King of Heaven.”

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; To his feet thy tribute bring; Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Evermore his praises sing: Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King. Praise him for his grace and favour To our fathers in distress; The Rectory Garden Praise him still the same for ever, Slow to chide and swift to bless: Alleluia, alleluia! Glorious in his faithfulness. Father-like, he tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame he knows; In his hand he gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes. Alleluia, alleluia! Widely yet his mercy flows. Angels, help us to adore him; Ye behold him face to face; Sun and moon, bow down before him, Dwellers all in time and space. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace.