OUR DOORS MAY BE CLOSED BUT OUR HEARTS ARE OPEN

WELCOME St. Bartholomew’s with St. Nicholas’ Sunday 26th April 2020 Third Sunday of Easter Year A Gold or White All Services of Public Worship suspended until further notice Collect for today Almighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve you cntinually in righteousness and truth; 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

A prayer for all of us especially those affected by Covid-19 Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, And lift up all who are brought low; That we may find comfort Knowing that nothing can separate us from your love. Amen A reading from the Acts of the Apostles [ch 2] Peter’s first great sermon in Jerusalem has a miraculous response, and baptism follows.Only rarely does religious activity flourish at such a high pitch. We should rejoice without depending on such striking events for faith to be valid. 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 36Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.’ 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Pe- ter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ 38Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ 40And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ 41So those who wel- comed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. This is the word of the Lord Praise to you O Christ A reading from the first letter of Peter [ch 1] We must be encouraged when we read of how Christian life felt in the days when it was all fresh and new. Life in the here-and-now seems like a kind oif exile from our true home with God—where, through Christ, we truly belong. 17 If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially ac- cording to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. 22 Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart.23You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. This is the word of the Lord Praise to you O Christ

[email protected] The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John [Ch20]

The meal at Emmaus shows us the ‘breaking of bread’ as a key way of recognising Jesus, ever and afresh, and as a way of learning his true sig- nificance. To walk with him through life can even be an unconscious way of ‘finding’ him. 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Em- maus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad.18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ 19He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be con- demned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ 25Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he van- ished from their sight. 32They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. This is the Gospel of the Lord, Praise to you, O Christ During this coming week there are a number of special days SUN 26TH...HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN JAMES...20 TODAY

MON 27TH Christina Rossetti, Poet, 1894 Christina Rossetti was born in 1830 and was associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brother- hood, of which her older brother, Dante, was a prominent member. Her elder sister be- came an Anglican Religious. Christina’s own fame rests upon her poetry, which dealt mainly with religious subjects but also the sadness of unrequited or disappointed love. Her first recorded verses, addressed to her mother on the latter’s birthday, were written on 27 April 1842. She was the author of the Christmas carol In the bleak mid-winter. She died on 29 December 1894.

TUES 28TH Peter Chanel, Missionary in the South Pacific, Martyr, 1841 Peter Chanel was born at Cras in France in 1803 and, after , joined the Marist missionary congregation in 1831. In 1836 he was sent to the islands of the South Pacific to preach the faith. Peter and his companions brought healing medicines as well as the gospel and were much loved and respected. On the island of Futuna in the Fiji group, where Peter was living, the chief’s son asked for baptism, which so infuriated his father that he dispatched a group of warriors with explicit orders to murder Peter. They at- tacked him with clubs, axes and knives and he died on this day in the year 1841. Within a year, the whole island was Christian and Peter became revered throughout the Pacific Islands and Australasia as its protomartyr.

WED 29TH Catherine of Siena, Teacher of the Faith, 1380 Catherine Benincasa was born in 1347, the second youngest of twenty-five children. Pious from her earliest years, she overcame family opposition to her vocation and be- came a Dominican tertiary at the age of eighteen. Nourished by a life of contemplative prayer and mystical experience, she devoted herself to active care for the poor and sick. She became increasingly sought out as an adviser on political as well as religious matters and, in 1376, she journeyed to Avignon as an ambassador to the pope and influenced his decision to return to Rome. She wrote a Dialogue on the spiritual life as well as numer- ous letters of counsel and direction, which stressed her devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus. She suffered a stroke on 21 April and died eight days later, on this day in 1380.

THURS 30TH Pandita Mary Ramabai, Translator of the Scriptures, 1922 Mary Ramabai was born in 1858, the daughter of a Sanscrit scholar who believed in edu- cating women. Converting to Christianity, she nevertheless remained loyal to many as- pects of her Hindu background, pioneering an Indian vision of the faith. She became well known as a lecturer on social questions, and was the first woman to be awarded the title ‘Pandita’. She spent many years working for the education of women and orphans, founding schools and homes. Personally, she lived in great simplicity and was a promi- nent opponent of the caste system and child marriage. She died on this day in 1922.

FRI 1ST MAY Philip and James, Apostles Philip and James appear in the list of the twelve apostles in the first three gospels but are frequently confused with other early saints who share their names. In John’s gospel, Philip has a more prominent rôle, being the third of the apostles to be called by Jesus and then himself bringing his friend Nathanael to the Lord. Philip is the spokesman for the other apostles who are questioning the capacity for feeding the five thousand and, at the Last Supper, enters into a dialogue with Jesus which leads to the Farewell Discourse of our Lord. Continued from previous page

James is said to be the son of Alphæus and is often known as ‘James the Less’ to distin- guish him. He may also be the ‘James the Younger’ whose mother, in Mark’s gospel, is a witness at the crucifixion. They are celebrated on the same day because the church in Rome, where their relics were laid to rest, was dedicated on this day in the year 560.

SAT 2nd MAY Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 373 Athanasius was born c296 of Christian parents and educated at the Catechetical school in Alexandria. He was present at the Council of Nicæa as a , accompanying his bishop Alexander, whom he succeeded as Patriarch in the year 328. Athanasius held firmly to the doctrines of the Church as defined by that Council, and became the leader of those opposed to the teachings of Arius, who denied the divinity of Christ. He was deposed from – and restored to – his See several times because of his uncompromising faith. In or out of exile, Athanasius continued to write. Ever the proponent of orthodoxy over heterodoxy, he expounded the need for the Church to teach the true doctrines of the faith rather than watered-down versions of it. He was a strong believer in asceticism as a means of restoring the divine image in humanity and thus a supporter of monasti- cism, which was in its nascent state at that time. He was a friend of Pachomius and wrote the Life of Antony of Egypt, which showed the monastic life as holding a balance between things earthly and heavenly. He died on this day in the year 373.

The Neighbourhood Coronavirus Support Network (NCSN) tel: 07791 397160 is the local ‘go to’ support service for those self- isolating and/or in need of support/shopping/ or just a friendly call. For further contact, conversation or prayer please contact Rev. Hilary (892867)

Vestry Meeting and APCM Our Vestry meeting and Annual Parochial Church Meeting has been postponed to a later date. Watch this space!

 The new deadline for these meetings is 31st October … now pencilled in for 18th Octo- ber at 12noon  Churchwardens elected in 2019 will continue in office until 31st January 2021.  Deanery Synod reps elected in 2017 (or subsequently to fill casual vacancy) continue in post until 30th November 2020  PCC members remain in post to the end of the next APCM; also applies to anyone due to step down Geraldine

Very successful worship prayer meetings are taking place on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays via the Internet using ‘Zoom’, an online platform which is a convenient and easy way of ‘coming together’. You don’t need to, but you can download the app via http:// zoom.us—just let Rev. Hilary know that you want to be included IN AND FROM OUR PARISH

FOLLOW REV. HILARY LIVE ON SUNDAYS FOR A SERVICE OF MORNING PRAYER WE WOULD HAVE BEEN CELEBRATING ST GEORGE WITH THE SCOUTS TODAY, & RENEWING OUR PROMISES AT 10.30 am ON FACEBOOK LIVE A COPY OF THE SERVICE WILL BE ON THE WEBSITE

Worship Podcast

An alternative way to worship The Ven Elwin Cockett, of West Ham has recorded a podcast to be used for worship on the 3rd Sunday of Easter, 26th April 2020 You can find each week’s podcast at

www.chelmsford.anglican.org/sermons

Spiritual Communion When Unable to attend a Celebration of Holy Communion During the coronavirus pandemic the is having to put public worship on hold. This means that many people who would have received Holy Communion each Sunday, and some of them every day, are not able to receive the comfort and benefits of the sacrament. This is a huge loss. However, it is not the first time that the Church has been in such a position. Throughout Christian history some Christian people have found themselves isolated from the sacramental life of the Church for all sorts of reasons, and particularly in times of plague, famine and warfare.

The Church has made available a form of service for use at home. If you would like a copy please email a request to me at: [email protected] AS A PARISH WE CONTINUE WITH THE NOVEL IDEA OF MARKING SUNDAY AS A DAY OF PRAYER

All of us are encouraged to place a lighted candle in a win- dow at 7.00pm and take time to pray for our world.

FOR THOSE WORKING IN THE NHS AND OTHER WORKERS IN RESEARCH ETC. Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

You could also use the prayer on the front page

For your Prayers

The sick and those in need: Kate; Margaret; Peter; Anne ; Ralph; Mar- garet ; Bruce; Margaret; Lorraine

Those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time: Horace; Martha; Jim; Lindsey; Catherine; Lavinia; Iris; Stephen; Ann;

A cessation of conflict in Yemen, Venezuela, Syria and all places of vio- lence.

Prayers throughout the week:

Daily pray for those who are working in the Health and Care ser - vices, all Doctors, Nurses, support workers and carers. For those personally affected by Covid-19, those in isolation and lonely. Those who have no work and those who are required to work maintaining Services. Monday pray for our Bishops Stephen and Roger, and senior staff in the Diocese; our parish staff team Tuesday pray for an increase of peace in the world– those who work in the caring profession. Wed’day pray for the mission and ministry of our church in trying times. Thursday pray for all who live in our communities– God’s blessing on home and family life Friday pray for children in our local community, our schools, nurseries, Edward Bear, youth club, uniformed organisations Saturday all who have asked for our prayers, the sick and suffering, lonely and desperate. Sunday the persecuted church, all who have given their lives for the spread of the gospel. For our mission partner Rachel. Finished your library books? Here’s something to fill in time. READINGS AND COLLECTS FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK The following are the readings for Morning Prayer In addition Psalm 121 is read after each designated Psalm

MONDAY 27th APRIL Psalm 96 & 97 Exodus 19 Luke 1: 1-25 COLLECT: Almighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve you continually in right- eousness and truth; 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.

TUES 28th APRIL Psalm 98,99.100 Exodus 20: 1-211 Luke 1: 26-38 COLLECT: Almighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve you continually in right- eousness and truth; 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.

WED 29th APRIL Psalm 105 Exodus 24 Luke 1: 39-56 COLLECT: God of compassion, who gave your servant Catherine of Siena a wondrous love of the passion of Christ: grant that your people may be united to him in his majesty and rejoice for ever in the revelation of his glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

THURSDAY 30th APR Psalm 136 Exodus 25: 1-22 Luke 1: 57-end COLLECT: Almighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve you continually in right- eousness and truth; 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.

FRIDAY 1st MAY Psalm 139 Proverbs 4: 10-18 James 1: 1-12 COLLECT: Almighty Father, whom truly to know is eternal life: teach us to know your Son Jesus Christ as the way, the truth, and the life; that we may follow the steps of your holy apostles Philip and James, and walk steadfastly in the way that leads to your glory; 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.

SAT’DAY 2ND MAY Psalm 108 Exodus 29:1-9 Luke 2: 21-40 COLLECT: Ever–living God, whose servant Athanasius testified to the mystery of the Word made flesh for our salvation: help us, with all your saints, to contend for the truth and to grow into the likeness of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

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