The Spilsby & Stickney Groups

Bolingbroke Deanery Team Parishes Faithful, Confident, Joyful 10th May 2020 FIFTH SUNDAY of EASTER (Gold or White)

BLESSINGS AND PEACE this EASTERTIDE I am the way, and the truth, and the life

This week: Weekday Prayer: Daily

Fifth Sunday of EASTER

9.00am Sunday Service at Home - Join our celebration of nurses and healthcare workers in our online service this week. Bishop of London and former Chief Nursing Officer Sarah Mullally leads the service, with contributions from the current Chief Nursing Officer and many more, in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/church-online

10.00am Prayer in our own homes See below

Bolingbroke Churches on line:

I have managed to publish a short video on YouTube and linked it to our website from our prayers it will win no prizes and makes me wince not a little but it is out there as an offering. Your honest criticism would be helpful.

I have created a YouTube Account Bolingbroke Team Churches

http://lincoln.ourchurchweb.org.uk/spilsby/index.php

I will try to make it a weekly offering and it will be on the above web site. So watch this space - if you can. PC

FOR MAY

Bolingbroke Team Ministry

Easter 5 Morning Worship

A prayer of approach Dispersed and yet together, Lord, we come to seek the ‘Jesus way’. May your truth fill us with wisdom to see your presence in all that we do. And may we receive new life, that we may serve you in all that we are. Amen.

Hymn: Christ is the world's Light, he and no other; born in our darkness, he became our brother. If we have seen him, we have seen the Father: Glory to God on high.

Christ is the world's Peace, he and no other; no man can serve him and despise his brother who else unites us, one in God the Father? Glory to God on high.

Christ is the world's Life, he and no other; sold once for silver, murdered here, our Brother - he who redeems us, reigns with God the Father: Glory to God on high.

Give God the glory, God and no other; give God the glory, Spirit, Son and Father; give God the glory, God in man my brother: Glory to God on high. Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000) 4

Prayer of Confession Forgive us, loving Lord, that we have strayed from your way. Forgive us for the times our lives have not been shaped by your truth. Forgive us for denying your life in us and in others, by the way we have lived. In the name of Jesus, the way, the truth and the life, we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon May the Father of all mercies cleanse us from our sins, and restore us in his image to the praise and glory of his name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reading: Acts 7.55-60 Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord,

do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.

Reading: John 14.1-14 Jesus said: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever

you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

Homily from the Diocesan Website In our readings today we have some strong echoes of the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus. Although the event itself is not specifically mentioned in either the Gospel or Acts, it is the event that underlies them both.

Stephen, the first Christian martyr is a fleeting character in Acts. He appears in chapter 6 as a forthright proclaimer of the veracity of the gospel, chosen by the people and anointed by the Apostles. He was clearly an effective speaker because it does not take long before he is plotted against, arrested on trumped up charges and put on trial where witnesses make false testimony against him. His life is over by the end of chapter 7 where incidentally we see the introduction of another new character, Saul.

What really seals Stephen’s fate is of course his description of the vision he has of Heaven we hear at the beginning of our first reading today. In it he declares that he sees the heavens open and the ‘Son of Man’ standing at the right hand of God. In other words, the side of God’s favour. In the eyes of the council this was, of course, blasphemy and there is only one sentence for that… death!

The first part of our Gospel reading from John is very well known especially to those of us who attend Christian funerals. What is known as the Farewell discourses in John are underway as Jesus seeks to prepare his closest followers for his imminent departure and seeks to reassure them that all will be well and remind them of the path he has prepared for them to follow, they know the way.

He reminds them of his interrelatedness with the Father and that they can be confident in their proclamation of that understanding. Note Jesus never says that this will not get them into hot water. But rather that faith in that understanding will bring its reward.

There is a sentence here though which has caused many a discussion to be had among people of faith since this time, and indeed some controversy as to how it should be understood.

Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me”

Many have stated that this saying points to the supremacy of Jesus as the only path to salvation. Fundamentally that is how it appears, but could the gospel author be pointing his readers back to the moment Jesus dies on the cross? We know that John’s Gospel was the last to be written and may well have known the stories in what we now call the Synoptic Gospels. The Temple in Jerusalem was known as the place where Earth and Heaven come together. In Matthew 27 verse 51 we see that at the moment of Jesus’ death the curtain in the temple, the barrier between where the people congregate and where God dwells is torn apart from top to bottom. It is rent asunder, thus opening the way for all and not just the elite, to God’s presence and the heavenly dwelling place. From this point on, the people can bring their own petitions to God and meet him face to face. How might those two verses inform one another?

Back to Stephen. The writer of Acts is not actually known but there is a strong acceptance that the same person who wrote the Gospel of Luke also penned Acts. So, a final thought. In Luke 23: 34 Jesus, at the moment of his death, calls out “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” This is a glorious moment. A glimpse into the heart of Christ as even at that moment he calls for mercy on his executioners. With this in mind we turn to the final words of the battered and bleeding Stephen in his final moments as he too calls for God to forgive those who gave false testimony, who lied, who hurled rocks at him - who did away with him thinking that all this ‘Son of Man’ stuff would finally be put to an end. Those words, echoing his Lord and Saviour whom he had envisioned standing at God’s right hand in the Kingdom of Heaven, may have chilled their hearts - and also perhaps sent Saul off to Damascus somewhat less sure of his ground than he was before. Who knows? But we do know what happened to him next.

Questions for Reflection 1. What do you think was going through the disciples’ minds as they listened to Jesus telling them of his death? 2. What was it that drove the Council to sentence Stephen to death? 3. How do you think Stephen was able to forgive his executioners? 4. What will you do this week in your Monday-to-Saturday ministry in response to what you have heard today? #everydayfaith

Let us declare our faith in God. We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high. We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession Let us pray to the Lord, who is our refuge and stronghold.

For the health and well-being of our nation, that all who are fearful and anxious may be at peace and free from worry: Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

For the isolated and housebound, that we may be alert to their needs, and care for them in their vulnerability: Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

For our homes and families, our schools and young people, and all in any kind of need or distress: Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

For a blessing on our local community, that our neighbourhoods may be places of trust and friendship, where all are known and cared for: 9

Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down, Fix in us thy humble dwelling, All thy faithful mercies crown. Jesu, thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love thou art; Visit us with thy salvation, Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit Into every troubled breast, Let us all in thee inherit, Let us find thy promised rest. Take away the love of sinning, Alpha and Omega be; End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.

Come almighty to deliver, Let us all thy grace receive; Suddenly return and never, Never more thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve thee as thy hosts above, Pray, and praise thee without ceasing, Glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be; Let us see thy great salvation, Perfectly restored in thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love and praise.

May God bless us, guide us and direct us. May God bless us, give us strength and the assurance of his love. May God bless us and fill our lives with his presence – today and always. Amen..

Some items are © ROOTS for Churches Ltd (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2020. Reproduced with permission.

FIFTH SUNDAY of EASTER Christian Aid Week begins

2nd Sunday in the month VE Day Thanksgiving

Monday St Andrew Firsby

Tuesday Our Mission Team 10.00am` Team meeting via Zoom

Wednesday Our Schools

Thursday St Matthias The forgotten

Friday Our Neighbours

Saturday Caroline Chisolm Social Reformers

Next Sunday – FIXTH SUNDAY of EASTER Christian Aid Week ends

3rd Sunday in the month Rogation Sunday – Our Land

Sunday 10th Christian Aid Week begins. Easter 5 From the Christian Aid Website: As this virus spreads across the world, love rises up in response. You’ve already shown incredible kindness to your neighbours. Now is the time to reach out to your neighbours both near and far.

Pray for the Anglican Church of Kenya The Most Revd Jackson Ole Sapit - Primate and Archbishop of All Kenya

Monday 11th The licensing of The Revd Georgina Holding to the benefice of Market Deeping. The Diocesan Communications Team

Muranga South (Kenya) The Rt Revd Julius Karanu Wa Gicheru; Zaki-Biam (Nigeria) The Rt Revd Jezreel Vandeh; Ikwerre (Nigeria) The Rt Revd Blessing Enyindah

Tuesday 12th The Haven Group - Bicker, Donington, Sutterton, Swineshead, Wigtoft: Revd Charlie Robertson

Muyinga (Burundi) The Rt Revd Paisible Ndacayisaba; Zanzibar (Tanzania) The Rt Revd Michael Hafidh; Ikwo (Nigeria) The Rt Revd Kenneth Ifemene

Wednesday 13th Bishop’s Staff Meeting. Kirton in Holland with Algakirk and Fosdyke – In Vacancy (Interim Minister Revd. Sue Rose) Please pray for the Congregations as they cope with the vacancy in the context of the Coronavirus lockdown Zaria (Nigeria) The Rt Revd Abiodun Ogunyemi Saliu Bello Thursday 14th Old Leake w Wrangle w Friskney – Revd Fiona Cotton Betteridge Matthias the Apostle Please pray for Friskney, Wrangle & Old Leake as they adjust to new leadership and for Reverend Fiona as she leaves for a new ministry.

Mytikyina (Myanmar) The Rt Revd John Zau Li; Zonkwa (Nigeria) The Rt Revd Jacob Kwashi; Zululand (Southern Africa) Vacant

Friday 15th Skirbeck, Holy Trinity – Revd Lis Ward Pray for the church family that we will continue to love and support others and to share the Good News of Jesus in new ways.

Nagpur (North India) The Rt Revd Paul Dupare; Aba (Nigeria) Vacant

Saturday 16th Skirbeck St Nicholas – Fr John Underhill Caroline Chisholm, Social Reformer, Nairobi (Kenya) The Rt Revd Joel Waweru Mwangi; 1877 Aba Ngwa North (Nigeria) The Rt Revd Nathan Kanu; Ikwuano (Nigeria) The Rt Revd Chigozirim Onyegbule

Sunday 17th We pray for signs of the Holy Spirit at work transforming lives in Easter 6 Greater Lincolnshire

Pray for the Anglican Church of Korea The Most Revd Moses Nagjun Yoo - Primate of Korea and Bishop of Daejeon

Prayers to use during the coronavirus outbreak Booklet. These prayers will help Christians to pray in solidarity with one another even when it is not possible to gather together in church. It’s essential at all times – but particularly in times of anxiety and fear – that we continue to develop and strengthen our own habits of prayer. A simple form of prayer to say each morning and evening is included here. It can be shared with all who are at home and unable to worship together, especially those who are unable to access online resources. This booklet can be downloaded in various formats from the Church of England website, where you will also find many other resources and ideas for sustaining our worshipping lives:

CofE.io/ChurchOnline

Or hard copies can be obtained in the Box in the porch of Spilsby Vicarage. You will also find hard copies of May Grape Vine & this Weekly Notice Sheet.

For those who receive this WNS by email you will also receive the electronic copy of the Grape Vine – please let me know if there are email addresses to add to the list?

You are aware that we are not printing the usual number of Grape Vines as we are not wanting people to break the lockdown by making journeys to deliver them but if you are in Spilsby you know they are in the box – if you want greater numbers leave a message on 752526.

As you will all know all Public Worship has been suspended and our Churches have been closed as part of our attempts to slow the progress of the Coronavirus (Corvid 19). There will be no services in our or in our sister Churches (with the exception of grave side or crematorium Funerals with only very close family in attendance) Weddings and Baptisms (with the exception of emergence Baptisms) are not allowed.

However, I am sure that worship and prayer to our loving God is at the heart of what we need to do at all time and especially now. That is why we are asking you to be part of the Churches offering of Worship this Sunday and every day too. Although we can’t be together to worship physically we can in spirit. We are offering in this booklet a service we can pray at Some point on Sunday and through the week. We can join together through the mass media. Please be aware there is also a national service on Sunday at 9am on the Church of England website and Facebook page which you might want to point people to.

NEW Bishop David has allowed the clergy to pray or stream worship from our Church buildings again but only the one name person. The team will report after this weeks meeting on progress.

This Sunday your Ministers will celebrate the Holy Communion/Eucharist in their own homes (we have been asked to not use our church buildings as we are all advised to stay at home. Please join in at home. As you eat and drink spiritually know 14

that you are receiving our Lord. Each day we will be saying the daily prayers. Join in where you are https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service- daily-prayer

The sick at home or in hospital, Leo Seebacher-Hobson, Nigel Worth, Kathleen, Ann, Molly, Veronica, Dorothy, Maggie J. Betty Brawn, Tristan, Joan Abbey, Michael P, Joan T. Mark, Jossie Lee, June, Hilary, Michael, Harriet, Rose L., Kate B. Abby, Sheila Janes, Fleur, Beryl B. Mary, Jeff Mason, Rosie, Jean C. Wendy, Bob, (Baby) Chloe Lear, Lawrence, Kathryn B, Margaret White (Spilsby).

The Departed: Judith Sawyer, Stephen Dawson, Ruth Machin.

Anniversary: Carol Tobbias, Geoffery Elphic, Janet Bucknell, Goris Tuplin, Pauline Nash, Mickey Grant, Harold Cresswell, Peter Parr. Daisy Drinkell, Enid Kisby, Beryl Derby, Jean Kelly, Raymond Ward, Graham Moles, Mrs Dean. Madge Gregory, Jacqueline Handcock, David Dawson, Albert Padley, Terry Hill, Andrew Rigarisford, David Ely, Audrey Murden, Margaret Cox (deacon), John Pimperton., Charles Lawie, Edna Reeson Brian Cooley, Peter Howard, Roger Kemplay, Jeffery Coupland, Bessie Eastgate, Jo Dolan, Amy Dodds, Bill Thacker, Mark Bell, Derek Hall, Gill Rymer, Rodney Dodds, June Wilkinson, Lawrence Fenwick, Bill Short, Eddie Sharman, Edna Brammer, Joan Shaw, Arnold Boyall.

An act of Spiritual Communion

You may wish to find a space for prayer in front of a cross, a candle, or a special place. You might choose to make your Spiritual Communion at a particular time of day, or after viewing a live streamed service.

Reflect on the day and on your relationships. - What good things have come from God today? - Where have I fallen short? - What might I do tomorrow?

You may wish to say or pray Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Read the following words from Scripture. If you have access to today’s readings for Holy Communion, you may wish to read and reflect on them.

Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’ John 6.35

Pray for the needs of the world, for your local community, and for those close to you. End with the Lord’s Prayer.

Our Father...

Give thanks for the saving death and resurrection of Jesus and ask him to be with you now.

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen. after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester

You might then add one or more of the following prayers:

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, ‘I am with you always’. Be with me today, as I offer myself to you. Hear my prayers for others and for myself, and keep me in your care. Amen.

O God, help me to trust you, help me to know that you are with me, help me to believe that nothing can separate me from your love revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord, in these days of mercy, make us quiet and prayerful; in these days of challenge, make us stronger in you; in these days of emptiness, take possession of us; in these days of waiting, open our hearts to the mystery of your cross. Angela Ashwin

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you most humble and hearty thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And give us, we pray, such a sense of all your mercies that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we show forth your praise, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Conclude with the following:

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and keep us in eternal life. Amen.

A prayer for all those affected by coronavirus

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 in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Daily at Noon God of love, turn our hearts to Your ways and give us peace. Amen

From our Bishops In the past few days we have been encouraged to see ways in which congregations are already putting into action new ways to stay in touch with communities. We now have a new Facebook page as a way to stay in touch, which is Lincoln – Bishops’ Office (please click on https://www.facebook.com/lincolnbishopsoffice/? to access the page).

Clergy Team The Rev’d. Canon Peter Coates The Vicarage, Church Street, Spilsby, PE23 5EF email: [email protected] Tel: 01790 752526

The Rev’d. Ms. Fran Jeffries The Rectory, Horbling Lane, Stickney PE22 8DQ email: [email protected]

The Rev’d. Mrs Joan Thornett email: [email protected] Tel: 01790 754151 The Rev’d Mrs Jean Coates Contact via Spilsby Vicarage – As above email: [email protected]

Rev’d. Mrs Teresa McLaughlin & Mr Paul McLaughlin – Community Chaplain The Rectory, Scremby Road Partney PE23 4PG [email protected] 01790 752344

[Please take this sheet home with you for reference]

Christian Aid Week 2020 Christian Aid began in 1945 when they were founded by British and Irish churches to help refugees following the Second World War. Christian Aid Week was launched in 1957 to raise extra funds as the charity continued to help refugees from mainland Europe as well as those from Palestine, Korea and China. The week brings communities together in action and prayer. The coronavirus pandemic means that Christian Aid Week 2020 (Sunday 10th May to Saturday 16th) will be different, and churches across all dioceses are being invited to stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable people in new and innovative ways. The charity has organised daily quizzes and there will be live-streamed worship so supporters can be involved from their own homes. You can also take part in the 300,000 steps in May challenge which will be run through Facebook or send an electronic donation envelope - an ‘e-envelope’ – to friends and family. caweek.org/virtualresources Some groups are arranging online plant sales, while others are doing sponsored runs, cycles or walks in their daily outdoor exercise or in their own homes and gardens. Christian Aid Week manager Sophie Brightwell said: “Christian Aid was established after the Second World War when people across this country had lost so much but knew that refugees across Europe were in a desperate situation. As we mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day at the start of Christian Aid Week, my hope is that we can show that same compassion and resolve as we saw in a different time of crisis, as together we show that love never fails.” To explore ideas about how to celebrate Christian Aid Week digitally please telephone its churches support team on 01925 573769 or visit caweek.org/virtualresources