Download our 3 churches newsletter for Epiphany (year C) below.
The Apple tree
Many years ago I sang in the choir at St David’s Cathedral. It helped give me a love for music which has stayed with me. Among the Christmas delights we enjoyed was an old poem set to music by Elizabeth Poston. It’s called “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” – a strange title when you first hear it, but one which has lingered in my mind and grows as you reflect on the simple words. Catch it on Youtube, sung by, among others, the choir of King’s College Cambridge in 2009. Relax, reflect, enjoy…
The tree of life my soul hath seen, Laden with fruit and always green: The trees of nature fruitless be Compared with Christ the apple tree.
His beauty doth all things excel By faith I know, but ne’er can tell The glory which I now can see In Jesus Christ the apple tree.
For happiness I long have sought And pleasure dearly I have bought: I missed of all; but now I see
‘Tis found in Christ the apple tree.I’m weary with my former toil, Here I will sit and rest awhile: Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ the apple tree.
From “Divine Hymns or Spiritual Songs”, compiled by Joshua Smith 1784
Christ the King bidding prayers, 30 December 2018 (Feast of the Holy Family)
Priest: On this Feast of the Holy Family we turn to our Father and ask him for our needs.
Reader: We pray for the Church, for its people and for its clergy. May we all help to spread the love of Jesus throughout the world.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. Let us pray that we may be supportive and forgiving in our own families.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let us pray that the Peace of Christ will overcome hate and resentment, and that people will learn to respect each other,
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Many people feel low at this time of the year.We pray that people who are lonely or depressed may be warmed by the Light of Christ.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for all our Parishioners, friends and relatives who have died and gone before us in faith. We remember especially Nich Pearson whose funeral will take place here on Friday and Paul Grant who has died recently, May they rest in eternal peace.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let us ask Mary, mother of the Christ Child, to pray for us: Hail Mary…
Let us pray in silence for our own intentions.
Priest: God our loving Father we ask you to listen to all our prayers because we make them in faith and in the name of Jesus your Son who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.
Christ the King bidding prayers, 25 December 2018 (Christmas Day)
Priest On Christmas Day, long ago, God came and lived among us. He taught us to love one another, and we place our petitions before him, seeking to continue his work.
Reader The response is;
Lord graciously hear us
On this Christmas Day we pray for the Church throughout the world, that it may joyfully proclaim the coming of God’s kingdom, and that this message may bring hope to all who hear it…..pause………….
Lord hear us
We pray for peace on earth and goodwill among all peoples. May the Christmas message inspire politicians and leaders to continue to work together for a fairer world and for justice and peace everywhere.
……………………………. pause …………………………..
Lord hear us
We pray for refugees, who like the Holy Family, are seeking a safe place to live. .…. Pause………………
Lord hear us
And we pray for those in need nearer home: the sick, the lonely, the homeless; and those who mourn the loss of loved ones especially at this time of year. May thewonder of the season give them comfort and joy.…Pause…
Lord hear us
Let us pray in silence for a few moments for all that we would ask for our own families and friends at this Christmas time……………pause…………
Lord hear us
We ask Mary, the mother of the newborn Christ to add her prayers to our own saying;
Hail Mary………….
Priest Heavenly Father, the birth of your son renews our hope. Give us grace to bear witness to him before the world, for he is Lord forever and ever.
Christ the King bidding prayers, 23 December 2018 (4th Sunday in Advent)
Celebrant:We bring our petitions to you Lord, on the last Sunday of Advent, and ask you to answer our prayers.
Reader:We pray for the leaders of the Church, that they will be inspired by the example of Mary our mother.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Reader:As Christmas is about to dawn, we pray for our own 3 Churches community, that we will be ready to welcome Christ with open hearts.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Reader:As our children and young people start their holidays, let us remember those who teach and lecture to them. We pray that those who are entrusted with the education of our young people may enjoy a refreshing holiday and be willing and able to take up the challenge again in January.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Reader:We pray for those suffering from illness, and those who are too sick to be at home with their families this Christmas.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Reader: Let us pray for those who have died, particularly those whose anniversaries occur at this time, that they may be at rest in the peace and joy of God’s heavenly kingdom.
We ask Mary, the Mother of our Saviour, to help us with our prayers as we say Hail Mary…
We pray in silence for our own needs and intentions.
Celebrant : Lord, we pray that you will grant our prayers in the name of Jesus, who brings hope to the world. Amen.
3 churches newsletter, Sunday 23 and 30 December 2018 (Christmas)
Fr Matthew and our assisting clergy wish al parishioners and friends of our 3 Churches a Christmas of joy and peach, and a New Year of faith and hope
Download your 3 churches newsletter (double edition) for Sundays 23 and 30 December 2018.
Fr Matthew