Sunday's Service
Every Sunday, across the world, Christians share an agreed three year cycle of Bible Readings in Sunday worship, this is called the Common Lectionary. We offer materials including prayers bible study and worship resources for each one of these Sunday's via our Lectionary Bible Notes Section.
Trinity 4 - Ordinary 12 - June 24 2018
This statue of our Lady was made in Lebanon from the model of a seal of the abbey Notre Dame, dating from 13th centrury. It is the work of a well known Lebanese wood carver Joseph Hoveck. It was carved out of a branch of (fallen under its own weight) from the thousand year old cedars which grow on Mount Lebanon. I saw it on display in the Cathedral in Boulogne.
Did Jesus ever set sail in a boat with his mother? Well we just don't know, but the image of a boat and the church is a familiar one. The boat is a symbol of safety, it keeps alive the people of God. When you enter a church, the main body of the building is called the 'nave' from a medieval Latin term, 'navis' which means ship. The image of a ship providing safety under the hand of God is long established from the days of Noah, when God saved souls from the coming flood.
Of course the image of a boat has been an important symbol to generations of Christians who have felt that as they pass through the stormy seas of life they are carried safely with Christ, in the same way that those in boats cross stormy seas. This theology has been captured in the architecture of the Nave which is like an upside down boat and if you look upwards whilst seated in the Nave you will often see the main central rib becomes the keel of a boat, the ribs form the bottom, the pillars the sides and the floor becomes the deck.
The boat in this picture is a reassuance and encouragement to visiting pilgrims to place their faith in God who made all that there is and who in the midst of the stormiest seas beckons us to a place of spiritual safety.
Lectionary Material for every Sunday in Years A, B, C
Future Sundays with worship, prayer and teaching resources Sundays in Lectionary Year A
May 20 |
May 27 |
June 3 |
June 10 |
June 17 |
June 24 |
July 1 |
July 8 |
July 15 |
July 22 |
July 29 |
August 5 |
Prayers for Syria
The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued the following prayer for Syria:
Lord of all power and might, wisdom and love,
You gave your only Son to live with the suffering and poor, to die for our sins and rise from the dead so that we may live.
In your hands justice is perfect, and mercy and righteousness meet.
We pray for all caught up in the war in Syria; for the innocent who are poisoned by its weapons and bereaved or wounded by its violence,
for those serving in our armed forces, for those who make decisions and order actions.
Be merciful to the people of Syria, bring justice in their suffering, and let new life arise where there is now destruction and fear.
We pray these prayers in the name of your risen Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen
Other Prayers
Almighty eternal God, source of all compassion, the promise of your mercy and saving help fills our hearts with hope. Hear the cries of the people of Syria; bring healing to those suffering from the violence, and comfort to those mourning the dead. Empower and encourage Syria’s neighbours in their care and welcome for refugees. Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms, and strengthen the resolve of those committed to peace. Amen
O God of hope and Father of mercy, your Holy Spirit inspires us to look beyond ourselves and our own needs. Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence and to seek reconciliation with enemies. Inspire the Church around the world with compassion for the people of Syria, and fill us with hope for a future of peace built on justice for all. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
We pray for the people of Syria, that God may strengthen the resolve of leaders to end the fighting and choose a future of peace. For people leaving everything behind to flee to safety, for those who have lost loved ones, for lives interrupted, educations stalled and families separated. We thank you for the work of partners, for the hospitality of neighbours, the generosity of strangers, for those who give of themselves to help others, for those who refuse to be silent in the face of injustice. Lord, give the people of Syria hope, for peace and justice to prevail, for there to be new beginnings for all people living in that land, for freedom to replace fear and for there to be a better tomorrow. Lord, bless your people. Amen
Each morning and each evening
let the peace of the Father, be ours.
Each day and each night
let the peace of the Son be ours.
Each dawn and each dusk
let the peace of the Spirit be ours.
Let the blessing of the three in one be ours;
both now and for ever. Amen.
Carmina Gadelica