21 March 2010

Welcome to  St Alban’s Anglican Church  

Today's Scripture: Isaiah 43: 16-21                   Philippians 3: 4b–14                 S. John 12: 1-8

Today: 8.35 a.m. Matins; 9.00 a.m. Church School; 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 6.00 p.m. EP.

This Week: Tues–Fri 12.30 p.m. Midday Prayers; Thurs (Annunciation) 5.00 p.m. HC

Next Sunday: 8.35 a.m. Matins; 9.00 a.m. Church Sch; 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Liturgy of Palms; 6.00 p.m. EP

5th Sunday in Lent (Passiontide Begins)

We beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people; that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

ANNUNCIATION (March 25th)

Exactly nine months to the day when in the Christian calendar she will give birth to Jesus, Mary hears the news from the angel that she is to bear a child that comes from God. We rejoice in her faith, her trust and her wholehearted response to this strange news. Like her we rededicate ourselves today to being bearers of God’s Son and we thank God for this cosmic intervention that has changed the face of our world:

Almighty Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you have revealed the beauty of your power by exalting the lowly virgin of Nazareth and making her the mother of our Saviour. May the prayers of this woman bring Jesus to the waiting world and fill the void of incompletion with the presence of her child who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

WORD OF GOD

The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me. (John 12: 8)

 

FIVE OF THE BEST

1.             In the New Testament how many letters did John write?

2.             What did Jesus say were the two greatest commandments?

3.             How many times can you commit original sin?

4.             Which of the gospel writers tells us about the star of Bethlehem?

5.                    Did Jesus have any brothers or sisters?

 

 

 

ALMOST THERE

As Lent progresses, the final preparation period dawns for all who are “pressing on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”  in the great observances of Paschaltide and Easter. We pray that our encounter with Jesus the Christ will enlighten our minds and hearts and encourage us as we continue our life of faith:

Lord, we pray for those who are journeying to you and are preparing for the reality of  Good Friday and Easter. Strengthen their faith and increase their joy. Open their hearts to the fullness of your love. Deepen their understanding of your word. Set their hearts on fire for your kingdom. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life for all.

Amen.

 

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS

Mon: Exod 8: 1–19, Heb 11: 17–31, John 11: 28-44

Tues: Exod 8:20–end, Heb 11:32 – 12:2, Jn 11: 45–end

Wed: Exod 9:1-12, Heb 12: 3–13, Galatians 4: 1-5

Thurs (ANNUNCIATION): Isaiah 7: 10–14, Heb 10: 4-10, Luke 1: 26-38

Fri : Exod 10, Hebrews 13: 1-16, John 12: 20-36a

Sat: Exod 11, Hebrews 13: 17-end, John 12: 36b-end

NEXT SUNDAY (PALM SUNDAY) : S. Luke 19: 28-40;   Isaiah 50: 4–9a,  Philippians 2: 5–11,  S. Luke 22:14 – 23.end