Sunday 17 May (6th Sunday of Easter)
Today we reflect on the promise of the Holy Spirit as God's Advocate
We warmly invite everyone to share in prayer and reflection as we travel through these unusual days.
Here are some resources to assist. They can be used all in one go, bit by bit, or selectively, as suits your needs (privately, or with others).
May God bless us all as we continue to affirm the love of God in the midst of personal, local, and global struggles.
Today we reflect on the promise of the Holy Spirit as God's Advocate
We warmly invite everyone to share in prayer and reflection as we travel through these unusual days.
Here are some resources to assist. They can be used all in one go, bit by bit, or selectively, as suits your needs (privately, or with others).
May God bless us all as we continue to affirm the love of God in the midst of personal, local, and global struggles.
Acknowledgement of Country
Firstly, as we gather in God's presence, we acknowledge the land which is covered by the Milton parish, its traditional custodians, elders past present and emerging, and all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in our communities. May we honour and share more deeply the wisdom of all, and walk in paths of just reconciliation and renewal of all Creation
Firstly, as we gather in God's presence, we acknowledge the land which is covered by the Milton parish, its traditional custodians, elders past present and emerging, and all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in our communities. May we honour and share more deeply the wisdom of all, and walk in paths of just reconciliation and renewal of all Creation
Opening Reflections
Take a moment or two to breathe in God's peace as we open ourselves to new life in Christ.
Rest in the love which conquered death.
As today's Gospel reminds us, in Christ we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Let us seek to receive that grace, opening ourselves to the love of God in this time of worship.
Take a moment or two to breathe in God's peace as we open ourselves to new life in Christ.
Rest in the love which conquered death.
As today's Gospel reminds us, in Christ we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Let us seek to receive that grace, opening ourselves to the love of God in this time of worship.
You may like to join in (after the impressive introit!) and/or listen to, this great traditional hymn
- from the Festival of Worship 2013; Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles; Fred Bock Institute of Music at Fuller Seminary
- from the Festival of Worship 2013; Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles; Fred Bock Institute of Music at Fuller Seminary
Opening to New Life
Perhaps you might like to say this prayer as a blessing, letting go into God's hands all that is hurtful,
or cup the palms of your own hands as you read it and ask for God's blessing to embody resurrection in your own life...
God of Resurrection
on this day we remember
how, as they struggled for faith and hope,
you gave your disciples the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Bless us and open our hearts and minds to your astonishing grace.
May the power of your redeeming love
remind us that you can work your wonders afresh in all situations
Bless and transform us that we too may receive the gifts of your Spirit.
May the sureness of your promises give us assurance
that we may rejoice and sing alleluia even in adversity.
Bless and inspire us in this time. Amen.
(Jo Inkpin)
Prayer of St Francis
listen and/or join in with this version of the beautiful Franciscan song, with words in English and Italian...
listen and/or join in with this version of the beautiful Franciscan song, with words in English and Italian...
A Reading from the Resurrection narratives - in the Gospel of John 14.15-21
Please join in by reading this passage in your own Bible, or online here.
Reflections (by Penny Jones)
Sharing in God's Advocacy
we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to share courage, compassion and contemplation with others...
click here to read more
and/or click on the YouTube link below for Penny's reflection for today...
Sharing in God's Advocacy
we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to share courage, compassion and contemplation with others...
click here to read more
and/or click on the YouTube link below for Penny's reflection for today...
Prayers of Intercession
Thank you, Lord,
that we although we are apart,
we can gather together today with you.
Hear the prayers we offer.
Creator Spirit,
who in the beginning hovered over the waters,
we thank you for the flora, fauna
and all created bodies of our planet
that bring us blessings.
We thank you that Covid-19 has given us the opportunity
to stop long enough to observe and enjoy them.
Help us to be more mindful of our fellow created bodies
and to bless them back in our own ways.
Loving God,
Hear the prayers we offer.
Holy Spirit, Mother of all,
be nearer now to all your children than ever before.
Speak your truth and justice
to all those who perpetrate pain on others’ lives,
and whisper your presence and comfort
to those who suffer at their hands and have no voice.
Loving God,
Hear the prayers we offer.
Spirit of Truth,
we ask you to breathe sweeping change throughout your church.
In trembling and excitement,
we pray for Your truth to be revealed
to all who serve in her and for her,
including us.
Loving God,
Hear the prayers we offer.
Holy leader of the Israelites,
we thank you for all who daily share our lives.
We pray for ourselves, our families and friends,
that we may have learnt enough in this time
the futility of hungering for success and material riches,
and hunger for you instead.
Loving God,
Hear the prayers we offer.
Holy Companion and Comforter,
be ever present for all who are suffering
mentally, physically, and emotionally at this time.
Show us those around us who need our care
and give us courage to work in Your name,
even when we ourselves may be struggling.
Loving God,
Hear the prayers we offer.
Blessed are all those
who have lived, suffered and died in Your name.
May they rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen
(Jeni Nix)
Thank you, Lord,
that we although we are apart,
we can gather together today with you.
Hear the prayers we offer.
Creator Spirit,
who in the beginning hovered over the waters,
we thank you for the flora, fauna
and all created bodies of our planet
that bring us blessings.
We thank you that Covid-19 has given us the opportunity
to stop long enough to observe and enjoy them.
Help us to be more mindful of our fellow created bodies
and to bless them back in our own ways.
Loving God,
Hear the prayers we offer.
Holy Spirit, Mother of all,
be nearer now to all your children than ever before.
Speak your truth and justice
to all those who perpetrate pain on others’ lives,
and whisper your presence and comfort
to those who suffer at their hands and have no voice.
Loving God,
Hear the prayers we offer.
Spirit of Truth,
we ask you to breathe sweeping change throughout your church.
In trembling and excitement,
we pray for Your truth to be revealed
to all who serve in her and for her,
including us.
Loving God,
Hear the prayers we offer.
Holy leader of the Israelites,
we thank you for all who daily share our lives.
We pray for ourselves, our families and friends,
that we may have learnt enough in this time
the futility of hungering for success and material riches,
and hunger for you instead.
Loving God,
Hear the prayers we offer.
Holy Companion and Comforter,
be ever present for all who are suffering
mentally, physically, and emotionally at this time.
Show us those around us who need our care
and give us courage to work in Your name,
even when we ourselves may be struggling.
Loving God,
Hear the prayers we offer.
Blessed are all those
who have lived, suffered and died in Your name.
May they rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen
(Jeni Nix)
The Lord's Prayer
Please use whatever form seems best to you - or check out the NRSV version here
You may like to share in this beautiful modern hymn by Pat Barrett and reflect further on our readings for today...
Please use whatever form seems best to you - or check out the NRSV version here
You may like to share in this beautiful modern hymn by Pat Barrett and reflect further on our readings for today...
Giving Thanks (Eucharist)
The word eucharist means thanksgiving, and when we share bread and wine together as the body and blood of Christ, we use one of the Great Thanksgiving prayers in our authorised prayer book .
(see photo here from our worship in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at St Francis College in Milton).
When we have no opportunity to gather in this way with an ordained priest to lead us, we may still take time to give thanks for God's blessing to us, and especially the gift of love in Jesus Christ.
Perhaps you may like to read one of the Gospel versions of the Last Supper and Jesus' words at this point? - click here for Mark's Gospel chapter 14, 22-25
If you have an Anglican Prayer Book, you can also read one of the authorised prayers.
As you share food today, you may also like to remember God present with us whenever we take bread and wine, or anything else to eat.
Prayers of Commendation
Spirit of Peace
Open our hearts and lives to your renewing joy
Spirit of Truth
Give us insight and humility as advocates of your Love
Spirit of Encouragement
Grant us light and courage for the living of this time
(Jo Inkpin)
Let us ask God to give us grace to continue to live our lives in faith hope and love:
Touched by the light of new dawn
Send us out to dispel the darkness
Helped by your grace to look twice
Send us out to see you in the stranger
Nourished like seeds in rich earth
Send us out to bring life to the world
Rejoicing that death could not hold you
Send us out to bring joy to the sorrowing
Brushed by the wings of angels
Send us out to proclaim the good news.
(Penny Jones)
Spirit of Peace
Open our hearts and lives to your renewing joy
Spirit of Truth
Give us insight and humility as advocates of your Love
Spirit of Encouragement
Grant us light and courage for the living of this time
(Jo Inkpin)
Let us ask God to give us grace to continue to live our lives in faith hope and love:
Touched by the light of new dawn
Send us out to dispel the darkness
Helped by your grace to look twice
Send us out to see you in the stranger
Nourished like seeds in rich earth
Send us out to bring life to the world
Rejoicing that death could not hold you
Send us out to bring joy to the sorrowing
Brushed by the wings of angels
Send us out to proclaim the good news.
(Penny Jones)
A Blessing for this Easter season...
one more song for today...
Offertory
In our usual worship, we include an opportunity to offer monetary and/or other gifts to God.
If you would like to contribute to the work of Milton Anglicans during the COVID-19 crisis, please feel to do so via electronic means -
via BPoint
or by contacting the parish office
In our usual worship, we include an opportunity to offer monetary and/or other gifts to God.
If you would like to contribute to the work of Milton Anglicans during the COVID-19 crisis, please feel to do so via electronic means -
via BPoint
or by contacting the parish office