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Visit the church web site at www.ststephensw12.org. You can read all the latest news about the parish. You can also read the sermons which are posted each week
Please pray for Rowlette Edwards and her family. Her husband George died last week and the funeral is due to be held this Thursday at 1pm.
We had the annual parish church meeting last week. I felt quietly reassured that we are continuing to develop a two-fold vision for the church. This is for us to be a church ‘in and for the local community as well as somewhere that parents feel comfortable bringing their children. An important part of this vision will be the Parish Residential being organised for September 7th. The idea is for us to spend one night away so that we can get to know each other better. The cost is £50 and there are already only 39 places left. Do book up before we get sold out.
I need people to put themselves forward and to take ownership of our church enterprise. We need
- Someone to work with Marjorie as Church Warden
- Help for the small skeleton of people who arrange the week-by-week running of the church services.
- Everyone (who is able) to give by standing order rather than through the church collection plate on Sundays
I am full of hope! Queens Park Rangers have avoided relegation and so you never know! Anything could happen
Processional Hymn
Collect of the Day
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
First Reading Acts 9.36-43 (p.869)
36In Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ 39So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Gradual Hymn
GOSPEL John 10.1-18
1"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go
out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
INTERCESSIONS
Please pray for
- The sick and suffering: especially Felix Okike, Lucilda Bernard, Joan Andrew, Elizabeth Dorsett, Clive Heywood, Ron & Ivy Smith, Susie Leach, Norbert Edwards, Brother Paul Anthony, Sylvia Steed, John Asbridge, Caroline Nevill, Ruth and Tracey Davies, Esmay Young, Roger Cox.
Offertory Hymn
Communion Hymn
Post Communion Prayer
Merciful Father, you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd, and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again: keep us always under his protection, and give us grace to follow in his steps; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Recessional Hymn
Coffee in church after the service
Invitation to Confession (Easter Day until Eve of Ascension) © 1988 Continuum (Mowbray) (Adapted). Some material included in this service is copyright: © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA. Post Communion (4th of Easter) © 1995 General Synod of the Church of Ireland. Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops' Council 2000
NOTICES
THIS WEEK:
| Tues 1st |
6.30-8.30pm |
Bush City Youth Academy, 11-19 years, St Stephens |
| Thurs 3rd |
6.30 pm |
Christian Meditation Group, St Stephen’s |
| Fri 4th |
7.30-8.30 pm |
Youth - Connecting with God, Glebe House |
THIS MONTH
Thursday 17 May – 7.30 pm – Confirmation Service at St Stephen’s
NEXT SUNDAY: 6 May 2007 Fifth Sunday of Easter
10 am SUNG EUCHARIST
Celebrant and Preacher – The Reverend Dr Bob Mayo
Acts 11.1-18 (p 872), John 13.31-35 (p 876)
DIARY DATES
Friday/Saturday 7/8 September – Parish Residential Event – Felbury Centre, Dorking. Please see Barry or Liz Clarke, or visit the church web site, for further information.
NOTICES
THIS WEEK:
| Tues |
6.30-8.30pm |
Bush City Youth Academy, 11-19 years, St Stephens |
| Thurs |
6.30 pm |
Christian Meditation Group, St Stephen’s |
| Fri |
7.30-8.30 pm |
Youth - Connecting with God, Glebe House |
Sunday
School meets in St Stephen's School
Sunday Youth meets in the Glebe Maisonette
Small Children are welcome to play in St Thomas's Chapel,
near the porch
Baptised Communicants of other Churches are encouraged to
receive communion
Children and other non-communicants are invited to come to
the altar for a blessing
The Ministry of Healing is offered in the Chapel, after Communion
is given
Home Communion – Available to any unable to come on a Sunday. Talk to Father Bob (8743 3166) if you or anyone else might be interested.
Any enquiries about pastoral concerns, baptisms, weddings or funerals please get in touch with Father Bob Mayo, the vicar. The only time that Bob will be unavailable is between Friday pm and Sunday am.
Visit the church web site at www.ststephensw12.org
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The
Church of St Stephen & St Thomas
