During the coronavirus outbreak all church activities are suspended until further notice and the churches will remain closed. Please see KSW WorshipLink below.
Welcome to the United Benefice of Kensworth, Studham and Whipsnade
Part of the North Chilterns Group of Parishes
And welcome to our new-look KSW WorshipLink, which replaces the normal pew sheet for the time being.
Please use this as your aid to continuing to be a part of our worshipping community.
March 29th 2020 - Passion Sunday
The Collect
Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
This Week’s Readings
We are not printing these out! We’re hoping that this will encourage you to go and find your bible and look them up... (See below for links to visual representations of these readings for children and others.)
Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:
1-14
New Testament: Romans 8:
6-11
Gospel Reading: John 11: 1-45
Thought for the day – based on the gospel reading, the raising of Lazarus
We are all called out of the tomb, every day. When Jesus calls Lazarus (and it isn’t a decorous little shout - the original Greek means yelled, probably as loudly as he could) what he yells are three words. The first is his name - “Lazarus!” As he was called by name, so we too are all called by name. For God, who knew us in the womb, knows every fibre of our being and yet still loves us deeply. The second is the word “Come” (or “Hither” for those of you who prefer your English slightly older). Come to God, to your Father who has created you, and whose son or daughter you truly are. Come to God and be truly alive and unafraid to reveal your deepest secrets. The third word is “Out”. Come out of the tomb. Don’t stay there festering, in that darkness, with all those guilty memories. Stand up and come out and live, and be prepared to suffer with me and to call others out of their tombs. Because the power of the resurrection not only frees you as an individual, it also frees you to free others. This is the work of Christ - this is what we are called and recalled to do, to serve him in newness of life to the glory of his name. To look at situations which seem to be nothing but hopeless dry bones, and to let the breath of the Spirit breathe through us so that those bones may live, and in their living, glorify God.
Prayer action
If you have a garden and can go out – go and find one tiny beautiful thing, it could even be a blade of grass; if you’re indoors try to do the same with something in your home, and reflect on these words of Mother Julian of Norwich, “And in this he showed me a little thing, the quantity of a hazel nut, lying in the palm of my hand, as it seemed. And it was as round as any ball. I looked upon it with the eye of my understanding, and thought, ‘What may this be?’ And it was answered generally thus, ‘It is all that is made.’ I marvelled how it might last, for I thought it might suddenly have fallen to nothing for littleness. And I was answered in my understanding: It lasts and ever shall, for God loves it. And so have all things their beginning by the love of God.
In this little thing I saw three properties. The first is that God made it. The second that God loves it. And the third, that God keeps it.”
The Lord’s Prayer
A Blessing
Love is God’s word and his way. May we know that we are known and loved and held by God. Amen.
Some resources © Stephen Verney
Here are some visual representations of the Bible readings for children, created by the Diocesan
Children’s
Mission Enabler:
Ezekiel 37: 1-14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE3sk7GJIdA
John 11: 1-45 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz-ub3UlhYI
At https://www.rootsontheweb.com/lectionary/2020/106-march-april-2020-a/lent- 5/familiesathome you will find ideas for family worship together this week.
For families in the current health crisis situation
Growing in faith together
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Keep a regular routine of prayer. Good times to pray together are those times you do something regularly, eating together, going to bed or washing your hands! Or light a candle and pray the same family prayer at the same time every day.
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Read a bible story at bed-time or watch one online with them during the day.
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With the ongoing situation, it can be difficult adjusting to not seeing family and friends in person, however, you can still pray for them together daily. Write them a letter or send them a picture saying that you are thinking and praying for them?
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Choose one of the follow family fun prayer ideas - Bright prayer ideas for families at home!
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Listen to a podcast together. For example, you can click here to listen to Family Prayer Adventure podcasts.
This week we pray in love for:
The life of the villages
Industry, businesses and shops, particularly those affected adversely by the coronavirus crisis Those who commute to work, and those working in the NHS
Those who work from home, especially those whose livelihoods are threatened
The retired, especially those who feel that they have no support
March prayers for...
Kensworth
The Chilterns
Studham
Holywell Road and Holywell Close
Whipsnade
All businesses in the village
This week please remember in your prayers; those in the midst of illness, operations or accidents; amongst whom Hayden Anslow, Lorraine Burger, Fred and Marion Downie, Claire Stoop, Eddie Perry, Pete Travis, John and Helen, Rachel, Hilary, Paul, Philip, Wendy, David, Sue and Richard; and those who have died recently, amongst whom John Ward and Philip Thorne.
Do you have a name or a request for prayer that you wish to have included on this prayer list? Please email Nicola on revnicolalenthall@btinternet.com before Thursday each week.
A prayer for this week:
Dear God our Shield and our Defender, guide and protect my neighbour in this time of health emergency; deliver them from all harm and may your love and care ever grow in this place. Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Readings for next week – Palm Sunday:
Isaiah 50: 4-9a
Palm Gospel – Matthew 21: 1-11
Passion Gospel – Matthew 26: 30 to Matthew 27: 66
Don’t forget to take a look at the Bishop’s Golden Rules at
https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/coronavirus/
And here’s a daily prayer for us all to join in praying
https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer/todays-prayer
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