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Alyn Mission Area St Martin’s, Llay Christ Church, Rossett
& St Paul’s, Isycoed
Praying at Home
Holy Week 2020
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Dear friends,
As many of you will know, we have had to suspend public worship and close our church buildings for at least three weeks. This is a source of sadness for many of us, as our church buildings are a visible sign in our communities of God’s faithfulness and an important place of sanctuary. However, we know that Church is more than just the building; it is you and me, the Body of Christ, and so we will need to learn new ways of loving God and loving one another at a distance over the coming weeks.
This is particularly painful, as we approach the high point of the Church’s year – Holy Week and Easter. However, the Church’s treasures remain available to us – even at a distance – and are still as meaningful as ever. The ancient pattern of the Church’s prayer, including the Eucharist and Morning and Evening Prayer will continue to be offered by the clergy. You are invited to join in with these prayers, using some of the material in this booklet, or just to take comfort in the knowledge that prayers are being said daily for our needs and the needs of the whole world.
The timetable for our prayers every day will be this: 8.30am Morning Prayer 8.45am Holy Eucharist (please note, there is no Eucharist on Good Friday or 12 noon The Lord’s Prayer Holy Saturday and the Eucharist on Maundy 4.30pm Evening Prayer Thursday is at 6pm)
When we pray from home, we are uniting our prayers with those of our brothers and sisters from around the world who face similar challenges. Indeed, going beyond that, it is an opportunity to deepen our prayer lives and draw closer to God, especially in this holy period. The rich symbolism of this period of the Church’s year provide ample scope for us all to reflect on our lives, and to give thanks to God for all he has done for us.
Please don’t hesitate to be in touch with us by ‘phone or email, if you would like to talk to us or send us any prayer requests you may have.
With the assurance of our prayers, Fr Huw and Fr Dominic
The Rev’d Huw Butler (Vicar) Phone: 01978 854755 [email protected]
The Rev’d Dominic Cawdell OGS (Curate) Phone: 01978 852729 [email protected]
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Simple Morning Prayers
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, For the living God. (from Psalm 42)
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.
You might like, at this point to read a short passage of scripture and spend some time thinking about what God is saying to you through this passage.
You could read from the Gospel of the day, and you’ll find the references printed in this booklet, or one of these readings:
Palm Sunday | Philippians 2.5-11 Monday | Isaiah 42.1-9
Tuesday | 1 Corinthians 1.18-31 Wednesday | Hebrews 12.1-3
Maundy Thursday | 1 Corinthians 11.23-26 Good Friday | Lamentations 5.15-end
Holy Saturday | Job 14.1-14 Easter Sunday | Colossians 3.1-4
Intercessions A time of prayer where you can pray for all those who are affected by the current situation. Pray for the world; for the Church; for our country and Government; for our doctors, nurses and emergency services; for your family, loved ones and friends; for those who are lonely or anxious; for the sick and dying; for the departed; and do not forget to pray for yourself and your own needs and concerns.
Finish your intercessions by saying the Lord’s Prayer.
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Almighty God, as we stand at the foot of the cross of your Son, help us to see and know your love for us, so that in humility, love and joy we may place at his feet all that we have and all that we are; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
May Christ, who bore our sins on the cross, set us free to serve him with joy. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Spiritual Communion
This could be used at 8.45am each day, when the clergy will be offering the Holy Eucharist. You could begin by reading the Collect for the day and the Gospel reading for the day, followed by your own prayers and the Lord’s Prayer,
and then use this prayer for spiritual communion:
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the bread of life and the one true vine.
I believe that you are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.
I seek you. I worship and adore you. Since I cannot receive you
in the eucharistic bread and wine, I pray that you will come into my heart and soul,
that I may be united to you, by your all-powerful and ever-present Holy Spirit.
Let me receive you, and be nourished by you. Become for me the manna in my wilderness,
the bread of angels for my very human journey through time,
a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, and solace in the hour of my death.
I pray all this, trusting that you yourself are our Life, our Peace, and our everlasting Joy. Amen.
On Easter Sunday, we are also encouraging people to light a candle as a sign of hope and of God’s presence with us as we pray.
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Simple Evening Prayers
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. (from Psalm 141)
As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise. Amen.
You might like, at this point to read a short passage from the Bible (perhaps reading a short section of Matthew’s account of the Passion, which you can find in your Bible (Matthew 27.11-54)) and then spend some time thinking about what God is saying to you through this passage.
Intercessions A time of prayer where you can pray for all those on your heart at this time, you may want to use these short prayers:
That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful: we pray to you, O Lord. That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and goodwill: we pray to you, O Lord. That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offences: we pray to you, O Lord. That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world: we pray to you, O Lord. That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Peter, St Paul, and all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ: we pray to you, O Lord.
Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God.
A time of silence may be kept to offer your own prayers and concerns to the Father.
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Standing at the foot of the cross, as our Saviour taught us, so we pray Our Father, who art in heaven…
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 our Lord. Amen.
May God bless us, that in us may be found love and humility, obedience and thanksgiving, discipline, gentleness and peace. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Palm Sunday The Collect Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; 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 for ever. Amen. The Gospel Reading for the day is John 12.12-16
Monday of Holy Week The Collect is the same as Palm Sunday for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week (on page 6). The Gospel Reading for the day is John 12.1-11
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Tuesday of Holy Week The Gospel Reading for the day is John 12.20-36
Wednesday of Holy Week
The Gospel Reading for the day is John 13.21-32
Maundy Thursday The Collect God our Father, you have invited us to share in the supper which your Son gave to his Church to proclaim his death until he comes: may he nourish us by his presence, and unite us in his love; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Gospel Reading for the day is John 13.1-17, 31-35
A Sonnet for Maundy Thursday from Malcolm Guite Here is the source of every sacrament,
The all-transforming presence of the Lord, Replenishing our every element
Remaking us in his creative Word. For here the earth herself gives bread and wine,
The air delights to bear his Spirit’s speech, The fire dances where the candles shine,
The waters cleanse us with His gentle touch. And here He shows the full extent of love
To us whose love is always incomplete, In vain we search the heavens high above, The God of love is kneeling at our feet.
Though we betray Him, though it is the night. He meets us here and loves us into light.
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Good Friday The Collect Almighty Father, look with mercy on this your family for which our Lord Jesus Christ was content to be betrayed and given up into the hands of sinners and to suffer death upon the cross; who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Gospel Reading for the day is John 18 and 19
You may also find this meditation on the ‘Seven Last Words of Jesus’ helpful, as you reflect on Christ’s saving death on this holy day. For each of the seven last
words, there is an opening prayer, a bible reading and an opportunity for reflection, including some questions to guide you.
The First Word: ‘Father, forgive them’
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’
Silence is kept for reflection. Some questions for reflection: Do you really believe God has forgiven your sins? Do you take time on a regular basis to confess your sins so that you might enjoy the freedom of forgiveness? Do you need to experience God’s forgiveness in a fresh way today?
By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
The Second Word: ‘Today, you will be with me in paradise’
The noble tree of the cross. Stands in the midst of paradise.
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him,
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saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
Silence is kept for reflection. Some questions for reflection: Have you staked your life on Jesus? Have you put your ultimate trust in him? Do you know that, when your time comes, you will be with him in paradise?
By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
The Third Word: ‘Woman, here is your Son’
Sweet wood, sweet nails, bearing so sweet a load. Save us, who sing your praises.
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
Silence is kept for reflection. Some questions for reflection: What does Mary’s presence at the cross evoke in you? Why do you think was it necessary for Jesus to suffer physical pain as he died?
By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
The Fourth Word: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’
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Silence is kept for reflection. Some questions for reflection: Have you taken time to consider that Jesus was abandoned by the Father so that you might not be? What does this “word” from the cross mean to you? By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
The Fifth Word: ‘I am thirsty’
The sign of the Cross will appear in heaven. When the Lord Jesus returns in glory.
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.
Silence is kept for reflection. Some questions for reflection: How do you respond to Jesus’ statement “I am thirsty”? What does this statement suggest to you about Jesus? About yourself?
By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
The Sixth Word: ‘It is finished’
You reign from the noble tree of the Cross. Establish the reign of God in our hearts.
When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Silence is kept for reflection. Some questions for reflection: Do you live as if Jesus finished the work of salvation? To you have confidence that God will finish that which he has begun in you?
By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
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The Seventh Word: ‘Into your hands, I commend my spirit’
We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise you for your mighty resurrection; for by virtue of your cross joy has come into our world.
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. Silence is kept for reflection. Some questions for reflection: Have you put your life and, indeed, your life beyond this life, in God’s hands? How do you experience God’s salvation through Christ in your life today? By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
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Holy Saturday The Collect Grant, Lord, that we who are baptized into the death of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ may continually put to death our evil desires and be buried with him; and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass to our joyful resurrection; through his merits, who died and was buried and rose again for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Gospel Reading for the day is John 19.38-end of the chapter
Easter Sunday The Collect Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity. Amen.
The Gospel Reading for the day is Matthew 28.1-10
An Easter Message On the first Easter morning, Mary Magdalene went to Jesus’ tomb and discovered that it was empty. Jesus then appeared to his friends, still bearing the scars of the cross, and said, ‘peace be with you!’ He gave the gift of peace; a peace that isn’t a human invention but which flows straight from the heart of God. Even today, Jesus is alive and offers to his followers that same gift of peace. On Good Friday, Jesus sank to the very depths of what it is to be human – he experienced grief, hatred, pain and death – but now he stands among us and declares that hatred and grief and death can never have the final word. He has won the victory; love has triumphed, Christ is risen, and he offers the gift of peace to all who follow him.
