Worcester Diocese Podcast

Easter 3 A sermon podcast for the third Sunday of Easter on 14 April 2024 from Jon Evans, Vicar of St Michael and All Angels in Norton, Stourport

Collect

Almighty Father who, in your great mercy, gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord; give us such knowledge of His presence with us that we might be strengthened and sustained by His risen life, and serve you continually in righteousness and truth: through the merits of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Parish Prayers

Please pray _ • for peace and reconciliation, with respect and dignity • Kim Topham and Rosie Moss - co-Deans of Self-Supporting Ordained Ministers • for those who are unwell - Peter, Fiona, Mel, Steve, Helen & Robert, Toni and Linda • for those who have died - Charles & Keith • for their families and friends • for those living in Rumbow Lane, Clent & Prince Mews, Hagley. Amen Readings for Sunday 14 April * Acts 3.12-19 * Psalm 4 * 1 John.3.1-7 * Luke 24.36-48 *

Diocesan Prayers

Mon 15 Transformation Support Hub Pray for the work of the diocesan Transformation Support Hub, which is funded by the national church to help our churches to grow in health and sustainability. For Damian Herbert, Nikki Groarke, Claire Ashworth, Simon Hills, Ellie Jones, and Jim Grevatte. Tue 16 Kidderminster West Give thanks for St John’s, Holy Innocents and St Peter’s churches and for all that we are able to achieve together, both inside and outside of our buildings; for our work with children and young people, care homes, congregations and visitors. Clergy: Tim Williams, Laura Betson, Alex Vaccaro, Chris Betson Wed 17 The Protestant Church of Central Germany (EKM) We pray for the upcoming ordination in Magdeburg, where new pastors receive a blessing for their ministry. We will also welcome guests from Worcester and Lapua and rejoice in the bond between our churches. Thu 18 Kidderminster West Pray for our churches as we work as a new team with St Mary, Holy Trinity and St Barnabas; for those things that will be difficult and for new beginnings and opportunities. Clergy; Tim Williams, Laura Betson, Alex Vaccaro, Chris Betson Fri 19 Diocesan Director of Ordinands Pray for John Fitzmaurice in his role as DDO, as he supports those exploring and training for ordained ministry. Also pray for the Assistant DDOs who help him in this work: Adam Hadley, Diane Cooksey, Doug Chaplin, Kalantha Brewis, Katryn Leclezio, Sarah Carwardine. Sat 20 Growing as Kingdom People Pray for all those who lead worship in our churches, that they will feel inspired and inspire others through their preaching and teaching. That all will grow in their discipleship. Amen This prayer diary begins on Easter Day. We are the Easter people whose song is alleluia, and who are to be filled with the new life which Jesus comes to bring. Crucial to that new life is joy. Joy is the hallmark of the resurrection and the life of the early Christians. After Jesus’ resurrection Luke tells us that ‘they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.’ In Acts 15.22 we read that the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Paul tells the Romans that the Kingdom of heaven is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit and prays that they may be filled with all joy and hope in believing. As Dostoevsky writes in the Brothers Karamazov: ‘Ah yes. I was missing that, and I don’t want to miss it. I love that passage: it’s Cana of Galilee, the first miracle. Ah that miracle! It was not men’s grief but their joy Christ visited. He worked His first miracle to help men’s gladness.’ Jesus comes to bring us life in all its fulness, a life of joy. Our prayer might be not only that we should experience that more fully for ourselves but all might do so. So, we pray for the Church in its mission to spread Kingdom joy and for all those in need, those whose lives are still racked with the marks of Christ’s passion to find abundance of life and joy. Then will the kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Bishop + John