14th September: Trinity 13 (Holy Cross Day)
online Morning Prayer from St.Mary’s.
Philippians 2:6-11
Writing to the Philippians, Paul quotes the words of a hymn which was well known to the Christians in Philippi. The cross had become the sign of Jesus’s victory over death.
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. and being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
John 3:13-17
Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.’
Something to think about
While talking with the Pharisee Nicodemus, Jesus reminded him of the incident in the wilderness when Moses made a bronze serpent and set it up, so that those who looked at it would be cured from its bite (Numbers 21:8-9). The lifting up of Jesus on the cross was to be the sign of a new deliverance based on love.
Collect
Father, by the obedience of Jesus
you brought salvation to our weary world:
draw us into harmony with your will,
that we may find our world restored in him,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Post Communion
God our creator, you feed your children
with the true manna, the living bread from heaven:
let this holy food sustain us through our earthly pilgrimage
until we come to that place where hunger and thirst are no more;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Next Sunday’s (21st) Readings:
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Matthew 9:9:-13
Please remember in your prayers this week:
Those who are unable to be with us in church, including Linda Torr and Arthur Williams.
Those who are ill, especially Graham Price.
The recently bereaved, especially the family and friends of Anne Brown, Patricia Jones, Gloria Bates, Nicholas Flux and Rita Mawbey.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches, and Dwayne Engh, our new priest-in-charge.
Our Ministry Team: Maggie, Nigel & Lynda and her support: Simon.