ST PETER-IN-THE-FOREST, WALTHAMSTOW - COVID-19 ADJUSTMENTS - UPDATE #3

This is UPDATE #3 (26/03/2020) regarding our response across the Parish of St Peter-in-the-Forest, Walthamstow, to the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

Our aim in issuing these updates is to reassure parishioners that we are taking every step to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our parishioners and neighbours.

We continue to follow the advice given by the Church of England nationally, and also locally from the Diocese of Chelmsford, and also from HM Government and the NHS/Public Health England.

These updates will be issued as necessary.

Worship

In light of the Government guidance around non-essential contact, the Bishop of Chelmsford, in partnership with Bishops in other Dioceses, has directed that as of 6pm on Sunday 22 March 2020

ALL CHURCHES (BUILDINGS) ARE NOW CLOSED

 in Chelmsford Diocese until further notice.

Following the Prime Minister’s directing of a national LOCKDOWN, Marriages and Baptisms are suspended; Funerals may continue but with different arrangements being put in place. Please contact the Parish Office via email (spitfE17@gmail.com) or the Vicar on 07871584997 for more information.

Morning Prayer is being livestreamed by the Vicar, on our Facebook Page, each day (Monday through Saturday), 9.30am. 

Evening Prayer and Night Prayer are also being offered most evenings, courtesy of Bernard Eaton (LLM) and Sally Holman (LLM-in-formation)

Sunday Parish Eucharist is being livestreamed at 10.00am, each Sunday whilst these social restrictions obtain.

Please visit us on https://www.facebook.com/pg/StPeterE17/

If you cannot join the prayers live, they can be viewed from the archive.

All are welcome. All the time…

Prayer

All parishioners are encouraged to use the prayer resources of the Church of England each day:

https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer

Or

https://mcusercontent.com/78851aef2debe2f86a6e0ab83/files/516eefc6-6251-49f1-80e8-8e7b7b7389e4/Family_prayers_for_use_at_home.pdf

Information about Spiritual Communion may be found here:

https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/Guidance%20on%20Spiritual%20Communion%20and%20Coronavirus.pdf

Or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHzNcqa2C8g

Ministries and Activities

All of our different ministries, activities, and classes are also suspended with immediate effect, until further notice.

The Parish Office

The Parish Office is now closed but email messages will continue to be picked up until further notice. There may be a delay in responding to telephone messages. The Parish office email address is spitfE17@gmail.com

The Vicar can be reached more directly at vicar@stpeterintheforest.org

Pastoral Care

Various folk are making themselves available to help support those who are ill or self -isolating in appropriate ways. Please do contact the Parish Office or the Vicar if you would like support or help.

Please also contact the Parish Office if you would like to be put in touch with a member of our congregations and do not have their contact details. We may be able to contact them on your behalf and gain their consent to share their contact details.

For Last Rites, ministry around the time of death, and any guidance on drawing up funeral plans, please contact the Vicar in the first instance on 07871584997 or vicar@stpeterintheforest.org.  The Vicar is also able to keep any funeral plans securely on file in the Parish Office.

Death is a natural part of life and it is good for all of us to think about this and to plan for it.  Surviving relatives can also be enormously grateful for any plans that their lost loved ones have already kindly put in place.

Governance

The Ministry team have put together a Contingency Plan for the Parish which has now been approved by the PCC Standing Committee, so that we know who is responsible for each part of parish life and who takes over in the event of illness. This plan is made up of a detailed document that covers the areas of infrastructure, communication, worship, pastoral care, community activity and finance. The Standing Committee and PCC is continuing to operate effectively with decisions being taken electronically and meetings taking place online.

Peterhouse Centre

The Centre is now wholly closed, except in exceptional circumstances (as it may obtain to the care of key workers and their families, or in matters concerning major emergency contingency).

Community Information

Please remember to check on the wellbeing of your neighbours, and any people who are particularly vulnerable at this time and please help us to do the same.

Financial Information

The Parish has recently taken steps to minimise all but necessary expenditure while our services and regular activities are not running. However, we do have significant fixed expenses to cover and if you would like to support the Parish at this time, we are grateful to accept donations to help us meet our financial obligations.

Donations can be made by one-off bank transfers, or by setting up a standing order.

The parish’s current account details are as follows:

Name of Bank: The Co-operative Bank

Address of Bank: PO Box 250, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT

Account Name: PCC of St Peter in the Forest Walthamstow

Sort Code: 08-92-99

Account Number: 65621822

APCM and Electoral Roll Revision

More information will be shared as soon as it has been received from the Diocese.

Communications

We will communicate to parishioners via these bulletins, through social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Facebook), through the Vicar’s Blog (http://e17churchintheforest.blogspot.com/) and through paper notices on our church doors and noticeboards.

We are also working, at speed, to create and launch a new parish website.  We will inform you when this is live and operational…

More information

The Standing Committee and the PCC of St Peter-in-the-Forest will respond quickly and decisively to this rapidly changing situation.

We are very blessed in having such strong support from our dedicated Staff Team, Volunteers, Church Wardens, PCC and Congregations.

Fr Paul Trathen, Vicar, St Peter-in-the-Forest, Walthamstow

26^th March 2020

  

Prayer

A prayer about the Coronavirus outbreak:

Keep us, good Lord,

under the shadow of your mercy

in this time of uncertainty and distress.

Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,

and lift up all who are brought low;

that we may rejoice in your comfort

knowing that nothing can separate us from your love

in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

For those in isolation:

God of compassion,

be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.

In their loneliness, be their consolation;

in their anxiety, be their hope;

in their darkness, be their light;

through him who suffered alone on the cross,

but reigns with you in glory,

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For those who are ill:

Merciful God,

we entrust to your unfailing and tender care,

those who are ill or in pain,

knowing that whenever danger threatens

your everlasting arms are there to hold us safe.

Comfort and heal them,

and restore them to health and strength;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For hospital staff and medical researchers:

Gracious God,

give skill, sympathy and resilience

to all who are caring for the sick,

and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.

Strengthen them with your Spirit,

that through their work many will be restored to health;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for when you can’t get to church:

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, ‘I am with you always’.

Be with me today, as I offer myself to you.

Hear my prayers for others and for myself,

and keep me in your care.

Amen.

A prayer for the World:

God of love and hope,

You made the world and care for all creation.

But the world feels strange right now.

The news is full of stories about Coronavirus.

Many people are anxious because of it.

Many people are anxious that they might get ill.

Many people are anxious about their family and friends.

Be with them in their worries and help them to find some peace.

We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists who are working to discover the right medicines to give hope to those who are ill.

Thank you that even in these strange and worrying times, you are with us.

Help us to look for the signs of your goodness and love towards us. Amen.

ST PETER-IN-THE-FOREST, WALTHAMSTOW - COVID-19 ADJUSTMENTS - UPDATE #2

In the midst of a fast-moving situation, and evolving guidance from both Government and Church authorities, we can now bring you our UPDATE #2...

This morning (Wednesday 18 March), at 9.30am, we made our first ever live-stream of video of Morning Prayer being offered in our Peter Chapel.
You can watch the archived video on our Facebook Page, or here...



WE WILL BE LIVE-STREAMING MORNING PRAYER AT 9.30AM EACH AND EVERY MORNING (SAVE FOR SUNDAY*)...do please make 'tuning in' part of your spiritual diet during these coming days and weeks...you are all most welcome...

...IF YOU WISH TO FOLLOW THE CONTENT OF EACH SERVICE, YOU CAN FOLLOW THE WORDS OF THE SERVICE FROM THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND WEBSITE

...ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN HAVE EACH DAY'S SERVICE DELIVERED DIRECT TO YOUR MOBILE DEVICE, FOLLOWING OBTAINING THE DAILY PRAYER APP

ST PETER-IN-THE-FOREST, WALTHAMSTOW - COVID-19 ADJUSTMENTS - UPDATE #1

This is update #1 (17/03/20) regarding our response across the Parish of St Peter-in-the-Forest, Walthamstow, to the COVID-19 virus. Please check our Facebook and Twitter accounts @StPeterE17, and on our ‘St Peter-in-the-Forest E17’ YouTube channel, for latest updates, and for online ministry, going forward.



Our aim in issuing these updates is to reassure parishioners, stakeholders and the wider community that we are taking every step to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all of our neighbours.

We continue to follow the advice given by the Church of England nationally, and also locally from the Diocese of Chelmsford, and also from HM Government and Public Health England.

These updates will be issued as necessary with an update being issued at least weekly, on Mondays, until further notice.



Services / Ministries:


Until further notice, the regular Sunday Parish Eucharist will be suspended.  Similarly, all other gatherings for parish worship, prayer or study on our premises.

Subject to the availability of a minister, some ‘online ministry’ will be filmed (or audio-recorded)from our Peter Chapel or private homes, and made available through the internet.

Decisions about the shape of our shared worship and devotions during Holy Week and Easter will be made soon and will be updated here.



Peterhouse Church & Community Centre:


The Centre remains open for use, within the restrictions advised by HM Government.  Regular partners’ use of the building is, however, expected to follow that guidance, for the common good.

Small gatherings of people will continue to be permissible at the Centre, at the discretion of the Vicar and Parish Officer. Larger gatherings of people, in so far as they are directly administered by the Vicar and PCC - hall-based activities, such as private parties, for instance - will be suspended from the weekend commencing 21 March 2020, and until such time as official guidance advises their safe resumption.

We will continue to clean the Centre thoroughly and regularly, including raised levels of disinfection of surfaces upon which hands may be placed.

Public health notices are placed around the building, and all users are asked to abide by the best hygiene practice identified there.



Pastoral Care:


We remain deeply committed to caring for our community at this time of heightened anxiety and uncertainty, especially for the elderly, the isolated and the vulnerable.

We have a Pastoral Care Team who are willing and able to contact parishioners by telephone. To receive help in this way, please get in touch with us via the parish office (on 02085091811 (parish office) or 07871584997 (the Vicar's direct mobile phone) or via email on spitfe17@gmail.com)

Please note: we have been advised to be very careful as regards visiting in person to ensure that we do not spread the virus to people who might already be vulnerable.



Community Information:


Please do remember to check on the wellbeing of your neighbours and any people who are particularly vulnerable at this time, and please help us to do the same.



Financial Information:


We are encouraging all in our community to keep on giving at this time, as our parish income is already down yet our outgoings remain highly static.



Communications:


We will communicate to parishioners via our weekly parish social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) throughout the week, and through paper notices on our church doors and noticeboards.
We will communicate to major stakeholders in our Peterhouse Centre through our information management system, ChurchDesk - please check for notifications, regularly.



More information:


The Standing Committee and PCC of the parish will respond quickly and decisively to this rapidly changing situation.

You can find out more from the Government website, here.

And from the Church of England’s site,here.

In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to be in contact if you require further information.



Many thanks.  Go well,



Fr Paul Trathen
Vicar, St Peter-in-the-Forest, Walthamstow







Prayer:


Most importantly we, as people of faith, are called to pray for those who are ill and those who care for them; for those whose lives and livelihoods are affected, and for those whose work is to look for solutions, vaccines, and a way through this situation.

We are also called to have hope in the God who loves us, and not to live fearfully or selfishly.

Please pray fervently with us as we seek to serve and love our community, and one another, with wisdom, kindness and care.

A prayer about the Coronavirus outbreak:

Keep us, good Lord,

under the shadow of your mercy

in this time of uncertainty and distress.

Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,

and lift up all who are brought low;

that we may rejoice in your comfort

knowing that nothing can separate us from your love

in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

For those in isolation:

God of compassion,

be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.

In their loneliness, be their consolation;

in their anxiety, be their hope;

in their darkness, be their light;

through him who suffered alone on the cross,

but reigns with you in glory,

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For those who are ill:

Merciful God,

we entrust to your unfailing and tender care,

those who are ill or in pain,

knowing that whenever danger threatens

your everlasting arms are there to hold us safe.

Comfort and heal them,

and restore them to health and strength;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For hospital staff and medical researchers:

Gracious God,

give skill, sympathy and resilience

to all who are caring for the sick,

and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.

Strengthen them with your Spirit,

that through their work many will be restored to health;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for when you can’t get to church:

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, ‘I am with you always’.

Be with me today, as I offer myself to you.

Hear my prayers for others and for myself,

and keep me in your care.  Amen.

A prayer for the World:

God of love and hope,

You made the world and care for all creation.

But the world feels strange right now.

The news is full of stories about Coronavirus.

Many people are anxious because of it.

Many people are anxious that they might get ill.

Many people are anxious about their family and friends.

Be with them in their worries and help them to find some peace.

We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists who are working to discover the right medicines to give hope to those who are ill.

Thank you that even in these strange and worrying times, you are with us.

Help us to look for the signs of your goodness and love towards us. Amen.

Pastoral note - Coronavirus and public worship

Dear sisters and brothers,

Our thoughts and prayers are, at present, with those affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China and around the world.  We pray for those who care for the sick, for those who are combatting the spread of the virus and for those who are worried about friends and loved ones.

As the threat of the spread of coronavirus remains a very serious concern for public health, the bishops of the Church of England have now issued directions to churches regarding the part that we can play in ensuring that we do not worsen this worrying situation.

Until further notice, therefore, we - at St Peter-in-the-Forest, Walthamstow - will exercise the following restrictions and provisions during times of public worship:

-priests,  servers and Eucharistic assistants will wash their hands and use alcohol-based hand-sanitiser before Holy Communion;

- alcohol-based hand-sanitiser will be available at the rear of our worship space, and all parishioners will be encouraged to make use of it, both upon arrival at worship service, and again prior to receiving Holy Communion;

- parishioners with coughs and sneezes will be encouraged to receive Communion in one kind only and to refrain from handshaking during The Peace;

-the  practice of ‘intinction’ – when the consecrated bread is dipped into the wine - will henceforth be prohibited, as this could represent an infection transmission route.

I trust that all will understand the need for these cautious practices, as acts of kindness and consideration.

Many thanks. Go well,

Fr Paul

‘Remembering’...a sermon

This is the sermon preached by the Vicar on our recent Remembrance Sunday church service...

Walking in the footsteps of Jesus - a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 15-23 February 2020

Walking in the footsteps of Jesus - a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 15-23 February 2020


 We are delighted to be able to be part of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in February 2020.  The pilgrimage will be led by our own Vicar, Fr Paul Trathen, and by another experienced parish priest.

First come, first served!  Do please be in touch with the Vicar, or the Parish Office, as soon as you are able, if you wish to learn more and consider being part of this exciting opportunity...

Click on the link, above, to view the full brochure details...

Annual Report & Accounts for St Peter-in-the-Forest (2018)

Dear friends, near and far,

2018 was a remarkable year in the life of our parish - so many blessings, and just a few challenges!

Our Annual Report & Accounts is now published, ahead of our Annual Parochial Church Council (APCM), which takes place on Sunday 28 April 2019, 12.00pm, in the Hall at our Peterhouse Church & Community Centre.

You can read the Annual Report, here...

Easter & Holy Week Worship 2019

The Baptism of Christ

We renewed our Baptismal vows this morning, as we celebrated the Baptism of Christ.
The Vicar’s sermon can be listened to again, here.

Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts (for the year 2019)

Dear brothers and sisters,
the glory of the Lord has shone upon us,
and shall ever be manifest among us,
until the day of his return.

Through the rhythms of times and seasons
let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation.

Let us recall the year's culmination,
the Easter Triduum of the Lord:
his last supper, his crucifixion, his burial,
and his rising celebrated
between the evening of the Eighteenth day of April
and the night of the Twentieth day of April,
Easter Sunday being on the Twenty-First day of April.

Each Easter - as on each Sunday -
the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed
by which Christ has for ever conquered sin and death.
From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy.

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent,
will occur on the Sixth day of March.

The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on
Thursday, the Thirtieth day of May.

Pentecost, joyful conclusion of the season of Easter,
will be celebrated on the Ninth day of June.

And, this year the First Sunday of Advent will be
on the First day of December.

Likewise the pilgrim Church proclaims the passover of Christ
in the feasts of the holy Mother of God,
in the feasts of the Apostles and Saints, including our own Patron, Peter,
and in the commemoration of the faithful departed.

To Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come,
Lord of time and history,
be endless praise, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Advent begins...this Sunday

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Liturgical colour: PURPLE

2^ND December 2018

Parish Mass

  

Presiding & preaching is Mthr Sue Diplock

Cleaners: Debbie Carson & George Marshall

Refreshments: Debbie Carson & George Marshall

Eucharistic Assistants: Peter Shrubsole & Debbie Carson

Rocks Leaders: Emily Morrell & Helper

Servers: Ruth Williams & Mary Eveleigh

Welcomers: Debbie Carson & George Marshall

Before the service starts we sing (as we remain seated):

Awake, my soul, and with the sun thy daily stage of duty run;

Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise to pay thy morning sacrifice.

¶      The Gathering

We stand to sing the following hymn, during which the procession of ministers enters

Introit Hymn:        98  Come, thou long expected Jesus

The President greets the people, saying

In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
All   Amen.

The Lord be with you
All   and also with you.

Words of welcome or introduction may be said

The Deacon invites the people to prepare their hearts and then to call to mind their sins

We pray together in faith

All   Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
The first commandment is this:
‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength.’

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

After a short silence, all sing

Lord, have mercy;

Christ, have mercy;

Lord, have mercy.

When the Lord comes,

he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness,

and will disclose the purposes of the heart.

Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.

cf 1 Corinthians 4.5

After a short silence, all say

 Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

we have sinned against you

and against our neighbour

in thought and word and deed,

through negligence, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We are truly sorry

and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

who died for us,

forgive us all that is past

and grant that we may serve you in newness of life

to the glory of your name.  Amen.

Almighty God,

who forgives all who truly repent,

have mercy upon you,

pardon and deliver you from all your sins,

confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,

and keep you in life eternal;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The President introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’

The Collect is said by President and people, together

Almighty God,

as your kingdom dawns,

turn us from the darkness of sin to the

light of holiness,

that we may be ready to meet you

in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

¶      The Liturgy of the Word

The President and the people sit to hear Holy Scripture read

Old Testament Reading – Jeremiah 33:14-16 (read by Peter Shrubsole)

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

At the end the reader says

This is the word of the Lord.
All   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading – 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (read by Anita Doherty)

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

At the end the reader says

This is the word of the Lord.
All   Thanks be to  God.

We stand to sing God’s praise as we reflect on the readings and prepare to hear the Gospel

Gradual Hymn:     358 O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL

We remain standing.  The Gospel Book is brought into the centre of the church by the Gospeller.  We turn to face it

When the Gospel is announced the Gospeller says or sings

Alleluia, alleluia.

Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,

and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

cf Isaiah 40.3–5

Alleluia.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
All sing   Glory to you, O Lord.

Gospel Reading – Luke 21:25-36

‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’

At the end the Gospeller says or sings

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All sing   Praise to you, O Christ.

We all sit when invited to do so by the Preacher of the Sermon

Sermon – by Mthr Sue Diplock

Following the Sermon, we hold a pause for reflection and then the President says

Let us declare our faith in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We stand to affirm our common faith in the words of the Creed

We say together in faith

All   We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is,

seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,

was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary

and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

Prayers of Intercession – lead by Sally Holman

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy
All   hear our prayer.

And at the end

Merciful Father,
All   accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

¶  The Liturgy of the Sacrament

We stand, as the President bids us peace

In the tender mercy of our God,

the dayspring from on high shall break upon us,

to give light to those who dwell in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

cf Luke 1.78,79

The peace of the Lord be always with you
All   and also with you.

The Deacon invites us to share a sign of peace with others

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

All exchange a sign of peace with their neighbours

Preparation of the Table

Taking of the Bread and Wine

Bread and wine are brought to the altar, symbols of God’s creation; and a collection is taken up, in order that the gifts of the people can also be presented, symbolising the offering of our whole life to God.

During this time, the following hymn is sung

Offertory Hymn:  209 HILLS OF THE NORTH REJOICE

The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.

The President prays over the gifts, and the people respond

As this bread was scattered

and then gathered and made one,

so may your Church be gathered into your kingdom.

Glory to you, O God, for ever.

Wisdom has built her a house;

she has mixed her wine; she has set her table.

Glory to you, O God, for ever.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The President says or sings

The Lord be with you
All   and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
All   We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All   It is right to give thanks and praise.

The President praises God for His mighty acts, saying or singing

It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise,

almighty God and everlasting Father,

through Jesus Christ your Son.

For when he humbled himself to come among us in human flesh,

he fulfilled the plan you formed before the foundation of the world

to open for us the way of salvation.

Confident that your promise will be fulfilled,

we now watch for the day

when Christ our Lord will come again in glory.

And so we join our voices with angels and archangels

and with all the company of heaven

to proclaim your glory

for ever praising you and singing:

All sing

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

We sit or kneel as the President recalls the Last Supper

Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness;

grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit,

and according to your holy will,

these gifts of bread and wine

may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;

who, in the same night that he was betrayed,

took bread and gave you thanks;

he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper

he took the cup and gave you thanks;

he gave it to them, saying:

Drink this, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it,

in remembrance of me.

The following acclamation is made

Christ is the bread of life:

All say or sing

When we eat this bread and drink this cup,

we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,

until you come in glory.

All say

And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross,

his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world;

rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension,

and looking for his coming in glory,

we celebrate this memorial of our redemption.

As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,

we bring before you this bread and this cup

and we thank you for counting us worthy

to stand in your presence and serve you.

Send the Holy Spirit on your people

and gather into one in your kingdom

all who share this one bread and one cup,

so that we, in the company of all the saints,

may praise and glorify you for ever,

through Jesus Christ our Lord;

by whom, and with whom, and in whom,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father,

for ever and ever.  Amen.

The President invites the people to pray The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:

All   Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.  Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

The President breaks the consecrated bread.

We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.

All   Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

Giving of Communion

The President says the invitation to communion

God’s holy gifts
for God’s holy people.
All   Jesus Christ is holy,
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

The President and people receive communion.

Authorized words of distribution are used and the communicant replies Amen.

During the distribution the following hymn is sung

Communion Hymn: 3  A MAN THERE LIVED IN GALILEE

       

Any consecrated bread and wine which is not required for purposes of communion is consumed at the end of the distribution

Silence is kept.  The first candle of the Advent Wreath is lit.

People of God: awake!

The day is coming soon

when you shall see God face to face.

Remember the ways and the works of God.

God calls you out of darkness

to walk in the light of his coming.

You are God’s children.

Lord, make us one as we walk with Christ

today and for ever.

Amen.

¶      The Dismissal

Brief notices may be shared amongst the people.

We stand to sing the following hymn, during which the altar party moves to the chancel step

Processional Hymn: 336  MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY

The President confers the Blessing from Almighty God, saying

Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you,

scatter the darkness from before your path,

and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

All   Amen.

The Deacon says

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All   In the name of Christ.  Amen.

The ministers and people depart

Refreshments will be served after Mass is ended

Notices

Next week…. Sunday 9 December 2018

10.00am – Parish Mass

      Second Sunday of Advent

Cleaners: Liz Jarvis & Marilyn Hawes

Welcomers: Frances Downing & John James

Servers: Ruth Williams, JC Bird, James Bird

Intercessor: Debbie Carson

Eucharistic Assistant: Pam Bollen

Refreshments: Marian & Ken Bradley

Parish Administration – the PCC has now appointed Karolina Jelonek as a temporary Personal Assistant to the Vicar.  Karolina will be based principally at the Parish Office in the Peterhouse Centre, and will work 20 hours per week: ordinarily, Monday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday.

For the longer term, the PCC has given outline approval to a new strategic resource, to take effect from spring 2019, subject to agreement and authorisation from the Bishop.  Further details of this exciting development will be shared, soon.

Bank details

Bank:                                   Co-Operative Bank

Account name:                  The PCC of St Peter in-the-Forest Church

Account number:              65621822

Sort code:                           08-92-99

Regular worship & learning services in church building

Sunday     10.00 am – 11.20 am       Parish Mass (Holy Communion)

Sunday     4.00 pm – 5.30 pm           Tea, Cake & Evening Prayer

Tuesday   9.15 am – 9.45 am            Morning Prayer*

Wednesday 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm         Evening Prayer followed by Study Group

*in the Beech room in Peterhouse Centre

 Regular events in church building

Monday   6.45 pm – 8.30 pm           The Big Sing Choir

Friday       7.30 pm – 8.30 pm           Choir Practice

4^th Saturday of the month 9.30 am- 11.30 am        Who let the dads out?!?

Christmas worship @ St Peter-in-the-Forest

Third Sunday of Advent             6.30 pm   Carol Service

Sunday 16th December

Christmas Eve                                   4.00 pm     Crib Service

Monday 24th December                         11.00 pm   Midnight Mass

Christmas Day                                  10.00 am  Parish Mass

Tuesday 25th December     

 

Contacts

The Vicar: Fr Paul Trathen

St Peter’s Vicarage, 121 Forest Rise, Walthamstow.  E17 3PW

stpeterforestvicar-main@yahoo.co.uk  07871584997

e17churchintheforest.blogspot.co.uk

St Peter's parish Twitterhandle: @SPITF_E17

St Peter's Facebook ID: https://www.facebook.com/e17churchintheforest

The Vicar’s Personal Assistant: Karolina Jelonek

c/o Peterhouse Church & Community Centre, 122 Forest Rise,

Walthamstow. E17 3PW

peterhousecentre@btconnect.com  02085091811

www.peterhousecentre.co.uk

For information/queries on the Project, ‘St Peter’s: A Unique Forest Church’ contact: The Project Delivery Manager: Peter Vadden  Peter@culturalengine.org.uk  07527329793