Mothering Sunday
Mothering Sunday (Lent 4) 2023 Hymns 161, 484, 275, 185
FIRST READING Exodus 2.1-10 Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him for three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him. The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. ‘This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,’ she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?’ Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Yes.’ So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.’ So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, ‘because’, she said, ‘I drew him out of the water.’
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 34 Response: The Lord turns his eyes to the just.
1. Come, children and hear me; that I may teach you the fear of the Lord.
Who is it that desires life: and longs to see prosperous days. R.
2. Guard your tongue from evil; and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn aside from evil and do good: Seek after peace, and pursue it. R.
3. The Lord turns his eyes to the just; and his ears are open to their cry.
The Lord turns his face against the wicked: to destroy their remembrance from the earth. R.
4. When the just cry out, the Lord hears; and rescues them in all their distress.
The Lord is close to the broken hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save. R.
5. Many are the trials of the just man: but from them all the Lord will rescue him.
He will keep guard over all his bones; not one of his bones shall be broken. R.
SECOND READING 2 Corinthians 1.3-7 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.
GOSPEL Luke 2.33-35 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
ST MICHAEL'S NEWS
A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's. A special welcome to Fr Paul, our celebrant this morning, who will also kindly be celebrating Mass for us on Thursday at 10.30 am. If you are new to St Michael's, do join us for tea or coffee in the Vestry Hall after the service, so that we can welcome you properly. A special welcome, too, to families who are coming to church with Mum and/or Granny, and to Mums and Grannies who are thinking of their distant families on this day. And to all of us who are celebrating, and giving thanks for, the many and various precious nurturing and encouraging relationships we have experienced in our lives. Another name for this Sunday is Laetare Sunday – because the opening words of the Latin Mass for today, based on Isaiah 66, were “Laetare, Jerusalem!” (Rejoice, O Jerusalem!) - inviting the faithful to gather round Jerusalem their mother, and be nourished at her breasts. And so today, as our readings suggest, we rejoice not only in individual motherhood, but also in the motherhood of the Church and the motherhood of Mary, who is Mother both of our Lord and of his Church. After this burst of joy, we move towards the solemn time of Passiontide and Holy Week.
Warmest thanks to Jessica and today's other posy-makers!
From Our Tower:
Kent County Association, Maidstone, Kent, St Michael and All Angels
Sunday, 5 March 2023 in 38m (6–1–24 in C)
1272 Bourne Surprise Minor
1Philip Jarvis
2Rupert Cheeseman
3Emma Jarvis
4Paul Barton
5Mark Elvers
6Neil Jones (C)
Rung on the 2nd Sunday of Lent. Congratulations to Stan and Ann Jenner on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary (2/3/23)
Friday, 10 March 2023 in 38m (6–1–24 in C)
1272 Surprise Minor (2m)
720 Wells Surprise, 552 London Surprise
1Terry Barnard
2Philip Jarvis
3Kath White
4Mark Elvers
5Stephen Coaker
6Neil Jones (C)
Birthday compliments today to Ann Jenner and Shona Clark.
Sunday, 12 March 2023 in 39m (6–1–24 in C)
1272 Ipswich Surprise Minor
1Cathy Cheeseman
2Emma Jarvis
3Philip Jarvis
4Mark Elvers
5Pam Thomas
6Neil Jones (C)
Rung on the 3rd Sunday of Lent.
Diocesan Synod met in Canterbury last Saturday. Some interesting discussion took place arising out of the report of our General Synod members and out of the Church's urgent concern to improve its contact with young people.
Tuesday in Holy Week – Chrism Mass and Lunch: So far only two people have asked to book for the lunch. Is this right? Usually we have far more. Memo: Bear in mind that there is, additionally, an opportunity to make one's pre-Easter Confession before the Mass. No need to book for that – just ask a steward on the day!
Don't forget the parish Quiet Day at The Friars on Saturday 25th March, 9.30 am – 3.30 pm. Any queries to Jonathan, please.
Could you pass on this sheet to someone else who might like to see it?