Churches open for private prayer
Monday – Tarleton, 10am-2pm
Tuesday – Rufford, 10am-2pm
Wednesday – Tarleton, 11am-2pm
Thursday – Rufford, 10am-2pm
Friday – Tarleton, 10am-2pm
Saturday – Rufford, 10am-2pm
Sunday 14th February – Sunday next before Lent
✝️ Virtual worship only from 10.30am
Today’s readings – 2 Kings 2.1-12, Psalm 50.1-6, 2 Corinthians 4.3-6 & Mark 9.2-9.
The Collect
Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Old Testament – 2 Kings 2.1-12
2 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel. 3 The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I know; keep silent.’
4 Elijah said to him, ‘Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they came to Jericho. 5 The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he answered, ‘Yes, I know; be silent.’
6 Then Elijah said to him, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ 10 He responded, ‘You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.’ 11 As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12 Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
New Testament – 2 Corinthians 4.3-6
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Gospel: Mark 9.2-9
9 2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ 6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Gospel – Mark 9:2-9 – The transfiguration
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Prayers
🙏🏼 We pray for Bishops Julian, Philip & Jill, for Archdeacons Mark & David and Dean Peter.
🙏🏼 For the sick and those in need: Zena Ashcroft, Margaret Baxter, Margaret Bolton, Colin Brown, Pam Dutton, Bill Duggan, Wayne Jackett, Jimmy Johnstone, Elsie Latham, Paddy MacDonagh, Tony Morgan, Ruth Middlesborough & Donald Sephton.
🙏🏼 Rest in Peace: Audrey Harrison
🙏🏼 Year’s mind: Gladys May Barron, Sydney Corless, David Philip Crocker, Judy Ann Culshaw, Roberta Heywood, Eileen Hinchcliffe, Joan Hodgkins, Frank Iddon, Ann Lace, Mary Parkinson, Clare Slater, Margaret Slater, Mark Slater, Walter Williams & Mary Yates.
🙏🏼 We are not people of fear, but people of courage. We are not people who protect our own safety: we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety. We are not people of greed, we are people of generosity. We are your people God, giving and loving, wherever we are, whatever it costs, for as long as it takes, wherever you call us. Amen.
🙏🏼 In our cycle of prayer, we pray for those living in Carr Lane.
Monday 15th February – Thomas Bray, Priest, Founder of SPCK and SPG, 1730
Today’s readings – Genesis 4.1-15,25, Ps. 50.1,8,16-end & Mark 8.11-13.
🙏🏼 We pray for all whose businesses have been closed down and those who have, or fear, losing their livelihoods.
Tuesday 16th February
Today’s readings – Genesis 6.5-8, 7.1-5,10, Ps. 29 & Mark 8.14-21.
🙏🏼 On Shrove Tuesday we pray that our communities may be places of trust and friendship, where all feel loved.
ASH WEDNESDAY – 17th February
✝️ Virtual worship at 10.30am.
Today’s readings – Isaiah 58.1-12, Psalm 51.1, 8,16-end, Corinthians 5.20b-6.10 & John 8.1-11.
Collect
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness and was tempted as we are, yet without sin, give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit and as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save. 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.
🙏🏼 This Ash Wednesday let us lament with all those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.
Thursday 18th February
Today’s readings – Deuteronomy 30.15-end, Ps. 1 & Luke 9.22-25.
🙏🏼 We pray for all feeling over-whelmed by the pandemic, that they sense God’s love and peace.
Friday 19th February
Today’s readings – Isaiah 58.1-9a, Ps. 51.1-5, 17-18 & Matthew 9.14-15.
🙏🏼 We pray for care homes; their staff and residents.
Saturday 20th February
Today’s readings – Isaiah 58.9b-end, Ps. 86.1-7 & Luke 5.27-32.
🙏🏼 We pray for all who work in food production, food processing and distribution.
Next Sunday – Sunday 21 February – First Sunday of Lent
Today’s readings – 2 Genesis 9.8-17, Psalm 25.1-9, 1 Peter 3.18-end & Mark 1.9-15.
🙏🏼 We pray for the Cathedral, Dean and Canons and for the vaccination centre in the crypt. In our cycle of prayer, we for those living in Carrington Way and Chandler’s Croft.
✝️ Virtual worship only from 10.30am
