The Christian Community of St Giles-on-the-Hill
welcomes you to worship with them on
Sunday 14th April 2024
Third Sunday of Easter
Jesus is risen! Let us celebrate the renewal of our humanity in the transforming love of God.
The Easter candle is lit from now until Pentecost Sunday, marking the fifty days of the Easter season which cover the resurrection appearances.
The candle has a prominent place, reminding us that Christ is the light of the world and that, in that light, Jesus is alive today.
10.30am Sung Mass Our President and Preacher today is Fr Peter Varney. The service is set out in the service booklet. Hymns are from the New English Hymnal.
Introit Hymn: 105 Christ the Lord is risen again
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 may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
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.
1st Reading: Acts 3.12-19
When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.’
Psalm 4
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness;
you set me at liberty when I was in trouble;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
How long will you nobles dishonour my glory;
how long will you love vain things and seek after falsehood?
But know that the Lord has shown me his marvellous kindness;
when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.
Stand in awe, and sin not;
commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness
and put your trust in the Lord.
There are many that say, ‘Who will show us any good?’
Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us.
You have put gladness in my heart,
more than when their corn and wine and oil increase.
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for it is you Lord, only, who make me dwell in safety.
2nd Reading: 1 John 3.1-7
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
I am the first and the last, says the lord, and the living one;
I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 24.36b-48
While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.
Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you – that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.’
Offertory Hymn: 271 Alleluya, sing to Jesus
Communion Hymn: 121 This joyful Eastertide
Post Communion Prayer:
Living God,
your Son made himself known to his disciples
in the breaking of bread:
open the eyes of our faith,
that we may see him in all his redeeming work;
who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
Recessional Hymn: 124 Ye choirs of new Jerusalem
Organ Voluntary: Bach – Prelude and Fugue in Bb
ASSISTANTS AT THE EUCHARIST
1st Reading Kate Baldry 2nd Reading Diana Lamb Intercessions John Baldry Chalice Jonny Green Servers Lindsey and Jonny Green Organist Ian Graydon
DIARY FOR THE WEEK
Tuesday 16 April 12 noon Said Mass
Friday 19 April 10.00am Said Mass
Sunday 21 April 10.30am Sung Parish Mass – Revd Kate Belcher (Easter 4) with Fairtrade Stall after Mass
Next Sunday’s readings: Acts 4.5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3.16-end; John 10.11-18
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 5 May 12.00 noon Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) after Mass
Tuesday 7 May 6.30pm Eco Church Forum from 6.30pm at St Stephen’s Church
Saturday 11 May 2.30pm Wisteria Quiz for Christian Aid, to include afternoon tea
Saturday 6 July afternoon Quiz in aid of church funds
NOTICES
We welcome any newcomers to St Giles today. Please make yourself known to the priest or the churchwardens and join us for a cup of coffee or tea after the service. Do take a look at our website, explore A Church Near You or follow us on Twitter to find out more.
A big Thank You to the Colton’s Acre General Trust who have provided the card reader for donations which is now installed in St Giles.
There are 3 vacancies this year on the PCC. If you have never considered standing, it is a very good way to have a say in how your church is run and also to learn how parish business is conducted. We very much welcome new ideas and opinions. Nomination forms for the PCC elections on 5th May are now available at the back of the church.
Electoral Roll In the weeks leading up to the APCM we are required to ensure that the Electoral Roll is up to date. If you attend St Giles, and would like to be added to the Roll, do see Jen, our ER administrator, or the churchwardens, who will be happy to have a chat. Application forms can be found at the back of the church. Joining gives voting rights at the APCM but does not commit you to any responsibilities. Individuals can ask to be removed at any time, thought of course we hope that this is a rare occurrence.
Eco Church Forum Tuesday 7th May 6.30 – 8.30pm at St Stephen’s Church. A panel of experts will lead a discussion on ‘Understanding & Demystifying Food Choices’ in relation to protecting and saving the global environment. A free event starting with refreshments – please do join us!
Upcoming quizzes The Wisteria quiz on Sat 11 May will be in aid of Christian Aid. Doors open at 2.00pm for a 2.30 start. This will include an afternoon tea. Donations of cakes for the afternoon would be much appreciated. There will also be a Quiz in aid of church funds on Sat 6 July in the afternoon (time tbc). Please bring your friends to both these events!
Our April charity at St Giles is Shelter Box who provide shelter, essential items and technical assistance to help some of the world’s most vulnerable people recover and rebuild their homes after disaster. They listen and adapt their support to the needs of each community, working together with those affected by disaster, alongside their supporters and partners. You can read more about Shelter Box on our charities notice board at the back of church or go to their website.
Priest-in-Charge Father Alaric Mark Lewis, also Rector of the Benefice of Colegate and Tombland 01603 663757 click to email – day off Monday
Churchwardens Rowena Atkinson 01603 455729 Bob Emsell 01603 439632
Pastoral Care Liaison Lesley Warne 07792 971662 click to email
Newsletter and Fairtrade Kate Baldry 01362 695503 click to email
Church website https://stgileschurch.wordpress.com
A Church Near You
Twitter @stgilesnorwich
St Giles Church, Norwich 