Holy Eucharist on the Feast of St. Claire of Assisi

1215 Communion for our Community
A chance to pray together for the community which we serve and for our Civic leaders.

First reading Ezekiel 2:8-3:4
He gave me the scroll to eat and it was as sweet as honey

I, Ezekiel, heard a voice speaking. It said, ‘You, son of man, listen to the words I say; do not be a rebel like that rebellious set. Open your mouth and eat what I am about to give you.’ I looked. A hand was there, stretching out to me and holding a scroll. He unrolled it in front of me; it was written on back and front; on it was written ‘lamentations, wailings, moanings.’ He said, ‘Son of man, eat what is given to you; eat this scroll, then go and speak to the House of Israel.’ I opened my mouth; he gave me the scroll to eat and said, ‘Son of man, feed and be satisfied by the scroll I am giving you.’ I ate it, and it tasted sweet as honey.
Then he said, ‘Son of man, go to the House of Israel and tell them what I have said.’

Gospel Acclamation
Mt11:25

Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father,
Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom
to mere children.
Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 18:1-5,10,12-14
Anyone who welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me

The disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
‘See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.
‘Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray? I tell you solemnly, if he finds it, it gives him more joy than do the ninety-nine that did not stray at all. Similarly, it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.’ ... See more

A Patronal Festival like no other.

Hello again and welcome to week 2 of St James Hope Holiday Club. If you are in the Chorley area and have booked for holiday club, you should by now have received everything you need to take part in the session. Thanks for joining us and have fun. Ps don't forget to add your pictures and comments in the box below. ... See more

Monday 10th August - St. Laurence's Day
18.15 Holy Eucharist

First Reading 2 Corinthians 9:6-10
God loves a cheerful giver

Do not forget: thin sowing means thin reaping; the more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works. As scripture says: He was free in almsgiving, and gave to the poor: his good deeds will never be forgotten.
The one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide you with all the seed you want and make the harvest of your good deeds a larger one.

Gospel Acclamation
Jn8:12bc

Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
anyone who follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia!

Gospel
John 12:24-26
If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I tell you, most solemnly,
unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies,
it remains only a single grain;
but if it dies,
it yields a rich harvest.
Anyone who loves his life loses it;
anyone who hates his life in this world
will keep it for the eternal life.
If a man serves me, he must follow me,
wherever I am, my servant will be there too.
If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’ ... See more

Have you got fears and worries? Do listen to Bishop Jill as she offers words of wisdom and reassurance here.

An absolutely massive vote of thanks to the 60 or so folk who have helped in so many ways this week to enable the life and ministry of our parish. To those who have cleaned, welcomed, made soup, baked cakes, cleaned, played music, recorded readings and prayers, welcomed worshippers, cleaned, counted money, welcomed people to our Taste Cafe, delivered Patronal DVDS to those not on email, lifted and shifted, cleaned and generally made themselves available - THANK YOU! Thank you to those of you who cannot leave your homes at present, but are offering your culinary skills in the days and weeks ahead - thank you. And God bless you all for everything you are doing.

As we celebrate our Patronal Festival this weekend we are so fortunate that we have so many faithful, hard-working people enabling the ministry of our Church to thrive and grow in these challenging times, following the example of our Patron, St. Laurence. ... See more