Week beginning 14th May

 

 Rogation Sunday 2023

Rogation Sunday

Rogation is an ancient Church festival to seek blessing for a community and its sustenance. The word rogation comes from the Latin verb rogare, meaning "to ask", which reflects the beseeching of God for protection from calamities. As the Book of Common Prayer puts it: “Rogation Days are the three days preceding Ascension Day, especially devoted to asking for God’s blessing on agriculture and industry.” Since mediaeval times there has been a tradition of “beating the bounds” of the parish, praying for God’s blessing upon the crops and thus the well-being of that particular settlement. It is still observed by some parishes today – with a procession, prayers and a sharing of hope in God’s goodness to nourish every endeavour which enables people to flourish.

Rogation invites people to ask for blessing – for a particular place; for all its inhabitants; for every endeavour to promote the common good. It is totally inclusive – joining everyone in seeking sustenance and a commitment to play their part in its provision.

O worship the King all glorious above;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI9cDJMsn14

Genesis, chapter 1: verses 1 to 31

Prayer

We come before you our God and Sustainer, remembering that you are our Creator and the source of all being. Out of your love the universe was born. From the beginning of time you put in place all that is needed for growth and saw that it was good. You have put this world into our hands: may we recognise your Spirit within it, disturbing and challenging us to care for creation, challenging us to care for the weak and the deprived. Lord we remember that we are called by you to nourish the earth and its diversity of life, to share the gifts you have given, with one another and with the poor of the world. Amen.

Lord God we ask that you have mercy on our tired land, and to prosper the work of our soiled hands. Lord God we ask that you have mercy to forgive our delusion of self-sufficiency so that we may praise you for your provision and goodness. Lord, you give us this good earth, yet we take your generous gifts for granted.

Lord, you give us this good earth, but we squander its rich resources.

Lord, you give us this good earth, but we fail to share your bounty with all of your children.

May the God of love and power free us from your sins, heal and strengthen us by His Spirit, and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 107: verses 1 to 38

The king of love my shepherd is,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWfZ-8s71-k

There are lots forms of Water streams , rivers seas, lakes, garden ponds or even a fire hydrant,

pause and reflect on the gift of water. Its pure water refreshing taste. Farmers need it for watering livestock and crops.

Water aid is reaching the far flung counties of the world making water safe to drink and accessible in building wells. Water is very welcome in the desert .An oasis for humans and beats

We are not to take it for granted.

Jesus said that he gives living water. The woman at the well story asked Jesus for the living water so she had not to collect water in the heat of the day for she was an out cast and seen as a sinner in her village Jesus gave her more than she could hope for or understand. The living waters flow with in us.

John 7: 37-38

37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”’

Zechariah 14:8-9
And in that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea; it will be in summer as well as in winter. And the Lord will be king over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one.

Prayer

Almighty God,

we thank you for the gift of water to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life. May we who have an abundance of water see it as a precious and scarce resource. Help us to be mindful how much is consumed so that we can live in the way that we do: guide us to use it sparingly, and keep us mindful of those who suffer through drought, pollution and flood. We ask this for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

As a family we would go round the hedge rows picking blackberries A lad saw us and asked what we were doing. His response was the poor ought to do this. We said that is why we were doing it, nothing nicer than a blackberry pie

Some of you may grow fruit or veg in your garden ready for picking once ripe.

Farmers are growing foods ready to be harvested at their correct time.

May we never take the farmers for granted

For the fruits of all creation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBXHDbesb7

Mark’s gospel, chapter 4: verses 26 to 29

26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Prayer

Almighty God, whose will it is that the earth and sea should bear fruit in due season, bless the labours of all those who work on land and sea. Grant them a good harvest and the grace always to rejoice in your care. Lord you have ordered our life that we are dependent on one another,

We ask that you will prosper those engaged in commerce. and industry.

All workers direct their minds and hands in their service for us. We ask that you O God will be with all with who live and work locally. Grant O Lord that whatever gifts they have, they may be used to the full, for the enrichment of all our lives We ask this prayer in the name of Jesus, the good shepherd. Amen.

As a young Girl I use to horse ride in the summer. When the days were too hot we would ride in the valley where there was a lovely stream and we would get the horses and ponies to walk through it we could look up to the hills the views were lovely . The buzzards would fly over head.

Psalm 50: verses 1 to 2, 10 to 11

The Mighty One, God, the Lord,  speaks and summons the earth  from the rising of the sun to where it sets.

for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.

While riding we would see tall garden canes in the field with the ends painted red, it was not until the harvest at chapel when we learned from a farmer preacher that he would mark his field with canes so he knew where the nests were and would not harvest until the young lapwing or pee wit had fledged. He told the young Sunday school children that they were to take care of all God’s wildlife.

All creatures of our God and king

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d3gO6qDLNA

Prayer

Creator God, Jesus teaches us through the beauty and abundance of creation to put our trust in you for all things. We ask you now to bless our fields and gardens our hills and streams our rivers, lakes, reservoirs and seas that in all these things we might glimpse a reflection of your glory and your gracious love for each one of us. Bless, O Lord, the houses and farms and all the homes around this place. Give us good health, purity of spirit, strength and humility, hospitality, a spirit of forgiveness and firm knowledge of our need to seek you in all things. We pray in the name of Jesus, creative Word of God. Amen.

Listen to the following while taking time to pause and think

I am the vine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8gDEydhrq4

What good work are doing with God?

What would you ask God for ?

What is God asking of you ?

John’s gospel chapter 15:verses 1 to 9

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes  so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

Prayer

God our father, we give thanks for the gift of your son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who was content to share the life of his village in Nazareth. We give you thanks for all who live and work on farms, and for all who walk and ride around the green valleys. We give you thanks for those who work in and live in this area . May your blessing rest upon them.

We pray in the name of Jesus our Lord . Amen.

O Lord my God!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USM71JqV30o

Blessing and Dismissal

Holy Father, who formed the world, give you grace to be wise stewards of His creation.

Blessed Jesus, who redeemed the world, inspire you to go out and work for Him

Holy Spirit, whose breath fills the whole of creation, help you to bear the fruits of love, joy and peace.

Say the grace together