Weekly Readings and Prayers
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Sunday 15th March 2026 The Fourth Sunday of Lent - Mothering Sunday
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​Collect
God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal; 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
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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.’
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Psalm 34 vv 11–20
11 Come, my children, and listen to me; : I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is there who delights in life : and longs for days to enjoy good things?
13 Keep your tongue from evil : and your lips from lying words.
14 Turn from evil and do good; : seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous : and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, : to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry and the Lord hears them : and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted : and will save those who are crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous; : from them all will the Lord deliver them.
20 He keeps all their bones, : so that not one of them is broken.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son : and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning is now : and shall be for ever. Amen.
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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.
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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.’
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Post Communion Prayer
Loving God, as a mother feeds her children at the breast you feed us in this sacrament with the food and drink of eternal life: help us who have tasted your goodness to grow in grace within the household of faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Prayers for the week
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"I urge, then first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
1 Timothy 2. 1- 2
We pray this week for those who live in Simons Walk, South Road and Spencer Gardens.
In our turbulent world we need to take seriously God's call to pray for those who exercise authority among the nations. We pray for them and for their administrations as the decisions they make have such far reaching effect.
Sunday 15th March
President Trump and his administration of the USA.
Monday 16th March
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.
Tuesday 17th March
President Kim Jong Un of North Korea.
Wednesday 18th March
President Xi Jinping of China.
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Thursday 19th March
President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
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Friday 20th March
We pray for our King and the Royal Family who are under such pressure at this time.
Saturday 21st March
We pray for all families throughout the world who are fearful for the lives of their children under the shadow of war. We ask Lord, for their and their children's protection and a ceasing of all hostilities.
Heavenly Father, please accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
​​At all our services we pray for those who are sick, in need and for the bereaved by name. Please do let us know if you would like specific prayer for anyone, and they will be included on our prayer list.