Weekly Readings and Prayers
Sunday 5th July 2026 Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
First Reading Zechariah 9. 9–12
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem; and the battle-bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.
Psalm 145. 8–15
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, : long-suffering and of great goodness.
9 The Lord is loving to everyone : and his mercy is over all his creatures.
10 All your works praise you, O Lord, : and your faithful servants bless you.
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom : and speak of your mighty power,
12 To make known to all peoples your mighty acts : and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; : your dominion endures throughout all ages.
14 The Lord is sure in all his words : and faithful in all his deeds.
15 The Lord upholds all those who fall : and lifts up all those who are bowed down.
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.
Second Reading Romans 7. 15–25
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.
Gospel Matthew 11. 16–19, 25–end
‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’ At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
Post Communion Prayer
Grant, O Lord, we beseech you, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by your governance, that your Church may joyfully serve you in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for the week
This week we pray for those who live in Corby Drive, Crimp Hill, Cypress Walk
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace..." (The Message Bible interpretation.) Matthew 28-30.
Sunday 5th July
Compassionate God, I thank you for your faithfulness throughout my life. Through times of joy and times of trouble, you have been with me, guiding and sustaining me. Help me to keep walking in your ways, trusting in your love and seeking your will each day.
Monday 6th July
Holy Spirit, fill me afresh with your presence. Guide my thoughts, shape my words, and direct my actions, so that in all I do I may reflect the love, gentleness, and goodness of Christ.
Tuesday 7th July
God of grace, forgive me for the times I have failed you. Renew me in heart and mind. Teach me patience when I am tested, generosity when I am challenged, and a forgiving spirit towards others, just as you have forgiven me.
Wednesday 8th July
Lord Jesus Christ, I pray for all who are struggling today — those who are sick, anxious, lonely, grieving, or burdened by worry. Bring comfort to the troubled, strength to the weary, hope to the discouraged, and peace to every restless heart.
Thursday 9th July
God of all nations, I pray for our world. Where there is conflict, bring peace; where there is injustice, bring fairness; where there is hunger, bring provision; where there is fear, bring courage; and where there is despair, bring hope. Help us to live as neighbours, united in your love.
Friday 10th July
Loving Father, I thank you for all whose work serves the common good — carers and teachers, farmers and shopkeepers, emergency workers and volunteers, and all who work faithfully behind the scenes. Bless them in their service and strengthen them in their calling.
Saturday 11th July
Eternal God, I thank you for the gift of faith, for the fellowship of your Church, and for the hope of eternal life. Keep me steadfast in your love, joyful in your service, and confident in your promises, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
First Reading Zechariah 9. 9–12
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem; and the battle-bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.
Psalm 145. 8–15
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, : long-suffering and of great goodness.
9 The Lord is loving to everyone : and his mercy is over all his creatures.
10 All your works praise you, O Lord, : and your faithful servants bless you.
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom : and speak of your mighty power,
12 To make known to all peoples your mighty acts : and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; : your dominion endures throughout all ages.
14 The Lord is sure in all his words : and faithful in all his deeds.
15 The Lord upholds all those who fall : and lifts up all those who are bowed down.
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.
Second Reading Romans 7. 15–25
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.
Gospel Matthew 11. 16–19, 25–end
‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’ At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
Post Communion Prayer
Grant, O Lord, we beseech you, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by your governance, that your Church may joyfully serve you in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for the week
This week we pray for those who live in Corby Drive, Crimp Hill, Cypress Walk
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace..." (The Message Bible interpretation.) Matthew 28-30.
Sunday 5th July
Compassionate God, I thank you for your faithfulness throughout my life. Through times of joy and times of trouble, you have been with me, guiding and sustaining me. Help me to keep walking in your ways, trusting in your love and seeking your will each day.
Monday 6th July
Holy Spirit, fill me afresh with your presence. Guide my thoughts, shape my words, and direct my actions, so that in all I do I may reflect the love, gentleness, and goodness of Christ.
Tuesday 7th July
God of grace, forgive me for the times I have failed you. Renew me in heart and mind. Teach me patience when I am tested, generosity when I am challenged, and a forgiving spirit towards others, just as you have forgiven me.
Wednesday 8th July
Lord Jesus Christ, I pray for all who are struggling today — those who are sick, anxious, lonely, grieving, or burdened by worry. Bring comfort to the troubled, strength to the weary, hope to the discouraged, and peace to every restless heart.
Thursday 9th July
God of all nations, I pray for our world. Where there is conflict, bring peace; where there is injustice, bring fairness; where there is hunger, bring provision; where there is fear, bring courage; and where there is despair, bring hope. Help us to live as neighbours, united in your love.
Friday 10th July
Loving Father, I thank you for all whose work serves the common good — carers and teachers, farmers and shopkeepers, emergency workers and volunteers, and all who work faithfully behind the scenes. Bless them in their service and strengthen them in their calling.
Saturday 11th July
Eternal God, I thank you for the gift of faith, for the fellowship of your Church, and for the hope of eternal life. Keep me steadfast in your love, joyful in your service, and confident in your promises, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.