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Psalm 93 NIV
‘The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty.’

Gracious God, as we have just celebrated Christ the King Sunday and Advent approaches, we give thanks for the gift of Jesus, God’s Son. We take a moment to reflect upon who He is as a King and what His Kingdom stands for. We remember that He was not born in a palace, but in a lowly stable. He did not carry weapons to fight for power, but exercised His authority with great wisdom, in acts of healing and forgiveness. He did not come to be a dictator, but gave a voice to the voiceless and the vulnerable, and spoke out for His Kingdom values; equality,  justice and peace. And yet He is a King and His Kingdom will always reign. And so Lord God, thank you that in Jesus Christ, you call us to serve as He served, to give as He gave and to love as He loved. May we witness to His Kingdom here on earth. In His name we pray, Amen

2021-11-23T19:01:22+01:00

(image:Larry F. Lamb at www.flickr.com)

Matthew 25:40   NIV
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Gracious God, we pray once more for a situation that does not appear to be easing, as record numbers of migrants crossing the channel is recorded. We pray for all those who find themselves forced to flee their homelands in order to find safety and security, for those who are so desperate to find peace, that they are prepared to risk their lives crossing the channel in unsuitable and unsafe sea vessels. We pray that policies, instigated by those in positions of authority, will ensure and prioritise the safety and welfare of all asylum seekers. We pray for an end to human trafficking and slavery. Lord God, may we as communities extend hands of support and friendship to those who seek refuge in our homeland. May we be a people who hear the voices of the vulnerable and respond with empathy and understanding. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

2021-07-21T09:13:23+01:00

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Genesis 1:31
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”

Gracious God, as the sun continues to shine we take a moment to appreciate the wonders of Your creation; for the beauty and pattern of a butterflies wing, for fields of golden wheat waiting to be harvested, for the dawn chorus of swallows, swifts and wrens, for summer flowers, honeysuckle and foxgloves growing in hedgerows, for the darting and diving of pipistrelles as evening dawns, for the journey of fledglings learning to fly, for trees abundant with leaves and fruit, and bees humming and pollinating flowers. For all these signs of summer, Creator God, may we be reminded of Your life-giving presence in our world and the constancy of Your love for us. And so, in the heat of the day, we pause, we reflect and we give You thanks. Amen.

2021-07-20T09:39:28+01:00

(image: S.L.Guenault)

PSALM 46:10
‘Be still and know that I am God’.

Gracious God, as we approach the middle of the week, and the sun comes out to shine and brighten the landscape, we take a moment to be still in Your presence, to bask in the warmth of Your love.
I invite you to reflect upon a prayer written by Margaret Langdon. Thank you Margaret.

BE STILL
BE STILL
Oh I wish I could be!
But there’s so much to do
BE STILL
I would like to be calm
But I get so uptight
BE STILL
I really ought to rest more
But I can’t find the time
BE STILL
How I long for some peace
But life’s clamour just goes on
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
NOT YOU. LET ME SHARE YOUR BURDENS
COME AND BE STILL

BE STILL AND KNOW
If I’m still I know I am surrounded by your presence
Help me to be still
If I’m still I know God is really in charge of everything, not me
Help me to be still
If I’m still I know that peace that passes understanding
Help me to be still
If only for a moment!

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
Wow! That’s a bit mind blowing! We can really know that God exists!
Even when we doubt. Even when we can’t understand things
GOD IS GOD!
We don’t have to have all the answers. We don’t always have to be in control
We don’t have to be perfect. We are allowed to be human.
HE IS GOD

(Margaret Langdon October 2018)

2021-07-14T09:57:53+01:00

Worship for May 16th – Christian Aid Week

Worship for May 16th – Christian Aid Week2021-05-15T09:22:50+01:00

(image: www.hippopx.com)

As we journey through Christian Aid week, we use prayers suggested for us by the charity.

Amos 5:24
‘Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’

We pray that the voices of indigenous communities may be heard and heeded as we learn how to live in harmony with nature. We pray for a rapid and just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We pray for a radical change of heart for politicians. We pray that as a global community we will care for our common home and for people living in poverty, where the right thing is done in the right way.

Spirit of God who hovered over the waters, harness your power in us to live faithfully and in harmony with the rhythms of righteousness, for the restoration of creation and the glory of your name. Amen.

2021-05-11T09:14:09+01:00

(image: www.pixabay.com)

During this Christian Aid week we will be using prayers suggested for us by the charity.

Amos 5:24
‘Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’

We ask God to refresh us if we are weary of the suffering in the world. We ask God to replenish us with whatever we need to live faithfully with creation. We ask God to renew our resolve to take action in the face of climate breakdown.

God of all creation, we come, together or apart, longing to meet with You to be refreshed and restored, by the spring of living water, by the source of all life. In Your mercy, meet with us here. Amen.

2021-05-10T09:22:48+01:00

Holy Week – Good Friday

Mark 15:22-25, 37, 39
‘The soldiers took Jesus to Golgotha, which means “Place of a Skull.” There they gave him some wine mixed with a drug to ease the pain, but he refused to drink it. They nailed Jesus to a cross and gambled to see who would get his clothes.  It was about nine o’clock in the morning when they nailed him to the cross. Jesus shouted and then died. A Roman army officer was standing in front of Jesus. When the officer saw how Jesus died, he said, “This man really was the Son of God!”

Gracious God, as we reflect on the events of Good Friday, we come to You overwhelmed by the depth of Jesus’ love for us. We give thanks for His commitment to defeat evil, even at the cost of His own suffering and his own death. In his willingness to restore the relationship with humankind, he poured himself out to death, even death on a cross. And so, this Easter time, help us to respond to such love and sacrifice, help us to re-commit ourselves in devotion to Him as we pray for a world free from all that brings violence, conflict, suffering, injustice and oppression. As we approach Easter Sunday, may we know the joy and the hope of the love of our risen Lord, in whose name we pray, Amen.

2021-04-02T10:36:07+01:00

Holy Week – Maundy Thursday

Mark 14:22-25
During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this. It is my body.” Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He gave it to his disciples, and they all drank some. Then he said, “This is my blood, which is poured out for many people, and with it God makes his agreement. From now on I will not drink any wine, until I drink new wine in God’s kingdom.”

Gracious God, as Good Friday approaches, we reflect upon the events in the upper room. On the night before He was betrayed, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in an act of humility and servitude and so may we respond and commit to serving others. On the night before He was betrayed, Jesus spoke of reconciliation between God and His people, so may we continue to nurture relationships rooted in God’s love for us and may we follow His commands and be the people He would have us be. And on the night before He was betrayed, Jesus asked us to remember Him, and so this day we give thanks for His sacrifice upon the cross. As Jesus suffered rejection and persecution, may we support all those who feel rejected, oppressed and unloved. Living God, give us the courage and the strength to witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ and his resurrection, for it is In His name that we pray, Amen.

2021-04-01T09:26:23+01:00

Romans 15:13
‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. ‘

Gracious God, as a new week begins and we continue to journey through Lent, we bring You before decisions that will be made today by those in authority, decisions that will effect our plans for the future. Give wisdom, Lord, to all those tasked with mapping out the next stages of dealing with the pandemic. As we prepare to potentially move into a new phase of restrictions, we thank You for Your assurance that You are always there to support us when life is difficult, to encourage us in times of doubt and uncertainty, and to strengthen us when we are weak or vulnerable. Lord God, teach us to have the faith to place our trust in You with the confidence that You will continue to journey with us, whatever the next stage of this current health crisis. May we be assured of Your love and your comfort surrounding us this day, through the power of Your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

2021-02-22T10:43:06+01:00