a prayer for the world · web viewdiana baldwin although we are apart, we pray together: lord,...
TRANSCRIPT
ELHAM VALLEY OPEN DOOR
PRAYER HUB: WELCOME!
Sunday 30th August 2020 – Trinity 12
There will only be one more on-line service for the Benefice (the 6th September) and it will be available on our website just before that date:
www.elhamvalleygroupofchurches.co.uk
Good News!
Services in Churches around the Group
Here is the new rota of services for some of our churches (there will be more to come once they are finalised) - please note start dates.
1st Sundays – 9.30am Acrise Holy Communion (BCP); – 11am Lyminge WOW – both starting 4th October
2nd Sundays – 9.30am Stanford Worship Service – starting 13th September
3rd Sundays – 9.30am Paddlesworth Harvest Service (usually Eucharist CW 2); 9.30am
Acrise Fellowship Service; – 11am Lyminge Eucharist (CW1) – starting 20th September
4th Sundays – 9.30am Stanford – Eucharist (CW1 and 2 alternating) – starting 27th September
(BCP – Book of Common Prayer; CW – Common Worship)
Every Thursday – 6.30pm Postling A short informal service
Zoom Services
The congregation of St Mary and St Radegund, Postling are meeting ‘virtually’ by Zoom as follows, starting on the 6th September:
1st Sundays – 9.30am Eucharist
2nd, 3rd & 4th Sundays – 9.30am Morning Service
If you would like to join with them, please contact Alison Dale and she will send you the link a day or so before.
The Readings for 30th August
Jeremiah 15: 15-21 Romans 12: 9 – end Matthew 16: 21 – end
Thoughts for this Week
Now and again a little something from internet browsing stays with me – it strikes home.
Imagine I am carrying a cup of coffee to our café table – full and hot and steaming – and someone comes by and jogs me. The coffee is spilt.
You ask me as I sit down “Why did you spill the coffee?” – (in reality at this point, I probably explode with ****!) – but in the story I say “Because someone passing by pushed me”
But you as my wiser friend say, “But why did you spill the coffee?” and when I have no other reply you say to me “You spilled your coffee because you had coffee in your cup”.
And of course, you are absolutely right.
It is what we have actually inside us that is spilt in times of stress, when we are confronted by the sudden and unexpected. There is no time to manage, reflect, manipulate and craft our response and to show us to advantage, to call out admiration and applause from those around us. If I am angry others know it, if I am afraid you see me run away – because anger and fear are what I carry with me. On the other hand, if you carry love and compassion, I will see these in the way you act and the things you say.
And we see these in both our readings today – Moses confronted with the strange bush which burns but is not destroyed – not unreasonably argues with God. How will I go before Pharaoh? How will I convince people to follow me? What is your Name? Moses’ preoccupations are with the practical, and he is clearly a details man. Peter, in dealing with the unwelcome news that Jesus is looking to his suffering and death, seeks to quieten him and rebukes Jesus. Rather than riding the crest of the popular wave of support and success Peter is faced with failure and loss, and he responds with inappropriate anger, denial and an attempt to suppress the truth. Peter demonstrates his lack of vision and understanding; fear and anger spill from him.
It is more than appropriate that one of the translations of the Lord’s prayer includes the phrase “Do not bring us to the time of testing”. So how can we build strength to make sure that what spills from us is, essentially, the love of God? As a start, can I perhaps invite you to take a moment to look back on a personal time of testing? What happened? Why? What does is tell you about what you carry? Be honest with yourself. Be compassionate as well. Remember that meek acceptance is not always right and anger not always wrong. Exploitation, bullying and discrimination need clear and energetic challenge – tables need turning.
This of course is the work of a lifetime – and even then, a work unfinished. And finally, in my own reflection here I would now say, if asked, that one of the purposes of prayer must be to transform what we carry into that abundant love of God that can spill from us at all times, stressful or not.
Diana Baldwin
Although we are apart, we pray together:
Lord, we’ve never been here before. Please help us to navigate this territory and perceive what is happening. We ask you for insight and wisdom to serve effectively. We pray we would learn the lessons You are teaching us and not forget how much we need You. Shape us for what lies ahead. Holy Spirit make us brave to face the changes this is bringing upon us. O Lord be glorified through Your people in this critical hour. For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory.Calm me O Lord, as You stilled the storm
Still me O Lord, keep me from harm
Let all the tumult within me cease
Enfold me Lord, in Your peace
Amen.
A prayer for the world
God of love and hope, you made the world and care for all creation, but the world feels strange right now.
The news is full of stories about Coronavirus.
Some people are worried that they might get ill.
Others are anxious for their family and friends.
Be with them and help them to find peace.
We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists,and all who are working to discover the right medicines to help those who are ill.
Thank you that even in these anxious times, you are with us.
Help us to put our trust in you and keep us safe.
Amen.For Government Leaders
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Our leaders have families and responsibilities outside of work, but they also face some unique challenges. Splitting their time between Parliament and their home constituency, working long hours in the office, many government leaders sacrifice time with their family to serve their constituents. Their families are also more often in the spotlight, causing additional stress. Pray that government leaders and their families would be strengthened by Christ, fulfilled by the time they have together, and supportive and encouraging of one another.
God, thank You for the men and women who serve our country in leadership roles and for their families. Please provide our leaders with reminders each day of why they decided to dedicate their lives to public service, and use that commitment to encourage them. Give them peace when their work takes them away from their families. We also pray specifically for those families. We ask that You draw near to them and give them the wisdom on how to best support one another while their loved one is away working.
For all those affected by Coronavirus
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy.
Sustain and support the anxious,
be with those who care for the sick,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may find comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Father God, thank you for the gift of relationship and community. We pray this crisis will bring people together, not drive them apart.
For those of us who are anxious, bring peace.
For those of us who are sick, bring healing
For those of us caring for others, bring strength
For those of us who are lonely, bring comfort
For those of us who are not lonely, help us to see those who are and help us reach out to them in whatever ways we can.
We pray that this crisis will bring about renewed trust in your goodness.
In Jesus’ name we pray
AmenFor the Christian community
We are not people of fear: we are people of courage.
We are not people who protect our own safety:
we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety.
We are not people of greed: we are people of generosity.
We are your people God,
giving and loving, wherever we are, whatever it costs
For as long as it takes - wherever you call us.
Lord, in Your mercy hear our prayer
Lord, we commend to your love and care all those in our community who are sick at this time especially Vanessa Ashman, Margaret Morphew, Alan Field, Kevin Bennett, Janet Thornby, Derek & Nicki North, Daniel Stevens, Katherine Goody, Baby Rowan, Mike Wilson, David Ratcliff, Colin Laker, June Edwards, Derek Ufton, Jean Anderson, Paul Hutchins, John Hammond, Sheila Godden, and for all known to us who need a prayer for healing.
We think of those recently departed known only to us, and those who mourn them.
And we remember also those dear, whose year’s mind falls at this time:
Patrick McCormick, John Tierney, Derek Sawyer, and Ross Anderson.
Merciful Father, Accept these Prayers for the sake of thy only Son, Amen
May we conclude with the prayer Jesus taught us;
Traditional
Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come;thy will be done;on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation;but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,for ever and ever.Amen.
Contemporary
Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the lory are yoursglory now and for ever.Amen.
Anthems from Lyminge Virtual Choir
Be Still - https://youtu.be/DBG7hRYXREU
Keep You in Peace - https://youtu.be/YFnvFMMlTVo
For Families:
Toddler Praise from St George’s Church, Folkestone, with Rev’d Kate McNeice:
https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgesFolkestone/
https://www.rootsontheweb.com/media/20748/30-aug-2020-childrens-sheet.pdf
https://www.rootsontheweb.com/media/20758/30-aug-2020-colouring-sheet.pdf
Churches open for Private Prayer
Lyminge Church:– 9am to 5pm daily
Elham Church: - Jesus Chapel will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to 4pm
Postling: - every day, during the day
Paddlesworth:- every day, 9am -5pm
Denton & Wootton:- every day, all day
Here are some links for videos of services and further resources from Canterbury Diocese and the Church of England
https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org
https://canterburydiocese.org/parishsupport/coronavirus/prayer-worship-during-coronavirus/ - some excellent resources and Apps for prayer
https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgN0s2xmCuM
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full
worship services from the Church of England at the end of a
telephone line. Options available include materials such
as Prayer During the Day and Night Prayer updated daily,
from Common Worship, and a recording of the Church of
England weekly national online service. A section called
Hymn Line offers callers a small selection of hymns, updated
daily. An option entitled ‘Hymns We Love’, provides a hymn
and reflection and is based on an initiative by the Connections group. The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up
particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.
ELHAM VALLEY GROUP OF CHURCHES CONTACTS:
Priest-in-Charge Rev’d Jane Weeks (on leave 22nd August to 7th September):
01303 840219 (Monday to Thursday. Jane is not available on Thursday evenings and all-day Friday) [email protected]
Associate Priest Rev’d Stephen Dougal (not available in August):
07764775507 [email protected]
Pastoral Team Leader Paul Jarvis: 01303 862215 [email protected]
Benefice Administrator: Alison Dale 07985025381 (Thu-Fri 9-11am)
Churchwardens:
Elham Peter Swain 01303 840408 - Graham Ernest-Jones 01303 840645
Acrise Simon Smith 01303 892162 – Martin Bradley 01303 864289
Denton & Wootton Sue Clough 01303 844324.
Lyminge Phil Hawken 01303 862151
Stanford Sara Myers 01303 814183 – Paul Smallwood 01303 813198
Postling Peter Le Feuvre [email protected] – Chris Reynolds [email protected]
Paddlesworth Celia Mosley 01303 893609 - Lindsey Smith [email protected]
On the Internet: www.elhamvalleygroupofchurches.co.uk www.achurchnearyou.com
Chutneys and Jams
Home-Made in Acrise mainly from Local produce, to support St Martin’s Church, Acrise
Anne Beecham 01303 862729
Little Shuttlesfield Farm, Acrise CT18 8LB