Wednesday break reflection 13 May 2020
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Our church building in Spring
At the end of last year, Leonard said to me one Sunday that I should look forward to a surprise outside the church in late spring. Is this the surprise? Since we can't go into the building I thought you might like to see some pictures.
What thoughts of church and friends come to mind as you look at them?
Thank you Leonard and helpers.
What thoughts of church and friends come to mind as you look at them?
Thank you Leonard and helpers.
A thought to start our reflection this morning.
The psalmist says:
Let all who are faithful offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush
of mighty waters will not reach them.
Let us worship God
Let all who are faithful offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush
of mighty waters will not reach them.
Let us worship God
Let us pray using a prayer from Christian Aid
God of all the Earth,
be present with us now,
in each of our homes,
as we connect together.
Build us into a spiritual house,
a holy priesthood,
offering spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to you
through Jesus Christ, our risen redeemer and healer.
Amen.
be present with us now,
in each of our homes,
as we connect together.
Build us into a spiritual house,
a holy priesthood,
offering spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to you
through Jesus Christ, our risen redeemer and healer.
Amen.
Let us build a house...
It may seem strange to sing the lyric: ‘All are welcome
in this place’ at a time when no one is welcome
into our homes (except those who live there) or to
collective worship in our church building. However,
at this time more than ever, we are learning that the
church is not the building but it is us, the people.
Peter calls us living stones in his epistle. Though
separate, we can build up together into a spiritual
house where love can dwell, and be lived out in our
everyday actions.
Extracted from Christian aid week service
in this place’ at a time when no one is welcome
into our homes (except those who live there) or to
collective worship in our church building. However,
at this time more than ever, we are learning that the
church is not the building but it is us, the people.
Peter calls us living stones in his epistle. Though
separate, we can build up together into a spiritual
house where love can dwell, and be lived out in our
everyday actions.
Extracted from Christian aid week service
Let us build a house...
where prophets speak
where love is found
where hands will reach beyond
where all are named
where prophets speak
where love is found
where hands will reach beyond
where all are named
The root of it - A poem to continue by Norma MacCaig
The Root of It.
On the rug by the fire
a stack of vocabulary rose up, confidently
piling adjectives and nouns and
tiny muscular verbs, storey by storey,
till they reached
almost to the ceiling. The word at the bottom
was love.
Click here to read the whole poem
On the rug by the fire
a stack of vocabulary rose up, confidently
piling adjectives and nouns and
tiny muscular verbs, storey by storey,
till they reached
almost to the ceiling. The word at the bottom
was love.
Click here to read the whole poem
A verse or two from Luke 8
When a great crowd has gathered, Jesus told them in a parable about a Sower who went out to sow.
Then his disciples asked him what his parable meant.
Then his disciples asked him what his parable meant.
We bow our heads for a moment in prayer
A prayer for times of isolation from Christian Aid
Love never fails
Even in the darkest moments, love gives hope.
Love compels us to fight against coronavirus alongside our sisters and brothers living in poverty.
Love compels us to stand together in prayer with our neighbours near and far.
Love compels us to give and act as one.
Now, it is clear that our futures are bound together more tightly than ever before.
As we pray in our individual homes – around the nation and around the world – we are united as one family.
So, let us pause and find a moment of peace, as we lift up our hearts together in prayer.
Let us pray
God of heaven and earth,
in these times of isolation,
apart from loved ones
distant from friends
away from neighbours
thank you that there is nothing
in all of creation,
not even coronavirus,
that is able to separate us from your love.
And may your love that never fails
continue to be shared
through the kindness of strangers
looking out for each other,
for neighbours near and far
all recognising our shared vulnerability,
each of us grateful for every breath,
and willing everyone to know the gift
of a full and healthy life.
Keep us all in your care.
Amen.
Love never fails
Even in the darkest moments, love gives hope.
Love compels us to fight against coronavirus alongside our sisters and brothers living in poverty.
Love compels us to stand together in prayer with our neighbours near and far.
Love compels us to give and act as one.
Now, it is clear that our futures are bound together more tightly than ever before.
As we pray in our individual homes – around the nation and around the world – we are united as one family.
So, let us pause and find a moment of peace, as we lift up our hearts together in prayer.
Let us pray
God of heaven and earth,
in these times of isolation,
apart from loved ones
distant from friends
away from neighbours
thank you that there is nothing
in all of creation,
not even coronavirus,
that is able to separate us from your love.
And may your love that never fails
continue to be shared
through the kindness of strangers
looking out for each other,
for neighbours near and far
all recognising our shared vulnerability,
each of us grateful for every breath,
and willing everyone to know the gift
of a full and healthy life.
Keep us all in your care.
Amen.
And after we pray, we go and prepare.
The psalmist says
Be brave, be strong. Don't give up.
Expect God to get here soon
We're depending on God;
he's everything we need.
What's more our hearts brim with joy
since we've taken for our own his holy name.
Love us, God, with all you've got-
that's what we are depending on
From psalms 31 and 33. The message version.
Be brave, be strong. Don't give up.
Expect God to get here soon
We're depending on God;
he's everything we need.
What's more our hearts brim with joy
since we've taken for our own his holy name.
Love us, God, with all you've got-
that's what we are depending on
From psalms 31 and 33. The message version.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
Amen
Amen
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Bible reading plan
oHere's a simple bible reading plan for the next few weeks taken from Janie Stuart's favourite Bible commentator-Dale Bruner. He calls it making a home with Jesus. (John 15). His suggestion is that we read a a book a month, reading a chapter a day and think about what we have read and what is happening in our lives. Since some books are have fewer chapters than days in the month, then you either get to have a few days holiday or spend time chewing over passages that caught your attention in that particular book.
His scheme for the next few months would be:
March: Luke 1-24
April: John 1-21
May: Acts 1-28
June: Romans: 1-16
We are part way through the gospel of Luke in the church so I would suggest the following:
March 22 to April 12 Luke 10 -24
April 13 to May 3: John 1-21
May: Acts 1-28 which would gets us back onto Dale's plan but let us read and reflect on the Easter story at Easter.
His scheme for the next few months would be:
March: Luke 1-24
April: John 1-21
May: Acts 1-28
June: Romans: 1-16
We are part way through the gospel of Luke in the church so I would suggest the following:
March 22 to April 12 Luke 10 -24
April 13 to May 3: John 1-21
May: Acts 1-28 which would gets us back onto Dale's plan but let us read and reflect on the Easter story at Easter.
Boxes of discovery-Bible study
Mark's gospel
Prayers
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