PRAYER & WORSHIP AT HOME
Here is Alison's "Wednesday Word" from 1st April, 2020:
Service on 29th March, 2020:
Lent 5 - Passiontide begins
Good morning brothers and sisters in West Grinstead, Dial Post and Partridge Green! If you have a candle or a tea light – you might like to have one near and something to light it with – for the prayers which come later……
The Lord is here – His Spirit is with us.
Just me today – we are keeping Sally safe at home with her family.
Today in our second online service we will be thinking about relationships – because many of you are now together at home in a rather intense way…..and some people you love are kept apart from you and that’s hard as well – so we are going to think about God speaking to us in our relationships.
And we are going to hear from the Bible about the promise Jesus holds out for each and every one of us.
First – the prayer for this Sunday – the fifth Sunday in Lent:
Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
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.
I’ve been taking solitary walks, keeping my distance, and when I walk around the parish I like to look at the Downs – and that prompts me to invite you to join in with a Psalm – no singing involved – just join in with the words that come after every two verses:
“My help comes from the Lord.”
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills;
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth. “My help comes from the Lord.”
3 He will not suffer your foot to stumble;
he who watches over you will not sleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep. “My help comes from the Lord.”
5 The Lord himself watches over you;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day,
neither the moon by night. “My help comes from the Lord.”
7 The Lord shall keep you from all evil;
it is he who shall keep your soul.
8 The Lord shall keep watch over your going out
and your coming in,
from this time forth for evermore. “My help comes from the Lord.”
Now I’m going to read part of the reading set for this Sunday – it’s from John’s Gospel chapter 11 beginning at verse 18.
It’s about Jesus and his friends Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus – who has just died. They lived in a place called Bethany.
John 11:18-45
Sermon
We are going to have a time of prayer now – if you found a tea light or a candle – perhaps you would light it now…….
Let us pray for the church and for the world.
For the church that it may continually – especially in these times of crisis – offer to everyone the new life Jesus has for us, when we allow His healing and liberating love to reach every part of our lives
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Let us pray for the nations of the world – for all those suffering from the Coronavirus – for all health workers, for their safety – for an end to the epidemic and swift and effective drugs to save lives.
Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer.
This week I have been asked to ask you all to pray for:
Sussexdown Nursing Home where Brenda Weller lives – they are locked down and worried.
For Simon’s niece, Ruth, who is in hospital with the coronavirus.
For Sally’s friend Amanda in Kent who also has the virus
For Sandra, vicar of Slindon and Itchingfield whose cancer surgery has been postponed
And for all those we know who are particularly susceptible or vulnerable in any way - that they may know God’s peace and strength.
For all families, looking after children and the elderly - that Your love, Lord will strengthen them.
For all who have died recently – I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord.
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.
Let’s pray the Lord’s Prayer together: Our Father….
Final prayer and blessing
Until next week…..
Whether you go forth into the world or whether you remain at home: be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no-one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you for ever. Amen.
Don’t hesitate to call me if you would like spiritual support.
God bless,
Alison
01403 713196
Dear Friends
As I write this from my home I am aware that many of you are worried and fearful about our current situation, but remember God is with us at all times and throughout all of the seasons of life to hear our prayers, worries, concerns and fears as well as our petitions, praise and adoration.
As you know, this Saturday 28th March, St Michael’s Church should have been opened to hold a time of bible reading, reflection and prayer based on Luke’s account of The Passion.
Rather than abandoning the experience we have decided to make it available to you online in PowerPoint form. This has meant that some of the accompanying activities have been adjusted for home use, rather than in the church, but other than this, the concept has been unaltered.
I hope you enjoy using it in whichever way you choose.
Please continue to pray for our nation and the world at this time of uncertainty and keep yourselves very safe.
God bless,
Reverend Sally.
Please click the "Go" button below to download the file. When downloaded, click "open", and then click your mouse to page through the slides.
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Important Notice:
The Horsham Food Bank still needs your help – please do bring gifts of non-perishable food to both churches. They are running short. At this time think of others and give what you can. Teams will collect your donations and deliver them to the Food Bank. Thank you.
