We all want to live a fruitful life. Jesus explores the image of Him being the vine and we the branches. He answers “What is involved in being fruitful?” Dare we ask the gardener to be at work?
St Thomas’ Annual Parochial Church Meetings The Annual Parochial Church Meetings for St Thomas’ will take place this Sunday, 28th April, after the 9:30am service. Paper copies of the annual report and accounts will be available in the church.
Pathways The new edition of the Diocesan magazine, Pathways, is now available in all our churches. Please do help yourself to a copy.
This week we are asked to pray for
Prayers for this week Thank you to Mike for this week’s prayers based on the prayers of David Adam.
God of love, may we abide in your presence and so abide in your love: as we freely receive your love, let us freely share with others all you have given to us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever, Amen
God of hosts, who so kindled the flame of love in the heart of your servant George that he bore witness to the risen Lord by his life and by his death: give us the same faith and power of love that we who rejoice in his triumphs may come to share with him the fullness of the resurrection. Amen
Father of all, we pray for your church. That it may be a caring, loving and accepting church. We pray for the outreach of your church, that it may seek out the needy, the outcasts and the rejected: that love may be revealed in action. We pray for Ben Phillips, our Ministry team and our villagers who work for our churches. Lord, as you abide in us, May we abide in you.
We come with sorrow for all who have been denied freedom or peace. We pray for places where communities have been destroyed, where families have been divided or separated. We pray for people suffering and dying in the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and in crises throughout our world. We remember all who seek to heal that which divides. Lord, as you abide in us, May we abide in you.
We give thanks for areas where people can exercise their talents, where people are free to think and act without hindrance. We pray for all who are enriching the world with their gifts, our families and friends. We pray for young people - pupils and students - who are working towards their school and college summer exams. Lord, as you abide in us, May we abide in you.
We think of all whose lives have been marred by their past: for lives damaged by bad memories, hatred, or resentment; for those who are weary of life, who are tired of work and serving others. In the power of the risen Lord we ask for renewal, refreshment, restoration. Lord, as you abide in us, May we abide in you.
Lord of life and love, we praise you for all who have borne fruit in your service, for all who have forwarded your kingdom, for all who have shared their love and goodness. We pray for all our loved ones departed. “For the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.” Lord, as you abide in us, May we abide in you.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.